WO2005095722A1

WO2005095722A1 - Water mixer applicable to water dispensing units, particularly of sanitary fittings, for adding water-soluble substances to the water

Info

Publication number: WO2005095722A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/012021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico Sanvittore
Original assignee: Enrico Sanvittore
Priority date: 2004-03-29
Filing date: 2004-10-25
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Also published as: WO2005095722A8; ITMI20040606A1

Abstract

A water mixer applicable to water dispensing units, particularly of sanitary fittings, for adding water-soluble substances to the water, which comprises a device body (2) that forms internally a mixing chamber (3) adapted to contain a water-soluble substance. The device body (2) has an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for the water and is provided, at least at the inlet (4), with a connector (6) for the detachable connection of the device body (2) to a water supply duct. A selector (8) is provided in the device body (2) and can be actuated from the outside of the device body (2) at least to connect the inlet (4) to the outlet (5) through the mixing chamber (3) or to interrupt the connection of the inlet (4) and/or of the outlet (5) to the mixing chamber (3).

Description

WATER MIXER APPLICABLE TO WATER DISPENSING UNITS, PARTICULARLY OF SANITARY FITTINGS, FOR ADDING WATER- SOLUBLE SUBSTANCES TO THE WATER Technical Field The present invention relates to a water mixer applicable to water dispensing units, particularly of sanitary fittings, for adding water-soluble substances to the water. Background Art It is known to add water-soluble substances or agents to the water dispensed by sanitary fittings, during dispensing, for example in order to achieve fragrancing or detergent or therapeutic effects of the water thus treated with addition agents. This addition agent treatment is performed for example in hydromassage baths or shower enclosures, which have a specifically provided tank for the water-soluble substances and are designed so as to gradually add such substances or agents to the water dispensed through the hydromassage nozzles. These devices generally have high purchase costs. Moreover, installing them requires the intervention of specialized personnel and a preparation of the water and electrical system that generally entails performing masonry work. Dispensing units for showers are also known which are internally provided with a mixing chamber in which it is possible to introduce water- soluble substances in the form of tablets. These kinds of dispensing units can be used as an alternative to traditional types of shower dispensing units and therefore using them in an existing system requires replacing the shower dispensing unit currently in use. Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a water mixer that allows to mix water-soluble substances with water during dispensing and can be applied in a very simple manner to water dispensing units, including units that are already in use, particularly of sanitary fittings, so as to allow the use of blended water without requiring the purchase of expensive equipment that is difficult to install. Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that can be installed on a wide variety of water dispensing units, particularly on shower-type dispensing units or the like. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be installed and optionally removed rapidly, especially by non-specialized personnel. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows to dispense both blended water, or water with addition agent, and non-blended water according to the requirements of the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is compact and can be easily transported so that it can be used, at the user's discretion, in the most disparate places when using water dispensing units. This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a water mixer applicable to water dispensing units, particularly of sanitary fittings, for adding water-soluble substances to the water, characterized in that it comprises a device body that forms internally a mixing chamber that is adapted to contain a water-soluble substance, said device body having an inlet and an outlet for the water and being provided, at least at said inlet, with a connector for the detachable connection of said device body to a water supply duct, a selector being provided in said device body and being actuatable from the outside of said device body at least to connect said inlet to said outlet through said mixing chamber or to interrupt the connection of said inlet and/or said outlet to said mixing chamber.

Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of the device according to the invention in an operating condition; Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 , taken along the line II-II; Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1, taken along the line III-III; Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of the device according to the invention, in the operating condition of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a sectional perspective view of the device according to the invention, in another operating condition; Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of the device according to the invention, in a further operating condition; Figures 7 to 9 schematically illustrate some of the possible applications of the device according to the invention. Ways to carrying out the Invention With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a device body 2 that forms internally a mixing chamber 3 adapted to contain a water-soluble substance. The device body 2 has an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 for the water and is provided, at least at the inlet 4, with a connector 6, which allows to connect detachably the device body 2 to a water supply duct. Preferably, the device body 2 has a connector 7 also at the outlet 5 in order to allow detachable connection of the device body 2 to a water dispensing duct. In the device body 2 there is a selector 8, which can be operated from the outside of the device body 2 at least in order to connect the inlet 4 to the outlet 5 through the mixing chamber 3 or to interrupt the connection of the inlet 4 and/or of the outlet 5 to the mixing chamber 3, as will become better apparent hereinafter. The device body 2, preferably made of molded synthetic material, is conveniently composed of at least two parts 9 and 10, respectively a first part 9 and a second part 10, which are detachably associated with each other so that they can be disassembled easily in order to allow access to the mixing chamber 3, for example in order to introduce in said mixing chamber 3 the water-soluble substance to be added to the water. More particularly, the first part 9 is provided as a tank, and at least part of the mixing chamber 3 is formed therein, while the second part 10 is provided with the connectors 6 and 7 and supports the selector 8. The inlet 4 is preferably arranged coaxially to the outlet 5, and the selector 8 is arranged between said inlet 4 and said outlet 5. The first part 9 has a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, which is open at one of its end faces, and is connected by way of its open end face to the second part 10, by way of a coupling 11, preferably a threaded coupling, or of a bayonet coupling, as shown in the figures, the rotation axis whereof coincides with the axis of the first part 9. The selector 8, too, preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape and is accommodated coaxially, and so that it can rotate about its own axis 8a, in a receptacle 12, which is formed in the second part 10 of the device body 2 and is preferably coaxial to the first part 9. The inlet 4 and the outlet 5 are formed on the lateral surface of the receptacle 12, and in the selector 8, at its axis 8a, there is a duct 13 that leads into a central region of the mixing chamber 3 and is connected to an opening 14 provided on the lateral surface of the selector 8. The selector 8 also has, on its lateral surface, a recessed channel 15, which covers an arc of approximately 180° so as to provide direct connection between the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 in a preset rotational position of the selector 8 about the axis 8a. The opening 14, which is connected to the duct 13, is arranged in a region of the lateral surface of the selector 8 that is not occupied by the recessed channel 15. Moreover, the selector 8 has a region of its lateral surface that is not occupied by the recessed channel 15 and by the opening 14. Said region closes hermetically the inlet 4 in a preset rotational position of the selector 8 about the axis 8a. The recessed channel 15 and the opening 14 are angularly spaced, around the axis 8a, on the lateral surface of the selector 8, so that the selector 8, by rotating about its own axis 8a with respect to the device body 2, provides three operating positions. In a first operating position, shown in Figure 5, the recessed channel 15 directly connects the inlet 4 to the outlet 5, while the opening 14 is offset with respect to the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 so as to exclude the mixing chamber 3 from this connection. In a second operating position, shown in Figure 6, the opening 14 is aligned with the inlet 4 so as to connect the inlet 4 to the mixing chamber 3 through the duct 13. In a third position, shown in Figures 1 to 4, the selector 8 faces the inlet 4 with the region that is not occupied by the recessed channel 15 and by the opening 14 and therefore closes the inlet 4, completely preventing the flow of water through the device. The selector 8 is provided with an actuation knob 16, which is arranged outside the device body 2 and can be operated in order to turn the selector 8 about its own axis 8a with respect to the device body 2. The mixing chamber 3 is connected to the outlet 5 by means of a region that is proximate to the perimeter of the open end face of the first part 9 of the device body 2. Conveniently, a filter mesh 17 is interposed between the mixing chamber 3 and the outlet 5. Said filter mesh 17 is preferably circular, so as to close the open end face of the first part 9, and is crossed centrally by the duct 13. The connectors 6 and 7 are preferably constituted by threaded connectors provided with standardized threads, so as to allow their direct coupling to threaded connectors that are already provided on dispensing devices, such as for example faucets, units of bathtubs, shower-type dispensing units, or on connecting elements that are commercially available for connecting one another components of water systems. As an alternative, the connectors 6 and 7 can be constituted by bayonet connectors. Figure 7 illustrates the possibility to fit the device according to the invention on a faucet 20 for a washbasin or sink. Fitting can be performed by associating the connector 6 to the outlet of the faucet 20, for example directly or by means of a connecting element. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the possibility to fit the device according to the invention on a shower head 21. As shown in Figure 8, fitting can be performed by associating, for example directly or by means of a connecting element, the connector 7 to the body of the head 21 and the connector 6 to the flexible hose 22 that usually connects the head 21 to the wall-mounted faucet. As shown in Figure 9, fitting can be performed by associating, for example directly or by means of a connecting element, the connector 6 to the wall-mounted faucet and the connector 7 to the flexible hose 22 that usually connects the head 21 to the wall-mounted faucet. The above described examples of fitting of the device according to the invention are only a few of those that are possible, since the presence of the connectors 6 and 7 allows to fit in an extremely simple manner the device according to the invention on a wide range of sanitary components, interposing it more generally between a water supply duct and a dispensing outlet of the sanitary component. It is possible to introduce the water-soluble substances or addition agents to be added to the water during its dispensing in the mixing chamber 3. Said substances can be constituted by fragrancing or detergent or therapeutic substances or other kinds of substances, according to the requirements. The substances may be in liquid or solid form, for example in the form of a tablet 30 that is designed to gradually dissolve upon contact with water. For the sake of completeness in description, it should be noted that sealing gaskets 24 and 25 are provided between the selector 8 and the receptacle 12 and between the first part 9 and the second part 10. Operation of the device according to the invention is as follows. When one wishes to dispense water without additives, the selector 8 is placed in the first operating position (Figure 5). With the selector 8 in this position, the water passes through the device by flowing directly from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5, without flowing through the mixing chamber 3. When one wishes to dispense water with additives, the selector 8 is arranged in the second operating position (Figure 6). With the selector 8 in this position, the water passes through the device by flowing from the inlet 4 to the mixing chamber 3 and from there to the outlet 5. When one wishes to interrupt completely the dispensing of water, the selector 8 is placed in the third operating position (Figures 1-4). In this position, the selector 8 closes the inlet 4, preventing the flow of water through the device. It should be noted that with the device according to the invention it is extremely simple to pass from dispensing water with additives to dispensing water without additives. The possibility to switch between these two operating positions can be used for example to perform in succession washing with a detergent substance added to the water and subsequent rinsing with additive-free water. Moreover, it should be noted that since the device according to the invention is designed to be installed predominantly downstream of a mixer faucet or of two faucets for dispensing hot water mixed with cold water, the switching of the position of the selector 8 does not alter the mixing of the water that is preset by means of the mixer faucet or by means of the two faucets. In this manner, it is possible to pass from dispensing additive-free water to dispensing blended water, optionally with a period of interruption of the dispensing action, without having to act on the mixer faucet or on the two faucets. After use, the first part 9 can be removed from the second part 10 in order to clean the mixing chamber 3 and optionally prepare the device for subsequent use by introducing fresh water-soluble substance in the mixing chamber 3. It has been observed in practice that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it allows to use, in an extremely simple and low-cost manner, water blended with water-soluble substances without requiring the purchase of expensive devices that are difficult to install. Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be transported easily by the user in order to install it on water dispensing units available in places visited by the user outside his own dwelling, such as for example in hotels, gymnasiums et cetera. The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art. The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2004000606 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A water mixer applicable to water dispensing units, particularly of sanitary fittings, for adding water-soluble substances to the water, characterized in that it comprises a device body (2) that forms internally a mixing chamber (3) that is adapted to contain a water-soluble substance; said device body (2) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for the water and being provided, at least at said inlet (4), with a connector (6) for the detachable connection of said device body (2) to a water supply duct; a selector (8) being provided in said device body (2) and being actuatable from the outside of said device body (2) at least to connect said inlet (4) to said outlet (5) through said mixing chamber (3) or to interrupt the connection of said inlet (4) and/or said outlet (5) to said mixing chamber (3).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device body (2) has a connector (7) also at said outlet (5) for the detachable connection of said device body (2) to a water dispensing duct. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said device body (2) is composed of at least two parts (9,10), respectively a first part (9) and a second part (10), which are detachably associated with each other and can be separated so that access to said mixing chamber (3) is allowed. 4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first part (9) of the device body (2) is provided as a tank and that at least part of said mixing chamber (3) is formed therein. 5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second part (10) of the device (2) is provided with said connectors (6,7) and supports said selector (8). 6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet (4) is arranged substantially coaxially to said outlet (5). 7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first part (9) of the device body (2) has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, which is open at one of its end faces and is connected to said second part (10) of the device body (21) by way of its open end face. 8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first part (9) of the device body (2) is connected to said second part (10) of the device body (2) by way of a threaded or bayonet coupling (11) whose rotation axis coincides with the axis (8a) of said first part of the device body (2). 9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selector (8) is provided so as to be arrangeable in three operating positions: a first position, in which it directly connects said inlet (4) to said outlet (5), excluding said mixing chamber (3) from the connection; a second position, in which it connects said inlet (4) to said outlet (5) through said mixing chamber (3); and a third position, in which it interrupts the connection of said inlet (4) to said outlet (5). 10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selector (8) is accommodated in a receptacle (12) that is formed in said second part (10) of the device body (2), said selector (8) being rotatable with respect to said second part (10) of the device body (2) about an actuation axis (8a) in order to provide said operating positions. 11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selector (8) is substantially cylindrical, with an axis (8a) that coincides with said actuation axis; said selector (8) having, at its own axis (8a), a duct (13) that leads into said mixing chamber (3) and is connected to an opening (14) that is formed on its lateral surface and can be arranged at said inlet (4) by way of the rotation of said selector (8) about its own axis (8a). 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that said first part (9) of the device body (2) is arranged coaxially to said selector (8) and in that said duct (13) ends substantially at the center of said mixing chamber

(3). 13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mixing chamber (3) is connected to said outlet (5) by way of a region that is proximate to the perimeter of the open end face of said first part (9) of the device body (2) that is connected to said second part (10) of the device body (2). 14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filter mesh (17) is interposed between said mixing chamber (3) and said outlet (5). 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said filter mesh (17) closes the open end face of said first part (9) of the device body

(2). 16. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connectors (6,7) are constituted by threaded or bayonet connectors. 17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said selector (8) is provided with an actuation knob (16), which is arranged externally with respect to said device body (2). 18. Use of a water mixer, as set forth in any of the claims 1-17, with a sink or washbasin faucet (20), a shower head (21), and with any other sanitary component that require adding of an addition agent to water, said water mixer being interposed between a water supply duct and a dispensing outlet.