WO2020070154A1 - Douche avec distributeur d'additif - Google Patents

Douche avec distributeur d'additif

Info

Publication number
WO2020070154A1
WO2020070154A1 PCT/EP2019/076635 EP2019076635W WO2020070154A1 WO 2020070154 A1 WO2020070154 A1 WO 2020070154A1 EP 2019076635 W EP2019076635 W EP 2019076635W WO 2020070154 A1 WO2020070154 A1 WO 2020070154A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
additive
water
dispenser
showerhead
pump
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2019/076635
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Elmar Mock
Max ROUSSELET
Original Assignee
Gjosa Sa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gjosa Sa filed Critical Gjosa Sa
Priority to CN201980062632.1A priority Critical patent/CN112752886B/zh
Priority to EP19782991.4A priority patent/EP3861178B1/fr
Publication of WO2020070154A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020070154A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/046—Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outlet

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of sanitary devices. It relates to a dispenser arranged for dispensing water with an additive, and a corresponding method, as described in the preamble of the corresponding independent claims.
  • US 8'490'891 discloses a showerhead and washing fluid supply device in which a delivery pipe for the washing fluid is arranged inside a water pipe leading from the supply device to the showerhead.
  • the supply device comprises a piston generating a pressure to deliver the washing fluid via its pipe to the showerhead.
  • the piston is activated by the pressure of the mains water.
  • a manually operated pair of valves allows to switch between a delivery of water or of a foamy mixture of water, washing fluid and air.
  • This mixture is generated in the showerhead and exits the showerhead at another outlet than the water. It is not possible to control the volume of the washing fluid that is dispensed, or its concentration within the mixture.
  • the valve system in the showerhead is mechanically complex and must be operated by hand.
  • US 2007/235091 shows a water tap for kitchen sinks with two ports for connection to cold and hot water supply lines, and a third port for connection to a special-water supply line, e.g., for supplying filtered or carbonated water.
  • a control valve selects whether mixed-water or special-water is fed to the water discharge head, using two concentric hoses.
  • WO 2007/004050 shows the separate delivery of treated and mains water, comprising a flexible hose for the separate conveyance of treated water and mains water for connection between a spray head provided with at two separate delivery points and a distribution unit for the separate supply of treated water and mains water.
  • EP 0 313 913 A2 discloses a mixing device in a showerhead, with a base unit with pumps, remotely controlled by buttons on the showerhead.
  • An additive conduit can run in parallel to a water conduit leading to the showerhead, so that the additive is dispensed at the front of the showerhead, through a valve.
  • WO 2018/122223 A1 and WO 2018/122206 A1 disclose devices and methods for dispensing mixtures of water with additives, via a showerhead, and parameters associated with users of the devices.
  • US 2013/0291947 A1 disclosed a water tap with an additive conduit leading, in parallel to a water conduit, to a mixer at the outlet of the tap.
  • Another possible object of the invention to create a dispenser that allows to precisely control at least one of the time of delivery, volume or concentration of the additive being delivered.
  • the dispenser which in particular can be a shower, is arranged for dispensing water with an additive. It comprises • a showerhead;
  • shower hose and the at least one additive conduit are flexible, and are optionally combined with one another;
  • the dispenser comprises at least one additive pump for delivering the additive from the at least on additive supply to the at least one additive conduit,
  • an additive pump is arranged and controlled to control delivery of the additive to the showerhead. ln other words, the delivery of the additive to the showerhead and thereby to the flow of water in the showerhead is not controlled by a valve or the like in the showerhead itself, at the end of the additive conduit, but at the beginning of the additive conduit. This allows to control the mixing of the additive with the water in the showerhead itself, in a precise manner, but without increasing complexity of the construction of the showerhead.
  • the additive pump when connected to a mains water supply, is arranged to increase the pressure of the additive in the additive conduit to be higher than the pressure of the water in the water supply conduit.
  • the additive is typically a liquid. Instead of water, another liquid can be used.
  • an additive outlet arranged at an end of the additive conduit, is arranged in the showerhead.
  • a mixing arrangement for mixing the additive with the water, in the showerhead, downstream of the additive outlet.
  • the mixing arrangement or mixing unit can be a static mixer comprising elements that generate turbulence in the combined flow of water and additive. This can be done by shaping a conduit for the combined flow, and/or by incorporating elements for generating turbulences in the flow in the conduit.
  • the showerhead downstream of the additive outlet, comprises a conduit for the combined flow that maintains at least approximately a laminar flow, up to a region where the combined flow reaches the outlet of the showerhead.
  • this conduit can have walls that are free from discontinuities, such as edges, ledges or protrusions that project into the conduit.
  • the additive conduit at the additive outlet, is open to a volume inside the showerhead for guiding water to an outlet of the showerhead. In other words, there is no valve at the end of the additive conduit. When the pressure in the additive conduit is lower than the water pressure in the showerhead, the additive will be pushed back and remain in the additive conduit.
  • the additive outlet is arranged to minimise or eliminate the Venturi effect which would draw the additive in to the flow of water.
  • the additive outlet comprises a check valve. This can prevent the flow of water back into the additive conduit.
  • the check valve is designed to open only if a pressure difference across the check valve exceeds a threshold.
  • the threshold for opening the check valve can be, for example, 0.1 bar or 0.5 bar or one bar.
  • the check valve is a diaphragm valve, for example, a duck-bill valve or a Woods valve.
  • the additive pump is a positive displacement pump, in particular a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump.
  • the additive can be dosed precisely.
  • the at least one additive conduit and the shower hose run in parallel to one another.
  • the at least one additive conduit and the shower hose are attached to one another.
  • the at least one additive conduit and the shower hose have a length of at least 80 cm or at least one meter.
  • the at least one additive conduit is arranged inside the shower hose, and in particular
  • an inner diameter of the shower hose is between eight and twelve millimetres, in particular at least approximately ten millimetres.
  • exactly one additive conduit is present in the shower hose, and an outer diameter of the additive conduit is three to six millimetres, in particular at least approximately four millimetres.
  • an inner cross section of the shower hose comprising the one or more additive conduits that remains for guiding the water has an area of less than sixty or less than fifty or less than forty or less than thirty square millimetres.
  • the water pump is designed to deliver a water flow through the showerhead at a rate of less than five, or less than four, or less than three, or less than two litres per minute.
  • Such low flow rates are advantageous in combination with the fact that the inner area of the shower hose is reduced by the presence of the additive conduit: By arranging one or more additive conduits within the shower hose, the remaining cross section through which the shower hose can deliver the water to the showerhead is decreased.
  • a low flow dispenser for example, a shower, requires a small inner diameter of the shower hose, in order to reduce the delay caused by the time the water takes to travel along the shower hose. This delay should be small, since when the user adjusts the water temperature, the change should be felt at the showerhead as quickly as possible.
  • a shower hose with an outer diameter similar to conventional shower hoses can be used, although it has a diminished inner cross section due to the additive conduit.
  • the overall handling of the shower hose for the end user is the same as for conventional shower hoses, which is an advantage.
  • an inner diameter of the additive conduit is between one and three or four millimetres, in particular at least approximately two millimetres.
  • the dispenser comprises two or more additive conduits, each with an associated additive supply and optionally an associated additive pump.
  • the dispenser can comprise one a selective activation arrangement for activating the dispensing of one or more of the additives.
  • the selective activation arrangement can comprise a plurality of activation switches or buttons, each one associated with one particular additive.
  • the selective activation arrangement can comprise a selecting element for selecting an additive from two or more additives, and an activation switch or button for activating the dispensing of the selected additive.
  • Each of the one or more additives can be associated with an additive control input.
  • This can be an input device or input element that allows to adjust the amount of additive.
  • the amount can be expressed, for example,
  • concentration as a concentration of the additive in the water, dispensed in a single "shot” or continuously.
  • the concentration can be expressed in terms of relative weight or relative volume of additive to water.
  • a concentration of one half to one gram of additive in ten grams of water can be used.
  • the additive pump can be controlled to deliver a corresponding amount or volume of additive.
  • the water pump can be controlled to deliver a corresponding amount of water, during a“mixture delivery time”
  • a set of dispensing parameters can comprise parameters specifying, for one or more additives, an amount of the additive and optionally a duration of time during which the additive is dispensed.
  • the duration of time can be specified relative to a reference point in time.
  • the set of dispensing parameters can specify, for one or more additives, a trajectory of the amount over time, starting, for example, by triggering the activation button.
  • Such a trajectory can simply specify the dispensing of two or more additives at the same time, each with a specific concentration. Or a trajectory can specify that first a shot of a first additive (or a combination of additives) is dispensed, and after a certain time, a shot of a second additive (or a different combination of additives) is dispensed, etc.
  • the dispensing can be terminated by a user input, e.g. by the same or another activation button, and/or by turning off the water supply to the dispenser.
  • the dispenser is configured to store at least one set of dispensing parameters that specify the dispensing of one or more additives, and to determine a set of dispensing parameters to be used in the operation of the dispenser by
  • the person being treated is the hairdresser’s client, and the stored dispensing parameters are associated with the client. They can reflect the client’s preferences and/or be adapted to characteristics of the client’s hair.
  • the water pump is designed to generate a pressure of at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven or at least eight bar in the shower hose.
  • Such a relatively high pressure allows to atomise the water and/or the mixture of water and additive, creating a fine spray. Nevertheless this being a fine spray having small droplets, the droplets have a high kinetic energy. This causes them to be effective in cleaning and rinsing. This is in spite of the fact that the flow rate of the fluid is relatively low.
  • the combination of a low flow rate with spraying or atomisation under relatively high pressure is advantageous for hair care applications, and in combination with the dispensing of additives as described herein:
  • the combination allows for a rapid switching between the dispensing of a mixture of water and one or more additives, and rinsing.
  • the rinsing can be at a low flow rate because of the effectiveness due to the high pressure, as explained above.
  • the showerhead is arranged to dispense water and a mixture of water and additive through the same outlet of the showerhead, in particular through an outlet that generates a spray of droplets.
  • the showerhead is configured to dispense a liquid, such as water or water-based mixture, by creating colliding jets of the liquid.
  • colliding jets are disclosed, for example, in US 8458826 or WO 2011/054120 A, which are hereby incorporated by reference. They typically have one or two or three nozzle sets, each nozzle set having two or more nozzles for creating colliding jets of liquid. Upon collision, the liquid is atomised, generating a fine spray of droplets. Spraying at an increased pressure increases the kinetic energy of the droplets.
  • the water pump is arranged downstream of a water valve.
  • a method for operating a dispenser for dispensing water with an additive comprises the following steps for dispensing a portion of additive (in the form of a mixture of additive and water):
  • the delivering of the additive is done by delivering a preset amount, in particular a portion of additive. This can be done as a single“shot” of additive.
  • the delivering of the additive is done by delivering a preset amount of at least one additive per unit of time. This corresponds to a continuous flow of a mixture of water and additive, with a preset concentration of the at least one additive.
  • the method comprises the steps of
  • the method comprises the step of
  • the mixing of the additive and the water takes place before the shower hose.
  • the additive conduit thus supplies the additive to a mixing unit prior to the connection to a shower hose.
  • Other elements described herein, as far as they are compatible, can be applied in combination with this aspect.
  • Figure 2 a dispenser for one additive, with an additive conduit inside a shower hose;
  • Figure 3 a dispenser for several additives.
  • the reference symbols used in the drawings, and their meanings, are listed in summary form in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a dispenser comprising a base unit 4, a shower hose 13 and a showerhead 14.
  • the base unit 4 is supplied with water through a water supply fitting 1, which for example can be a manually operated tap or valve, an optional pressure reduction valve 2 and a water supply conduit 3. In embodiments, no valve is present in or at the water supply fitting 1. Then the water valve 15 must be designed to handle the mains water pressure.
  • the base unit 4 supplies water to the showerhead 14 through the shower hose 13.
  • the base unit 4 comprises a water valve 15 supplied by the water supply conduit 3 and arranged to be controlled by a control signal, e.g. from a microcontroller 18.
  • a pressure activated switch 5 is arranged to supply a signal depending on a water pressure after the water valve 15.
  • Water from the water valve 15 passes through a pump water fitting 6 to a water pump 12.
  • the water pump 12 delivers the water to the shower hose 13 and thereby to the showerhead 14.
  • the base unit 4 comprises an additive supply 21 and an additive pump 9 that delivers the additive to an additive conduit 16 and thereby to the showerhead 14.
  • the additive supply 21 can be arranged inside the base unit 4 or can be attached to the outside of the base unit 4. Existing one-way or refillable containers can be used.
  • the additive conduit 16 ends in an additive outlet 20, where the additive joins a stream of water delivered by the shower hose 13.
  • a check valve 11 is arranged at the end of the additive conduit 16.
  • the microcontroller 18 is arranged to control the water valve 15, water pump 12 and additive pump 9. It receives input signals from the abovementioned pressure activated switch 5, and optionally user input devices, such as an activation push button or switch 17 and/or an additive quantity or concentration controller 19.
  • the microcontroller 18 can be arranged to initiate the delivery of a mixture of water and additive when the activation switch 17 is activated.
  • the microcontroller 18 can be arranged to control a quantity of the additive being delivered, or a concentration of the additive in the water, in accordance with the input signal from the additive quantity or concentration controller 19.
  • the water valve 15 is operated directly by the pressure activated switch 5.
  • the activation push button or switch 17 can be arranged on the base unit 4, or it can be arranged on a remote unit that is separate from the base unit 4. For example, it can be arranged in a foot pedal, or in the showerhead 14. A switching signal from the activation switch 17 can be transmitted to the microcontroller 18 through a wireless or a wire-bound link.
  • the additive concentration controller 19 can be part of base unit 4 or it can be arranged on a remote unit that is separate from the base unit 4. Information from the additive concentration controller 19 can be transmitted to the microcontroller 18 through a wireless or a wire-bound link.
  • the activation button 17 and/or additive concentration controller 19 can be implemented in a dedicated device, or by software on a generic device, such as a smartphone or other portable communication device.
  • Figure 2 shows the same elements as Figure 1, but with the additive conduit 16 running through the shower hose 13.
  • Figure 3 shows the same elements as Figure 1 , but with a plurality of additive supplies 21, additive pumps 9 and additive conduits 16.
  • the additive concentration controller 19 comprises a corresponding plurality of controller inputs, one for each additive.
  • the order of the water valve 15 and pressure activated switch 5 is reversed.
  • the signal from the pressure activated switch 5 depends on the water pressure in the water supply conduit 3, before the water valve 15. The following can hold for the configurations of all of Figures 1 through 3.
  • the additive pump 9 is a pump that allows to control the quantity of additive being delivered.
  • a positive displacement pump can be of a rotary-type, reciprocating-type or linear-type.
  • the additive pump 9 is a non-positive displacement pump, for example, a membrane pump, combined with a sensor for measuring the flow generated by the pump.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur, en particulier une douche, installé pour distribuer de l'eau avec un additif. Le distributeur comprend : une pomme de douche (14); un flexible de douche (13) acheminant l'eau à la pomme de douche (14); au moins un dispositif d'alimentation en additif (21); au moins un conduit d'additif (16) pour alimenter la pomme de douche (14) en additif depuis ledit au moins un dispositif d'alimentation en additif (21). Le flexible de douche (13) et ledit au moins un conduit d'additif (16) sont souples et combinés l'un à l'autre. Le distributeur comprend en outre au moins une pompe à additif (9) pour distribuer un additif dudit au moins un dispositif d'alimentation en additif (21) audit au moins un conduit d'additif (16); et ladite au moins une pompe à additif (9) est installée et réglée pour réguler la distribution de l'additif à la pomme de douche (14).
PCT/EP2019/076635 2018-10-02 2019-10-01 Douche avec distributeur d'additif WO2020070154A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201980062632.1A CN112752886B (zh) 2018-10-02 2019-10-01 具有添加剂分配器的淋浴器
EP19782991.4A EP3861178B1 (fr) 2018-10-02 2019-10-01 Douche avec distributeur d'additif

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH12032018 2018-10-02
CH01203/18 2018-10-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020070154A1 true WO2020070154A1 (fr) 2020-04-09

Family

ID=65234330

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2019/076635 WO2020070154A1 (fr) 2018-10-02 2019-10-01 Douche avec distributeur d'additif

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3861178B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN112752886B (fr)
WO (1) WO2020070154A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024104967A1 (fr) * 2022-11-17 2024-05-23 Showee Smart Wellness, S.L. Système de dosage de savon pour douche et douche comportant un système de dosage de savon

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0313913A2 (fr) 1987-10-28 1989-05-03 Altura Leiden Holding B.V. Dispositif de mélange
WO2007004050A1 (fr) 2005-07-01 2007-01-11 Fabrizio Nobili Ensemble pour la distribution différentielle d’eau traitée et du réseau de distribution
US20070235091A1 (en) 2006-04-06 2007-10-11 Yoav Granot Water tap assembly having a pull-out water-discharge head
WO2011054120A2 (fr) 2009-11-06 2011-05-12 Creaholic S.A. Dispositif de sortie pour installation de toilette ou de nettoyage
US8458826B2 (en) 2005-11-29 2013-06-11 Creaholic S.A. Washing device
US20130291947A1 (en) 2012-05-04 2013-11-07 Ecolab Usa Inc. Apparatus, method and system for standardizing hand care
WO2018122223A1 (fr) 2016-12-30 2018-07-05 L'oreal Système de mise en œuvre d'un traitement des cheveux destiné à être raccordé à au moins une admission d'eau
WO2018122206A1 (fr) 2016-12-30 2018-07-05 L'oreal Système de traitement des cheveux destiné à être raccordé à une entrée d'eau

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITRM20020543A1 (it) * 2002-10-29 2004-04-30 Simone Fiorentino De Dispositivo per far uscire schiuma dal soffione della doccia, con
US8028933B2 (en) * 2006-11-27 2011-10-04 Nils Friis Shower additive dispenser

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0313913A2 (fr) 1987-10-28 1989-05-03 Altura Leiden Holding B.V. Dispositif de mélange
WO2007004050A1 (fr) 2005-07-01 2007-01-11 Fabrizio Nobili Ensemble pour la distribution différentielle d’eau traitée et du réseau de distribution
US8458826B2 (en) 2005-11-29 2013-06-11 Creaholic S.A. Washing device
US20070235091A1 (en) 2006-04-06 2007-10-11 Yoav Granot Water tap assembly having a pull-out water-discharge head
WO2011054120A2 (fr) 2009-11-06 2011-05-12 Creaholic S.A. Dispositif de sortie pour installation de toilette ou de nettoyage
US20130291947A1 (en) 2012-05-04 2013-11-07 Ecolab Usa Inc. Apparatus, method and system for standardizing hand care
WO2018122223A1 (fr) 2016-12-30 2018-07-05 L'oreal Système de mise en œuvre d'un traitement des cheveux destiné à être raccordé à au moins une admission d'eau
WO2018122206A1 (fr) 2016-12-30 2018-07-05 L'oreal Système de traitement des cheveux destiné à être raccordé à une entrée d'eau

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024104967A1 (fr) * 2022-11-17 2024-05-23 Showee Smart Wellness, S.L. Système de dosage de savon pour douche et douche comportant un système de dosage de savon

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3861178A1 (fr) 2021-08-11
CN112752886A (zh) 2021-05-04
CN112752886B (zh) 2023-05-05
EP3861178B1 (fr) 2023-11-15

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