Sanitary equipment fitting having a coated component and method of coating a component of a sanitary equipment fitting

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary equipment fitting (1) having at least one component (2) which is at least partially made of an antibacterial or antiviral material, wherein the component (2) is at least partially coated with a coating (3) which has a perforated structure (4) such that the antibacterial or antiviral material is exposed. Furthermore, a method for coating a component (2) of a sanitary equipment fitting (1) is proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bathroom fixture accessory and a method for coating components of the bathroom fixture accessory. The bathroom fixture accessory allows liquid to be dispensed into sinks, showers, bathtubs, and / or toilets. Background Technology

[0002] These bathroom fixtures typically have operating elements, such as levers, switches, and / or buttons, which are touched by the user during use. Bacteria and / or viruses that can cause illness can accumulate on these operating elements. To prevent the spread of bacteria and / or viruses to different users, bathroom fixtures usually require laborious sterilization. This is especially true when these bathroom fixtures are installed in hospitals or in homes for the elderly. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with respect to the prior art, and in particular to provide a bathroom fixture accessory that does not require frequent disinfection. Furthermore, a method should be described by which the bathroom fixture accessory does not require frequent disinfection.

[0004] The objective is achieved by the bathroom fixture fittings and methods according to the features of the independent claim. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features individually listed in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in any technically meaningful manner and define other embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features given in the claims are expressed and described in detail in the specification, wherein other preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0005] A bathroom fixture accessory facilitates this purpose, the bathroom fixture accessory having at least one component made at least partially of an antibacterial or antiviral material, wherein the component is at least partially / partially coated with a coating having a perforated / porous structure, thereby exposing the antibacterial or antiviral material.

[0006] Bathroom fixtures are specifically designed to provide liquids, particularly water, as needed in sinks, kitchen sinks, showers, bathtubs, and / or washrooms. Furthermore, bathroom fixtures may include a mixing valve for mixing cold water at a cold temperature and hot water at a hot temperature to create a mixed water solution with a desired temperature. The cold water temperature is particularly high at 25°C, preferably from 1°C to 25°C, and especially preferably from 5°C to 20°C, and / or the hot water temperature is particularly high at 90°C, preferably from 25°C to 90°C, and especially preferably from 55°C to 65°C. The mixing valve may be, for example, a mixing cylinder or a thermostatic cylinder.

[0007] Bathroom fixture fittings have at least one component that is at least partially made of an antibacterial or antiviral material. The antibacterial or antiviral material may be, for example, a metal or a metal alloy. The metal or metal alloy may include, for example, silver or colloidal silver. At least one component may be made entirely of the antibacterial or antiviral material. For example, at least one component may be cast from an antibacterial or antiviral material. Furthermore, the component may have the antibacterial or antiviral material only in one edge region and / or one surface region of the component.

[0008] At least one component is at least partially coated with a coating. The coating is particularly (directly) applied to the surface of the component. Furthermore, the coating may consist at least partially of metal, ceramic, plastic, and / or paint. Additionally, the coating may have a layer thickness, for example, from 1 μm (micrometer) to 1 mm (millimeters). The coating has at least partially a perforated structure, allowing antibacterial or antiviral materials to be exposed. "Exposed" can be understood in particular as the antibacterial or antiviral materials being accessible from the environment of the bathroom fixture accessory via the perforated structure of the coating. This can specifically mean that liquid or liquid water ions and / or liquid water molecules can penetrate and / or contact or wet the antibacterial or antiviral materials from the outer surface or surface of the bathroom fixture accessory via the perforated structure. Thus, bacteria and / or viruses in the liquid and / or on the outer surface of the component can be at least partially rendered harmless, thereby eliminating the need for frequent disinfection of the bathroom fixture accessory.

[0009] The component can be a housing or an operating element. The housing, particularly at one end on its longitudinal side, can be fixed to a carrier, such as a countertop, kitchen sink, washbasin, shower, or bathtub. Furthermore, the housing may have a (protruding or branched) outlet, which can be rigidly or movably connected to the housing. The outlet may be at least partially constructed as a tube. The housing and / or the outlet may have an outlet through which liquid, particularly (mixed) water, can be discharged. The liquid can be discharged into the environment, particularly as a free jet, through the outlet. The operating element can be, for example, a lever, a button, a control panel, and / or a rotary element. The function of the bathroom fixtures can be controlled or manipulated by means of the operating element. For example, the temperature of the mixed water and / or the discharge rate can be adjusted by means of the operating element. The operating element can be rotatably and / or translationally fixed to the housing. The housing may be at least partially made of brass, and / or the operating element may be at least partially made of zinc. Furthermore, the component or accessory housing and / or operating element have at least one copper-component layer beneath the coating. Specifically, the component or accessory housing and / or operating element may have two copper-component layers beneath the coating.

[0010] The coating may include chromium. Specifically, the coating may be a chromium coating. This specifically means that at least one component is at least partially chromium plated. The coating particularly forms the decorative outer surface of bathroom fixture fittings. Furthermore, the coating may include nickel. Additionally, the coating may consist of at least a chromium layer and / or a nickel layer.

[0011] Antibacterial or antiviral materials may include copper or silver. Specifically, antibacterial or antiviral materials may include copper and / or silver. This specifically means that the antibacterial or antiviral material is copper (Cu), a copper alloy, or brass. Furthermore, this specifically means that the antibacterial or antiviral material is silver (Ag) or a silver alloy. Thus, upon contact with the antibacterial or antiviral material, water ions and / or water molecules can bind to copper ions and / or silver ions, which can manifest antibacterial and / or antiviral effects in liquids and / or on the outer surface of bathroom fixtures.

[0012] The perforated structure can be formed by multiple holes. These holes extend, in particular, from the outer surface of the coating to the surface of the component or the surface of the antibacterial or antiviral material of the component. For example, the perforated structure may include 10 to 100,000 holes per cm², preferably 1,000 to 100,000 holes per cm², and particularly preferably 10,000 to 100,000 holes per cm². The holes may be uniformly distributed in the coating or at least one region of the coating. These holes extend, in particular, perpendicular to the outer surface of the coating or at least one component. Furthermore, the holes may have a circular or annular cross-section.

[0013] The pores can have a maximum diameter of 25 μm. Therefore, the pores are not visible to the user (with the naked eye) of the bathroom fixture fittings. Thus, the perforated structure can be a micro-perforated structure. Specifically, the pores can have a diameter from 0.01 μm to 25 μm, preferably from 5 μm to 15 μm. Water ions have a radius of approximately 275 pm (picometers) and can therefore penetrate into the pores in sufficient quantities, particularly binding copper ions. Cu has a radius of 224 pm, Cu- has a radius of 277 pm, Cu+ has a radius of 138 pm, and Cu++ has a radius of 114 pm.

[0014] The pores can have a depth of 1 μm to 25 μm. Preferably, these pores can have a depth of 10 μm to 15 μm, and particularly preferably a depth of about 12 μm. The depth is determined specifically from the outer surface of the coating or at least one component to the bottom of the pore.

[0015] These holes can or should be spaced 1 μm to 2 mm apart. Preferably, these holes can be spaced 4 μm to 2 mm apart.

[0016] According to another aspect, a method for coating components of bathroom fixtures is also proposed, the method comprising at least the following steps:

[0017] a) Provide components, wherein the components are at least partially made of antibacterial or antiviral materials;

[0018] b) Apply a coating to the component at least partially; and

[0019] c) Perforate the coating, thereby exposing the antibacterial or antiviral material.

[0020] The perforation in step c) can be performed using a laser. The laser beam can operate at femtosecond or picosecond beats. Furthermore, the laser beam is preferably pulsed. The high pulse beat rate of the laser prevents thermal damage to the hole edges. The perforated structure can be created, for example, by laser drilling. Laser drilling is a non-cutting processing method in which so much energy is locally introduced into the coating of a component by means of laser radiation, causing the coating to melt and / or at least partially evaporate. Laser drilling can be performed, for example, by means of single-pulse drilling, impact drilling, trepanieren (a type of drilling), and / or helical drilling. In single-pulse drilling, the laser radiation is activated for a short period of time and penetrates the material in a single pulse. In impact drilling, the laser radiation impacts the coating at the same location in multiple successive pulses, melting and / or evaporating some of the coating material therein. The molten material is partially driven out of the drill hole or borehole by the evaporated portion. Therefore, it is possible to drill holes significantly deeper than single-pulse drilling (approximately 30 mm). In circumferential drilling, at least one liquid jet opening is enlarged to the desired diameter by means of the relative motion between the laser radiation and the jet section. An advantage of circumferential drilling is the smaller molten layer on the sidewalls of at least one liquid jet opening. Spiral drilling works similarly to percussion drilling, except that the laser radiation rotates additionally. This achieves a helical removal of material. Spiral drilling is primarily suitable for drilling with very high precision in terms of diameter and / or roundness. Furthermore, positive or negative taper of the borehole can be produced.

[0021] For further details on this method, please refer to the description of bathroom fixtures and fittings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention and its technical field are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings illustrate particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. Here, the same components are given the same reference numerals in the drawings. The drawings schematically illustrate:

[0023] Figure 1 Bathroom fixtures and accessories are shown in 3D.

[0024] Figure 2 : An enlarged view showing the outer surface of a component of a bathroom fixture accessory; and

[0025] Figure 3 The component is shown in partial cross-section. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a bathroom fixture accessory 1 is shown. The accessory 1 is constructed as a single-lever mixer tap and includes a housing 5 with a spout 12 and an outlet 13 formed thereon. A mixing valve, not visible here, is arranged within the housing 5, allowing cold and hot water to be mixed to a desired temperature. To adjust the temperature and flow rate of the mixed water through the outlet 13, the accessory 1 has a component 2 in the form of an operating element 6. The operating element 6 is constructed as a lever, which can rotate about a vertical axis to adjust the temperature and swing about a horizontal axis to adjust the flow rate. The housing 5 and component 2 are made of an antibacterial and antiviral material in the form of a copper alloy, which is coated with a coating 3 during the manufacturing of the accessory 1. The coating 3 is a chromium coating, which gives the accessory 1 a visually appealing appearance. Furthermore, a perforated structure 4 is formed in region 14 of component 2. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. Area 14 is the handle area of ​​component 2, in which component 2 is frequently gripped by a user (not shown).

[0027] Figure 2 Shown in enlarged diagram Figure 1 The outer surface 15 of region 14 of component 2 is shown in the diagram. Here, Figure 2 perspective Figure 1 The vertical direction 16 corresponds to region 14 of component 2. Figure 2 The perforated structure 4 in coating 3 can be seen. The perforated structure 4 includes a plurality of holes 7, each having a diameter 8 and spaced apart from each other by a distance 10 in the longitudinal direction 17 and the transverse direction 18 (orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 17) of component 2. The longitudinal direction 17 and the transverse direction 18 are also spaced apart for orientation. Figure 1 As shown in the image. Figure 2 Only a partial view of the perforated structure 4 is shown, as it appears in component 2. Figure 1 As shown in the coating 3 formed throughout the entire area 14.

[0028] Figure 3 Along Figure 2Section line III-III shown in the figure provides a partial cross-sectional view of component 2. Coating 3 is applied to the surface 19 of the copper alloy with a layer thickness of 20. Holes 7 of the perforation structure 4 are formed in the coating 3 to a depth of 9 by means of a laser 11, thereby exposing the copper alloy of component 2 to the surface. Figure 1 The environment 21 of the bathroom fixture accessory 1 shown in the figure. The depth 9 of the hole 7 is measured perpendicular to the outer surface 15 of the coating 3.

[0029] This invention eliminates the need to disinfect the coated surfaces of bathroom fixtures or at least reduces the cost of disinfecting hygiene products.

[0030] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0031] 1. Bathroom equipment accessories

[0032] 2 components

[0033] 3 coatings

[0034] 4-perforated structure

[0035] 5 Accessories Housing

[0036] 6 control elements

[0037] 7 holes

[0038] 8 diameter

[0039] 9 Depths

[0040] 10 Distance

[0041] 11 Laser

[0042] 12 Outflow part

[0043] 13 Outlets

[0044] 14 regions

[0045] 15. Outer surface

[0046] 16. Vertical direction

[0047] 17. Vertical direction

[0048] 18. Horizontal direction

[0049] 19 Surface

[0050] 20 layers thick

[0051] 21 Environment

Claims

1. A sanitary equipment fitting having at least one component (2) which is at least partially made of an antibacterial or antiviral material, wherein The component (2) is at least partially coated with a coating (3) having a perforated structure (4) such that the antibacterial or antiviral material is exposed, wherein the perforated structure (4) is formed by a plurality of holes (7) having a diameter (8) of at most 25 pm, wherein the holes cannot be seen by the naked eye of a user of the sanitary equipment fitting, "exposed" is to be understood as meaning that the antibacterial or antiviral material is accessible from the environment of the sanitary equipment fitting via the perforated structure of the coating.

2. The bathroom equipment fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein The component (2) is a fitting housing (5) or a handling element (6).

3. The bathroom equipment fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The coating (3) comprises chromium.

4. The bathroom equipment fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The antibacterial or antiviral material comprises copper or silver.

5. The bathroom equipment fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The holes (7) have a depth (9) of 1 pm to 25 pm.

6. The bathroom equipment fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The holes (7) have a distance (10) of 1 pm to 2 mm from one another.

7. A method for coating a component of a sanitary equipment fitting, the method comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a component (2), wherein the component (2) is at least partially made of an antibacterial or antiviral material; b) at least partially coating the component (2) with a coating (3); and c) perforating the coating (3) such that the antibacterial or antiviral material is exposed; wherein the perforated structure (4) is formed by a plurality of holes (7) having a diameter (8) of at most 25 pm, wherein the holes cannot be seen by the naked eye of a user of the sanitary equipment fitting, "exposed" is to be understood as meaning that the antibacterial or antiviral material is accessible from the environment of the sanitary equipment fitting via the perforated structure of the coating.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The perforation in step c) is carried out by means of a laser (11).

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