Plug for a waste outlet of a sink

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug for a drain outlet of a sink, the plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented towards the interior of the sink when the plug is in a position for closing the drain outlet, and a lower surface intended to be oriented towards the drain outlet, wherein the plug comprises a first duct fluidically connecting a first opening, located in the upper surface, forming a connector to a delivery pipe to a water treatment system, to a second opening, free, opening into the lower surface, inside the drain outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a plug for the drain outlet of a washbasin (such as a sink, washbasin, or shampoo or shower basin).

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a plug for the drain outlet of a basin in a washing unit for a hair salon. Background Technology

[0003] Typically, such wash basins are designed to collect and drain water used for treatment, particularly for the rinsing step, which involves washing away products previously applied to the surface to be washed (especially human surfaces such as the scalp and / or all of the hair). In particular, this can be a rinsing step that occurs after the application of detergent products (e.g., soap, shampoo) or other products (especially care products).

[0004] Basins can also be used to rinse and wash utensils (brushes, combs, etc.) that have already been used to apply products.

[0005] Water collected in this way and intended to be discharged falls into a category known as "grey" water.

[0006] Depending on the nature of the products used, it is desirable to treat the water in a way that prevents or limits the discharge of certain products into the public network during greywater discharge, thereby limiting pollution of the public network and thus improving the quality of greywater leaving the hair salon.

[0007] Several different systems are known to be designed to perform this treatment during the discharge of collected water.

[0008] Documents US2021110680A1 and US2021110324A1 propose equipping sewage outlets with a water resource management system that enables the collection of data related to the amount of water used and / or the quality of the discharged water, particularly to indicate whether flushing has been completed. The system also includes a treatment unit that receives water from the outlet and is capable of recycling it to a distribution system (faucet, shower) associated with a washbasin, or returning it to a greywater network. The treatment unit may include one or more filters and / or one or more disinfection systems (UV lamps). This is a relatively complex system that requires disconnecting the outlet from the greywater network so that the outlet can be connected to the treatment unit, which itself must be connected to the greywater discharge network.

[0009] Similarly, document FR3003856A1 aims to equip a hair salon washbasin with a treatment unit that includes a bubble generator capable of forming a supernatant that traps impurities. In previous devices, such a system required bypassing the washbasin's drain outlet.

[0010] Specifically, an open-type plug for drainage systems of municipal roads (streets, parking lots) is known from document US6793811B1. This open-type plug integrates a filter for retaining debris and certain contaminants (such as hydrocarbons). This plug is not intended to be connected to an auxiliary treatment system.

[0011] Providing eco-responsible solutions that make wastewater treatment and recycling easier has become a major focus. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate the importance of designing products that make it easier to adopt good environmental practices and to integrate recycling systems into daily activities. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is a plug for a drain outlet of a washbasin, the plug having: at least one upper surface oriented toward the interior of the washbasin when the plug is in a position for closing the drain outlet; and a lower surface oriented toward the drain outlet, wherein the plug includes a first conduit fluidly connecting a first opening in the upper surface to a second opening forming a connector for a delivery pipe to a water treatment system, the second opening being free and opening into the lower surface located inside the drain outlet.

[0013] "Plug" should be understood as a stopper that can seal the drain outlet of a tank, particularly a basin (such as a washbasin or sink). Preferably, the plug may be removable and / or have a valve that can be moved alternately and selectively between an open position (which allows fluid to flow directly from the basin to the drain outlet) and a closed position (which prevents direct discharge of fluid).

[0014] Therefore, by providing a plug that allows the discharge of the washing basin to be cut off while integrating a conduit that allows connection to the treatment system, greywater can be kept in the basin so that it can be drawn in (e.g., by means of the inlet pipe of the pumping unit), and thus the greywater can be directly conveyed through the first conduit of the plug for treatment before it can be transported.

[0015] More precisely, when the delivery pipe is connected to the connector, the plug does not provide a direct connection between the inside of the washbasin and the drain. "Not" should be understood to mean that the plug does not include such a connection, or that if the plug does include such a connection, it is associated with a shut-off device that ensures that this direct connection is closed at least when the delivery pipe is connected to the first pipe and / or the auxiliary treatment system is in operation.

[0016] This device is easy to install and adaptable to any installation, even a standard one, without requiring the drain outlet to be disconnected for bypassing and / or tapping. The plug can be secured and held in place by the various means described below.

[0017] Therefore, the plug prevents untreated greywater from being directly delivered to the drain, and the first opening forming the connector allows only treated water supplied by the auxiliary treatment system to be introduced into it. Of course, "connector" should be understood as referring to the sealing connection formed between the delivery pipe and the first pipe of the plug. Therefore, when the delivery pipe is connected to the first opening, untreated greywater retained in the wash basin cannot enter that first opening.

[0018] Specifically, this connection can be achieved through a tight fit, for example, by introducing a delivery pipe into a first opening (which has an inner diameter approximately equal to or even slightly dimensionally oversized to the outer diameter of the delivery pipe) to ensure a tight, sealed fit. The first pipe may have an inner shoulder that acts as an assembly stop.

[0019] The connection can also be achieved by providing conventional hydraulic or pneumatic connectors, particularly threaded connectors or quick connectors, with the delivery tube having a suitable complementary connector section.

[0020] Advantageously, the plug includes a second conduit that is fluidly different from the first conduit, which fluidly connects a third opening to a fourth opening that is free and extends into the upper surface inside the washbasin, and the fourth opening, also located in the upper surface, forms a connector to the inlet pipe of the treatment system.

[0021] As mentioned earlier, "connector" should be understood to mean the formation of a sealed connection between the suction tube and the second conduit of the plug. However, this condition is less important because in any case the water surrounding the fourth opening is intended to be untreated grey water being pumped towards the treatment system. The second conduit may also have an internal shoulder that acts as an assembly stop.

[0022] Therefore, by providing a plug that integrates the bypass pipe necessary to directly guide the collected water to the treatment system and deliver it directly to the drain, installation is made easier, and the plug can be shaped to have a universal property, that is, it can be easily adapted to any drain of a basin, sink, washbasin or bathtub that is usually of standard size.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug includes a plurality of second conduits. Advantageously, these second conduits collectively include a plurality of third openings and fluidly converge toward a single fourth opening, which forms a connector for an inlet pipe for an auxiliary treatment system.

[0024] Therefore, these multiple third openings can be distributed on the upper surface of the plug to ensure the distribution of suction of untreated grey water in the washing basin. These second pipes are then converged to a single fourth opening for the assembly, allowing the plug to connect to a single suction pipe in the treatment system.

[0025] Additionally, the one or more third openings (for drawing water from the wash basin) are equipped with a grille, which allows for pre-filtration and retention of foreign objects (e.g., a piece of hair).

[0026] Preferably, the first conduit intended for conveying and discharging treated grey water is a single conduit. In the case of multiple third openings intended for pumping untreated grey water via multiple second conduits, the first conduit will have sections adapted to the total pumping and conveying flow rate.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug includes a head configured to protrude toward the interior of the washbasin when the plug is in a position for closing the drain outlet, and the upper surface includes the outer peripheral lateral surface of the head.

[0028] According to a variant embodiment, the first orifice extends into the outer peripheral surface.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the one or more third orifices extend into the outer peripheral surface. This arrangement ensures that untreated greywater is drawn as close as possible to the bottom of the washbasin.

[0030] Alternatively or otherwise, a fourth orifice extends into the outer peripheral surface.

[0031] Preferably, the first and fourth orifices are open in close proximity to each other. Therefore, the suction tube and delivery tube can be close to each other and connected to the same surface of the plug, and thus can be grouped together.

[0032] The connector is present on the lateral surface of the plug, which ensures easy connection and, in particular, ensures that the suction tube and delivery tube can be arranged along the side wall of the sink leading to the drain so as not to obstruct the operator, unlike the case where the connector must be connected to the center of the plug and pass through the central interior space of the sink.

[0033] Additionally, advantageously, the first and second conduits and / or their associated openings can be equipped with check valves, arranged according to the intended flow direction of each conduit. The one or more conduits can also be equipped with selective shut-off valves. Thus, for example, the first conduit can be equipped with a selective shut-off system, allowing the use of plugs in the absence of a treatment system, just as commonly used plugs are used to close drain outlets.

[0034] Furthermore, advantageously, the plug may be equipped with or associated with at least one sensor for detecting the water level in the washbasin, said sensor being configured to send a signal indicating the presence and / or absence of water at a level higher than that of these third openings. This signal may be received and / or processed by a control component of the auxiliary treatment system, for example, to trigger the start and / or stop of the auxiliary treatment system's pump.

[0035] This application also relates to an assembly for treating water in a washbasin that is fluidly supplied to a drain outlet, wherein the assembly includes a plug according to this application and a water treatment system including at least one pipe for suction before treatment and a delivery pipe for treated water, at least the delivery pipe being connected to a first opening, and the suction pipe being connected to a fourth opening if necessary. Advantageously, the treatment assembly is configured such that its suction flow rate is approximately equal to the flow rate of water supplied to the washbasin (particularly the water diffusion flow rate of the associated shower head). Even more advantageously, the suction flow rate can be dynamically adjusted according to the flow rate of water supplied to the washbasin, and particularly can be controlled by a flow sensor fitted to the shower head associated with the basin. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given only by way of non-limiting example, and by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 It is a schematic depiction of a shampoo basin equipped with a system for treating the collected grey water and including a plug according to the first variant of this application.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a schematic depiction of a shampoo basin equipped with a system for treating the collected grey water, and includes a plug according to a second variant of this application.

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A transparent depiction of the first variant implementation of the plug in the diagram.

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic depiction of a first variant implementation of the plug.

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 The plug is shown in a transverse cross-sectional view on axis AA.

[0041] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 The plug is shown in a transverse cross-sectional view on axis BB.

[0042] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A schematic depiction of a second variant implementation of the plug.

[0043] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 The plug is shown in a transverse cross-sectional view on axis AA.

[0044] Figure 9 yes Figure 3 The plug is shown in a transverse cross-sectional view on axis BB. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 A washing basin 1 is shown, particularly a washing basin for hair salons, which is specifically designed for washing (with shampoo) and rinsing human hair, and also for applying and / or rinsing other hair treatments.

[0046] This type of hair salon wash basin 1 is typically associated with a chair (not shown), allowing users to lean their heads back over the wash basin 1 or partially rest their heads in the wash basin.

[0047] The washbasin 1 is also associated with a shower head type device for distributing water (referred to as "white" water), which is typically connected to a flexible water supply pipe so that it can be manipulated by the operator and moved over the user's head and all of their hair.

[0048] Chairs, washbasins, and water distribution components form a washing unit for a hair salon.

[0049] Although described in conjunction with this hair salon washing unit, the invention is not limited thereto, but is applicable to other types of washing basins, particularly those suitable for household use, such as washbasins, sinks, showers, or bathtubs.

[0050] In particular, this application applies to home hairdressing operations, where hairdressers can simply equip their clients' washbasins, sinks, or bathtubs with the plugs described below to limit the discharge of potentially contaminated products into the domestic water supply.

[0051] The washbasin 1 includes a hollow body 2 that defines an interior space 3 that is open on the upper side. The basin has a bottom 4 positioned opposite to the open upper side, the bottom having an opening that connects to a drain pipe 5.

[0052] According to this application, the wash basin 1 can be equipped with a water treatment system that allows grey water collected at the bottom of the wash basin 1 (which therefore contains rinsed hair care products (if present) and / or other impurities) to be drawn through a suction pipe 11 to the treatment device 10 during the treatment operation, and then allows the water thus treated to be conveyed through a delivery pipe 12 to a drain pipe 5 for discharge.

[0053] One or more pumps ensure the flow of water through the treatment system. The pumps may be placed before and / or after the treatment unit 10, or may be an integral part of the treatment unit.

[0054] For example, the processing device 10 may include one or more filters capable of filtering foreign objects and impurities (e.g., hair) and / or one or more chemical products.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the treatment device 10 may also include a water disinfection component (e.g., a UV diode) or any other device.

[0056] The processing device 10 may also include one or more basins referred to as "buffer" basins, which allow for adjustment of the suction and / or delivery flow rates.

[0057] In order to ensure that the water collected from the bottom 4 of the wash basin 1 is drawn and delivered to the drain pipe 5, the wash basin 1 is equipped with a plug 100 according to the present application, which will now be described.

[0058] A plug 100 is disposed at the bottom 4 of the basin 1 to seal the opening for connection to the drain pipe 5. The plug 100 has: at least one upper surface 101 oriented toward the interior of the basin 1 when the plug is in the closed position of the drain pipe 5; and a lower surface 102 oriented toward the drain pipe 5. To ensure the plug is held and sealed in place, the lower surface 102 may have a peripheral skirt that is partially introduced at the inlet of the drain pipe 5. This peripheral skirt may have a peripheral sealing bead or collar and may be introduced into the inlet of the drain pipe by friction. The typical standard size of the drain pipe makes this arrangement possible. The sealing bead or collar may be made of an elastomer material of rubber or silicone type.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the lower surface 102 of the plug may be equipped with a peripheral sealing bead (in this case, the peripheral sealing bead is circular) designed to press against the bottom surface of the sink around the opening of the drain pipe. This peripheral bead can be designed to achieve a suction effect, thereby ensuring the plug's retention. To allow for adaptation to various drain pipe diameters and also to curved sink bottoms, the peripheral bead is advantageously positioned as close as possible to the outer edge of the plug.

[0060] Similarly, alternatively or additionally, all or part of the lower surface 102 may be covered with an adhesive that ensures a sealed fixation of the opening around the drain pipe relative to the bottom wall of the washbasin. In particular, an adhesive (such as an anti-slip adhesive used for bathtubs) may be used.

[0061] According to the depicted embodiment, the plug 100 includes a head that protrudes toward the interior of the washbasin 1 when the plug 100 is in the position for sealing the drain pipe 5. The upper surface 101 of the plug 100 is formed by the upper surface 101a of the head and the outer peripheral lateral surface 101b of the head. The head has an overall shape with a circular cross-section, but other shapes are conceivable. Thus, the plug has an overall shape resembling a hockey puck.

[0062] According to this application, the plug 100 includes a first conduit 110 that fluidly connects a first opening 111 in the lateral surface 101b of the plug to a second opening 112 that is free and extends into the lower surface 102 located inside the drain pipe 5.

[0063] The first opening 111 forms a connector and receives the delivery pipe 12 of the water treatment system 10.

[0064] according to Figure 1 In the embodiment depicted, the suction tube 11 is not connected to the plug, but is only immersed in the washing basin 1 so that the collected water can be directly suctioned.

[0065] according to Figure 2 In the schematically depicted advantageous embodiment, the washbasin 1 receives a plug 200, similar to plug 100 but also including a second conduit 120, which differs from the first conduit 111 in its fluid manner. This second conduit fluidly connects a third opening 121 to a fourth opening 122, which is free and extends into the upper surface 101 (and the lateral surface 101b) within the washbasin 1. The fourth opening, also located in the upper surface 101 (and the lateral surface 101b), forms a connector that receives an inlet pipe 11 for collecting grey water in the washbasin 1. Thus, the inlet pipe 11 and the outlet pipe 12 are easily held in place and can be arranged to follow the wall of the washbasin 1 up to the plug 200.

[0066] Figures 3 to 6 A detailed view of a plug 200a according to a first embodiment of the plug 200 is shown. The plug 200a has a set of openings 111, 121, 122 disposed in a lateral surface 101b and each associated with a pipe 110, 120. The openings 111, 121, 122 are equidistantly distributed on the lateral surface 101b.

[0067] Therefore, the plug 200a has a first opening 111 designed to receive the delivery pipe 12. The opening 111 is associated with a first inner conduit 110, which converges approximately at the center of the circular plug. This conduit then forms a bend, for example at 90°, to define a return portion 113, which converges at a lower surface 102 oriented toward the drain pipe 5, and the return portion 113 extends into the drain pipe via a second opening 112.

[0068] The first pipe 110 is used to transport treated grey water.

[0069] To allow connection to the delivery pipe 12, the pipe 110 has a pipe portion at the first opening 111, the inner diameter of which is slightly wider than the rest of the pipe 110 and roughly corresponds to the outer diameter of the delivery pipe 12 (or even has a slight interference fit to ensure adequate retention and sealing). Obviously, other connection methods are conceivable. The first pipe 110 has an inner shoulder intended to act as an assembly stop for the delivery pipe.

[0070] Working in a clockwise direction, the lateral surface 101b of the plug 200a thus has six third openings 121, which are designed to suck up greywater collected in the basin 1. Each third opening 121 is associated with a second conduit 120, which is designed to allow greywater collected in the basin 1 to flow to the treatment system 10. More specifically, the second conduit 120 has a star-shaped structure, which includes suction pipe portions 123, each of which connects to one of the third openings 121, and converges to a central pipe portion 124 arranged around a return portion 113 of the first conduit 110. The central portion 124 converges to a transfer portion 125, which is associated with a fourth opening 122 adjacent to the first opening 111 and is designed to connect to a suction tube 11. For this purpose, the transfer portion 125, like the first conduit 110, has an opening with a wider diameter near the fourth opening 122, which allows the suction tube 11 to be fitted inside. The transmission section 125 also has an internal shoulder that acts as an assembly stop for the suction tube 11.

[0071] It should be noted that the third orifice 121, intended for suctioning grey water collected at the bottom of the washing basin 1, is oriented toward the lower surface 1021 of the plug 200a to optimize the extraction of grey water from the bottom 4 of the basin 1. More precisely, the edge of the orifice 121 is flush with the lower surface 102. The first and fourth orifices are substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface 101b in themselves. This arrangement forms a foolproof mechanism that makes it easy to distinguish the connection orifices while simultaneously facilitating the assembly of the pipes 11 and 12. Alternatively or additionally, the upper surface 101a may be marked (e.g., directional arrows) to easily identify the first orifice 111 for connecting the delivery pipe 12 and the fourth orifice 122 for connecting the suction pipe 11; these markings are, in particular, raised.

[0072] Figures 7 to 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the plug 200b of the second embodiment forming the plug 200.

[0073] The main difference between plug 200b and plug 200a lies in the fact that the bend and return portion 113 of the first conduit 110 toward the second orifice 112 are arranged radially offset in the lower surface 102 of plug 200b instead of being centered. Therefore, the center of plug 200b is freed up for the central portion 124 of the second conduit 120, and for this reason, it is no longer necessary for this central portion to be arranged around the bend and return portion 113 of the first conduit 110.

[0074] It should be noted that this also allows for the creation of additional orifices 121 around the sidewall 101b.

[0075] It should also be noted that the first conduit 110 has a portion for connection to the first opening 111, which is no longer radial but rather generally parallel to the associated transmission portion of the first conduit associated with the fourth opening. Therefore, the first opening 111 and the fourth opening 122 can be brought closer together, and this achieves an optimized arrangement of the pipes 11 and 12.

[0076] In use, greywater collected at the bottom of the washbasin is drawn through the third orifice 121 and flows through the associated suction section 123 to the central section 124, where it converges in the transmission section 125 to the fourth opening 122. The greywater then rises through the suction pipe 11 to the treatment device 10. Once past the treatment components of the treatment device 10, the treated water is conveyed via the delivery pipe 12 to the first opening 111, where it converges in the first pipe 110. The conveyed water follows the bend 113 and the transmission section to reach the second orifice 112, through which it converges in the drain pipe 5 and can be discharged into the sewer network.

Claims

1. A plug (100, 200, 200a, 200b) for a drain outlet (5) of a washbasin (1), the plug having: at least one upper surface (101) oriented toward the interior (3) of the washbasin when the plug is in a position for closing the drain outlet; and a lower surface (102) oriented toward the drain outlet, the plug including a first conduit (110) fluidly connecting a first opening (111) in the upper surface to a second opening (112), the first opening forming a connector for a delivery pipe (12) leading to a water treatment system (10), the second opening being free and opening into the interior of the drain outlet in the lower surface, wherein, The plug includes a second pipe (120) which is fluid in a different manner from the first pipe. The second pipe fluidly connects a third opening (121) to a fourth opening (122). The third opening is free and extends into the upper surface (101) inside the washbasin (1). The fourth opening is also located in the upper surface, forming a connector for a water inlet pipe (11) leading to the treatment system (10).

2. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for the drain outlet (5) as described in claim 1, wherein, The plug includes multiple second pipes (120).

3. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for the drain outlet (5) as described in claim 2, wherein, The second conduit (120) includes a plurality of third openings (121) and fluidly converges toward a single fourth opening (122).

4. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for a drain outlet as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first conduit (110) is a single conduit.

5. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The plug includes a head that is configured to protrude toward the interior (3) of the washbasin (1) when the plug is in the position for closing the drain outlet, and the upper surface (101) includes an outer peripheral lateral surface (101b).

6. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as described in claim 5, wherein, The first orifice (111) leads into the outer peripheral surface (101b).

7. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as described in any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein, The one or more third orifices (121) extend into the outer peripheral surface (101b).

8. The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as described in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, The fourth orifice (122) leads into the outer peripheral surface (101b).

9. An assembly for treating water from a washbasin (3) connected to a drain (5), wherein, The components include plugs (100, 200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and a water treatment system (10) including at least one pipe (11) for suction before treatment and a delivery pipe (12) for treated water, at least the delivery pipe being connected to the first opening (111) and, if necessary, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening (122).

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