Sanitary tub and method for producing a sanitary tub

Abstract

Sanitary tub (1), in particular a bathtub, with a tub body (2) which is at least partially surrounded by an apron (5), wherein the apron (5) is formed from at least one enamelled steel sheet (6, 7) which is fixed to the tub body (2), wherein the steel sheet (6, 7) of the apron (5) has a pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) with a three-dimensional structure, wherein the apron (5) is welded to the tub body (2), characterized in that the pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) has wall sections which are inclined at an angle between 5° and 25° to a vertical direction and which have regularly recurring elements.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary tub, in particular a bathtub, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a sanitary tub.

[0002] DE 10 2013 102 388 A1 discloses a sanitary tub comprising a tub body to which outer side walls extend from an upper edge. These smooth side walls form an apron that surrounds the tub body laterally. For a visually appealing appearance, steel sheets are welded to the edge of the tub body to form the side walls and coated with enamel after welding. When the enamel is baked at high temperatures, problems can arise after cooling if the side walls warp. Therefore, additional measures are required to maintain the desired dimensional stability of the sanitary tub.

[0003] DE 18 80 418 U discloses a bathtub with a panel that can be hung on the outer edge as a covering. The panel is made of enameled sheet steel and is attached to the bathtub using mechanical fasteners.

[0004] DE 19 42 711 U discloses another panel for bathtubs, in which the panel elements are fixed via a slotted hole and bolt connection.

[0005] DE 19 60 469 U discloses a bathtub with a tub body covered with side panels according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary tub made of enamelled sheet steel which has a particularly stable apron which is less prone to deformation due to thermal stresses, which leads to an increase in stability and a reduction in thermal stresses.

[0007] This object is achieved with a sanitary tub having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 7.

[0008] In the sanitary bathtub according to the invention, a bathtub body is at least partially surrounded by an apron or side wall, wherein the apron is formed from at least one enameled steel sheet having a pattern with a three-dimensional structure. By incorporating a three-dimensional structure into the steel sheet of the apron, it is possible to make the apron particularly stable and, in particular, to avoid or reduce deformation after the firing process during the enamel coating. Due to the three-dimensional structure, the flat surface of the steel sheet is divided into smaller sections that are less prone to deformation due to thermal stresses, which leads to increased stability and a reduction in thermal stresses.

[0009] Preferably, the apron is vertically oriented. The apron can be attached to an upper edge of the tub body, for example by welding, and extend at least partially vertically, wherein the three-dimensional structure can be oriented at an angle to the vertical. The patterns of the three-dimensional structure have wall sections that are inclined between 5° and 25° to the vertical, while the main direction of the apron is vertical. However, it is also possible to orient the apron itself at an angle to the vertical.

[0010] For the purposes of this application, an "apron" refers to a wall section or cover that covers the outside of the tub body. The apron is preferably formed from one or more enameled steel sheets that are welded to the tub body and to each other.

[0011] To create a three-dimensional structure, the steel sheet of the apron is preferably embossed before coating. The pattern features regularly recurring elements, for example, geometric shapes such as pyramids, cones, truncated cones, rings, loops, rectangles, squares, triangles, stripes, or other shapes. These elements of the recurring pattern can be arranged in multiple rows and / or columns, for example, in at least three or four horizontal rows and an even greater number of columns.

[0012] If the skirt extends along both one long side and at least one end of the tub body, two steel sheets are preferably welded together to form the skirt. For a freestanding tub, four steel sheets can also be welded circumferentially to form a frame that surrounds the tub body.

[0013] In the method according to the invention, at least one steel sheet is first embossed with a pattern having a three-dimensional structure. The at least one steel sheet is then welded to a tank body to form an apron. The tank body, together with the at least one steel sheet, is then coated with enamel, and the enamel coating is fired. The three-dimensional structure in the apron contributes to the stability and dimensional stability of the apron during the firing process and the subsequent use of the tank.

[0014] The depth of the embossed pattern can, for example, range from 2 mm to 50 mm, particularly 4 mm to 30 mm. The shape of the embossed pattern can include different geometric shapes depending on the desired design.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below using several exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a sanitary tub according to the invention; Fig. 2 a detailed view of a steel sheet of an apron; Fig. 3 a top view of the steel sheet of the Fig. 2; Fig. 4A to 4C show several detailed views of a sample of the steel sheet of the Fig. 2; Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B two views of a sanitary tub of a first embodiment; Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B two views of a sanitary tub according to a second embodiment; Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B two views of a sanitary tub according to a third embodiment; Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B two views of a sanitary tub according to a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 9A to 9F show several views of different patterns for a stamped steel sheet of an apron.

[0016] A sanitary tub 1 is designed as a bathtub and comprises a tub body 2, which has a drain opening at the bottom and extends up to a rim 3 on opposite longitudinal edges and a rim 4 on opposite front edges. The tub body 2 is made of enameled sheet steel and can also have shapes other than rectangular in plan view.

[0017] The tub body 2 is surrounded on each of its two long sides by a steel sheet 6 and on each of its end faces by a steel sheet 7, which together form an apron 5 that covers the outer circumference of the tub body 2. The steel sheets 6 and 7 are welded to one another at their connection points and also welded to the tub body 2 at the upper edge of the tub body 2. The steel sheets 6 and 7 of the apron 5 are not smooth-walled, but have a three-dimensional structure with patterns 8 that extend at an angle to a main direction of the apron 5. The main direction of the steel sheets 6 and 7 is vertical in the illustrated embodiment, while the patterns with the three-dimensional structure have at least wall sections that are oriented at an angle to the vertical, for example at an angle between 5° and 25°.

[0018] In Fig. 2 shows the steel sheet 6 in detail. The steel sheet 6 with the pattern 8 is essentially plate-shaped and has a bevel 9 on at least one end face, which serves for welding to an adjacent steel sheet 7. It is also possible to provide two bevels 9 on the steel sheet 6 or to omit the bevel 9 altogether.

[0019] How Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the patterns 8 are provided in several rows and columns on the steel sheet 6, a total of five rows and eight columns. This results in a visually appealing appearance through recurring elements.

[0020] In the Fig. 4A to 4C show one of these recurring elements of the pattern in detail. It is a pyramid having four triangular wall sections 10 that terminate at a common tip 11. The wall sections 10 extend from a bending edge 12 to the tip 11 at an inclined angle that, when the steel sheet 6 is aligned vertically, lies in a range between 5° and 15°, with all wall sections 10 having the same inclination to the vertical. The height of the tip 11 relative to the bending edges 12 lies in a range of H = 2 mm to 50 mm, in particular 8 mm to 20 mm. The height H corresponds to the depth of an embossing of the steel sheets 6 and 7. The length L of the bending edges 12 lies, for example, in a range between 50 mm and 500 mm, in particular 80 mm and 200 mm.

[0021] In the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B is the sanitary tub 1 of the Fig. 1, which has a surrounding apron 5, i.e., a steel sheet 6 or 7 with an embossed structure is provided on opposite longitudinal edges and end edges. This allows the sanitary tub 1 to be used as a freestanding bathtub. The tub body 2 can also be provided with a spacer 13 on one side, for example, to form a shelf. In this respect, another component can also be provided between the tub body 2 and the apron 5.

[0022] In the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B shows a modified embodiment of the sanitary tub, which is arranged on a wall 14. As a result, the apron is only provided on two end faces and one long side of the tub body 2, i.e., only on three sides.

[0023] In the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B shows a sanitary tub arranged in a U-shaped wall recess 15. Thus, only a steel sheet 6 is provided as a skirt on one long side of the tub body 2.

[0024] In the Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B shows a sanitary tub installed in a corner area 16. The apron comprises a steel sheet 6 on the long side and a steel sheet 7 on one end of the tub body 2.

[0025] In the Fig. 9A to 9F show different patterns for stamping a steel sheet of a contactor.

[0026] In Fig. 9A, the patterns 8 are designed as pyramids, as they were already used in connection with the Fig. 4A to 4C were explained in detail.

[0027] In Fig. 9B, rings 20 are provided as a pattern, which may have a depression or elevation in the central region. The rings are arranged at regular intervals from one another.

[0028] To less emphasize the symmetry of the pattern, according to Fig. 9C may also provide a recurring pattern 21 with asymmetrical elements, such as circles or rings, which are not symmetrically aligned to a center point of a recurring element, which creates a particularly lively appearance.

[0029] The sample can be Fig. 9D can also be designed as a rectangle or frame. While in Fig. 9D only four rows of large rectangles are provided, according to Fig. 9E instead, eight rectangles 23 per row can be used in a smaller form as a pattern.

[0030] In Fig. 9F loops 24 are provided as a pattern, which extend almost over the entire height of the steel sheet, creating a fence appearance.

[0031] The shape of the patterns can vary widely; in particular, geometric shapes such as pyramids, cones, truncated cones, rings, loops, rectangles, squares, or triangles can be freely selected or combined. The recurring pattern preferably has an embossing depth of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, and has inclined wall sections that reinforce the steel sheet.

[0032] In the manufacturing method according to the invention, at least one steel sheet is first embossed with a pattern having a three-dimensional structure. Subsequently, the at least one steel sheet is welded to a tank body to form an apron; if necessary, the steel sheets are also welded to one another. Subsequently, the unit comprising the tank body and steel sheets is coated with enamel, and the enamel coating is fired at over 600°C, in particular over 800°C. Embossing the pattern ensures the dimensional stability of the apron 5. List of reference symbols 1 sanitary tub 2 tub bodies 3 Edge 4 edge 5 apron 6 sheet steel 7 sheet steel 8 patterns 9 Bending 10 wall section 11 top 12 Bending edge 13 spacers 14 Wall 15 Wall recess 16 Corner area 20 rings 21 patterns 23 Rectangle 24 loops H Height L length

Claims

[1] Sanitary tub (1), in particular a bathtub, with a tub body (2) which is at least partially surrounded by an apron (5), wherein the apron (5) is formed from at least one enamelled steel sheet (6, 7) which is fixed to the tub body (2), wherein the steel sheet (6, 7) of the apron (5) has a pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) with a three-dimensional structure, wherein the apron (5) is welded to the tub body (2), characterized by that the pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) has wall sections inclined at an angle between 5° and 25° to a vertical direction and regularly recurring elements. [2] Sanitary tub (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the apron (5) is aligned vertically. [3] Sanitary tub (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the steel sheet (6, 7) of the apron (5) is embossed to produce the pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24). [4] Sanitary tub (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) has several rows and / or columns of repeating elements. [5] Sanitary tub (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) has geometric figures such as pyramids, cones, truncated cones, rings, loops, rectangles, squares, triangles or other shapes. [6] Sanitary tub (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the apron (5) is arranged on at least two sides of the tub body (2) and has two enamelled steel sheets (6, 7) welded together. [7] Method for producing a sanitary tub (1), in particular a bathtub, comprising the following steps: - embossing a steel sheet (6, 7) with a pattern (8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) having a three-dimensional structure, which has wall sections inclined at an angle of between 5° and 25° to a vertical direction and regularly recurring elements, - welding the steel sheet (6, 7) to a tub body (2) to form an apron (5); - Coating the tub body (2) and the steel sheet (6, 7) with enamel; - Firing the enamel coating at over 600°C, and - Completion of the sanitary tub (1). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that two, three or four steel sheets (6, 7) are embossed, which are welded together and to the tank body (2) before coating.

Images