Plug for a wash basin drain.

Abstract

Non-blowing household hairdressing appliance comprising a secondary battery power supply The present invention relates to a plug for a wash basin drain, the plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented towards the inside of the wash basin when in the drain-closing position and a lower surface intended to be oriented towards the drain, said plug being characterized in that it comprises a first conduit fluidically connecting a first opening in the upper surface forming a connector to a discharge pipe of a water treatment system to a second, free opening, opening into the lower surface inside the drain. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Plug for a wash basin drain.

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug for a drain for discharging a washing basin such as a sink, a washbasin or a shampoo or shower basin.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a plug for an evacuation drain of a basin of a washing unit for a hairdressing salon.

[0003] Generally speaking, such a washing tank is intended to collect and evacuate the water used for a treatment and in particular used for a rinsing step of a product previously applied to a surface to be washed, in particular a surface of a human body such as the scalp and / or the hair. This may in particular be a rinsing step after the application of detergent products (e.g. soaping, shampooing) or the application of other products, in particular care products.

[0004] The tray can also be used to rinse and wash utensils used to apply a product (brushes, combs, etc.).

[0005] The water thus collected and intended to be evacuated belongs to the category of so-called “grey” water.

[0006] Depending on the nature of the products used, it is desirable to be able to treat the water in such a way as to avoid or limit the discharge of certain products into the public grey water drainage network, in order to limit pollution and thus improve the quality of the grey water leaving the hairdressing salon.

[0007] Various systems are known for carrying out such treatment when evacuating the collected water.

[0008] Documents US2021110680A1, US2021110324A1 propose equipping the evacuation drain with a water resource management system allowing the collection of data relating to the quantity of water used and / or the quality of the water evacuated, in particular in order to indicate whether the rinsing is complete. The system also comprises a treatment unit receiving the water from the drain and capable either of recycling this water to a distribution system (tap, shower) associated with the washing tank, or of returning it to the gray water network. The treatment unit may comprise one or more filters, and / or one or more disinfection systems (UV lamp). This is a relatively complex system requiring the drain to be disconnected from the gray water network to connect it to the treatment unit, this treatment unit itself having to be connected to the gray water evacuation network.

[0009] Document FR3003856A1 similarly aims to equip a hair salon wash basin with a treatment unit comprising a bubble generator capable of allow the formation of a supernatant that traps impurities. As with previous devices, such a system requires a bypass of the wash tank drain.

[0010] In particular, document US679381 IB 1 discloses an open drain for the drainage of public roads (streets, parking lots) incorporating filters to retain debris and certain pollutants such as hydrocarbons. Such a drain is not intended to be connected to an ancillary treatment system.

[0011] The proposal of eco-responsible solutions, allowing to facilitate the treatment and recycling of wastewater is becoming a major concern. It is therefore essential to design products allowing to facilitate the adoption of good environmental practices and facilitating the integration of recycling systems in daily activities.

[0012] To do this, the present invention relates to a plug for an evacuation drain of a washing tank, the plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented towards the inside of the washing tank when in the drain closure position and a lower surface intended to be oriented towards the drain, said plug being characterized in that it comprises a first conduit fluidly connecting a first opening in the upper surface forming a connector to a discharge pipe of a water treatment system to a second, free opening, opening into the lower surface inside the drain.

[0013] By "plug" is meant a stopper capable of sealingly closing a drain of a tank, in particular a basin such as a sink or washbasin. The plug may preferably be removable and / or have a valve that can be moved alternately and selectively between an open position allowing the fluid to pass directly from the basin to the drain and a closed position in which the direct evacuation of the fluid is prevented.

[0014] Thus, by providing a plug making it possible to close the evacuation of the washing tank while integrating a conduit allowing the connection of a discharge pipe of a treatment system, it is possible to retain the gray water in the tank so as to be able to collect it (using an inlet pipe of a pumping unit for example) then to pass it through a treatment system before being able to discharge it, treated, directly through the first conduit of the plug.

[0015] More specifically, when the discharge pipe is connected to the connector, the plug is devoid of a direct connection conduit between the inside of the wash tank and the drain. By devoid, it is meant that it does not include such a conduit or that if it does include one, it is associated with a closing means making it possible to ensure the closure of such a direct connection conduit at least when the discharge pipe is connected to the first conduit and / or an ancillary treatment system is in operation.

[0016] The device is easily installed and adaptable to any installation, even standard, without the need to disconnect the drain to create a bypass and / or a tapping. The plug can be fixed and held in place by various means which will be described below.

[0017] The plug therefore prevents the passage of untreated gray water directly into the drain and the first connector-forming orifice allows only the treated water discharged by the additional treatment system to be introduced. Obviously, by "connector" is meant the formation of a sealed connection between the discharge pipe and the first conduit of the plug. Thus, the untreated gray water retained in the washing tank cannot enter the first opening when the discharge pipe is connected to it.

[0018] The connection may be made in particular by a tight fitting, the delivery pipe being, for example, introduced inside the first opening having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the delivery pipe or even having a slight dimensional interference so as to ensure a tight fitting. The first conduit may have an internal shoulder serving as a fitting stop.

[0019] The connection can also be made by providing a conventional hydraulic or pneumatic connector, in particular a threaded connector or a quick connector, the delivery pipe having a suitable complementary connector part.

[0020] Advantageously complementary, the plug comprises a second conduit, fluidly distinct from the first conduit, fluidly connecting a third, free opening, opening into the upper surface inside the washing tank to a fourth opening, also in the upper face, forming a connector to an inlet pipe of a treatment system.

[0021] As before, by "connector" is meant the formation of a sealed connection between the suction pipe and the second conduit of the drain. However, this condition is less important because the surrounding water at the fourth opening is untreated gray water intended to be sucked into the treatment system in any event. The second conduit may also have an internal shoulder serving as a fitting stop.

[0022] Thus, by providing a plug which itself incorporates the necessary bypass conduits to conduct the collected water directly to a treatment system and discharge it directly into the drain, installation is facilitated and the plug can be shaped to have a universal character which can be easily adapted to any drain of a tub, sink, washbasin or bathtub, generally having standard dimensions.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug comprises several second conduits. Advantageously, the second conduits together comprise a plurality of third openings and fluidically join towards a single fourth opening forming a connector for an inlet pipe of the ancillary treatment system.

[0024] Thus, the plurality of third openings can be distributed over the upper surface of the drain to ensure distribution of the suction of untreated gray water into the washing tank. The pooling of the second conduits so as to lead to a single fourth opening for the assembly makes it possible to connect the drain to a single suction conduit of the treatment system.

[0025] In an advantageously complementary manner, the third opening(s) (suction of water into the washing tub) are equipped with grids making it possible to pre-filter and retain foreign bodies, for example part of the hair.

[0026] Preferably, the first conduit intended for the discharge and evacuation of the gray water after treatment is unique. In the case of a plurality of third openings intended for the suction of untreated gray water through a plurality of second conduits, the first conduit will have a section adapted to the total suction and discharge flow rate.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug has a head configured to protrude inside the wash basin when the plug is in the drain closing position, the upper surface comprising a peripheral lateral surface of the head.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment, the first orifice opens into the peripheral surface.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the third orifice(s) open into the peripheral surface. Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure suction of untreated gray water as close as possible to the bottom of the washing tank.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the fourth orifice opens into the peripheral surface.

[0031] Preferably, the first orifice and the fourth orifice open in the vicinity of each other. Thus the suction pipe and the discharge pipe can be connected on the same surface of the drain in the vicinity and close to each other and thus be grouped together.

[0032] The presence of the connectors on the lateral surface of the plug ensures easy connection and, above all, allows the suction and discharge pipes to be arranged along a lateral wall of the washing tank leading to the drain so as not to hinder an operator, unlike in the case where they had to be connected to the center of the plug by crossing a central interior space of the washing tank.

[0033] In an advantageously complementary manner, the first and second conduits and / or their associated openings can be equipped with non-return valves arranged according to the expected direction of flow for each conduit. The conduit(s) may also be fitted with selective shut-off valves. For example, the first conduit may be fitted with a selective shut-off system, allowing the drain to be used without a discharge pipe from a treatment system, like a standard drain plug.

[0034] Furthermore, advantageously in a complementary manner, the drain can be equipped or associated with at least one sensor for detecting the level of water in the washing tank, said sensor being configured to send a signal of presence and / or absence of water at a level higher than that of the third openings. This signal can be received and / or processed by a control member of the ancillary treatment system so as, for example, to trigger the starting and / or stopping of a pump of the ancillary treatment system.

[0035] The present application also relates to a water treatment assembly for a wash tank fluidly open to a drain, characterized in that it comprises a plug according to the present application and a water treatment system comprising at least one suction pipe before treatment and a discharge pipe for the treated water, at least the discharge pipe being connected to the first opening, and where appropriate, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening. Advantageously, the treatment assembly is configured in that it has a suction flow rate substantially equal to a water supply flow rate in the wash tank (in particular the water diffusion flow rate of the associated shower). Even more advantageously, the suction flow rate can be dynamically adjusted as a function of the water supply flow rate in the wash tank and in particular can be controlled by a flow sensor equipping the shower associated with the tank.

[0036] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: 1. is a schematic representation of a capillary washing tank equipped with a system for treating the collected grey water and comprising a plug conforming to the present application according to a first variant. 2. is a schematic representation of a capillary washing tank equipped with a system for treating the collected grey water and comprising a plug conforming to the present application according to a second variant. 3. Is a transparent representation of a first variant of implementation of the plug of [Fig.2]. 4. is a schematic representation of the first variant of implementation of the plug of [Fig.3]. 5. is a cross-sectional view of the plug of [Fig.3] along an axis AA. 6. is a cross-sectional view of the plug of [Fig.3] along an axis BB. 7. is a schematic representation of a second implementation variant from the plug of [Fig.2]. 8. is a cross-sectional view of the plug of [Fig.3] along an axis AA. 9. is a cross-sectional view of the plug of [Fig.3] along an axis BB.

[0037] [Fig.l] shows a washing basin 1 in particular for a hairdressing salon intended in particular for washing (shampooing) and rinsing a person's hair but also for steps of applying and / or rinsing other hair treatments.

[0038] Such a washing basin 1 for a hairdressing salon is generally associated with an armchair (not shown) allowing the user to rest his head back above or partially in the washing basin 1.

[0039] The washing tub 1 is also associated with a device for distributing so-called “white” water of the shower type, generally connected to a flexible water supply pipe so that it can be handled by an operator and moved above the user's head and hair.

[0040] The assembly of the chair, washing basin, and water distribution device forms a washing unit for a hairdressing salon.

[0041] Although illustrated in connection with such a hair salon washing unit, the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to other types of washing basins, in particular basins for domestic use such as washbasins, sinks, showers or bathtubs.

[0042] In particular, the present application is applicable for home hairdressing operations in which the hairdresser can simply equip his client's sink, washbasin or bathtub with the plug described below to limit the discharge of potentially polluting products into domestic water.

[0043] The washing tub 1 comprises a hollow body 2 defining an interior space 3 open on an upper side. The tub has a bottom 4, located opposite the open upper side, said bottom having an opening connected to an evacuation drain 5.

[0044] In accordance with the present application, the washing tank 1 is capable of being equipped with a water treatment system making it possible to suck up the grey water collected at the bottom of the washing tank 1 during a treatment operation (the water then being loaded with any rinsed hair product and / or other impurities) through a suction pipe 11 towards a treatment device 10 and then to discharge the water thus treated through a discharge pipe 12 towards the drain 5 for evacuation.

[0045] One or more pumps ensure the circulation of water through the treatment system. The pump may be placed before and / or after the treatment device 10 or form an integral part thereof.

[0046] As examples, the processing device 10 may comprise one or more filters capable of filtering foreign bodies and impurities (hair, etc.) and / or one or more chemical products.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the treatment device 10 may also comprise water disinfection devices (UV diodes, etc.) or any other equipment.

[0048] The treatment device 10 may also comprise one or more so-called “buffer” tanks making it possible to regulate the suction and / or discharge flow rates.

[0049] In order to ensure the suction of the water collected from the bottom 4 of the washing tank 1 and its discharge towards the drain 5, the washing tank 1 is equipped with a plug 100 according to the present application and which will now be described.

[0050] The plug 100 is arranged at the bottom 4 of the tank 1 so as to seal the connection orifice to the drain 5 in a sealed manner. The plug 100 has at least one upper surface 101 intended to be oriented towards the inside of the washing tank 1 when the drain 5 is in the closed position and a lower surface 102 intended to be oriented towards the drain 5. In order to ensure that the plug is held in position and sealed, the lower surface 102 may carry a peripheral skirt intended to be partially introduced at the inlet of the evacuation drain 5. The peripheral skirt may have a peripheral sealing bead or collar and be introduced into the inlet of the drain in friction. The generally standard dimensions of the evacuation drains make such an arrangement possible. The sealing bead or collar may be made of an elastomer material such as rubber or silicone.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition, the lower surface 102 of the drain can be equipped with a peripheral sealing bead (hopefully circular) intended to be applied against a bottom surface of the wash basin around the opening of the drain. The peripheral bead can be designed so as to allow a suction effect ensuring the hold of the drain. In order to allow adaptation to numerous drain diameters as well as to curved wash basin bottoms, the peripheral bead can advantageously be placed as close as possible to an outer edge of the drain.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, all or part of the lower surface 102 may be covered with an adhesive capable of ensuring a watertight fit with a bottom wall of the wash basin around the drain opening. In particular, glues used for non-slip adhesives for bathtubs may be used.

[0053] According to the embodiment shown, the plug 100 comprises a head projecting inside the washing tub 1 when the plug 100 is in the position for closing the drain 5, the upper surface 101 of the plug 100 being formed of an upper surface 101a of the head and a peripheral lateral surface 101b of said head. The head has a general circular section shape, but other shapes can be considered. The plug thus has a general puck shape.

[0054] In accordance with the present application, the plug 100 is characterized in that it comprises a first conduit 110 fluidly connecting a first opening 111 in the lateral surface 101b of the head to a second, free opening 112, opening into the lower surface 102 inside the drain 5.

[0055] The first opening 111 forms a connector and receives the discharge pipe 12 of the water treatment system 10.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the suction pipe 11 is not connected to the drain and is simply immersed in the washing tank 1 so as to be able to directly suck up the collected water.

[0057] According to an advantageous embodiment shown schematically in [Fig. 2], the washing tank 1 receives a plug 200, similar to the plug 100 but additionally comprising a second conduit 120, fluidically distinct from the first conduit 111, fluidically connecting a third opening 121, free, opening into the upper surface 101 (in the lateral surface 101b) inside the washing tank 1 to a fourth opening 122, also in the upper face 101 (in the lateral surface 101b), forming a connector receiving the inlet pipe 11 for the gray water collected in the washing tank 1. Thus the two inlet pipes 11 and discharge pipes 12 are easily held in place and can be arranged so as to follow a wall of the washing tank 1 up to the plug 200.

[0058] Figures 3 to 6 show detailed views of a plug 200a according to a first embodiment of the plug 200. The plug 200a has a set of openings 111, 121, 122 formed in the lateral surface 101b and each associated with a conduit 110, 120. The openings 111, 121, 122 are distributed equidistantly on said lateral surface 101b.

[0059] The drain 200a thus has a first opening 111 intended to receive the discharge pipe 12. The opening 111 is associated with a first internal conduit 110 joining substantially a center of the circular drain. The conduit then forms an elbow, for example at 90°, to define a return portion 113 joining the lower surface 102 oriented towards the drain 5 and into which said return portion 113 opens through a second opening 112.

[0060] This first conduit 110 is intended for the discharge of treated gray water.

[0061] In order to allow the connection of the delivery pipe 12, the conduit 110 has, at the level of the first opening 111, a portion of conduit having an internal diameter slightly wider than the rest of the conduit 110 and corresponding substantially to an external diameter of the delivery pipe 12 (or even with a slight interference to ensure sufficient sealing and support). Obviously, other connection modes can be envisaged. The first conduit 110 has an internal shoulder intended to serve as a fitting stop for the discharge pipe.

[0062] Rotating clockwise, the lateral surface 101b of the drain 200a then has six third openings 121 intended for the suction of the gray water collected in the tank 1. Each third opening 121 is associated with a second conduit 120 intended for the circulation of the gray water collected in the washing tank 1 towards the treatment system 10. More precisely, the second conduit 120 has a star structure comprising suction conduit portions 123 each connected to one of the third openings 121 and joining a central conduit portion 124 circulating around the return portion 113 of the first conduit 110. The central portion 124 joins a transfer portion 125 associated with a fourth opening 122, adjacent to the first opening 111, and intended to be connected to the suction pipe 11.To do this, the transfer portion 125 has, like the first conduit 110, a mouthpiece having, in the vicinity of the fourth opening 122, a wider diameter capable of allowing the suction pipe 11 to be fitted inside. The transfer portion 125 also has an internal shoulder serving as a fitting stop for the suction pipe 11.

[0063] It will be noted that the third orifices 121, intended for the suction of the gray water collected in the bottom of the washing tank 1, are oriented towards the lower surface 1021 of the plug 200a so as to optimize the collection of the gray water in the bottom 4 of the tank 1. More precisely, an edge of the orifice 121 is flush with the lower surface 102. The first and fourth orifices are, for their part, substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface 101b. Such an arrangement forms a foolproofing means making it possible to easily distinguish the connection orifices while facilitating the fitting of the pipes 11, 12. In a complementary or alternative manner, the upper surface 101a may bear markings making it possible to easily identify the first connection orifice 111 of the delivery pipe 12 and the fourth connection orifice 122 of the suction pipe 11, for example directional arrows, in particular in relief.

[0064] Figures 7 to 9 are sectional views of a plug 200b forming a second embodiment of the plug 200.

[0065] The plug 200b differs from the plug 200a mainly in that the first conduit 110 comprises an elbow and a return portion 113 towards the second orifice 112 formed in the lower surface 102 of the plug 200b which is no longer central but radially offset. Thus, the center of the plug 200b is freed for the central portion 124 of the second conduit 120 for which it is no longer necessary for it to circulate around the elbow and the return portion 113 of the first conduit 110.

[0066] It will be noted that this also allows the creation of an additional orifice 121 around the side wall 101b.

[0067] It will also be noted that the first conduit 110 has a connection portion with the first opening 111 which is no longer radial but substantially parallel to the associated transfer portion of the first conduit associated with the fourth opening. The first and fourth orifices 111, 122 can thus be closer together, which allows an optimized arrangement of the pipes 11, 12.

[0068] In use, the gray water collected at the bottom of the wash tank is sucked up through the third orifices 121 and circulates through the associated suction portion 123 to the central portion 124 where it joins the transfer portion 125 to the fourth opening 122. It then rises up the suction pipe 11 to the treatment device 10. Once past the treatment members of the treatment device 10, the treated water is discharged through the discharge pipe 12 to the first opening 111 where it joins the first conduit 110. The discharged water follows the elbow 113 and the discharge portion to reach the second orifice 112 through which it joins the drain 5 and can be discharged to the sewer network.

Claims

Claims

1. Plug (100, 200, 200a, 200b) for an evacuation drain (5) of a washing tub (1), the plug having at least one upper surface (101) intended to be oriented towards the interior (3) of the washing tub when in the drain closing position and a lower surface (102) intended to be oriented towards the drain, said plug being characterized in that it comprises a first conduit (110) fluidically connecting a first opening (111) in the upper surface forming a connector to a discharge pipe (12) of a water treatment system (10) to a second, free opening (112), opening into the lower surface inside the drain.

2. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second conduit (120), fluidly distinct from the first conduit (110), fluidly connecting a third opening (121), free, opening into the upper surface (101) inside the washing tank (1) to a fourth opening (122), also in the upper face, forming a connector to an inlet pipe (11) of a treatment system (10).

3. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) for drain (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises several second conduits (120).

4. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) for drain (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second conduits (120) together comprise a plurality of third openings (121) and fluidically join towards a single fourth opening (122).

5. Drain plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first conduit (110) is unique.

6. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a head configured to protrude inside (3) the wash tub (1) when the plug is in the drain closing position, the upper surface (101) comprising a peripheral lateral surface (101b).

7. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first orifice (111) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).

8. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the third orifice(s) (121) open into the peripheral surface (101b).

9. Plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the fourth orifice (122) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).

10. Water treatment assembly for a washing tank (3) connected to a drain (5) characterized in that it comprises a plug (100, 200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a water treatment system (10) comprising at least one suction pipe (11) before treatment and a discharge pipe (12) for the treated water, at least the discharge pipe being connected to the first opening (111), and where appropriate, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening (122).

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