Drain plug for a washbasin.

Abstract

Non-blowing hairdressing appliance comprising a secondary battery power supply. The present invention relates to a drain plug for a wash basin, the drain plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented towards the interior of the wash basin when in the drain-blocking position and a lower surface intended to be oriented towards the drain, said drain 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. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

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

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

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

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

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

[0005] The water thus collected and intended to be discharged 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 hair salon.

[0007] Various systems are known for carrying out such treatment during the discharge of the collected water.

[0008] Documents US2021110680A1 and US2021110324A1 propose equipping the drain with a water resource management system that collects data on the quantity of water used and / or the quality of the discharged water, particularly to indicate whether rinsing is complete. The system also includes a treatment unit that receives the drain water and is capable of either recycling this water to a distribution system (faucet, shower) associated with the washbasin or returning it to the greywater system. The treatment unit may include 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 greywater system and connected to the treatment unit, which itself must be connected to the greywater drainage system.

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

[0010] In particular, US patent 679381 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 auxiliary treatment system.

[0011] The development of eco-friendly solutions to facilitate wastewater treatment and recycling is becoming a major concern. It is therefore essential to design products that promote the adoption of good environmental practices and facilitate the integration of recycling systems into daily activities.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a drain plug for the evacuation drain of a wash basin, the drain plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented towards the interior of the wash basin when in the drain closure position and a lower surface intended to be oriented towards the drain, said drain 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] The term "plug" refers to a stopper suitable for sealing a drain of a tank, in particular a basin such as a washbasin or sink. The plug may preferably be removable and / or have a flap that moves alternately and selectively between an open position allowing fluid to flow directly from the basin to the drain and a closed position preventing direct fluid discharge.

[0014] Thus, by providing a drain plug to close the drain of the wash tank while integrating a conduit allowing the connection of a discharge pipe of a treatment system, it is possible to retain the grey water in the tank so that it can be collected (using an inlet pipe of a pumping unit for example) and then passed through a treatment system before being able to discharge it, treated, directly through the first conduit of the drain plug.

[0015] More specifically, when the discharge hose is connected to the connector, the drain plug lacks a direct connection conduit between the inside of the wash basin and the drain. By "lacking," it is meant that it does not include such a conduit, or if it does include one, it is associated with a sealing means to ensure the closure of such a direct connection conduit at least when the hose the discharge is connected to the first conduit and / or an auxiliary treatment system is in operation.

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

[0017] The drain plug therefore prevents untreated grey water from passing directly into the drain, and the first opening, which forms a connector, allows only treated water discharged by the auxiliary treatment system to enter it. Obviously, by "connector," we mean the formation of a watertight connection between the discharge pipe and the first drain plug conduit. Thus, the untreated grey water retained in the wash tank cannot enter the first opening when the discharge pipe is connected to it.

[0018] The connection can be made, in particular, by a compression fitting, the discharge pipe being, for example, inserted into the first opening having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the discharge pipe, or even having a slight dimensional interference so as to ensure a tight seal. 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 discharge pipe having a suitable complementary connector part.

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

[0021] As before, the term "connector" refers to the formation of a watertight connection between the suction pipe and the second drain pipe. However, this condition is less important because the surrounding water at the fourth opening is untreated greywater intended to be drawn into the treatment system in any case. The second pipe may also have an internal shoulder serving as a spigot stop.

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

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the drain comprises several second conduits. Advantageously, the second conduits together comprise a plurality of third openings and flow seamlessly into a single fourth opening forming a connector for an inlet pipe of the auxiliary treatment system.

[0024] Thus, the plurality of third openings can be distributed across the upper surface of the drain to ensure the distribution of the suction of untreated grey water into the wash tank. Combining the second conduits to create a single fourth opening for the entire system allows the drain to be connected to a single suction conduit of the treatment system.

[0025] In an advantageously complementary manner, the third opening(s) (water suction in the wash tank) are equipped with grids allowing to pre-filter and retain foreign bodies, for example some of the hair.

[0026] Preferably, the first conduit for pumping and discharging treated greywater is a single conduit. In the case of multiple third openings for drawing untreated greywater through multiple second conduits, the first conduit will have a cross-section adapted to the total flow rate of both drawing and discharging.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the drain has a head configured to protrude inside the wash basin when the drain is in the drain closure 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 in addition, the third orifice(s) open into the peripheral surface. Such an arrangement ensures that untreated grey water is drawn as close as possible to the bottom of the wash tank.

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

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

[0032] The presence of the connectors on the side surface of the drain makes it possible to ensure an easy connection and, above all, that the suction and discharge pipes can be arranged along a side wall of the wash tank leading to the drain so as not to obstruct an operator, unlike the case where they had to be connected to the center of the drain by passing through a central interior space of the wash tank.

[0033] Advantageously, the first and second conduits and / or their associated openings can be equipped with check valves arranged according to the expected direction of flow for each conduit. The conduit(s) can also be fitted with selective shut-off valves. Thus, for example, the first conduit can be equipped with a selective shut-off system, allowing the drain without a discharge pipe of a treatment system to be used as a conventional drain plug.

[0034] Furthermore, and advantageously as a complementary feature, the drain can be equipped with or associated with at least one water level detection sensor in the wash tank, said sensor being configured to send a signal indicating the 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 device of the auxiliary treatment system so as, for example, to trigger the starting and / or stopping of a pump of the auxiliary treatment system.

[0035] The present application also relates to a water treatment system for a washbasin open to a drain, characterized in that it comprises a drain according to the present application and a water treatment system comprising at least one pre-treatment suction pipe and one treated water discharge pipe, at least the discharge pipe being connected to the first opening, and where applicable, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening. Advantageously, the treatment system is configured such that it has a suction flow rate substantially equal to the water supply flow rate in the washbasin (in particular the water diffusion flow rate of the associated shower head). Even more advantageously, the suction flow rate can be dynamically adjusted according to the water supply flow rate in the washbasin and, in particular, can be controlled by a flow sensor fitted to the shower head associated with the washbasin.

[0036] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a hair washing basin equipped with a grey water treatment system and including a drain fitting conforming to the present application according to a first variant.

[0038] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a hair washing basin equipped with a grey water treatment system including a drain conforming to this application according to a second variant.

[0039] [Fig.3] Is a transparent representation of a first variant of the implementation of the drain of [Fig.2].

[0040] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the first implementation variant of the drain plug of [Fig.3].

[0041] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the drain of [Fig.3] along an axis AA.

[0042] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the drain of [Fig.3] along an axis BB.

[0043] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of a second variant of putting in work of the plug of the [Fig.2].

[0044] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of the drain of [Fig.3] along an axis AA.

[0045] [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of the drain of [Fig.3] along an axis BB.

[0046] Fig. 1 presents a washing basin 1, particularly for a hair salon, intended in particular for washing (shampooing) and rinsing a person's hair, but also for application and / or rinsing steps of other hair treatments.

[0047] Such a salon wash basin 1 is generally associated with a chair (not shown) allowing the user to rest their head back over or partially in the wash basin 1.

[0048] The wash basin 1 is also associated with a so-called "white" water distribution device of the shower type, generally connected to a flexible water supply line so that it can be handled by an operator and moved over the user's head and hair.

[0049] The entire chair, wash basin, and water distribution device form a washing unit for a hair salon.

[0050] Although illustrated in connection with such a hair salon washing unit, the present invention is not limited to it and is applicable to other types of washing basins, in particular basins for domestic use such as washbasins, sinks, showers or bathtubs.

[0051] In particular, the present application is applicable to home hairdressing operations in which the hairdresser can simply equip his client's sink, washbasin or bathtub with the drain described below to limit the discharge of potentially polluting products into domestic water.

[0052] The wash tank 1 comprises a hollow body 2 defining an interior space 3 open on one upper side. The tank has a bottom 4, located opposite the open upper side, said bottom having an opening connected to a drain 5.

[0053] In accordance with this application, the wash tank 1 is suitable for being equipped with a water treatment system allowing the grey water collected at the bottom of the wash tank 1 during a treatment operation (the water then being charged with the possible rinsed hair product and / or other impurities) to be sucked through a suction pipe 11 to a treatment device 10 and then to pump the treated water through a discharge pipe 12 to the drain 5 for disposal.

[0054] One or more pumps ensure the circulation of water through the treatment system. The pump can be placed before and / or after the treatment device 10 or is an integral part thereof.

[0055] By way of example, the treatment device 10 may include one or more filters suitable for filtering foreign bodies and impurities (e.g., hair) and / or one or more chemicals.

[0056] Alternatively or in addition, the treatment device 10 may also include water disinfection components (e.g., UV diodes) or any other equipment.

[0057] The treatment device 10 may also include one or more so-called "buffer" tanks allowing the regulation of suction and / or discharge flow rates.

[0058] In order to ensure the suction of the water collected from the bottom 4 of the wash tank 1 and its discharge towards the drain 5, the wash tank 1 is equipped with a drain 100 according to the present application and which will now be described.

[0059] The plug 100 is positioned at the bottom 4 of the tank 1 so as to seal the connection opening to the drain 5. The plug 100 has at least one upper surface 101 intended to face inwards towards the interior of the wash tank 1 when the drain 5 is closed, and a lower surface 102 intended to face towards the drain 5. To ensure that the plug remains in position and is sealed, the lower surface 102 may have a peripheral skirt intended to be partially inserted into the inlet of the drain 5. The peripheral skirt may have a peripheral sealing bead or collar and be inserted into the drain inlet by friction. The generally standard dimensions of drains make such an arrangement possible. The sealing bead or collar may be made of an elastomeric material such as rubber or silicone.

[0060] Alternatively or in addition, the lower surface 102 of the drain fitting can be fitted with a peripheral sealing bead (circular in this case) intended to be applied against a bottom surface of the wash basin around the drain opening. The peripheral bead can be designed to create a suction effect ensuring the drain fitting stays in place. To allow adaptation to various drain diameters and curved wash basin bottoms, the peripheral bead can advantageously be positioned as close as possible to an outer edge of the drain fitting.

[0061] Alternatively or in addition, all or part of the lower surface 102 may be covered with an adhesive suitable for ensuring a watertight seal with the bottom wall of the washbasin around the drain opening. Adhesives used for anti-slip bathtub coatings may be used.

[0062] According to the embodiment shown, the drain 100 comprises a head projecting inside the wash basin 1 when the drain 100 is in the closed position of the drain 5, the upper surface 101 of the drain 100 being formed by an upper surface 101a of the head and a peripheral lateral surface 101b of said head. The head has a generally circular cross-section, but other shapes are possible. The drain thus has a general puck-like shape.

[0063] According to the present application, the drain 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 opening 112, free, opening into the lower surface 102 inside the drain 5.

[0064] The first opening 111 forms a connector and receives the discharge pipe 12 of the water treatment system 10.

[0065] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the suction pipe 11 is not connected to the drain and is simply immersed in the wash basin 1 so as to be able to directly suction the collected water.

[0066] According to an advantageous embodiment shown schematically in [Fig.2], the wash tank 1 receives a drain 200, similar to the drain 100 but also comprising a second conduit 120, fluidly distinct from the first conduit 111, fluidly connecting a third free opening 121, opening into the upper surface 101 (in the lateral surface 101b) inside the wash 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 of the grey water collected in the wash tank 1. Thus the two inlet pipes 11 and discharge pipe 12 are easily held in place and can be arranged so as to follow a wall of the wash tank 1 to the drain 200.

[0067] Figures 3 to 6 present detailed views of a drain 200a according to a first embodiment of the drain 200. The drain 200a has a set of openings 111, 121, 122 provided 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.

[0068] 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 which joins approximately the center of the circular drain. The conduit then forms a bend, for example at 90°, to define a return portion 113 which joins the lower surface 102 oriented towards the drain 5 and into which said return portion 113 opens through a second opening 112.

[0069] This first conduit 110 is intended for the discharge of treated grey water.

[0070] To allow connection of the discharge pipe 12, the conduit 110 has, at the first opening 111, a portion of conduit with an internal diameter slightly larger than the rest of the conduit 110 and corresponding approximately to an external diameter of the discharge pipe 12 (or even with a slight overlap to ensure sufficient sealing and retention). Of course, other connection methods can be considered. The first conduit 110 has an internal shoulder intended to serve as a stop for inserting the discharge pipe.

[0071] Rotating clockwise, the lateral surface 101b of the drain 200a then has six third openings 121 for the suction of grey water collected in the tank 1. Each third opening 121 is associated with a second conduit 120 for the circulation of grey water collected in the wash tank 1 to the treatment system 10. More specifically, the second conduit 120 has a star-shaped 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 achieve this, the transfer portion 125, like the first conduit 110, has an opening with a larger diameter near the fourth opening 122, suitable for allowing the suction pipe 11 to be inserted into it. The transfer portion 125 also has an internal shoulder that serves as a stop for inserting the suction pipe 11.

[0072] It should be noted that the third orifices 121, intended for the suction of grey water collected in the bottom of the wash tank 1, are oriented towards the lower surface 1021 of the drain 200a so as to optimize the collection of grey water from 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 means of error-proofing, making it easy to distinguish the connection ports while facilitating the fitting of the pipes 11, 12. Complementarily or alternatively, the upper surface 101a may bear markings allowing easy identification of the first connection port 111 of the discharge pipe 12 and the fourth connection port 122 of the suction pipe 11, for example directional arrows, in particular in relief.

[0073] Figures 7 to 9 are cross-sectional views of a drain 200b forming a second embodiment of the drain 200.

[0074] The drain 200b differs from the drain 200a mainly in that the first conduit 110 includes an elbow and a return portion 113 to the second orifice 112 is provided in the lower surface 102 of the drain 200b, which is no longer central but radially offset. Thus, the center of the drain 200b is freed for the central portion 124 of the second conduit 120, for which it is no longer necessary to circulate around the elbow and the return portion 113 of the first conduit 110.

[0075] It should be noted that this also allows the creation of an additional orifice 121 around the side wall 101b.

[0076] It should also be noted that the first conduit 110 has a connection portion with the first opening 111 that 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 brought closer together, allowing for an optimized arrangement of the pipes 11, 12.

[0077] In use, the grey water collected at the bottom of the wash tank is drawn in through the third openings 121 and flows 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 travels up the suction pipe 11 to the treatment device 10. Once it has passed through the treatment elements of the treatment device 10, the treated water is pumped through the discharge pipe 12 to the first opening 111 where it joins the first conduit 110. The pumped water follows the elbow 113 and the discharge portion to reach the second opening 112 through which it joins the drain 5 and can be discharged into the sewer system.

Claims

Demands

1. A drain (100, 200, 200a, 200b) for a discharge drain (5) of a wash tank (1), the drain having at least one upper surface (101) intended to be oriented towards the interior (3) of the wash tank when the drain is closed and a lower surface (102) intended to be oriented towards the drain, the drain comprising a first conduit (110) fluidly 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, said drain being characterized in that it comprises a second conduit (120), fluidly separate from the first conduit, fluidly connecting a third, free opening (121) opening into the upper surface (101) inside the wash 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).

2. Drain plug (200, 200a, 200b) for drain (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises several second conduits (120).

3. Drain (200, 200a, 200b) for drain (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second conduits (120) together comprise a plurality of third openings (121) and flow together towards a single fourth opening (122).

4. Drain plug (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first conduit (110) is unique.

5. Drain (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a head configured to protrude inside (3) the wash basin (1) when the drain is in the drain closure position, the upper surface (101) comprising a peripheral lateral surface (101b).

6. Drain (200, 200a, 200b) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first orifice (111) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).

7. Drain (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the third orifice(s) (121) open into the peripheral surface (101b).

8. Drain (200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the fourth orifice (122) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).

9. Water treatment assembly of a wash tub (3) connected to a drain (5) characterized in that it comprises a drain (100, 200, 200a, 200b) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a water treatment system (10) comprising at least one pre-treatment suction pipe (11) and a treated water discharge pipe (12), at least the discharge pipe being connected to the first opening (111), and where applicable, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening (122).

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