A shower device

Abstract

A shower device comprising a centrally located water inlet (17, fig. 3), a housing 1, and a removable, perforated filter 9 (also 19, fig. 3) suitable for holding loose media. The filter is inserted upwards into the housing, and a plurality of water outlets 8, arranged in a rainfall configuration, extend horizontally from the filter so that water enters the filter along a first axis and is orthogonally dispersed before exiting the outlets coaxially along the first axis. The shower may also comprise a planar showerhead which may be square, rectangular, or circular in shape, extending from the housing.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shower device, in particular a device for providing an improved shower for a human suer; more particularly but not exclusively a device for providing enriched water to treat the user’s skin. Background Many people in many societies across the world are increasingly keen to take showers rather than bathe. Baths however allow addition of ingredients to water to improve the water and its effect on the wellbeing, skin and body. Traditional shower systems are not able to infuse water with minerals and crystals, which are known to provide various benefits to the body and mind, such as improving skin health, promoting relaxation, and boosting energy levels. Additionally or alternatively traditional shower systems may use water that contains impurities, such as chlorine, lead, and bacteria. These impurities can be harmful to the body and may lead to skin irritation and other health problems, particularly for users with skin complaints. Traditional shower systems furthermore focus pressurised water on a user, providing stimulation but being prone to strip the skin of natural oils, leaving users with a need for post-shower moisturisers. Prior Art US 2017 0 326 561 (SHARRATT) discloses a showerhead assembly including a filter cartridge assembly having a replaceable filter cartridge. The showerhead assembly includes a water-directing and filtering assembly having a body portion and a face portion removably affixed to the body portion. The filter cartridge assembly includes a split filter cartridge housing and fitter cartridge. A first part of the fitter cartridge housing is disposed in the body portion and a second part is disposed in the face portion. The filter cartridge includes a casing and spaced apart first and second end walls, an inlet connector extending axially from the first end wall, and an outlet connector extending axially from the second end wall and being offset from the filter cartridge central axis. The second end wall includes a first recess extending linearly between a peripheral edge of the second end wall and terminating at a termination position substantially aligned with the filter cartridge central axis. US 2011 0 297 624 (SMITH) discloses a showerhead filter assembly for purifying fluid comprising: a showerhead having an inner chamber, the inner chamber comprising a fluid passage at a first end and an opening ata second end, the opening at the second end for receiving a filter assembly: the filter assembly is removably located within the inner chamber comprising a cartridge having first and second ends spaced by a body and filter media supported within said body, the filter media removing contaminates from fluid passing from the fluid passage to at least one exit opening in the showerhead. US 2004 0 255 377 (MUELLER) discloses a showerhead assembly which comprises a hollow body having an inlet end and an outlet end, a face portion, said face portion being disposed at the outlet end of the hollow body and including a receiving aperture defined within it and further including a plurality of water flow apertures defined within it, and a filter member, said filter member being insertable within the face portion receiving aperture to dispose the filter member between the inlet end and the outlet end of the hollow body, wherein the filter member is disposed within the showerhead assembly to filter water flowing through the hollow body. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a shower device comprising a water inlet to a housing, the housing providing a plurality of enriched water outlets in a rainfall arrangement, and a displaceable perforated filter suitable for holding loose enriching materials, wherein the water inlet is located central to the housing, the displaceable filter is adapted to be inserted upwards into the housing and the enriched water outlets are arranged to extend horizontally from the displaceable tray filter such that water enters into the filter in a first axis, is dispersed along an orthogonal axis, and exits the outlets coaxial the first axis. In this way the device provides a means of providing minerals or other enriching materials to water that is applied gently and comprehensively to skin of a user. The device may allow the filter to be easily displaced from the housing without hassle for easy refilling with minerals or other filter materials, for example loose filling. The water may pass through the filter to the outlets from an inlet, whereby a fluid passage exists from the inlet to the outlets solely through the filter. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a planar shower head which extends horizontally from the housing, providing the enriched water outlets, such as a rainfall shower head, providing a plurality of outlets spread out across the head. In this way it may be envisaged that the water is enriched centrally and spread out to the outlets pre-enriched. In some embodiments of the device therefore it may be envisaged that the shower head is square, rectangular or circular, being largely planar with the filter and housing centrally located. In this way the device of the present invention integrates minerals into the waterflow at the shower head, transforming a pressurised water supply into a nourishing and rejuvenating experience, which not only cleanses but also replenishes, minimizing dryness and promoting healthy, radiant skin, utilising nature to elevate the shower experience with a rain shower infusing minerals into the water, which enriches and nourishes skin, removing the need for moisturising post-shower. In some embodiments of the device the filter comprises a cage with an open top face, wherein such cage is displaced downwards and filled and replaced upwards into the housing. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a threaded connection between the housing and filter. In this way it may be simply unscrewed when it needs refilling for example, and pressure is not liable to displace the fitter from the housing. This may comprise a bayonet screw fitting. In some embodiments of the device the filter comprises a handle extending away from the housing, which may enable a user to easily displace the filter as and when required. Such handle may comprise a depending hook or and / or perforated part, so as to allow for the user to reach up easily and remove the filter. Additionally or alternatively a hook or perforated handle may allow the user to insert fingers, and consequently better enable a pulling down action, so as to pull the housing lower to better access the filter for example. Such hook or depending handle, perforated or otherwise, may be hinged to the filter in some embodiments, so as to present a flat or streamlined profile in use, and enabling access to the hook or handle as and when required. For example such a handle may comprise a storage catch and / or be spring biased to open or depend for use when pressed. In some embodiments of the device for example it may be envisaged that the housing is adapted to be displaced to enable access to the displaceable filter, for example vertically, such that the user reaches up and pulls the housing down to access or displace the filter. In some such embodiments of the device therefore the housing is connected to a hose, so as to allow the housing to move in relation to a ceiling or other base structure, which hose may be envisaged to pass through a cylindrical spacer so as to limit return passage. For example the hose may be spring biased and / or includes a counterweight. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shewn in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the housing of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in use; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with filter displaced; and Figure 7 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a filter for the device according to the present invention. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a shower device 99 generally comprising a water inlet 17 to a housing 1, the housing providing a plurality of enriched water outlets 8 in a rainfall arrangement, and a displaceable tray filter arrangement 19, wherein the water inlet is located central to the housing 1, the displaceable tray filter 19 is adapted to be inserted upwards into the housing 1 and the enriched water outlets are arranged to extend horizontally from the displaceable tray filter 19. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a square 400mm x 400mm square shower head housing 1, which provides a rainfall experience, whereby the head is substantially horizontal in use, extending in all directions from the filter, such that all water passes the filter and spreads out to a plurality of enriched water outlets 8. The outlets 8 are arranged in a rainfall arrangement, being all of a similar size, dispersed evenly about a lower surface 6 of the housing, such that enriched water falls from all outlets substantially equally in a dispersed manner, which may be along the first axis. It may be envisaged that in further embodiments the housing may internally provide a means of funnelling the enriched water equally towards the outlets distal the filter, for example a narrowing pathway. The filter in the pictured embodiment comprises an upwards facing open topped perforated or stamped sidewall 22. In some embodiments the filter comprises a single cylindrical sidewall, others may have multiple sides. In the pictured embodiment of the filter the sidewall shown in Figure 7 extends over the top of the material also. The sidewall surrounds a plurality of loose beads of enriching material 21, through which the water flows. A lower cap 9 closes the lower face of the filter and provides a handle lowermost. The cap comprises a collar extending upwards around the sidewall, which collar provides an external male screw thread, to screw into a female screw thread grommet 7 in the centre of the bottom part 6 of the housing. The replacement of the minerals is easily accomplished by the twist cap which is easily accessed from below, to allow the user to integrate minerals into the water without hassle. The top part 16 of the housing provides a central boss which allows connection of the hose connector 17. A hose 2 passes through a rigid 40cm long cylindrical spacer 5 and a ceiling rose 4. The hose is arranged to extend when the housing is pulled down, comprising a pulldown system concealed within walls, wherein the 3-meter chrome-plated brass hose provides easy access for replacing enriching minerate, cleaning and general maintenance. The pictured embodiment comprises a 3m chrome plated brass hose 2 having an intermediately located pull-down hose counterweight 3. In use the user will: Access the mineral cage by lowering the shower head and untwisting the handle. Pour the desired minerals into the cage and fasten the cage back into the shower 5 housing. Turn on shower and let water pass through the minerals to revel in mineralised water and enjoy the feel of moistened skin. 10 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A shower device comprising a water inlet to a housing, the housing providing a plurality of enriched water outlets in a rainfall arrangement, and a displaceable perforated filter suitable for holding loose enriching materials, wherein the water inlet is located central to the housing, the displaceable filter is adapted to be inserted upwards into the housing and the enriched water outlets are arranged to extend horizontally from the displaceable tray filter such that water enters into the filter in a first axis, is dispersed along an orthogonal axis, and exits the outlets coaxial the first axis.

2. A shower device according to claim 1 comprising a planar shower head which extends horizontally from the housing, providing the enriched water outlets.

3. A shower device according to claim 2 wherein the shower head is square.

4. A shower device according to claim 2 wherein the shower head is rectangular.

5. A shower device according to claim 2 wherein the shower head is circular.

6. A shower device according to any preceding claim wherein the filter comprises a cage with an open top face.

7. A shower device according to any preceding claim comprising a threaded connection between the housing and filter.

8. A shower device according to any preceding claim wherein the filter comprises a handle extending away from the housing.

9. A shower device according to claim 8 wherein the handle comprises a depending hook.

10. A shower device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the handle is arranged to move from a storage position to a usage position.

11. A shower device according to claim 10 wherein the handle is hinged to the filter.

12. A shower device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is adapted to be displaced to enable access to the displaceable filter.

13. A shower device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing displaces vertically.5 14. A shower device according to any preceding claim wherein the housing isconnected to a hose.

15. A shower device according to claim 14 wherein the hose passes through a cylindrical spacer.

016. A shower device according to claim 15 wherein the hose comprises a counterweight.Application No: GB2404773.0Examiner: Caroline CoswayClaims searched: 1-16Date of search: 24 September 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-16 KR 20210149916 A (PICOGRAM CO LTD) See machine translation of the whole document X 1-16 US 2020 / 0247700 Al (GENIN et al.) See figs., and paragraphs [0009-0021], and [0036-0044] X 1-16 US 2004 / 0056123 Al (DOUGLAS et al.) See figs., and paragraphs [0008-0015], and [0033-0047] X 1-16 CN 214077303 U (CIXILUDE SANITARY WARE CO LTD) See machine translation of the whole document X 1-16 US 2019 / 0336987 Al (WANG et al.) See figs., and paragraphs [0004-0018], [0034-0042] X 1-16 CN 114789095 A (XIAMEN OSHINCE SANITARY WARE CO LTD) See machine translation of the whole documentCategories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined with one or more other documents of same category. P Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From BOID 0035 / 04 01 / 01 / 2006 B05B 0001 / 18 01 / 01 / 2006 B05B 0007 / 24 01 / 01 / 2006 E03C 0001 / 046 01 / 01 / 2006

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