shower head insert

Abstract

A shower head insert 1 includes at least two water nozzle cartridges 5, each having at least two nozzles 30 configured to produce impinging water jets to atomize the liquid and create water droplets, and an injection-molded water distribution system 4 for supplying liquid to the at least two water nozzle cartridges. The water distribution system includes at least two sockets 12A, 12B, and 12C for receiving the water nozzle cartridges 5, a central water inlet conduit 11 in fluid communication with the first socket 12A, and a narrow-bore conduit 14 providing high-pressure fluid communication between the first socket and the second socket. The narrow-bore conduit is configured to allow removal of the conduit inner mold needle from the conduit through the open end of the socket after injection molding, and in one embodiment includes an upwardly depending section 17 and downwardly depending sections 18A and 18B. A shower head or shower head assembly including the shower head insert and a water nozzle cartridge for the shower head insert are also provided.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shower head insert for a shower head of the type that produces a mist of water droplets from an impinging jet of high pressure water. [Background technology]

[0002] A water saving shower head that uses less water at higher pressure is described in EP2204508. The shower head uses at least one nozzle body having at least two nozzles configured to create impinging water jets to atomize the liquid and create mist droplets of water. The shower head was reported to use 2 l / min of water as opposed to 11 l / min with a conventional shower head. The nozzle body is shown in Figures 13 and 14 of EP2204508 and in WO2011 / 054120. A shower head including two or more nozzle bodies is manufactured by Gjosa SA. In this design, a shower insert is provided having three nozzle bodies (cartridges) and a water distribution system including three cartridge receiving sockets configured to distribute water to the cartridges at about 3 bar. The water distribution system has a central water inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first cartridge receiving socket, and second and third cartridge receiving sockets in fluid communication with the first cartridge receiving socket through narrow bore conduits. The three cartridge receiving sockets are arranged around a central section of the water distribution system, with the narrow bore conduits curved around the central section. The fact that the narrow bore conduits are curved means that the water distribution system cannot be injection molded in one piece, as this would prevent removal of the inner mould. The central section includes means for fastening the system to the shower head body, and once the system is fastened to the shower head body, a sealing closure is affixed over the central section to fluidly seal the narrow bore conduits that supply high pressure water from the first socket to the second and third conduits. Each of the sockets has a part that is closed at the top and open at the bottom, with the cartridges configured to be inserted into the sockets from the bottom and screwed into position within the sockets. High pressure water enters each socket at the top headspace and two small holes at the top of each nozzle body.

[0003] The water distribution system therefore has six parts, an injection molded body, a sealing closure in the central section, a sealing O-ring, and three screws, which need to be assembled prior to insertion of the cartridge. It is preferred to provide the water distribution system as a one-piece injection molded part. Furthermore, the cartridge is designed to receive pressurized water through a nozzle at the top of the cartridge, which results in downward pressure being exerted on the cartridge in the socket with the associated risk of the cartridge being forced out of the socket and contacting the user.

[0004] Shower head inserts are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,415,123, British Patent No. 2,033,251, U.S. Patent No. 2008,223,957, and U.S. Patent No. 5,397,064. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] EP2204508 [Patent Document 2] WO2011 / 054120 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 4,415,123 [Patent Document 4] British Patent No. 2033251 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 2008223957 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 5,397,064 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides an insert for a shower head of the type mentioned above that addresses the problems of the prior art by having a water distribution system that in one embodiment can be injection molded as one piece. This is accomplished by redesigning the water distribution system such that the narrow conduit between the first and second sockets is configured to allow the inner mold insert (needle) to be removed from the conduit through the open end of the socket after injection molding. In the embodiment shown, the conduit comprises an upwardly depending section that is angled and straight, and a downwardly depending section that allows the inner mold insert (needle) to be removed from each end of the conduit through the openings of the socket. This is shown in FIG. 6B, which shows the upwardly depending section of the conduit positioned at an angle to allow the first inner mold needle (not shown) to be removed from the conduit through the open bottom end of the first socket after injection molding. The same can be done for the second and third inner mold needles used to injection mold the downward facing second and third conduits.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a composition comprising the steps of: at least two water nozzle cartridges, each of which is of a type having at least two nozzles configured to produce colliding water jets to atomize a liquid and produce water droplets; an injection molded water distribution system for supplying high pressure liquid to at least two water nozzle cartridges; 1. A shower head insert of the type comprising: at least two sockets for receiving water nozzle cartridges and having at least one open end; a central water inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first socket; a narrow bore conduit providing high pressure liquid communication between the first socket and the second socket; Equipped with A showerhead insert is provided, the narrow bore conduit being configured to allow removal of the conduit inner mold needle from the conduit through at least one open end of the socket after injection molding.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a water distribution system for a shower head insert of the type comprising at least two water nozzle cartridges, each having at least two nozzles configured to produce impinging water jets to atomize a liquid and produce water droplets, comprising: At least two sockets for accepting water nozzle cartridges; a central water inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first socket; a narrow bore conduit providing high pressure liquid communication between the first socket and the second socket; Equipped with A water distribution system is provided in which the narrow bore conduit is configured to allow removal of the conduit inner mold needle from the conduit through at least one open end of the socket after injection molding.

[0010] In one embodiment, the narrow bore conduit is angled and typically has a first section (i.e., a proximal section) in fluid communication with a first socket and at least one second section (i.e., a distal section) in fluid communication with at least a second socket, the sections being non-coaxial.

[0011] In one embodiment, a first section is upwardly dependent and the or each second section is downwardly dependent. This is shown in Figures 8A and 8B which show an upwardly dependent section 17 and two downwardly dependent sections 18. In this embodiment, the inner mould needle is removed through the open bottom end of the socket.

[0012] In another embodiment, the first section depends downwardly and the second section depends upwardly. In this embodiment, the inner mold needle can be removed through the open top of the socket.

[0013] In one embodiment, the socket is open on both ends.

[0014] In one embodiment, the water distribution system includes at least three sockets for receipt of water nozzle cartridges, and the narrow bore conduit includes an upwardly depending section and at least two downwardly depending sections. The conduit may be generally tripod shaped, as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0015] The shower head insert may include three, four, or more cartridges and a water distribution system including sockets for receipt of three, four, or more conduits. In most embodiments, the narrow bore conduits branch off to provide pressurized liquid from a first socket to the other sockets. However, inserts having water distribution systems including more narrow bore conduits are within the scope of the invention.

[0016] In one embodiment, the water distribution system includes at least three sockets for receipt of water nozzle cartridges, and the narrow bore conduit includes a proximal upwardly dependent section and at least two distal downwardly dependent sections.

[0017] In one embodiment, each water nozzle cartridge is configured to fit into the socket in a fluid-tight manner and includes a waist section that defines a channel for water around the water nozzle cartridge when the cartridge is fitted into the socket, whereby the central water inlet conduit and the proximal section of the narrow bore conduit are in fluid communication with the channel. This allows the supply of pressurized water into the socket at the mid-section of the socket to exert equal upward and downward forces on the cartridge in the socket, which forces actually cancel each other out, thereby stabilizing the cartridge in the socket. This is an advantage over the prior art, where the cartridge and socket are designed to provide a head space above the cartridge for receipt of pressurized water, which actually exerts a downward force on the cartridge with the resulting risk of ejection of the cartridge from the shower head resulting in injury to the user.

[0018] In one embodiment, the upper and lower (skirt) sections of the cartridge are provided with sealing means for fluidically sealing the channel around the cartridge. In one embodiment, the sealing means comprises one or an elastically deformable sealing ring. In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections comprise a sealing ring and optionally an annular socket for mounting the annular sealing ring. In one embodiment, the upper section comprises one annular sealing ring and the lower section comprises two or more annular sealing rings. In one embodiment, the annular sealing rings in the lower section of the cartridge are of different diameters, the diameter of the sealing ring increasing towards the bottom of the lower section.

[0019] In one embodiment, the inlets for each of the two nozzles of each water nozzle cartridge are disposed within the waist section of the water nozzle cartridge, typically on either side of the waist section. In one embodiment, the lower section of the cartridge is hollow and the nozzle outlets are configured to produce impinging water jets within the hollow lower section.

[0020] In one embodiment, the water nozzle cartridge is configured to snap-fit ​​into the socket.

[0021] In one embodiment, the water nozzle cartridge comprises an upwardly depending arm configured to engage the top of the socket.

[0022] In one embodiment, the insert comprises a base fitting configured to attach to a shower head body and clip onto a water distribution system.

[0023] In one embodiment, the water nozzle cartridge is injection molded.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention provides a shower head comprising a shower head insert according to the present invention disposed within a shower head body, where the shower head body typically includes an upper piece and a lower piece that clip together to enclose the shower head insert. Typically, one of the upper piece or the lower piece (generally the lower piece) is configured to couple to a base fixture, typically by a snap-fit ​​arrangement. In one embodiment, the shower head body is overmolded around the shower head insert.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention provides a water nozzle cartridge having a body configured to fit in a socket of a shower head in a fluid-tight manner and including at least two nozzles configured to produce water jets that collide to atomize the liquid and produce water droplets, the body having an upper section, a lower section, and a waist section that defines a channel for the liquid around the water nozzle cartridge when the cartridge is fitted into the socket. An inlet for the nozzle is disposed on an outer surface of the waist section. The lower section may be hollow to provide a skirt section, and the nozzle outlet may be configured to direct the water jet towards and collide within the skirt section. This produces a homogenous jet of liquid having a homogenous droplet diameter. Typically, the skirt extends below where the jet of liquid impinges. In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections of the cartridge comprise sealing means for fluidly sealing the channel around the cartridge. In one embodiment, the sealing means comprises a sealing ring, or a resiliently deformable sealing ring. In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections include annular sockets for receiving annular sealing rings. In one embodiment, the upper section includes one annular sealing ring and the lower section includes two or more annular sealing rings. In one embodiment, the annular sealing rings in the lower section of the cartridge are of different diameters, with the diameter of the sealing ring increasing towards the bottom of the lower section.

[0026] In one embodiment, the water nozzle cartridge is configured to snap-fit ​​into the socket.

[0027] In one embodiment, the water nozzle cartridge comprises an upwardly depending arm configured to engage the top of the socket.

[0028] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a composition comprising: at least two water nozzle cartridges, each of which is of a type having at least two nozzles configured to produce colliding water jets to atomize a liquid and produce water droplets; an injection molded water distribution system for supplying pressurized liquid to at least two water nozzle cartridges having at least two sockets for receiving the water nozzle cartridges; a central water inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first socket; a narrow bore conduit providing high pressure liquid communication between the first socket and the second socket; A shower head insert of the type comprising: The present invention provides a shower head insert, wherein each water nozzle cartridge is configured to fit within the socket in a fluid-tight manner and comprises a body having an upper section, a hollow lower section, and a waist section that defines a channel for liquid around the water nozzle cartridge when the cartridge is fitted within the socket, and each nozzle comprises a nozzle inlet (31) disposed on an outer surface of the waist section and a nozzle outlet (32) configured to direct a water jet into the hollow lower section.

[0029] In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections of the cartridge comprise sealing means for fluidly sealing the channel around the cartridge. In one embodiment, the sealing means comprises one or more elastically deformable sealing rings. In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections comprise annular sockets for mounting the annular sealing rings. In one embodiment, the upper section comprises one annular sealing ring and the lower section comprises two or more annular sealing rings. In one embodiment, the annular sealing rings in the lower section of the cartridge are of different diameters, the diameter of the sealing ring increasing towards the bottom of the lower section.

[0030] In one embodiment, the lower section of the cartridge is hollow and the outlet for the nozzle is configured to create a jet of water that impinges within the hollow lower section to atomize the droplets.

[0031] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming the shower head of the present invention, comprising the steps of injection molding a water distribution system, removing an inner mold needle for a narrow bore conduit from the injection molded water distribution system through an open end of a socket, and assembling components to form the shower head.

[0032] Other aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention are defined and described in the other claims set out below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower head according to the present invention shown from above. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower head according to the present invention shown from below and also showing three water nozzle cartridges. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing one of the water nozzle cartridges. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a (comparative) diagram of a prior art water nozzle cartridge. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a (comparative) diagram of a prior art water nozzle cartridge. [Figure 5A] 1 is a diagram of a forming part of the water nozzle cartridge of the present invention and an insert of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 1 is a diagram of a forming part of the water nozzle cartridge of the present invention and an insert of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shower head of FIG. 1, showing the two-piece shower head body, the water distribution system, the three water nozzle cartridges, and the base fixture. [Figure 7A]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a shower head insert of the present invention clipped into place within the bottom of a shower head body. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the water distribution system, including a cutaway showing two of the sockets and the inside of a portion of a narrow bore conduit. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the water distribution system of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 8A. [Figure 8C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the water distribution system at the mid-height of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] All publications, patents, patent applications, and other references mentioned herein are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and as if the contents were set forth in full.

[0035] As used herein, and unless expressly indicated otherwise, the following terms are intended to have the following meanings, in addition to any broader (or narrower) meaning that such terms have in the art.

[0036] Unless otherwise required by context, the use of the singular herein should be read to include the plural and vice versa. The term "a" or "an" used in connection with an entity should be read to refer to one or more of that entity. Thus, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein.

[0037] As used herein, the term "comprise" or variations thereof, such as "comprises" or "comprising," should be read to indicate the inclusion of any stated integer (e.g., feature, element, characteristic, property, method / process step, or limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature, element, characteristic, property, method / process step, or limitation) but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Thus, as used herein, the term "comprising" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited integers or method / process steps.

[0038] It will be understood that the water nozzle cartridge and water dispensing system of the present invention may be used with liquids other than water, such as aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, such as detergents, cosmetic compositions, and dermatological compositions.

[0039] The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples, which are merely exemplary and are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to limit in any way the scope of the claimed patent rights or the invention described. These examples constitute the best modes currently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a shower head according to the present invention, generally designated by reference number 1 and comprising a shower body including an upper part 2 and a lower part 3, an injection molded water distribution system 4, three water nozzle cartridges 5, a base mounting 6 and a clamp ring 7.

[0041] 7 and 8, the water distribution system comprises a central water inlet 11 feeding into a first socket 12A through a first inlet 13A. A narrow bore conduit 14 provides fluid communication from the first socket 12A through an outlet 15 to a second socket 12B and a third socket 12C. The narrow bore conduit 14 comprises a proximal upper depending section 17 which branches into two distal downwardly depending sections 18A and 18B, the downwardly depending section 18A feeding into the second socket 12B and the downwardly depending section 18B feeding into the third socket 12C. As shown in FIG. 8B, the proximal upper depending section 17 is angled to allow an inner mould needle (not shown) to be retracted from the conduit section 17 through the open base 20 of the first socket 12A after injection moulding. Similarly, the distal downwardly depending sections 18A and 18B are angled to allow the inner mould needle (not shown) to be retracted from the conduit section 17 through the open bases 21 of the second and third sockets 12B, 12C after injection moulding. Although not shown, it is possible to design the system so that the inner mould needle could be removed through the open tops of the sockets, which would involve providing a narrow bore conduit in an inverted configuration.

[0042] 5A and 5B, the water nozzle cartridge 5 of the present invention is shown in more detail. The cartridge 5 comprises a body including a hollow upper section 25, a hollow lower section 26, and a waist section 27 disposed between the upper and lower sections. The purpose of the waist section is to provide an annular water channel around the cartridge when it is fitted into a socket. An annular seat 40 (FIG. 5B) is provided on the upper and lower sections of the cartridge for receiving a rubber sealing ring 41 (FIG. 5A) which, in use, fluidly seals the cartridge in the socket and also fluidly seals with the waist section 27 to ensure that water does not leak from the socket above or below the waist section, thereby maintaining operational water pressure. The waist section 27 includes two angled nozzles 30 (shown in dashed lines) having inlets 31 located on the outer surface of the waist section and outlets 32 arranged to project water jets into the lower section 26 where they impinge and atomize inside the hollow lower section to create droplets. A locking clip 35 is provided at the top of the cartridge and in use clips into and engages the top lip 36 of the socket. By comparison, and with reference to comparative Figures 4A and 4B, the cartridge is squat and has a water inlet at the top A through which pressurized water is supplied, thereby providing downward pressure against the cartridge, necessitating the cartridge having threads B to enable it to threadingly engage with the socket.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1-3, the lower part 3 of the showerhead body includes a triangular cutout 40 into which the base fitting 6 (which is attached to the water distribution system) fits. Figures 2 and 3 show the underside of the showerhead, where the lower end of the cartridge 5 and the water outlet 32 ​​can be seen.

[0044] All the parts are made by injection molding. In the embodiment shown, and referring to FIG. 6, the shower head includes eight parts, one of which is the water distribution system, which can be injection molded in one piece. The shower head is assembled by first removing the inner mold needles (three needles in this embodiment) from the conduits, then inserting the three cartridges into their respective sockets through the open bottom ends of the sockets. Then the base fixture is attached to the water distribution system, and both are attached to the lower part of the shower head body. Finally, the lower part of the shower head fitting is clipped onto the lower part and a sealing ring is fitted.

[0045] In use, the central water inlet conduit is attached to a water supply and water is turned on. High pressure water travels through the inlet conduit into an annular conduit defined by the waist section and the socket of the cartridge, where it enters two nozzles that create two impinging jets of high pressure water inside the hollow section of the lower section of the cartridge. The high pressure water in the annular conduit also travels into narrower diameter conduits to second and third sockets, where it enters corresponding annular conduits and into the nozzles of the second and third conduits to create two impinging jets of high pressure water per cartridge. Thus, the shower head creates three pairs of impinging water jets that atomize to create a shower of misty water droplets.

[0046] Equivalent The above description details presently preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is anticipated that many modifications and variations in practice thereof will occur to those skilled in the art in light of this description. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. at least two water nozzle cartridges (5) each having at least two nozzles (30) configured to produce colliding water jets to atomize the liquid and produce water droplets; an injection molded integral water distribution system (4) for supplying liquid to said at least two water nozzle cartridges; A shower head insert (1) of the type comprising: The water distribution system comprises: at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C) for receiving said water nozzle cartridges (5); a central water inlet conduit (11) in liquid communication with a first socket (12A) of said at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C); a narrow bore conduit (14) providing high pressure liquid communication between said first socket (12A) and a second socket (12B) of said at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C); Equipped with A shower head insert (1), wherein the narrow bore conduit is angled to allow removal of a conduit inner mold needle from the conduit through at least one open end of the socket after injection molding.

2. 2. The shower head insert of claim 1, wherein the narrow diameter conduit is angled and includes an upward section (17) and a downward section (18).

3. 3. The shower head insert of claim 2, wherein the narrow bore conduit includes a proximal upward section (17) and one or more distal downward sections (18).

4. 4. The shower head insert of claim 3, wherein the water distribution system (4) comprises at least three sockets (12A, 12B, 12C) for receiving water nozzle cartridges (5) and the narrow bore conduit (14) includes a proximal upward section (17) and at least two distal downward sections (18A, 18B).

5. 5. The shower head insert of claim 1, wherein each water nozzle cartridge (5) is configured to fit within the socket in a fluid-tight manner and comprises a waist section (27) that defines a channel for water around the water nozzle cartridge when the cartridge is fitted within the socket.

6. 6. The shower head insert of claim 5, wherein an inlet (31) for each of the two nozzles (30) of each water nozzle cartridge is disposed in the waist section (27) of the water nozzle cartridge.

7. 7. The shower head insert of claim 1, wherein the water nozzle cartridge is injection molded.

8. 8. A shower head comprising a shower head insert (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 disposed within a shower head body.

9. 9. The shower head of claim 8, wherein the shower head body includes an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) that clip together to enclose the shower head insert.

10. at least two water nozzle cartridges (5) each having at least two nozzles (30) configured to produce colliding water jets to atomize the liquid and produce water droplets; an injection molded water distribution system (4) for supplying liquid to said at least two water nozzle cartridges and comprising at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C) for receiving said water nozzle cartridges (5) in a fluid tight manner, a central water inlet conduit (11) in liquid communication with a first socket (12A) of said at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C), and a narrow bore conduit (14) for providing high pressure liquid communication between said first socket (12A) and a second socket (12B) of said at least two sockets (12A, 12B, 12C); A shower head insert (1) of the type comprising:

1. A shower head insert (1), wherein each water nozzle cartridge comprises a body having an upper section (25) including an open top, a hollow lower section (26) including an open bottom, and a waist section (27) disposed between the upper and hollow lower sections that defines a channel for water around the water nozzle cartridge when the cartridge is fitted into a socket of the shower head insert in use, and each nozzle comprises an inlet (31) disposed on an outer surface of the waist section and an outlet (32) configured to direct the water jet into the hollow lower section such that the water jet impinges within the hollow lower section.

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