Plug for a discharge drain of a washing basin

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug for a discharge drain of a washing basin, the plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented toward the inside of the washing basin when in the position for shutting off the drain and a lower surface intended to be oriented toward the drain, wherein said plug comprises a first duct fluidically connecting a first opening in the upper surface, forming a connector to a delivery pipe of a water treatment system, to a second opening, which is free, opening into the lower surface inside the drain.

Description

Plug for a discharge drain of a washing basin.

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug for a discharge drain 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 plug for a discharge drain of a basin of a washing unit for a hair salon.

[0003] In general, such a washing basin is intended to collect and discharge the water used for a treatment and in particular used for a step of rinsing 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 head of hair. This may in particular be a step of rinsing after the application of detergent products (e.g. soaping, shampooing) or the application of other products, in particular care products.

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

[0005] The water thus collected and intended to be discharged belongs to the category of water referred to as “gray” 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 network for discharge of gray water, in order to limit the pollution thereof and thus improve the quality of the gray water leaving the hair salon.

[0007] Different systems are known that aim to carry out such treatment during the discharge of the collected water.

[0008] Documents US2021110680A1 and US2021110324A1 propose equipping the discharge drain with a water resource management system that makes it possible to collect data relating to the quantity of water used and / or the quality of the water discharged, in particular in order to indicate whether the rinsing is complete. The system also comprises a treatment unit that receives the water from the drain and is able either to recycle this water to a dispensing system (tap, shower) associated with the washing basin, or to return it to the gray water network. The treatment unit may comprise one or more filters, and / or one or more disinfection systems (UV lamp). It is a relatively complex system, which requires the drain to be disconnected from the gray water network so that it can be connected to the treatment unit, this treatment unit itself having to be connected to the gray water discharge network.

[0009] Similarly, document FR3003856A1 aims to equip a hair salon washing basin with a treatment unit comprising a bubble generator that is able to allow the formation of a supernatant trapping the impurities. As for the previous devices, such a system requires a bypass of the discharge drain of the washing basin.

[0010] In particular, there is known from document US6793811B1 an open plug for the drainage of public highways (streets, parking lots) integrating filters for retaining debris and certain pollutants such as hydrocarbons. Such a plug is not intended to be connected to an auxiliary treatment system.

[0011] Proposing ecologically responsible solutions, which make it possible to make the treatment and recycling of waste water easier, has become a major concern. It thus proves essential to design products that make it possible to make it easier to adopt good environmental practices and that make it easier to integrate recycling systems into everyday activities.

[0012] To do this, the present invention targets a plug for a discharge drain of a washing basin, the plug having at least one upper surface intended to be oriented toward the inside of the washing basin when in the position for shutting off the drain and a lower surface intended to be oriented toward the drain, wherein said plug comprises a first duct fluidically connecting a first opening in the upper surface, forming a connector to a delivery pipe of a water treatment system, to a second opening, which is free, opening into the lower surface inside the drain.

[0013] “Plug” is understood to mean a stopper that is able to shut off a discharge drain of a tank, in particular of a basin such as a washbasin or sink, in a sealed manner. The plug can preferably be removable and / or have a valve that is able to move alternately and selectively between an open position allowing the fluid to pass directly from the basin to the drain and a shut-off position in which the direct discharge of the fluid is prevented.

[0014] Thus, by providing a plug that makes it possible to shut off the discharge of the washing basin while at the same time integrating therein a duct allowing the connection of a delivery pipe of a treatment system, it is possible to retain the gray water in the basin so that it can be withdrawn (by virtue of an intake pipe of a pumping unit for example) and then to pass it through a treatment system before it can be delivered, treated, directly through the first duct of the plug.

[0015] More precisely, when the delivery pipe is connected to the connector, the plug is devoid of a duct for direct connection between the inside of the washing basin and the drain. Devoid is understood to mean that it does not comprise such a duct or that, if it does comprise one, it is associated with a shut-off means that makes it possible to ensure the closure of such a direct connection duct at least when the delivery pipe is connected to the first duct and / or an auxiliary treatment system is in operation.

[0016] The device is easily installable and adaptable to any installation, even a standard one, without the need to disconnect the drain in order to realize a bypass and / or a tapping. The plug can be fastened and held in place by various means that will be described below.

[0017] The plug therefore prevents the passage of the untreated gray water directly into the drain and the first orifice forming a connector makes it possible to introduce thereinto only the treated water delivered by the auxiliary treatment system. Of course, “connector” is understood to mean the formation of a sealed connection between the delivery pipe and the first duct of the plug. Thus, the untreated gray water, which is retained in the washing basin, cannot enter the first opening when the delivery pipe is connected thereto.

[0018] The connection may be effected in particular by tight fitting, the delivery pipe being, for example, introduced into the first opening having an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the delivery pipe or even having a slight dimensional interference so as to ensure a sealed tight fit. The first duct may have an inner shoulder that acts as a fitting stop.

[0019] The connection can also be realized 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] Additionally advantageously, the plug comprises a second duct, fluidically distinct from the first duct, fluidically connecting a third opening, which is free, opening into the upper surface inside the washing basin, to a fourth opening, also in the upper surface, forming a connector to an intake pipe of a treatment system.

[0021] As before, “connector” is understood to mean the formation of a sealed connection between the suction pipe and the second duct of the plug. However, this condition is less important because the surrounding water at the fourth opening is untreated gray water intended to be sucked toward the treatment system in any case. The second duct may also have an internal shoulder that acts as a fitting stop.

[0022] Thus, by providing a plug that integrates in itself the bypass ducts necessary to lead the collected water directly to a treatment system and deliver it directly into the drain, installation is made easier and the plug can be shaped so as to have a universal nature that is easily adaptable to any drain for a basin, sink, washbasin or bathtub, generally having standard dimensions.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug comprises a plurality of second ducts. Advantageously, the second ducts comprise, together, a plurality of third openings and meet fluidically toward a single fourth opening forming a connector for an intake pipe of the auxiliary treatment system.

[0024] Thus, the plurality of third openings can be distributed over the upper surface of the plug so as to ensure distribution of the suction of the untreated gray water in the washing basin. The pooling of the second ducts so as to lead to a single fourth opening for the assembly allows the plug to be connected to a single suction duct of the treatment system.

[0025] Additionally advantageously, the one or more third openings (suction of the water in the washing basin) are equipped with grids making it possible to pre-filter and retain foreign bodies, for example part of the hair.

[0026] Preferentially, the first duct intended for the delivery and discharge of the gray water after treatment is a single duct. In the case of a plurality of third openings intended for the suction of untreated gray water through a plurality of second ducts, the first duct will have a section that is adapted to the total suction and delivery flow rate.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug comprises a head configured to project toward the inside of the washing basin when the plug is in the position for closing the drain, the upper surface comprising a peripheral lateral surface of the head.

[0028] According to a variant embodiment, the first orifice opens into the peripheral surface.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the one or more third orifices open into the peripheral surface. Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure suction of the untreated gray water as close as possible to a bottom of the washing basin.

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

[0031] Preferentially, the first orifice and the fourth orifice open in the vicinity of one another. Thus, the suction pipe and the delivery pipe can be connected to one and the same surface of the plug in the vicinity of and close to one another and can thus be grouped together.

[0032] The presence of the connectors on the lateral surface of the plug makes it possible to ensure an easy connection and especially that the suction and delivery pipes can be disposed along a lateral wall of the washing basin leading to the drain so as not to hinder an operator, unlike the case in which they had to be connected to the center of the plug, passing through a central inner space of the washing basin.

[0033] Additionally advantageously, the first and second ducts and / or their associated openings may be equipped with non-return valves arranged according to the direction of circulation expected for each duct. The one or more ducts may also be provided with selective closure valves. Thus, for example, the first duct can be equipped with a selective closure system, making it possible to use the plug without a delivery pipe of a treatment system, like a usual plug shutting off the drain.

[0034] Furthermore, additionally advantageously, the plug can be equipped or associated with at least one sensor for detecting the level of the water in the washing basin, 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 may be received and / or processed by a control member of the auxiliary treatment system in such a way, for example, as to trigger the starting and / or stopping of a pump of the auxiliary treatment system.

[0035] The present application also relates to an assembly for treating the water of a washing basin that is open fluidically onto a drain, wherein it comprises a plug according to the present application and a water treatment system comprising at least one pipe for suction before treatment and a delivery pipe for the treated water, at least the delivery pipe being connected to the first opening and, if necessary, 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 flow rate of water supply into the washing basin (in particular the water diffusion rate of the associated shower head). Even more advantageously, the suction flow rate can be adjusted dynamically as a function of the flow rate of water supply into the washing basin and in particular can be controlled by a flow rate sensor fitted to the shower head associated with the basin.

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

[0037] is a schematic depiction of a hair washing basin equipped with a system for treating the collected gray water and comprising a plug in accordance with the present application according to a first variant.

[0038] is a schematic depiction of a hair washing basin equipped with a system for treating the collected gray water and comprising a plug in accordance with the present application according to a second variant.

[0039] is a transparent depiction of a first variant implementation of the plug in.

[0040] is a schematic depiction of the first variant implementation of the plug in.

[0041] is a view in transverse cross section of the plug inon an axis A-A.

[0042] is a view in transverse cross section of the plug inon an axis B-B.

[0043] is a schematic depiction of a second variant implementation of the plug in.

[0044] is a view in transverse cross section of the plug inon an axis A-A.

[0045] is a view in transverse cross section of the plug inon an axis B-B.

[0046] shows a washing basin 1, in particular for a hair salon, intended in particular for washing (shampooing) and rinsing the hair of a person but also for steps of applying and / or rinsing other hair treatments.

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

[0048] The washing basin 1 is also associated with a device for dispensing water referred to as "white" water, of the shower head type, which is generally connected to a flexible water supply duct so as to be able to be manipulated by an operator and able to be moved above the head, and the head of hair, of the user.

[0049] The chair, washing basin and water dispensing device assembly forms 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 thereto and is applicable to other types of washing basin, in particular to 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 their client's washbasin, sink or bathtub with the plug described below so as to limit the expulsion of potentially polluting products into the domestic water.

[0052] The washing basin 1 comprises a hollow body 2 defining an inner space 3 that is open on an upper side. The basin has a bottom 4, situated opposite the open upper side, said bottom having an opening connected to a discharge drain 5.

[0053] In accordance with the present application, the washing basin 1 is able to be equipped with a water treatment system that makes it possible to suck up the gray water collected at the bottom of the washing basin 1 during a treatment operation (the water then being loaded with the rinsed hair product, if present, and / or other impurities) through a suction pipe 11 to a treatment device 10 and then to deliver the water thus treated through a delivery pipe 12 to the drain 5 for discharge.

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

[0055] By way of example, the treatment device 10 may comprise one or more filters that are able to filter foreign bodies and impurities (e.g. hair) and / or one or more chemical products.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the treatment device 10 may also comprise water disinfection members (e.g. UV diodes) or any other equipment.

[0057] The treatment device 10 may also comprise one or more basins referred to as "buffer" basins, making it possible to regulate the suction and / or delivery flow rates.

[0058] In order to ensure the suction of the water collected from the bottom 4 of the washing basin 1 and the delivery thereof to the drain 5, the washing basin 1 is equipped with a plug 100 according to the present application, which will now be described.

[0059] The plug 100 is disposed at the bottom 4 of the basin 1 so as to shut off the orifice for connection to the drain 5 in a sealed manner. The plug 100 has at least one upper surface 101 intended to be oriented toward the inside of the washing basin 1 when in the position for shutting off the drain 5 and a lower surface 102 intended to be oriented toward the drain 5. In order to ensure the holding and the sealing of the plug in position, the lower surface 102 may bear a peripheral skirt intended to be introduced partially at the inlet of the discharge drain 5. The peripheral skirt may have a peripheral sealing bead or collar and may be introduced into the inlet of the drain with friction. The generally standard dimensions of discharge drains make such an arrangement possible. The sealing bead or collar may be made of an elastomer material of the rubber or silicone type.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the lower surface 102 of the plug may be equipped with a peripheral sealing bead (which is circular in this case) intended to be pressed against a bottom surface of the washing basin around the opening of the drain. The peripheral bead may be designed so as to allow a suction effect ensuring the retention of the plug. In order to allow adaptation to numerous drain diameters and also to curved washing basin bottoms, the peripheral bead may advantageously be placed as close as possible to an outer edge of the plug.

[0061] Also alternatively or additionally, all or part of the lower surface 102 may be covered with an adhesive that is able to ensure retention that is sealed with respect to a bottom wall of the washing basin around the opening of the drain. Glues used for non-slip adhesives for bathtubs may in particular be used.

[0062] According to the depicted embodiment, the plug 100 comprises a head projecting toward the inside of the washing basin 1 when the plug 100 is in the position for closing the drain 5, the upper surface 101 of the plug 100 being formed by an upper surface 101a of the head and a peripheral lateral surface 101b of said head. The head has an overall shape of circular section but other shapes can be envisaged. The plug thus has the overall shape of a puck.

[0063] In accordance with the present application, the plug 100 comprises a first duct 110 fluidically connecting a first opening 111 in the lateral surface 101b of the head to a second opening 112, which is free, opening into the lower surface 102 inside the drain 5.

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

[0065] According to the embodiment depicted in, the suction pipe 11 is not connected to the plug and is simply immersed in the washing basin 1 so as to be able to suck up the collected water directly.

[0066] According to an advantageous embodiment schematically depicted in, the washing basin 1 receives a plug 200, similar to the plug 100 but also comprising a second duct 120, fluidically distinct from the first duct 111, fluidically connecting a third opening 121, which is free, opening into the upper surface 101 (in the lateral surface 101b) inside the washing basin 1, to a fourth opening 122, also in the upper surface 101 (in the lateral surface 101b), forming a connector receiving the intake pipe 11 for the gray water collected in the washing basin 1. Thus, the intake pipe 11 and the discharge pipe 12 are easily held in place and can be arranged so as to follow a wall of the washing basin 1 as far as the plug 200.

[0067] 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 provided in the lateral surface 101b and each associated with a duct 110, 120. The openings 111, 121, 122 are distributed equidistantly over said lateral surface 101b.

[0068] The plug 200a thus has a first opening 111 intended to receive the delivery pipe 12. The opening 111 is associated with a first inner duct 110 substantially meeting a center of the circular plug. The duct then forms a bend, for example at 90°, so as to define a return portion 113 that meets the lower surface 102 oriented toward the drain 5 and into which said return portion 113 opens via a second opening 112.

[0069] This first duct 110 is intended for the delivery of the treated gray water.

[0070] In order to allow the delivery pipe 12 to be connected, the duct 110 has, at the first opening 111, a duct portion having an inside diameter slightly wider than the rest of the duct 110 and corresponding substantially to an outside diameter of the delivery pipe 12 (or even with a slight interference so as to ensure sufficient holding and sealing). Obviously, other modes of connection can be envisaged. The first duct 110 has an inner shoulder intended to act as a fitting stop for the delivery pipe.

[0071] Working clockwise, the lateral surface 101b of the plug 200a then has six third openings 121 intended for the suction of the gray water collected in the basin 1. Each third opening 121 is associated with a second duct 120 intended for the circulation of the gray water collected in the washing basin 1 to the treatment system 10. More precisely, the second duct 120 has a star-shaped structure comprising suction duct portions 123 that are each connected to one of the third openings 121 and join a central duct portion 124 circulating around the return portion 113 of the first duct 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 duct 110, a mouth having, in the vicinity of the fourth opening 122, a wider diameter that is able to allow the suction pipe 11 to be fitted inside. The transfer portion 125 also has an internal shoulder that acts as a fitting stop for the suction pipe 11.

[0072] It will be noted that the third orifices 121, intended for the suction of the gray water collected in the bottom of the washing basin 1, are oriented toward the lower surface 1021 of the plug 200a so as to optimize the withdrawal of the gray water in the bottom 4 of the basin 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 that makes it possible to easily distinguish the connection orifices while at the same time making the fitting of the pipes 11, 12 easier. Additionally or alternatively the upper surface 101a may bear markings that make it possible to easily identify the first orifice 111 for connecting the delivery pipe 12 and the fourth orifice 122 for connecting the suction pipe 11, for example directional arrows, which are in particular in relief.

[0073] Figures 7 to 9 are views in cross section of a plug 200b forming a second embodiment of the plug 200.

[0074] The plug 200b differs from the plug 200a mainly by the fact that the first duct 110 comprises a bend and a return portion 113 toward the second orifice 112 provided in the lower surface 102 of the plug 200b that is no longer central but radially offset. Thus, the center of the plug 200b is freed up for the central portion 124 of the second duct 120 for which it is no longer necessary that it circulates around the bend and the return portion 113 of the first duct 110.

[0075] It will be noted that this also makes it possible to create an additional orifice 121 around the lateral wall 101b.

[0076] It will also be noted that the first duct 110 has a portion for connection with the first opening 111 which is no longer radial but substantially parallel to the associated transfer portion of the first duct, associated with the fourth opening. The first and fourth orifices 111, 122 can thus be brought closer together, and this allows an optimized arrangement of the pipes 11, 12.

[0077] In use, the gray water collected at the bottom of the washing basin is sucked up through the third orifices 121 and circulates through the associated suction portion 123 as far as the central portion 124 where it joins the transfer portion 125 as far as the fourth opening 122. It then rises through the suction pipe 11 as far as the treatment device 10. Once past the treatment members of the treatment device 10, the treated water is delivered through the delivery pipe 12 as far as the first opening 111 where it joins the first duct 110. The delivered water follows the bend 113 and the delivery portion to reach the second orifice 112 through which it joins the drain 5 and can be discharged toward the sewer network.

Claims

A plug (100, 200, 200a, 200b) for a discharge drain (5) of a washing basin (1), the plug having at least one upper surface (101) intended to be oriented toward the inside (3) of the washing basin when in the position for shutting off the drain and a lower surface (102) intended to be oriented toward the drain, the plug comprising a first duct (110) fluidically connecting a first opening (111) in the upper surface, forming a connector to a delivery pipe (12) of a water treatment system (10), to a second opening (112), which is free, opening into the lower surface inside the drain, wherein said plug comprises a second duct (120), fluidically distinct from the first duct, fluidically connecting a third opening (121), which is free, opening into the upper surface (101) inside the washing basin (1), to a fourth opening (122), also in the upper surface, forming a connector to an intake pipe (11) of a treatment system (10).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for a drain (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises a plurality of second ducts (120).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for a drain (5) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second ducts (120) comprise together a plurality of third openings (121) and meet fluidically toward a single fourth opening (122).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) for a drain as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first duct (110) is a single duct.The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it comprises a head configured to project toward the inside (3) of the washing basin (1) when the plug is in the position for closing the drain, the upper surface (101) comprising a peripheral lateral surface (101b).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first orifice (111) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in either one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the one or more third orifices (121) open into the peripheral surface (101b).The plug (200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the fourth orifice (122) opens into the peripheral surface (101b).An assembly for treating the water of a washing basin (3) connected to a drain (5), wherein it comprises a plug (100, 200, 200a, 200b) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and a water treatment system (10) comprising at least one pipe (11) for suction before treatment and a delivery pipe (12) for the treated water, at least the delivery pipe being connected to the first opening (111), and if necessary, the suction pipe being connected to the fourth opening (122).

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