TAP WITH TAP OUTFLOW

Abstract

A tap includes a tap outflow having a first channel and a second channel and a jet aerator in a housing. The jet aerator includes a jet breaker having a wall with liquid passage openings, a wire mesh layer included downstream of the jet breaker wall, an aeration chamber situated between the jet breaker and the wire mesh layer, and an air supply having an entrance that opens into the environment and an exit that opens into the aeration chamber. The tap outflow includes a coupling assembly situated upstream of the jet breaker wall. The outflow forms a liquid-tight connection between the first conduit and the jet breaker wall, such that liquid from the first channel is kept separate from liquid from the second channel upstream of the jet breaker wall.

Claims

1. A tap provided with a tap outflow having a first channel and a second channel, wherein the tap outflow comprises: a first conduit which bounds the first channel; a second conduit which bounds the second channel; and a j et aerator provided with: a j et aerator housing which forms a downstream end of tap outflow, a jet breaker with a jet breaker wall having liquid passage openings, which jet breaker is included in the jet aerator housing, at least one wire mesh layer which is included downstream of the jet breaker wall in the jet aerator housing, an aeration chamber which is situated between the jet breaker and the at least one wire mesh layer, an air supply of which an entrance opens into the environment and of which an exit opens into the aeration chamber, a coupling assembly which comprises a coupling part having therein an internal channel and to which the first conduit is connected, wherein a first part of the jet breaker wall bounds an outlet of the first conduit and a second part of the jet breaker wall bounds an outlet of the second conduit, wherein the first part is provided with first liquid passage openings which form a passage for liquid from the first channel into the aeration chamber, and wherein the second part is provided with second liquid passage openings which form a passage for liquid from the second channel into the aeration chamber such that the first channel, in the tap upstream of the jet breaker, is kept separated from the second channel and such that the aeration chamber connects the first channel and the second channel in the tap downstream of the j et breaker, wherein the first and second conduits are liquid-tight connected to the jet breaker wall such that the first and second conduits are completely separated from each other upstream of the jet breaker, wherein the first liquid passage openings have an effective cross section smaller than a cross section of the first channel such that liquid supplied by the first channel turns into small accelerated liquid jets by the first liquid passage openings, wherein the second liquid passage openings have an effective cross section smaller than a cross section of the second channel such that liquid supplied by the second channel turns into small accelerated liquid jets by the second liquid passage openings, wherein both the first and the second liquid passage openings open into the aeration chamber, wherein the small accelerated liquid jets which are selectively formed by either the first or the second liquid passage openings of the jet breaker wall create a reduced pressure in the aeration chamber as a result of which ambient air is drawn in via the air supply, wherein the at least one wire mesh layer is configured such that, in use, both liquid coming from the first channel and liquid coming from the second channel passes through the at least one wire mesh layer, wherein the coupling assembly is situated upstream of the jet breaker wall and wherein the coupling part forms a liquid-tight connection between the first conduit and the jet breaker wall, wherein the coupling assembly is configured such that liquid from the first channel in use is guided exclusively via the internal channel in the coupling assembly to the first part of the jet breaker wall and thereupon is only dispensed via the first liquid passage openings, and such that liquid from the second channel is guided exclusively to the second part of the jet breaker wall and thereupon is only dispensed via the second liquid passage openings, whereby with alternate tapping via either the first channel or the second channel, reflux of liquid upstream the jet breaker wall from one of the first and the second channels into the other one of the first and the second channels is prevented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a side view partly in cross section of an example of an embodiment of the tap in combination with a schematically represented boiling water device;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the downstream end of the tap outflow with jet aerator of the example shown in FIG. 1; and

[0052] FIG. 3 shows schematically a second embodiment of an assembly of a boiling water device and an example of an embodiment of a tap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an assembly of a boiling water device 100 and an example of a tap T. FIG. 2 shows an example of the downstream end of a tap outflow 10 of the tap T represented in FIG. 1, in which different embodiments of the invention are embodied. The tap T is provided with a tap outflow 10 having a first channel 12 and a second channel 14. The tap outflow 10 is provided with a first conduit 16 which bounds the first channel 12, a second conduit 18 which bounds the second channel 14, and a jet aerator 20. The jet aerator 20 is provided with a jet aerator housing 22 which forms a downstream end of tap outflow 10. The jet aerator 20 is further provided with a jet breaker 24 with a jet breaker wall 26 having liquid passage openings 28a, 28b. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the jet breaker 24 is provided with two parallel jet breaker walls 26, 26. However, a jet breaker 24 with a single breaker wall 26 or with more than two parallel jet breaker walls 26 is also a possibility. The jet breaker 24 is included in the jet aerator housing 22. Downstream of the jet breaker wall 26 at least one wire mesh layer 30 is included in the jet aerator housing 22. Between the jet breaker 24 and the at least one wire mesh layer 30 is an aeration chamber 32. The jet aerator 20 is provided with at least one air supply 34 of which an entrance 34a opens into the environment and of which an exit 34b opens into the aeration chamber 32. The tap outflow 10 is further provided with a coupling assembly 36 which is situated upstream of the jet breaker wall 26 and which forms a liquid-tight connection between the first conduit 16 and the jet breaker wall 26. As a result of this liquid-tight connection, liquid from the first channel 12 can in use be guided exclusively via an internal channel 38a in the coupling assembly 36 to a first part of the jet breaker wall 26, and this liquid from the first channel 12 is only dispensed via liquid passage openings 28a which are in the first part of the jet breaker wall 26. The coupling assembly 36 also provides that liquid from the second channel 14 is guided exclusively to a second part of the jet breaker wall 26 and that in use this liquid from the second channel 14 is only dispensed via liquid passage openings 28b which are in the second part of the jet breaker wall 26.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 2, the jet aerator 20 comprises a sub-housing 25 in which the wire mesh layers 30 and the jet breaker 24 are included. The sub-housing 25 further includes the exits 34b of the air supply 34. The sub-housing 25 itself in turn is included in the jet aerator housing 22. In an alternative mode, however, it is also possible that the wire mesh layers 30 and the jet breaker 24 are included directly in the jet aerator housing 22. To that end, the jet aerator housing 22 may be provided with internal, circumferential profiled edges which form a kind of steps on which rest the wire mesh layers 30 and the jet breaker 24.

[0055] In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the Figures, the first conduit 16 can be a central conduit and the second conduit 18 can surround the central conduit 16 substantially coaxially. The first channel 12 preferably has a substantially circular cross section. The second channel 14 preferably has a substantially annular cross section. In that embodiment the first part of the jet breaker wall 26 is formed by a central part thereof. The second part of the jet breaker wall 26 is formed by an annular part of the jet breaker wall 26 which surrounds the central part of the jet breaker wall 26.

[0056] Clearly, in an alternative embodiment the two conduits 12, 14 do not have to be, of coaxial design. However, the coaxial design has the advantage of enabling a detachable connection by means of rotation between the jet aerator 20 and the tap outflow 10. Such a connection can be formed, for instance, by a screw thread connection or a bayonet connection.

[0057] In further elaboration of this embodiment, of which an example is shown in FIG. 2, the coupling assembly 36 may comprise a coupling part 38 which is provided with a nipple 40 with which a downstream end of the first conduit 16 is connected. The coupling assembly 36 can further comprise a cylindrical wall 42 which forms an integral part of the jet breaker 24 and which extends upwardly from the jet breaker wall 26. In that further elaboration, the coupling assembly 36 further comprises an O-ring 44 which is accommodated in a groove 46 of the coupling part 38 and which provides a liquid-tight closure between the cylindrical wall 42 and the coupling part 38. Owing to the O-ring 44 sealing against the cylindrical wall 42 of the jet breaker 24, the jet breaker 24 can take different axial positions relative to the coupling part 38 and yet in each case a sealing connection can be obtained in that the O-ring 44 engages the cylindrical wall 42 of the jet breaker. The sealing is thus exclusively determined by the fit of the coupling part 38 within the cylindrical wall 42. Other dimensional tolerances are not critical in respect of the sealing connection between coupling part 28 and jet breaker 24. Consequently, also, the jet aerator housing 22 can be tightened against second conduit 18, so that the jet aerator housing 22 adjoins the second conduit 18 and thereby, in an aesthetic manner, forms a whole without seam with clearance between the jet aerator housing 22 and the second conduit 18. With the aid of a hose clip 48 which can be part of the coupling assembly 36 and which extends around the first conduit 16 adjacent the nipple 40, a stable watertight connection between the first conduit 16 and the coupling part 38 can be formed.

[0058] To provide an aesthetically fine tap outflow 10, it is advantageous when the tap T is provided with a jet aerator connecting element 50 which, for instance by a watertight soldered joint or threaded joint, is connected with an inwardly facing side of the second conduit 18. The jet aerator connecting element 50 shown is provided with outer thread 52 and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the second conduit 18. The jet aerator housing 22 can then be provided with inner thread 54 which is configured for cooperation with the outer thread 52 of the jet aerator connecting element 50. For forming a watertight connection between the jet aerator housing 22 and the second conduit 18, a flexible sealing ring 51 may be provided. In the exemplary embodiment this sealing ring 51 is clamped between the jet breaker 24 on one side and the jet aerator connecting element 50 on the other side. From the viewpoint of aesthetics, it is particularly advantageous when the jet aerator housing 22 has an outer diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the second conduit 18, since the tap outflow 10 can then have a perfectly smooth outer profile.

[0059] In an embodiment, of which examples are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, such a tap T may further be provided with an operating knob 66 which is connected via an electrical signal line 76 with an electrically operable liquid valve 124 in a first boiling water conduit 106 which is part of a fluid communication between a boiler tank 102 and one of the first and the second conduits 16, 18 of the tap 10. By operation of the operating knob 66 the electrically operable liquid valve 124 can be opened and closed.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an assembly of a tap T according to the invention and a boiling water device 100. The boiling water device 100 is provided with a boiler tank 102 with a boiling water outlet 104 which is in fluid communication with the interior of the boiler tank 102. A first boiling water conduit 106 is part of a fluid communication between the boiling water outlet 104 and one 12 of the first and the second channel 12, 14. Further, the assembly comprises a first cold water conduit 108 which is in fluid communication with the other 14 of the first channel and the second channel 12, 14. The tap T of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 is provided with a simple cold water shutoff valve 70 with a cold water inlet 72 and a cold water outlet 74. The cold water shutoff valve 70 can be operated with handle 68. With such an assembly, via a single tap outflow 10 both boiling water and cold water can be dispensed, with both types of water flowing through the same jet aerator 20.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows an example of a further elaboration of the assembly, with the tap T being of the type according to claim 7. In that embodiment, the tap T may be provided with a tap body 56 with a mixing tap assembly 58 with a hot water inlet 60 for hot water having a temperature of, for instance, about 70 C. and with a cold water inlet 62 and with a mixed water outlet 64. The mixed water outlet 64 is in fluid communication with the second channel 14. With the aid of the mixing tap assembly 58, for example, hot water having a temperature of about 70 C. can be mixed with cold water. The mixer tap assembly 58 may, for instance, be operated with a handle 68. The mixing tap assembly 58 of the tap T is included in the above-mentioned fluid communication between the cold water conduit 108 and the other 14 of the first and the second channel 12, 14. The first cold water conduit 108 is connected to the cold water inlet 62 of the mixing tap assembly 58. The assembly further includes a mixing valve 110 which is arranged between the tap T and the boiler tank 102. The mixing valve 110, which can generally have a fixed, possibly settable mixing ratio, is provided with: [0062] a cold water inlet 112 which is connected to a second cold water conduit 114; [0063] a boiling water inlet 116 which is connected to a second boiling water conduit 118; and [0064] a hot water outlet 120 for hot water having a temperature of less than about 70 C.

[0065] The hot water inlet 120 is in fluid communication via a hot water conduit 122 with the hot water inlet 60 of the mixing tap assembly 58. The mixed water outlet 64 of the mixing tap assembly 58 is connected to the other one 14 of the first and the second channel 12, 14.

[0066] With such an assembly, boiling water having a temperature of at least 95 C. can be dispensed by operation of the operating knob 66. Further, via the same tap outflow 10 cold water can be dispensed and mixed water by operation of the handle 68. The temperature of the mixed water is temperature controllable between the temperature of the cold mains water coming from conduit 108 and the temperature of hot water coming from hot water conduit 122, which hot water generally has a temperature that is lower than 70 C.

[0067] In an embodiment, the boiling water device 100 may be provided with a tap T according to claim 8 and with an electrically operable liquid valve 124 which is included in the first boiling water conduit 106. The tap T is provided with the operating knob 66 which is in electrical communication via electrical signal line 76 with the electrically operable liquid valve 124, so that boiling water can be dispensed by operation of the operating knob 66.

[0068] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Various changes within the scope as defined by the claims are within possibility. The various embodiments described can be used independently of each other or in combination with each other. The reference numerals included in the claims do not limit the claims.