SHOWER HEAD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shower head which comprises a dispenser for optionally or selectively dispensing a fluid additive such as soap, simultaneously or separately with the water. The invention discloses an innovative mechanism using optimized fluid mechanics for spraying water or cleansing solution for a more hygienic and overall cleansing experience.

Claims

1. A shower spray which comprises: a water inlet 102, a shower arm 104, comprising a recipient 201, a recipient cover 401, at least one switch button 103, a plurality of tubes, a plurality of levers, a plurality of valves and a plurality of springs, a cartridge 402, a shower head 105 comprising a plurality of sprayer holes as aerators (106, 107), wherein said plurality of tubes comprise a primary in-flowing water tube 301, which branches into at least two separate tubes, wherein one of said at least two separate tubes is for water use only 304 and another of said at least two separate tubes is for mixed water and cleanser use 307 and a tube 403 for the flow of the cleanser from the cartridge 402 to mix with the water in tube 307, wherein at least the tube 403 connecting the cartridge 402 with the tube where the water flows 508 has a conical shape tapering at the junction 507 with the tube 508, wherein the said plurality of levers are controlled by the said switch button 103 to activate said plurality of valves and springs, and wherein the recipient cover 401 is removable and seals the recipient 201 which contains the cartridge 402.

2. The shower spray of claim 1 wherein the diameters of said plurality of tubes is defined according to specific ratios and wherein said plurality of tubes may be cylindrical or conical in shape.

3. The plurality of tubes according to claim 2, wherein the said ratios and shapes result in a pressure of water or water and cleanser mixture for use in hygienic cleaning.

4. The shower spray of claim 1 wherein the shower head and the shower arm may be detachably attached together.

5. The shower spray of claim 1, wherein said cartridge 402 may be disposable and replaceable.

6. The shower spray of claim 1 wherein the recipient cover 401 may be clear.

7. The shower spray of claim 1 where the cartridge contains a cleansing material.

8. The shower spray of claim 7 wherein the cleansing material may be a cleansing liquid, foam, gel or water soluble solid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a full frontal external view of a shattaf bidet sprayer with the dispenser (not shown) and the toggle switch.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a full rear external view of a shattaf bidet sprayer showing the location where the cartridge or pouch is located.

[0019] FIG. 3 represents a full internal view of the shower handle showing the different parts for enabling the proposed system.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a representation of the internal back part of the shattaf and the relevant elements thereof.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a representation of the internal system through which the water and cleanser circulate and flow as well as mixed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser is comprised of a shower head 105, a shower arm 104 and at least one button or switch 103. The dispenser is connected to the water source via a shower line 102. The dispenser also comprises at least one compartment for storing a cartridge, pouch or any such similar container.

[0023] For further descriptions, the preferred embodiment used herein will be the one where the dispenser is a unit comprising the different parts of shower head 105, shower arm 104 and the said at least one button 103. The definitions and descriptions provided herein for the mechanism by which the cleanser is found in the present embodiment and the mixing between said cleanser and water are applicable to this preferred embodiment as well as the alternate embodiment as can be seen hereinafter to a person of skills.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the shower arm 102 is made from non-corrosive material or coated as needed to prevent corrosion. The shower arm 104 preferably has an elongated hollowed shape 101 with openings at each end of said shape. Since the shower arm connects the shower line 102 to the shower head 105, water flows into the shower arm from the opening at the said end which is attached to the shower line 102 and through a plurality of tubes (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) when the toggle switch 103 is pressed for the function to release a water jet or spray from the shattaf 101 through the connected aerator.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollowed interior of the shower arm 101 contains a recipient 201 in which a removable cartridge or pouch 402 can be inserted. Said recipient 201 is an integral part of the shower arm 101. Said recipient 201 has also an elongated hollowed shape but is of smaller dimensions than the shower arm 101 itself.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the said removable cartridge or pouch 402 is connected to the internal tubing system via the opening 506 of tube 505. The connection is made to be sealed to prevent leakage of soap, water, air or any mix thereof. The seal provides for a closed and contained system for an improved performance of the device disclosed herein.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the shower arm 101 has at least one button or switch 103 on the upper or lower side of said shower arm 101, and even, conceivably with minor variations in design, on any facet which allows for ergonomic use of said button. Said at least one button 103 functions to perform one of the following two tasks when pressed: allow only water to flow through the shower arm 101 in the dedicated tube 304 and out the shower head 105 and the dedicated spray holes (aerator) 106; or, allow water to flow through the shower arm 101 in the dedicated tube 304 while opening the valve 306 for the recipient 201 simultaneously, thus mixing the content of the container or pouch 402 with the water at the junction 308 prior to the mixture coming out of the shower head 105 and through the spray hole 107 (aerator). In the present embodiment, it is to be made clear that there are two sets of spray holes or two separate aerators; these are: 106 through which only water sprays and 107 from which the mixture of water and cleansing composition sprays out.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment both the spray holes or aerators, 106 and 107, are designed to help control both the pressure of the sprays and the consistency of the mixture to provide for a much higher cleansing experience and outcome.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recipient 201 can hold a replaceable or refillable cartridge or pouch (or any such container) 402 which contains an additive such as soap in the form of liquid, or gel or dissolvable pebbles or any other water miscible cleansing composition which is adequate for the purposes of the present disclosure. The said cartridge is adapted to fit in its designated space 402. The cartridge may be composed. of any material, but is preferably composed from flexible material in order to ensure that the cleanser is adequately and completely utilized when expelled into the water stream via a Venturi effect. The cartridge may be secured in its designated place by a multitude of systems such as twisting, turning, capping, clicking, etc. with a seal lodging it in place to dispense into the relative tube 505. The cartridge may be replaced by removing the cover 201, pulling the empty cartridge out and re-inserting a new cartridge.

[0030] The connection where the cartridge dispenses the cleanser into the tube 506 may be a sharp point with openings to break the seal of a new cartridge and allow the flow of the cleanser once the Venturi effect is activated.

[0031] In brief, the flow in the proposed system is as follows. A water hose is connected to the device of the invention at 501, which is the main tube of the system. Once the water from the source is on, the tube 502 will always contain water under pressure of a range of 1.5 to 5.0 bars. Furthermore, the connecting tubes 503 and 504 will also contain water when the device is connected to a hose and the water source is turned on. The water will fill up these spaces and stop at the valves inside 303 and 306, which valves are controlled by the levers 302 and 305, respectively and which in turn are activated by the switch 103 depending on which side of said switch is pressed. In a different embodiment where the switch 103 is in fact two separate buttons, the same effect can be obtained from pressing one button or the other. For the purposes of this disclosure and based on the supporting figures, a single switch which may be pressed at either end is presented.

[0032] In a further embodiment, there are included springs or spring-acting parts lodged within the parts 303 and 306 which allow for the levers 302 and 305 to go back to their initial position once the switch 103 is depressed. Said springs are designed in an innovative manner to withstand the pressure of the water flowing through them and are capable to return to their resting position despite the water pressure once the switch is depressed. The springs, their position and mode of action are innovative in order to enable the smooth and flawless execution of their role when activated and when the related switch is depressed.

[0033] Depending on how the said switch 103 is pressed, either only water is sprayed or a mixture of water and cleanser is sprayed.

[0034] The diameter of tube 502 is crucial in maintaining the adequate pressure inside the system in this section of the device. The diameters of the rest of the tubes within the system are also critical in achieving the desired flow rate and outflowing pressure. These have been studied to ensure the optimal functioning of the device and its function. If the diameters are larger than required, then the water or mixed water/cleanser jet will be too low to be effective; and if the diameters are smaller, then this will result in excessive internal pressure which may affect the integrity of the device as well as cause the release of the water or mixed water/cleaner jet at too high of a pressure to be usable.

[0035] The said diameters vary depending on the overall size of the device, however the resulting spray coming out of the device must be appropriate for doing the desired function of cleaning without the need to use a hand to wipe and without excess pressure which may be painful and cause splatter.

[0036] It was deemed indispensable to refrain from defining the specific diameters, lengths, shape and connection style of the different tubing parts since these will vary depending on the overall size of the device. In addition, since the proposed device may be used in multiple industries and for varying purposes as disclosed herein above, it is submitted that the relative ratios between the different parts is what matters and these are assessed for each type of device as needed based on a specific formula which results in the desired effect and outcome.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the shape of said tubes may be cylindrical in form or adopt a slightly tapering conical shape at specific junctions to enable a preferred performance and prevent return flow, bubble formation, which may block adequate flow or repeated use of the device. It is submitted herein that the size and shape of the tubing at various positions of the system are critical and crucial and contribute to a key innovative element, not disclosed or cited anywhere in the prior art.

[0038] Following up on the flow in the system, if the user wishes to spray only water, then the switch 103 is pressed in the desired direction to activate lever 302 which will open the valve located inside 303. The water will then flow freely through 303 and tube 304 and out the opening 310 and spray out from 107. The diameters of the different components are specific to the size of the device to ensure the adequate pressure coming out of the head 107. Once the user is done rinsing, the user releases the switch which will result in the valve inside 303 to close again and hold the water behind it.

[0039] If the user wishes to spray a mixture of water and cleanser, then the lever 103 is pressed in the desired direction to activate lever 305 which will open the valve located inside 306. The water will then flow through the opening at 303. As the water flows through the tube section 507, it will create a vacuum inside tube 505. The vacuum creates a negative pressure which, based on the Venturi principle, will draw or aspirate cleanser form the cartridge 402 through the opening 506 and through the tube 505 which will then mix with the water at 507. The mixed water/cleanser solution will then continue to flow through tube 508 and into the shower head through tube 511. The mixed water/cleanser will exit through the opening 309 and spray out through 106.

[0040] In order to enable this process, it is submitted that the relative sizes and shapes of various sections of the tubing play an important role in ensuring constant flow at a desired pressure to obtain the necessary spray in the right amount and pressure to achieve the purpose of the invention.

[0041] To rinse the mixed water/cleanser, the user then releases the switch which will close the valve inside 305 thus canceling the Venturi effect and stop the flow of the cleanser into 507. The user then presses on the switch 103 in the direction to activate lever 302 to go through the previously described flow to spray water only. Again, the tapered conical shape at the junction plays a critical role in maintaining the pressure when open and preventing an air bubble from blocking the flow once the action is terminated.

[0042] When the switch 103 is pressed to allow the cleanser to flow, the water passing through the tube 307 creates a negative pressure or vacuum in tube 403, creating a Venturi effect using the Bernoulli principle, thus drawing the cleanser through the tube 403 which then mixes with the water upstream of tube 307. The mixed water and cleanser then proceeds under the water pressure to flow through the system and spray out the shower head 105 from the opening 310 spraying out the holes 107. As a result, the user of said shattaf will hygienically cleanse the soiled parts following urination or defecation or for general cleansing. By toggling the switch back to the water only function, the user of the shattaf can rinse the cleansing mixture off.

[0043] It is well known in the art and in practical use of showerheads, regardless of their intended use as a shattaf, as disclosed in the present embodiment of the current description or a showerhead for taking showers, or in the use in the kitchen, or hospitals, etc. cleaning requires the use of mechanical cleansing in addition to spraying water and or detergent. So for example, under the shower, a user needs to scrub down with the hands, maybe even using a device such as a sponge to mechanically remove dirt, apply shampoo or soap across the desire area to be cleansed.

[0044] In a similar manner, and going back to the concept of a shattaf, a person skilled in the art knows that a shattaf spraying water alone is not enough to provide the desired hygienic cleanliness. A user is obliged to use at least one hand, a cloth or a sponge in order to properly and thoroughly clean the desired area. Even bidet's fail to adequately cleanse without the need for the user to mechanically wipe away stuck fecal matter, blood or other deposits. It is the assertion herein that this defect is resolved with the proposed showerhead and system thereof.

[0045] Traditional and existing shower heads use a direct tube for water flowing from the source at one end of a showerhead and through the dispensing jets or outlet at another end of said showerhead. The flow of the water may be controlled, i.e. released or stopped, using a lever which opens or closes a valve lodged within the tube. The system of the proposed invention proposes a plurality of tubes with a plurality of valves to control the flow, the pressure of the flow, be it water alone or a mixture of water and cleanser, and the pressure of the outgoing jet directed to the area to be cleansed.

[0046] According to studies performed to identify the pressure at which the water and water/cleanser mixture should be sprayed to adequately clean by removing any attached fecal matter, blood, or other it was found that the incoming pressure into the shattaf should be around 3 bar between. Accordingly, based on calculations to obtain said pressure, a study was developed to determine the different diameters of said plurality of tubes to ensure that this pressure is delivered. Anything different will result either in lower pressure which will fail in providing the adequate cleaning required; or in higher pressure which may cause pain or random splattering, which will also result in inadequate cleansing.

[0047] In the present embodiment, it was thus determined what the diameter range for the tube 301 should be, as well as the range of diameters for tubes 304, 307 and 308. In addition, the studies resulted in a range of acceptable diameters for the opening releasing water only 310 as well as that of the opening releasing the mixture of water and cleanser 309.

[0048] While certain embodiments were disclosed in the description, these are merely used as examples to clarify the device and system of the invention. These are not to be considered as limiting to one or other type of device or system or cleansing means. The detailed description does not limit the scope of the invention to the design shown in the figures, as again, this was merely used for illustrative purposes.