IMPROVED SHOWERHEAD

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a showerhead comprising a top plate comprising at least one water inlet, a bottom plate comprising a plurality of holes (5) through which the water is delivered, and a membrane between the top plate and the bottom plate.

[0002] The invention also relates to a membrane for a showerhead, comprising a disc of predefined thickness and a plurality of nozzles extending from the disc.

Prior art

[0003] Showerheads having an inlet which can be connected to a hot and/or cold water supply pipe, and a plurality of nozzles for delivery of the water, for example with a spray jet, are known. The nozzles may be associated, in a predetermined arrangement and number, with a rectangular or circular shaped plate in turn fixed and sealed to another plate, intended to be supported in the centre of the shower tray, for example by means of the water supply pipe or another support structure. In some cases the showerhead is wall-mounted, for example supported by a column or a base from which it protrudes with a predefined inclination towards the shower tray, so as to deliver the water towards the user. Other means for fixing the showerhead are also known.

[0004] Some showerheads have large-size plates, for example with dimensions between 30 and 50 cm, and are particularly popular because, since they are able to contain a large number of nozzles, they are able to deliver a very large volume of water, thus providing the user with a pleasant sensation. The nozzles are applied to the bottom plate of the showerhead which is then welded or glued to the top plate, thus defining a path for the fluid from the inlet to the nozzles.

[0005] A known drawback of such showerheads consists in small leakages of water through tiny cracks which form between the top plate and the bottom plate following wear. It is known to provide a simple sealing gasket between the two plates, but this solution is normally unable to prevent the small leakages since the gasket loses its elasticity with time, for example following the sudden changes in temperature of the heated water. Basically, after being used many times, a small amount of water usually leaks from the side edge of the showerhead, this being a nuisance both from an aesthetic and a functional point of view. US 2013/015268 discloses a showerhead according to the prior art.

[0006] The problem forming the basis of the present invention is that of devising a showerhead with an improved sealing action, i.e. which is able to eliminate all the small leakages, especially at the joint between the top plate and the bottom plate, also following prolonged use over time, overcoming all the limitations and drawbacks which hitherto affect the known showerheads.

Summary of the invention

[0007] The basic idea of the present invention is that of arranging a membrane between a top plate and a bottom plate of a showerhead, this membrane having a disc on which the nozzles for delivery of the water are mounted and a peripheral portion provided with a sealing tongue which forms a seal against the top plate.

[0008] The disc is circular. However it is quite possible for the disc to have a different form, for example it may be square shaped.

[0009] The tongue extends upwards from the perimetral edge of the disc.

[0010] The tongue forms together with the disc an acute angle, which is preferably rounded.

[0011] The tongue extends from the edge of the disc and the tip of the tongue is closer to the centre of the disc than the base of the tongue.

[0012] Preferably, the tip of the tongue is also rounded. In one embodiment only the portion of the tip intended to remain in contact with the water is rounded. Even more preferably, this rounded portion of the tip is convex. The rounded acute angle is preferably concave.

[0013] The tongue, extending upwards from the disc forms a collar for retaining the water. Said collar also defines a water flow passage between an inlet of the showerhead and a plurality of nozzles in the disc.

[0014] Preferably the tongue is tapered. The tip of the tongue has a thickness which is smaller than a thickness of the base. When the parts are assembled, a first surface of the tongue - called belly - is designed to come into contact with the water and a second surface of the tongue - called back - makes contact with the top plate of the showerhead, the plate making pressing contact against the back, flattening it, and lowering the tip of the tongue relative to its rest position, when the parts are not assembled (membrane not inserted between the top plate and the bottom plate).

[0015] Owing to such an arrangement of the tongue the water sealing effect may be increased significantly. In fact, the water present inside the passage exerts a pressure on the belly of the tongue which is all the greater the greater the incoming flow. In the case of a tapered tongue, the distal part closer to the tip undergoes a greater deformation than the part closer to the base and consequently is pushed with a greater force against the top plate, adhering perfectly thereto. The tip of the tongue is therefore nearly coplanar with the bottom surface of the top plate and the belly of the tongue acts as a collar or pocket for retaining the water.

[0016] On the basis of this proposed solution, the aforementioned technical problem is solved by a showerhead comprising: a top plate, comprising at least one water inlet, a bottom plate, comprising a plurality of holes through which the water is delivered, a membrane, comprising a disc of predefined thickness and a plurality of nozzles extending, preferably perpendicularly, from the disc and inserted inside the holes of the bottom plate, and characterized in that the membrane comprises a peripheral portion with a thickness greater than the thickness of the disc, suitable for defining a water flow passage from the inlet to the plurality of nozzles, between the top plate and the disc, and in that the peripheral portion includes a flexible tongue extending into the water flow passage and forming a seal against the top plate.

[0017] Preferably, the tongue comprises a tip making contact with the top plate and a first surface between the tip and the disc, suitable for remaining in contact with the water, during delivery, so as to compress the tip against the top plate.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral portion comprises a flat surface and the tongue comprises a second surface between the tip and the flat surface of the peripheral portion, suitable for remaining at least partly in contact with the top plate of the showerhead, exerting thereon a pressure which is all the greater the greater the incoming water flow.

[0019] Preferably, the first surface of the tongue comprises a curved portion opposite the disc. In one embodiment, the curved portion of the first surface of the tongue is concave, and the first surface further comprises a second convex curved portion at the tip of the tongue.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the disc is formed as one piece with the nozzles and with the peripheral portion. In one embodiment, the disc is made of silicone or rubber.

[0021] Preferably, the tongue is a tapered annular portion, even more preferably with a triangular section, of the peripheral portion.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, the showerhead comprises a metal spacer, preferably made of stainless steel, between the top plate and the bottom plate, situated around the disc and having a thickness greater than the thickness of the disc, the thickness of the spacer preferably corresponding to the thickness of the peripheral portion opposite the flat surface. The top plate is welded to the bottom plate or otherwise sealed, for example with glue. The plates are for example made of metal, preferably stainless steel.

[0023] Preferably, the peripheral portion of the membrane is laterally in contact with the spacer.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a bottom surface of the disc of the membrane is in contact with the bottom plate. The top plate, instead, makes pressing contact with the tongue and deforms it.

[0025] The aforementioned technical problem is also solved by a membrane for a showerhead, comprising a disc of predefined thickness and a plurality of nozzles extending (perpendicularly) from the disc, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral portion with a thickness greater than the thickness of the disc, suitable for defining a water flow passage from an inlet of the showerhead to the plurality of nozzles between a top plate of the showerhead and the disc, and in that the peripheral portion includes a flexible tongue extending radially from the peripheral portion inwards and upwards.

[0026] Preferably, the tongue has a second inclined surface or back, a distance (x1) between a base of the second surface and the disc is less than a distance (x2) between a tip of the tongue and the disc, and an annular segment, having a thickness less than the thickness of the peripheral portion opposite the flat surface, is provided between the flat surface and the second surface of the tongue.

[0027] Further characteristic features and advantages of the showerhead and the associated membrane according to the present invention will become clear from an example of embodiment thereof provided hereinbelow with reference to the attached drawings, solely by way of a non-limiting example.

Brief description of the drawings

[0028] 

Figure 1 shows a side view of the showerhead according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view, from below, of the showerhead according to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the showerhead according to Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a laterally sectioned view, with parts partially separated, of a detail of the showerhead according to Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a laterally sectioned view, with parts separated, of the detail of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a laterally sectioned view, with parts assembled, of the detail of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a laterally sectioned view, with parts assembled, of another detail of the showerhead according to Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a laterally sectioned view of a detail of a membrane of the showerhead according to the present invention.

Detailed description

[0029] With reference to the attached figures a showerhead according to the present invention is schematically shown and indicated by the reference number 1.

[0030] The showerhead has an inlet 3 (see Fig. 3) which can be connected to a hot and/or cold water supply pipe (not shown), and a plurality of nozzles 13 (Figs. 1 and 2) for delivery of the water, for example with a spray jet. The nozzles are provided in a predetermined arrangement and number.

[0031] The showerhead may be rectangular or circular or square shaped, preferably with rounded edges, and is intended to be supported in the centre of the shower tray or in another position of the shower compartment, for example by means of the water supply pipe and or other support structure, such as a column or a base or a rod from which it extends with a predefined inclination towards the shower tray, so as to deliver the water towards the user. The size of the showerhead may be, for example, between 20 and 50 cm, so as to deliver the water in a diffused manner, resulting in a pleasing sensation for the user.

[0032] The inlet 3 is defined in a top portion or in a top plate 2 of the showerhead, for example in a plate 2 having a central hole associated with a threaded union to which a threaded portion of the water supply pipe is connected.

[0033] A bottom portion of the showerhead or bottom plate 4 comprises a plurality of holes 5 (Fig. 3) through which the water is delivered. Without limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, the top plate 3 and the bottom plate 4 are made of metal, preferably stainless steel, with a thickness ranging between a few millimetres and several centimetres, and the inlet 3 and the holes 5 are through-holes in the respective plate. The geometrical distribution of the holes 5 corresponds to the geometric distribution of the nozzles 13, as will become clear from the description below.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention the plate 3 and the plate 4 have a constant thickness, i.e. without reliefs or peripheral collars. A spacer 16 (Fig. 4) which defines a water flow passage from the inlet to the nozzles is arranged between them. The plates are for example welded together, along the peripheral edge. Obviously it is quite possible, while remaining within the scope of protection of the invention, that at least one of the two plates is provided with a peripheral relief along which the other plate is fixed, for example welded, glued or otherwise sealed.

[0035] The nozzles 13 are formed in a membrane 6 comprising a disc 7 of predefined thickness s1 from which the nozzles extend for example perpendicularly relative to the disc 7, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and are inserted inside the holes 5 of the bottom plate 4. The nozzles have, for example a mushroom shape, with an annular section having a smaller diameter than that of the head, the smaller diameter being substantially the same as the diameter of the holes 5 of the bottom plate 4. At least the head portion of the nozzles is flexible and is inserted with force through the holes 5 so that the head of the nozzles emerges from a side of the bottom plate 4 opposite to a side with which the disc 7 remains in contact. The annular section of the nozzles instead remains within the thickness of the holes 5, which is preferably equal to the length of the annular section.

[0036] According to the present invention, the membrane 6 comprises a peripheral portion 8 with thickness s2 greater than the thickness s1 of the disk 7, suitable for defining a water flow passage 9 from the inlet 3 to the plurality of nozzles 13, between the top plate 2 and the disc 7, and the peripheral portion 8 includes a flexible tongue 10 extending into the water flow passage (9) and forming a seal against the top plate (2).

[0037] The peripheral portion 8 is for example shown encircled in Figures 4 and 6. In this example of embodiment, the portion 8 is situated alongside the spacer 16, in particular without coming into contact with it. However, as already mentioned, the spacer 16 may be replaced by a collar in one or both the plates 3 and 5, or may be removed, in which case the space between the discs is filled by a sealant or by a weld. Similarly, the spacer 16, the weld or the sealant may come into contact with a side edge of the peripheral portion 8.

[0038] A bottom part of the peripheral portion 8 is coplanar with the bottom surface of the disc 7 and substantially forms the extension thereof as far as the side of the side edge of the peripheral portion, which forms the side edge of the membrane 6. A top part of the peripheral portion 8, terminating on the side edge, is parallel to the substantially flat bottom part.

[0039] The tongue 10 is formed at a predefined distance from the side edge of the peripheral portion 8. When the parts are separated, i.e. when the membrane 6 is not yet enclosed between the bottom plate and the top plate, the tongue extends upwards with a predefined inclination from the top part of the peripheral portion 8.

[0040] The tongue 10, for example, has a length (viewed in the cross-section of Fig. 4) ranging between 2 mm and 1 cm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. The tip 11 of the tongue for example extends upwards by an amount between 2 mm and 1 cm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm, when the parts are separated. When the parts are assembled, the top plate makes pressing contact with the top surface of the tongue, causing it to be lowered towards the disc, without coming into contact therewith. Preferably, the tongue is not lowered beyond the level of the top part of the peripheral portion 8.

[0041] In particular the tongue 10 comprises a tip 11 in contact with the top plate and a first surface 12 (bottom surface of the tongue) between the tip 11 and the disc 7, suitable for remaining in contact with the water, during delivery, so as to compress the tip 11 against the top plate 2.

[0042] The pressure of the water inside the fluid passage 9 exerts advantageously a pressure on the first surface 12 of the tongue which presses the tongue towards the top plate of the showerhead, which in turn pushes the tongue downwards, the tongue, making pressing contact with its top surface, therefore providing a particularly effective sealing action.

[0043] In other words the tongue is sandwiched between the top plate and water flowing inside the passage 9, the water exerting a pressure on the tongue which is all the greater the greater the amount of water entering the showerhead. Consequently, even when the user opens up the water supply fully, the tongue 10 forms a perfect seal between the plates and avoids any leakages.

[0044] The peripheral portion 8 comprises the flat surface 17 (also called the top part of the peripheral portion in the preceding description) and the tongue 10 comprises a second surface 14 (also called top portion of the tongue) between the tip 11 and the flat surface 17 of the peripheral portion 8, designed to remain at least partly in contact with the top plate 2 of the showerhead, exerting thereon a pressure which is all the greater the greater the amount of the incoming water flow.

[0045] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first surface 12 of the tongue comprises a curved portion 15 opposite the disc 7. The curved portion forms a pocket where the fluid converges together with the peripheral edge of the membrane 6, i.e. at a base of the peripheral portion 8 facing the centre of the showerhead. Advantageously, such a pocket-like form produces a swirling flow which has the effect of compressing the tongue from the bottom upwards, further increasing the sealing action on the top plate 2.

[0046] Preferably, the curved portion 15 of the first surface 12 of the tongue 10 is concave, and the surface 12 further comprises a second convex curved portion 20 at the tip 11 of the tongue 10. Such a curvature of the second portion 20 ensures an improved sealing action of the tongue at the tip, since it prevents even small quantities of water from being able to reach the top surface 14 of the tongue and seep towards the peripheral edge of the showerhead.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment, the tongue 10 is a tapered annular portion, preferably with a triangular section, of said peripheral portion 8. The tongue becomes thinner towards the tip, thus having a greater deformability and reacting promptly to the water pressure.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the disc 7 is formed as one piece with the nozzles 13 and with the peripheral portion 8. As mentioned, assembly is performed by inserting the nozzles 13 inside the holes 5 of the bottom plate, optionally arranging the spacer 16 in position, and then positioning and sealing the top plate.

[0049] According to a method of applying the membrane developed by the Applicant, a sucker system is used to join together the bottom plate and membrane. A machine provided with a support surface for the bottom plate draws air through the holes 5, sucking down the membrane 6, and in particular the head of the nozzles 13 through the holes 5, said membrane having been previously positioned on top of the plate 4.

[0050] The disc 7 is for example made of silicone or rubber. The membrane and/or the nozzles may also be made of silicone or rubber. Preferably, the disc, the membrane and the nozzles are extruded or co-extruded together. The disc, the membrane and the nozzles are formed as one piece.

[0051] The spacer 16 is for example made of metal, preferably stainless steel, and has a thickness s2 greater than the thickness of the disc 7, preferably corresponding to the thickness of the peripheral portion 8 opposite the flat surface 17.

[0052] Advantageously, the membrane for a showerhead 1 according to the present invention has a particularly effective sealing action even following prolonged use over time. The scope of protection of the invention therefore also includes the membrane, comprising a disc 7 of predefined thickness s1 and a plurality of nozzles 13 extending (preferably perpendicularly) from the disc 7.

[0053] The membrane has a peripheral portion 8 with thickness s2 greater than the thickness of the disc 7, suitable for defining a water flow passage 9 from an inlet 3 of the showerhead to the plurality of nozzles 13 between a top plate 2 of the showerhead and the disc 7, with the peripheral portion 8 having a flexible tongue 10 extending radially from the peripheral portion 8 inwards and upwards.

[0054] The membrane may therefore be formed by a first annular segment comprising the peripheral square part of the peripheral portion 8, namely the side edge and the flat top and bottom surfaces; a second annular segment radially closer to the centre of the membrane and comprising the tongue which extends from the first annular segment at a predefined angle upwards; a third segment formed by disc and by the nozzles at the base of the square peripheral portion.

[0055] A second surface 14 of the tongue 10 is inclined and a distance x1 exists between a base 18 of the second surface 14 of the tongue and the disc 7, this distance x1 being less than a distance x2 between a tip 11 of the tongue 10 and the disc 7.

[0056] An annular segment 19, having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the peripheral portion 8 opposite the flat surface, is provided between the flat surface 17 and the second surface 14 of the tongue 10.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the membrane 6 comprises a second flexible tongue, suitable for ensuring a perfect sealing action, even in the event of failure of the (first) flexible tongue, for example due to manufacturing defects or incorrect operation. The second flexible tongue may be made of the same material as the first flexible tongue, and preferably formed as one piece with the membrane.

[0058] In one embodiment, the second flexible tongue is situated between said first flexible tongue 10 and an end part of the peripheral portion 8, i.e. the part which forms the edge of the membrane 6. For example, the second flexible tongue has a base on the flat surface 17 of the peripheral portion 8 and extends from the base towards the first flexible tongue. Preferably, the tip of the second flexible tongue is situated close to the second surface 14 of the first flexible tongue or is in contact therewith. The base of the second flexible tongue is instead situated at a predefined distance, for example 2 mm, from the base of the first flexible tongue, i.e. from the annular segment 19.

[0059] The second flexible tongue has a back directed towards the outside of the membrane and a belly directed towards the first flexible tongue. When the parts are assembled, the back is compressed by the top plate of the showerhead and forms a seal against it.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the second flexible tongue, folded onto the first flexible tongue, forms an air pocket. The air pocket is intended to collect any leaking fluid, preventing it from flowing towards the edge of the membrane 6.

Claims

1. Showerhead (1) comprising

- a top plate (2), comprising at least one water inlet (3),

- a bottom plate (4), comprising a plurality of holes (5) through which the water is delivered,

- a membrane (6), comprising a disc (7) of predefined thickness (s1) and a plurality of nozzles (13) extending from the disc (7) and inserted inside the holes (5) of the bottom plate,

the membrane (6) comprises a peripheral portion (8) with thickness (s2) greater than the thickness (s1) of the disk (7), suitable for defining a water flow passage (9) from the inlet (3) to the plurality of nozzles (13) between the top plate (2) and the disc (7) and characterized in that said peripheral portion (8) includes a flexible tongue (10) extending into the water flow passage (9) and forming a seal against the top plate (2), wherein the tongue (10) comprises:

- a tip (11) closer to a centre of the disc (7) than a base of the tongue (10),

- a second surface (14) in contact with a bottom surface of the top plate (2),

- a first surface (12) opposite to the second surface (14) between the tip (11) and the disc (7), suitable for remaining in contact with the water during delivery, so as to compress the tip (11) against the bottom of the top plate (2).

2. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral portion (8) comprises a flat surface (17) and the second surface (14) of the tongue (10) is between the tip (11) and the flat surface (17) of the peripheral portion (8).

3. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first surface (12) of the tongue comprises a curved portion (15) opposite the disc (17).

4. Showerhead (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the curved portion (15) of the first surface (12) of the tongue (10) is concave and said first surface (12) further comprises a second convex curved portion (20) at the tip (11) of the tongue (10).

5. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the disc (7) is formed as one piece with the nozzles (13) and with the peripheral portion (8).

6. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the disc (7) is made of silicone or rubber.

7. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue (10) is a tapered annular portion, preferably with a triangular section, of said peripheral portion (8).

8. Showerhead (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a metal spacer (16), preferably made of stainless steel, between the top plate and the bottom plate, situated around the disc (7) and having a thickness greater than the thickness of the disc (7), said thickness of the spacer preferably corresponding to the thickness of the peripheral portion (8) opposite the flat surface (17).

9. Showerhead (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the peripheral portion (8) is laterally in contact with the spacer (16).

10. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a bottom surface of the disc of the membrane is in contact with the bottom plate.

11. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second flexible tongue between said flexible tongue (10) and a terminal part of said peripheral portion (8) which forms an edge of the membrane (6), said second flexible tongue being able to provide a further sealing action on the top plate (2).

12. Showerhead (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said top plate and said bottom plate are made of metal, preferably stainless steel, welded together.

13. Membrane (6) for a showerhead (1), comprising a disc (7) of predefined thickness (s1) and a plurality of nozzles (13) extending preferably perpendicularly from the disc (7), comprising a peripheral portion (8) with a thickness (s2) greater than the thickness of the disc (7), suitable for defining a water flow passage (9) from an inlet (3) of the showerhead to the plurality of nozzles (13) between a top plate (2) of the showerhead and the disc (7), characterized in that said peripheral portion (8) includes a flexible tongue (10) extending radially from the peripheral portion (8) inwards and upwards, and wherein the flexible tongue comprises:
a tip (11) closer to a centre of the disc (7) than a base of the tongue (10),

- a second surface (14) adapted to contact a bottom surface of the top plate (2),

- a first surface (12) opposite to the second surface (14) between the tip (11) and the disc (7), suitable for remaining in contact with the water during delivery, so as to compress the tip (11) against the bottom of the top plate (2).

14. Membrane according to claim 13, characterized in that a second surface (14) of the tongue (10) is inclined and a distance (x1) between a base (18) of the second surface (14) and the disc (7) is less than a distance (x2) between a tip (11) of the tongue (10) and the disc (7), and an annular segment (19), having a thickness less than the thickness of the peripheral portion (8) opposite the flat surface, is provided between the flat surface (17) and the second surface (14) of the tongue (10).

Ansprüche

1. Duschkopf (1), mit

- einer oberen Platte (2), die mindestens einen Wassereinlass (3) aufweist,

- einer Bodenplatte (4), die eine Mehrzahl von Löchern (5) aufweist, durch die das Wasser abgegeben wird,

- einer Membran (6), die eine Scheibe (7) mit vorbestimmter Dicke (s1) und eine Mehrzahl von Düsen (13) aufweist, die sich von der Scheibe (7) weg erstrecken und in die Löcher (5) der Bodenplatte eingesetzt sind;

wobei die Membran (6) einen Umfangsbereich (8) mit einer Dicke (s2) aufweist, die größer ist als die Dicke (s1) der Scheibe (7) und zum Bilden einer Wasserströmungspassage (9) von dem Einlass (3) zu der Mehrzahl von Düsen (13) zwischen der oberen Platte (2) und der Scheibe (7) geeignet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Umfangsbereich (8) eine flexible Zunge (10) aufweist, die sich in die Wasserströmungspassage (9) erstreckt und eine Dichtung gegenüber der oberen Platte (2) bildet,
wobei die Zunge (10) aufweist:

- eine Spitze (11), die sich näher bei einem Zentrum der Scheibe (7) als eine Basis der Zunge (10) befindet,

- eine zweite Oberfläche (14) in Kontakt mit einer Bodenfläche der oberen Platte (2),

- eine der zweiten Oberfläche (14) gegenüberliegende erste Oberfläche (12) zwischen der Spitze (11) und der Scheibe (7), die geeignet ist, während der Abgabe mit dem Wasser in Kontakt zu bleiben, um die Spitze (11) gegen den Boden der oberen Platte (2) zusammenzudrücken.

2. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Umfangsbereich (8) eine ebene Oberfläche (17) aufweist und sich die zweite Oberfläche (14) der Zunge (10) zwischen der Spitze (11) und der ebenen Oberfläche (17) des Umfangsbereichs (8) befindet.

3. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Oberfläche (12) der Zunge einen gekrümmten Bereich (15) gegenüber der Scheibe (17) aufweist.

4. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der gekrümmte Bereich (15) der ersten Oberfläche (12) der Zunge (10) konkav ist und die erste Oberfläche (12) ferner einen zweiten konvexen gekrümmten Bereich (20) an der Spitze (11) der Zunge (10) aufweist.

5. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Scheibe (7) mit den Düsen (13) und mit dem Umfangsbereich (8) einstückig ausgebildet ist.

6. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Scheibe (7) aus Silikon oder Gummi besteht.

7. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zunge (10) ein sich verjüngender ringförmiger Bereich, vorzugsweise mit dreieckigem Querschnitt, des Umfangsbereichs (8) ist.

8. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er einen Metall-Abstandshalter (16), vorzugsweise aus rostfreiem Stahl, zwischen der oberen Platte und der Bodenplatte aufweist, der um die Scheibe (17) herum angeordnet ist und eine Dicke aufweist, die größer ist als die Dicke der Scheibe (7), wobei die Dicke des Abstandshalters vorzugsweise der Dicke des Umfangsbereichs (8) gegenüber der ebenen Oberfläche (17) entspricht.

9. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Umfangsbereich (8) in seitlicher Richtung mit dem Abstandshalter (16) in Kontakt steht.

10. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Bodenfläche der Scheibe der Membran mit der Bodenplatte in Kontakt steht.

11. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er eine zweite flexible Zunge zwischen der flexiblen Zunge (10) und einem Endteil des Umfangsbereichs (8) aufweist, der einen Rand der Membran (6) bildet, wobei die zweite flexible Zunge in der Lage ist, eine weitere Dichtwirkung an der oberen Platte (2) bereitzustellen.

12. Duschkopf (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die obere Platte und die Bodenplatte aus Metall, vorzugsweise rostfreiem Stahl, bestehen und miteinander verschweißt sind.

13. Membran (6) für einen Duschkopf (1), aufweisend eine Scheibe (7) mit vorbestimmter Dicke (s1) und eine Mehrzahl von Düsen (13), die sich vorzugsweise rechtwinklig von der Scheibe (7) weg erstrecken, mit einem Umfangsbereich (8) mit einer Dicke (s2), die größer ist als die Dicke der Scheibe (7) und geeignet ist zum Bilden einer Wasserströmungspassage (9) von einem Einlass (3) des Duschkopfes zu der Mehrzahl von Düsen (13) zwischen einer oberen Platte (2) des Duschkopfes und der Scheibe (7), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Umfangsbereich (8) eine flexible Zunge (10) aufweist, die sich von dem Umfangsbereich (8) radial nach innen und nach oben erstreckt, und wobei die flexible Zunge aufweist:

- eine Spitze (11), die sich näher bei einem Zentrum der Scheibe (7) als eine Basis der Zunge (10) befindet,

- eine zweite Oberfläche (14), die dazu ausgebildet ist, mit einer Bodenfläche der oberen Platte (2) in Kontakt zu treten,

- eine der zweiten Oberfläche (14) gegenüberliegende erste Oberfläche (12) zwischen der Spitze (11) und der Scheibe (7), die geeignet ist, während der Abgabe mit dem Wasser in Kontakt zu bleiben, um die Spitze (11) gegen den Boden der oberen Platte (2) zusammenzudrücken.

14. Membran nach Anspruch 13,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine zweite Oberfläche (14) der Zunge (10) geneigt ist und ein Abstand (x1) zwischen einer Basis (18) der zweiten Oberfläche (14) und der Scheibe (7) kleiner ist als ein Abstand (x2) zwischen einer Spitze (11) der Zunge (10) und der Scheibe (7), und dass ein Ringsegment (19) mit einer Dicke, die geringer ist als die Dicke des Umfangsbereichs (8) gegenüber der ebenen Oberfläche, zwischen der ebenen Oberfläche (17) und der zweiten Oberfläche (14) der Zunge (10) vorgesehen ist.

Revendications

1. Pommeau de douche (1) comprenant

- une plaque supérieure (2), comprenant au moins une entrée d'eau (3),

- une plaque inférieure (4), comprenant une pluralité de trous (5) à travers lesquels l'eau est délivrée,

- une membrane (6), comprenant un disque (7) d'épaisseur prédéfinie (s1) et une pluralité de buses (13) s'étendant depuis le disque (7) et insérées dans les trous (5) de la plaque inférieure,

la membrane (6) comprend une partie périphérique (8) d'épaisseur (s2) supérieure à l'épaisseur (s1) du disque (7), appropriée pour définir un passage d'écoulement d'eau (9) de l'entrée (3) jusqu'à la pluralité de buses (13) entre la plaque supérieure (2) et le disque (7) et caractérisé en ce que ladite partie périphérique (8) inclut une languette flexible (10) s'étendant jusque dans le passage d'écoulement d'eau (9) et formant un joint d'étanchéité contre la plaque supérieure (2), où la languette (10) comprend :

- une pointe (11) plus proche d'un centre du disque (7) que ne l'est une base de la languette (10),

- une seconde surface (14) en contact avec une surface inférieure de la plaque supérieure (2),

- une première surface (12) opposée à la seconde surface (14) entre la pointe (11) et le disque (7), appropriée pour rester en contact avec l'eau pendant la délivrance, de sorte à comprimer la pointe (11) contre le fond de la plaque supérieure (2).

2. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie périphérique (8) comprend une surface plane (17) et la seconde surface (14) de la languette (10) se situe entre la pointe (11) et la surface plane (17) de la partie périphérique (8).

3. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la première surface (12) de la languette comprend une partie incurvée (15) opposée au disque (7).

4. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la partie incurvée (15) de la première surface (12) de la languette (10) est concave et ladite première surface (12) comprend en outre une seconde partie incurvée convexe (20) au niveau de la pointe (11) de la languette (10).

5. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le disque (7) est formé en un seul tenant avec les buses (13) et avec la partie périphérique (8).

6. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le disque (7) est constitué de silicone ou de caoutchouc.

7. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la languette (10) est une partie annulaire effilée, de préférence avec une section triangulaire, de ladite partie périphérique (8).

8. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une rondelle métallique (16), de préférence constituée d'acier inoxydable, entre la plaque supérieure et la plaque inférieure, située autour du disque (7) et présentant une épaisseur supérieure à l'épaisseur du disque (7), ladite épaisseur de la rondelle de préférence correspondant à l'épaisseur de la partie périphérique (8) opposée à la surface plane (17).

9. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la partie périphérique (8) est latéralement en contact avec la rondelle (16).

10. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'une surface inférieure du disque de la membrane est en contact avec la plaque inférieure.

11. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une seconde languette flexible entre ladite languette flexible (10) et une partie terminale de ladite partie périphérique (8) laquelle forme un bord de la membrane (6), ladite seconde languette flexible étant en mesure d'assurer une action d'étanchéité complémentaire sur la plaque supérieure (2).

12. Pommeau de douche (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite plaque supérieure et ladite plaque inférieure sont constituées de métal, de préférence d'acier inoxydable, et sont soudées ensemble.

13. Membrane (6) destinée à un pommeau de douche (1), comprenant un disque (7) d'épaisseur prédéfinie (s1) et une pluralité de buses (13) s'étendant de préférence perpendiculairement au disque (7), comprenant une partie périphérique (8) d'épaisseur (s2) supérieure à l'épaisseur du disque (7), appropriée pour définir un passage d'écoulement d'eau (9) d'une entrée (3) du pommeau de douche jusqu'à la pluralité de buses (13) entre une plaque supérieure (2) du pommeau de douche et le disque (7), caractérisée en ce que ladite partie périphérique (8) inclut une languette flexible (10) s'étendant radialement depuis la partie périphérique (8) vers l'intérieur et vers le haut, et où la languette flexible comprend :

- une pointe (11) plus proche d'un centre du disque (7) que ne l'est une base de la languette (10),

- une seconde surface (14) conçue pour être en contact avec une surface inférieure de la plaque supérieure (2),

- une première surface (12) opposée à la seconde surface (14) entre la pointe (11) et le disque (7), appropriée pour rester en contact avec l'eau pendant la délivrance, de sorte à comprimer la pointe (11) contre le fond de la plaque supérieure (2).

14. Membrane selon la revendication 13, caractérisée en ce qu'une seconde surface (14) de la languette (10) est inclinée et une distance (x1) entre une base (18) de la seconde surface (14) et le disque (7) est inférieure à une distance (x2) entre une pointe (11) de la languette (10) et le disque (7), et un segment annulaire (19), présentant une épaisseur inférieure à l'épaisseur de la partie périphérique (8) opposée à la surface plane, est prévu entre la surface plane (17) et la seconde surface (14) de la languette (10).

Drawing