MIXER GROUP

Abstract

 A kitchen or bathroom mixer group (1) is described, said group comprising: water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100); a cover (20) for covering the water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100) and at least one connector (50) for the hot or cold water from mains supply pipes. An expansion block (30) is mounted on one side (3) of the cover (20).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathroom mixer group comprising a plate, intended to be fixed to a wall and comprising a through-hole for a connector for the hot water or cold water from mains supply pipes, and a cover, which is mounted on the plate so as to enclose a receiving space, inside which means for regulating the temperature of the hot and/or cold water are installed.

[0002] In particular the invention relates to a mixer group of the aforementioned type which can be installed directly on the wall, flush therewith, or on a shower panel. The mixer group according to the present invention may also be used in a kitchen environment.

Prior art

[0003] Mixer groups which can be mounted on a wall or a shower panel are known, these groups having a receiving seat for concealingly housing temperature or water flow regulating means which can be operated externally by means of a lever or a mixer disk.

[0004] In particular, the known mixer groups have a parallelepiped body which is mounted so as to cover hot and cold water connectors in the wall which are spaced from each other by about 15 cm and are intended to be hydraulically connected, inside the parallelepiped body, to the regulating means.

[0005] Some known mixer groups are particularly liked because the top surface of the parallelepiped body may be used as a shelf, for example so that soap, bottles of shampoo and bath foam or other accessories used during showering may be placed thereon.

[0006] However, the surface of the known mixer groups, for some users, is not spacious enough. For this reason, it is common practice to mount shelves on the wall, something which involves drilling holes in the wall or the decorative tiles.

[0007] On the other hand, some users would prefer a mixer group which is smaller in size, for aesthetic reasons, but are obliged to mount a mixer group which has dimensions at least sufficient to cover the aforementioned connectors and allow correct installation of the hydraulic system.

[0008] The aforementioned mixer groups also have other problems, which are briefly described below.

[0009] In particular in the case where the connectors are not perfectly aligned with each other, it may happen that the form of the plate on which the parallelepiped body is mounted does not allow correction of the misalignment. In this case, the parallelepiped body may appear to be slightly inclined even to the naked eye.

[0010] Moreover, even assuming that the form of the plate does not allow any due correction, it is not a straightforward matter to determine the correct fixing position of the plate. To ensure precise mounting, in fact, it is first necessary to mount temporarily the plate on the wall, inserting the connectors through two holes in the plate; then the plate must be arranged level, by adjusting its horizontal position; then the drilling points must be marked on the wall, the plate removed and, only after the holes have been drilled in the wall, the plate mounted again on the two connectors and fixed to the wall. If these operations are not performed with precision, it is possible that the two connectors may no longer be able to be correctly inserted inside the two holes, with the result that the parallelepiped body inevitably remains inclined.

[0011] The problem forming the basis of the present invention is that of devising a mixer group which allows a sufficiently large support surface to be provided, for those persons who wish to have a lot of space available, or undesirable large dimensions to be reduced or avoided, for those persons who instead prefer to have a basic installation, while simplifying in any case the correct mounting and precise positioning of the group and basically overcoming all the problems associated hitherto with the known mixer groups.

Summary

[0012] The idea at the basis of the present invention is that of providing a mixer group provided with a body having a size at least sufficient to cover either one of the cold water and hot water connectors and mounting on said body one or more expansion blocks which allow additional support surfaces to be provided and/or the second water connector to be housed in a concealed manner. The body, for example, may be provided with a plate to be fixed to a wall and a cover which can be mounted on the plate, having a cube-shaped form and a small side measuring less than 150 mm, for example 100 mm, or having a cylindrical form with a diameter of less than 150 mm, for example 100 mm. At least one expansion block is mounted on at least one side of the body.

[0013] According to the proposed solution indicated above, the technical problem is solved by a mixer group according to claim 1.

[0014] Further characteristic features and advantages of the mixer group 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

[0015] 

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the mixer group according to the present invention.

Figures 2 is a perspective view of the mixer group according to Figure 1 from another angle.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the mixer group according to Figure 1, where a plate of the mixer group has been removed.

Figure 4 is a front view of the mixer group according to Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the mixer group according to Figure 3, comprising the plate.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the mixer group without plate according to Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a different perspective view of the mixer group according to Figure 3.

Figures 8-10 are a front view and two different perspective views of a detail of the mixer group according to Figure 1.

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views, with parts removed, of the mixer group according to the present invention.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a variation of embodiment of the mixer group according to the present invention.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mixer group according to the present invention.

Detailed description

[0016] With reference to the attached drawings, these show in schematic form and denoted by the reference number 1 a bathroom mixer group, and in particular a shower mixer group 1, which for example can be mounted on a shower panel or directly on the wall, and which is intended to receive at its inlet the hot water and the cold water from two separate hot and cold water supply pipes and to control the closing, the opening, the flowrate, the temperature and if necessary also the dispensing mode of the water, for example dispensing via a hand shower (not shown) which receives the water from a flexible pipe 80 connected to an outlet u1 of the mixer group or via a shower spray head (not shown) which receives the water from a rigid pipe 81 connected to another outlet u2 of the mixer group 1.

[0017] The invention, however, is not limited to a mixer group 1 for a shower of the type indicated above, but may be used more generally, for example, on the washbasin of a bathroom or a kitchen or above a bathtub or a bidet.

[0018] A cover 20 of the mixer group covers means 100, 101, 102 for regulating the water temperature and/or the flowrate and/or the dispensing mode, which are described below, and also covers at least one connector 50 for the hot or cold water from a mains supply pipe.

[0019] According to the present invention, an expansion block 30 is removably mounted on one side 3 of the cover 20, with the advantages which will become clear from the description below.

[0020] In particular, according to a first embodiment, in which the mixer group may be mounted on ends of pipes supplying hot or cold water from the mains and installed flush with the wall, a plate 10 of the mixer group is provided with at least one hole 11 for a connector 50 connected to at least one of said ends of the pipes, for example to the end of the hot water supply pipe. The cover 20 may be mounted on the plate 10, defining therewith a receiving space 2, and the plate 10 is intended to be fixed onto the wall, or directly onto a shower panel, substantially adhering thereto.

[0021] According to the present invention, the receiving space 2 between the plate 10 and the cover 20 may house one connector 50 of the hot and cold water connectors 51, for example the hot water connector, and the other connector 51, for example the cold water connector, is intended to be concealingly housed inside a space 31 of the expansion block 30.

[0022] Such a configuration of the mixer group 1 offers many advantages.

[0023] Firstly it simplifies installation, since it allows the cover 20 to be mounted correctly, in particular ensuring a parallel arrangement with the ground, without considering the position of one of the connectors 50, 51 (in the example above the cold water connector). In fact, the cover 20 and the plate 10 are mounted so as to cover only the connector 50 without having to bother about any defects in the wall-mounting of the flexible water supply pipes, and in particular the misalignment of or the spacing between the ends of these pipes, to which the connectors 50 and 51 must be fitted. This allows installation to be performed correctly without using large-size eccentric unions, which are instead used in the systems according to the prior art in order to solve the problem of non-standard distances between the ends of the mains connectors.

[0024] Moreover, separating the cover 20, which covers the connector 50, from the expansion block 30, which covers the connector 51, allows the overall size of the space occupied by the plate 10 and cover 20 to be reduced.

[0025] In fact, in common bathroom and kitchen installations, the hot and cold water supply pipes terminate at a standard distance of between 150 mm and 153 mm. Consequently, the mixer groups according to the prior art, being formed by a single block and having to be mounted on both the outlets of the supply pipes, must have a width of 150 mm or more.

[0026] Instead, according to the present invention, the cover 20 designed to enclose the regulating means 100, 101, 102 and the associated plate 10 may have a width of less than 150 mm, for example 100 mm, more than sufficient it cover a first water connector, and leave the second water connector 51 to be concealingly covered by an expansion block 30 which has, however, a height which may be less than the height of the cover 20 and therefore makes less impact from an aesthetic point of view.

[0027] Obviously, it is quite possible for both the ends of the supply pipes and therefore both the connectors 50, 51 to be enclosed between the plate 10 and the cover 20. This occurs for example by providing a plate and a cover which have a width of at least 150 mm with standard installations of the pipes or using a plate and a cover with a size smaller than 150 mm, where the ends of the supply pipes are already less than the standard distance of 150 mm.

[0028] Advantageously, in this case, the expansion block 20 forms an accessory, for example a support for soap or shampoo. Several expansion blocks may be mounted on a same side 3 of the cover 20 or on different sides and/or faces of the cover 20, thus allowing the support surfaces and/or receiving compartments to be increased. In particular, one or more expansion blocks 30, 31 may comprise a compartment with an opening facing the user, for storing sponges, brushes, soap, creams, etc. Moreover, one or more expansion blocks may have profiles for engagement with other expansion modules of the mixer group.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the regulating means 100, 101, 102 are all enclosed between the plate 10 and the cover 20 and at least one water connector 51 is covered by the expansion block 30. In this case a hydraulic connection between the connector 51 in the expansion block 30 and the regulating means 100, 101, 102 underneath the cover 20 is provided.

[0030] In this connection, the side 3 comprises a hole 4 for receiving a pipe 60, which is preferably flexible, for connecting together the hot or cold water connector 51 situated inside the space 31 of the expansion block 30 and a hot or cold water inlet 6 of the mixer group 1. This inlet 6 may have an entry hole for a flowrate and temperature regulating cartridge 100.

[0031] According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the plate 10 has a square shape and is provided with a flat surface 10b intended to remain in contact with the wall, four sides 10a perpendicular to the flat surface 10b, on the perimeter of the flat surface, and several holes 10c (see Fig. 11), through which screws for performing fixing to the wall may be applied. In one embodiment, only the plate is mounted on the wall and all the expansion blocks 30 are engaged with or fixed to the cover 20 and/or other expansion blocks.

[0032] Again according to a non-limiting embodiment (Fig. 11), the cover 20 is fitted onto the sides 10b and comprises, for example, two opposite sides 33, 34 with holes for receiving the flexible pipe 80 of the hand shower (hole 33a) and for receiving the rigid pipe 81 of the shower spray head.

[0033] The receiving space 2 between the plate 10 and the cover 20 preferably houses the flowrate and temperature regulating means 100, 101, 102 and the means for regulating the dispensing mode, for example a cartridge 100 designed to regulate the flowrate, a temperature regulating cartridge 101 and a cartridge 102 for deviating the water towards the shower spray head or the hand shower.

[0034] Still with reference to a specific non-limiting example of embodiment, a face 35 of the cover 20, included between the two sides 33, 34 (Fig. 11), is provided with holes (holes 35a-35c) for exposing a control portion 100a, 101a, 102a of the regulating means 100-102, preferably said control portion being a pushbutton 102a for deviating the flow, a pushbutton 101a for increasing or reducing the temperature, and a rotatable knob 100a for regulating the flowrate.

[0035] Obviously it is also quite possible to use different regulating means, for example a single cartridge 100 for regulating the temperature and the flowrate, which has a rotatable knob for regulating the temperature exposed through the hole 35a of the side 35, and a rotatable ring on the same axis of rotation as the knob, for regulating the flowrate (both not shown).

[0036] According to a variation of embodiment of the present invention, the regulating means are distributed over one or more expansion blocks 30, 31. For example, a cartridge 100 for regulating the temperature and the flowrate is arranged between the plate 10 and the cover 20, and a cartridge 101 for switching the dispensing mode is enclosed in the space 31 defined by the expansion block 30. In this case pipes for hydraulically connecting together the cartridge 101 and the regulating means 100 enclosed underneath the cover 20 are provided.

[0037] The hot or cold water connector 50 situated in the receiving space 2 between the cover 20 and the plate 10 is connected, preferably without other connection pipes, to a hot or cold water inlet 5, through the hole 11 of the plate 10.

[0038] According to a variation of embodiment of the invention (Fig. 12), in which the means for regulating the mixer group are installed inset in the wall, it is not envisaged using a plate 10 since the cover 20 is fixed directly to the wall, enclosing in any case the receiving space 2.

[0039] In this case, the ends of the pipes supplying the hot and cold water from the mains are not flush with the wall, but are retracted inside it, where at least one of said ends is connected to a connector 50 of the mixer group, for example the hot water connector. The other connector 51 may be similarly enclosed behind the cover 20 or inside the receiving space 31 defined by an expansion block 30, hence in the manner already described with reference to Figures 1-11, which will therefore not be described again.

[0040] Preferably, the side 3 and/or the expansion block 30 is provided with engaging means 70, preferably a seat 70b on the expansion block 30 and a tongue 70a on the side 3 which can be inserted inside the seat 70b. In the example of embodiment shown in Figure 11, the tongue 70a is a small plate which can be mounted on the side 3 of the cover 20.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the side 3 or the expansion block 30 comprise a magnet and are coupled together magnetically. Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the surfaces of the expansion block 30 and the cover 20 which come into contact with each other are smooth and devoid of profiles which are difficult to clean or sharp.

[0042] Preferably, a top surface 30s of the expansion block 30 is aligned with a top surface 20s of the cover 20 of the mixer group 1. Such an alignment has an aesthetic value, but also simplifies cleaning of the mixer group and increases the useful support area. Again according to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the expansion block 30 adheres to the side 3 of the mixer group 1, along the whole surface of the expansion block directed towards the cover.

[0043] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least one expansion block 30 incorporates at least one head of a hand shower 32, for example a hand shower hydraulically connected to the flexible pipe 80 and intended to be removed, overcoming the resistance of the magnetic surface of the cover 20.

[0044] The flexible pipe 80 has one end passing through a hole in the expansion block 30 and another end passing through a hole in the cover and is connected to a mixed water outlet.

[0045] Preferably, the cover 20 is cube or parallelepiped shaped and the expansion block(s) 30 are cube or parallelepiped shaped.

[0046] According to a variation of embodiment, the cover 20 is cylindrical and the expansion block 30 comprises a curved wall which can be mounted so as to adhere to a portion of the side wall of the cylindrical body.

[0047] Advantageously, the mixer group according to the present invention allows the user to expand as desired the support surfaces inside the shower, without having to drill holes in the wall tiles.

[0048] Moreover, mounting of the mixer group is significantly simplified, also in the case of incorrect installation of the hot or cold water supply pipes already positioned in the wall, and therefore the range of applications is vastly increased.

Claims

1. Bathroom or kitchen mixer group (1), comprising:

- water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100);

- a cover (20) for covering the water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100) and at least one connector (50) for the hot or cold water from mains supply pipes;

characterized in that:
a removable expansion block (30) is mounted on one side (3) of the cover (20).

2. Mixer group according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (20) is mounted on a plate (10) intended to be fixed to a wall, said plate comprising a hole (11) for said at least one connector (50), and a receiving seat (2) for housing the regulating means (100) is defined between the plate (10) and the cover (20).

3. Mixer group according to claim 1, characterized in that said regulating means (100) are intended to be mounted inset in the wall and said cover (20) may be mounted on the wall so as to define a receiving seat (2) directly with the wall.

4. Mixer group (1) according to claims 2-3, characterized in that said receiving space (2) is intended to house only one connector (50) of the hot and cold water connectors (50, 51) and the other connector (51) of the said hot and cold water connectors is intended to be concealingly housed inside a space (31) of the expansion block (30).

5. Mixer group (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the side (3) comprises a hole (4) for receiving a pipe (60), which is preferably flexible, for connecting together the hot or cold water connector (51) situated within the space (31) of the expansion block (30) and a hot or cold water inlet (6) of the mixer group.

6. Mixer group (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hot or cold water connector (50) situated within the receiving space (2) between the cover (20) and the plate (10) is connected, preferably without the aid of other connection pipes, to a hot or cold water inlet (5), through the hole (11) in the plate (10).

7. Mixer group (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the side (3) of the cover (20) is fitted on top of a side surface (10a) of the plate (10).

8. Mixer group (1) according to claims 2-3, characterized in that said receiving space (2) is intended to house both the hot and cold water connectors (50, 51) and said expansion block (30) forms a shelf.

9. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second expansion block (30a) can be mounted on the side (3) or on an opposite side (3a) of the cover (20) or on the expansion block (30).

10. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side and/or said expansion block (30) is provided with engaging means (70), preferably a seat (70b) in the expansion block (30) and a tongue (70a) on the side (3) which can be inserted in the seat.

11. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side (3) or the expansion block (30) comprise a magnet and are coupled together magnetically.

12. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a top surface (30s) of the expansion block (30) is aligned with a top surface (20s) of the cover (20) of the mixer group (1).

13. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion block (30) adheres to the side (3) of the cover (20).

14. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion block (30) incorporates the head of a hand shower (32), the hand shower head preferably being coupled together with the side (3) by means of a magnetic fastening system.

15. Mixer group (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the head of the hand shower (32) is associated with a flexible pipe (80) having one end passing through a hole in the expansion block (30) and another end passing through a hole in the cover and connected to a mixed water outlet.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Bathroom or kitchen mixer group (1), comprising:

- water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100);

- a cover (20) for covering the water temperature and flowrate regulating means (100) and one connector (50) for the hot or cold water from mains supply pipes;

a removable expansion block (30) is mounted on one side (3) of the cover (20)), wherein
the cover (20) is mounted on a plate (10) intended to be fixed to a wall, said plate comprising a hole (11) for said one connector (50), and a receiving seat (2) for housing the regulating means (100) is defined between the plate (10) and the cover (20), wherein
characterized in that the receiving seat (2) is intended to house only said one connector (50) among the hot or cold water connectors (50, 51) and another connector (51) of the hot and cold water connectors (50, 51) is intended to be concealingly housed inside a space (31) of the expansion block (30).

2. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side (3) comprises a hole (4) for receiving a pipe (60), which is preferably flexible, for connecting together the hot or cold water connector (51) situated within the space (31) of the expansion block (30) and a hot or cold water inlet (6) of the mixer group.

3. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot or cold water connector (50) situated within the receiving space (2) between the cover (20) and the plate (10) is connected, preferably without the aid of other connection pipes, to a hot or cold water inlet (5), through the hole (11) in the plate (10).

4. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side (3) of the cover (20) is fitted on top of a side surface (10a) of the plate (10).

5. Mixer group (1) according to claims 1, characterized in that said expansion block (30) forms a shelf.

6. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second expansion block (30a) can be mounted on the side (3) or on an opposite side (3a) of the cover (20) or on the expansion block (30).

7. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side and/or said expansion block (30) is provided with engaging means (70), preferably a seat (70b) in the expansion block (30) and a tongue (70a) on the side (3) which can be inserted in the seat.

8. Mixer group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side (3) or the expansion block (30) comprise a magnet, and in that the cover (20) and the expansion block (30) are coupled together magnetically.

9. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a top surface (30s) of the expansion block (30) is aligned with a top surface (20s) of the cover (20) of the mixer group (1).

10. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion block (30) adheres to the side (3) of the cover (20).

11. Mixer group (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion block (30) incorporates the head of a hand shower (32), the hand shower head preferably being coupled together with the side (3) by means of a magnetic fastening system.

12. Mixer group (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the head of the hand shower (32) is associated with a flexible pipe (80) having one end passing through a hole in the expansion block (30) and another end passing through a hole in the cover and connected to a mixed water outlet.

Drawing