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(11) | EP 3 054 062 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DEVICE FOR CAPTURING HAIR AND OTHER DIRT IN A DRAIN |
| (57) The invention relates to a device for capturing hair and other dirt in a drain with
an inflow opening and an outflow opening, wherein at least one main dimension of an
access opening of the drain for insertion of the device is smaller than the main dimensions
of the outflow opening, which device comprises: - a base part; and - at least two capturing elements arranged on the base part and displaceable relative to each other, wherein in a first position of the capturing elements one main dimension of the device is smaller than or equal to the at least one main dimension of the access opening and wherein in a second position of the capturing elements this one main dimension is greater than the at least one main dimension of the access opening and preferably greater than or equal to the main dimensions of the outflow opening. |
[0001] The invention relates to a device for capturing hair and other dirt in a drain with an inflow opening and an outflow opening, wherein at least one main dimension of an access opening of the drain for insertion of the device is smaller than the main dimensions of the outflow opening.
[0002] Devices are per se known for capturing hair and other dirt in a drain. A dirt trap with which the water which flows away via the drain is filtered is provided here in the outflow opening or in the inflow opening of the drain. Such dirt traps can be integrated into the drain, such as for instance the known five holes of a washbasin outlet.
[0003] The fouling of outlet pipes to which the drain is connected is reduced or even prevented with a dirt trap. When something falls into the drain accidentally it is also collected by the dirt trap and is not lost in the outlet pipe.
[0004] There is a tendency to make the inflow opening of a drain increasingly smaller so that it becomes less visible in for instance a floor surface. Shower drains are thus already known wherein the inflow opening is a narrow, long slot and wherein the width of the slot is only several millimetres.
[0005] A larger chamber in which the outflow opening is provided is often provided under the narrow slot. This outflow opening often has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the outlet pipe connected thereto, and thereby usually four or five centimetres in diameter. This is because this is desirable in order to maintain the best possible discharge of water, despite the smallest or narrowest inflow opening possible preferably being chosen. Particularly if an outlet pipe is connected horizontally, wherein the water flows into the outlet pipe in vertical direction, would the diameter of the outflow opening decrease as the width of the inflow opening decreases. The desired diameter of the outflow opening can be preserved by providing a large chamber under the narrow inflow opening.
[0006] Placing a usual dirt trap with a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the outflow opening in such a drain is not possible due to the small width of the narrow, long slot. In the prior art it is hereby only possible to place a dirt trap in the inflow opening for the purpose of capturing hair and other dirt.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.
[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention with a device comprising:
- a base part; and
- at least two capturing elements arranged on the base part and displaceable relative to each other,
[0009] Main dimension is understood to mean the dimensions, such as width, length, height and diameter, which characterize a determined form or determined object.
[0010] The access opening of a drain can be the same as the inflow opening, although the access opening can also be separate opening, which is usually covered with a cover. Such a separate access opening can for instance also be used as inspection opening of the drain. Although such a separate access opening is wider than the inflow opening, it is normally narrower than the outflow opening. In addition, the cover used to cover the access opening can be a design plate, but also a grate-like plate with holes. In this latter case the access opening can be seen as part of the inflow opening, although the width of the access opening and the width of the other inflow opening can differ from each other.
[0011] For an inflow opening, the main dimension is the diameter of the inflow opening in the case of a round inflow opening, or the main dimensions are the length and the width of the opening in the case of a rectangular inflow opening. The same is true for the main dimensions of the outflow opening. The main dimensions of the device according to the invention are particularly the length, width and height.
[0012] When the invention is applied in a shower drain, which typically has an elongate inflow opening and often a round but sometimes also a rectangular outflow opening, the at least one main dimension of the access opening of the drain is understood to mean the width of the elongate inflow opening and the main dimension of the outflow opening is the diameter, or the length and width.
[0013] In the device according to the invention the capturing elements can thus be displaced relative to each other, whereby the main dimensions of the device can be adjusted. In the first position of the capturing elements one main dimension of the device is smaller than or equal to at least one main dimension of the access opening, in the case of elongate inflow openings particularly the width thereof. The device can hereby be inserted into the inflow opening.
[0014] The device can then expand again once it has passed the inflow opening, so that in the second position of the capturing elements this one main dimension is greater than the at least one main dimension of the access opening and preferably greater than or equal to the main dimensions of the outflow opening. It is hereby ensured that the device can largely or wholly cover the outflow opening and can consequently capture dirt and hair. It is also possible for the device to protrude into the outflow opening and there lie more or less against the walls of the outflow opening. The size of the device is in the second position in any case such that the device cannot pass the access opening.
[0015] The device can also be removed from the drain again after some time by placing the capturing elements in the first position, whereby the device can be removed via the inflow opening. The dirt and the hair will then be carried along with the capturing elements.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention at least two depending arms are arranged on the base part and the at least two capturing elements are each arranged on one of the depending arms.
[0017] On the one hand, the arms make it easier to make the capturing elements displaceable relative to each other. In addition, the arms ensure that the base part is placed at a distance from the capturing elements and can serve as grip part for carrying the device into and out of the drain.
[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the depending arms are arranged hingedly on the base part.
[0019] The device further preferably comprises spring means arranged between the depending arms for urging the capturing elements to the second position.
[0020] Arranging the arms hingedly enables the capturing elements to be displaced in simple manner, while the spring means ensure that the capturing elements are urged to the second position so that the device remains in the correct position for capturing hair and dirt once it has been placed in the drain.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the base part and the at least two depending arms are of spring steel.
[0022] The spring steel ensures that the capturing elements can be displaced and the spring steel furthermore ensures that the capturing elements are urged into the second position.
[0023] In addition, the spring elements can ensure that the device is held in place in the drain by the spring force, which urges the depending arms to the second position.
[0024] In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the at least two capturing elements are arranged substantially in the same plane in order to form a composite capturing surface.
[0025] Each capturing element preferably comprises a large number of fingers arranged in comb-like manner. The fingers of at least two capturing elements are more preferably directed toward each other and engage in each other in the first position of the capturing elements.
[0026] A flat capturing surface can hereby thus be formed from the at least two capturing elements. The capturing surface can then wholly or partially cover the outflow opening of the drain or protrude into the outflow opening, whereby the greater part of the water to be discharged flows through the capturing surface.
[0027] The comb-like fingers can slide into each other, whereby the main dimension of the device can be adjusted in simple manner to the narrower main dimension of the access opening in order to insert or remove the device.
[0028] In yet another embodiment of the device the base part comprises a rotation shaft and the at least two capturing elements are arranged rotatably around the rotation shaft.
[0029] In this embodiment the capturing elements take a non-rotation-symmetrical form so that the form of the composite capturing surface of the capturing elements changes due to the rotation of the capturing elements and one main dimension can thus be adjusted for passage along the access opening, such as the inflow opening.
[0030] In the first position the at least two capturing elements are preferably substantially in the same rotational position and in the second position the at least two capturing elements form an angle with each other.
[0031] In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the at least two capturing elements comprise a spiral-shaped wire.
[0032] The spiral shape can be easily deformed so that the one main dimension can be adjusted in simple manner.
[0033] Each capturing element can optionally comprise an individual spiral-shaped wire, although capturing elements can also comprise one single spiral-shaped wire together. Because the wire can be easily deformed the capturing elements can thus be displaced between the two positions in simple manner.
[0034] The spiral preferably extends in a plane. The spiral can hereby be placed over the outflow opening in simple manner in order to capture hair and dirt.
[0035] In a further preferred embodiment the spiral-shaped wire is of spring steel. Spring steel can be easily deformed, while it will still spring back to its original shape. The shape can thus be set as the second position of the capturing elements and from there be deformed to the first position of the capturing elements.
[0036] The invention further comprises a combination of device according to the invention and a drain with an inflow opening, an outflow opening and an access opening, wherein at least one main dimension of the access opening of the drain is smaller than the main dimensions of the outflow opening.
[0037] In an embodiment of the combination according to the invention the access opening is formed by a part of the inflow opening.
[0038] These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination according to the invention with a device according to figure 1.
Figures 3-7 show perspective views of different embodiments of the device.
Figures 8 and 9 show a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention in perspective view.
[0039] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment 1 of the device according to the invention. Device 1 has a base part 2 with two depending arms 3, 4 thereon. Provided on the free outer ends of arms 3, 4 are capturing parts 5, 6, each having a large number of teeth 7, 8 arranged in comb-like manner.
[0040] Pressing depending arms 3, 4 toward each other makes a main dimension x of device 1 smaller, whereby device 1 can be placed in a slotted inflow opening of a drain, after which device 1 can once again expand.
[0041] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a combination according to the invention. The combination has an elongate lower tray 9 with an outflow opening 10 therein, which is connected to an outlet pipe 11.
[0042] Placed in lower tray 9 is a height-adjustable upper part 12 in which an elongate inflow opening 13 is provided. Because upper part 12 is height-adjustable it can be set flush with the surrounding floor surface 14.
[0043] One main dimension y of inflow opening 13 is smaller than the main dimension x of device 1. By pressing legs 3, 4 toward each other the main dimension x can however be made smaller than the main dimension y, whereby device 1 can be placed via the inflow opening into lower tray 9.
[0044] After expansion of device 1 the main dimension x is at its original value once again, and greater here than the main dimension z, in this case the diameter, of outflow opening 10. Teeth 7, 8 will hereby cover the whole outflow opening 10 and thus capture hair and dirt.
[0045] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment 20 of a device according to the invention. This device 20 has a base part 21 with depending arms 22, 23 and capturing elements 24, 25 thereon. The capturing elements are comb-like, whereby they can be pressed into each other.
[0046] Figure 4 shows a third embodiment 30 of the device according to the invention. A base part 31 with depending arms 32, 33 is provided here. A spiral-shaped wire 34, for instance of spring steel, is provided on arms 32, 33. The spiral can hereby be compressed in simple manner so as to be inserted via a narrow inflow opening.
[0047] Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment 40. The base part is divided here into two base parts 41, 42 which are mutually connected by resilient elements 43. These resilient elements 43 form the capturing elements of the device.
[0048] Provided on base parts 41, 42 are levers 44, 45 with which device 40 can be folded and with which capturing parts 43 are in fact moved toward each other.
[0049] Figure 6 shows a fifth embodiment 50 of the device according to the invention. This embodiment 50 has a base part 51 with an engaging pin 52 thereon. The base part further has a pivot shaft 53 around which two grate-like capturing parts 54, 55 are arranged. A spring 56 is further provided to urge catching parts 54, 55 into the shown position, as device 50 is placed in a drain.
[0050] Figure 7 shows a sixth embodiment 60 of the device according to the invention. Device 60 has two oval capturing parts 61, 62 arranged rotatably around a central axis 63. Capturing parts 61, 62 are grate-like, whereby water can pass and hair and dirt can be captured.
[0051] A main dimension x can be reduced by rotating the capturing parts 61, 62 relative to each other, whereby device 60 can be inserted into a drain via a narrower inflow opening.
[0052] Figures 8 and 9 show a preferred embodiment of combination 70 according to the invention in perspective view.
[0053] Combination 70 has a collecting tray 71 of dovetail-shaped cross-section. An outflow opening 73 is provided in bottom 72 of collecting tray 71. An adjusting frame 74 which can be adjusted in height is provided at the top of collecting tray 71. Provided on this adjusting frame 74 is a decorative plate 75 with two elongate inflow openings 76 in the centre through which water can flow into collecting tray 71.
[0054] Adjusting frame 74 ensures that the upper surface of decorative plate 75 can lie flush with the upper surface of surrounding floor 77. Although a small gap is shown in the figure between decorative plate 75 and surrounding floor 77, this gap is preferably sealed by means of a sealant.
[0055] In decorative plate 75 an access opening 78 is provided between inflow openings 76, which access opening is covered by means of a cover plate 79 during normal use of drain 70.
[0056] A device according to the invention with two resilient depending arms 80, on which comb-like capturing elements 81 are arranged, is arranged on the underside of cover plate 79. The comb-like capturing elements 81 protrude into outflow opening 73. Arms 80 preferably also lie against the lower edge of the adjusting frame, whereby cover plate 79 is pulled into decorative plate 75 and is held in place.
1. Device for capturing hair and other dirt in a drain with an inflow opening and an
outflow opening, wherein at least one main dimension of an access opening of the drain
for insertion of the device is smaller than the main dimensions of the outflow opening,
which device comprises:
- a base part; and
- at least two capturing elements arranged on the base part and displaceable relative to each other,
wherein in a first position of the capturing elements one main dimension of the device is smaller than or equal to the at least one main dimension of the access opening and wherein in a second position of the capturing elements this one main dimension is greater than the at least one main dimension of the access opening and preferably greater than or equal to the main dimensions of the outflow opening.2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two depending arms are arranged on
the base part and wherein the at least two capturing elements are each arranged on
one of the depending arms.
3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the depending arms are arranged hingedly on
the base part.
4. Device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising spring means arranged between the
depending arms for urging the capturing elements to the second position.
5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base part and the at least two depending
arms are of spring steel.
6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least two capturing
elements are arranged substantially in the same plane in order to form a composite
capturing surface.
7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein each capturing element comprises
a large number of fingers arranged in comb-like manner.
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fingers of at least two capturing elements
are directed toward each other and engage in each other in the first position of the
capturing elements.
9. Device as claimed in claim 1, 6 or 7, wherein the base part comprises a rotation shaft
and wherein the at least two capturing elements are arranged rotatably around the
rotation shaft.
10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein in the first position the at least two capturing
elements are substantially in the same rotational position and wherein in the second
position the at least two capturing elements form an angle with each other.
11. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein the at least two capturing elements
comprise a spiral-shaped wire.
12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein each capturing element comprises an individual
spiral-shaped wire.
13. Device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the spiral extends in a plane.
14. Device as claimed in any of the claims 11-13, wherein the spiral-shaped wire is of
spring steel.
15. Combination of device according to any of the foregoing claims and a drain with an
inflow opening, an outflow opening and an access opening, wherein at least one main
dimension of the access opening of the drain is smaller than the main dimensions of
the outflow opening.
16. Combination as claimed in claim 15, wherein the access opening is formed by a part
of the inflow opening.