EP0719588A2 - Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower - Google Patents

Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0719588A2
EP0719588A2 EP95119780A EP95119780A EP0719588A2 EP 0719588 A2 EP0719588 A2 EP 0719588A2 EP 95119780 A EP95119780 A EP 95119780A EP 95119780 A EP95119780 A EP 95119780A EP 0719588 A2 EP0719588 A2 EP 0719588A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hose
nozzle inserts
nozzle
perforated plate
shower head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95119780A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0719588B1 (en
EP0719588A3 (en
Inventor
Dieter Cordes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hansa Metallwerke AG
Original Assignee
Hansa Metallwerke AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hansa Metallwerke AG filed Critical Hansa Metallwerke AG
Publication of EP0719588A2 publication Critical patent/EP0719588A2/en
Publication of EP0719588A3 publication Critical patent/EP0719588A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0719588B1 publication Critical patent/EP0719588B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/18Roses; Shower heads
    • B05B1/185Roses; Shower heads characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/52Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter for removal of clogging particles
    • B05B15/528Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter for removal of clogging particles by resilient deformation of the nozzle

Definitions

  • hose-like nozzle inserts that protrude a certain distance over the outer surface of the shower base.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts are made of an elastomeric material and can be mechanically tumbled by manual painting so that the layers of lime deposited on the lateral surfaces of the nozzle channels, in particular in the area of the water outlet openings, are blasted off. The water flow through the water outlet openings in the shower base is then free again.
  • Both known shower heads (DE-GM 90 17 978 and DE-GM 93 03 986) have the disadvantage that the outer surface of the shower base, ie the surface that the user of the shower sees from below, consists essentially of rigid material, which can easily be damaged by impact.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a shower head of the type mentioned in such a way that without the annular spaces surrounding the nozzle inserts there is sufficient walkability of the nozzle inserts to detach limescale deposits and, moreover, the outer surface of the shower base is largely protected from impacts.
  • a shock protection plate made of soft, elastic material is now used to protect the outer surface of the perforated plate of the shower base, it would be simplest in terms of production technology and would offer to form this shock protection plate in one piece with the various nozzle inserts. Then, however, the outer area of the nozzle inserts, i.e. the area near the water outlet opening, would be coupled to the impact protection plate in such a way that it is no longer possible to limit the volume of the material which participates in the water pressure-related deformation. For this reason, the collar-shaped projections according to the invention are provided on the perforated plate, which separate the elastic material of the nozzle inserts, the deformation of which was otherwise uncontrolled, from the material of the impact protection plate.
  • the ring-shaped end faces of the collar-shaped projections can emerge on the outer surface of the shower base, that is to say they can be visible and thus contribute to a visually pleasing, interesting design of the shower base.
  • these visible ring surfaces can also serve as a symbolic marking for the user, who recognizes by them where, in particular, where appropriate, flexing to remove limescale deposits should take place.
  • the collar-shaped lugs made of relatively rigid material according to the invention also have a second effect: they intervene in the dynamics of the movement process of the finger of a user who moves under pressure to flex the nozzle channels along the shock protection plate of the shower base: since the collar-shaped lugs made of relatively rigid material are formed, the finger sliding past experiences a resistance here that is not found in the otherwise elastic material of the impact protection plate. The finger is braked; tried that the user to involuntarily counteract this with increased effort. Under this increased effort, the finger overcomes the obstacle formed by the collar-shaped attachment and, under the initially continuing effort, reaches the area of the material of the nozzle insert, which is surrounded by the collar-shaped attachment, at an increased speed. In this way, the flexing effect is involuntarily increased in the area of this nozzle insert.
  • shower heads are so-called "two-function or multi-function showers". That is, they generally include a first set of orifices, each located at the end of a relatively wide nozzle channel and producing air-enriched soft jets with a relatively low velocity and large cross-section, and a second set of orifices, each located at the end of one are relatively narrow nozzle channel and generate hard jets with a relatively high speed and small cross-section.
  • the water which generally flows in via the handle area of the hand shower, is directed by a suitable changeover device either to one or the other set of outlet openings.
  • the collar-shaped projections of the perforated plate are only provided on those hose-like nozzle inserts which generate hard jets, while the hose-like nozzle inserts which produce soft jets are integrally formed on the shock protection plate.
  • the different shape of the hard jets and the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets is due to the fact that mainly the former are subject to the above-described danger due to the "internal pressure" of the water flowing through in an uncontrolled manner Way to be elastically deformed.
  • the structurally simpler variant can be used for the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets, in which the nozzle inserts and the impact protection plate are in one piece.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets and the hose-like nozzle inserts producing hard jets have different axial lengths. This makes it possible for the shorter hose-like nozzle inserts to each communicate with a water space which is directly adjacent to the shower base in the housing of the shower head, while the longer hose-like nozzle inserts penetrate this first water space and are held with their ends in through holes in a partition within the housing, which divides the first water space from a second water space further away from the shower base in the housing.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts and the impact protection plate are preferably made of the same material.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are detachably attached to the perforated plate. This makes it possible to remove the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate from the perforated plate and to subject them to a separate, thorough cleaning in the event of extreme contamination at certain larger intervals.
  • an embodiment is particularly recommended in which the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are elastically locked to the perforated plate.
  • Figure 1 shows the side view of a shower head, which is part of a hand shower.
  • the shower head comprises in a manner known per se a bell-shaped housing 2, the open, lower end of which is closed by a multi-part shower base 1.
  • the shower base 1 is detachably fastened by means of a central screw 3 to the internals of the shower head accommodated within the housing 2 in a manner not of interest here.
  • the shower base 1 comprises a perforated plate 1 a made of a relatively rigid plastic material, which on the outer surface, that is to say the surface facing downward in FIG. 1, with a shock protection plate 1 b made of a relatively soft, elastic material is covered.
  • the impact protection plate 1b like all those components to be described, which consist of the same relatively soft, elastic plastic material, can be injection molded onto the perforated plate 1a using two-component technology.
  • the impact protection plate 1b covers the entire surface of the perforated plate 1a with one exception, which is discussed below.
  • the perforated plate 1a of the shower base 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a plurality of sets of through openings 4, 5 which are arranged in concentric circles around the center of the shower base 1 (see FIG. 2) at regular angular intervals.
  • the exact hole pattern which is formed by the through openings 4, 5 of the perforated plate 1a is irrelevant in the present context.
  • the through holes 5 of the perforated plate 1 a which are somewhat larger in diameter, are each penetrated by a hose-like nozzle insert 6 which has a relatively small axial length, that is to say only slightly protrudes the perforated plate 1 a on the upper side (facing the interior of the housing 2 of the shower head).
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts 6 are each axially penetrated by a nozzle channel 7 of relatively large cross-section, which tapers conically towards the outside in the illustrated embodiment.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts 6 are also integrally formed on the impact protection plate 1b and are made of the same material as this.
  • the passage openings 4 of the perforated plate 1a are each penetrated by hose-like nozzle inserts 8, which, however, have a greater axial length than the nozzle inserts 6, that is to say on the inside of the perforated plate 1a survive further.
  • the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 are likewise each traversed by nozzle channels 9, which have a small cross section in comparison to the nozzle channels 7 of the nozzle inserts 6.
  • the nozzle channels 9 also taper from the inside to the outside.
  • the nozzle inserts 8 are not directly connected to the impact protection plate 4. Rather, in the area of each passage opening 4, a small cylindrical collar-shaped projection 12 is formed on the rigid perforated plate 1a, which protrudes outward from the perforated plate 1a and, as a cylinder jacket, separates the outer area of the associated tubular nozzle insert 8 from the adjacent area of the impact protection plate 1b.
  • the axially shorter hose-like nozzle inserts 6 project into a first water space formed inside the housing 2.
  • the axially inner ends of the axially longer hose-like nozzle inserts 8, on the other hand, are received in through bores 14 of an inner partition wall 15, which separates the first water space 13 within the housing 2 from a second water space 16, which is at a greater distance from the shower base 1.
  • the function of the shower head described is as follows: The water flowing in in a known manner through the handle 2 a of the shower head is directed to the first water space 13 or to the second water space 16 by means of a changeover device which is operated via a rocker-shaped actuating member 17.
  • the changeover device If the changeover device is such that the water reaches the first water space 13, it can exit from there via the nozzle channels 7 of the tubular nozzle inserts 6 and their outlet openings 10. Due to the relatively large diameter of the outlet openings 10, relatively slow water jets with a large diameter result, which are known as "soft jets". Accordingly, no very high pressure builds up in the first water space 13 either. The risk that the relatively soft, elastic material from which the nozzle inserts 6 are made is therefore only slight. The jet pattern which the water jets emerging from the outlet openings 10 are therefore largely independent of the pressure prevailing in the first water space 13 even without special protective measures.
  • the switching device is actuated by means of the rocker-shaped actuating member 17 in such a way that the water flowing in via the handle 2a reaches the second water space 16, then this water flows through the openings 14 of the partition 15 into the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 of the shower base 1.
  • the water is greatly accelerated; it emerges from the openings 11 at high speed in the form of a relatively narrow jet.
  • These water jets will therefore also called "hard blasting".
  • the radial distance between the collar-shaped lugs 12 and the outlet openings 11, i.e. the width of the ring formed between them by the soft elastic material of the tubular nozzle inserts 8, is chosen so that on the one hand elastic flexing of the tubular nozzle inserts 8 in the region of the outlet openings 11 Stripping and blasting off limescale deposits is still relatively easy, but on the other hand only so little volume of elastic material can be deformed when flowing through the nozzle channels 9 that a good, largely pressure-independent jet pattern of the hard jets is retained.
  • FIG. 2 in particular shows, practically the entire outer surface of the shower base 1 is covered by the impact protection plate 1b, so that mechanical damage is practically impossible. Only the very narrow rings, which from the outer faces of the cylindrical collar-shaped Approaches 12 are formed, interrupt the shock protection plate 1b, but without its protective function being significantly questioned.
  • the shower base 1 is to be freed of limescale deposits within the nozzle channels 7 and 9, in particular in the area of their outlet openings 10 and 11, the user can slide a finger upwards along the underside of the shower base 1 with a finger.
  • the impact protection plate 1b and the nozzle inserts 6 and 8 are compressed in the region of the outlet openings 10 and 11.
  • the moving finger does not feel any particular resistance as long as it is only in the area of the impact protection plate 1b and the hose-like nozzle inserts 6 (soft blasting).

Abstract

The shower head has a support plate (1A) with a hole pattern. An elastic cover (1b) is clipped over the outside of the support plate. Elastic sleeves (6,8) are clipped into the holes to form the spray jets. The narrow, high velocity spray jets are formed by narrow inserts (8) whose outer ends are contained inside ribbed rings (12) which pass through the elastic cover. The lower velocity jets have wider bore elastic sleeves (6) which are attached to the elastic cover. To remove lime scale the sleeves are simply brushed. The sleeves and the cover are made of the same material.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Brausekopf, insbesondere für eine Handbrause, mit

  • a) einem im wesentlichen glockenförmigen Gehäuse, in dem mindestens ein mit einem Wasserzulaufkanal verbindbarer Wasserraum ausgebildet ist;
  • b) einem Brauseboden, welcher das glockenförmige Gehäuse nach unten abschließt und umfaßt:
    • ba) eine Lochplatte aus starrem Material, die eine Vielzahl von Durchgangsbohrungen aufweist;
    • bc) eine Vielzahl von schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen, die aus verhältnismäßig weichem, elastischem Material bestehen, jeweils von einem in einer Wasseraustrittsöffnung endenden Düsenkanal durchzogen sind und jeweils durch eine Durchgangsbohrung der Lochplatte hindurchgeführt sind.
The invention relates to a shower head, in particular for a hand shower
  • a) an essentially bell-shaped housing in which at least one water space which can be connected to a water inlet channel is formed;
  • b) a shower base which closes off the bell-shaped housing and comprises:
    • ba) a perforated plate made of rigid material, which has a plurality of through holes;
    • bc) a multiplicity of hose-like nozzle inserts, which consist of relatively soft, elastic material, are each penetrated by a nozzle channel ending in a water outlet opening and are each passed through a through hole in the perforated plate.

Es ist bekannt, daß die Wasseraustrittsöffnungen an Brauseböden dazu neigen, im Laufe der Nutzungsdauer des Brausekopfes zu verkalken. Dies äußert sich zunächst in einem Strahlbild, dessen Geometrie vom Neuzustand abweicht, sowie einer geringeren abgegebenen Literleistung. Die Kalkablagerungen können so weit fortschreiten, daß schließlich die Wasseraustrittsöffnungen vollständig verstopft sind.It is known that the water outlet openings on shower bases tend to calcify over the course of the service life of the shower head. This is initially expressed in a spray pattern, the geometry of which deviates from the new condition, and a lower output per liter. The lime deposits can progress so far that the water outlet openings are finally completely blocked.

Aus diesem Grunde ist es z.B. aus dem DE-GM 90 17 978 bekannt, die Wasseraustrittsöffnungen an schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen auszubilden, die über die Außenfläche des Brausebodens um eine bestimmte Strecke überstehen. Die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze sind aus einem elastomeren Material gefertigt und können durch manuelles Überstreichen so mechanisch gewalkt werden, daß die an den Mantelflächen der Düsenkanäle, insbesondere im Bereich der Wasseraustrittsöffnungen, abgelagerten Kalkschichten abgesprengt werden. Der Wasserdurchfluß durch die Wasseraustrittsöffnungen im Brauseboden ist dann wieder frei.For this reason it is, for example, from DE-GM 90 17 978 known to form the water outlet openings on hose-like nozzle inserts that protrude a certain distance over the outer surface of the shower base. The hose-like nozzle inserts are made of an elastomeric material and can be mechanically tumbled by manual painting so that the layers of lime deposited on the lateral surfaces of the nozzle channels, in particular in the area of the water outlet openings, are blasted off. The water flow through the water outlet openings in the shower base is then free again.

Da von manchen Benutzern die über die Außenfläche des Brausebodens überstehenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze des DE-GM 90 17 978 als ästhetisch störend empfunden werden, ist es aus dem DE-GM 93 03 986 bekannt, die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze in Vertiefungen des Brausebodens zurückzuverlagern. Die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze weisen dabei immer noch mit einem freien Ende nach außen. Sie sind von sich nach außen öffnenden Ringräumen umgeben, die den schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen die zum Walken erforderliche Bewegungsfreiheit einräumen. Nachteilig ist dabei insbesondere die Tatsache, daß sich im Laufe der Zeit Schmutz in den frei zugänglichen Ringräumen absetzen kann, der nur schwer zu entfernen ist und daher unästhetisch wirkt und schließlich die Ringräume so zusetzen kann, daß die angestrebte Walkwirkung der Düseneinsätze nicht mehr zu erzielen ist.Since some users perceive the hose-like nozzle inserts of DE-GM 90 17 978 that protrude beyond the outer surface of the shower base as aesthetically disturbing, it is known from DE-GM 93 03 986 to move the hose-like nozzle inserts back into recesses in the shower base. The hose-like nozzle inserts still point outwards with one free end. They are surrounded by annular spaces that open outwards and give the hose-like nozzle inserts the freedom of movement required for walking. A particular disadvantage is the fact that, over time, dirt can settle in the freely accessible annular spaces, which is difficult to remove and is therefore unattractive and can finally clog the annular spaces so that the desired flexing effect of the nozzle inserts can no longer be achieved is.

Beide bekannten Brauseköpfe (DE-GM 90 17 978 und DE-GM 93 03 986) weisen den Nachteil auf, daß die Außenfläche des Brausebodens, also diejenige Fläche, die der Benutzer der Brause von unten her sieht, im wesentlichen aus starrem Material besteht, welches durch Stöße leicht beschädigt werden kann.Both known shower heads (DE-GM 90 17 978 and DE-GM 93 03 986) have the disadvantage that the outer surface of the shower base, ie the surface that the user of the shower sees from below, consists essentially of rigid material, which can easily be damaged by impact.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, einen Brausekopf der eingangs genannten Art so auszugestalten, daß ohne die Düseneinsätze umgebende Ringräume eine zum Absprengen von Kalkablagerungen ausreichende Walkbarkeit der Düseneinsätze gegeben und darüber hinaus die Außenfläche des Brausebodens weitgehend vor Stößen geschützt ist.The object of the present invention is to design a shower head of the type mentioned in such a way that without the annular spaces surrounding the nozzle inserts there is sufficient walkability of the nozzle inserts to detach limescale deposits and, moreover, the outer surface of the shower base is largely protected from impacts.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß

  • c) im wesentlichen die ganze Außenfläche der Lochplatte durch eine Stoßschutzplatte aus verhältnismäßig weichem, elastischem Material abgedeckt ist, wobei jedoch
  • d) an der Lochplatte eine Vielzahl von kragenförmigen Ansätzen angeformt ist, welche den äußeren Bereich zumindest eines Teils der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze umgeben und diese von der Stoßschutzplatte trennen.
This object is achieved in that
  • c) substantially the entire outer surface of the perforated plate is covered by a shock protection plate made of relatively soft, elastic material, but
  • d) a plurality of collar-shaped projections are formed on the perforated plate, which surround the outer region of at least part of the hose-like nozzle inserts and separate them from the impact protection plate.

Um den erfinderischen Gedanken richtig zu verstehen, ist es zunächst erforderlich, sich eines Dilemmas zu vergegenwärtigen, dem sich der Konstrukteur eines Brausekopfes gegenübersieht: Wählt er das Material, aus dem die elastischen Düseneinsätze gebildet sind, zur Erleichterung der Walkbarkeit sehr weich, so können zwar die verschmutzungsgefährdeten Ringräume vermieden werden. Es besteht dann aber die Gefahr, daß sich das Material des Düseneinsatzes und damit der Düsenkanal unter dem Druck des durchströmenden Wassers elastisch verformt und die Strahlgeometrie auf diese Weise druckabhängig wird. Diese Gefahr ist insbesondere für diejenigen Düseneinsätze besonders groß, die sogenannte "Hartstrahlen" erzeugen, da hier der Wasserdruck höhere Werte erreichen kann. Die Gefahr nimmt außerdem umso mehr zu, umso weniger definiert das Volumen elastischen Materiales ist, welches an der durch den Wasserdruck bewirkten Deformation teilnimmt. Wird nunmehr zum Schutz der Außenfläche der Lochplatte des Brausebodens eine Stoßschutzplatte aus weichem, elastischem Material eingesetzt, so wäre es herstellungstechnisch am einfachsten und wurde sich anbieten, diese Stoßschutzplatte einstückig mit den verschiedenen Düseneinsätzen auszubilden. Dann aber wäre gerade der äußere Bereich der Düseneinsätze, also der in der Nähe der Wasseraustrittsöffnung liegende Bereich, derart an die Stoßschutzplatte angekoppelt, daß eine volumenmäßige Eingrenzung desjenigen Materials, welches an der wasserdruckbedingten Deformation teilnimmt, nicht mehr möglich ist. Aus diesem Grunde werden die erfindungsgemäßen kragenförmigen Ansätze an der Lochplatte vorgesehen, welche das elastische Material der Düseneinsätze, deren Deformation ansonsten unkontrolliert geschehen wurde, von dem Material der Stoßschutzplatte trennen. Die ringförmigen Stirnflächen der kragenförmigen Ansätze können an der Außenfläche des Brausebodens austreten, also sichtbar sein und so zu einer optisch gefälligen, interessanten Gestaltung des Brausebodens beitragen. Gleichzeitig können diese sichtbaren Ringflächen auch als symbolische Markierung für den Benutzer dienen, der an ihnen erkennt, wo ggf. besonders ein Walken zum Befreien der Düsenkanäle von Kalkablagerungen stattfinden soll.In order to understand the inventive idea correctly, it is first necessary to consider a dilemma that the designer of a shower head faces: If he chooses the material from which the elastic nozzle inserts are made to be very soft to make it easier to walk, he can do so the annuli at risk of contamination are avoided. However, there is then the danger that the material of the nozzle insert and thus the nozzle channel will deform elastically under the pressure of the water flowing through and the jet geometry will become pressure-dependent in this way. This danger is particularly great for those nozzle inserts which produce so-called "hard blasting", since the water pressure can reach higher values here. The risk also increases the more the less defined is the volume of elastic material that is attached to the Depression causes water pressure to participate. If a shock protection plate made of soft, elastic material is now used to protect the outer surface of the perforated plate of the shower base, it would be simplest in terms of production technology and would offer to form this shock protection plate in one piece with the various nozzle inserts. Then, however, the outer area of the nozzle inserts, i.e. the area near the water outlet opening, would be coupled to the impact protection plate in such a way that it is no longer possible to limit the volume of the material which participates in the water pressure-related deformation. For this reason, the collar-shaped projections according to the invention are provided on the perforated plate, which separate the elastic material of the nozzle inserts, the deformation of which was otherwise uncontrolled, from the material of the impact protection plate. The ring-shaped end faces of the collar-shaped projections can emerge on the outer surface of the shower base, that is to say they can be visible and thus contribute to a visually pleasing, interesting design of the shower base. At the same time, these visible ring surfaces can also serve as a symbolic marking for the user, who recognizes by them where, in particular, where appropriate, flexing to remove limescale deposits should take place.

Die erfindungsgemäß vorgesehenen kragenförmigen Ansätze aus verhältnismäßig starrem Material haben noch einen zweiten Effekt: Sie greifen in die Dynamik des Bewegungsvorganges des Fingers eines Benutzers ein, der unter Druck zum Walken der Düsenkanäle an der Stoßschutzplatte des Brausebodens entlangfährt: Da die kragenförmigen Ansätze aus verhältnismäßig starrem Material gebildet sind, erfährt der vorbeigleitende Finger hier einen Widerstand, der sich im sonst elastischen Material der Stoßschutzplatte nicht findet. Der Finger wird dabei gebremst; dem versucht der Benutzer, durch einen erhöhten Kraftaufwand unwillkürlich entgegenzuwirken. Unter diesem erhöhten Kraftaufwand überwindet der Finger das von dem kragenförmigen Ansatz gebildete Hindernis und gerät dabei unter dem zunächst noch anhaltenden Kraftaufwand mit einer erhöhten Geschwindigkeit in den Bereich des Materials des Düseneinsatzes, der von dem kragenförmigen Ansatz umgeben wird. Auf diese Weise wird unwillkürlich die Walkwirkung im Bereich dieses Düseneinsatzes vergrößert.The collar-shaped lugs made of relatively rigid material according to the invention also have a second effect: they intervene in the dynamics of the movement process of the finger of a user who moves under pressure to flex the nozzle channels along the shock protection plate of the shower base: since the collar-shaped lugs made of relatively rigid material are formed, the finger sliding past experiences a resistance here that is not found in the otherwise elastic material of the impact protection plate. The finger is braked; tried that the user to involuntarily counteract this with increased effort. Under this increased effort, the finger overcomes the obstacle formed by the collar-shaped attachment and, under the initially continuing effort, reaches the area of the material of the nozzle insert, which is surrounded by the collar-shaped attachment, at an increased speed. In this way, the flexing effect is involuntarily increased in the area of this nozzle insert.

Viele Brauseköpfe sind sogenannte "Zweifunktions- oder Mehrfunktions-Brausen". Das heißt, sie umfassen im allgemeinen einen ersten Satz von Austrittsöffnungen, die sich jeweils am Ende eines verhältnismäßig weiten Düsenkanals befinden und mit Luft angereicherte Weichstrahlen mit verhältnismäßig kleiner Geschwindigkeit und großem Querschnitt erzeugen, sowie einen zweiten Satz von Austrittsöffnungen, die sich jeweils am Ende eines verhältnismäßig schmalen Düsenkanals befinden und Hartstrahlen mit verhältnismäßig großer Geschwindigkeit und kleinem Querschnitt erzeugen. Das im allgemeinen über den Griffbereich der Handbrause zuströmende Wasser wird durch eine geeignete Umstellvorrichtung entweder zu dem einen oder dem anderen Satz von Austrittsöffnungen geleitet. Bei einer derartigen Ausgestaltung des Brausekopfes wird erfindungsgemäß bevorzugt vorgesehen, daß die kragenförmigen Ansätze der Lochplatte nur an denjenigen schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen vorgesehen sind, die Hartstrahlen erzeugen, während die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze, die Weichstrahlen erzeugen, einstückig an die Stoßschutzplatte angeformt sind. Die unterschiedliche Ausformung der Hartstrahlen und der Weichstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze hat ihren Grund darin, daß hauptsächlich die ersteren der oben geschilderten Gefahr unterliegen, durch den "Innendruck" des durchströmenden Wassers in unkontrollierter Weise elastisch verformt zu werden. Für die Weichstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze läßt sich die konstruktiv einfachere Variante verwenden, bei welcher Düseneinsätze und Stoßschutzplatte einstückig sind.Many shower heads are so-called "two-function or multi-function showers". That is, they generally include a first set of orifices, each located at the end of a relatively wide nozzle channel and producing air-enriched soft jets with a relatively low velocity and large cross-section, and a second set of orifices, each located at the end of one are relatively narrow nozzle channel and generate hard jets with a relatively high speed and small cross-section. The water, which generally flows in via the handle area of the hand shower, is directed by a suitable changeover device either to one or the other set of outlet openings. In such a configuration of the shower head, it is preferably provided according to the invention that the collar-shaped projections of the perforated plate are only provided on those hose-like nozzle inserts which generate hard jets, while the hose-like nozzle inserts which produce soft jets are integrally formed on the shock protection plate. The different shape of the hard jets and the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets is due to the fact that mainly the former are subject to the above-described danger due to the "internal pressure" of the water flowing through in an uncontrolled manner Way to be elastically deformed. The structurally simpler variant can be used for the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets, in which the nozzle inserts and the impact protection plate are in one piece.

Bei einer besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung weisen die Weichstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und die Hartstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze unterschiedliche axiale Länge auf. So wird es möglich, daß die kürzeren schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze jeweils mit einem Wasserraum kommunizieren, der unmittelbar an den Brauseboden im Gehäuse des Brausekopfes angrenzt, während die längeren schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze diesen ersten Wasserraum durchsetzen und mit ihren Enden in Durchgangsbohrungen einer Trennwand innerhalb des Gehäuses gehalten sind, welche den ersten Wasserraum von einem vom Brauseboden weiter abliegenden zweiten Wasserraum im Gehäuse abteilt.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the hose-like nozzle inserts producing soft jets and the hose-like nozzle inserts producing hard jets have different axial lengths. This makes it possible for the shorter hose-like nozzle inserts to each communicate with a water space which is directly adjacent to the shower base in the housing of the shower head, while the longer hose-like nozzle inserts penetrate this first water space and are held with their ends in through holes in a partition within the housing, which divides the first water space from a second water space further away from the shower base in the housing.

Vorzugsweise bestehen die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und die Stoßschutzplatte aus demselben Material.The hose-like nozzle inserts and the impact protection plate are preferably made of the same material.

Herstellungstechnisch besonders günstig ist diejenige Ausführungsform der Erfindung, bei welcher die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte in Zweikomponenten-Technik an die Lochplatte angespritzt sind.The embodiment of the invention in which the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are injection-molded onto the perforated plate in two-component technology is particularly favorable in terms of production technology.

Es kann jedoch unter bestimmten Bedingungen auch vorteilhaft sein, daß die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte lösbar an der Lochplatte befestigt sind. Hierdurch wird es möglich, bei extremer Verschmutzung in bestimmten größeren zeitlichen Abständen die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte von der Lochplatte abzunehmen und einer gesonderten, gründlichen Reinigung zu unterziehen.However, it can also be advantageous under certain conditions that the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are detachably attached to the perforated plate. This makes it possible to remove the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate from the perforated plate and to subject them to a separate, thorough cleaning in the event of extreme contamination at certain larger intervals.

Insbesondere empfiehlt sich in diesem Zusammenhang eine Ausführungsform, bei welcher die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte elastisch an der Lochplatte verrastet sind.In this context, an embodiment is particularly recommended in which the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are elastically locked to the perforated plate.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert; es zeigen

Figur 1:
die (Teil-)Seitenansicht eines Brausekopfes, teilweise im Schnitt;
Figur 2:
die Draufsicht auf den Brauseboden des Brausekopfes von Figur 1;
Figur 3:
einen Teilschnitt durch den Brauseboden von Figur 2 in vergrößertem Maßstab.
An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawing; show it
Figure 1:
the (partial) side view of a shower head, partly in section;
Figure 2:
the top view of the shower base of the shower head of Figure 1;
Figure 3:
a partial section through the shower base of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

Figur 1 zeigt die Seitenansicht eines Brausekopfes, der Teil einer Handbrause ist. Der Brausekopf umfaßt in an und für sich bekannter Weise ein glockenförmiges Gehäuse 2, dessen offenes, unteres Ende durch einen mehrteiligen Brauseboden 1 abgeschlossen ist. Der Brauseboden 1 ist mittels einer zentralen Schraube 3 an den innerhalb des Gehäuses 2 untergebrachten Einbauten des Brausekopfes in hier nicht näher interessierender Weise lösbar befestigt.Figure 1 shows the side view of a shower head, which is part of a hand shower. The shower head comprises in a manner known per se a bell-shaped housing 2, the open, lower end of which is closed by a multi-part shower base 1. The shower base 1 is detachably fastened by means of a central screw 3 to the internals of the shower head accommodated within the housing 2 in a manner not of interest here.

Zur weiteren Beschreibung des Aufbaues des Brausebodes 1 wird nunmehr auf Figur 3 Bezug genommen, in welcher der Brauseboden 1 teilweise und in vergrößertem Maßstab herausgezeichnet ist. Danach umfaßt der Brauseboden 1 eine Lochplatte 1a aus verhältnismäßig starrem Kunststoffmaterial, die an der Außenfläche, also an der in Figur 1 nach unten zeigenden Fläche, mit einer Stoßschutzplatte 1b aus verhältnismäßig weichem, elastischem Material abgedeckt ist. Die Stoßschutzplatte 1b kann ebenso wie alle diejenigen noch zu beschreibenden Komponenten, die aus demselben verhältnismäßig weichen, elastischen Kunststoffmaterial bestehen, in Zweikomponenten-Technik an die Lochplatte 1a angespritzt werden. Die Stoßschutzplatte 1b überdeckt mit einer Ausnahme, auf die weiter unten eingegangen wird, die gesamte Oberfläche der Lochplatte 1a.For a further description of the structure of the shower base 1, reference is now made to FIG. 3, in which the shower base 1 is drawn out partially and on an enlarged scale. Thereafter, the shower base 1 comprises a perforated plate 1 a made of a relatively rigid plastic material, which on the outer surface, that is to say the surface facing downward in FIG. 1, with a shock protection plate 1 b made of a relatively soft, elastic material is covered. The impact protection plate 1b, like all those components to be described, which consist of the same relatively soft, elastic plastic material, can be injection molded onto the perforated plate 1a using two-component technology. The impact protection plate 1b covers the entire surface of the perforated plate 1a with one exception, which is discussed below.

Die Lochplatte 1a des Brausebodens 1 umfaßt in an und für sich bekannter Weise mehrere Sätze von Durchgangsöffnungen 4, 5, die auf konzentrischen Kreisen um den Mittelpunkt des Brausebodens 1 (vergl. Figur 2) herum in regelmäßigen Winkelabständen angeordnet sind. Das genaue Lochmuster, welches von den Durchgangsöffnungen 4, 5 der Lochplatte 1a gebildet wird, ist im vorliegenden Zusammenhang ohne Belang.The perforated plate 1a of the shower base 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a plurality of sets of through openings 4, 5 which are arranged in concentric circles around the center of the shower base 1 (see FIG. 2) at regular angular intervals. The exact hole pattern which is formed by the through openings 4, 5 of the perforated plate 1a is irrelevant in the present context.

Die im Durchmesser etwas größeren Durchgangsöffnungen 5 der Lochplatte 1a werden jeweils von einem schlauchartigen Düseneinsatz 6 durchsetzt, der eine verhältnismäßig geringe axiale Länge aufweist, also die Lochplatte 1a an der oberen (zum Inneren des Gehäuses 2 des Brausekopfes gewandten) Seite nur geringfügig überragt. Die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 6 werden jeweils von einem Düsenkanal 7 verhältnismäßig großen Querschnittes axial durchsetzt, der sich beim dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel zur Außenseite hin konisch verjüngt. Die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 6 sind zudem einstückig an die Stoßschutzplatte 1b angeformt und bestehen aus demselben Material wie diese.The through holes 5 of the perforated plate 1 a, which are somewhat larger in diameter, are each penetrated by a hose-like nozzle insert 6 which has a relatively small axial length, that is to say only slightly protrudes the perforated plate 1 a on the upper side (facing the interior of the housing 2 of the shower head). The hose-like nozzle inserts 6 are each axially penetrated by a nozzle channel 7 of relatively large cross-section, which tapers conically towards the outside in the illustrated embodiment. The hose-like nozzle inserts 6 are also integrally formed on the impact protection plate 1b and are made of the same material as this.

Auch die Durchtrittsöffnungen 4 der Lochplatte 1a werden jeweils von schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen 8 durchsetzt, die jedoch eine größere axiale Länge als die Düseneinsätze 6 besitzen, also auf der Innenseite der Lochplatte 1a weiter überstehen. Die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 werden ebenfalls jeweils von Düsenkanälen 9 durchzogen, die im Vergleich zu den Düsenkanälen 7 der Düseneinsätze 6 einen kleinen Querschnitt aufweisen. Auch die Düsenkanäle 9 verjüngen sich jeweils von innen nach außen.The passage openings 4 of the perforated plate 1a are each penetrated by hose-like nozzle inserts 8, which, however, have a greater axial length than the nozzle inserts 6, that is to say on the inside of the perforated plate 1a survive further. The hose-like nozzle inserts 8 are likewise each traversed by nozzle channels 9, which have a small cross section in comparison to the nozzle channels 7 of the nozzle inserts 6. The nozzle channels 9 also taper from the inside to the outside.

Die Austrittsöffnungen 10 der Düsenkanäle 7 der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 6 sind ebenso wie die Austrittsöffnungen 11 der Düsenkanäle 9 der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 in Figur 2 sehr gut zu erkennen. Diese Figur macht auch - besser als Figur 3 - die unterschiedlichen Querschnittsflächen der Austrittsöffnungen 10 und 11 deutlich.The outlet openings 10 of the nozzle channels 7 of the hose-like nozzle inserts 6 as well as the outlet openings 11 of the nozzle channels 9 of the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 can be seen very clearly in FIG. This figure also - better than Figure 3 - shows the different cross-sectional areas of the outlet openings 10 and 11.

Im Unterschied zu den Düseneinsätzen 6 sind die Düseneinsätze 8 nicht unmittelbar mit der Stoßschutzplatte 4 verbunden. Vielmehr ist im Bereich jeder Durchtrittsöffnung 4 an die starre Lochplatte 1a ein kleiner zylindrischer kragenförmiger Ansatz 12 angeformt, der von der Lochplatte 1a nach außen ragt und als Zylindermantel den äußeren Bereich des zugehörigen schlauchartigen Düseneinsatzes 8 von dem benachbarten Bereich der Stoßschutzplatte 1b trennt.In contrast to the nozzle inserts 6, the nozzle inserts 8 are not directly connected to the impact protection plate 4. Rather, in the area of each passage opening 4, a small cylindrical collar-shaped projection 12 is formed on the rigid perforated plate 1a, which protrudes outward from the perforated plate 1a and, as a cylinder jacket, separates the outer area of the associated tubular nozzle insert 8 from the adjacent area of the impact protection plate 1b.

Wenn der Brauseboden 1, wie in Figur 1 dargestellt, an dem Gehäuse 2 des Brausekopfes montiert ist, ragen die axial kürzeren schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 6 in einen ersten innerhalb des Gehäuses 2 ausgebildeten Wasserraum. Die axial innenliegenden Enden der axial längeren schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 dagegen werden in Durchgangsbohrungen 14 einer inneren Trennwand 15 aufgenommen, welche den ersten Wasserraum 13 innerhalb des Gehäuses 2 von einem zweiten Wasserraum 16 trennt, der einen größeren Abstand von dem Brauseboden 1 aufweist.If the shower base 1, as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on the housing 2 of the shower head, the axially shorter hose-like nozzle inserts 6 project into a first water space formed inside the housing 2. The axially inner ends of the axially longer hose-like nozzle inserts 8, on the other hand, are received in through bores 14 of an inner partition wall 15, which separates the first water space 13 within the housing 2 from a second water space 16, which is at a greater distance from the shower base 1.

Die Funktion des beschriebenen Brausekopfes ist wie folgt:
Das in bekannter Weise durch den Handgriff 2a des Brausekopfes zufließende Wasser wird mittels einer Umstellvorrichtung, die über ein wippenförmiges Betätigungsorgan 17 bedient wird, wahlweise zum ersten Wasserraum 13 oder zum zweiten Wasserraum 16 geleitet.
The function of the shower head described is as follows:
The water flowing in in a known manner through the handle 2 a of the shower head is directed to the first water space 13 or to the second water space 16 by means of a changeover device which is operated via a rocker-shaped actuating member 17.

Steht die Umstellvorrichtung so, daß das Wasser in den ersten Wasserraum 13 gelangt, so kann es von dort über die Düsenkanäle 7 der schlauchförmigen Düseneinsätze 6 und deren Austrittsöffnungen 10 austreten. Aufgrund des verhältnismäßig großen Durchmessers der Austrittsöffnungen 10 ergeben sich verhältnismäßig langsame Wasserstrahlen mit großem Durchmesser, die als "Weichstrahlen" bekannt sind. Dementsprechend baut sich auch in dem ersten Wasserraum 13 kein sehr hoher Druck auf. Die Gefahr, daß sich das verhältnismäßig weiche, elastische Material, aus dem die Düseneinsätze 6 bestehen, verformt, ist daher nur gering. Das Strahlbild, welches die aus den Austrittsöffnungen 10 austretenden Wasserstrahlen aufweisen, ist daher auch ohne besondere Schutzmaßnahmen weitgehend unabhängig vom Druck, der im ersten Wasserraum 13 herrscht.If the changeover device is such that the water reaches the first water space 13, it can exit from there via the nozzle channels 7 of the tubular nozzle inserts 6 and their outlet openings 10. Due to the relatively large diameter of the outlet openings 10, relatively slow water jets with a large diameter result, which are known as "soft jets". Accordingly, no very high pressure builds up in the first water space 13 either. The risk that the relatively soft, elastic material from which the nozzle inserts 6 are made is therefore only slight. The jet pattern which the water jets emerging from the outlet openings 10 are therefore largely independent of the pressure prevailing in the first water space 13 even without special protective measures.

Wenn mittels des wippenförmigen Betätigungsorganes 17 die Umstellvorrichtung so betätigt wird, daß das über den Handgriff 2a zuströmende Wasser in den zweiten Wasserraum 16 gelangt, so strömt dieses Wasser über die Durchtrittsöffnungen 14 der Trennwand 15 in die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 des Brausebodens 1 über. In den verhältnismäßig schmalen Düsenkanälen 9 der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8, und insbesondere in deren sich konisch auf die Austrittsöffnung 11 zu verjüngenden Endbereichen wird das Wasser stark beschleunigt; es tritt in Form eines verhältnismäßig schmalen Strahles mit hoher Geschwindigkeit aus den Öffnungen 11 aus. Diese Wasserstrahlen werden daher auch "Hartstrahlen" genannt.If the switching device is actuated by means of the rocker-shaped actuating member 17 in such a way that the water flowing in via the handle 2a reaches the second water space 16, then this water flows through the openings 14 of the partition 15 into the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 of the shower base 1. In the relatively narrow nozzle channels 9 of the hose-like nozzle inserts 8, and in particular in their end regions to be tapered towards the outlet opening 11, the water is greatly accelerated; it emerges from the openings 11 at high speed in the form of a relatively narrow jet. These water jets will therefore also called "hard blasting".

Da das Wasser durch die verhältnismäßig engen Düsenkanäle 11 der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 nicht unerheblich gedrosselt wird, kann sich in dem zweiten Wasserraum 16 und in den mit diesen kommunizierenden Düsenkanälen 9 ein nicht unerheblicher Druck aufbauen. Ist das Material, aus welchem die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 und die Stoßschutzplatte 1b gebildet sind, sehr weich, so bestünde ohne die kragenförmigen Ansätze 12 die Gefahr, daß sich die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 unter dem Druck des durchströmenden Wassers verformen, daß sich also insbesondere die Austrittsöffnungen 11 in unkontrollierter Weise radial aufweiten. Hierdurch würde das einheitlichen Strahlungsbild der "Hartstrahlen" nachteilig beeinflußt. Dies wird jedoch durch die die Austrittsöffnungen 11 umgebenden kragenförmigen Ansätze 12 verhindert. Der radiale Abstand zwischen den kragenförmigen Ansätzen 12 und den Austrittsöffnungen 11, also die Breite des zwischen diesen von dem weichelastischem Material der schlauchförmigen Düseneinsätze 8 gebildeten Ringes, wird hierzu so gewählt, daß einerseits ein elastisches Walken der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen 11 zum Abstreifen und Absprengen von Kalkablagerungen noch verhältnismäßig einfach möglich ist, daß aber andererseits nur so wenig Volumen elastischen Materials beim Durchströmen der Düsenkanäle 9 verformbar ist, daß ein gutes, weitgehend druckunabhängiges Strahlbild der Hartstrahlen erhalten bleibt.Since the water is throttled not inconsiderably by the relatively narrow nozzle channels 11 of the hose-like nozzle inserts 8, a not inconsiderable pressure can build up in the second water space 16 and in the nozzle channels 9 communicating with them. If the material from which the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 and the shock protection plate 1b are made is very soft, then without the collar-shaped projections 12 there would be the risk that the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 deform under the pressure of the water flowing through, that is to say in particular the outlet openings 11 expand radially in an uncontrolled manner. This would adversely affect the uniform radiation pattern of the "hard beams". However, this is prevented by the collar-shaped projections 12 surrounding the outlet openings 11. The radial distance between the collar-shaped lugs 12 and the outlet openings 11, i.e. the width of the ring formed between them by the soft elastic material of the tubular nozzle inserts 8, is chosen so that on the one hand elastic flexing of the tubular nozzle inserts 8 in the region of the outlet openings 11 Stripping and blasting off limescale deposits is still relatively easy, but on the other hand only so little volume of elastic material can be deformed when flowing through the nozzle channels 9 that a good, largely pressure-independent jet pattern of the hard jets is retained.

Wie insbesondere Figur 2 zeigt, ist praktisch die gesamte Außenfläche des Brausebodens 1 von der Stoßschutzplatte 1b abgedeckt, so daß mechanische Beschädigungen praktisch ausgeschlossen sind. Nur die sehr schmalen Ringe, welche von den äußeren Stirnseiten der zylindrischen kragenförmigen Ansätze 12 gebildet werden, unterbrechen die Stoßschutzplatte 1b, ohne daß jedoch hierdurch deren Schutzfunktion nennenswert in Frage gestellt würde.As FIG. 2 in particular shows, practically the entire outer surface of the shower base 1 is covered by the impact protection plate 1b, so that mechanical damage is practically impossible. Only the very narrow rings, which from the outer faces of the cylindrical collar-shaped Approaches 12 are formed, interrupt the shock protection plate 1b, but without its protective function being significantly questioned.

Soll der Brauseboden 1 von Kalkablagerungen innerhalb der Düsenkanäle 7 und 9, insbesondere im Bereich von deren Austrittsöffnungen 10 bzw. 11 befreit werden, kann der Benutzer unter leichtem Druck nach oben mit einem Finger an der Unterseite des Brausebodens 1 entlangstreifen. Dabei werden die Stoßschutzplatte 1b und die Düseneinsätze 6 und 8 im Bereich der Austrittsöffnungen 10 und 11 komprimiert. Der sich bewegende Finger spürt keinen besonderen Widerstand, solange er sich nur im Bereich der Stoßschutzplatte 1b und der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 6 (Weichstrahlen) befindet. Anders dagegen, wenn sich der reinigende Finger auf eine Austrittsöffnung 11 der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 (Hartstrahlen) zubewegt: Hier stößt er kurz vor Erreichen der eigentlichen Austrittsöffnungen 11 auf einen gewissen Widerstand, der von den harten kragenförmigen Ansätzen 12 der Lochplatte 1a herrührt. Der Benutzer wird daher unwillkürlich den Druck auf den bewegten Finger vergrößern, um den dargebotenen Widerstand zu überwinden. Der Finger rutscht dann in den vom kragenförmigen Ansatz 12 umgebenen Bereich mit einer etwas höheren Kraft, so daß auch die lokale Deformation, die von dem reinigenden Finger im Bereich der äußeren Stirnseite der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze 8 bewirkt wird, etwas höher als ohne die kragenförmigen Ansätze 12 ausfällt.If the shower base 1 is to be freed of limescale deposits within the nozzle channels 7 and 9, in particular in the area of their outlet openings 10 and 11, the user can slide a finger upwards along the underside of the shower base 1 with a finger. The impact protection plate 1b and the nozzle inserts 6 and 8 are compressed in the region of the outlet openings 10 and 11. The moving finger does not feel any particular resistance as long as it is only in the area of the impact protection plate 1b and the hose-like nozzle inserts 6 (soft blasting). The situation is different when the cleaning finger moves towards an outlet opening 11 of the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 (hard blasting): Here, shortly before reaching the actual outlet openings 11, it encounters a certain resistance which comes from the hard collar-shaped projections 12 of the perforated plate 1a. The user will therefore involuntarily increase the pressure on the moving finger in order to overcome the resistance presented. The finger then slips into the area surrounded by the collar-shaped extension 12 with a somewhat higher force, so that the local deformation caused by the cleaning finger in the region of the outer end face of the hose-like nozzle inserts 8 is also somewhat higher than without the collar-shaped extensions 12 fails.

Claims (7)

Brausekopf, insbesondere für eine Handbrause, mit a) einem im wesentlichen glockenförmigen Gehäuse, in dem mindestens ein mit einem Wasserzulaufkanal verbindbarer Wasserraum ausgebildet ist; b) einem Brauseboden, welcher das glockenförmige Gehäuse nach unten abschließt und umfaßt: ba) eine Lochplatte aus starrem Material, die eine Vielzahl von Durchgangsbohrungen aufweist; bc) eine Vielzahl von schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen, die aus verhältnismäßig weichem, elastischem Material bestehen, jeweils von einem in einer Wasseraustrittsöffnung endenden Düsenkanal durchzogen sind und jeweils durch eine Durchgangsbohrung der Lochplatte hindurchgeführt sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß c) im wesentlichen die ganze Außenfläche der Lochplatte (1a) durch eine Stoßschutzplatte (1b) aus verhältnismäßig weichem, elastischem Material abgedeckt ist, wobei jedoch d) an der starren Lochplatte (1a) eine Vielzahl von kragenförmigen Ansätzen (12) angeformt ist, welche den äußeren Bereich zumindest eines Teils der schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (6, 8) umgeben und diese von der Stoßschutzplatte (1b) trennen. Shower head, especially for a hand shower, with a) an essentially bell-shaped housing in which at least one water space which can be connected to a water inlet channel is formed; b) a shower base which closes off the bell-shaped housing and comprises: ba) a perforated plate made of rigid material, which has a plurality of through holes; bc) a multiplicity of hose-like nozzle inserts, which consist of relatively soft, elastic material, are each penetrated by a nozzle channel ending in a water outlet opening and are each passed through a through hole in the perforated plate, characterized in that c) substantially the entire outer surface of the perforated plate (1a) is covered by a shock protection plate (1b) made of relatively soft, elastic material, but with d) a plurality of collar-shaped projections (12) are formed on the rigid perforated plate (1a), which surround the outer region of at least part of the hose-like nozzle inserts (6, 8) and these from the Separate the impact protection plate (1b). Brausekopf nach Anspruch 1 mit einem ersten Satz von schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen, die jeweils einen verhältnismäßig weiten Düsenkanal aufweisen und Weichstrahlen mit verhältnismäßig kleiner Geschwindigkeit und großem Querschnitt erzeugen, und mit einem zweiten Satz von schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen, die jeweils einen verhältnismäßig schmalen Düsenkanal aufweisen und Hartstrahlen mit verhältnismäßig großer Geschwindigkeit und kleinem Querschnitt erzeugen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die kragenförmige Ansätze (12) der Lochplatte (1a) nur an denjenigen schlauchartigen Düseneinsätzen (8) vorgesehen sind, die Hartstrahlen erzeugen, während die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (6), die Weichstrahlen erzeugen, einstückig an die Stoßschutzplatte (1b) angeformt sind.
Shower head according to claim 1 with a first set of hose-like nozzle inserts, each having a relatively wide nozzle channel and producing soft jets with a relatively low speed and large cross-section, and with a second set of hose-like nozzle inserts, each having a relatively narrow nozzle channel and hard jets with relatively generate high speed and small cross-section,
characterized in that
the collar-shaped projections (12) of the perforated plate (1a) are only provided on those hose-like nozzle inserts (8) which generate hard jets, while the hose-like nozzle inserts (6) which produce soft jets are integrally formed on the impact protection plate (1b).
Brausekopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Weichstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (6) und die Hartstrahlen erzeugenden schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (8) unterschiedliche axiale Länge aufweisen.Shower head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hose-like nozzle inserts (6) producing soft jets and the hose-like nozzle inserts (8) producing hard jets have different axial lengths. Brausekopf nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (6, 8) und die Stoßschutzplatte (1b) aus demselben Material bestehen.Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hose-like nozzle inserts (6, 8) and the impact protection plate (1b) consist of the same material. Brausekopf nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze (6, 8) und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte (1b) in Zweikomponenten-Technik an die Lochplatte (1b) angespritzt sind.Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hose-like nozzle inserts (6, 8) and / or the impact protection plate (1b) are injection-molded onto the perforated plate (1b) using two-component technology are. Brausekopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte lösbar an der Lochplatte befestigt sind.Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the impact protection plate are detachably attached to the perforated plate. Brausekopf nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die schlauchartigen Düseneinsätze und/oder die Stoßschutzplatte elastisch an der Lochplatte verrastet sind.Shower head according to claim 6, characterized in that the hose-like nozzle inserts and / or the shock protection plate are elastically locked to the perforated plate.
EP95119780A 1994-12-29 1995-12-15 Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower Expired - Lifetime EP0719588B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4447113A DE4447113C2 (en) 1994-12-29 1994-12-29 Shower head, especially for a hand shower
DE4447113 1994-12-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0719588A2 true EP0719588A2 (en) 1996-07-03
EP0719588A3 EP0719588A3 (en) 1998-02-11
EP0719588B1 EP0719588B1 (en) 2002-07-24

Family

ID=6537433

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95119780A Expired - Lifetime EP0719588B1 (en) 1994-12-29 1995-12-15 Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5730362A (en)
EP (1) EP0719588B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE220956T1 (en)
DE (1) DE4447113C2 (en)
ES (1) ES2179085T3 (en)
FI (1) FI108780B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999059726A1 (en) * 1998-05-16 1999-11-25 Caradon Mira Limited Improvements in or relating to spray fittings
US9623424B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2017-04-18 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead with mode selector in handle
US9795975B2 (en) 2002-12-10 2017-10-24 Water Pik, Inc. Dual turbine showerhead
US10226777B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2019-03-12 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead bracket
USD843549S1 (en) 2017-07-19 2019-03-19 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray nozzle
US10265710B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2019-04-23 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with dual oscillating massage
US10441960B2 (en) 2016-09-08 2019-10-15 Water Pik, Inc. Pause assembly for showerheads
US10449558B2 (en) 2016-02-01 2019-10-22 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld pet spray wand
US10478837B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2019-11-19 Water Pik, Inc. Method for assembling a showerhead
USD872227S1 (en) 2018-04-20 2020-01-07 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray device
USD970684S1 (en) 2016-04-15 2022-11-22 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead

Families Citing this family (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1293134B1 (en) * 1997-05-05 1999-02-12 Gevipi Ag SHOWER POWERED BY FLEXIBLE HOSE, WITH SWITCHING OF THE DELIVERY MODE.
WO2000022972A1 (en) * 1998-10-22 2000-04-27 Yosuke Naito Showerhead
AU2002235211A1 (en) 2000-12-12 2002-06-24 Water Pik, Inc. Shower head assembly
DE10108248A1 (en) * 2001-02-21 2002-08-22 Hansgrohe Ag shower head
USD485887S1 (en) 2002-12-10 2004-01-27 Water Pik, Inc. Pan head style shower head
ITMN20030043A1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2005-05-15 Amfag Spa SINK SHOWER
US7740186B2 (en) 2004-09-01 2010-06-22 Water Pik, Inc. Drenching shower head
DE102005000875B4 (en) * 2005-01-05 2009-02-19 Grohe Ag Sanitary hand shower
US7744021B2 (en) * 2006-03-09 2010-06-29 Belanger, Inc. Carwash spray nozzle and washing system using same
US8733675B2 (en) 2006-04-20 2014-05-27 Water Pik, Inc. Converging spray showerhead
US8020787B2 (en) 2006-11-29 2011-09-20 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead system
US8366024B2 (en) 2006-12-28 2013-02-05 Water Pik, Inc. Low speed pulsating showerhead
US8794543B2 (en) 2006-12-28 2014-08-05 Water Pik, Inc. Low-speed pulsating showerhead
US7770822B2 (en) 2006-12-28 2010-08-10 Water Pik, Inc. Hand shower with an extendable handle
US8789218B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2014-07-29 Water Pik, Inc. Molded arm for showerheads and method of making same
US20090188992A1 (en) * 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Hsueh Yenkun Sprinkler watering set with multi-stage watering function
US7766260B2 (en) * 2008-02-12 2010-08-03 Wen-Yi Lin Showerhead
USD624156S1 (en) 2008-04-30 2010-09-21 Water Pik, Inc. Pivot ball attachment
CA2678769C (en) 2008-09-15 2014-07-29 Water Pik, Inc. Shower assembly with radial mode changer
USD616061S1 (en) 2008-09-29 2010-05-18 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead assembly
USD625776S1 (en) 2009-10-05 2010-10-19 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead
US8616470B2 (en) 2010-08-25 2013-12-31 Water Pik, Inc. Mode control valve in showerhead connector
US8632023B2 (en) * 2011-06-07 2014-01-21 Masco Corporation Of Indiana Push button mechanism for showerhead control
USD678467S1 (en) 2012-01-27 2013-03-19 Water Pik, Inc. Ring-shaped handheld showerhead
USD678463S1 (en) 2012-01-27 2013-03-19 Water Pik, Inc. Ring-shaped wall mount showerhead
US9468939B2 (en) 2012-03-12 2016-10-18 Kohler Co. Faceplate for shower device
USD692527S1 (en) 2012-03-12 2013-10-29 Kohler Co. Shower faceplate
US9687859B2 (en) * 2012-11-16 2017-06-27 Kohler Co. Shower device
USD715896S1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-10-21 Kohler Co. Shower faceplate
US20140263736A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 James Crocker Orbital spray bar assembly for surface cleaning apparatus
USD716415S1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-10-28 Kohler Co. Shower faceplate
USD715398S1 (en) 2013-03-16 2014-10-14 Kohler Co. Shower faceplate
USD740917S1 (en) 2013-03-16 2015-10-13 Kohler Co. Shower faceplate for shower device
USD719240S1 (en) 2013-08-23 2014-12-09 Kohler Co. Shower device
USD744611S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-12-01 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead
USD744614S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-12-01 Water Pik, Inc. Wall mount showerhead
USD744612S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-12-01 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead
USD744066S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-11-24 Water Pik, Inc. Wall mount showerhead
USD744064S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-11-24 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead
USD744065S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-11-24 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead
USD745111S1 (en) 2014-06-13 2015-12-08 Water Pik, Inc. Wall mount showerhead
USD803981S1 (en) 2016-02-01 2017-11-28 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray nozzle

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9017978U1 (en) 1989-12-28 1993-06-03 Friedrich Grohe Ag, 5870 Hemer, De
DE9303986U1 (en) 1992-11-04 1993-08-12 Friedrich Grohe Ag, 58675 Hemer, De

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2402741A (en) * 1944-10-03 1946-06-25 Adolphe O Draviner Spray head
DE3413552A1 (en) * 1984-04-11 1985-10-24 Hansa Metallwerke Ag, 7000 Stuttgart SHOWER
US5228625A (en) * 1990-02-22 1993-07-20 Masco Gmbh Sprinkler head
JPH06262101A (en) * 1992-11-04 1994-09-20 Friedrich Grohe Ag Shower head

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9017978U1 (en) 1989-12-28 1993-06-03 Friedrich Grohe Ag, 5870 Hemer, De
DE9303986U1 (en) 1992-11-04 1993-08-12 Friedrich Grohe Ag, 58675 Hemer, De

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999059726A1 (en) * 1998-05-16 1999-11-25 Caradon Mira Limited Improvements in or relating to spray fittings
GB2354191A (en) * 1998-05-16 2001-03-21 Caradon Mira Ltd Improvements in or relating to spray fittings
GB2354191B (en) * 1998-05-16 2002-04-24 Caradon Mira Ltd Improvements in or relating to spray fittings
US9795975B2 (en) 2002-12-10 2017-10-24 Water Pik, Inc. Dual turbine showerhead
US9623424B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2017-04-18 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead with mode selector in handle
US9623425B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2017-04-18 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with rotatable control valve
US9636694B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2017-05-02 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with movable control valve
US10226777B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2019-03-12 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead bracket
US10532369B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2020-01-14 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead bracket
US10525488B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2020-01-07 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with engine release assembly
US10994289B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2021-05-04 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with turbine driven shutter
US11648573B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2023-05-16 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead
US10478837B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2019-11-19 Water Pik, Inc. Method for assembling a showerhead
US11173502B2 (en) 2013-06-13 2021-11-16 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with plurality of modes
US11413632B2 (en) 2016-02-01 2022-08-16 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead with linear nozzle arrays
US10449558B2 (en) 2016-02-01 2019-10-22 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld pet spray wand
US11883834B2 (en) 2016-02-01 2024-01-30 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld showerhead with linear nozzle arrays
USD950011S1 (en) 2016-04-15 2022-04-26 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with dual oscillating massage
US10265710B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2019-04-23 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with dual oscillating massage
US11084047B2 (en) 2016-04-15 2021-08-10 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead with dual oscillating massage
USD970684S1 (en) 2016-04-15 2022-11-22 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead
USD983322S1 (en) 2016-04-15 2023-04-11 Water Pik, Inc. Showerhead
US10441960B2 (en) 2016-09-08 2019-10-15 Water Pik, Inc. Pause assembly for showerheads
US11458488B2 (en) 2016-09-08 2022-10-04 Water Pik, Inc. Linearly actuated pause assembly for showerheads
US11759801B2 (en) 2016-09-08 2023-09-19 Water Pik, Inc. Pause assembly for showerheads
USD843549S1 (en) 2017-07-19 2019-03-19 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray nozzle
USD875210S1 (en) 2017-07-19 2020-02-11 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray nozzle
USD872227S1 (en) 2018-04-20 2020-01-07 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray device
USD912767S1 (en) 2018-04-20 2021-03-09 Water Pik, Inc. Handheld spray device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2179085T3 (en) 2003-01-16
FI108780B (en) 2002-03-28
US5730362A (en) 1998-03-24
EP0719588B1 (en) 2002-07-24
DE4447113A1 (en) 1996-07-11
FI956161A (en) 1996-06-30
EP0719588A3 (en) 1998-02-11
FI956161A0 (en) 1995-12-21
DE4447113C2 (en) 1999-02-18
ATE220956T1 (en) 2002-08-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0719588B1 (en) Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower
EP0719589B1 (en) Shower head
EP0719586B1 (en) Shower head
EP0719587B1 (en) Shower head, in particular for a hand-held shower
DE2140526C3 (en) Spray head for a shower or the like
DE4105183C2 (en) Shower head
EP2992962B1 (en) Sanitary built-in part
DE10246333B4 (en) aerator
EP0151998A2 (en) Water aerator for sanitary fittings and the like
DE102007002894B3 (en) Handheld shower
DE2904127A1 (en) ADJUSTABLE LIQUID DISPENSING NOZZLE
EP0099045A1 (en) Method and mixer head for the production of a reactable mixture of at least two flowable reactable components for plastics material
DE19956214A1 (en) Open injection nozzle
DE3110029C2 (en)
EP0398389A2 (en) Spray head for a liquid spray device in particular, for a release agent spray device
EP0744997B1 (en) Base part for a spray head, and spray head
DE102017106038B4 (en) Nozzle unit for a reaction casting machine and method for producing a plastic part
DE19646655A1 (en) Shower head
EP3935230A1 (en) Aerator
EP0646679B1 (en) Strainer for water taps
DE19713874B4 (en) Device for introducing gas into a mold
DE10146788B4 (en) aerator
DE20215272U1 (en) Water jet fitting for tap on washbasin has housing made of two parts screwed together and has grating shaped to produce array of convergent nozzles giving many high velocity jets of water
DE202020103577U1 (en) Novel spray head cover with soft nozzles
DE102019105955A1 (en) Aerator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT CH ES FR GB IT LI NL

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT CH ES FR GB IT LI NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980406

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000822

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT CH ES FR GB IT LI NL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020724

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 220956

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20020815

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20020724

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: FREI PATENTANWALTSBUERO

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2179085

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20030425

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20041214

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20041217

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041217

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20041217

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20041217

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20041217

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051215

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051215

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060701

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20051215

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060831

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20060701

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20051216