WO2007043872A1

WO2007043872A1 - Sanitary device

Info

Publication number: WO2007043872A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Bevers
Original assignee: Bouwtect Engineering
Priority date: 2005-10-14
Filing date: 2006-10-12
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: NL1030202C2

Abstract

A sanitary device (1) comprises a hollow space located above a discharge opening (5b), and a platform (6), which can be folded away inside the hollow space. The hollow space is formed by a housing (3). The folding platform (6) is rotably connected to the housing (3). The discharge opening (5b) and a stench trap are provided in a bottom section of the housing (3). The housing of the sanitary device may have a collecting tank (14), with a cover (7) being provided over the drain (5) as a stench trap.

Description

Short title: Sanitary device

The present invention relates to a sanitary device comprising a hollow space located above a discharge opening, and a platform which is folding away into the hollow space. A sanitary device of this type is known from EP-1541076-A1. This patent describes a space-saving sanitary device in which the sanitary object, for example a wash basin, urinal or shower tray, can be folded away in such a manner that a flat wall is created. The sanitary object can be stored away inside a hollow space using a folding, rotating, sliding or pulling device. The required hollow space may, for example, be formed by an ancillary wall or be provided- by existing cupboard space. Behind the ancillary wall, there is a siphon trap, an S-shaped bent drain pipe which serves as a stench trap. A drawback of this sanitary device is that the intended saving of space is only partially achieved. If a hollow space is obtained by fitting an ancillary wall, part of the space which was available prior to the fitting of this ancillary wall is lost.

It is a further drawback that part of the ancillary wall has to be detachable in order to be able to reach the stench trap so as, for example, to remove a blockage.

Another drawback is that, as a result of the large number of individual components, installing and connecting the known sanitary device is time-consuming and labour-intensive. It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the abovementioned drawbacks at least partially, or to provide a usable alternative.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a sanitary device which is space-saving, cost-effective, very compact and simple to install.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a sanitary device as defined in claim 1.

The sanitary device comprises a housing which forms the ^' required hollow space. The folding platform is connected to the housing. As a result of the presence of a stench trap inside the housing of the sanitary device, the housing can be designed in such a manner that the sanitary device can be built into a wall. Using the dimensions of the housing, it is easy to determine during installation how large a recess in a wall has to be in order to be able to build the sanitary device into the wall. Preferably, the dimensions of the housing are chosen such that the dimensions correspond to a multiple of the size of a wall tile. This simplifies fitting and contributes to a neat finish. Because the stench trap is located inside the housing, the stench trap and the discharge opening are easily accessible from outside. Thus, for example, it is simple to remove a component of the stench trap via. the folding platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the sanitary device according to the invention has a collecting tank, with a cover being provided over the drain as a stench trap. The collecting tank is situated in a bottom section of the housing. During use, water will flow to the collecting tank. At the location of the collecting tank, the housing is connected to a drain. The end of the drain is usually tubular and extends into the housing. A cover is provided over the discharge opening. When the collecting tank is filled with water, the cover is at least partially under water. Thus, it is no longer possible for air from the discharge opening to mix with ambient air. In this way, the sanitary device according to the invention provides a compact and sturdy stench trap by way of a simple construction. Advantageously, the complete sanitary device according to the invention is compact and saves a maximum amount of space as a result of the cover.

In another preferred embodiment, a cover is formed by installing a folded elongate panel in the bottom section of the housing, the elongate panel extending over substantially the entire width. Advantageously, a large part of the collecting tank is covered in this way, thus resulting in a clean arid ' dry bottom section of the housing. The action of the stench trap improves as a result of the elongate panel, as the water in the bottom section of the housing will evaporate less quickly. This effect is intensified when the folding platform is closed. Advantageously, the stench trap continues to work for a relatively long period of time.

Further advantageous embodiments are defined in the further subclaims .

The invention also relates to a method for installing a sanitary device according to claim 11.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following description of a practical embodiment of the sanitary device according to the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of a sanitary device according to the invention built into a tiled wall; Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatically enlarged view of the sanitary device in cross section along line II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows detail A from Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 shows detail B from Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 1 shows the sanitary device 1 according to the invention, the latter being built into a wall 2. The sanitary device 1 comprises a housing 3 which is situated between a water supply 4 and a drain 5, which are concealed in the wall. The housing 3 forms a hollow space, in which various accessories can be stored. A folding platform 6 is rotatably connected to the housing 3. Fig. 1 shows the folding platform 6 in a closed position. When the folding platform 6 is closed, the hollow space inside the housing 3 is closed off and a flat wall is created. The dimensions of the recess in the wall which the sanitary device is built into are substantially equal to the dimensions of the housing 3. In terms of height, slightly more space is provided for installing the sanitary device, thus facilitating fitting. In the bottom section of the housing 3, a tubular component 5a is arranged. The outer diameter of tubular component 5a fits tightly onto the inner diameter of the discharge opening 5b. As a result, a watertight connection can be produced with the use of a rubber ring. Thus, the sanitary device can be placed on top of an existing discharge opening 5b in a simple manner by insertion, which discharge opening 5b is already concealed in the wall. The tubular component 5a forms an extension of the drain 5, in such a manner that the discharge opening 5b is situated in the bottom section of the housing 3 after installation of the sanitary device. As a variant of the illustrated embodiment, the housing may be provided with a hole in the bottom section. In that case, the housing is slid over the drain 5 during installation. The illustrated housing 3 and the folding platform 6 have straight walls and right angles. However, all shapes and sizes are possible. The housing 3 may, for example, be oval or triangular or may have rounded corners. The folding platform 6 may, for example, comprise a curve or be of triangular design. The design and colour of the housing 3 and the folding platform 6 may be modified in such a manner that they meet the requirements of the prevailing design trends .

Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view in cross section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 of the sanitary device according to the invention. The sanitary device has a folding platform 6 which is rotatably connected to the housing 3. In Fig. 2, the closed state of the folding platform 6 is indicated by broken lines. The rotation of the folding platform is likewise indicated by means of a broken line.

In the illustrated embodiment of the sanitary device according to the invention, the housing is substantially composed of folded plate parts. The construction can be produced by essentially simple operations, such as laser-cutting and folding of a thin plate. As only relatively few and inexpensive operations are required, the sanitary device can be produced in an inexpensive and simple manner. The housing is designed such that the installation depth is at most 70 mm and preferably 60 mm. The housing is thus suitable to be built into a partition wall. The sanitary device is particularly suitable to be built into metal stud walls, but may also be used with solid separating walls, which are, for example, built from building blocks or masonry. With metal stud walls or other walls which are constructed using a frame,- the installation is simple, as use can be made of the hollow spaces which are present inside the wall. If the dimensions of the housing 3 of the sanitary device are taken into account, the correct dimensions for the hollow spaces in the wall can be defined during construction of the wall. In addition, it is possible to place the sanitary device directly against a wall.

The details A and B of Fig. 2 are shown on an enlarged scale in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view in cross section of detail A. Fig. 3 shows one end of the tubular component 5a. The end of the tubular component 5a extends into the housing 3. The bottom section of the housing 3 serves as a collecting tank 14. During use, water flows into the collecting tank 14 and subsequently over the edge of the discharge opening in the drain 5. Impurities in the water will settle and come to rest on the bottom of the housing 3. In order to prevent air from the drain 5 mixing with ambient air, a cover 7 is provided as a stench trap. The cover 7 is in this case a folded panel which rests on the bottom of the housing 3. In order to have a clean and dry surface, the cover panel is positioned over substantially the entire width of the housing 3. In addition, a substantially complete coverage reduces the speed of evaporation, so that the stench trap works well for a relatively long time. Sound- insulating means, such as a layer of Idikell material, may be fitted on the cover 7 or the bottom section of the housing 3, thus attenuating the sound of water hitting the cover.

In the illustrated embodiment, the folding platform 6 is detachable. Advantageously, this makes the sanitary device 1 more accessible for cleaning. The folding platform 6 in this case has upright side walls 9 which are provided with arcuate guide slots 10 having exit slots 11. Pins 12 are provided in the housing, which pins 12 interact with the arcuate guide slots 10, thus making it possible for the platform 6 to perform a tilting movement. The limit position of the folding platform 6 is determined by the dimensions of the guide slots 10.

The presence of exit slots 11 makes it possible to remove the folding platform 6 from the housing in its entirety in order to, for example, carry out maintenance. During maintenance, for example, the cover 7 can be removed in order to remove dirt in the bottom section of the housing and to unblock the drain in case of any blockages.

The position of the exit slots 11 relative to the arcuate guide slots 10 determines the angle at which the folding platform can be removed. Advantageously, the folding platform is removable at an angle of 10° to 20°, and preferably 15°, to the closed vertical position of the folding platform. As a result, the removal is simple for the user and can be carried out in a small space in a controlled manner. Fig. 3 shows the rotatable platform 6. The outer edge of the folding platform is flanged, thus creating a handle 13. Using the handle 13, a user can tilt the platform 6 relative to the housing 3. A slot may be provided near the handle 13 for hanging a towel, for example. At the housing 3, a portion of the panel-shaped folding platform 6 is flanged a few times, so that a kind of threshold is created. In this way, a water barrier 8 is produced. The water barrier 8 prevents water from leaking outside the housing 3 via the folding platform. During use, water flows over the water barrier 8 to the collecting tank 14 which is situated in the bottom section of the housing 3. The water then leaves the housing 3 via the drain 5. Any water remaining on the folding platform 6 runs in the direction of the collecting tank 14 via the water barrier 8 when the platform 6 is closed.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view in cross section of detail B from Fig. 2. As can be seen, the folding platform 6, illustrated by means of a broken line, in a closed position adjoins the housing 3, thus creating a substantially flat wall. In the top section of the housing 3, a water supply 4 is provided. The water supply may have a slotted nozzle, so that the water is distributed over a relatively large area. A user thus has to make fewer movements while washing their hands, thus significantly reducing the risk of splashing. As a result of the distributed water supply, the water is distributed efficiently over the hands and less water is required for washing one's hands. This results in a significant saving in water. This advantage can also be achieved by arranging a water supply in several locations or by providing a plurality of nozzles.

Fig. 4 shows another way of achieving the diffusion of water. The water flows against the housing 3 and subsequently flows downwards via a suitably designed plate part 3b. The shape of the plate part 3b is obtained by a number of folding operations. Advantageously, a distributed water supply is achieved in a simple manner . In an embodiment of the sanitary device as a urinal or wash basin, the water supply can be controlled using a movement sensor. In an embodiment as a urinal, the water supply can be controlled as a function of the closing of the folding platform 6.

As can be seen in the Figs. 1-4, there are sufficient facilities within the housing 3 for accommodating additional accessories, such as a soap dispenser or a movement sensor and an electrical power supply. The housing may also offer additional storage space, for example for storing toilet rolls, tampons or cotton buds. This kind of additional use offers the user added comfort without claiming any of the remaining space present.

Many embodiments are possible in addition to the illustrated embodiments. Thus, it is for example possible to use a different mechanism for tilting the wash basin. Also, the sanitary device may be designed in such a manner that it is suitable for use as a urinal and a wash basin.

Thus, according to the invention, a sanitary device is achieved which is inexpensive and compact. The sanitary device can be installed in a simple and quick manner and results in a maximum saving of space. In addition, the sanitary device has an aesthetically pleasing design and can be produced in a cost- effective manner.

Claims

1. Sanitary device (1) comprising a hollow space located above a discharge opening (5b) , and a platform which is folding into the hollow space, characterized in that the hollow space is formed by a housing (3) , the folding platform (6) being rotatably connected to the housing (3) , and in that the discharge opening (5b) and a stench trap are provided in a bottom section of the housing.

2. Sanitary device according to claim 1, in which the housing (3) comprises a collecting tank (14) in the bottom section, and a cover (7) is provided over the discharge opening (5b) as a stench trap.

3. Sanitary device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the housing (3) is substantially composed of folded plate parts.

4. Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (3) has an installation depth of at most 70 millimetres.

5. Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (7) comprises a folded elongate panel which extends over substantially the entire width of the housing (3) .

6. Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the folding platform (6) is coupled to the housing (3) so as to be detachable.

7. Sanitary device according to claim 5, in which the folding platform (6) has upright side walls (9) which are provided with arcuate guide slots (10) having exit slots (11) .

8. Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (3) comprises a water supply having a slotted nozzle.

•9,-s---, Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in -which the housing (3) comprises a water supply having a plurality of noz zles .

10. Sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device (1) is provided with a movement sensor by means of which the water supply can be opened.

11. Method of installing a sanitary device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of: producing a recess in a wall essentially having the dimensions of the housing of the sanitary device.