CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR A DRAIN OPENING OF A SANITARY BASIN

[0001]The invention relates to a closure element for a drain opening of a sanitary basin, in particular a sink, comprising a base body that has an upper side and an underside opposite the upper side, wherein a handle device is positioned on the upper side, and wherein the upper side has a recess, in particular positioned centrally on the upper side, in which the handle device is positioned.

[0002]The invention further relates to a closure system comprising a basin, in particular a sanitary basin, with a drain opening and a closure element for closing the drain opening.

[0003]Although the present invention is generally applicable to any closure element, the present invention will be explained in relation to closure elements in drain fittings for sinks.

[0004]Sinks, for example in kitchens, usually have a drain fitting that is used to drain dishwater from the sink. To prevent dirt from entering the pipe connected to the drain fitting, it has become common practice to use so-called strainer baskets for this purpose, which allow the dirty water to drain away and at the same time retain coarser dirt such as leftover food or similar. Furthermore, it has also become common practice to use a sealing plug instead of the strainer basket, which enables the sink to be sealed more reliably, for example in the event that dirt retention is not desired or insignificant when the drain is reopened. While strainer baskets are generally designed in the form of a flat bowl and have passage openings for the drainage of dirty water, sealing plugs are made of rubber or plastic, for example. In addition, a handle or a chain can also be positioned in the center of the plug in the usual way.

[0005]The disadvantages include low quality, poor handling, for example if there is no handle but only a chain to pull out the plug, and poor fit, as the plug does not cover and seal the opening of a strainer basket, but only the drain opening directly. In addition, if a jet of liquid hits the plug at an unfavorable angle, for example from an outlet of a sanitary fitting located above the plug, the liquid can flow quickly in the direction of the handle and from there be directed upwards towards the user of the sanitary fitting or create a splash.

[0006]One objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a closure element and a closure system that can be produced at low cost, which at least partially suppresses or prevents a spray of liquid in the direction of a user in a simple and reliable manner and at the same time provide high visual appeal, good feel, quality, and handling.

[0007]A further objective of the present invention is to provide an alternative closure element and an alternative closure system.

[0008]In one embodiment, the present invention solves the aforementioned problems with a closure element for a drain opening of a sanitary basin, in particular a sink, comprising a base body that has an upper side and an underside opposite the upper side, in which a handle device is positioned on the upper side, and wherein the upper side has a recess, in particular positioned centrally on the upper side, wherein the handle device is positioned and wherein at least one sealing element is positioned on the underside in such a way that, when the closure element is positioned at least partially in the drain opening of the sanitary basin, the closure element closes the drain opening in a liquid-tight manner.

[0009]In one embodiment, the present invention solves the aforementioned problems with a closure system comprising a basin, in particular a sanitary basin, with a drain opening and a closure element for closing the drain opening according to one of claims 1-22.

[0010]One of the advantages of this is that it provides a closure element with highly effective sealing in a particularly simple way, while at the same time offering good quality, feel, and operability. Another advantage is the high level of user satisfaction and the improved visual appearance.

[0011]The term “sanitary” is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, primarily in the description, generally to the kitchen area, the bathroom or laundry room area, and the heating area.

[0012]The term “flow interrupting device” is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, primarily in the description, generally to any device or apparatus having a section, surface, or area adapted to abruptly and/or with discontinuous curvature change the direction of flow of a liquid such that at least a portion of the liquid is directed substantially back in the original direction of flow of the liquid. The flow interrupting device provides the aforementioned effect of an abrupt change in flow direction, especially at slow and/or low liquid flow rates, compared to the volume of the recess and height of the handle device above the deepest area of the recess.

[0013]Further features, advantages, and further embodiments of the invention are described below or are disclosed thereby.

[0014]According to a preferred embodiment, the closure element is made in several parts, in particular four or five parts, or in one part. The advantage of a one-piece design is simple handling and manufacture. The advantage of a multi-part design is greater flexibility with regard to the design of the respective parts.

[0015]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle device is positioned on the base body so that it is detachable, in particular by means of a latching connection. One of the advantages achieved is quick assembly and disassembly, which enables particularly reliable and thorough cleaning of the closure element.

[0016]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle device can be fixed in an opening in the base body, in particular wherein the opening is in the shape of a cloverleaf. One of the advantages achieved is quick assembly and disassembly, which enables particularly reliable and thorough cleaning of the closure element.

[0017]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle device has a flow interrupting device, in particular a tear-off edge, for the flow of a liquid that flows in the direction of a deeper surface area of the upper side of the base body, in such a way that the flow of the liquid in the deeper area is at least partially interrupted by the flow interrupting device. One of the advantages of this is that a spray of liquid in the direction of a user can be at least partially inhibited in a simple and reliable way. The tear-off edge directs the flow of liquid, in particular at least partially, in the original direction, but at least partially reduces the flow of liquid at an acute angle, perpendicular to the actuating direction of the closure element, in particular vertically.

[0018]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle device is constructed in one or more parts, in particular in two parts, comprising at least a handle base body and a cap. The advantage of this is that the handle device can be assembled quickly and easily. In addition, a cap allows easy customization for different users. For example, the cap can be finished with a coating, in particular a varnish or similar. A one-piece handle device is easy to manufacture and enables quick assembly on the base body of the closure element.

[0019]According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the handle device can be fixed on different sides of the base body. The advantage of this is it enables particularly reliable fixing of the handle device, as the handle device is secured in this way, for example, against a force acting parallel to the actuating direction of the closure element.

[0020]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle device and the opening are designed to interact in order to provide an anti-rotation lock of the handle device in the opening, in particular wherein the opening is designed in the shape of a cloverleaf. One of the advantages of this is that it enables reliable handling of the closure element and avoids irritation for the user when operating the closure element.

[0021]According to a further preferred embodiment, the flow interrupting device, in particular the tear-off edge, is positioned on the handle base body. The advantage of this is that a high visual or high-quality impression of the actuation of the closure element can be achieved.

[0022]According to a further preferred embodiment, the cap is fixed to the handle base body in a form-fit, material-fit, and/or friction-fit manner, in particular by means of pressing and/or bonding. The advantage of this is that the cap can be easily and reliably attached to the handle base body.

[0023]According to a further preferred embodiment, the cap projects at least partially beyond the flow interrupting device, in particular the tear-off edge. On the one hand, this conceals or covers the flow interrupting device, in particular the tear-off edge, so that high visual appeal is maintained. At the same time, the effect of the flow interrupting device, in particular the tear-off edge, can be further increased in this way by partially forming a space enclosed in three directions, in particular in the form of a cavity.

[0024]According to a further preferred embodiment, the handle base body has at least two radial projections distributed around its circumference. This provides a reliable way of frictionally securing the cap to the handle base body by sliding the cap over the projections. To facilitate this, the projections can be beveled, rounded, or similar in the corresponding direction.

[0025]According to a further preferred embodiment, the flow interrupting device, in particular the tear-off edge, comprises a recess, in particular wherein the recess comprises at least one edge of at least 90 degrees. This is a particularly reliable way of making the tear-off edge less conspicuous on the one hand and improving the effect of the tear-off edge to interrupt and partially divert the flow of liquid on the other hand.

[0026]According to a further preferred embodiment, the surface has at least two passage openings, in particular in the form of slots, which are closed with at least one sealing element. This achieves a high visual appeal, while at the same time the closed passage openings can be used to inhibit the splashing of liquid. Preferably, the surface or the upper side of the base body is flat or horizontal in the area of the handle device.

[0027]According to a further preferred embodiment, the passage openings are positioned at least partially in the deeper area, and in particular they are connected to the opening of the base body. The advantage of this is simple production and an improved spray inhibition effect.

[0028]According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one sealing element covers the passage openings and/or can be fixed to the passage openings. If several sealing elements are installed, one, several, or all sealing elements can cover the passage openings and/or be fixed to the passage openings. The advantage of this is a particularly simple and at the same time reliable fixing of the sealing element with highly effective sealing and the provision of an additional anti-rotation lock if necessary.

[0029]According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one sealing element is positioned on a support element, in particular wherein the support element has projections, which can be partially inserted into the passage openings for fixing the support element to the base body so that it is detachable. This enables a high degree of flexibility in the positioning of different closure elements.

[0030]According to a further preferred embodiment, the support element is essentially flat, and in particular it extends essentially parallel to the underside of the base body. The advantage of this is that it is easy to retrofit, as only a very small installation space is required below the base body.

[0031]According to a further preferred embodiment, the support element has at least one vertical projection, which is designed in particular for form-fit abutment with the underside of the base body and/or at least one horizontal projection, which is designed to receive at least one sealing element. The advantage of this is simple and defined positioning of the sealing element with a reliable sealing effect.

[0032]According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one sealing element and the support element are produced by means of 2K spraying. This enables simple and cost-effective production.

[0033]According to a further preferred embodiment, the upper side and/or the underside has at least one projection, in particular in the form of an embossing, and wherein at least one sealing element and/or the support element has at least one recess and/or at least one projection corresponding to at least one projection of the upper side and/or underside. This means that unwanted twisting of the sealing element and/or the support element relative to the base body can be easily and reliably prevented by the engagement of projections or recesses in the corresponding embossings.

[0034]According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one sealing element is designed as a lip seal or flat seal. The advantage of this is highly effective sealing or a small installation space and easy retrofitting.

[0035]Further important features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the sub-claims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0036]It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037]Preferred designs and embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with identical reference numerals referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0038]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section;

[0039]FIG. 3 shows a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in cross section;

[0040]FIGS. 4 and 5 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section;

[0041]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section;

[0042]FIGS. 8 and 9 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section;

[0043]FIGS. 10, 11, 12 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view, in cross section, and in a view from below; and

[0044]FIG. 13 shows a closure system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section.

[0046]In FIGS. 1 and 2, closure element 1 is shown in a drain cup A (FIG. 2 only). Closure element 1 is made up of several parts and comprises a base body 4 and a handle, comprising a handle base body 3, which has a cap 2. The handle base body 3 is partially guided through an opening 4b of the base body 4 and secured on the opposite side of the base body 4 by means of a retaining ring 5.

[0047]In detail, the essentially cylindrical cap 2 has a rounded projection in its upper area 2a. The central area 2b of the cap is curved inwards in a radial direction in such a way that the edge of the cap 2 in the lower area 2c has essentially the same outer diameter as the upper area 2a.

[0048]The handle base body 3 is essentially in the form of a ring. In the upper area 3a, the ring has a protruding shoulder that is beveled in the direction of the base body 4. In the middle area 3b, the side surface is straight in cross section, in the lower area 3c, the ring has a recess K to form the tear-off edge. The recess K has a triangular cross section, with a 90-degree angle between the central area 3b and the tear-off edge. In addition, the cap 2—as shown in FIG. 2 on the right-hand side of the cap 2—can protrude downwards beyond the tear-off edge or the recess K in an essentially vertical direction. On the left-hand side of FIG. 2, the lower area 2c of the cap ends at the level of the tear-off edge or the recess K and does not protrude beyond it.

[0049]Furthermore, in the lower area 3c, the handle base body 3 has protruding, curved projections 3g in the vertical direction, i.e., protruding in the direction of the radial outer side.

[0050]If liquid now flows in the direction F0, i.e., in the direction of the handle 2, 3, the flow is deflected less strongly upwards by the tear-off edge K (reference numeral F2) than would be the case without the recess K, particularly in the case of a fillet (reference numeral F1). This also applies to the other FIGS. 3-10.

[0051]The base body 4 has a recess in the form of a flat bowl, with a flat, horizontal edge 4e running around the outside, which merges into a curved, sloping surface 4d. In the curved surface 4d, elongated slots 4a aligned in the radial direction are arranged around the circumference at regular intervals. In the deepest area in the middle of the sieve surface 4, an opening 4b is formed, which has a cloverleaf-shaped cross section.

[0052]To assemble the closure element 1, the cap 2 is first placed on the handle base body 3 and thereby secured by friction and/or material bonding, for example by gluing. The lower part of the handle base body 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is then inserted through the opening 4b of the base body 4, starting from its upper side 40, so that the projections 3g engage through the opening 4b on to its underside 41. A support element 42, of which the retaining ring 5 is an integral part, is then fitted on to the projections 3g. The retaining ring 5 can also be designed as a separate component. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the retaining ring 5 is formed as an opening in the support element 42 and has a cloverleaf-shaped cross section with recesses 5c on its inner side corresponding to the opening 4b. On its upper side, i.e., the surface oriented towards the base body 4, the retaining ring 5 has vertical projections 5b, the position of which corresponds to the indentations or bulges of the cloverleaf-shaped profile of the inner side. One or more sealing elements 43 are arranged in a groove 42c on the support element 42, and in particular are attached. The projections 3g, which extend through the support element 42, are fixed to the retaining ring 5 on the opposite side. This can be done, for example, by gluing the projections 3g to the retaining ring 5. The projections 3g correspond to the bulges 4c on the inside of the opening 4b.

[0053]Overall, the handle 2, 3 can be secured against twisting in relation to the base body 4. The vertical projections 5b of the retaining ring 5 serve to ensure correct spacing of the support element 42 and the projections 3g in relation to the opening 4b.

[0054]At least one X-ring or in this case O-ring is arranged around the support element 42 as a sealing element 43. A lip seal is also conceivable as a sealing element 43.

[0055]Cap 2 and/or handle base body 3 and/or base body 4 and/or retaining ring 5 and/or support element 42 can each be made at least partially, but in particular completely, of metal and/or plastic. For example, the plastic can comprise polyamide and polypropylene and/or be reinforced by fiberglass. The cap 2 and/or the base body 4 can be coated, for example with paint or similar. The sealing element 43 can be made of rubber and/or plastic, and in particular can be molded onto the support element 42.

[0056]FIG. 3 shows a closure element according to one embodiment of the present invention in cross section.

[0057]FIG. 3 essentially shows a closure element 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast to the closure element 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure element according to FIG. 3 now has a closure cap 2, which is designed to extend in the lower area 2c in the direction of the handle base body 3 and thus forms a “protrusion” with respect to the handle base body 3. In this way, a tear-off edge or a recess K is formed. The lower edge of the lower area 2c of the cap 2 can thus be bent radially inwards in whole or in part. This also applies to all other embodiments.

[0058]The cap 2 is also curved radially inwards in the central area 2b. In other words, the cross section of the central area is shaped like a segment of a circle.

[0059]FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section.

[0060]FIGS. 4 and 5 essentially show a closure element 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In contrast to the closure element 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the closure element 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 now has radial projections 3d extending over the upper and middle regions 3a, 3b of the handle base body 3. These projections have a triangular shape in cross section, extend essentially in the vertical direction in the areas 3a, 3b, and are arranged in a regular manner on the radial outer side of the handle base body 3. The cap 2 can be frictionally secured to the handle base body 3 by means of the aforementioned projections 3d. For easier assembly of the cap 2, the projections 3d can be rounded or flattened in the upper area. In addition, the opening 4b is now circular and does not have a “cloverleaf” shape. The support or sealing element 42, 43 seals any passages between the opening 4b and the handle base body 3.

[0061]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a closure element according to one embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section.

[0062]FIGS. 6 and 7 essentially show a closure element 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The base body 4 in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the base body 4 in FIGS. 4 and 5. On the one hand, a vertical circumferential web 4g extends upwards around the opening 4b in the direction of the base body 3; on the other hand, the opening slots 4a extend up to the opening 4b, but are not connected to it. The vertical projections 5b of the retaining ring 5 of the support element 42 on its upper side are designed in such a way that they engage in the opening slots 4a of the base body 4 in the area of the web 4g. Similarly, the V-shaped edge 3f of the projections 3g engages in a projection 5e of the cloverleaf-shaped design of the inner surface of the retaining ring 5 of the support element 42. This can be used to provide anti-rotation protection.

[0063]The projections 3g on the handle base body 3 are bent backward in the direction of the radial inside of the handle base body 3. In other words, the projections 3g are V-shaped, with the respective edge 3f running vertically and being arranged radially further inwards.

[0064]In addition, the support element 42 has a thickness that decreases in the radial direction towards the outside-vertical extension of the support element 42 in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a lip seal 43a is arranged on the radial outer side of the support element 42 as a sealing element 43.

[0065]FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view and in cross section.

[0066]FIGS. 8 and 9 essentially show a closure element 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast to the closure element 1 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the closure element 1 according to FIGS. 8 and 9 now has a one-piece handle 23, which corresponds on its upper side to the cap 2 of FIGS. 6 and 7; in particular the areas 23a, 23b, 23c essentially correspond to the areas 2a, 2b, 2c of the cap 2 according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. On the underside, the handle 23 now has tabs 23e and slots 23e′ around the circumference. Furthermore, two projections 23f, 23g are arranged on the tabs 23e at a vertical distance from one another in the direction of the circumference around the handle base body 3—interrupted only by the slots 23e′.

[0067]Furthermore, the base body 4 differs from the base body 4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. Instead of the “cloverleaf” shape of the opening 4b, it is circular with inwardly projecting, rectangular teeth 4h. Furthermore, the area 4f around the opening 4b is flattened, i.e., horizontal and parallel to the edge 4e. The vertical projections 5b of the retaining ring 5 of the support element 42 are not present; instead, a radially inward projection 5h is formed, which rests against the teeth 4h after the handle 23 has been mounted in the opening 4b. The teeth 4h and the projections 5h are then arranged in the slots 23e′. The tear-off edge K is designed in cross section in the form of a rounded recess that partially extends upwards in a vertical direction.

[0068]FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show a closure element according to an embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view, in cross section, and in a view from below.

[0069]FIGS. 10 to 12 essentially show a closure element 1 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In contrast to the closure element 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the closure element 1 shown in FIGS. 10-12 is designed in several pieces, as in FIGS. 1-7.

[0070]In addition, the support element 42 has vertical elevations or projections 42d on its surface facing the base body 4 on a vertically projecting, circumferential edge 42b that is adapted to the shape of the base body 4. The projections 42d are designed in such a way that they can protrude into the elongated slots 4a or can be at least partially pressed in. This secures the support element 42 to the base body 4 in its slots 4a so that it cannot twist.

[0071]On its radial outer side, the support element 42 has a horizontal projection 42a around the circumference, into which the sealing element 43 can be clipped or secured in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the sealing element 43 has a circumferential opening or recess 43b corresponding to the projection 42a, for example in a U-shape.

[0072]In general, positive and/or negative embossing can also be arranged instead of the elongated slots 4a for each embodiment. The sealing element 43 and/or the support element 42 can then engage in these embossings by means of projections as just described in relation to the slots 4a and/or recesses and thus provide additional anti-rotation protection. In general, for each embodiment, the connection between the handle base body 3 and the support element 42, and thus also the base body 4, can be fixed so that it is detachable, for example by means of clipping in or a latching connection. In general, for each embodiment, the retaining ring 5—as shown—can be designed as an integral part of the support element 42 or can separately secure or fix the support element 42 fixed to the handle base body 3 and base body 4 from below.

[0073]FIG. 13 shows a closure system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074]FIG. 13 shows a closure system 200 comprising a basin 100 with a drain opening 101. The drain opening 101 can be closed with a closing element 1.

[0081]Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in a variety of ways.