WITH THE ATTACHMENT

The invention relates to an attachment for a water tap and a method for automatically filling a container with liquid.

Attachments for a water tap, also referred to as water tap attachments, are known in practice. Such attachments are applied inter alia for automatically closing off the flow of water from the water tap, for instance for emergency shut-off of the water supply in case of calamities or for automatically filling buckets.

In known attachments use is for the automatic closing off for instance made of an electric closure which closes off the exhaust of water in case of a signal, or of a float which is placeable in a container to be filled and which is connected to the attachment by means of a connection, such as a rod or rope.

A drawback of the electric connection is that use must be made of an electric power supply for operation thereof. This means that an electric power supply must always be available.

A drawback of a construction with a float in a housing is that it only works (properly) if the attachment is arranged on the tap in a perpendicular position, because the closure is otherwise not (sufficiently) actuated by the float. A drawback of a construction with an external float is that it is susceptible to malfunction. In the case of a flexible connection, such as a rope, there is a danger of it becoming tangled, whereby the desired operation is not achieved. In the case of a rigid connection, such as a rod, the operation is adversely affected by the accumulation of dirt, limescale and/or other deposits. Due to these drawbacks, the closure of the flow of water does not work properly in many cases.

In practice there is therefore a need, particularly when a container such as a bucket or bowl is filled automatically, for an attachment which is less susceptible to malfunction and which is simultaneously also capable of automatically switching in case of a greater water flow, i.e. a water flow with fully opened water tap. It is precisely in such applications that a leakage-free, reliable switching without having to (manually) operate the tap is essential. A possible solution for this is a sensor-switched attachment which works by (hand) motion (in front of the sensor).

A drawback of such sensor taps is however that they only work after being operated by a person, and there is thus in fact no automatic operation. The water tap or an attachment therefor must then further be provided with an electric power supply for operating the sensor. This is a drawback particularly in outside taps.

The invention therefore has for its object to provide an attachment for a water tap whereby the above stated drawbacks are obviated or at least reduced. The invention provides for this purpose an attachment for a water tap, comprising a membrane chamber and a control chamber, wherein the membrane chamber comprises:

- an intake which is operatively connectable to a water tap, and an exhaust;

- a connection opening which connects the membrane chamber and the control chamber to each other;

- a membrane extending in the membrane chamber and dividing the membrane chamber into a first and a second part, wherein the membrane is provided with an opening which connects the first and the second part in fluid connection to each other, and wherein the membrane is configured to selectively close off the exhaust; and wherein the control chamber comprises:

- the connection opening which forms an inlet of and/or which is connected to an inlet of the control chamber; and

- an outlet which is operatively connected to the exhaust of the membrane chamber;

- a pressure valve which is operatively connected to the inlet for selectively closing off said inlet;

- a control inlet configured to selectively provide air to the control chamber; and wherein the attachment has a flow-through position in which the membrane and the pressure valve are in an open position, and a closed position in which the membrane and the pressure valve respectively close off the exhaust and the connection opening for flow of liquid.

In the present invention the phrases attachment for water tap, water tap attachment and attachment are used interchangeably. These terms must therefore be deemed interchangeable in light of the present text.

The attachment according to the invention has diverse advantages relative to the known attachments.

An advantage of the attachment according to the invention is that it is substantially insusceptible to contamination and (partly) thereby insusceptible to leakage. This is achieved by application of a separately arranged control chamber with pressure valve, which is connected to the membrane chamber, and by application of a membrane in the membrane chamber. This construction is insusceptible to contamination and is thereby substantially maintenance-free, also owing to the use of the pressure valve in the control chamber.

An advantage of the construction with the separately arranged control chamber and the connection opening is that the membrane of the (water) exhaust is controlled substantially on the basis of a liquid flow/water pulse between the membrane chamber and the control chamber. Contamination in the attachment is hereby substantially avoided.

The moving parts of the attachment are also situated in the attachment, and are not arranged or provided in the container to be filled. A closed construction which is substantially insusceptible to external influences, including contamination, is hereby achieved. This makes the attachment robust and reliable.

A further advantage of the attachment according to the invention is that no external energy source, such as electric power supply or a compressed air connection, is necessary for the attachment. The opening and closing of the (water) exhaust is controlled wholly on the basis of the water pressure in the (feed) conduit of the water tap. The attachment can hereby also be utilized at locations where no electric power supply or compressed air connection is available.

Yet another advantage of the attachment according to the invention is that there is no wastage of water or the user’s time since, because the supply of water stops, irrespective of the user, when a container is filled. Overflowing of the container is hereby substantially prevented, and water wastage is prevented, and a user is also prevented from having to wait around.

A further advantage of the attachment according to the invention is that a high feed through or flow-through quantity can be achieved without a large membrane being necessary to close off the exhaust. This is because the pressure for realizing the closure is realized by the indirect control of the water flow using the control chamber. This makes the membrane size of the membrane in the membrane chamber independent of the water pressure and quantity, and also makes the attachment applicable at higher water pressures, outflow speeds and/or quantities.

A further advantage of the attachment according to the invention is that the indirect control also enables a higher filling speed of a container. It is possible here to envisage filling a container, under normal water pressure in the mains system, in a period of time of less than a minute, or even less than thirty seconds.

The filling speed of a container, which is of course related to the outflow speed and quantity, can be high in that the attachment can in principle be arranged on any type of water tap.

In other words, the filling speed of the container is determined mainly by the (maximum) supply of water by the water tap and not by the attachment.

Another, further advantage is that a switch with easy and light operation is realized by the control chamber and the connection opening. This contributes to an efficient and proper operation of the attachment and makes it possible to realize a high flow rate compared to existing, often more complex, solutions.

In an embodiment according to the invention the attachment can further comprise an exhaust element, for example a hose or flexible tube, which is coupled to the exhaust with a first end and which is provided with a second end which is positionable in or over a container to fill said container with liquid.

An advantage of the use of an exhaust element, especially an exhaust element which is at least partially flexible, is a better guiding of the liquid to the container. This reduces the risk of leakage and splashing. It is noted that it is possible to opt both for an exhaust element which is fixedly connected or formed integrally with the attachment, or for a releasably connected, interchangeable exhaust element.

In an embodiment according to the invention the attachment can further comprise a control element, preferably a hose or a flexible tube, having a first end which is connectable to the control inlet and having a second end which is placeable in a container to be filled.

An advantage of the use of a control element which is placeable with an end in the container is that the actuation or control of the flow of liquid through the attachment (and thereby the tap) can be controlled on the basis of vacuum or pressure. This makes the use of other control and/or actuating means necessary.

During use the control element, preferably together with an above described exhaust element, is placed in a container. During filling, the attachment is in the flow-through position and air is supplied by the control element and the control inlet. The water pressure from the connection opening and/or the inlet in combination with the air supply via the control inlet in the control chamber ensures that the pressure valve remains in an open position. The membrane hereby remains in the open position in the membrane chamber and liquid, usually water, flows from the tap through the attachment to the exhaust. If the outer end of the control element placed in the container comes to he below the water surface by (and during) filling, a negative pressure results in the control chamber and the pressure valve is closed (by the negative pressure). The pressure in the first, usually upper, chamber part of the membrane chamber of the attachment hereby becomes higher than the pressure in the second, usually lower, chamber part of the membrane chamber, whereby the membrane is pushed into the closed position and the exhaust is closed. In this way the water supply is thus closed off automatically and autonomously, i.e. without application of electricity or other energy sources.

The use of a control element placeable in the container to be filled also achieves that a (short) time delay is realized between removal thereof from a filled container and (re-)starting the throughfeed of water.

This is caused by the fact that in the attachment according to the invention the control element must first empty, and the switch only then switches. This results in there being time to move the control element from the filled container to a container to be filled practically without leakage. A water saving and convenience of use is hereby achieved relative to known float systems, wherein the water flow starts immediately when the float is removed from the filled container.

In an embodiment according to the invention the attachment is transferrable in use of the attachment from the open position to the closed position by applying a negative pressure to the control chamber such that the pressure valve, and therewith the membrane in the membrane chamber, move to the closed position.

An advantage of controlling the pressure in the control chamber and thereby actuating the pressure valve is that contamination is substantially prevented in that there is no contact which can become contaminated or silted up.

A further advantage is that the pressure in the control chamber is easily controllable without this affecting the operation of the membrane in the membrane chamber. In other words, the pressure in the control chamber can be adjusted to the type, the size and the strength and/or thickness of the membrane in the membrane chamber. This allows for use of a large variety of membranes. This means that membranes with both diverse strengths and/or thicknesses can be used.

In an embodiment according to the invention, applying a negative pressure to the control chamber is performed by filling the container with liquid such that the second end of the control element reaches into the liquid.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the water exhaust from the attachment is automatically closed off when the container fills up. This is realized in that, as soon as the control element reaches into the liquid, a negative pressure results in the control chamber, this resulting in a successive closing of the pressure valve and the membrane in the membrane chamber.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that no electricity, compressed air or other energy source/carrier is necessary for switching of the attachment. The switching takes place on the basis of the quantity of water which is discharged from the exhaust of the attachment.

In an embodiment of the attachment according to the invention the pressure valve can be a membrane which extends in the control chamber, wherein the membrane is movable between a closed position in which the inlet is closed off for flow of liquid and an open position, wherein the membrane separates the control chamber into a first and a second part, and wherein, in the closed position of the attachment, the pressure in the second part exceeds the pressure in the first part.

An advantage of this embodiment is that by applying pressure differences between the first part and the second part of the control chamber, the opening and closing of the membrane can be realized in simple manner. This construction is substantially insusceptible to contamination and silting up. It is noted here that in this embodiment overpressure is applied (in the second part of the control chamber) in order to close off the membrane of the (water) exhaust in the membrane chamber. This embodiment thereby works in principle opposite to the negative pressure variant previously described above.

A further advantage is that a large variety of membranes can be used. This means that membranes with both diverse strengths and/or thicknesses can be used. In an embodiment according to the invention the control element and the exhaust element can be positioned at least partially concentrically, and the control element can preferably be positioned around the exhaust element.

An advantage of a concentric positioning is that the space taken up by the elements is relatively small.

A further advantage is that, owing to the concentric positioning, the control element is automatically also placed in the container when the exhaust element is positioned in the container.

In an embodiment according to the invention the control element and the exhaust element can extend at least partially parallel to, and preferably adjoining each other.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the control element and the exhaust element are positionable collectively but also individually.

A further advantage is that, when one or both become damaged or worn, they can be replaced separately from the other one. It is the case here that they are then (preferably) each connected releasably to the attachment.

In an embodiment it is possible to opt to realize the control element and the exhaust element parallel to each other and preferably connected to each other. A single element which is placeable in a container is then formed hereby.

In an embodiment according to the invention the exhaust can be positioned in the first part of the membrane chamber and the connection opening in the second part of the membrane chamber.

An advantage of placing the exhaust and the connection opening in the separate parts is that the operation of the attachment is improved because an easy closure can thereby be realized by increasing or reducing the pressure in the second part.

The first part is preferably a lower part, so that the exhaust is placed substantially downward in use. It is however also possible to place the first part to the right or to the left of the second part because the orientation does not define the operation of the attachment.

In an embodiment according to the invention the pressure valve can be a membrane, wherein the membrane can be moveable between a closed position in which the inlet is closed off for flow of liquid and an open position.

An advantage of a membrane is that it is inexpensive and operates effectively. In addition, it is the case that a membrane is substantially insusceptible to contamination and/or silting up.

In an embodiment according to the invention the attachment can have an attachment housing in which the membrane chamber and the control chamber are arranged.

An advantage of a housing is that the working parts are protected against damage.

Another advantage of a housing is that it can be handled easily. The housing can also be easily provided with texts and drawings. This can for instance comprise advertising, but can also be an indication of the connecting points and the manner in which they can be connected. A traditional user manual can hereby be dispensed with.

In an embodiment according to the invention the membrane chamber and/or the control chamber can be provided with a housing.

An advantage of arranging a (separate) housing of the membrane and/or control chamber is that the two elements are interchangeable and can be interchanged in the case of any damage. It is for instance possible here to envisage leaking of a membrane or the like due to (incorrect) use or wear.

In an embodiment according to the invention both the membrane chamber and the control chamber can be provided with a housing which encloses the respective chamber, wherein one or more of the connection opening, the intake, the exhaust, the inlet and/or the outlet are arranged in a housing wall of the respective housing.

In an embodiment according to the invention one or more of the intake, the exhaust, the inlet and/or the outlet can be formed as an opening, wherein the opening is preferably situated in a respective housing of the respective chamber.

An advantage of forming said respective elements as opening is that they can be formed in the attachment in simple manner, whereby this attachment can be realized at relatively low cost.

In an embodiment according to the invention a maximum filling speed of the attachment, measured in quantity of water supplied from the exhaust, can be substantially 5 litres/minute, preferably substantially 20 litres/minute and more preferably substantially 25 litres/minute.

The attachment can take a form, also with smaller dimensions, such that the outlet flow is relatively great. This can be realized by the fact that the pressure control realized by the closure is applied separately (using the control chamber). This provides for an increase of the pressure on the membrane which closes off the exhaust, whereby a larger exhaust can also be closed off with a small control.

The invention further relates to a method for filling a container with liquid, the method comprising of:

- providing an attachment for a water tap according to any one of the preceding claims;

- positioning a container to be filled under the exhaust of the membrane chamber;

- filling the container with liquid;

- automatically transferring the attachment to the closed position such that the flow of liquid to the container is stopped.

The method according to the invention has the same advantages and effects as the attachment according to the invention. The embodiments stated for the attachment are therefore combinable with ((related) elements of) the method according to the invention. An advantage of the method according to the invention is that a container, such as a bucket, can thereby be automatically filled with water in effective and efficient manner. The use of the attachment according to the invention realizes a substantially leakage-free exhaust which can supply a high flow rate and still functions even when placed at an angle.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention the method can further comprise of placing the second end of the control element in the container to be filled, and the steps of filling and automatically transferring the attachment to the closed position can further comprise of filling the container with liquid such that the second end reaches into the liquid and of, by virtue of the preceding step, automatically transferring the attachment to the closed position.

An advantage of the use of a control element placeable in the container is that the closing off of the exhaust is realized on the basis of the water in the container. No electricity, compressed air and/or externally applied air pressure is hereby necessary, and the method can be applied almost anywhere. This is also particularly advantageous for outside taps where no electricity or compressed air is available.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention automatically transferring the attachment to the closed position further comprises the steps of:

(i) applying negative pressure or overpressure to the control chamber;

(ii) by virtue of step (i) closing the pressure valve; and

(iii) by virtue of step (ii) applying pressure to the membrane in the membrane chamber;

(iv) by virtue of step (iii) closing the membrane; and

(v) by virtue of step (v) automatically transferring the attachment from the flow-through position to the closed position.

The invention further relates to a water tap provided with an attachment according to the invention.

The water tap according to the invention has the same advantages and effects as the attachment and the method according to the invention. The embodiments stated for the attachment and the method are therefore freely combinable with the water tap according to the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of the preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of an attachment according to the invention in the open position;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment of figure 1 in the closed position;

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of an attachment according to the invention in the open position; and

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the embodiment of figure 3 in the closed position. In an embodiment of an attachment 2 according to the invention (see figures 1, 2) attachment 2 is provided with housing 4 which encloses membrane chamber 6 and control chamber 8. Membrane chamber 6 is provided with intake 10, which is coupled to a water tap (not shown) and an exhaust 12. Membrane chamber 6 is further provided with connection opening 14 which is connected to control chamber 8. Membrane 16 extends in membrane chamber 6, whereby membrane chamber 6 is sub-divided into a first part 18 and a second part 20. In this embodiment exhaust 12 is arranged in first part 18 and connection opening 14 in second part 20. Membrane 16 is further provided with (passage) opening 22 which mutually connects first part 18 and second part 20 so that water (in open position of attachment 2) can flow from intake 10 via first part 18 to second part 20. In this embodiment membrane chamber 6 is provided with a membrane chamber housing 6a. It is noted here that membrane chamber housing 6a can also form part of housing 4, so that a separate membrane chamber housing 6a is not necessary.

Control chamber 8 is connected via connection opening 14 to membrane chamber 6. In this embodiment (see figures 1, 2) connection opening 14 is provided with inlet 24 which extends inward in control chamber 8. Control chamber 8 is further provided with control opening 26 and outlet 28, which are in this embodiment situated opposite each other in the wall 8b of control chamber housing 8a of control chamber 8. This positioning can however also be different. It is also noted that control chamber 8 need not necessarily have a separate control chamber housing 8a, but that this can form part of housing 4 of attachment 2. In this embodiment outlet 28 is connected operatively to exhaust 12 of membrane chamber 6.

Control chamber 8 is further provided with pressure valve 30, which is configured to selectively close inlet 24 for throughflow of water. In this embodiment pressure valve 30 takes the form of membrane 30.

In this embodiment (see figures 1, 2) attachment 2 is further provided with exhaust element 32 which is connected to exhaust 12 and extends from exhaust 12 to an opposite exhaust element end 32a. In this embodiment exhaust element end 32a forms outflow end 32a for supplying water. Outflow end 32a is placeable in interior space 34 of container 36 in order to supply water to interior space 34 of container 36. Outlet 28 of control chamber 8 is connected to exhaust element 32 and can carry water out of control chamber 8 to exhaust element 32.

Attachment 2 is further provided with control element 38, which is connected to control opening 26 of control chamber 8. Control element 38 extends from control opening 26 to an opposite control end 40 which is placeable in interior space 34 of container 36. Control element 38 is configured to supply (outside) air to control chamber 8.

During use of attachment 2, outflow end 32a and control end 40 are placed in interior space 34 of container 36. Membrane 16 is pressed away from exhaust 12 under pressure of water taken via intake 10 into membrane chamber 6 so that membrane 16 is in open position and water can flow out freely via exhaust 12 to interior space 34 of container 36.

At the same time, water flows through (passage) opening 22 via second part 20 of membrane chamber 6 to (and through) connection opening 14 to inlet 24 of control chamber 8. The water pressure exerted by the water on pressure valve 30, here membrane 30, pushes membrane 30 into the open position. Because air can be supplied via control element 38 and control opening 26 to control chamber 8, the water can flow from inlet 24 freely via outlet 28 and exhaust element 32 to interior space 34 of container 36.

The moment that water level W in interior space 34 of container 36 rises above control end 40, no more air will be supplied to control chamber 8. Because compensation cannot take place either via outflow end 32a situated below water level W, a negative pressure results in control chamber 8. Membrane 30 is hereby pulled against inlet opening 24 so that membrane 30 is in closed position (see figure 2).

Due to membrane 30 closing/being closed, the pressure in second part 20 of membrane chamber 6 increases and membrane 16 is transferred to closed position so that exhaust 12 is closed off. The result is that the outflow of water via exhaust 12 stops (immediately) (see figure 2). Attachment 2 is in closed position and the water exhaust has stopped.

As soon as exhaust element 32 and control element 38 are placed in an empty container 36, air is (once again) supplied via control inlet 26 and the two membranes 16, 30 immediately open again, and the outflow of water is resumed until water level W in the new container 36 once again rises above exhaust end 32a of control end 40.

In a second embodiment of an attachment 102 according to the invention (see figures 3, 4) attachment 102 is provided with membrane chamber 106 and control chamber 108, which are provided with respective membrane chamber housing 106a and control chamber housing 108a. Membrane chamber 106 is provided with intake 110, which is couplable to water tap T and an exhaust 112. Membrane chamber 106 is further provided with connection opening 114 which is connected to control chamber 108. Membrane 116 extends in membrane chamber 106, whereby membrane chamber 106 is sub-divided into a first part 118 and a second part 120. In this embodiment exhaust 112 is arranged in first part 118 and connection opening 114 in second part 120. Membrane 116 is further provided with (passage) opening 122 which mutually connects first part 118 and second part 120 so that water (in open position of attachment 102) can flow from intake 110 via first part 118 to second part 120. It is otherwise noted here that membrane chamber housing 106a and control chamber housing 108a can also form part of a housing, so that a separate membrane chamber housing 106a and control chamber housing 108a are not necessary.

Control chamber 108 is connected via connection opening 114 to membrane chamber 106. In this embodiment (see figures 3, 4) connection opening 114 is provided with inlet 124 which extends inward in control chamber 108. Control chamber 108 is further provided with pressure valve 130, which is configured to selectively close inlet 124 for throughflow of water. In this embodiment pressure valve 130 takes the form of membrane 130 which extends in control chamber 108. Control chamber 108 is thereby divided into first part 142 and second part 144. First part 142 and second part 144 are not connected in fluid connection to each other, and thus form separated compartments. In this embodiment outlet 128 and inlet 124 are both situated in the first part 142 of control chamber 108. Control opening 126 is situated in second part 144 of control chamber 108.

In this embodiment outlet 128 is connected operatively to exhaust 112 of membrane chamber 106.

In this embodiment (see figures 3, 4) attachment 102 is further provided with exhaust element 132 which is connected to exhaust 112 and extends from exhaust 112 to an opposite exhaust element end 132a. In this embodiment exhaust element end 132a forms outflow end 132 for supplying water. Outflow end 132a is placeable in interior space 134 of container 136 in order to feed water to interior space 134 of container 136. Outlet 128 of control chamber 108 is connected to exhaust element 132 and can carry water out of control chamber 108 to exhaust element 132.

Attachment 102 is further provided with control element 138 which is connected to control opening 126 of control chamber 108. Control element 138 extends from control opening 126 to an opposite control end 140 which is placeable in the interior space 134 of container 136. Control element 138 is configured to control the pressure in second part 144 of control chamber 108.

During use of attachment 102, outflow end 132a and control end 140 are placed in interior space 134 of container 136. Membrane 116 is pressed away from exhaust 112 under pressure of water taken via intake 110 into membrane chamber 106 so that membrane 116 is in open position and water can flow out freely via exhaust 112 to interior space 134 of container 136.

At the same time, water flows through (passage) opening 122 via second part 120 of membrane chamber 106 to (and through) connection opening 114 to inlet 124 of control chamber 108. The water pressure exerted by the water on pressure valve 130, here membrane 130, pushes membrane 130 into the open position. Water hereby flows via inlet 124, through first part 142 to outlet 128. The water from outlet 128 flows freely via exhaust element 132 to interior space 134 of container 136. This is possible in that there is an open connection between second part 144 of control chamber 108 and a surrounding area via control element 138 and control opening 126, so that the pressure in second part 144 is lower than the pressure in first part 142 and membrane 130 is in open position (see figure 3).

The moment that water level W in interior space 134 of container 136 rises above control end 140, the air pressure in second part 144 of control chamber 108 becomes higher than the pressure in first part 142 due to the rising water level, and membrane 130 is transferred to closed position. Hereby, the pressure in second part 120 of membrane chamber 106 increases and membrane 116 is pushed into closed position, and exhaust 112 is closed off for exhaust of water (see figure 4).

This means that, as soon as control end 140 reaches below water level W, the outflow of water via exhaust 112 stops (immediately) (see figure 4). Attachment 102 is in closed position and the water exhaust has stopped.

As soon as exhaust element 132 and control element 138 are placed in an empty container 136, an open connection is brought about of second part 144 with the surrounding area via control inlet 126, and the two membranes 116, 130 immediately move to the open position again and the outflow of water is resumed until water level W in the new container 136 is once again rises above exhaust end 132a of control end 140.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.