Fluid handling – Systems – Multi-way valve unit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-19
2001-07-24
Fox, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multi-way valve unit
C137S269000, C137S625480
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263919
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a mixing cartridge intended for a cold and hot water mixing valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, various types of mixing valves are constructed to receive a mixing cartridge of the sequential type. A sequential type of cartridge has a valve designed to ensure in the progressive movement of an operating member in a certain field of adjustment, firstly, the delivery of cold water only, then a mixture with growing volumes of hot water, and finally the delivery of hot water only.
Thermostatic mixing valves are also known, which are constructed to receive a thermostatic mixing cartridge. The thermostatic cartridge is designed to regulate the mixing of cold water and hot water so as to ensure the delivery of mixed water having within a certain field of approximation a constant, possibly adjustable temperature.
Both of the thermostatic valves and sequential mixing valves have been linked in a pipeline for adjustment of flow to separate faucets. Alternatively both valves can be installed serially in a single faucet.
However, known mixing valves constructed to receive a sequential mixing cartridge cannot have the cartridge replaced with a thermostatic mixing cartridge, and mixing valves constructed to receive a thermostatic mixing cartridge, cannot have the cartridge replaced with receive a sequential mixing cartridge. In the current state of the art, these two types of mixing cartridges have different constructions both in terms of external dimensions and placement of inlet openings for cold water and hot water and for delivery of mixed water so that they are incompatible with each other and cannot be interchangeable.
This situation entails inconveniences. As a matter of fact, on the one hand, when it comes to actual manufacturing, it is necessary to provide units of different design and construction for a mixing valve housing intended to receive a sequential mixing cartridge and a mixing valve housing intended to receive a thermostatic mixing cartridge. The two different housing constructions result in an increase in their manufacturing and storage cost and, on the other hand, it is not possible to meet the requirement of a user to switch from a sequential mixing system to a thermostatic mixing system or vice versa without entirely replacing the mixing valve housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a cartridge is constructed to selectively accommodate the function of a thermostatic mixing cartridge or the function of a sequential mixing valve cartridge. As a result, a mixing valve housing will be able without modification to receive a selected one of a sequential mixing cartridge and a thermostatic mixing cartridge. As such a mixing device for thermostatic control can be easily connected to a sequential mixing device and vice versa. The replacement of one cartridge with the other is easy, thus providing the possibility of meeting any sudden requirement of a user simply by replacement of the mixing cartridge inserted in the body of the mixing valve housing.
The sequential mixing cartridge, intended for a cold and hot water mixing device, includes a housing or body with inlet openings for cold water and for hot water and with a delivery opening for mixed water and including, in its interior, a sequential mixing mechanism as well as an operating handle for the mechanism partially protruding from the body for manual operation. The shape and outside dimensions of the housing as well as the arrangement of the inlet openings for cold water and hot water and for delivery of mixed water substantially correspond to the pertinent construction and dimensions of a thermostatic mixing cartridge.
The sequential mixing cartridge according to the invention can be mounted in a mixing valve housing device constructed to receive the thermostatic mixing cartridge, and reciprocally, the thermostatic mixing cartridge can be mounted in a mixing valve housing constructed to receive a sequential mixing cartridge according to the invention.
Preferably, furthermore, the sequential mixing mechanism is also constructed to provide a delivery intercept or shut-off position and a regulating field for the delivered water volume. The cartridge may comprise a control member for the slide valve that extends up to a point in proximity to the delivery opening and cooperates with it in order partially or completely close it thereby providing a water flow volume and shut off function. In this way, the cartridge for the sequential mixing, according to the invention can confer upon the mixing device in which is mounted also the shut-off feature of a mixing faucet. One can expand the design and storage combination allowed by the cartridge, according to the invention, also permitting a standardization between mixing devices that have or do not have the shut off character of a mixing faucet.
Preferably, the cartridge housing has inlet openings for cold water and for hot water arranged on its shell surface and the delivery opening for mixed water is arranged in accordance with its end that is axially opposite to the extending operating members.
In this case, the sequential mixing action is performed by a slide valve that is axially mobile due to the action of a control member and that cooperates directly or indirectly with the entry openings in a manner similar to what happens in a thermostatic mixing cartridge. This also facilitates a certain standardization of the internal components of the sequential mixing cartridge according to the invention with respect to the corresponding components of a thermostatic mixing cartridge, and this facilitates further savings in cartridge manufacturing costs.
The slide valve control member can advantageously be operated by an operating member screwed into the valve housing of the cartridge and intended to be operated in a rotating manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5107884 (1992-04-01), Orlandi
patent: 5356074 (1994-10-01), Limet et al.
patent: 5580031 (1996-12-01), Lorch
Fox John
Masco Corporation of Indiana
Reising Ethington Barnes Kisselle Learman & McCulloch PC
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