U.S. patent application number 17/078328 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-22 for work furniture for sanitary applications, kitchen or the like.
The applicant listed for this patent is BLANCO GmbH + Co KG. Invention is credited to Thomas FUNKE, Markus HABERKERN, Thorsten NEELEN, Brigitte ZIEMANN.
Application Number | 20210222407 17/078328 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005523797 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210222407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZIEMANN; Brigitte ; et
al. |
July 22, 2021 |
WORK FURNITURE FOR SANITARY APPLICATIONS, KITCHEN OR THE LIKE
Abstract
The invention relates to an item of work furniture for sanitary
applications, kitchens, or the like, for the defined arrangement of
at least the following modules on a main body: a water supply
module, at least one fitting module having a fitting that is
connectable to the water supply module and/or to at least one water
treatment module, and at least one drain module having a drain
point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module and having
a drain fitting, and at least the water treatment module is
arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.
Inventors: |
ZIEMANN; Brigitte;
(Eppingen, DE) ; HABERKERN; Markus; (Bad Rappenau,
DE) ; FUNKE; Thomas; (Eppingen, DE) ; NEELEN;
Thorsten; (Bielefeld, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BLANCO GmbH + Co KG |
Oberderdingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005523797 |
Appl. No.: |
17/078328 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/184 20130101;
E03B 7/074 20130101; E03C 2201/45 20130101; E03B 7/08 20130101;
E03B 7/078 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03B 7/07 20060101
E03B007/07; E03C 1/184 20060101 E03C001/184; E03B 7/08 20060101
E03B007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2019 |
DE |
102019216408.0 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. An item of furniture comprising a main body and the following
modules on the main body: a water supply module; a water treatment
module; at least one fitting module having a fitting which is
connectable to at least one of the water supply module and the
water treatment module; and at least one drain module including a
drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module, and
a drain fitting; wherein at least the water treatment module is
arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.
25. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body comprises an adjustable height.
26. The item of work furniture according to claim 25, wherein the
height is adjustable on opposite sides of the main body.
27. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body and at least one of the water supply module, water
treatment module, fitting module and drain module are designed to
be fixed to one another without tools.
28. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body further comprises holding devices for horizontally
introducing the modules.
29. The item of work furniture according to claim 28, wherein at
least two of the modules comprise pluggable interfaces for
receiving a pluggable connecting line.
30. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body comprises two horizontally divisible regions.
31. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein at
least one of the modules comprises a handle device for removing the
at least one module from the item of work furniture.
32. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein a
first two of the modules are horizontally detachably connected to
the main body, a second two of the modules are laterally adjacent
to the first two of the modules, and the first two of the modules
are larger than the second two of the modules.
33. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
item of work furniture further comprises a front region for access
by a user and a rear region and the modules can be introduced into
the main body starting from the front region.
34. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
modules can be releasably fixed on one another.
35. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, further
comprising at least one of the following modules: at least one
electronics module, at least one storage module, a filter module
for providing filtered water, a carbonation module for providing
carbonated water, a heating module for providing hot water, a
cooling water module for providing cooled water, a cooling module
for cooling at least part of the storage module, a shredding module
connected to at least one of the drain module and the storage
module, an ionization module for ionizing water, an enrichment
module for enriching water with at least one substance, an additive
module for adding concentrates, and a light module for illuminating
at least one of the other modules.
36. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body further comprises a moisture-protected and/or
water-protected region.
37. The item of work furniture according to claim 36, wherein the
moisture-protected region is arranged in a base region of the main
body.
38. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
drain module comprises at least one of a drip tray and a basin.
39. The item of work furniture according to claim 35, wherein at
least one of the filter module, the enrichment module, and the
additive module comprises at least one interchangeably arranged
cartridge or container.
40. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
drain module comprises a pipe that includes a substantially
right-angled pipe run having a vertical section in a rear side
region and a horizontal section in a drain point region of the
drain module.
41. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
drain point is provided in a sink and the main body comprises a
base cabinet.
42. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein at
least one of the water supply module and the drain module comprises
multiple connections.
43. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, further
comprising a drain arranged in a rear side region of the drain
point and of the main body.
44. The item of work furniture according to claim 24, wherein the
main body comprises at least two horizontal module insertion levels
and at least two vertical module levels.
45. A method for providing an item of work furniture, comprising
the following steps: providing a main body and designing the main
body for a defined arrangement of modules; providing a water supply
module; providing at least one water treatment module; providing at
least one fitting module including a fitting which can be connected
to at least one of the water supply module and the water treatment
module; providing at least one drain module including a drain point
for receiving the fitting module and a drain fitting for fitting
the fitting module; and arranging the modules on the main body,
wherein at least the water treatment module is interchangeably
arranged in the item of work furniture.
46. A device for planning a configuration of one or more modules of
an item of work furniture, comprising; a display device for
providing visual display of the one or more modules and a main
body; an input device for changing a configuration of the one or
modules and/or for selecting the one or more modules; and a
computing device for at least one of checking, adapting, and
providing proposals for a configuration of the main body and the
one or more modules.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C, .sctn. 120
based on German Patent Application DE 102019216408.0, filed on Oct.
24, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
[0002] The disclosure relates to an item of work furniture for
sanitary applications, kitchens, or the like.
[0003] The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for providing
an item of furniture and moreover to a device for planning a
configuration of modules of an item of furniture.
[0004] Although the present disclosure is generally applicable to
any work furniture, the present disclosure will be described with
respect to a sink arrangement having a sink.
[0005] Sink arrangements of the known type have a worktop in which
a sink basin is introduced into an opening in the worktop. A base
cabinet is arranged underneath, which due to connections to the
sink, i.e. water supply for a sink fitting, pipes, and a siphon for
draining used water from the sink, offers little space for other
components. Siphon and pipes require installation space below the
sink in both the horizontal and also the vertical direction, so
that the remaining installation space can only be used to a limited
extent, for example by a pull-out waste container or the like.
[0006] A base cabinet is known from DE 103 05 311 A1, which
accommodates various types of installations. For this purpose, the
base cabinet has a cabinet body, which in turn is provided with a
smaller inner housing. The installations are then partially
arranged outside the inner housing.
[0007] A washing device having a dishwasher and a sink having a
sink basin is known from DE 10 2009 003 015 A1 The dishwasher is
predominantly arranged in a frame into which the sink basin
protrudes from above.
[0008] Disadvantages of the known base cabinets are their complex
assembly and lack of flexibility with regard to other or further
future components. In addition, a large amount of installation
space is required.
[0009] One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide
an item of work furniture, a method for providing an item of work
furniture, and a device for planning a configuration of modules of
an item of work furniture, which have simpler planning and
subsequent assembly and at the same time a high degree of
flexibility both with regard to the type of components to be used
as well as with regard to their configuration and also with regard
to possible future expansions.
[0010] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an
alternative item of furniture, an alternative method for providing
an item of work furniture, and an alternative device for planning a
configuration of modules of an item of work furniture.
[0011] In one embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the
above-mentioned objects with an item of work furniture for sanitary
applications, kitchens, or the like, for the defined arrangement of
at least the following modules on a main body:
a water supply module, at least one fitting module having a fitting
that is connectable to the water supply module and/or to at least
one water treatment module, and at least one drain module having a
drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting module and
having a drain fitting, wherein at least the water treatment module
is arranged interchangeably in the item of work furniture.
[0012] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the
above-mentioned objects with a method for providing an item of work
furniture, comprising the following steps [0013] providing a main
body and forming the main body for the defined arrangement of
modules, [0014] providing a water supply module, [0015] providing
at least one water treatment module, [0016] providing at least one
fitting module having a fitting that is connectable to the water
supply module and/or the water treatment module, [0017] providing
at least one drain module having a drain point for the at least one
fitting of the fitting module and having a drain fitting, and
[0018] arranging the modules on the main body, wherein at least the
water treatment module is arranged interchangeably in the item of
work furniture.
[0019] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure achieves the
above-mentioned objects with a device for planning a configuration
of modules of work furniture, comprising [0020] a display device
for the visual display of at least one module and one main body,
[0021] an input device for changing a configuration and/or for
selecting one or more modules, and [0022] a computing device for
checking and/or adapting and/or providing proposals for a
configuration of the main body and at least one module.
[0023] One of the advantages achieved in this way is that an
extremely flexible, space-efficient arrangement of different
modules can be planned and the modules can then be assembled in the
arrangement. In addition, the customer is given a high quality
impression, in particular due to the stringent arrangement of the
modules.
[0024] The term "interchangeable" or "interchangeability" with
respect to the term "module" is to be understood in the broadest
sense and relates, in particular in the description, preferably in
the claims, to a change of a module that forms a structural unit
made up of several components to provide a specific function, for
example filtering, concentrate supply, heating, or the like. The
term "interchangeable" or "interchangeability" in particular does
not mean the usual assembly or disassembly of components, in which,
for example, a large number of screws and a large number of
connections have to be loosened, in particular during the initial
installation. The term "interchangeable" or "interchangeability" in
particular also does not mean the replacement solely of consumption
components, for example filters of a filter device, replacement of
a juice concentrate storage container of a concentrate device, or
the like. The term "interchangeable" or "interchangeability" is to
be understood in particular as a quick, simple removal and/or
installation/removal without, for example, having to loosen a large
number of screws and a large number of connections and, for
example, a large number of screws and a large number of connections
having to be connected again upon further usage.
[0025] Further features, advantages, and further embodiments of the
disclosure are described below or become apparent as a result.
[0026] According to one advantageous embodiment, the main body is
adjustable at least in its height. This increases flexibility
because, for example, the main body can be adapted to worktops of
different heights or working heights of different kitchens.
[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body is designed to be separately height-adjustable on opposite
sides in the vertical direction. The main body can thus be adjusted
in terms of its height both in the lower base region and in the
upper region near the worktop, which simplifies the assembly.
[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body and at least one, in particular all, modules are designed to
be fixed on one another without tools, in particular by means of a
clamping device and/or a releasable catch connection. The advantage
of this is simple and quick assembly.
[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body has holding devices for horizontally introducing the modules,
in particular inserting them, and/or at least one of the modules
has a sliding and/or rolling element. One of the advantages thus
achieved is that it ensures easy assembly and
interchangeability.
[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, interfaces
between two modules and/or between module and a connecting line are
designed to be pluggable. This enables the modules to be assembled
quickly and easily.
[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body can be divided horizontally into two regions by means of at
least one vertical element. On the one hand, this improves the
stability and, on the other hand, different regions for modules can
thus be specified for a user, which facilitates the subsequent
installation of modules.
[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one
of the modules has a handle device for removing the module from the
item of work furniture. The advantage of this is easy ability to
remove the modules, even for end customers.
[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment, modules that
are laterally horizontally detachably connected to the main body
are larger than modules that are laterally adjacent to other
modules. This enables larger modules to be reliably fixed on the
main body.
[0034] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the item of
work furniture has a front region for access by a user and a rear
region, wherein the modules can be introduced, in particular
inserted, into the main body starting from the front region. In
this way, at least partially, a rear wall can be fastened directly
on the main body without this resulting in restrictions in the
assembly of the modules.
[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the modules
are designed so that they are detachably fixable on one another, in
particular by means of a clamping device and/or releasable catch
connection. This enables quick assembly and disassembly with more
reliable fixing at the same time.
[0036] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one
of the following modules is arranged: [0037] at least one
electronics module, [0038] at least one storage module, in
particular in the form of a waste container, [0039] a filter module
for providing filtered water, [0040] a carbonation module for
providing carbonated water, [0041] a warming and/or heating module
for providing hot water, [0042] a cooling water module for
providing cooled water, a cooling module for cooling at least part
of the storage module, [0043] a shredding module that is connected
to the drain module and/or the storage module, [0044] an ionization
module for ionizing water, [0045] an enrichment module for
enriching the water with at least one substance, in particular
mineral substance, flavoring substance, colorant, or the like,
[0046] an additive module for adding concentrates, in particular
fruit juice concentrates or the like, [0047] a light module for
illuminating at least one of the other modules.
[0048] One or more modules can be part of other modules in this
case. For example, the carbonation module, the additive module,
and/or the filter module can be part of the water treatment module.
The advantage of this is that it provides a high degree of
flexibility in the selection of modules.
[0049] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body has a moisture-protested and/or water-protected region for
accommodating the electronics module. This prevents moisture or
water from negatively affecting the service life of the electronics
module, for example if lines, pipes, or the like leak.
[0050] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the
moisture-protected and/or water-protected region is arranged in the
base region of the main body. The advantage of this is that it can
be provided in a simple manner in the main body.
[0051] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain
module comprises a drip tray and/or a basin as the drain point. In
this way, for example, a tap or a sink basin is made available in
the item of work furniture in a simple manner.
[0052] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter
module comprises at least one interchangeably arranged filter
cartridge and/or the enrichment module comprises an interchangeably
arranged substance cartridge and/or the additive module comprises
at least one interchangeably arranged concentrate container. One of
the advantages achieved with this is easy maintenance and refilling
of the respective module.
[0053] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain
module comprises a substantially right-angled pipe run of at least
one pipe, wherein this is formed vertically in the region of the
rear side and horizontally in the region of the drain point of the
drain module. The advantage of this is that a particularly
space-saving arrangement of the drain module is provided.
[0054] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain
point is designed as a sink having a main body in the form of a
base cabinet. A kitchen sink or the like can thus be provided in a
particularly simple manner.
[0055] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the water
supply module and/or the drain module comprises several connections
in a defined position. The advantage of this is a high degree of
flexibility with respect to possible expansions and a simple
connection of the respective modules or the lines by specifying
defined fixing positions.
[0056] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drain of
the drain point is arranged in the region of the rear side of the
drain point and the main body. This eliminates the need for a
complex and space-intensive arrangement of drain pipes in the
middle of the drain point.
[0057] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the main
body is designed to provide at least two, in particular three,
horizontal module introduction levels and at least two vertical
module levels. The advantage of this is a high degree of
flexibility with regard to the arrangement of different modules on
or in the main body.
[0058] Further important features and advantages of the disclosure
result from the dependent claims, from the drawings, and from the
associated description of the figures on the basis of the
drawings.
[0059] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those
yet to be explained below are usable not only in the combination
specified in each case, but also in other combinations or alone,
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0060] Preferred designs and embodiments of the present disclosure
are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the
following description, wherein the same reference symbols refer to
the same or similar or functionally identical components or
elements.
[0061] In the figures:
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an item
of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0063] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a section
of the region of the rear side of an item of work furniture
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0064] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a part of a main body
having a fixed module according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0065] FIG. 4 shows in schematic form a device for planning an item
of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0066] FIG. 5 shows steps of a method according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0067] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of an item
of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0068] An item of work furniture 1 is shown in detail in FIG. 1. A
drain module having a sink basin as a drain point 5 for a fitting
4a of a fitting module 4 is arranged in the surface of a main body
10 of the item of work furniture 1. The height of the main body 10
can be adjusted in steps in the upper region by a height adjustment
device 11a. Corresponding rows of holes, which are arranged in a
semicircular or parabolic shape, for example, can be provided here
to engage with corresponding elements. It is also conceivable to
provide a continuous height adjustment device. Furthermore, the
height of the main body 10 can also be adjusted in steps in its
lower region 11b. Alternatively, a continuous height adjustment can
also be provided here instead. A water-protected and
moisture-protected region 18 is arranged in the lower region or in
the region of the base of the main body 10. This can be used to
accommodate an electronics module, a power supply module, or the
like, which are protected in this region against penetrating water,
for example from line leaks or the like.
[0069] The main body 10 furthermore has lateral fixing devices in
the form of clamping devices 13 for fixing modules 6, 8 on the main
body 10. These are arranged at different heights and depths and
provide different module insertion levels HE1, HE2, HE3, VE1, VE2.
In addition, the modules 6, 7, 8 are also fixable on one another,
i.e. the modules 6, 7, 8 do not necessarily have to be fixed on the
main body 10. The modules 6, 7, 8 shown in FIG. 1 each have handles
17 in the region facing toward the front region 20 of the main body
10, which can be used on the one hand to remove the modules 6, 7,
8, on the other hand they can also be used to interchange storage
containers or filters of the modules 6, 7, 8.
[0070] In addition, the modules 6, 7, 8 are designed such that they
are adapted to the shape of the sink basin 5. A third module level
HE3 is provided below the second module level HE2 with front module
level VE1, comprising the modules 6, 7, 8, which are also arranged
directly below the sink basin 5, In FIG. 1, the third row of
modules HE3 is formed by a waste module 9, which is arranged in the
main body 10 so that it can be pulled out, the first module level
HE1 is formed in this case by the drain module having basin 5.
[0071] Not shown in FIG. 1 are a water supply module 2, partially
the fitting module 4, and a water treatment module 3. These are at
least partially arranged between the first visible front row of
modules VE1, HE2 and the rear wall 21 of the main body 10. It is
also not shown in FIG. 1 that the main body 10 together with the
modules 6, 7, 8, 9 can be covered at the front in the usual manner
by a front panel, kitchen front, or the like in order to visually
integrate the main body 10 together with the modules into the
surroundings of the item of work furniture 1.
[0072] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic view of a section
of the region of the rear side of an item of work furniture
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0073] FIG. 2 shows in detail a water supply module 2 which is
fixed on the main body 10. The water supply module 2 is connected
to the fitting module 4 and here has five connections 19a which are
arranged on a frame and can be connected, for example, to a filter
module or the like. Also shown is the region below the sink basin
5, which is connected to a space-saving siphon 5b (pipe run 5') via
a drain pipe 5a. The space-saving siphon 5b also has multiple
connections 19b, so that, for example, a drip level having a
separate drain can be connected directly to the space-saving siphon
5b,
[0074] FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a part of a main body
having a fixed module according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0075] In FIG. 3 on the right, the main body 10 is shown in a side
view with a clamping device 13. The main body 10 has horizontally
extending slots 14b which have a circular opening 14c at one end. A
corresponding protruding sliding or rolling element 15 can be
inserted into this circular opening 14c and fixed on the main body
10 by means of a clamping lever 16 after insertion.
[0076] FIG. 4 shows in schematic form a device for planning an item
of work furniture according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0077] In FIG. 4, a computer 30 is shown in schematic form, which
has planning software or a planning application for the planning,
in particular the selection and arrangement of an item of work
furniture 1. The dimensions, wishes of the customer with regard to
material selection, shape, functionality of the item of work
furniture 1 with regard to the provision of different types of
preparation can be taken into consideration by means of
corresponding modules 2, 3, 4, By means of keyboard 32a and
computer mouse 32b of an input device 32, modules 2, 3, 4 . . .
corresponding to specified dimensions and wishes of the customer
can then be proposed by a computing unit 33 and a position for them
can be proposed. If this is not absolutely necessary due to
specified conditions, a customer can freely arrange them within the
main body and thus individually choose his range of functions and
the desired arrangement. A corresponding assembler can then quickly
and easily assemble the item of work furniture 1 including the
adapted main body 10 and selected modules 2, 3, 4, . . . on site
and put it into operation on the basis of the plan of the planning
software.
[0078] FIG. 5 shows steps of a method according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0079] FIG. 5 shows in detail the steps of a method for providing
an item of work furniture according to the present disclosure. This
comprises the following steps.
[0080] In a first step S1, a main body is provided and the main
body is designed for the defined arrangement of modules.
[0081] In a further step S2, a water supply module is provided.
[0082] In a further step S3, at least one water treatment module is
provided.
[0083] In a further step S4, at least one fitting module is
provided having a fitting that can be connected to the water supply
module and/or the water treatment module.
[0084] In a further step S5, at least one drain module is provided
having a drain point for the at least one fitting of the fitting
module and having a drain fitting of a drain for the at least one
fitting of the fitting module, and in a last step S6, the modules
are arranged on the main body, wherein at least the water treatment
module is arranged interchangeably in the item of work
furniture.
[0085] In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the
disclosure has at least one of the following advantages: [0086]
Simple and inexpensive production. [0087] High flexibility with
regard to different types of modules and their position within the
main body. [0088] High quality impression. [0089] Space-efficient
arrangement of different modules.
[0090] Although the present disclosure has been described on the
basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted
thereto, but rather can be modified in many ways.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0091] 1 item of work furniture [0092] 2 water supply module/module
[0093] 3 water treatment module/module [0094] 4 fitting
module/module [0095] 4a fitting [0096] 5 drain module/drain
point/sink basin/basin/module [0097] 5' pipe run [0098] 5a drain
pipe/drain fitting/pipe [0099] 5b space-saving siphon [0100] 6, 7,
8 module [0101] 9 waste module storage module [0102] 10 main body
[0103] 11a upper height adjustment/height adjustment device [0104]
11b lower height adjustment [0105] 12a upper side [0106] 12b lower
side [0107] 13 clamping device [0108] 14a vertical oblong hole
[0109] 14b horizontal oblong hole/slot/holding device [0110] 14c
opening of oblong hole/holding device [0111] 15 sliding element
[0112] 16 fixing lever/clamping lever [0113] 17 handle/handle
device [0114] 18 water-protected region [0115] 19a, 19b connections
[0116] 20 front side/front region [0117] 21 rear side [0118] 30
processor/computer [0119] 31 monitor [0120] 32 input device [0121]
32a keyboard [0122] 32b computer mouse [0123] 33 computing unit
[0124] B1, B2 region [0125] S1 S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 method steps
[0126] HE1, HE2, HE3 horizontal module insertion level/module
insertion level/module level/row of modules
[0127] VE1, VE2 vertical module insertion level/module insertion
level
* * * * *