MIRROR ASSEMBLY HAVING NON-FOGGING MEANS

Abstract: Mirror assembly having non-fogging means, comprising a mirror (1), a water reservoir (3) which adjoins the mirror rear wall in a thermally conductive manner, a filling opening (5) for filling the water reservoir, wall attachment means for mounting the mirror assembly on a wall (8), in which assembly the filling opening is partially delimited by an elongate collection cheek (10) which lies on the wall side and is intended, with the mirror assembly mounted on the wall, to bear against the wall by means of its top edge, in such a manner that while the water reservoir is being filled, a diffuse shower of water can be directed at the wall above the mirror assembly and the shower of water runs off the wall into the water reservoir via the collection cheek.

Description: Short title: Mirror assembly having non-fogging means The invention relates to a mirror assembly having non- fogging means according to the preamble of claim 1. A mirror assembly of this nature is known from US-A-4, 832, 75. This document discloses a mirror which, on the rear side, is connected to a water reservoir. The reservoir has a filling opening and an outlet port. A user can fill the reservoir with hot water via the filling opening and can then hang the mirror assembly from a hook which is attached to a wall. During use, the hot water heats the mirror to an adequately high temperature to prevent condensation of steam from the surrounding air on the mirror. The water slowly escapes from the reservoir via the outlet port and ultimately leaves an empty reservoir behind. A drawback of this known mirror assembly is that filling the water reservoir with hot water takes a long time and, moreover, is a difficult operation. The filling opening is located in the rear wall of the reservoir and has a small round cross section. The reservoir can only be filled by removing the entire mirror assembly from the wall and then holding the filling opening beneath a stream of hot water from a tap or filling cup. Filling with a diffuse hot water jet from a shower head would take a very long time and would also require the assembly to be removed from the wall. After the reservoir has been filled, the assembly has to be hung back on the wall. This quickly results in water being spilled, in particular because the assembly has to be hung from the hook by means of a recess which the user cannot see. The object of the present invention is to provide a mirror assembly having non-fogging means in which these drawbacks are overcome. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a user-friendly mirror assembly, of which a water reservoir can be filled within a few seconds without the assembly having to be removed from the wall for this purpose . According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a mirror assembly according to claim 1. The assembly comprises a mirror and an adjoining water reservoir with filling opening and wall attachment means. The filling opening is partially delimited by an elongate collection cheek which lies on the wall side. In a situation where the mirror assembly is mounted on the wall, the top edge of the collection cheek bears against the wall. This has the advantage that it is sufficient, during a filling operation, to direct a diffuse shower of water, for example from a shower head, against the wall anywhere above the assembly. The shower of water then flows downwards via the wall and runs into the water reservoir via the collection cheek. Practical tests have shown that in this way it is possible to achieve filling times of a few seconds. The assembly can remain mounted on the wall throughout the entire filling operation. The very rapid filling time in combination with the lack of need for accuracy in directing the diffuse shower of water results in a very user-friendly mirror assembly which can be used to good effect in particular on the wall of a shower cubicle. When showering, the user can briefly direct the shower jet towards the assembly and then can use the mirror without it constantly misting over. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the sub-claims. One embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mirror assembly according to the invention mounted on a wall; Fig. 2 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 1 with a mirror assembly partially in section; Fig. 3 shows a rear, perspective view of one embodiment of a mirror frame; Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view on line IV-IV from Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a front, perspective view of an embodiment of a wall attachment element; Fig. 6 shows a view in section on line VI-VI in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a rear, perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a mirror assembly in a top tilted position; and Fig. 8 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 7 in a bottom tilted position. The mirror assembly in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a mirror 1 which is fixed in a plastic mirror frame 2, for example by means of glue. A water reservoir 3 adjoins the rear wall of the mirror 1. The reservoir 3 is delimited on one side by the mirror rear wall and on the other side by a wall surface 4 of the mirror frame 2. At the top, the reservoir 3 is open over its entire width, so that an elongate filling opening 5 is formed. The mirror assembly is mounted on a wall 8 with the aid of wall attachment means (not shown) , for example screws, glue or double-sided adhesive tape. On the top side, the filling opening 5 is delimited by four wall parts which adjoin one another and together describe the shape of a funnel. On the wall side, the filling opening 5 is delimited by an elongate collection cheek 10. The top edge of the collection cheek 10 bears against the wall 8. Furthermore, the filling opening 5 is delimited by two side cheeks 11 and a top part 12 of the mirror frame 2. In order to prevent the mirror 1 from misting over in humid rooms, such as for example a bathroom or a shower room, the reservoir 3 has to be filled with hot water during use. The hot water heats the mirror 1 to a sufficiently high temperature to prevent condensation of steam from the atmosphere on the mirror surface. While the reservoir 3 is being filled, it is sufficient to direct a diffuse shower of water, for example from a shower head, onto the wall 8 anywhere above the mirror assembly. The shower of water then flows downwards from the wall 8 and, via the collection cheek 10, runs into the reservoir 3. It has been found that in this way, depending on the dimensions of the reservoir 3, it is possible to achieve very rapid filling times of only a few seconds. Collection cheek 10 extends over the entire width of the mirror assembly. As a result, the entire width of the mirror frame 2 is utilized without unsightly projecting parts being formed. The collection cheek 10 is concealed behind the top mirror frame part 12 and is advantageously slightly wider than the filling opening 5. The fact that the collection cheek 10 bears against the wall 8 over a large area ensures that a large quantity of the water flowing downwards along the wall 8 is guided into the reservoir 3. The top edge of the collection cheek 10 is bevelled, so that a gradual transition from the wall 8 to the collection cheek 10 is produced. The funnel shape of the wall parts which delimit the filling opening 5 also contributes to the collection of water. The drops of water which splash off the wall 8 are also collected. On its underside, the reservoir 3 is preferably provided with a small drain opening to allow the reservoir 3 to empty slowly drop-by-drop. It is also possible to provide a large, closeable outlet opening via which the reservoir 3 can be emptied quickly after use. Figs. 3-6 show two parts of a variant of the mirror assembly. The first part in Figs. 3 and 4 is a mirror frame 20 with a mirror 21 and a water reservoir 22. The second part in Figs. 5 and 6 is a wall attachment element 24 with two screw holes 25 for screwing it onto a wall. The mirror frame 20 can be releasably coupled, in a simple manner, to the wall attachment element 24 and, for this purpose, is provided on the rear side with three hook-shaped projections 26 which are intended to engage behind complementary coupling means 27 which are provided on the wall attachment element 24. After the wall attachment element 24 has been screwed onto a wall, the mirror frame 20 can be pushed into the wall attachment element 24 from the top downwards, so that the complementary coupling means engage in one another . On the top side, the reservoir 22 is provided with a filling opening 30 which is delimited by the top wall part 31 of the mirror frame 20 and two side cheeks 32 which project backwards. On the wall attachment element 24 there is an elongate collection cheek 34 which at the sides is delimited by two forwardly projecting side cheeks 35. In the position in which the mirror frame 20 is coupled to the wall attachment element 24, the side cheeks 32 and 35 overlap one another slightly, and the elongate collection cheek 34 of the wall attachment element 24 delimits the wall side of the filling opening 30. In this case too, the wall parts 31, 32, 34 and 35 together describe a funnel shape which opens out in the filling opening 30. When a mirror assembly has been mounted on a wall, the collection cheek 34 bears against the wall and contributes optimally to rapid filling of the reservoir 22. Since the mirror frame 20 can easily be removed from the wall attachment element 24, the entire assembly can be cleaned with ease. Furthermore, a user has the choice of filling the reservoir 22 using a shower jet via the wall or removing the mirror frame 20 from the wall attachment element 24 and then filling the reservoir 22 beneath a tap. In this case, the reservoir 22 can be emptied by removing the mirror frame 20 from the wall attachment element 24 and turning it over. Figs. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a mirror assembly according to the invention, the mirror assembly again comprising a wall attachment element 50 with screw holes 51 and a mirror frame 50 which is coupled thereto and has a mirror and water reservoir 53. The mirror frame 52 and the wall attachment element 50 are hingedly connected to one another by means of a hinge joint 54. The wall attachment element 50 and the mirror frame 52 are provided with side cheeks 56 and 57, respectively, which can be displaced along one another and laterally delimit a filling opening 55. The filling opening 55 is further delimited by a top mirror frame part 58 and by an elongate collection cheek 59. The elongate collection cheek 59 forms part of the wall attachment element 50. The hinge axis of the hinge means 54 lies at substantially the same height as the connection of the collection cheek 59 to the filling opening 55. This has the advantage that in any tilted position of the mirror frame 52 with respect to the wall attachment element 50 about the hinge axis, the water is guided into the reservoir 53 by the collection cheek 59 during a filling operation without the water leaking out between the transition from the collection cheek 59 to the reservoir 53. The possibility of tilting the mirror frame 52 about the hinge means amounts to approximately more or less 5°. Fig. 7 shows the top limit tilted position, which in this case is limited by the fact that the side cheek 56 comes to bear against the top mirror frame part 58. At the bottom, the limit tilted position is limited, for example, by the mirror frame 52 coming to bear against the wall on which the assembly is mounted. The tilting option of the mirror frame makes it possible to direct the mirror perfectly, so that both tall and short people can use the mirror. This is advantageous in particular if a magnifying mirror is used in the mirror - o - assembly. An important application for the invention is its use for wet shaving in the shower. Accurately directing the mirror is important for this application. To ensure that the mirror frame 52 remains in any tilted position, complementary retention means are provided. The complementary retention means are in this case formed by holding lips 62 which are arranged on the mirror frame 52, project backwards and engage in narrow clamping openings 63 in the wall attachment element 52. The width of the clamping openings 63 is slightly less than the thickness of the holding lips 62 and, moreover, these openings are each delimited by a resilient wall part 64. The resilient wall part 64 is simply formed by an additional gap 65 provided next to the clamping opening 63. The size of the holding lips 62 is advantageously such that, in the bottom limit tilted position, the holding lips 62 come to bear against the wall on which the assembly is mounted. This can be seen clearly in Fig. 8, where the front part of the holding lips 62 is in the same plane as the rear surface of the wall attachment element 50. At the bottom, the reservoir 53 is provided with a drain opening 70. The dimensions of the drain opening 70 are such that the reservoir 53 empties slowly. This has the advantage that the reservoir does not have to be emptied before it is used each time, but rather filling can be commenced immediately. The drain opening is preferably provided slightly above the base of the reservoir, to prevent sediment from blocking the drain opening 70. In an advantageous variant, the dimensions of the drain opening are such that a capillary action is obtained. This ensures that the reservoir empties slowly, drop-by-drop. The capillary action may, for example, be achieved by positioning brass insert bushes with through-openings of approx. 0.5 mm in the reservoir wall in the vicinity of the base of the reservoir. Thus, the invention provides a mirror assembly having non-fogging means which has the advantage that it can be filled very quickly, in particular even if the option of tilting the mirror frame with respect to the wall attachment element is provided. The mirror frame is suitable in particular for use in bathrooms and shower rooms, but in view of its attractive appearance may also be hung on a wall in any other desired room.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Mirror assembly having non-fogging means, comprising: a mirror (1) ; - a water reservoir (3) which adjoins the mirror rear wall in a thermally conductive manner; a filling opening (5) for filling the water reservoir (3) ; wall attachment means for mounting the mirror assembly on a wall (8); characterized in that the filling opening (5) is partially delimited by an elongate collection cheek (10) which lies on the wall side and is intended, with the mirror assembly mounted on the wall (8), to bear against the wall (8) by means of its top edge, in such a manner that while the water reservoir (3) is being filled, a diffuse shower of water can be directed at the wall (8) above the mirror assembly and the shower of water runs off the wall (8) into the water reservoir (3) via the collection cheek (10) . 2. Mirror assembly according to claim 1, in which the collection cheek (10) extends substantially over the entire width of the mirror assembly. 3. Mirror assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the top edge of the collection cheek (10) is bevelled. 4. Mirror assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the wall attachment means are provided in a wall attachment element (24) , and the mirror and the water reservoir (22) are provided in a mirror frame (20), which mirror frame (20) is releasably connected to the wall attachment element (24) . 5. Mirror assembly according to claim 4, in which the collection cheek (34) is provided on the- wall attachment element (24) and adjoins the filling opening (30) in the water reservoir (22) . 6. Mirror assembly according to claim 5, in which the wall attachment element (50) and the mirror frame (52) are hingedly connected to one another. 7. Mirror assembly according to claim 6, in which the wall attachment element (50) and the mirror frame (52) are provided with side cheeks (50 and 57, respectively) which can be displaced along one another and adjoin the filling opening in the water reservoir (53) . 8. Mirror assembly according to claim 7, in which the side cheeks (56) delimit an outermost tilted position of the mirror frame (52) with respect to the wall attachment element (50) . 9. Mirror assembly according to one of claims 4-8, in which the wall attachment element (50) and the mirror frame (52) are provided with complementary retention means allowing the mirror frame (52) to be retained in a number of tilted positions with respect to the wall attachment element (50) . 10. Mirror assembly according to claim 9, in which the retention means on the mirror frame (52) comprise a projecting holding lip (62) and in the wall attachment element (50) comprise a clamping opening (63) . 11. Mirror assembly according to claim 10, in which the holding lip (62) delimits a limit tilted position of the mirror frame (52) with respect to the wall attachment element (50) . 12. Mirror assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the wall parts (10, 11, 12) which delimit the filling opening (5) together describe the shape of a funnel. 13. Mirror assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which a drain opening (70) is providexl in the bottom part of the water reservoir (53) . 14. Mirror assembly according to claim 13, in which the drain opening (70) is funnel-shaped.

Inventors: ENSERINK ANTON RUDOLF, SCHULP SANDER, ENSERINK, ANTON, RUDOLF, SCHULP, SANDER
Applicants: ENSERINK ANTON RUDOLF, INNOESSENTIALS INT BV, SCHULP SANDER, ENSERINK, ANTON, RUDOLF, INNOESSENTIALS INTERNATIONAL B.V., SCHULP, SANDER
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1