Patent Publication Number: US-2023133907-A1

Title: Thermochromic Plumbing Fixture Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/275,683, which was filed on Nov. 4, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of plumbing fixtures. More specifically, the present invention relates to a thermochromic plumbing fixture device that is fastened with an indicator strip which changes color depending on the temperature of the water within the fixture. The plumbing fixture may be any plumbing fixture known in the art, but is preferably a faucet and/or a showerhead. The device, or portions of the device, may change color as the temperature of the water within the fixture heats up the thermochromic coating, which results in a user obtaining information about the water’s temperature. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Running water is used in almost every household and is essential for a plurality of functions, such as bathing, washing dishes or simply procuring a glass of water. However, many of these activities require the water to be set at a high temperature. With most existing plumbing fixtures, there is no indication of the temperature of the water. Therefore, to determine if the water is at an optimal temperature, a person must reach his or her hand underneath the stream of water and feel the water directly. Sometimes, the water is too cold and may cause a sharp uncomfortable pain in the person’s hand. In other instances, the water is too hot and may severely burn the person. Regardless, unless the temperature is correct on the first test, it is likely that the person may experience discomfort when he or she attempts to test the water temperature to achieve the desired temperature. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a thermochromic plumbing fixture device that changes color depending on the temperature of the water. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that removes the necessary step of running your hand under the water to determine the temperature of the water. In addition, there exists a long felt need in the art for thermochromic properties to be applied to plumbing fixtures. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a thermochromic plumbing fixture device made from durable materials. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a thermochromic plumbing fixture device. The device is comprised of a plumbing fixture that is fastened with an indicator strip, which changes color depending on the temperature of the water within and the water that exits the plumbing fixture. The indicator strip is covered with a thermochromic coating, which can be engineered to display different colors for a different range of water temperatures. The plumbing fixture is preferably a plumbing fixture where determining the temperature of the water is of high importance such as, but not limited to, a faucet or a showerhead. 
     In this manner, the thermochromic plumbing fixture device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides information about the temperature of the water based on the color of the indicator strip. Moreover, the device offers the user valuable information about different water temperatures, such that the user can obtain the optimal water temperature without the need to make contact with the water. In this manner, a user is made safer and is put at less risk of discomfort or pain when attempting to determine water temperature. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subj ect matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a thermochromic plumbing fixture device. The device is comprised of a plumbing fixture with an indicator strip, which features a thermochromic coating. In this manner, the indicator strip may change color as it interacts with water of different temperatures that exits the plumbing fixture. This may allow a user to ascertain the temperature of the water without having to risk burning his or her hands. The plumbing fixture is preferably manufactured of stainless steel. Other embodiments may be manufactured from other suitable metal materials as are known in the art. The plumbing fixture may be any plumbing fixture known in the art. However, in two preferred embodiments, the plumbing fixture is a faucet and/or a showerhead. 
     The faucet fixture is preferably a cartridge faucet but may be any faucet known in the art. The showerhead fixture is preferably a fixed showerhead but may be any showerhead known in the art. Both the faucet fixture and showerhead fixture are preferably made of a stainless-steel material, but may be comprised of any other suitable metal material known in the art. In the preferred model, at least one indicator strip is fastened to the spout of a faucet fixture and the body of a showerhead fixture. The indicator strip may be fastened to any portion of both the faucet and the showerhead. Further, instead of the indicator strip, a thermochromic coating may be directly applied to a device’s components in other embodiments. 
     Accordingly, the thermochromic plumbing fixture device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it gives the user the ability to determine if the water temperature is optimal, without causing risk of injury by a user putting his or her hands under hot water. Moreover, the temperature-changing colors can be fixed to a multitude of devices, such that a user can utilize this feature in many different situations. In this manner, the thermochromic plumbing fixture device overcomes the limitations of existing plumbing fixtures known in the art. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device of the present invention in the form of a faucet in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device of the present invention in the form of a showerhead in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a thermochromic plumbing fixture device, wherein changing colors may inform a user as to what the water temperature is for water flowing from the fixture. Accordingly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device which replaces the need for a user to stick his or her hand in hot water to ascertain its temperature. There also exists a long felt need in the art for thermochromic properties to be applied to both a faucet and a showerhead. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a thermochromic plumbing fixture device that is durable and can withstand long-lasting use. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises a thermochromic plumbing fixture device. The device is comprised of a plumbing fixture with an indicator strip, which features a thermochromic coating. In this manner, the indicator strip may change color as the plumbing fixture changes in temperature, due to the water within the fixture. The information that the indicator strip provides allows a user to refrain from running his or her hands under potentially hot water. The plumbing fixture is preferably made of stainless steel, but may be made of any suitable metal material known in the art. Embodiments of the plumbing fixture may be any suitable plumbing fixture known in the art, but a preferred embodiment comprises a faucet and/or a showerhead. 
     The preferred faucet fixture is a cartridge faucet but may be any faucet known in the art. The preferred embodiment of the showerhead fixture is a fixed showerhead, but may be any showerhead known in the art. The faucet fixture and showerhead fixture are preferably made of a stainless-steel material, but may be manufactured from any other suitable metal material known in the art. At least one indicator strip is preferably fastened to the spout of a faucet fixture and the body of a showerhead fixture. Further, both the faucet and the showerhead may feature an indicator strip on any component of the device. In other embodiments, a thermochromic coating may be directly applied to the device’s components instead of the indicator strip. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  of the present invention in the form of a faucet  200 . The device  100  is preferably comprised of a plumbing fixture such as, but not limited to, a faucet  200  and/or a showerhead  300  (shown in  FIG.  2   ), wherein the fixture may have at least one indicator strip  270 ,  360  (shown on the showerhead  300 ) that changes color in response to a change in temperature of the fixture  100 , based on the temperature of the water within and/or exiting the fixture. However, it should be noted that the device  100  may be any suitable plumbing fixture as is known in the art and is not limited to a faucet  200  and/or a showerhead  300 . 
     The faucet  200  may be any suitable faucet  200  as is known in the art such as, but not limited to, ball faucets, compression water faucets, cartridge faucets, disc faucets, etc. The faucet  200  components include the components of a conventional faucet such as, but not limited to, a body  210 , escutcheon plate  220 , handles  230 , stopper  240 , spout  250  and aerator  260 . The faucet  200  components are also preferably manufactured from a stainless steel material, but can be also manufactured from a plurality of different metals such as, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, zinc, titanium, carbon steel, alloyed steel, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, tin, silicon, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art. Higher end versions of the device  100  may be manufactured from precious metals such as, but not limited to, gold, silver, palladium, iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, platinum, etc., or any other suitable precious metals as are known in the art. To enhance the appearance of the device  100 , an escutcheon plate  220  conceals the gap around the base of the faucet  200  and the opening of a sink or countertop that receives the faucet  200 . 
     Furthermore, the faucet  200  is controlled through the use of at least one handle  230 , which allows a user to turn the faucet  200  on/off and also allows a user to change the temperature of the water that exits the faucet  200  from hot to cold and vice versa. The handle  230  is preferably connected to a cartridge, which in turn is connected to a valve that controls access to the water. Turning the handle  230  turns the cartridge within the valve to release water, which travels through the faucet  200  and out of the spout  250 . At this point, the body  210  heats or cools at least one indicator strip  270 , which then reacts to the temperature of the water within the faucet  200  and changes color. Additionally, the aerator  260  is preferably comprised of a small mesh screen. Thus, the aerator  260  adds air in the stream by breaking up the flow of water into multiple smaller streams. Further, the device  100  may feature a stopper  240  that is connected to the drain in the sink. The stopper  240  may be pulled upwards to close the drain or pushed down to open the drain. 
     Additionally, the at least one indicator strip  270  is preferably coated with a thermochromic paint such as, but not limited to, leuco dyes or thermochromic liquid crystals, etc., or any other suitable dyes as are known in the art. Accordingly, the indicator strip  270  may have heat-sensitive properties, whereby its interaction with the body  210  and the changing temperature of the body  210 , due to the changing temperature of the water within the body  210 , causes the pigments of the indicator strip  270  to change in color. In one embodiment, the indicator strip  270  may turn from a first color, such as but not limited to black, to a second color, such as but not limited to red, once the temperature of the water passing through the body  210  reaches 88° F. 
     Other embodiments of the device  100  may feature an indictor strip  270 , that is coated with multiple thermochromic inks, which may be engineered to react at different temperature ranges. For example, one embodiment may display a first color, such as but not limited to a blue coloring, if the water temperature passing through the body  210  is below 60° F., and display a second color, such as but not limited to a yellow coloring, if the water temperature of the water passing through the body  210  is between 61 and 80° F. Further, one embodiment may display a third color, such as but not limited to an orange coloring, if the water temperature passing through the body  210  is between 81 and 100° F. Finally, one embodiment may display a fourth color, such as but not limited to a red coloring, if the water temperature passing through the body  210  is over 100° F. Accordingly, the indicator strip  270  may display any suitable color known in the art and may be engineered to react at any temperature range as is known in the art. 
     Further, the indictor strip  270  may be fastened to or be integrally-manufactured within any part of the faucet  200  as an embedded structure, removable adhesive structure and/or coating. In differing embodiments, a thermochromic coating  500  may be applied to different areas of the faucet  200  instead of or in addition to the indicator strip  270 . In one embodiment, the thermochromic coating may be applied to each component of the faucet  200 , whereby the entire faucet  200  may change color depending on the temperature of the water, as described supra. Thermochromic coatings may be applied in a way as to show a plurality of color-changing decorative indicia  400 , such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., or any other suitable indicia as is known in the art. One embodiment may feature a thermochromic coating applied to the body  210  in the shape of a flame or other suitable symbol or design, whereby the flame is not visible until the device  100  reaches a certain temperature and the thermochromic coating changes color to reveal the indicia  400 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  of the present invention in the form of a showerhead  300 . The showerhead  300  may be any suitable showerhead  300  as is known in the art such as, but not limited to, fixed, handheld, dual, filtered, waterfall, massage, high-pressure, low flow, panel, etc. The showerhead  300  components include the components of a conventional showerhead  300  such as, but not limited to, a body  310 , stem  340 , and escutcheon plate  350 . The showerhead  300  components are also preferably manufactured from stainless steel, but can be manufactured from a plurality of different metals, such as but not limited to: aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, zinc, titanium, carbon steel, alloyed steel, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, tin, silicon, etc., or any other suitable materials as are known in the art. Furthermore, higher end versions of the device  100  may be manufactured from precious metals such as, but not limited to, gold, silver, palladium, iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, platinum, etc., or any other suitable precious metals as are known in the art. To enhance the appearance of the device  100 , an escutcheon plate  350  conceals the gap around the base of the showerhead  300 . 
     The showerhead  300  features a plurality of continuous openings  330  on its bottom surface  320  that allow water to flow outwards from the surface  320 . Water flows into the device  100  beginning in the stem  340 , through the body  310  and out of the continuous openings  330 . In one embodiment, water will come into contact with an indicator strip  360  on the body  310 . 
     Furthermore, the showerhead  300  features at least one indicator strip  360 , which is preferably coated with a thermochromic paint such as, but not limited to, leuco dyes or thermochromic liquid crystals, etc., or any other suitable dyes as are known in the art. Thus, the indicator strip  360  may demonstrate heat-sensitive properties, such that its interaction with the changing temperature of the body  310  caused by the changing temperature of the water within the body  310  causes the pigments of the indicator strip  360  to alter in color. In one embodiment, the indicator strip  360  may turn from a first color, such as but not limited to black, to a second color, such as but not limited to red, once the temperature of the water passing through the body  310  reaches 88° F. 
     Other embodiments of the device  100  may feature an indictor strip  360  that is coated with multiple thermochromic inks, which may be engineered to react at different temperature ranges. For example, one embodiment may display a first color, such as but not limited to a blue coloring, if the water temperature passing through the body  310  is below 60° F., and display a second color, such as but not limited to a yellow coloring, if the water temperature passing through the body  310  is between 61 and 80° F. Another embodiment may display a third color, such as but not limited to an orange coloring, if the water temperature of the water passing through the body  310  is between 81 and 100° F., and display a fourth color, such as but not limited to a red coloring, if the water temperature is over 100° F. Accordingly, the indicator strip  360  may display any suitable color known in the art and be engineered to react at any temperature range. 
     An indictor strip  360  may be fastened to any part of the showerhead  300  as an embedded structure, removable adhesive structure, and/or coating. In different embodiments, a thermochromic coating  500 , instead of or in addition to an indicator strip  360 , may be applied to different areas of the showerhead  300 . In one embodiment, the thermochromic coating may be applied to each component of the showerhead  300  and may change color depending on the temperature of the water. Thermochromic coatings may be applied in a way as to show a plurality of color-changing decorative indicia  400 , such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., or any other suitable indicia as is known in the art. One embodiment may feature a thermochromic coating applied to the body  310  in the shape of a flame or other suitable symbol or design, wherein the flame is not visible until the device  100  reaches a certain temperature and the thermochromic coating changes color to reveal the indicia  400 . 
     It should be appreciated that as noted above, the device  100  can be any suitable plumbing fixture as is known in the art in differing embodiments. Accordingly, the faucet  200  and showerhead  300  have only been shown and described to illustrate and explain only two of numerous potential embodiments of differing types of plumbing fixtures to which the overall concept of the device  100  can be applied. Said fixtures may also include, but are not limited to, hoses, kitchen sinks, taps, drinking fountains, etc., or any other suitable type of residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing fixture that expels water as is known in the art. In a differing embodiment, the device  100  may be a commercial hydronic/gas fitting. Furthermore, the indicator strip  270 ,  360  may be present on, within, or partially embedded within any surface, structure or component of the faucet  200  and/or showerhead  300 . The same is also true for differing embodiments of the device  100 , comprised of a different plumbing fixture. Furthermore, the coating of the indicator strip  270 ,  360  may be a stand-alone adhesive-backed device that can be applied retroactively to existing plumbing fixtures. The indicator strip  270 ,  360  may also cover the entire plumbing fixture in the form of a coating. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “thermochromic plumbing fixture device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2    is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the thermochromic plumbing fixture device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.