Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
. ~,
PATENT
ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: TSB-33
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
IMPROVED PLUMBING FIXTURES FOR COMMERCIAL SINK WITH PRE-RINSE
UNIT AND PACKAGING THEREFOR AND METHOD OF PACKAGING
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
NIA
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
NIA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As shown in a packing case 10 in Fig. 1, plumbing fixtures for commercial
sinks
include faucets 11 with a pre-rinse unit. Included as components of the pre-
rinse unit
are a vertically disposed riser 12 having one end connected to the faucet 11,
a flexible
stainless steel hose 13 having one end connected to the opposite end of the
riser, and a
spray nozzle 14 at the opposite end of the flexible steel hose 13. A finger
hook 15 is
2o connected to the riser to retain the spray nozzle next to the riser when
the spray nozzle
is not in use.
As shown schematically in Fig. 2, the hot water line 16 and the cold water
line 17
must be attached to the faucet 11 from beneath the sink. The depth of the
sink's basin
can be on the order of two feet, and the space between the kitchen wall and
the wall of
2s the basin closest to the kitchen wall can vary depending on the
installation. But this
space typically is relatively cramped and less than one foot wide. The
attachment of the
hot water line 16 and the cold water fine 17 to the faucet 11 is made via a
fixture fitting
such as a spreader body 20 that has one end connected to each of the hot water
line
1
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
c
x
and the cold water line. The opposite end of the spreader body 20 is threaded
to
engage one end of a turnbuckle 21. The spreader body 20 must fit in the space
between the basin of the sink and the kitchen wall that is closest to the
basin.
The faucet 11 has a tap 22 that extends axially beneath the sink's flange 18
(See
s Fig. 5) on which the faucet is mounted. The tap 22 is provided with four
symmetrically
spaced axially extending holes. Two opposite holes 23 are blind, and so do not
lead to
water passages. Each of the other two holes 24, 25 leads to one of the
faucet's valves
26, 27 for controlling the flow of hot water or cold water. The exterior axial
cylindrical
surface of the tap 22 is threaded to receive one end of the turnbuckle 21.
The opposite end of the turnbuckle 21 is connected to a threaded axially
extending portion of the spreader body 20. The end of the threaded axially
'extending
portion of the spreader body 20 has two openings 28, 29 and two posts 30. Each
post
30 is configured to~ be received within one of the blind holes 23 in the end
of the tap 22.
Each opening 28, 29 of the spreader body 20 is configured to fine up with one
of the two
remaining holes 24, 25 respectively, in the tap so that a passage will be
formed for the
flow of water. The installer rotates the spreader body 20 until the posts 30
align with the
proper blind holes 23 in the tap so that the opening 28 in the fixture fitting
20 that is
connected to the hot water line 16 will align with the hole 24 in the tap 22
that leads to
the valve 26 controlling the flow of hot water from the faucet 11 and the
opening 29 in
20 the fixture fitting 20 that is connected to the cold water line 17 will
align with the hole 25
in the tap 22 that leads to the valve 27 controlling the flow of cold water
from the .faucet.
Tightening of the turnbuckle 21 pulls the end of the tap 22 info contact with
the end of
the spreader body .20 and places hole 24 opposite opening 28 and hole 25
opposite
2
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
rx
opening 29. Because of the limited space available for the installer to work
when
attaching the spreader body 20 to the underside of the faucet 11, such
installation can
become both tedious and unduly time consuming for the installer.
The tap 22 is formed of cast brass. Accordingly, the dimensional tolerances
s concerning the shapes of the holes 23, 24, 25 are rather loose, and the
holes 23, 24, 25
can be less than perfectly circular. If the installer is not careful, the
installation can
become less than satisfactory. For example, if the turnbuckle 21 is not
properly
tightened, leaks can result. If the posts 30 are not properly aligned with the
blind holes
23, then sometimes the passage to the hot water valve 26 or the cold water
valve 27 is
~ o ~ blocked by one of the posts 30. Sometimes the installer mistakenly may
try to force one
of the posts 30 into one of the tap's holes 24 or 25 for the hot water or the
cold water,
resulting in damage to the hole 24 or 25. Such damage can cause leaks. For
example,
sometimes sash damage will enable-the hot waterieaving-the opening-28 of-the
spreader body 20 to bleed into the cold water hole 25 of the tap 22. Sometimes
the
cold water leaving the cold water opening 29 in the spreader body 20 will
bleed into the
hot water hole 24 of the tap 22 due to such damage or due to the less than
perfect
circularity or location of the holes 24, 25 in the tap 22.
A wall bracket 31 is typically included to provide support for the riser 12 by
connecting the riser to the wall. The distance between the kitchen wall and
the riser will
2o vary depending upon the location of the faucet 11 relative to the kitchen
wall.
Accordingly, the length of any bracket 31 that extends between the kitchen
wall and the
riser 12 must lend itself to being cut to size for any given installation.
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CA 02488182 2004-11-23
The exterior finish of the fixture fittings that are visible to the user when
they have
been installed, is highly polished. Accordingly, during shipment of these
fixture fittings
to the job site, care must be taken to avoid nicks and scratches to this
finish. If the
fittings are permitted to touch one another during shipment, such nicks and
scratches
will result. One method of packing and shipment that avoids nicking and
scratching the
finish requires the fixture fittings to be fixed to an underlying cardboard
substrate 32 by
the application under vacuum of a heated plastic material 33 that is shrink-
wrapped
around the fittings and adhered to the underlying cardboard substrate 32.
However, this
method has its drawbacks. The heated plastic 33 tends to adhere to the
surfaces of the
fittings. This requires time consuming removal of the plastic, since care must
be taken
to avoid nicking and scratching the surfaces of the fiixture fittings during
the removal
process.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF.THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide plumbing fixture
fittings
15 for commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit wherein the fittings are
configured so that
either a solid spreader body or flexible connector hoses can be attached when
installing
the unit and connecting it to the water supply from beneath the sink.
It is also a principal object of the present invention to provide plumbing
fixture
fittings for commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit wherein the connections to
the hot and
2o cold water supplies can be effected more reliably and with a reduction in
the time and
effort that the installer expends to complete these connections.
It is another principal object of the present invention to provide plumbing
fixture
fittings for commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit wherein the unit is
supplied in a
package that protects the fittings from nicks and scratches while reducing the
effort
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CA 02488182 2004-11-23
required of the installer to unpack the fittings and install them with less
effort and time
than conventionally packed fittings.
It is an additional principal object of the present invention to provide
plumbing
fixture fittings for commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit wherein many of
the fittings are
packaged in a pre-assembled way that still protects the fittings from nicks
and scratches
while reducing the effort required of the installer to unpack the fittings and
install them
with less effort and time than conventionally packed fittings.
It is a further principal object of the present invention to provide plumbing
fixture
fittings for commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit wherein a variable length
riser support
~ o is provided with a configuration that reduces the time and effort of
installation.
To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as
embodied and broadly described herein, the faucet can include a universal tap.
The
universal tap is provided with a pair. of blind holes so that the tap can be
used to receive
the conventional spreader body that is used to connect each of the hot water
fines and
cold water lines to the faucet from beneath the sink or the counter in which
the sink is
installed. The universal tap is desirably formed of forged brass and provided
with a pair
of threaded holes. Each threaded hole is used to connect to the threaded male
end of
one of the hot water line and the cold water line that provide water service
to the faucet.
Each of the threaded holes of the universal tap leads to one of the hot and
cold water
2o passages of the faucet.
However, because of these threaded holes in the universal tap, the installer
need
not use the conventional spreader body that has openings brought into
alignment with
the holes in the conventional tap of the faucet provided for hot and cold
water. Instead
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
of the conventional spreader body, the installer can use two flexible
stainless steel
hoses that are provided. Each such flexitiie stainless steel hose has a
threaded male
end that can be threaded into one of the threaded holes of the universal tap.
An O-ring
or sealing gasket can be provided at the threaded end of each of the flexible
stainless
steel hoses to form a water tight seal when the threaded end of the flexible
stainless
steel hose is screwed into the appropriate threaded hole of the universal tap.
In this
way, the installer can rotate the flexible stainless steel hose from beneath
the sink at the
remote end of the flexible steel hose. This convenience eliminates the need
for the
installer to work with an awkward spreader body and turnbuckle in the narrow
space -
between the kitchen wall and the wall of the sink's basin in order to attach
the water
supply hoses to the conventional spreader body. This apparatus of the present
invention also provides for a more reliable connection to the water service
and a
connection that is more easily maintained.
The pre-rinse assembly can include a unique riser support that is designed to
facilitate installation of the pre-rinse assembly. The riser support includes
a stand-off
having opposed ends. The riser support includes a wall bracket that is
selectively,
detachably fixed to one end of the stand-off. This one end of the stand-off
can be
permanently or detachably fixed to the base of the wall bracket. The opposite
end of
the stand-off can be cut to any desired length by the installer to accommodate
different
2o sink installations. The riser support can include a clamp that selectively,
detachably
attaches the opposite end (the cut off end) of the stand-off to the riser. The
clamp is
formed desirably as a clam-shell arrangement that requires only a pair of
threaded
fasteners in order to attach the stand-off to the riser.
6
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
A faucet with pre-rinse assembly can be provided in a shipping package that
facilitates quick and easy removal and installation of the packaged fittings
by the
installer. Such a product includes a first rigid substrate that has been
rendered porous
to the passage of air therethrough. The tension spring of the pre-rinse
assembly rests
on the substrate. A flexible steel hose is connected to a connection fitting
and is
disposed through the spring until the fitting is received within the spring
and protrudes
from one end thereof in a position that is ready for connection to the riser.
A
polyurethane inner sleeve lines the inside of the stainless steel flexible
hose. A rigid
shell is configured and disposed to cover the spring and the hose and rest
against the
substrate. The shell is desirably composed of clear polyvinychloride having a
basis
weight of about 0.105 kglcubic meter. A sheet of flexible material is heated
and shrink-
wrapped over the shell and the substrate and holds the shell against the
substrate. The
sheet of flexible material desirably comprises a polyethylene film having a
basis weight
in the range of 920 kilograms per cubic meter to 950 kilograms per cubic
meter. The
~5 sheet of flexible material is heated to a temperature in the range of 70 to
110 degrees
Centigrade before being shrink-wrapped: Thus, the rigid shell is disposed
between the
underlying rigid substrate and the shrink-wrapped plastic sheet so that both
the spring
and the hose are protected from entanglement with the heated sheet of flexible
material.
In some embodiments of the packaged fittings, a finger hook is already
2o connected to the riser of the pre-rinse assembly that is mounted on the
substrate
covered with the shrink-wrapped sheet of flexible material. In some
embodiments of the
packaged fittings, the riser support with the stand-off and the wall bracket
are pre-
7
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
assembled and resting against the substrate that is covered with the shrink-
wrapped
sheet of flexible material.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part
in the
description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or
may be
learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the
invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this specification, illustrate at least one presently preferred embodiment of
the invention
as well as some alternative embodiments. These drawings, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention but by no means
are
intended to be exhaustive of all of the possible manifestations of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of conventional components of a faucet
with
~ 5 a pre-rinse unit in a conventional package therefor, ,
Fig. 2 illustrates from a perspective view the assembly of components of a
faucet;
Fig. 3 illustrates from a perspective view the assembly of components of a
faucet;
2o Fig. 4A illustrates from a perspective view the assembly of components of a
faucet;
Fig. 4B illustrates from a perspective view (with environmental structure
shown in
phantom by chain-dashed lines) the assembled components of an accessory for
the
faucet;
8
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
Fig. 4C illustrates from an exploded perspective view the unassembled
components of Fig. 4B;
Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of conventional components the assembly of
components of a faucet installed in a sink;
s Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the method of pre-assembly and packaging of
some of the fittings of the pre-rinse assembly;
Fig. 7A is a perspective view of some of the package fittings of the pre-rinse
assembly in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 7B is a perspective view of some of the package fittings of the pre-rinse
assembly in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 8A schematically illustrates extraction of pre-assembled fittings of the
pre-
rinse assembly in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the
present
15 invention; and
Fig. 8B schematically illustrates extraction of pre-assembled fittings of the
pre=
rinse assembly in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
2o Reference now will be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments
of
the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention,
which is
not restricted to the specifics of the examples. In fact,. it will be apparent
to those skilled
in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the
present invention
9
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance,
features
' illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another
embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the
present
invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of
the
s appended claims and their equivalents. The same numerals are assigned to the
same
components throughout the drawings and description.
A presently preferred embodiment of the installation fittings of a faucet
assembly
is shown in Fig. 3 and is represented generally by the numeral 40. The faucet
is
generally designated by.the numeral 41 and includes a universal tap 42 that
extends
axially and desirably is formed of forged brass. Internally of the tap 42,
there is
provided a first water passage 44 and a second water passage 45. Each of the
first and
second water passages (44, 45) extends axially into the tap 42, as is
schematically
indicated in Fig. 3 by the two sets of parallel dashed lines designated 43.
Each of the
first water passage 44 and second water passage 45 is connected in
communication
with one of the internal passages (not shown) through which the water from the
hot
water supply line 16 and the cold water supply line 17 are provided to the
valves 26, 27
inside the faucet 41 that regulate the flow of hot and cold water,
respectively, through
the faucet 41 and into the riser. These valves 26, 27 are controlled by the
handles 46,
47 that are mounted on the cross member of the faucet 41. As shown in Fig. 3,
the hot
2o water supply line 16 is connected to the first water passage 44, and the
cold water
supply line 17 is connected to the second water passage 45. As shown in Fig.
3, each
of the first and second water passages 44, 45 in the tap 42 is provided
internally with
helical threads, which can be precisely machined in the forged brass.
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a pair of flexible
steel
conduits is provided. As shown in Fig. 3, each conduit 48, 49 can be used for
bridging
the connection from the universal tap 42 to one of the hot water supply line
16 and the
cold water supply line 17. Each of the flexible steel conduits 48,, 49 has a
first end 50,
51 that is configured to be threaded into at least one of the threaded holes
44, 45 of the
universal tap 42. The opposite end of each of the flexible steel conduits 48,
49 is
configured with a connector 52,53 so as to be able to be connected to one of
the hot
and cold water supply lines 16, 17 that brings hot and cold water to the
faucet 41. At
the threaded end 50, 51 of each of the flexible steel conduits 48, 49, there
is provided a
~ o flexible gasket 54 in the form of an O-ring that is used to seal the
connection that is
formed between the threaded end 50, 51 of the flexible steel conduit 48, 49
and the
threaded hole 4.4., 45 of the universal tap 42 of the faucet 41.
As shown in Fig. 3 for example, symmetrically spaced with respect to the two
threaded holes 44, 45 that extend axially into the tap 42, are a pair
of:unthreaded blind
~ 5 openings 23 extending axially into the tap 42. The pair of blind holes 23
is disposed
alternately with the first hole 44 and the second hole 45. Each of these blind
holes 23 is
configured to receive one of the posts 30 that extends axially from the
conventional
spreader body 20 that is used in conventional connections from the tap to the
water
supply lines. The provision of the two blind holes~23 will enable an installer
to use the
2o universal tap 42 in a conventional manner, if desired. Thus, the universal
tap 42 of the
faucet of the present invention lends itself to use with the conventional
manner of
attachment, if the user so desires. Accordingly, the exterior cylindrical
axial surface 55
of the universal tap 42 also is threaded to receive the turnbuckle 21 that is
used in the
11
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
conventional connection fixture. In this way, the turnbuckle 21 can be screwed
onto the
end of the universal tap 42 in order to link the faucet 41 with a conventional
spreader
body 20. ,
Another fitting of the present invention can include a variable length, riser
support. The riser support is provided with a configuration that reduces the
time and
effort needed for installation of same. As shown in Fig. 4B for example, a
riser support
is indicated generally by the numeral 60. As shown in Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C, the
riser
support 60 includes a stand-off 61 (a.k.a. bridging member) that is a rigid
elongated rod
that has opposed ends. The stand-off 61 typically is formed of a brass tube
but can be
formed of other rigid materials such as stainless steel, polycarbonates or
other synthetic
materials or composites. One end 62 of the stand-off 61 is fixed, either
permanently or
detachably, to a wall bracket 63. The wall bracket 63 includes a rigid plate
that extends
in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the stand-off 61. The wall
bracket 63 also
can be 'provided with a plurality of holes 64 that are configured to receive
fasteners such
~ 5 as threaded screws 65 (Fig. 4A). As shown in Fig. 4A, the fasteners 65
attach the wall
bracket 63 to the wall 66 behind the sink 67.
As shown in Fig. 4B, the riser support 60 includes a riser clamp 70. As shown
in
Fig. 4C, the riser clamp 70 has opposed ends 71, 72. One end 71 of the riser
clamp is
configured to be connected to the free end 68 of the stand-off 61. The free
end 68 of
2o the stand-off 61 is the end that would be cut to accommodate different
distances
between the kitchen wail 66 and the riser 12. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the
opposite end 72 of the riser clamp 70 is configured to be connected to the
riser 12
(shown partially in phantom).
12
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
As shown in Fig. 4B, one end 72 of the riser clamp 70 defines a riser opening
73
that is configured to receive and grip the riser 12. The opposed end 71 of the
riser
clamp 70 similarly defines a stand-off opening 74 that is configured to
receive and grip
the free end 68 of the stand-off 61. As shown in Fig. 4C, the riser clamp 70
includes a
s first mating member 75 and a second mating member 76. As shown in Fig. 4C, a
male-
female interfit connection at this one end 72 of the riser clamp 70 includes a
cylindrical
pin 69 that fits through two opposed and aligned openings in respective
flanges 34.a,
34b of the second mating member 76 and through a mating flange (not visible in
view
shown in Fig. 4C) with an opening in the first mating member 75 that fits
between
flanges 34a and 34b.
First mating member 75 defines a pair of first holes 77. Second mating member
76 defines a pair of second holes 78. Each of the second holes 78 of the
second
mating member 76 is threaded to receive a threaded screw 79. Each of the first
holes
77 of the first mating member 76 is countersunk to receive the head of the
~5 corresponding threaded screw 79 so that the head would be flush with the
surface of
the first mating member 75 when screwed into the second hole 78 of the second
mating
member 76. Each of the first holes 77 of the first mating member 75 is
configured to be
aligned with a respective second hole 78 of the second mating member 76 when
the
riser clamp 70 grips the riser 12 and the stand-off 61. A threaded screw 79 is
inserted
2o through each of the first holes 77 of the first mating member 75 and
screwed into the
corresponding aligned second hole 78 of the second mating member 76. Upon
tightening of the two threaded screws 79, the riser clamp 60 is configured to
selectively
grip the riser 12 and the stand-off 61.
13
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
As shown in Fig. 5 for example, one end 52 of the first flexible steel conduit
48 is
connected to one of the supply lines 16 for the hot water. The opposite end 50
of the
first flexible steel conduit 48 is connected to the universal tap 42. The wall
bracket 63 of
the riser support is connected at one end of the stand-off 61 to the wall 66
behind the
s sink 67. The opposite end of the stand-off 61 is connected to the riser
clamp 70, which
is also connected to the riser 12.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method of
preparing a faucet with pre-rinse assembly for shipping is provided. As shown
in Fig. 6
for example, a packing insert 80 includes a planar, rigid substrate 32 that is
used to
form a rigid and sturdy platform on which fittings of the faucet with the pre-
rinse
assembly can be mounted and attached for shipping. A suitable packing insert
80 is
composed of corrugated paperboard. Such corrugated paperboard typically is
rendered
porous to the passage of air through the substrate 32 by being provided with a
plurality
of tiny holes (not shown) disposed uniformly over the entire area of the
substrate. Such
cardboard sheeting is commercially available in various thicknesses and can be
cut to
the desired length and width, scored and folded for purposes of serving as the
packing
insert 80 for shipping the faucet and pre-rinse assembly. A three-eighths inch
thickness
of 200 pound test corrugated cardboard that is coated on one side for skin
packing
adequately serves as the material for the packing insert 80.
2o According to one aspect of the invention, certain of the frttings are pre-
assembled
and packed in their pre-assembled form in order to reduce the time needed for
the
installer to connect these parts prior to installation once they are removed
from the
shipping packages. In accordance with the present invention, plumbing fixtures
for
14
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
commercial sinks with a pre-rinse unit are supplied in a package that protects
the fittings
from nicks and scratches while reducing the effort required of the installer
to unpack the
fittings and install them with less effort and time than conventionally packed
fittings.
Two examples of this aspect of the invention are schematically illustrated in
Figs. 7A
s and 7B for example. Each of Figs. 7A and 7B discloses a packing insert 80
for such a
package as the outer carton 10 shown in Fig. 1 for example.
Accordingly, as shown schematically in Fig. 6, a connection fitting 81 can be
screwed onto one end of the flexible steel hose 13 that comprises a fitting of
the pre-
rinse assembly. This flexible steel hose 13 also can be provided with a water
impermeable sleeve (not shown) that fits inside steel hose 13 and. lines the
length of the
flexible steel hose 13: The water impermeable sleeve can be formed of any of a
number of plastic and/or rubber materials as is conventional in the art. The
combination
of the flexible steel hose 13 with the inserted plastic sleeve can be
preinstalled through
the tension spring 82 that surrounds part of the hose 13 until the connection
fitting 81 is
15 held by one end of the tension spring 82 as shown in Fig. 6. In this form
shown in Fig. 6
for example, the connection fitting 81 is ready to be screwed into the end of
the riser 12
that is opposite the end of the riser 12 tfiat is connected to the faucet 41.
The desired
details of the riser assembly and in particular the connection of the riser 12
to the faucet
41 are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Application Serial No. 10/464,007,
filed June
20 18, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein for all purposes.
As shown schematically in Fig. 6 for example, the tension spring 82 that
surrounds the pre-installed flexible steel hose 13, which is attached to the
connection
fitting 81 and contains the water impermeable sleeve, is placed onto the
substrate 32.
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
A shell 83 that is rigid and desirably formed of transparent plastic material
is configured
and disposed to cover the spring 82 and the hose 13 inserted therein. This
shell 83 is
pre-molded to the desired configuration that enables the shell 83 to be placed
over the
spring 82 and hose 13 and rest against the substrate 32. The shell 83 is
desirably
s composed of clear polyvinylchloride having a basis weight of about 0.105
kilograms per
cubic meter.
As schematically shown in Fig. 6 for example, a sheet 84 of flexible material
is
configured to cover the substrate 32. The sheet 84 of flexible material
desirably
comprises a film composed of a polyethylene ionomer resin having a basis
weight in the
range of about 920 kilograms per cubic meter to aboufi950 kilograms per cubic
meter.
The sheet 84 of flexible material is heated to a temperature in the range of
about 70
degrees Centigrade to about 110 degrees Centigrade. After heating and while
still at
temperature, the sheet 84 is draped on top of the shell 83 and the substrate
32 on
which the shell 83 that shields the tension spring 82 and attached fittings
have been
15 placed. Then a vacuum is applied from beneath the substrate 32 through the
holes in
the substrate to draw the heated sheet 84 onto the substrate 32 and shrink
wrap the
sheet 84 over the shell 83 and the substrate 32.
In this manner, as shown schematically in Fig. 7A, the shrink-wrapped sheet 84
of flexible material is attached to the shell 83 and the substrate 32 and
holds the shell
20 83 against the substrate 32, trapping the tension spring 82, steel hose 13,
connection
fitting 81 and plastic sleeve (not shown) between the shell 83 and the
substrate 33. in
this way, the fittings beneath the shell 83 are sandwiched between the shell
83 and the
substrate 32 and thus are prevented from movement during shipping of the
package.
16
CA 02488182 2004-11-23
This sub-assembly is ready for attachment of the connection fitting 81 to the
riser 12
upon removal of the shell 83 and its adhered shrink wrapped sheet 84.
Depending
upon the particular fittings that are desired to be included on a single
substrate, the end
result can resemble one of the packing assemblies 85, 86 shown in Figs. 7A and
7B
s respectively, for example.
Referring to Fig. 8A, the disengagement of the fittings of the pre-rinse
assembly
from the substrate 32 of the shipping insert 80 is schematically represented.
As
indicated by the arrow designated 88 in Fig. 8A, the installer can use the
blade of a box
cutter 89 to cut around the sheet 84 of filexible material along the border of
the shell 83
that encloses the tension spring 82 and associated pre-installed fittings. As
schematically represented in Fig. 8B by the arrows designated 90 for example,
with
essentially a single cut around the edge of the shell 83, the shell can be
peeled back
together with the shrink-wrapped flexible material 84 that covered and.
adhered to the
shell 83. Thus, peeling back the shell 83 frees the underlying tension spring
82 and
~ s associated assembled fittings from the packing insert 80 and shrink-
wrapped material
84. This method of packing the pre-assembled fittings eliminates the need for
the
installer to scrape off the shrink-wrapped flexible material 84 from any of
the fittings of
the pre-rinse assembly. Moreover, the pre-assembly of these fittings frees up
additional
time of the installer that otherwise would have been needed to assemble the
fittings
20 once they were removed from the shipping package.
While at least one presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes
only, and it is
to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing
from the
17
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