Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Means for agitating or circulating water in a tub
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-02
2004-07-13
Nguyen, Tuan N. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Means for agitating or circulating water in a tub
C004S504000, C004S509000, C210S167150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06760931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to combining a replaceable filter and a suction device in a closed loop home or hotel whirlpool bath, hydrotherapeutic baths, and other bathing receptacles. The present invention also relates to a safety oriented pop off faceplate and an antimicrobial liquid dispenser. In addition, antimicrobial additives may be placed in one or more components of the water vessel system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Whirlpool-type baths have been employed to treat discomfort resulting from strained muscles, joint ailments and the like. More recently, such baths have been used increasingly as means of relaxing from the daily stresses of modern life. A therapeutic effect is derived from bubbling water and swirling jet streams that create an invigorating hydro massage of the user's body.
To create the desired whirlpool motion and hydro massage effect, a motorized water pump draws water through a suction fitting in a receptacle, such as a bathtub. The user first fills the bathtub. Then the user activates the closed loop whirlpool system. The water travels through a piping system and back out jet fittings. Jet fittings are typically employed to inject water at a high velocity into a bathtub. Usually the jet fittings are adapted to aspirate air so that the water discharged into the receptacle is aerated to achieve the desired bubbling effect. (See for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,039 to Hibbard et al., incorporated herein by reference from U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,167 to Mattson, Jr. et al. (“Mattson”) which is incorporated herein by reference.
Generally, whirlpool baths are designed as with a normal bathtub to be drained after each use. However, debris in the form of dead skin, soap, hair and other foreign material circulates throughout the piping and pump system. This debris does not completely drain and over time, accumulates in the piping system and may cause a health risk. Therefore, a filtration system designed for whirlpool baths was desirable. Mattson provides for a filtration system which filters debris in the water with respect to whirlpool baths. The present invention improves upon the Mattson filtration system for whirlpool baths. Before Mattson, filtration systems were found only in indoor and outdoor pools.
For some time, whirlpool bath manufacturers have tried to devise a way to incorporate a filtration system on a closed loop whirlpool bath. Although many problems exist, compliance with the plumbing codes is the major obstacle faced in using a filtration system for a whirlpool bath. Until Mattson, there was no filtration system that specifically designed for a drain down whirlpool bath that allows a whirlpool bath to pass requirements set forth by the current plumbing code.
Whirlpool baths must meet stringent drain down code requirements set up by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The code that governs whirlpool baths is entitled “Whirlpool Bath Appliances” (ASME A112.19.7M 1995). Section 5 of this code covers water retention and provides: “whirlpool bath appliances shall be of such design as to prevent retention of water in excess of 44 ml. (1½ fl oz) for each jet and suction filter.”
The average whirlpool bath has a six-jet system and has one suction fitting. In order to meet code, a six-jet/one suction system configuration may only retain 10½ ounces of water in the complete whirlpool bath system after draining. Most quality whirlpool baths, however, retain less than 4 ounces of water in the whirlpool bath system after draining. The filter part of the system cannot retain over 6½ ounces of water, because the total water retention would then exceed 10½ ounces. Mattson is currently the only known filtration system designed for whirlpool baths that retains less than 6½ ounces of water. The complete filtration system of the present invention, however, retains less than 4 ounces of water and as little as 2 ounces of water; so most whirlpool bath companies could use it on their whirlpool bath models and pass the drain down codes for whirlpool baths.
Another important consideration in developing a filtration system for whirlpool baths is the ease of replacing the filter. To eliminate access panels on the underside of the whirlpool bath which are used to access the filter, the filtration system was designed so the filter could be replaced from inside the bath. Therefore, the most logical choice for a filter location is in the suction fitting. However, placing the filter in the suction fitting presents a different range of design concerns. For example, placing a filter in the suction fitting may cause undue stress on the pump motor.
The suction filter must pass the codes set up by ASME for suctions which include a variety of load and structural tests. The code for suctions from ASME is titled Suction Fittings For Use in Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Whirlpool Bathtub Appliances (ASME/IAMPO reaffirm 1996). Presently there is only one patented whirlpool bathtub suction filter that passes ASME code to be placed on a whirlpool bathtub. See Mattson incorporated herein. The present invention provides a cavity that houses a filter that could be installed in such a way that the filter is replaced from the inside of a whirlpool bath.
The filter was designed to be small to meet the drain down requirements. Because of its small size, however, it also had to be very efficient. Therefore, the present invention has a specially designed filter core. The core is engineered with varying spaced and sized holes along the length of the core. This design allows water to be drawn through the entire filter. Without this design, the filter would only pull water through about 20% of the filter near the outlet.
Other problems in whirlpool bathtub and spa use are encountered when a user's hair is twisted and entrapped in the whirlpool bath pump impeller. Hair entrapment occur when a bather's hair becomes entangled in a suction fitting drain cover as the water and hair are drawn powerfully through the drain. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a safety alert article entitled “Children Drown and More Are Injured From Hair Entrapment In Drain Covers For Spas, Hot Tubs, And Whirlpool Bathtubs” (CPSC Document #5067). The safety alert urges consumers to ask their spa, hot tub, and whirlpool bathtub dealers for drain covers that meet voluntary standard ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M 1987) to help reduce hair entrapment. The present invention meets the voluntary ASME/ANSI standard.
The present invention also provides a new faceplate cover which is easily removable. The faceplate also has to pass the heavy load, impact and hair entrapment tests set out by ASME/IAMPO. One cover embodiment has a radius and back ribbing on it and a removable insert support to pass the strength tests. The preferred embodiment faceplate is flat with structural fins on its back side, thus eliminating the removable insert. Each cover has a sufficient number of sized holes to pass the prescribed hair entrapment tests. The result is the fluid suction filter device that is especially made just for whirlpool baths.
In the safety alert CPSC Document #5067, the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that consumers shut down the spa until the drain cover is replaced in the event that the consumer discovers the drain cover missing or broken. The present invention allows the water system to shut itself down if the faceplate drain cover is missing or broken by means of a non-electric cavitation mechanism. The water system is also shut down if a clog occurs.
It is found that even after debris is filtered from a whirlpool bathtub, trace amounts of bacteria still can grow in a whirlpool bathtub. In fact, even if normal tap water where to be run through the closed looped system of a whirlpool bathtub, trace amounts of bacteria can form in the whirlpool bathtub's closed looped piping system. To eliminate these trace bacteria, a special filter core with an antimicrobial chamber was developed.
This antimicrobial chamber e
Mattson, Jr. Roy W.
Ogden Paulette C.
Ogden Philip I.
Martin Rick
Mattson, Jr. Roy W.
Nguyen Tuan N.
Patent Law Offices of Rick Martin P.C.
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