Electric resistance heating devices – Heating devices – Tank or container type liquid heater
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2001-09-18
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric resistance heating devices
Heating devices
Tank or container type liquid heater
C392S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292628
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to water heaters used for kitchen, bathroom and hygienic purposes. More specifically to water heaters that save energy and water.
Conventional hot water heaters usually heat water up to an average temperature of 80° C. This temperature is too hot for many uses so that it is then mixed with cold water when used in baths and showers, in douches or in enemas. It is wasteful of energy to heat water to too a high temperature and then dilute it as there is a loss of energy during the adjustment in temperature. Another disadvantage of conventional hot water heaters is that water temperature is difficult to control if there are multiple users. If one person is taking a shower and a concurrent user suddenly starts using cold water, the person in the shower could be scalded. Conversely, if the concurrent user suddenly stops using cold water, the person in the shower could be chilled by a sudden slug of cold water. Another disadvantage associated with high temperature water heaters is vulnerability to explosion and fire.
This invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing hot water with a steady temperature regardless of multiple concurrent use or duration of use. The temperature of the water can be set to be in the range of 30-42° C. according to the season and personal preferences so that it need not be mixed with cold water. The temperature of the hot water can be set as high as in a conventional hot water heater if desired.
This invention, because it can provide steady-temperature hot water in the range of 30-42° C., is well suited for hygienic uses, such as douches and enemas, in hospitals and nursing homes as well as in homes. The prior art for enema devices falls into two groups: attachments to toilet plumbing or seat; and freestanding units. Examples of enema devices that are attached to toilets are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,741 to Moon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,984 to Bindel, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,724 to Lloyd. Examples of freestanding units are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,931 to Lind, U.S. Pat. No. 3.960,466 to Taylor, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,914,804 to Schrader.
Enema devices that are attached to toilets may suffer from several flaws. They may provide water at an inappropriate temperature, usually too cold, for use in douches, enemas, or bidets. They may provide an unknown quantity of water for enema use. Use of too much water could cause serious health problems to some persons, particularly elderly persons with kidney disease, because some water will be absorbed via the large bowel, which could cause water intoxication. Enema devices with a nozzle installed in a toilet seat are vulnerable to contamination with harmful bacteria. Still another disadvantage is the use of long nozzles that could cause rectal or colon injury. Freestanding enema devices suffer from some of the disadvantages of toilet attachment devices and additional disadvantages. Those using a motor and water pump may be expensive. Those using gravity to deliver water may be inconvenient to locate and need preparation before use.
Accordingly, there are several objects and advantages of the present invention. One object is to provide water heater that yields steady-temperature heated water for a variety of uses in an energy-efficient manner. Another object is to provide water heater with enema attachments that is a safe enema device that is always ready for use for bidet sanitation, enema injection, or feminine douche purposes. Another object is to provide a steady-temperature water heater with enema attachments that can deliver a known quantity of warm water. Still another object is to provide a steady temperature water heater with an enema attachment that include an anal plug and short nozzle to prevent injury to the rectum and colon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a water heater that can deliver warm or hot water at a steady temperature. A large capacity water heater can be used for domestic hot water. A small capacity heater can be used with attachments for hygienic uses, such as enemas. It contains a drum-shaped tank, a piston that can slide longitudinally inside the tank, a gas or electric heater and thermostat at each end of the tank, a reverse valve with four pipes, and electric components including a cycle regulator. The piston divides the tank into two chambers. The reverse valve has one inlet pipe for cold water, one outlet pipe for heated water, and a pipe connected with each chamber. The electric parts and cycle regulator control the direction of water flow through the reverse valve and the direction of motion of the piston. One chamber contains heated water while the other chamber contains cold water from the cold inlet. When there is demand for heated water, the cycle regulator causes the piston to decrease the size of the chamber containing heated water. This causes the heated water to leave that chamber through the reverse valve. Concurrently, cold water is entering the chamber that it is increasing in size and upon entering the chamber is being heated. This chamber will contain heated water for the next cycle in which the direction of motion of the piston is reversed. There is no mixing or contact between heated water and cold water so that heated water with a steady temperature can be provided. In its use in an enema device, a hose is used to connect the outlet pipe with an enema attachment containing a handgrip, or anal plug, and a nozzle. Other embodiments use a different reverse valve and a water heater tank in which inlet water is heated only on one side of the piston.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3216627 (1965-11-01), Best et al.
patent: 3648724 (1972-03-01), Lloyd
patent: 3914804 (1975-10-01), Schrader et al.
patent: 3960466 (1976-06-01), Taylor
patent: 4092984 (1978-06-01), Bindel
patent: 4119113 (1978-10-01), Meginniss, III
patent: 4178240 (1979-12-01), Pinkerton
patent: 4178931 (1979-12-01), Lind et al.
patent: 4428507 (1984-01-01), Sneider
patent: 5898818 (1999-04-01), Chen
patent: 5946741 (1999-09-01), Moon
Campbell Thor
Kier Philip H.
Walberg Teresa
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