Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – With heating of tub structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-06-12
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
With heating of tub structure
C004S541100, C004S584000, C004S592000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243889
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sanitary devices such as bathtubs, shower stalls, whirlpool baths and the like, and more particularly to a thermo-acoustic insulation system for such sanitary devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide thermal insulation for bathtubs, whirlpool baths or spas, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,621 issued in 1994, inventor D. R. Livingston. The purpose of this insulation is to prevent the water temperature inside the tub, during use, from dropping too fast, which alternately requires the tub to be filled again with warmer water if no heater is provided, or the heater to spend more energy heating the water, if a heater is provided.
The Livingston patent shows that the bathtub shell comprises a rigid fiberglass layer, provided on its interior surface with a smooth acrylic coating, and on its outer surface with an urethane foam insulation layer. The tub is installed in a wood skirt or podium structure, which spacedly surrounds the shell and on which the shell upper downturned peripheral edge rests. Livingston also discloses the use of an insulation blanket 30 which, as shown in FIG. 3 of the Livingston patent, forms an inverted dome to completely enclose the shell, spacedly therefrom. Thus, an air pocket is formed between the shell and the insulating blanket which promotes enhanced insulation for the whirlpool tub.
The insulating blanket of the Livingston patent is made from a multiple-layer plastic film (e.g. including air bubbles therein), provided with a sheet of aluminum or the like reflective metallic foil on the inner surface thereof, in spaced facing register with the urethane foam coating of the tub shell. It is known that the metallic foil will promote reflection of the heat irradiating from the tub back towards the tub.
A problem with the spa disclosed in the Livingston patent, is that its single insulating air pocket is not sufficient to prevent significant temperature loss of the water. indeed, the urethane foam layer is not efficient enough to prevent the water from loosing its energy therethrough, and even the insulating blanket is not efficient enough to prevent the water temperature to drop at a significant rate at room temperature. Furthermore, the Livingston tub provides a fluid-tight air pocket between the tub shell and the insulating blanket which, under the important temperature gradients present on one side of this air pocket in the tub water and on the other side of this air pocket in the ambient air, will promote important condensation and humidity accumulation in the air pocket. This high humidity percentage and condensation in this pocket is likely to result in mould formation, and the urethane foam is effectively likely to degenerate and rot over time, thus becoming less efficient, in addition to any hygiene problems which may result therefrom.
A further problem with prior art whirlpool tubs such as the Livingston tub, is that the noise emitted by the whirlpool tub, with its water pump, is at a high level.
It is noted that the problems noted hereinabove, occur not only in whirlpool bathtubs, but also in spas, ordinary bathtubs, shower stalls, therapeutic tubs, and the like.
The so-called therapeutic tubs are similar to whirlpool bathtubs, but include air jets injected in the water, instead of water jets. Some tubs combine both water and air jets. Throughout the present specification, reference will be made to sanitary devices as including all of the above-mentioned devices.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a thermal insulation system for sanitary devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an acoustic insulation system for sanitary devices.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a thermal insulation system which helps prevent humidity formation in the tub casing or podium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insulation system for use in a sanitary device of the type including a rigid shell mounted inside an outer ground-bearing structure, said insulation system comprising:
a first insulating membrane, destined to be installed peripherally about the sanitary device shell and spacedly therefrom inside the ground-bearing structure, so as to form a first closed air pocket between the sanitary device shell and said first insulating membrane; and
a second insulating membrane, destined to be installed peripherally about said first insulating membrane and spacedly therefrom inside the ground-bearing structure, so as to form a second closed air pocket between said first and second insulating membranes;
wherein said first and second air pockets and said first and second insulating membranes provide enhanced thermal and acoustic insulation to the sanitary device.
Preferably, said system further includes condensation control elements in said first and second air pockets.
Preferably, said condensation control elements are air circulation channels provided on or about said first insulating membrane, for allowing limited air circulation between said first and second air pockets through and/or about said first insulating membrane.
Preferably, said air circulation channels are perforations provided throughout said first insulating membrane.
Preferably, said first insulating membrane is destined to loosely hang from the sanitary unit structure, said air circulation channels further including spaces about said first membrane allowing limited air circulation between said first and second air pockets around said first insulating membrane.
Preferably, said first membrane comprises an inner reflective metallic foil fixedly mounted on a synthetic felt backing.
Preferably, said metallic foil is aluminum.
Preferably, said second insulating membrane is a mineral wool blanket
The present invention further relates to an insulation system for use in a sanitary device of the type including a rigid shell mounted inside an outer ground-bearing structure, said insulation system comprising a first closed pocket member at least partly surrounding the sanitary device, a second closed pocket member surrounding said first pocket member, a first insulating membrane mounted between said first and second air pockets, and a second insulating membrane mounted outwardly of said second air pocket, thus creating a two-step thermal and acoustic insulation of the sanitary device.
The present invention further relates to a whirlpool-type bathtub assembly, including:
a tub resting on the ground and having a shell defining an upper open mouth and an inner enclosure destined to be filled with warm water;
a rigid podium structure resting on the ground, peripherally surrounding said tub shell under said open mouth;
a first pocket member located peripherally around said tub under said open mouth and inside said podium structure, defining a first closed air pocket located between: (a) said tub shell; (b) the ground; and (c) a first insulating membrane attached to the podium structure and spaced from said tub shell;
a second pocket member, located peripherally around said first pocket member, and defining a second closed air pocket located between: (a) said first insulating membrane; (b) the ground; (c) said podium structure; and (d) a second insulating membrane located spacedly and peripherally outwardly of said first insulating membrane;
wherein said first and second pocket members allow for thermal and acoustic insulation of said tub while providing positive condensation control inside said podium structure.
Preferably, said firs insulating membrane comprises a reflective metallic foil fixedly mounted to a synthetic felt backing, said metallic foil including perforations therethroughout allowing limited air circulation through said first membrane between said first and second air pockets.
Preferably, said second insulating membrane is made from a mineral wool blanket.
Preferably, said first insulating membrane is attached to said podium structure and loosely hangs therefrom to the ground, thus allowing limited air circulation thereunder betwee
Ducharme Robert
Giguère Régis
Pimparé Bruno
Huson Gregory L.
Maax Inc.
Martineau François
Nguyen Tuan
LandOfFree
Thermo-acoustic insulation system for sanitary device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thermo-acoustic insulation system for sanitary device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermo-acoustic insulation system for sanitary device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2523477