Method and apparatus for automatically disinfecting plumbing fixtures
First Claim
1. A system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath, comprising:
- a bathtub;
a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;
a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;
a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet;
an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level;
a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port;
an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port;
at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub;
at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port;
at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub;
a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level;
a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith;
at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith;
an air manifold positioned above the water manifold;
an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold;
at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle;
at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting;
wherein when the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle; and
wherein when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath. The system includes a bathtub, a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet, an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level, a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port, an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub, at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port, at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub, a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level, a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith, at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith, an air manifold positioned above the water manifold, an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold, and at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle, at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting. When the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle. Also, when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath, comprising:
-
a bathtub;
a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;
a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;
a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet;
an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level;
a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port;
an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port;
at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub;
at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port;
at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub;
a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level;
a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith;
at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith;
an air manifold positioned above the water manifold;
an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold;
at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle;
at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting;
wherein when the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle; and
wherein when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A whirlpool system, comprising;
-
a water pump for circulating water in a whirlpool tub;
a hydraulic plumbing system in hydraulic communication with the water pump, the hydraulic plumbing system comprising;
a water inlet hydraulically connected to the whirlpool tub;
a water inlet valve adapted to selectively allow water through the water inlet;
at least one jet outlet nozzle;
at least one suction inlet fitting;
a water drain;
a water drain cap selectively engagable to prevent water flow through the water drain;
a first hydraulic plumbing subsystem connecting the at least one suction inlet fitting to the water pump; and
a second hydraulic subsystem connecting the water pump to the at least one jet outlet nozzle;
an air manifold positioned adjacent the hydraulic plumbing system;
an air pump adapted to provide positive air pressure to the hydraulic plumbing system connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic plumbing system; and
at least one air suction conduit extending from the air manifold and connecting between the at least one suction inlet fitting and the water pump to connect the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction inlet fitting; and
wherein when the bathtub is filled the water drain cap is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the hydraulic plumbing system; and
wherein the water drain cap is automatically engaged to prevent the flow of water through the water drain after the predetermined length of time has elapsed. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. A whirlpool system, comprising;
-
a water pump for circulating water in a whirlpool tub;
a hydraulic plumbing system in hydraulic communication with the water pump, the hydraulic plumbing system comprising;
a water inlet selectively actuatable to fill the whirlpool tub with water;
a water drain system selectively actuatable to empty the whirlpool tub of water;
at least one jet outlet nozzle;
at least one suction inlet fitting;
a first hydraulic plumbing subsystem connecting the at least one suction inlet fitting to the water pump; and
a second hydraulic subsystem connecting the water pump to the at least one jet outlet nozzle;
wherein actuation of the water inlet automatically actuates the water drain system for a predetermined period of time.
-
-
9. A sanitary plumbing system comprising:
-
a water reservoir;
a plumbing fixture having an inner surface adapted to be periodically wetted;
a water pipe hydraulically connected between the water reservoir and the plumbing fixture;
an ozone source operationally connected to the water pipe and adapted to introduce ozone thereinto. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A sanitary plumbing system comprising:
-
a plumbing fixture having an inner surface adapted to be wetted;
an ozone source;
a pneumatic conduit connected between the ozone source and the inner surface;
wherein the pneumatic conduit is adapted to direct ozone to substantially contact the inner surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A plumbing system comprising:
-
a plumbing fixture having a wetable interior surface;
an ozonator; and
a conduit extending between the ozonator and the plumbing fixture and adapted to convey ozone to the wetable interior surface. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification