Fluid heating apparatus and methods for using same

• US 6,430,760 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Jessie Johns
• Original Assignee: David Jessie Johns
• Inventors: Johns, David Jessie
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prunner, Kathleen J.
• Application Number:
  US09/832,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 459/8, 459/6, 460/3, 461/5, 122/40, 122/105, 122/106, 126/5, 126/59, 134/35, 134/37, 134/198
• US Class Current: 4/598
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/06 Portable or mobile, e.g. collapsible

Abstract

The apparatus for heating a fluid, such as water, as well as the method for using the apparatus are used in taking a personal shower or in cleaning an object. The apparatus includes an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto. The fitting is adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow. The other end of the tube has an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube. A valve is disposed intermediate the ends of the tube. A portion of the elongated tube is formed into a coil which is disposed within a vessel. The coil is immersed in the liquid contained in the vessel. The vessel is disposed on a heating grate to heat water flowing through the tube.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in heating a fluid, the apparatus comprising an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto, the fitting being adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow, the other end of the tube having an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube, and a valve disposed intermediate the ends of the tube, a portion of the elongated tube being formed into a coil.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including a vessel which contains the portion of the tube formed into a coil.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tube is of a polyethylene containing material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a pump for supplying a flow of fluid to said tube.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4, further including a vessel which contains the portion of the tube formed into a coil.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the tube is of a polyethylene containing material.

7. A method for taking a shower, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus for use in heating a fluid, the apparatus comprising an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto, the fitting being adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow, the other end of the tube having an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube, a valve disposed intermediate the ends of the tube, a portion of the elongated tube being formed into a coil and a vessel which contains the portion of the tube formed into a coil along with a liquid;

heating the liquid in the vessel;

supplying fluid so as to flow through the tube from the fitting end to the applicator end;

applying the fluid emanating from the holes to a human.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the tube is of a polyethylene containing material.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein a pump is used for supplying a flow of fluid through said tube.

10. A method for cleaning a surface of an object, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus for use in heating a fluid, the apparatus comprising an elongated tube formed of polymeric material and having two ends, one of the ends having a fitting attached thereto, the fitting being adapted to secure the apparatus in a fluid-tight manner to a source of a fluid flow, the other end of the tube having an applicator which includes one or more holes for the discharge of fluid flowing through the tube, a valve disposed intermediate the ends of the tube, a portion of the elongated tube being formed into a coil and a vessel which contains the portion of the tube formed into a coil along with a liquid;

heating the liquid in the vessel;

supplying fluid so as to flow through the tube from the fitting end to the applicator end;

applying the fluid emanating from the holes to the surface of the object to be cleaned.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the tube is of a polyethylene containing material.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a pump is used for supplying a flow of fluid through said tube.