Pool cleaning vehicle having structure for cleaning and sanitizing pool water

• US 8,709,243 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2008
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartpool Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Smartpool Incorporated
• Inventors: Hui, Wing-kin
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Fred
• Application Number:
  US12/272,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20110139727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,988 Days
• Field of Search: 210/167.1, 210/167.11, 210/167.16, 210/167.17, 210/416.2, 210/749, 210/753, 210/754, 210/756
• US Class Current: 210/167.11
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/688 Devices in which the water progressively dissolves a solid compound
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

An improved pool cleaning vehicle with the ability to clean and sanitize pool water includes a housing having an interior. The vehicle includes a chemical dispenser member connected to the housing. The chemical dispenser member has a hollow interior suitable for storing chemicals for sanitizing pool water. The chemical dispenser member includes an inlet for allowing pool water to contact the chemical dispenser member. The chemical dispenser member includes a dissolvable seal and upon continued contact with water, the seal dissolves. The chemical dispenser member also includes an outlet facilitating communication between the chemical dispenser member and the pool water.

Claims

1. A pool cleaning vehicle for sanitizing and cleaning pool water, the vehicle including a housing and the housing having an interior, the vehicle comprising:

a chemical dispenser member connected to the housing, the chemical dispenser member having a hollow interior suitable for storing, in one or more packages, chemicals for sanitizing the pool water, the chemical dispenser member having an inlet for allowing the pool water to contact the one or more packages of the chemicals in the chemical dispenser member;

each of the packages of the chemicals having a dissolvable seal, and upon continued contact with the water, the seal dissolving;

the chemical dispenser member having an outlet facilitating communication between the chemical dispenser member and the pool water through the outlet of the chemical dispenser member;

whereby upon the seal of each of the one or more packages being dissolved, and communication between the chemicals in an interior of each of the packages and the pool water is established.

2. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the chemicals in the packages are solid.

3. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the chemicals in the packages are liquid.

4. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pool cleaning vehicle includes a filter bag within the interior of the housing, and the pool water from the filter bag is in communication with the chemical dispenser member.

5. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the pool water flows through the filter bag, and then into the chemical dispenser member, before the pool water passes out through the outlet of the chemical dispenser member.

6. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the chemical dispenser member is within the interior of the housing.

7. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the chemical dispenser member is disposed outside of the housing.

8. A method of cleaning and sanitizing pool water in a pool using a pool cleaning vehicle, the steps comprising:

causing the pool water to enter the pool cleaning vehicle;

filtering pool water through use of a filter bag;

transferring the pool water through a chemical dispenser member, the chemical dispenser member containing one or more packages of chemicals each having a dissolvable seal, and upon continued contact with the pool water, the seal dissolving; and

transferring the pool water from the chemical dispenser member after the pool water passes through the filter bag, and after coming in contact with the chemicals from the one or more packages in the chemical dispenser member.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pool water is filtered through the filter bag prior to being transferred to the chemical dispenser member.

10. A pool cleaning vehicle for sanitizing and cleaning pool water, the vehicle including a housing and the housing having an interior, the vehicle comprising:

a chemical dispenser member connected to, but external to the housing, the chemical dispenser member having a hollow interior suitable for storing, in one or more packages, chemicals for sanitizing pool water, the chemical dispenser member having an inlet for allowing the pool water to contact with the one or more packages of the chemicals in the chemical dispenser member;

each of the packages of the chemicals having a dissolvable seal, and upon continued contact with the water, the seal dissolving;

the chemical dispenser member having an outlet facilitating communication between the chemical dispenser member and the pool water through the outlet of the chemical dispenser member;

whereby upon the seal of each of the one or more packages of the chemicals being dissolved, communication between the chemicals in an interior of the packages and the pool water is established.

11. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein the chemical dispenser member connected to the housing by a tether.

12. A pool cleaning vehicle as set forth in claim 11, wherein the chemical dispenser member includes multiple chemical dispenser members.

13. A chemical dispenser member for use in connection with a pool cleaning vehicle, the pool cleaning vehicle having a housing, the chemical dispenser member comprising:

a container member arranged inside the chemical dispenser member which is connectable to the housing of the pool cleaning vehicle,

the container member having a hollow interior suitable for storing chemicals for sanitizing pool water, the chemical dispenser member having an inlet for allowing the pool water to enter an interior of the chemical dispenser member, and an outlet capable of communicating with the pool water;

the container member having a dissolvable seal for sealing the container member, and;

whereby, upon sufficient contact with the pool water, the seal dissolves and water enters the container member and mixes with the chemicals in the interior of the container member, and

after mixing the water with the chemicals in the container member, the pool water flowing out of the container member and back to the pool water through the outlet of the chemical dispenser member.