Abstract:
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide improved bathing or soaking mechanisms. A vessel may be provided with a plurality of horizontal support surfaces disposed in a cavity and a plurality of separate drain paths. A lid is adapted to span the cavity and be received in the top of the vessel. The lid may be a two-piece hinged lid, which may be actuated from a closed position to an open position and back again. The lid is provided with one or more drain holes which may cooperate with one of the plurality of drain paths when the lid is in the closed position. The vessel and lid combination may be installed through a floor, beneath a conventional shower stall, to enable showering with such stall without substantial contamination to the vessel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments according to the present invention relate generally to fluid vessels and more particularly to bathing devices, systems and methods. 
         [0002]    The act of bathing generally seems a straightforward, routine act. However, for some members of the population, bathing in a conventional bathtub or shower stall simply is not practicable. For instance, some people prefer to sit while bathing but may be unable to step over the elevated side of a standard bathtub. In addition, people with certain medical conditions, such as artificial hips and/or arthritis, benefit greatly from soaking baths. 
         [0003]    Prior attempts have been made at providing modified bathtubs for such people. For example, a walk-in type bathtub has been previously available. Such bathtub includes a generally waist-high wall surrounding a fluid containing vessel. Formed through the wall is a doorway enabling entry and exit to and from the vessel. Sealing the doorway is usually a hinged door that must remain closed during the times at which the vessel is being filled and drained of fluid. Within the vessel, there may be included or inserted a form of seating surface so that a user may be seated in an upright seated position above the floor of the vessel. 
         [0004]    While the prior walk-in type bathtub designs of the past generally address some disadvantages of standard continuous wall tubs and shower stalls, there remains room for improvement in the art. For example, the hinged door provided on prior designs may cause inconvenience to some users. That is, the door must remain closed, in a sealing position, while the tub is being filled with and drained of water or other fluid. 
         [0005]    Such closed door creates a barrier to any entry or exit to or from the bath at the user&#39;s leisure or convenience during the filling or draining process. Accordingly, a user must remain inside the tub during filling and draining. Not only would such position likely be uncomfortable for users that may be nude, and thus chilled, during the filling and draining process, it is a waste of the user&#39;s time. Assuming a “fast” fill rate of about 15 gallons per minute and a tub size of between 50 and 100 gallons, a user could waste up to 5-15 minutes per bath, or more, of combined restricted user time during the fill and drain procedures. If a bath is taken every day, such time aggregates to more than two straight days of wasted time per year. 
         [0006]    Another example of room for improvement is that, to be properly utilized, some prior devices require floor space outside of a bathroom. Some prior devices are not amenable to replacement of existing bathroom fixtures, whether due to device size, or due to the bathing requirements of other members of the user&#39;s household. Additionally, once a tub is filled with water or other fluid, the space generally occupied by the tub generally serves a single purpose. It may be desirable to virtually hide the tub so that other uses may be made of the space, even if the tub is filled. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there remains room in the art for improved bathing devices, systems and methods that may provide improved time usage and/or space savings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention provide improved bathing devices, systems and methods that may provide improved time usage and/or space savings. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of an embodiment according to the present invention, a bathing device is provided. The bathing device includes a vessel having a cavity that is defined by at least one wall, including a substantially horizontal bottom portion and at least one sidewall. A first drain hole may be formed in the bottom portion of the wall. A second overflow drain hole may be formed through the wall in a surface that is substantially parallel to the bottom portion of the wall. The overflow surface may extend into the cavity from or be supported atop the at least one sidewall. The wall may at least partially define an open vessel top and the overflow surface is preferably disposed between the vessel top and the bottom portion. The overflow drain surface may be disposed closer to the vessel top than to the bottom portion. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of an embodiment according to the present invention, a selectively closeable, preferably remotely operable, drain valve may be provided having an input in fluid communication with the first drain aperture and an output in fluid communication with a drain pipe. The drain valve may be cable actuated. If provided, the second drain aperture formed through the vessel or other structure is also preferably in fluid communication with the drain pipe. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of an embodiment according to the present invention, a bathing device including a vessel and a lid may be provided. A fluid containing vessel may include an open top. The lid may be configured to nest in the vessel top and include at least one drain hole formed therethrough. The vessel may include a first drain hole formed through the vessel, such as through a vessel wall or other surface, where the first drain hole is adapted to drain fluid from a majority of the volume defined by the vessel. A second drain hole is preferably provided to receive fluid from the drain hole formed in the lid while the lid is nested in the vessel. The second drain hole may be provided formed through the vessel, such as through a vessel wall or other surface. Alternatively, the second drain hole may be provided in a structure coupled to or in operative connection with the lid and/or vessel. 
         [0012]    According to an embodiment of a lid according to the present invention, the lid preferably has a top surface and a bottom surface. When the lid is nested in the vessel, the bottom surface is oriented towards the first drain aperture and the second drain aperture, which are formed in the vessel or other structure. The lid top surface may further include at least one drain channel configured to guide fluid from the lid top surface towards the at least one drain hole. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of an embodiment of a lid according to the present invention, the lid may include a plurality of lid panels having substantially planar top surfaces. The plurality of lid panels may include a first lid panel and a second lid panel, which may be hingedly coupled. The first lid panel may be pivotably coupled to the vessel. The second lid panel may be translatable across at least a portion of the vessel. 
         [0014]    According to an aspect of an embodiment of a method according to the present invention, such method may be a method of installing a bathing device. The method includes the step of providing a vessel having a cavity and a first drain aperture. The first drain aperture is placed in fluid communication with a drain pipe thereby establishing a first fluid drain path from the cavity to the drain pipe. The vessel may be covered with a lid having at least one drain hole formed therethrough. The lid may be nested in a top portion of the vessel. A second fluid drain path is established between the at least one drain hole in the lid and the drain pipe. The second fluid drain path is preferably separate from the first fluid drain path, but in any event preferably excludes the first drain aperture. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of a method according to the present invention, a vessel may be installed below floor level in a building structure. The method may further include the step of interfacing a shower stall, prefabricated or otherwise, with the vessel, where the lid that covers the cavity is configured to be utilized as a floor of the shower stall. Walls of the shower stall preferably overlap a portion of the vessel. A shower door may be installed to close off the single- or more-walled shower stall, and such may be suspended over a threshold provided on the vessel, where a top surface of such threshold is preferably positioned above an overflow surface. Additionally, the threshold may include the top surface positioned above a lid covering the vessel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bathing system according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid vessel according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a lid according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10B  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10C  is a cross-section view taken along line  10 C- 10 C of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10D  is an enlarged cross-section view of a portion of  FIG. 10C . 
           [0029]      FIG. 10E  is a partial cross-section view taken along line  10 E of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternate floor panel design. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a front top perspective installation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 13A  is a front top perspective installation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 13B  is a front top perspective installation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , further showing the lid in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0035]    Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a first embodiment  10  of a bathing system according to the present invention. Generally, the system  10  includes a vessel  100  and a lid  200 . With reference also to  FIGS. 2-9 , the vessel  100  will be further described. 
         [0036]    A vessel  100  according to the present invention generally includes a rectilinear top surface  101  extending along a length  101   a  and a width  101   b . The vessel  100  comprises a cavity  102  defined by a plurality of wall portions  104  and a floor portion  106 . The wall portions  104  preferably include four wall portions: a front wall portion  104   a , a left wall portion  104   b , a rear wall portion  104   c , and a right wall portion  104   d . Each wall portion  104  is preferably coupled to one or more additional wall portion  104 , preferably being formed integrally therewith. The cavity  102  has a volume of preferably between about 50 to about 100 gallons, and more preferably between about 60 to about 80 gallons. 
         [0037]    Provided at the top of the front wall portion  104   a  is a front lid support surface or ledge  106   a , and provided at the top of the rear wall portion  104   c  is a rear lid support surface or ledge  106   b . The lid support surfaces  106   a,b  are preferably substantially planar surfaces that are preferably coplanar and parallel to each other. Disposed at the top of at least one of the left wall portion  104   b  and the right wall portion  104   d  is a lid storage surface  106   c . The lid storage surface  106   c  may be a substantially planar surface extending longitudinally between and coupling the front lid support surface  106   a  and the rear lid support surface  106   b , and is preferably lying substantially coplanar therewith. The lid storage surface  106   c  preferably has a width, measured perpendicular to its longitudinal length, that is substantially equal to or greater than the sum of the thicknesses of all of the lid panels, in this embodiment  202 , 204 . Such width provides for convenient storage of the lid panels  202 , 204  when the lid  200  is open and the vessel  100  is in use. 
         [0038]    Provided about the perimeter of one or more sides of the top of the vessel  100  is preferably a tiling flange  108 . When the vessel  100  is installed in a building, it is expected that either tile or some other fluid impervious material would overlay the tiling flange  108  so as to provide a fluid drainage path. Extending preferably the entire distance of the rear lid support surface  106   b  is a lid clearance spacer portion  110 . The spacer portion  110  accommodates for the thickness of the expected tile or other material overlaying the rear tiling flange  108 , such that when the lid  200  is operated, as hereafter described, the lid  200  will have sufficient clearance to pass by such tile. Coupled to or formed integrally with the spacer portion  110  is a bearing block  111 , which may interface with a preferred lid  200  as described hereafter. 
         [0039]    Extending upward and outward from one or more of the front lid support surface  106   a , the rear lid support surface  106   b , the lid storage surface  106   c  or otherwise from the top of the vessel  100  is preferably a threshold  112 . The threshold  112  preferably has a top surface  112   a  that is stationarily positioned at a height from the lid support surface  106   a,b  that is at least equal to the thickness of the lid  200 , as hereafter described, but is preferably greater than the thickness of the lid  200 . Thus, when the lid  200  spans the cavity  102  and is supported by the lid support surfaces  106   a,b , such relationship between the threshold top surface  112   a  and the lid support surfaces  106   a,b  may provide a substantially planar transition from threshold  112  to lid  200 . 
         [0040]    Provided through the vessel  100  are a plurality of apertures. Generally, these holes may be categorized as drain holes  114  and/or accessory holes  116 . Preferably, a plurality of drain holes  114  is provided. A first drain hole  114   a  is preferably provided at the bottommost point of the vessel  100  to ensure proper fluid drainage from a majority of the cavity  102 . Additionally, a second drain hole  114   b  is preferably provided as an overflow drain. Unlike most conventional overflow drains that are provided on a vertical vessel surface, the overflow drain  114   b  of this embodiment is preferably provided through a substantially horizontal overflow drain surface  115 , which may be an extension of the front lid support surface  106   a . Thus, the first drain hole  114   a  and the second drain hole  114   b  are horizontally and vertically spaced from each other, but provide drainage in the same direction, namely preferably downward. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the wall portions  104  of the vessel  100  may include accessory mounting blocks  117  extending outward therefrom. Such mounting blocks  117  may be formed integrally with the wall portions  104  or may be coupled thereto, such as with an epoxy resin. The mounting blocks  117  may directly support an accessory, such as a lid actuator  300 , as further described below, or the blocks  117  may indirectly support an accessory, such as pumps  402 , 404  which may be mounted to a shelf  119  directly coupled to one or more mounting blocks. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the wall portions  104  may include one or more accessory apertures  116  formed therethrough. Such accessory apertures may be adapted to receive, for example, a user support grab bar  118 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , which may be an acrylic material that is at least partially transparent or translucent and may be backlit. Other accessories that may be mounted through accessory apertures  116  include chromatherapy lights (not shown). 
         [0043]    Still other accessories that may be mounted in such apertures  116  include fluid nozzles and/or intakes, such as air or water nozzles or intakes, for providing soothing massage to various portions of a user&#39;s body. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , one or more pumps  402 , 404  may be mounted to or supported by or near the vessel  100 . Outputs from the pumps  402 , 404  may extend to water nozzles (not shown) disposed in one or more accessory apertures  116 . Inputs to the pumps  402 , 404  may draw fluid from the vessel through fluid ports (not shown) disposed in one or more accessory apertures  116 . In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of separately controllable pumps  402 , 404  may be used to separate the massage functionality into zones, such as an upper massage zone  410  and a lower massage zone  420 . Thus, all outputs from the upper zone pump  402  may be coupled to water nozzles disposed above a certain level, such as above the seat  132   c , and all outputs from the lower zone pump  404  may be coupled to water nozzles disposed below a certain level, such as below the seat  132   c . The fluid intake for each respective pump  402 , 404  is preferably located at a minimum height from the base platform  132   e  of the vessel  100 , where such minimum height is the height of the lowermost water nozzle output located in the same zone. Though not necessary, such minimum height location of the fluid intakes, which are preferably mounted in the accessory apertures  116 , is advantageous to prevent inadvertent discharge through water nozzles that may not be submerged when the vessel  100  is filled to a certain fluid level. To be certain that no accidental discharge is experienced, the water intakes may be located at or above a height of the highest located water nozzle for a given zone. Various pumps suitable for operation of the massage feature of the tub are known in the art. The plumbing coupled to the pumps  402 , 404  may include one or more in-line heaters (not shown) to heat circulating fluid that may remain in the vessel  100  in an effort to conserve fluid such as water. The plumbing may alternatively or additionally include an ozonator (not shown) to help control bacteria levels in the fluid. The electrical or pneumatic switch controls for the pump(s)  402 , 404  may be located outside of the vessel  100 , or may alternatively be disposed in a side wall thereof, above a predetermined expected fluid fill line, for easy operation during use of the tub. 
         [0044]    The floor portion  130  is preferably a stepped floor portion including a plurality of support surfaces  132  provided at varying depths into the cavity  102 . The support surfaces  132  may include a first step  132   a , a second step  132   b , a third step (or seat)  132   c , a fourth step  132   d , and a base platform  132   e . Additional accessory support surfaces may further be provided, such as an accessory shelf  132   f . As mentioned, the support surfaces  132  are preferably provided at varying depths within the cavity  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the first step  132   a  is preferably provided at a first depth  134   a  relative to the threshold top surface  112   a , or relative to the top of the lid  200  when closed. The second step  132   b  is preferably provided at a second depth  134   b  relative to the threshold top surface  112   a , or relative to the top of the lid  200  when closed. The seat  132   c  is preferably provided at a third depth  134   c  relative to the threshold top surface  112   a , or relative to the top of the lid  200  when closed. The fourth step  132   d  is preferably provided at a fourth depth  134   d  relative to the threshold top surface  112   a , or relative to the top of the lid  200  when closed. Finally, the base platform  132   e  is preferably provided at a fifth depth  134   e  relative to the threshold top surface  112   a , or relative to the top of the lid  200  when closed. Preferably, at least one of second through fifth depths  134   b - e  is substantially equal to a multiple of the first depth  134   a . Most preferably, each of the second through fifth depths  134   b - 3  is a multiple of the first depth  134   a . A preferred first depth  134   a  is about four inches to about ten inches, more preferably about seven inches to about nine inches, and most preferably about eight and one-half inches. At least a plurality of the support surfaces  132  are preferably arranged with increasing depths  134  forming a generally spiral staircase path  135 . Thus, preferably each support surface extends into a substantially vertical riser portion that may be substantially planar, but disposed in different, preferably unparallel, planes. 
         [0045]    The vessel  100  is preferably formed as a unitary member of fiber reinforced laminate, such as a polyester based resin and fiberglass sheet laminate. Such laminate may be built up as is known in the art, using, for example, a hand lay-up or spray lay-up process, which may begin by coating a molding tool with a gelcoat layer and then alternating application layers of resin and fiberglass cloth or sheet materials, until a desired thickness, such as about 0.25 inches, is achieved. Certain areas of the vessel  100  may be reinforced with a bulking filler, such as a polyester nonwoven mat material. For instance one or more of the support surfaces  106   a,b,c,d,e,f  may be reinforced with such material placed between layers of fiberglass mat. An example of such polyester nonwoven mat is Lantor Coremat® available from Lantor Composites of Veenendaal, Netherlands. A preferred filler thickness is about 0.125 to about 0.25 inches, with a more preferred thickness of about 0.125 to about 0.19 inches. 
         [0046]    Turning now to FIGS.  1  and  10 A- 10 E, an embodiment  200  of a preferred lid according to the present invention may be further described. A preferred lid  200  may include two sections  202 , 204  having at least substantially planar top surfaces  202   a , 204   a  that may be at least substantially reflectionally symmetrical to each other. A first lid section, the right lid section  202 , is preferably substantially rectilinear and extends along a first lid length  203 , which is preferably shorter than the vessel length  101   a  previously described, between a rear end  206  and a front end  208 . The section  202  further preferably extends along a first lid section width  205 , which is preferably shorter than one-half of the vessel width  101   b  previously described, between a right side  210  and a left side  212 . Disposed along one or more of the rear end  206 , the right side  210 , the front end  208 , and/or the left side  212  is a lid seal  214 . A preferred lid seal  214  is disposed along at least the front end  208  and the rear end  206 . A preferred seal material is an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material preferably formed as a tubular member having a closed substantially D-shape cross-section. A central lumen  215  formed by the seal  214  may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as D-shaped or circular, but a preferred cross-section is a substantially rhomboid, or a rhombus as shown. Though the other cross-sections may be used, such a cross-section, as compared to others such as the D-shaped cross-section, is preferred as it provides superior seal deformation. 
         [0047]    A second lid section, the left lid section  204 , is preferably substantially rectilinear and extends along a lid length  207 , which is preferably shorter than the vessel length  101   a  previously described, between a rear end  216  and a front end  218 . The second lid length  207  is preferably substantially the same as the first lid length  203 , if not identical. The section  204  further preferably extends along a second lid section width  209 , which is preferably shorter than one-half of the vessel width  101   b  previously described, between a left side  220  and a right side  222 . The sum of the first lid width  205  and the second lid width  209 , and any width added by any seals  214  provided thereon, is equal to an overall lid width  211 . The overall lid width  211  is preferably slightly larger than the width of the vessel  110  measured between the tiling flanges  108  so as to ensure a proper seal between the lid panels  202 , 204  and the tiling flanges  108 . Disposed along one or more of the rear end  216 , the left side  220 , the front end  218 , and/or the right side  222  is a lid seal  214 . A preferred lid seal  214  is disposed along at least the front end  218  and the rear end  216 , and most preferably also on the left side  220 . A preferred seal material is an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material preferably formed as a tubular member having a closed substantially D-shape cross-section. A central lumen  215  formed by the seal  214  may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as D-shaped or circular, but a preferred cross-section is a substantially rhomboid, or a rhombus as shown. As stated above, though the other cross-sections may be used, such a cross-section, as compared to others such as the D-shaped cross-section, is preferred as it provides superior seal deformation. 
         [0048]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 10A and 10D , and others, preferably formed into the top surface  202   a , 204   a  of the lid panels  202 , 204  are drain channels  224 , 226 . The drain channels direct fluid towards one or more drain holes  227  formed in one or both of the panels  202 , 204 . The top surfaces  202   a , 204   a  are preferably slightly crowned so as to guide fluid dropped thereon to the drain channels  224 , 226  and into the drain holes  227 . If there is more than one lid panel provided, as in the depicted embodiment, the drain channel(s)  224 , 226  preferably extend around less than 360 degrees of the lid  200 . Most preferably, if drain holes  227  are not provide at the seam where two lid panels abut, the channels preferably do not extend across such abutment. Thus, as can be seen in  FIG. 10A , the drain channel  224  formed in the right lid panel  202  stops short of the left side  212  of that panel. Likewise, the drain channel  226  formed in the left lid panel  204  stops short of the right side  222  of that panel. Accordingly, drainage of fluid from above the lid  200  and into the abutment of the two panels  202 , 204  may be minimized. 
         [0049]    Coupled to or formed integrally with one or more of the lid panels  202 , 204  are preferably various lid support members. In the embodiment  200  shown, a pivot fulcrum is formed by a pivot pin  230  extending from the rear end  206  of the first lid panel  202  and a pivot rod  232  extending from the front end  208  of the first lid panel  202 . The pivot pin  230  and rod  232  are preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and are arranged in a substantially coaxial arrangement. The pivot pin  230  is preferably a stainless steel cylinder that is adapted to rest pivotably journaled in the bearing block  111  provided in the vessel  100 . The pivot rod  232  is preferably a stainless steel rod that extends from the front end  208  of the right lid panel  202  by a preferred actuation distance  234 , such as between about 0.5 and about 3.5 inches and more preferably between about 2 and about 3 inches. A pivot rod support plate  233  is preferably coupled to or formed integrally with the lid panel  202 , such as being adhered to a lid panel bottom surface  202   b . The support plate  233  is preferably formed from stainless steel sheet material and, in cooperation with the lid panel bottom surface  202   b , forms a tubular structure into which the pivot rod  232  may be inserted. The pivot rod  232  may then be welded or otherwise adhered to the support plate  233 . While the pivot rod  232  could extend through the entire lid length  203  and actually perform the pivot pin  230  function itself, the rod  232  preferably extends only through less than half of the lid length  203 . The box section of the tubular structure formed by the support plate  233  and the lid panel  202  adds sufficient strength to resist failure during normal use. The pivot rod  232  is then mechanically coupled, through one or more linkages, to a preferred actuator, such as a linear electric solenoid actuator  300 , which may be mounted to the vessel  100 . 
         [0050]    Other lid support members may be provided. For instance on the left side of the lid  200 , one or more roller bearings  236 , 238  may be provided. Preferably, one roller bearing  236  is provided at the rear end  216  of the left panel  204  and one roller bearing  238  is provided at the front end  218  of the left panel  204 . The respective locations at which the roller bearings  236 , 238  are situated on the panel  204  are preferably indented so as to allow the outer substantially planar surface of the roller bearings  236 , 238  to be situated at a distance substantially equal to the second lid length  207 . Thus, the support members described may work in concert to assist in the raising and lowering of the lid  200  in the embodiment shown. When the pivot rod  232  is rotated by the actuator  300 , the roller bearings  236 , 238  follow and roll along the rear lid support surface  106   b  and the front lid support surface  106   a , respectively. 
         [0051]    The lid panels  202 , 204  are preferably joined in an abutting relationship by a hinge member  240 , which is preferably a stainless steel continuous or piano hinge. In the depicted embodiment  200 , the hinge  240  is provided along less than the lid length  203  so as to not interfere with the drainage holes  227  provided through the lid panels  202 , 204 . Of course a hinge  240  extending the entire lid length  203  may be used, and if desired, the drain holes  227  may be spaced or arranged accordingly. 
         [0052]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 10D and 10E , the lid panels  202 , 204  are preferably constructed of opposing layers of fiberglass cloth, impregnated with vinyl ester resin, and a layer of foam  242  disposed therebetween. A preferred foam layer  242  is formed from high density PVC foam. The top surfaces  202   a , 204   a  of the panels  202 , 204  may be coated with a polyester gel coat of a desired color. Formed into or disposed on the gel coat layer may be a desired texture formation to increase the friction thereof. A preferred tooling negative may be made to provide the texture during the molding process. Additionally or alternatively, a post-processing addition of texture may be performed, such as the addition of adhered texture or even splattered with additional polyester gel coat material. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 11 , an alternate lid embodiment is shown, including a front overlay arm  260 , which is adapted to interface the vessel threshold  112  and overlay the abutment of the lid panels  202 , 204 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  depicts a vessel  100  according to the present invention situated upon a floor or floor joists  350  and within framing member  370  adapted to support wallboard or preferably a shower stall. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  depict a completed installation of an embodiment according to the present invention.  FIG. 13A  depicts a conventional shower stall  500  installed above an embodiment  10  according to the present invention. The stall  500  includes a shower control knob  502  which controls the flow of water to a shower head  504 . Further, a dedicated vessel fill spout  506  may be provided, including its own control knob  508 . Support rails  510 , which may be inclined or declined, may be provided along one or more walls of the stall  500 . A remote drain control  512  is preferably operatively coupled to a drain valve (not shown) to control the flow of fluid out of the first drain aperture  114   a  in the vessel. The drain control  512  may be a lever that actuates a cable coupled to the drain valve. Additionally, a switch  330  may be provided to control the lid actuator  300  for opening and closing the lid  200 . Conventional shower closures (not shown) such as curtains or one or more shower doors may be used to shield the opening of the shower stall  500  above the vessel threshold  112 . 
         [0056]    While the lid  200  is in the down or closed position, as shown in  FIG. 13A , a user may take a shower in the stall  500  using the showerhead  504  and controlling the flow of water therefrom by the use of the shower control knob  502 . The texture provided on the top surfaces  202   a , 204   a  of the lid panels  202 , 204  helps to reduce slippage, and the lid is supported substantially or exclusively by the front lid support surface  106   a  and the rear lid support surface  106   b . Accordingly, the lid  200  spans the entire cavity  102 . The drain holes  227  provided through the lid panels  202 , 204  are arranged above the second drain aperture  114   b  provided through the vessel  100 . In this way, wastewater from use of the showerhead  504  is generally directed to a sewer drain (not shown) by flowing into the drain channels  224 , 226 , through the drain holes  227  and through the second drain aperture  114   b , which is plumbed to the sewer drain, perhaps through a conventional trap arrangement. 
         [0057]    When it is desirable to utilize the vessel  100  as a soaking tub, or to fill the vessel  100  with a desired amount of fluid, the lid  200  may be moved to the up or open position. To accomplish this, the lid actuator  300  may be activated by a flip of the electrical switch  330  provided preferably outside the shower stall  500 . Alternatively, the lid  200  may be moved manually or even removed completely. If the actuator  300  is used, it imparts a rotational force to the pivot rod  232 , preferably causing the right lid panel  202  to rotate clockwise. As the right lid panel  202  rotates clockwise, the left lid panel  204 , which is hingedly coupled to the right lid panel  202 , is drawn towards the right lid panel  202  as the roller bearings  236 , 238  roll along the front lid support surface  106   a  and the rear lid support surface  106   b . To fill the vessel  100 , the lid  200  may be drawn up substantially out of obstruction and fluid flow through the first drain aperture  114   a  may be interrupted, such as by closing the drain valve (not shown) associated with the drain control lever  512 . The vessel  100  may be supplied with fluid from the vessel fill spout  506  using the vessel fill control knob  508 , which is preferably located outside of the shower stall  500 . For safety and space saving reasons, the vessel fill spout  506  may be recessed into the shower stall  500 . The vessel  100  is then filled to the desired fluid level with a desired fluid, such as water. For instance, the fluid level may be maintained below the seat  132   c  if a simple foot bath is desired. Alternatively, it may be desirable to completely submerse a user&#39;s body into the fluid, thus making a higher fluid level desirable. In any event, if the fluid level exceeds the level of the overflow drain surface  115 , excess fluid will drain out of the second drain aperture  114   b  and into the previously mentioned sewer drain. Thus, it is preferred that the plumbing from the second drain aperture  114   b  intersects the sewer drain pipe at a downstream location from the drain valve (not shown) that may be used to interrupt the flow of fluid through the first drain aperture  114   a . In any event, once the vessel  100  is filled to the desired level, it may be used, such as a user stepping along the staircase path  135  while perhaps grasping the support rails  510  provided. 
         [0058]    However, the vessel  100  need not be used for soaking when it contains fluid. Stated another way, the vessel  100  does not need to be drained of fluid if a user wishes to take a shower in the stall  500 . Once the lid  200  is lowered to the closed position, as in  FIG. 13A , a user may take a shower without fear of substantial contamination of the vessel  100  or fluid in the vessel  100  because the shower water drains through the overflow drain aperture  114   b  and not through the first drain aperture  114   a . In this way, fluid may be maintained for multiple soaking uses in the vessel  100  while the shower  500  is used to cleanse prior to and/or after soaking. 
         [0059]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. For example, alternatively or additionally, a unitary lid (not shown) may be provided to be inserted and removed as desired. Additionally or alternatively, the system  10  may be provided without a lid  200  in the event that the system  10  will be used only as a top ingress tub. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.