Abstract:
Method of introducing cleaning fluid for cleaning a water dispensing head from inside. The method includes removing the water dispensing head, installing a cleaning fluid introduction port device comprising an upstream end, a downstream end, and a cleaning fluid introduction passage, and installing the water dispensing head onto the downstream end, wherein, when the cleaning fluid introduction port device is installed, the cleaning fluid introduction port device is configured to allow cleaning fluid to pass into the cleaning fluid introduction passage and flow out through the downstream end and into an inside of the water dispensing head, whereby the water dispensing head is cleaned from the inside by the cleaning

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/132,540 filed on Dec. 18, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference it its entirety, and which application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/928,328 filed on Dec. 9, 2010 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/284,023, filed on Dec. 11, 2009, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/398,255, filed on Jun. 23, 2010, which are each incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to system and method for cleaning and disinfecting a showerhead without having to remove the showerhead from the supply pipe. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Showerheads typically build up calcium, lime, and other heavy materials after extended Use. Such a buildup may significantly reduce the flow of spay from the showerhead 
         [0004]    Research suggests that showerheads may harbor potentially infectious disease causing bacteria and mold. One study suggests a typical home showerhead may have a concentration of harmful bacteria that is 100 times greater than water supplied to it. The problem may be further compounded because a reduced flow rate in a clogged showerhead may cause the bacteria and mold to build up inside the showerhead. When water flows through the tiny holes in the showerhead it aspirates the water into the air as a mist. Any bacteria or mold festering in the showerhead may become airborne and may be breathed in by the person taking a shower. This may cause, inter alia, respiratory problems, disease, and allergic reactions for certain individuals. 
         [0005]    One conventional approach to clean a showerhead is to remove it from supply pipe and soak it in a cleaning solution. Such a process is time consuming, cumbersome, and may often result in problems when re-installing the showerhead. 
         [0006]    Another conventional approach for cleaning a showerhead without removing the showerhead from the supply pipe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,995. As disclosed therein, the showerhead includes a collar with a took for attaching a container with a cleaning solution to submerge the showerhead therein. Although the approach will clean the outside of the showerhead, the cleaning; solution cannot enter the inside of the showerhead due to pressure gradient between air inside the showerhead and the cleaning solution. Thus, the method may be ineffective. 
         [0007]    Yet another device for cleaning a showerhead is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,798. As disclosed in this patent, the showerhead may be cleaned by using nozzles with an external flexible nozzle layer which can be manipulated by a user. One drawback to this approach may be residual water droplets left inside the showerhead after use. This may produce bacteria, mold, and the like, which may require the showerhead to be cleaned with a disinfecting solution. 
         [0008]    Other attempts to clean showerheads may rely on using ultraviolet radiation in conjunction with a showerhead Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0169249) or cavitation mechanisms designed to kill bacteria present in residual water within the showerhead (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0019067). 
         [0009]    However, the conventional methods discussed above are typically ineffective, cumbersome, expensive, often difficult to install and operate, and often ineffective. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention is directed to method of introducing cleaning fluid for cleaning a water dispensing head from inside, said method comprising removing the water dispensing head, installing a cleaning fluid introduction port device comprising an upstream end, a downstream end, and a cleaning fluid introduction passage, and installing the water dispensing head onto the downstream end, wherein, when the cleaning fluid introduction port device is installed, the cleaning fluid introduction port device is configured to allow cleaning fluid to pass into the cleaning fluid introduction passage and flow out through the downstream end and into an inside of the water dispensing head, whereby the water dispensing head is cleaned from the inside by the cleaning fluid. 
         [0011]    The water dispensing head may comprise water dispensing openings. 
         [0012]    The water dispensing head may be a showerhead. 
         [0013]    The upstream end may have a first internal passage and an internally-threaded section sized and configured to thread onto an externally-threaded end of an extension, said downstream end having a second internal passage and an externally-threaded section sized and configured to threadably engage with internal threads of the water dispensing head. 
         [0014]    The first and second passages are in fluid communication with one another and with the cleaning fluid introduction passage. 
         [0015]    The method may further comprise cleaning the water dispensing head from the inside while the water dispensing head remains connected to the downstream end. 
         [0016]    The method may further comprise installing or removing a removable cap mounted to a projecting portion, said removable cap comprising an internally-threaded section configured to threadably engage with the externally-threaded section of the projecting portion and one of a closed end or a connection to a cleaning fluid introduction line. 
         [0017]    The cleaning fluid introduction passage is disposed in a projecting portion and is configured to receive a cleaning fluid that removes substances that build-up on the water dispensing head. 
         [0018]    The invention also provides for a method of mounting a cleaning fluid introduction port device upstream of a water dispensing head, said method comprising threading on a cleaning fluid introduction port device comprising a cylindrical main section, an upstream end, a downstream end, a projecting portion arranged between the upstream end and the downstream end, and a removable cap mounted to the projecting portion and threading on the water dispensing head onto the downstream end, wherein, when the cleaning fluid introduction port device is installed, the cleaning fluid introduction port device is configured to allow cleaning fluid to pass into the projecting portion and flow out through the downstream end and into an inside of the water dispensing head, whereby the water dispensing head is cleaned from the inside by the cleaning fluid. 
         [0019]    The method may further comprise before the threading on, unthreading the water dispensing head. 
         [0020]    The water dispensing head comprises water dispensing openings. 
         [0021]    The water dispensing head is a showerhead. 
         [0022]    The invention also provides for a method of introducing cleaning fluid to allow cleaning of a water dispensing head from inside, said method comprising after water stops flowing out of the water dispensing head, introducing a cleaning fluid into a cleaning fluid introduction passage of a cleaning fluid introduction port device so that the cleaning fluid flows out through a downstream end of the cleaning fluid introduction port device and into an inside of the water dispensing head, whereby the water dispensing head is cleaned from the inside by the cleaning fluid. 
         [0023]    The method may further comprise prior to the introducing, installing the cleaning fluid introduction port device comprising a cylindrical main section, an upstream end, the downstream end, a projecting portion arranged between the upstream end and the downstream end, and the cleaning fluid introduction passage. 
         [0024]    The method may further comprise prior to the installing the cleaning fluid introduction port device, installing the water dispensing head having dispensing openings onto the downstream end. 
         [0025]    The method may further comprise, before the introducing, removing a removable cap to allow access to the cleaning fluid introduction passage. 
         [0026]    The water dispensing head may be a showerhead. 
         [0027]    The method may further comprise cleaning the water dispensing head from the inside while the water dispensing head remains connected to the downstream end. 
         [0028]    The cleaning fluid introduction port device may comprise a valve lever that can move between an open position and a closed position. 
         [0029]    The introducing may occur when the valve lever is in the open position. 
         [0030]    The invention also features a showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system including an injection device located between a showerhead extension pipe and a showerhead. The injection device includes a port configured to receive an agent for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, a cover may be removably attached to the showerhead configured to contain the agent in the showerhead a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The port may include a removable cap. The port may include a ball valve assembly. The adaptor may include a first end configured to connect to the showerhead extension pipe and a second end configured to connect to the showerhead. The agent may include a solution configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The agent may include a pressurized gas configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The pressurized gas may be coupled to the port and flows through the showerhead a predetermined amount of time in order to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
         [0032]    This invention also features a showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system including an injection device located between a showerhead extension pipe and a showerhead. The injection device includes a port configured to receive a solution for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead. A cover is removably attached to the showerhead configured to contain the solution in the showerhead a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
         [0033]    This invention also features a showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system including a showerhead integrated with a port configured to receive an agent for cleaning and disinfecting the shower head. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, a cover may be removably attached to the showerhead configured to contain the agent in the showerhead a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The port may include a removable cap. The port may include a ball valve assembly. The agent may include a solution configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The agent may include a pressurized gas configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The pressurized gas may be coupled to the port and flows through the showerhead a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
         [0035]    This invention further features a showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system including an extension pipe including a port configured to receive an agent for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the system may include a cover removably attached to the showerhead configured to contain the agent in the showerhead a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The port may include a removable cap. The port may include a ball valve assembly. The extension pipe may include a first end configured to connect a coupling behind a wall and a second end configured to connect to the showerhead. The cleaning agent may include a solution configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The cleaning agent may include a pressurized gas configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The pressurized gas may be coupled to the port and flows through the showerhead predetermined amount of time in order to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
         [0037]    This invention further features a showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system for a multi-head shower environment including a multi-showerhead environment including at least a plurality of showerheads. A shut off valve is located between a water supply line and the multi-showerhead environment. An injection device is located between the shut off valve and the multi-showerhead environment. The injection device includes a port configured to receive an agent for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead when the shutoff valve is closed. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the agent may include a solution configured to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The system may include a plurality of covers each removably attached to the plurality of showerheads and configured to contain the solution in the showerheads a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerheads. The system may include a container for storing the solution. The system may include a pump configured to inject the solution into the port and fill the plurality of showerheads with the solution. The agent may include a pressurized gas configured to clean and disinfect the showerheads. The pressurized gas may be coupled to the port and flows through the showerheads a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. The multi-showerhead environment may include a plurality of back-spray showerheads. The multi-showerhead environment may include an atmosphere spa. 
         [0039]    This invention features a method for cleaning and disinfecting a showerhead including providing a port configured to receive an solution for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead, removably attaching a cover to the showerhead, injecting the solution into the port to fill the showerhead with a predetermined amount of solution, and containing the solution in the showerhead for a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
         [0040]    This invention further features a method for cleaning and disinfecting a showerhead including providing a port configured to receive a pressurized gas for cleaning and disinfecting the showerhead, and introducing the pressurized gas into the port and through the showerhead for a predetermined amount of time to clean and disinfect the showerhead. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional front-view showing the primary components of one embodiment of the showerhead cleaning system of this invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 2A  is three-dimensional front-view showing in further detail the structure of one embodiment of the injection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic side-view of the injection device shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 2C  is a schematic top-view of the injection device shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2D  is a schematic end-view of the injection device shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic side-view showing in further detail the structure of the cap attached to the injection port shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic front-view of the end cap shown in  FIG. 3A   
           [0049]      FIG. 4A  is a three-dimensional-view of one example of a cover of one embodiment of the shower cleaning system of this invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic front-view of another example of a cover of one embodiment of the shower cleaning system of this invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic side-view showing in further detail the covers shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 5A  is a three-dimensional-view showing one example of a dispensing device introducing a cleaning solution into the port of the injection device in accordance with one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 5B  is a three-dimensional-view showing one example of a pressurized gas used to clean and disinfect the showerhead in accordance with another embodiment of this invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic top-view of another embodiment of the port shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic side-view of the port shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 7  depicts one example of the steps used to install on the showerhead cleaning system of one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the showerhead cleaning system of this invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 9  is a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the showerhead cleaning system of this invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 10  is a three-dimensional view showing in further detail the structure of the showerhead extension pipe shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the showerhead extension pipe shown in  FIG. 9 : 
           [0061]      FIG. 12 . is a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the showerhead cleaning system of this invention used to clean and disinfect a multi-showerhead environment; and 
           [0062]      FIG. 13  is a schematic front-view showing in further detail the primary components of one embodiment of the system shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0063]    Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. If only one embodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limited to that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be read restrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifesting a certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer. 
         [0064]    There is shown in  FIG. 1  one embodiment of showerhead cleaning system  10  of this invention. In this example, system  10  includes injection device  12  which is preferably located between showerhead extension pipe  14  and showerhead  20 . Injection device  12  includes port  30 , shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2A-3B  (discussed in further detail below), which is configured to receive an agent for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20 . 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, system  10  also preferably includes cover  40 ,  FIGS. 4A-4C , which is removably attached to showerhead  12 . In one example, cover  40 ,  FIG. 4A , may be made of a pliable material, such as rubber or similar type material. In this example, cover  40  preferably stretches over showerhead  20  and remains in place to hold the cleaning and disinfecting agent in showerhead  20  for a predetermined amount of time (discussed below) needed to clean and disinfect showerhead  20 . In another example, cover  40 ′,  FIG. 4B , may be manufactured to a shape which fits over showerhead  20 . In this example, cover  40 ′ has a “clam shell” type design and is opened by pivoting on hinge  51  in the direction indicated by arrows  53 . Cover  40 ′ is then clamped over showerhead  20  by moving members  53  and  55  in the direction indicated by arrows  57 . Cover  40 ′,  FIGS. 4A-4B , may have a height which ranges from about 1 3/4  inches to about 5 inches, indicated at  41 ,  FIG. 4C , and may accommodate a showerhead diameter ranging from about 2 inches to about 18 inches, indicated at  43 . Cover  40 ,  40 ′ may also be designed to accommodate smaller or larger showerheads of different various shapes. 
         [0066]    In one design, port  30 ,  FIG. 1 , includes removable cap  36 , shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3A-3B , in one example, cap  36 ,  FIG. 1 , is removed, as shown in  FIG. 4A , and the agent for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20  is injected into port  30 . In one example, the agent for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20  may be a solution known to those skilled in the art which removes calcium, and/or lime, and/or heavy materials, and/or biofilm, and the like, and kills a majority of the bacteria, mold, and the like. In other examples, the agent for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20  may be a pressurized gas known to those skilled in the art which removes calcium, and/or lime, and/or heavy materials, and/or biofilm, and the like, and kills a majority of the bacteria, mold, and the like. The pressurized gas may he vaporized water (steam), a mixture of vaporized water and vaporized cleaning and disinfecting solution, or mixture any other gas or vaporized cleaning and disinfecting solution known to those skilled in the art which cleans and disinfects the showerhead  20 . 
         [0067]    In one example, a dispensing device, e.g., dispenser  46 ,  FIG. 5  with cap  47  and retractable nipple  49  may be used to inject the cleaning and disinfectant solution into port  30  to fill showerhead  20  with the solution. In other examples, the dispenser may be a syringe, funnel, or similar type device. Cap  36  is then screwed back onto port  30 . The cleaning and disinfecting agent preferably remains inside showerhead  20  with cover  40  thereon for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., about 5 to 60 minutes, e.g., about 15 minutes. After a sufficient amount of time has been reached, as discussed above, cover  40  is removed. Hot water is preferably run for about 2 minutes to remove any remaining cleaning solution from showerhead  20 . 
         [0068]    In another example, source of pressurized gas  61 ,  FIG. 5B , may be coupled to port  30  via line  63  and coupling  65 . In this example, cover  40  need not be used and the pressurized gas from source  61  flows through line  63  and through showerhead  20  for about 5 to 60 minutes, e.g., about 15 minutes. This cleans and disinfects showerhead  20  by removing the buildup of calcium and/or lime and/or other heavy materials and/or biofilm inside showerhead  20  and killing most of the bacteria, mold, and the like, inside showerhead  20 . 
         [0069]    The result is the showerhead cleaning system  10  effectively cleans showerhead  20  by removing the buildup of calcium, and/or lime and/or other heavy materials and/or biofilm, and the like. This helps disinfect showerhead  20  because the majority of the medium for the growth of bacteria, mold, lime, and the like, inside showerhead  20  is reduced or removed. Showerhead cleaning system  10  also disinfects showerhead  20  by killing a majority of the bacteria, mold, lime, and the like, therein. Once system  10  is installed, showerhead  20  does not need to be removed again. This eliminates some of the problems associated with some conventional systems for cleaning a showerhead, such as loose plumbing connections which may result when a showerhead is repeatability removed, which can cause unsuspecting mold. Showerhead cleaning system  10  is also easy to install and operate and is relatively inexpensive when compared to the conventional showerhead cleaning systems delineated in the Background section above. 
         [0070]    In one embodiment, injection device  12 ,  FIG. 2A  preferably includes opening  26 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2B , having external threads  28  thereon which may mate with internal threads (not shown) of coupling  18 ,  FIG. 1 , of showerhead  20 . Port  30 ,  FIG. 2A , preferably includes opening  32  and external threads  34  thereon. Cap  36 ,  FIG. 1 , may include internal threads  38 ,  FIG. 3A , which mate with external threads  34 ,  FIG. 2A  of port  30 . Cap  36  may be secured to port  30  by other means known to those skilled in the art. In other designs, port  30 ′,  FIGS. 6A-68 , may be configured as ball valve assembly  50  with lever  52 . In this design, lever  52  is positioned to the open position, as shown by arrow  54 , to allow the cleaning agent, e.g., the cleaning and disinfecting solution or gas discussed above to be injected into opening  32 ′ of port  30 ′ in order to fill showerhead  20 . 
         [0071]    In one design, injection device  12 ,  FIG. 2A , preferably includes opening  24  which increases the flow of water from showerhead extension pipe  14 ,  FIG. 2B . Injection device  12  preferably includes internal threads  36  (also shown in  FIG. 2B ) which mate with external threads (not shown) on showerhead extension pipe  14 .  FIGS. 2C and 2D  show in further detail one example of the structure injection device  12  and port  30 .  FIG. 3B  shows in further detail one example the structure of cap  36 . Exemplary dimensions of injection device  12  and cap  36  are shown in  FIGS. 2A-28 and 3A-3B . Other dimensions may be utilized as needed. 
         [0072]    One exemplary operation of the steps of installing showerhead cleaning system  10  is now discussed with reference to  FIG. 7 . Existing showerhead  20  is removed by twisting the showerhead counter-clockwise by hand, or with a wrench if needed. This exposes threads  104  of existing extension pipe  14 . Teflon® tape  106 , or a similar type tape, is then applied over threads  104  as shown at  108 . Port  30  is then threaded over threads  106  of shower extension pipe  14 , as shown at  109 . The completed process is shown at  110 . Threads  28  of adapter  20  are exposed as shown. Teflon® tape  106 , or similar type tape, is then applied over threads  28  as shown at  112  and  114 . Existing showerhead  20  is then threaded over threads  28  and Teflon® tape  106 , as shown at  116  and  118 . System  10  is now ready to use. 
         [0073]    As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , shower cleaning system  10  may include injection device  12  with port  30  located between showerhead extension pipe  14  showerhead  20 . In this example, port  30  is located on injection device  12 . In another. embodiment, showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system  10 ′  FIG. 8 , where like parts have been given like numbers, includes port  30  which is integrated with showerhead  20 ′. Similar as discussed above, port  30  may include cap  36  or be configured as a ball valve assembly  FIGS. 6A-6B , or similar type design. in this example, showerhead  20 ′,  FIG. 8 , connects directly to showerhead extension pipe  14 , e.g., via threads or similar type design. System  10 ′ may also include an agent (solution or gas) for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20  and may include cover  40 . System  10 ′ operates similar as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0074]    In other designs, showerhead cleaning and disinfecting, system  10 ″,  FIG. 9 , where like parts have like numbers, includes port  30  which is preferably manufactured as part of showerhead extension pipe  14 ′. Similar as discussed above, port  30  may include cap  36  or may be configured as a ball valve assembly  50 ,  FIGS. 6A-6B , or similar type design. Extension pipe  14 ′,  FIG. 10 , preferably includes external threads  80  which typically mate with the internal threads of a coupling behind the wall where extension pipe  14 ′ is installed. Extension pipe  14 ′ also preferably includes threads  86  which mate with the threads on showerhead  20 , similar as discussed above. Port  30 ,  FIGS. 9-10 , preferably includes cap  36  having a similar design as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3B . Port  30  may also be configured as ball valve assembly  50 ,  FIG. 6 . Showerhead extension pipe  14 ′,  FIGS. 9-10 , may also have the shape shown in  FIG. 11 . System  10 ″ may also include an agent (solution or gas) for cleaning and disinfecting showerhead  20  and may include cover  40 . System  10 ′ operates similar as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0075]    In another embodiment, showerhead cleaning and disinfecting system  10 ″,  FIG. 12 , where like parts have been given like numbers, may be utilized to clean and disinfect a multi-showerhead environment. In this example, valve  200  is preferably coupled to water supply  202 . Valve  200  has an open position which allows the water supply in water line  202  to flow therethrough to line  204  and a closed position which stops the flow of water from water supply line  202 . System  10 ′″ also includes injection device  12  with port  30  having the same structure as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . However, in this design, injection device  12  is coupled to line  206  which connects to multi-shower environment  208  which includes at least a plurality of showerheads  210 . 
         [0076]    In one example, in order to clean the plurality of showerheads  210 , valve  200  is closed to stop the flow of water from water supply line  202 . Cleaning and disinfecting solution  220 ,  FIG. 13 , preferably stored in container  222 , is then pumped to port  30  by lines  225  and  226  using pump  224 . In one exemplary operation, cleaning and disinfecting solution  220  is pumped into each of the plurality of showerheads  210 ,  FIG. 12 , until the cleaning solution begins to flow out of each showerhead  210 . Covers  40 ,  FIG. 12 , having a similar design as cover  40  discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C , are then secured to one or more or each of the plurality of showerheads  210 ,  FIG. 12 . Similar, as discussed above, the cleaning solution remains inside each of showerheads  210  for a predetermined amount of time necessary to clean and disinfect showerheads  210 . After a sufficient period of time has been reached, covers  40  are removed. Valve  200  is opened and hot water is allowed to pass through showerheads  210  for about 2 minutes. 
         [0077]    In one embodiment, multi-shower environment  208 ,  FIG. 12 , may also include atmosphere spa  250  which includes a plurality of showerheads  252  and/or back spray showerheads  254 , winch may be similarly cleaned by attaching covers  40  and injecting the cleaning and disinfecting solution therein, as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
         [0078]    In another example, system  10 ′″,  FIG. 12 , may utilize a pressurized gas, e.g., as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 5B , as the cleaning and disinfecting agent. In this example, source of pressurized gas  270 ,  FIG. 13 , is coupled to port  30  via line  272 . In this example, covers  40 ,  FIG. 12 , are not used. Instead, the was from source of pressurized gas  270  flows through port  30  into line  206  and then to each of plurality of showerheads  210 ,  FIG. 12  to a predetermined amount of time, e.g., about 5 to 60 minutes, e.g., about 15 minutes, to effectively clean and disinfect the plurality of showerheads  210 . The same method may be used to clean and disinfect showerheads  252  and  254  of atmosphere spa  250 . 
         [0079]    Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments. 
         [0080]    In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of the patent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will be unforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fair interpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationale underlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation to many equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant cannot be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for any claim element amended. 
         [0081]    Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.