Abstract:
The specification relates to a method that will reduce the associated maintenance expenses of a hot tub or pool filtration system, extend the service life of disposable hot tub and pool filters, and extend the service life of a hot tub or pool filtration system by placing a mesh cloth over the intake port to the hot tub or pool filtration system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention concerns water filtration for hot tubs and pools. Filtration of hot tub and pool water is necessary to maintain water clarity for appearance, as well as to maintain proper hygiene and safety. Proper maintenance of water quality places a recurring maintenance expense on the hot tub or pool owner. The maintenance expense arises from either replacing the filter; instances of service to replace reusable filters and maintain the filtration system; and the chemicals necessary to clean the filter and filtration system. This maintenance expense can be reduced or eliminated by practicing the method of the invention described herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    By practicing the method of the invention, a hot tub or pool owner can reduce or eliminate the recurring expenses associated with the proper maintenance of the water filtration system. By placing a sieve made up of a mesh cloth over the intake port to the filter system, the maintenance expenses incurred by the hot tub or pool owner will be reduced. The maintenance cost will be reduced by extending the service life of a disposable filter, or by decreasing the instances of service necessary to maintain the filtration system. The reduced instances of service will also result in the reduction in the use of the chemicals necessary to clean the filtration system, further reducing the owner&#39;s maintenance expense. In addition, the service life of the entire filtration system will be extended by reducing the overall burden on the filtration system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  provide additional information as to the general nature of the invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram describing the flow of water through a hot tub or pool filtration system. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating the mesh cloth supported in a frame. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustrating a piece of mesh cloth. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view providing an example of an intake port before practicing the invention. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are isometric views providing examples of an intake port after practicing the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0009]    Hot tubs and pools are subject to constant contamination from foreign matter brought into the water by the bathers, wind and articles used in the vicinity of the hot tub or pool. Thus a properly maintained filtration system is necessary to insure water quality for a pleasant and inviting appearance, as well as for hygiene and safety. The maintenance of the filtration system represents a recurring expense paid by the owner. This maintenance expense can be reduced by decreasing the instances of service required to maintain the filtration system, or by extending the service life of a disposable filter or a reusable filter, or by eliminating the need for a filter. 
         [0010]    Filtration is a mechanical process of removing insoluble foreign matter from the water by capturing the insoluble matter within the filter media. Over time the insoluble matter builds up within the filter. The build up reduces the filter&#39;s capability to remove additional foreign matter from the water, necessitating replacement of the filter or maintenance of the filtration system to restore the filtration system to proper operation. 
         [0011]    The method of the invention is to place a mesh cloth over the intake port to the filtration system. The mesh then acts a pre-filter screening out pieces of foreign matter by trapping the pieces on the mesh cloth. By screening out pieces of foreign matter, the prescreened matter is not trapped within the filter, and thus increases the service life of a disposable filter or decreases the instances of service for a reusable filter. In addition by reducing the amount of foreign matter entering the filtration system, the burden on the filtration system is reduced. The reduced burden thereby extends the service life of the filtration system as a whole and reduces the instances of service. 
         [0012]    The size of the foreign matter screened from the water will be inverse to the mesh number of the cloth used. That is as the mesh number increases smaller and smaller particles will be trapped, or as mesh number decreases larger and larger particles will pass through the screen. The owner should select the highest mesh number that will not interfere with the proper flow of or overburden the filtration system. The mesh of the cloth can be anywhere between U.S. standard 3½ mesh to 500 mesh. 
         [0013]    The mesh cloth can be made of any material suitable for use in a hot tub or pool, such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass. The mesh cloth may be unfixed in a frame and simply placed over the intake port. The mesh cloth will be held in placed by the suction force of the water flowing into the port. In addition, the mesh cloth may be fixed in frame of suitable dimensions to fit over the intake port and hold the screen in place. Again the materials of construction of the frame must be suitable for use in a hot tub or pool such as metal, plastic, wood, or paper. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6  provide additional information as to the general nature of the invention, and illustrate the practice of the invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of the water flow for a hot tub or pool water filtration system. To filter the tub or pool water, the water held in the tub or pool flows through an intake port that is placed at or under the surface of the water of the tub or pool. The water flows into the intake port by means of suction created by a pumping system. After entering the intake port, the water flows through a filter that removes the foreign matter from the water. The water then flows through the pump and is returned to the tub or pool. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the supported and unsupported mesh cloth to be used when practicing the invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates the mesh cloth being supported in a circular frame, while  FIG. 3  illustrates the unsupported version of the mesh cloth. In either case, the mesh cloth must be of sufficient size to cover the entire opening of the intake port. 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  provides an example of an intake port. In this case the intake port is recessed off the main tub reservoir and located below the surface of the water. Many other configurations are possible based on the design of the tub or pool. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the intake port after the invention has been practiced. In  FIG. 5 , the mesh cloth is supported by a circular frame of proper diameter to be placed over the intake port.  FIG. 5  also indicates the collection of foreign matter on the mesh cloth.  FIG. 6  illustrates the use of the unsupported mesh cloth, the mesh cloth being placed over the intake port and held in place by the suction action of the pumping system. 
         [0018]    Having set forth the general nature and specific embodiment(s) of the invention, the true scope is now particularly pointed out in the appended claims.