Abstract:
A method of purging a whirlpool bathtub includes providing a pump having an off condition and an on condition, the pump configured to circulate water to a basin through a water feed line. The method further includes providing a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower configured to provide air to the basin through an air feed line. The method further includes turning the blower to the on condition and the pump to the off condition, and introducing at least a portion of the air from the blower into the water feed line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/059,044, filed on Mar. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/127,509, filed on Mar. 3, 2015, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to bathtubs in which air is bubbled into the water, particularly hydro-massage spas and whirlpools. More particularly, it relates to a multipurpose water and air jet system for use with such bathtubs. 
         [0003]    Therapeutic water baths and pools are well-known. Spas or whirlpool tubs are common examples in which water streams from jets through the walls of the basin and flows into the water beneath the surface, usually directed at large muscle areas of a person&#39;s body, for example, shoulders, back, and thighs. The force from the jets “massage” the bather directly as well as agitate the water to provide therapeutic effects for other parts of the body not directly in the path of the jets. 
         [0004]    In a conventional system, the “massage” effect is created by pumping water through a water feed line by a recirculation pump and streaming the water through a number of jet spray nozzles located within the walls of the basin. At the same time, air is drawn into a separate air feed line through an air intake inlet. The air is then drawn from the air line into the water line through a coupled connection to be incorporated into the water as the water streams out of the jets into the basin. In such systems, a bather can typically control the amount of air that is mixed with the water by controlling the opening and closing of the air intake inlet. 
         [0005]    However, with this conventional system, the bather is limited by the speed of the pump in the amount and force of air that is fed into the water line as it exits through the jets into the basin. In some instances, the user may desire a “massage” effect that is stronger and more forceful, akin to the effect of a “deep-tissue” massage. In other instances, the user may also desire air that is introduced into the water line in the form of “microbubbles” that cling to the bather&#39;s body and rise to the surface of the water slowly and gently, creating a soothing and relaxing effect for the bather. 
         [0006]    Moreover, after the bather has finished using this system, the basin is drained of all water. However, in many cases, the system is left with residual water in the water line. This results in stagnant water being left within the system until next use. In some instances, when the bather turns the system back on for a subsequent use, the initial water expelled from the jets may be primarily mixed with this stagnant water, which may not be desirable to the bather. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a whirlpool bathtub that provides a bather with a multipurpose water and air jet system that allows the bather to increase the “massage” effect by increasing the amount and force of air that is introduced into the water stream. In addition, such a system would also allow the bather to introduce an effervescence effect into the water stream for a soothing and relaxing bubble feel. Finally, the system would further allow the bather to purge the residual water left in the water line, allowing for an improved effect on the quality of the outflow of water when the whirlpool system is turned on for subsequent use. These and other advantageous features of the present invention will become apparent to those reviewing the disclosure and drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, a method of purging a whirlpool bathtub includes providing a pump having an off condition and an on condition, the pump configured to circulate water to a basin through a water feed line. The method further includes providing a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower configured to provide air to the basin through an air feed line. The method further includes turning the blower to the on condition and the pump to the off condition, and introducing at least a portion of the air from the blower into the water feed line. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a whirlpool bathtub system includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, and a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line. When the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line. When the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the blower is further configured to provide air to the basin through the water feed line. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the water feed line. 
         [0012]    In one aspect, when the blower is in the off condition, the check valve is closed. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the pump includes an off condition and an on condition. When the blower is in the on condition and the pump is in the off condition, the check valve is open to allow air to flow from the blower to the basin through the water feed line. 
         [0014]    In one aspect, the check valve is configured to open and close based on a pressure difference between the water feed line and the air feed line. 
         [0015]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes a Hartford loop in the air feed line. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes an air intake inlet in the air feed line, the air intake inlet being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line to the plurality of nozzles. 
         [0017]    In one aspect, the blower comprises a plurality of speed settings being configured to provide air into the air feed line at variable speeds. 
         [0018]    In one aspect, the water feed line is configured to distribute water to the plurality of nozzles along a perimeter of the basin. 
         [0019]    In one aspect, the air feed line is configured to distribute air to the plurality of nozzles along the perimeter of the basin. 
         [0020]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes a heater configured to heat water flowing through the water feed line. 
         [0021]    In one aspect, the blower is connected to the water feed line through a second Hartford loop. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, a purging system for a whirlpool bathtub includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, and an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles. The purging system further includes a pump having an off condition and an on condition and configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, a blower having an off condition and an on condition and configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line and through the water feed line, and a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the water feed line. When the pump is in the on condition, the check valve is closed and the blower is configured to provide air to the basin only through the air feed line. When the blower is in the on condition and the pump is in the off condition, the check valve is open and the blower is configured to provide air to the basin through both the air feed line and the water feed line such that residual water present in the water feed line is purged into the basin. 
         [0023]    In one aspect, the check valve is configured to open and close based on a pressure difference between the water feed line and the air feed line. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, a whirlpool bathtub system includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, and an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles. The whirlpool bathtub system further includes a pump having an off condition and an on condition and configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line and a blower having an off condition and an on condition and configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line. The water feed line includes a suction line configured to allow water to flow from the basin to the pump. The whirlpool bathtub system further includes a conduit connected to the suction line and comprising a bleed hole configured to allow air to flow into the suction line. When the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line and, when the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line. When the pump is in the on condition, the conduit is configured to allow air to flow into the pump. 
         [0025]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the air feed line. 
         [0026]    In one aspect, the whirlpool bathtub system further includes a valve configured to open and close the flow of air through the conduit to the suction line. 
         [0027]    In one aspect, the bleed hole comprises a diameter ranging from about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches. 
         [0028]    In one aspect, the conduit extends upward from the suction line such that the bleed hole is at a position above the water feed line. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a conventional water and air jet system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of water and air flow through the conventional jet system. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of water and air flow through a jet system according to an exemplary embodiment in a first operating state in which a whirlpool setting is turned on and a blower setting is turned off. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of water and air flow of the jet system of  FIG. 3A  in a second operating state in which the whirlpool setting is turned on and the blower setting is turned on. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic view of water and air flow of the jet system of  FIG. 3A  in a third operating state in which the whirlpool setting is turned off and the blower setting is turned on. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of the check valve and the blower connections to the air line and water line according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of an arrangement of the blower connection to the air line according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a detail view of an arrangement of the blower connection to the water line according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7A  is a schematic view of an arrangement of the water and air flow of a jet system according to another exemplary embodiment in which an effervescence conduit is introduced. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7B  is a detail view of the effervescence conduit illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a detail view of the blower according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of a water and air jet system  10  of a conventional whirlpool bathtub is shown. The conventional bathtub includes a basin  20  in which water mixed with air is received via numerous entry points  13  directed at various parts of the bather&#39;s body. There are two main pipe lines, a water feed line  14  and an air feed line  12 . Water is recirculated from the basin  20  through the water line  14  by a recirculation pump  15 . The pump may be capable of operating at various speeds, which the bather can set to a desired speed of the water stream. The recirculation pump  15  first pumps water contained in the basin  20  through a suction inlet  25 . The water then travels through the suction line  19  and enters the pump  15  at a pump inlet  151 . The pump  15  then pumps the water out through a pump outlet  152  via a T-connector that splits the water into two streams that follow the perimeter of the basin  20 . On either side of the basin  20 , the water flows down into an elbow and T-connector  47 , where each stream is further split into two. The water line  14  then flows below the air line  12  along the perimeter of the basin  20 , where it is distributed through a number of jet spray nozzles  18  into the basin  20  via entry points  13 . The water line  14  ends at opposite ends of the basin  20  where the line is closed via end caps  16 . 
         [0041]    To entrain the water with air in order to provide the bather with a desired “massage” effect, air is drawn into the air line  12  via an air inlet conduit  22 . The air inlet conduit  22  typically includes a valve to open and close the inlet  22  to regulate air flow in the system. When the valve for the inlet  22  is open, air is drawn into the system  10  through inlet  22  where the air flow is then split into two streams via a T-connector  27  to enter the air line  12 . The air then follows along the perimeter of the basin passing over a number of coupling connections  17 . These connections  17  couple the air line  12  with the water line  14 . Via these connections  17 , water flowing beneath the air line  12  causes air to be entrained into the flowing water below by a venturi action. The resulting water mixed with air is then sprayed out of the nozzles  18  into the basin  20 . The air line  12  ends at one end of the basin  20  where the line is closed via end caps  16 . 
         [0042]    A schematic view of the flow of water and air through the water line  14  and air line  12  described in the system  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the system  10  may also be provided with a heater  40  for warming the recirculated water before it returns to the basin  20 . The heater  40  is preferably connected to the recirculation pump  15  and may be controlled by the bather to a desired temperature. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , schematic views of the flow of water and air in an exemplary embodiment of an improved water and air jet system  100  are shown. Parts and connections that overlap with the conventional system  10  are numbered the same and function in substantially the same way as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , as opposed to the conventional system  10  described above, air intake occurs through a blower  50  connected to an air feed line  121 . The blower  50  is also connected to a water feed line  141 . A check valve  75  is included in the connection to the water feed line  141  to prevent the entrance of water from the water line  141  into the blower  50  when the pump  15  is in operation. In the exemplary embodiment described below, the check valve  75  is controlled to be opened and closed automatically according to pressure differences present in the water line  141  and the blower  50 . However, in other exemplary embodiments, the check valve  75  may be operated to be opened and closed via a control system or manual switch. In addition, the connection of the blower  50  to the air line  12  may include a Hartford loop  60  in order to prevent water from entering the blower  50  from the air line  121 . 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a bather can set the system  100  to a first operating state where the blower  50  is turned off and the pump  15  is turned on to create a typical whirlpool effect. In this state, the pressure from the flowing water ensures that the check valve  75  remains closed to prevent water from entering the blower  50 . Water is recirculated by the pump  15  through the water line  141  via the suction inlet  25  to the pump inlet  151  of the pump  15 . The water is then pumped out of the pump  15  via pump outlet  152  where the water is distributed into the water line  141  and out of the nozzles  18  in the same way described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , even though the blower  50  is turned off, the blower  50  remains in communication with ambient air via an opening  52  located on the bottom of the blower  50 . The opening  52  allows air to freely flow through the blower  50  and be drawn into the air line  121  in a similar way as that of air intake inlet  22 , discussed above. The blower  50  may further include a filter  56  to prevent dirt and other particles from entering the blower  50  and air line  121 . After being drawn through the blower  50 , the air flows through the Hartford loop  60  into the air line  121  where the air is distributed along the perimeter of the basin  20  over the connections  17 . The air is then drawn into the water line  141  via the connections  17 , in which it is mixed with the water and exits through nozzles  18  into the basin  20  through entry points  13  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . In other exemplary embodiments, an air intake inlet  22  may added, as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , allowing air intake to occur through either the blower  50  or the air intake inlet  22 , or both. 
         [0047]    To increase the flow and force of air into the water, the bather may choose to turn on the blower  50  to create a “turbocharge” effect, thus allowing the user to feel a greater and more forceful “massage,” akin to a “deep tissue” massage. Thus, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the bather may choose a second operating state in which both the blower  50  and the pump  15  are turned on. In this second operating state, the pressure from the flowing water remains greater than the pressure from the flowing air caused by the blower  50 , causing the check valve  75  to remain closed. With the blower  50  turned on, the system  100  operates as normal, except that the amount and force of air is increased by the operation of the blower  50 , illustrated as double arrows in  FIG. 3B . This “turbocharged” air is forced from the blower  50  through the Hartford loop  60  into the air line  121  via a connector  123 , described below with reference to  FIG. 4 , where the flow is split into two and distributed around the perimeter of the basin  20  over the connections  17 . The “turbocharged” air is then drawn into the water line  141  via the connections  17  to be entrained into the flowing water, resulting in a greater whirlpool effect for the bather when the water mixed with air exits through the nozzles  18 . Like the pump  15 , the blower  50  may also have a number of speed settings, allowing the bather to set a desired speed of the blower  50  for a variable whirlpool effect. In addition, in other exemplary embodiments, the blower  50  may be a pneumatic pump. 
         [0048]    After use of the system  100  and after the basin  20  is drained of water, residual water may remain in the water line  141 . In order to prevent stagnant water from remaining in the system  100 , resulting in an undesirable effect when the system is next used, a third operating state can be set to purge the system  100  of this residual water. The flow of air and the residual water is shown schematically in  FIG. 3C . In this state, the blower  50  is turned on, while the pump  15  is turned off. Because the pump  15  is no longer providing water pressure in the water line  141 , the pressure from the flowing air caused by the blower  50  is now greater than the pressure present in the water line  141 . This causes the check valve  75  to open automatically, allowing flowing air to enter the water line  141 . Air is thus forced to flow through the water line  141 , in addition to flowing through the air line  121 , expelling residual water through the nozzles  18  into the basin  20 . Moreover, the air also enters the pump  15  in a reverse direction than the flow of water in normal operation. In other words, air flows into the pump  15  through the pump outlet  152  and flows out of the pump  15  through the pump inlet  151 . Air then flows through the suction line  19  and out of the suction inlet  25  to expel any residual water remaining in the suction line  19  into the basin  20 , thereby allowing for a complete purge of the entire water line  141  of the system. This third operating state may be automatically set to occur once the bather has finished using the system  100  and the basin  20  has been drained of water. According to another exemplary embodiment, the bather may manually choose to set the operation of the system  100  into the third operating state to purge the system when needed. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates a detail view of a preferable arrangement of the blower  50  and its connection to the air line  121  and water line  141  according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the feed from the blower  50  splits off into two passageways. The first passageway  142  leads to a U-shaped connection that includes the check valve  75 . Upstream from the check valve  75 , the passageway  142  continues to connect the blower  50  to the water line  141  via a connector  143 . On the other hand, the second passageway  122  follows the Hartford loop  60  which ends to connect the blower  50  to the air line  121  via a connector  123 . In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the blower  50  (not shown) may connect to the air line  121  on a different side of the basin  20  from the connection to the water line  141  (not shown) via a longer second passageway  122 . The second passageway  122  allows air to flow into the Hartford loop  60 , which connects the blower  50  to the air feed  121  via the connector  123 . Moreover, in yet another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the blower  50  may be connected to the water line  141  via the addition of a second Hartford loop  62  for an added safety mechanism to prevent the flow of water into the blower  50 . In this arrangement, air flows from the blower  50  via first passageway  142 , up through check valve  75 , which then feeds into the second Hartford loop  62 . The second Hartford loop  62  ends to connect the blower  50  to the water feed  141  via connection  143 . 
         [0050]    In order to provide a more “soothing” bubble effect, the system  100  may also provide the bather with the option of adding effervescence to the water flow as schematically shown in  FIG. 7A . As detailed in  FIG. 7B , in this arrangement, a conduit  80  may be connected via a T-connector  87  to the suction line  19  of the pump  15 . The top end of the conduit  80  is covered by a cap  81  having a very small bleed hole  82 . The small bleed hole  82  allows air to be drawn into the conduit  80  in the form of “microbubbles” due to the pressure difference created by the flowing water in the suction line  19 . The bubbles intentionally cavitate the pump  15 , where the bubbles are made even smaller and dispersed by the pump  15  before flowing into the water line  141  and entering the basin  20 . Once in the basin  20 , this micro-effervescence clings to the bather&#39;s body and rises to the surface slowly and gently, creating a soothing and relaxing effect for the bather. The bather may choose to turn off this effervescence effect by closing the conduit  80  with the use of a valve, such as an electronic valve. According to one exemplary embodiment, the blower connection to the air line  121  is configured with a valve  76 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7A . Thus, when the bather desires the effervescence effect without experiencing the whirlpool effect caused by air intake occurring through the blower  50 , the air line  121  can be closed by closing the valve  76 . 
         [0051]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the conduit  80  extends upward above the water line  141  in order to prevent water leakage into the bleed hole  82 . In yet another exemplary embodiment, a valve may be used to prevent water from entering the bleed hole  82 . In addition, for an optimal effervescence effect, the bubble size expelled into the basin  20  may range from about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches in diameter. To accomplish a desirable bubble size, the size of the bleed hole  82  needed will depend on the basin size. However, the bleed hole  82  will preferably range in size from about 0.015 inches to about 0.09 inches in diameter. 
         [0052]    As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
         [0053]    It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
         [0054]    The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
         [0055]    References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
         [0056]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.