Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting and removing standing water from the hydraulic plumbing system that circulates water in a whirlpool bath. The apparatus includes a pneumatic pump fluidically coupled to the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system of a whirlpool bathtub, such that air pressure from the pneumatic pump can be used to flush standing water out of the hydraulic plumbing after each use of the whirlpool bathtub. An ozone generator is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic pump, such that the air circulated by the pump is enriched with ozone or ozonated. The pneumatic plumbing connecting the pneumatic pump to the hydraulic plumbing system is positioned substantially above the maximum water level allowed in the tub and also substantially above the hydraulic plumbing system. The pneumatic plumbing is connected in fluidic communication with different portions of the hydraulic plumbing, such that activation of the pneumatic pump (after the tub has been substantially drained) blows ozonated air through the hydraulic plumbing, disinfecting and forcing residual water from the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system into the bathtub, where it can be conventionally drained. The ozonated air from the pneumatic plumbing also acts to disinfect the interior of the pneumatic and hydraulic plumbing systems, as well as purifying the air exhausted from the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/544,157 filed Apr. 6, 2000. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to whirlpools and spas, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for purging standing water from the water lines, fixtures, and jet manifolds during draining of the whirlpool or spa vessel.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A whirlpool bath or spa typically includes a tub in which the water is circulated around the bather to provide a relaxing and therapeutic environment. Whirlpool baths generally accomplish this through the use of a hydraulic pump to circulate water from the interior of the bathtub through plumbing located on the exterior of the bathtub and back into the tub through a plurality of nozzles. Whirlpool baths can be commonly found in homes, health clubs, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.  
           [0004]    One concern currently receiving some attention regarding the safety of whirlpool baths relates to sanitation. Specifically, there is a concern that it is difficult to completely drain all of the water from the whirlpool circulation plumbing, resulting in an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi. Since the plumbing is principally located outside of the bathtub (and is usually covered), the plumbing is generally inaccessible without undertaking the major effort of disassembling and removing the tub itself. The inaccessibility of the plumbing makes it nearly impossible to prevent standing water from being left therein after each use of the whirlpool bath. This is a problem because the standing water typically includes residual soap scum, scale deposits, sloughed off skin cells, body oils and other fluids, fecal matter, and other bathing residue. The plumbing therefore provides a dark, warm, and moist environment in which bacteria and fungi may thrive.  
           [0005]    One recent study conducted by Dr. Rita Moyes of the Texas A&amp;M University Department of Biology indicates that in addition to fungi, enteric organisms (Enterobacteriaceae), Pseudomonas sp., Legionella sp. (the causative agent of Legionnaire&#39;s disease and Pontiac fever) and  Staphylococcus aureus  may be found in such systems. “Microbial Loads in Whirlpool Bathtubs: An Emerging Health Risk”, Moyes, unpublished report. According to Dr. Moyes, these bacteria cause 30-35% of all septicemias, more than 70% of all urinary tract infections, impetigo, folliculitis, and carbuncles and have been implicated in infections of the respiratory tract, burn wounds, ears, eyes, and intestines. Id.  S. aureus  is an etiological agent for bacteremia, endocarditis, pneumonia, empyema, osteomyletis, and septic arthritis and also releases a toxin responsible for scalded skin syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, and food poisoning. Id.  
           [0006]    One method known in the art of sanitizing a whirlpool bathtub is to drain and clean the circulation plumbing. However, complete draining of conventional whirlpools can only be accomplished through their disassembly. Alternately, sanitation of whirlpool plumbing has been attempted through the circulation of cleaning fluids therethrough, but this technique is largely ineffective without the use of expensive specialized equipment to heat, convey and concentrate special cleaning solutions therethrough. The simple addition of disinfectants or cleaning solutions to the water in the tub and the subsequent circulation of the water through the plumbing by actuation of the circulation pump has only a marginal effect on disinfecting the residual water left therein.  
           [0007]    Obviously, it would be desirable to eliminate standing dirty water in whirlpool plumbing as a possible source of disease to the bather. The present invention is directed toward achieving this goal.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for purifying and removing standing water from the plumbing in a whirlpool bath. One form of the present invention is a pneumatic pump fluidically coupled to the pipes and nozzles of the hydraulic piping of a whirlpool bath and adapted to flush standing water out of the hydraulic plumbing after each use of the bath. An ozone source is fluidically connected to the pneumatic pump. The pneumatic plumbing is positioned substantially above the maximum water level allowed in the tub and substantially above the hydraulic plumbing and is connected in fluidic communication with different portions of the hydraulic plumbing, such that activation of the pneumatic pump after the tub has been substantially drained blows ozonated air through the hydraulic plumbing, purifying the residual water therein and forcing the purified water from the hydraulic plumbing. The ozonated air also disinfects the hydraulic plumbing.  
           [0009]    One object of the present invention is to provide an improved whirlpool bath system. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a whirlpool bathtub fitted with a residual water purging system of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a whirlpool bathtub fitted with a residual water purging and purifying system of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5A is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the ozone generator connected to the air pump inlet.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5B is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the ozone generator connected between the air manifold and the air pump.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-away view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8A is a perspective cut-away view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8B is a side partial sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9A is a perspective cut-away view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9B is a side partial sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9A.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, a system  10  for purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bathtub. The water purging system  10  is adapted to use air pressure to blow residual or standing water from the water circulation plumbing used to generate the “whirlpool” effect in a whirlpool bathtub  20 . The whirlpool bathtub  20  typically includes a water inlet  22  and a water outlet or drain  24  connected to a central plumbing system. The whirlpool bathtub  20  preferably includes an auxiliary water outlet/drain  26  positioned substantially above the water drain  24 . (As used herein, “above” means positioned farther away in a direction opposite the pull of gravity; a first object positioned “above” a second object of identical mass would have more gravitational potential energy and would have farther to fall before reaching a common gravitational source.) The auxiliary drain  26  functions to prevent an overflow of the bathtub  20 , and effectively defines a maximum water level. However, the bathtub  20  may alternately include a single water drain  24  without an auxiliary drain  26 .  
         [0024]    A typical whirlpool bathtub  20  also includes a water pump  30  having a water pump inlet  32  and a water pump outlet  34 . The water pump outlet  34  is connected in hydraulic communication with a whirlpool hydraulic system of plumbing  36  and is adapted to pump water therethrough when actuated while the bathtub  20  is filled with water.  
         [0025]    The whirlpool hydraulic system  36  typically includes at least one suction fitting  38  formed through the bathtub  20 . A suction conduit  40  extends from the suction fitting  38  to the water pump inlet  32 , connecting the suction fitting  38  (and therethrough the bathtub  20 ) in hydraulic communication to the water pump  30 . A plurality of water inlet or water jet nozzles  44  are also typically formed in the bathtub  20 . A water manifold  46  is typically positioned around the bathtub  20  and is preferably positioned above the water level defined by the auxiliary drain  26 . The water manifold  46  is connected in hydraulic communication to the plurality of water jet nozzles  44  by a plurality of water delivery conduits  48 , each adapted to convey water from the water manifold  46  through the respective water jets  44  and into the bathtub  20 . The water manifold  46  is also connected to the water pump outlet  34  by a water manifold conduit  49  extending therebetween in hydraulic communication. When actuated, the water pump  30  is adapted to receive water from the bathtub  20  through the suction fitting  38  and suction conduit  40  and return water under pressure into the bathtub  20  through the jet nozzles  44  by way of the water manifold  46 .  
         [0026]    The water purging system  10  of the present invention includes an air pump  50  having an air pump inlet  51  and an air pump outlet  52 . The air pump outlet  52  is connected in pneumatic communication to an air manifold  54  through an air delivery conduit  56  extending therebetween. The air manifold  54  preferably extends around the bathtub  20  and is more preferably positioned above the water manifold  46 . A plurality of air nozzle conduits  58  extend from the air manifold  54  to each respective water jet nozzle  44 , connecting the air manifold  54  thereto in pneumatic communication. Preferably, an air suction fitting conduit  60  extends from the air manifold  54  to the suction fitting  38 , connecting the air manifold  54  in pneumatic communication to the suction fitting  38 . More preferably, an air suction conduit conduit  62 , and air water manifold conduit  64  and an air water pump outlet conduit  66  extend between the air manifold  54  and the suction conduit  40 , the water manifold  46 , and the water pump outlet  34 , respectively, connecting the air manifold  54  in pneumatic communication thereto. Still more preferably, the air manifold  54  is connected to the hydraulic plumbing system  36  through valves  70  (preferably check valves) adapted to allow air to flow into the hydraulic plumbing system  36  and to prevent water from flowing from the hydraulic plumbing system  36  into the air manifold  54 . However, the air pump  50  may be coupled to the hydraulic plumbing system  36  in any convenient configuration that provides air pressure to the hydraulic plumbing system  36  sufficient to blow any standing water left in the hydraulic plumbing system  36  into the whirlpool bathtub  20  where it can be drained.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the whirlpool water purging system  10  of the present invention in greater detail. The air pump  50  is connected to the air manifold  54  through the air delivery conduit  56 . The air manifold  54  is connected to one or more of the various components of the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing circuit  36  (including the suction fitting(s)  38 , the suction conduit  40 , the water jet nozzles  44 , the water manifold  46 , and/or the water manifold conduit  49 ) through one or more air conduits  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66 . An electronic controller  75  may be operationally coupled to the air pump  50  to facilitate automatic or manual actuation thereof. For example, a sensor  77  may be positioned in the bathtub  20  and adapted to send a signal to the electronic controller when the bathtub  20  is drained or when the water temperature passes a predetermined threshold. Upon receipt of the signal, the electronic controller  75  activates the air pump  50  for a predetermined length of time. Alternately, a sensor  77  may be positioned in whirlpool hydraulic plumbing circuit  36  and adapted to send a signal to the electronic controller  75  in the presence of a predetermined amount of moisture. Upon receipt and for the duration of the signal, the electronic controller  75  actuates the air pump  50  to supply a stream of pressurized air flowing through the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36 .  
         [0028]    The electronic controller  75  may also be operationally connected to a heater  80 . The heater  80  is preferably positioned so as to be operationally coupled to the air pump  50 , and is adapted to provide sufficient heat output to substantially heat the air flowing through the air pump  50  and through the air manifold  54 , such that warm, dry air is provided to the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36 . The heater  80  may be slaved to the air pump  50  such that the heater  80  heats the air flowing through the air pump  50  whenever the air pump  50  is running. Alternately, the heater  80  may be independently controlled.  
         [0029]    The electronic controller  75  may also be operationally coupled to any or all of the check valves  70 , such that each of the check valves  70  may be independently operated. Independent operation of the check valves  70  allows the output of the air pump  50  to be concentrated as desired in the whirlpool hydraulic system  36 . For example, while the bathtub  20  is filled with water, the check valves  70  connecting the air manifold  54  to the water inlet jets  44  may be opened and the remaining valves  70  may be closed, to concentrate the air flow through the water inlet jets  44 . When the bathtub is drained, all of the check valves  70  may be opened to facilitate the rapid purging of water from the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36 . In one contemplated embodiment, a series of moisture sensors  77  may be positioned throughout the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36  and operationally coupled to an electronic controller  75 , such that the check valves  70  may be opened and closed to concentrate air flow through those portions of the hydraulic plumbing system  36  still containing moisture. In other words, the check valves  70  may be manipulated to maximize drying efficiency.  
         [0030]    In operation, the water purging system  10  of the present invention supplies air pressure to the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36  sufficient to purge remaining standing water left in the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36 . If the bathtub  20  is filled with water, actuation of the air pump  50  supplies pressurized air that may be used to aerate the water flowing through the water jet nozzles  44 . When the water is substantially drained from the bathtub  20  and the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system, actuation of the air pump  50  supplies pressurized air that may be directed through the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36  to force substantially all of the residual water out of the hydraulic plumbing system  36 . The air pump  50  may further be used to air dry the hydraulic plumbing system  36  by circulating a stream of pressurized air therethrough until the hydraulic plumbing system  36  is substantially dry. The effectiveness of the air-drying process may be enhanced by circulating heated air through the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system  36 .  
         [0031]    The water purging system  10  of the present invention may be retrofitted to existing whirlpool hydraulic plumbing systems  36 , or may be included therewith as part of a new whirlpool bathtub  20 .  
         [0032]    Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  4 - 6 . FIGS. 4, 5A and  5 B illustrate a water purging system  10 A nearly identical to the one described above, with the addition of an ozone source  100 A operationally connected to the air pump  50 A. The ozone source  100 A is preferably an ozone generator, but may also be an ozone tank or the like. The ozone generator  100 A supplies ozonated air to the air pump  50 A for circulation throughout the air manifold  54 A, the air conduits  56 A,  58 A, and the hydraulic system  36 A, including the water jet bodies  44 A during the water purge operation. The ozone generator  100 A may be pneumatically connected to the air pump inlet  51 A (see FIG. 5A), or may be pneumatically connected upstream from the air pump  50 A (see FIG. 5B), to provide ozone to all of the air flowing through the hydraulic plumbing system  36 A and the water jet bodies  44 A. The ozone generator  100 A may therefore pneumatically communicate ozone to the air entering the air manifold  54 A for redistribution throughout the rest of the water purging system  10 A. Alternately, individual ozone generators  100 A may be connected upstream and adjacent each water jet body  44 A to further purify the air, water, and/or air/water mixture being expelled therefrom. These may be added in addition to or in place of the ozone generator  100 A pneumatically connected to the air pump  50 A discussed above. Preferably, the ozone generator  100 A is connected to the electronic controller  75 A, such that the ozone generator  100 A may be actuated by the electronic controller  75 A upon receipt of a signal from an operator or from a sensor  77 A (for example, a water level sensor indicating that the tub  20 A has been recently drained.) The ozone generator  100 A may thus be actuated for a predetermined period of time (such as, for example, for the duration of the purging operation) by the electronic controller  75 A.  
         [0033]    Ozone is a well-known oxidant and disinfectant, and is commercially used in water purification and waste treatment facilities. The presence of ozone in the purging air helps to disinfect the air and water plumbing during the air purging operation. Further, the presence of ozone in the purging air also disinfects the air itself, reducing or eliminating airborne bacteria resulting from the air purging operation. Moreover, the interior of the tub may be shaped to direct the flow of ozonated water/air from the water jet bodies over the surface of the tub, to further disinfect the tub during/after use. Ozone may be injected into the air exclusively during the purging cycle, or at all times the air pump  50 A is energized, since ozone is relatively harmless to people and in fact helps purify the water recirculated in the whirlpool bathtub  20 A. Preferably, the ozone is introduced to the water purging system  10 A upstream of the water jet bodies  44 A. More preferably, ozone is introduced into the water purging system  10 A upstream of the hydraulic plumbing system  36 A.  
         [0034]    Techniques for the generation of ozone are well known, any one of which may be utilized for the present ozone generator  100 A. One commonly used technique is to irradiate oxygen molecules with very short wavelength high-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation to cleave the oxygen molecules (O 2 ), producing lone ionized oxygen atoms (O), which combine with other O 2  molecules to form ozone molecules (O 3 ). Another technique for producing ozone is to expose O 2  molecules to a high-energy electromagnetic field, such as a brush discharge, to cleave the O 2  molecules for O 3  production. Heating the air to impart more energy to the O 2  molecules increases the efficiency of ozone production independent of the ozone production method chosen. One commercially available device, the HYDRAZONE™ ozone generator, available from HYDRABATHS® of 211 S. Fairview Street, Santa Ana, Calif., combines the application of high-energy UV radiation with a high-energy electromagnetic field to efficiently produce ozone.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention, a bathtub  20 B having a hydraulic plumbing circuit  36 B for circulating water therein and a pneumatic circuit  90 B for bubbling air through water in the bathtub  20 B. Hydraulic plumbing circuit  36 B includes a water pump  30 B connected in hydraulic communication (preferably through a water manifold  46 B) with one or more jet bodies  44 B to circulate water in the bathtub  20 B. The water pump is also hydraulically connected to a suction inlet fitting  38 B, such that water is transported from the bathtub  20 B and recirculated thereinto by the water pump  36 B through the jet bodies  44 B.  
         [0036]    The pneumatic circuit  90 B includes a pneumatic pump or air blower  50 B connected in pneumatic communication (preferably through an air manifold  54 B) with a plurality of air jet bodies  92 B positioned to open into or near the bottom of the bathtub  20 B to bubble air through water contained therein. The air jet bodies  92 B preferably include check valves to retard penetration of water thereinto. The pneumatic circuit  90 B also includes an ozone generator  100 B connected in pneumatic communication with the air blower  50 B. The pneumatic circuit  90 B further includes a pneumatic connection  94 B between at least one element of the pneumatic circuit  90 B, such as the air manifold  54 B) and an element of the hydraulic circuit  36 B (for instance, the water manifold  46 B). The pneumatic connection  94 B preferably includes a check valve to minimize water incursion into the pneumatic circuit  90 B; likewise, the pneumatic circuit  90 B is preferably substantially positioned above the hydraulic circuit  36 B for the same reason).  
         [0037]    When the bathtub  20 B contains water, the hydraulic circuit  36 B may be selectively activated to circulate water. Likewise, the pneumatic circuit  90 B may be activated to bubble ozonated air through the water. Alternately, both circuits  46 B,  90 B may be simultaneously activated to circulate the water while ozonated air is bubbled therethrough. The passage of ozonated air through the pneumatic and hydraulic circuits  90 B,  36 B, the water in the bathtub  20 B and over the surface of the bathtub  20 B purifies and disinfects the air, water, and surfaces with which the ozone comes into contact.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 8A, 8B,  9 A, and  9 B illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention, a bathtub  20 C having a pneumatic circuit  90 C for bubbling air through water in the bathtub  20 C. The pneumatic circuit  90 C includes a pneumatic pump or air blower  50 C connected in pneumatic communication (preferably through an air manifold  54 C) with a plurality of air inlets, such as air jets  92 C (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) or air holes  93 C (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) positioned to open into or near the bottom of the bathtub  20 C to bubble air through water contained therein. The air jets/holes  92 C/ 93 C preferably include check valves to retard penetration of water therethrough and into the air manifold  54 C. The pneumatic circuit  90 C also includes an ozone generator  100 C connected in pneumatic communication with the air blower  50 C.  
         [0039]    The bathtub  20 C also includes a hydraulic circuit  36 C for filling the bathtub  20   c  with water and circulating water in the bathtub  20 C. In this embodiment, the hydraulic circuit  36 C includes a faucet  96 C and a drain  98 C. When the bathtub  20 C contains water, the pneumatic circuit  90 C may be activated to bubble ozonated air through the water. The passage of ozonated air through the pneumatic circuits  90 C, through the water in the bathtub  20 C and over the surface of the bathtub  20 C purifies and disinfects the air, water, and surfaces with which the ozone comes into contact.  
         [0040]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.