Patent Publication Number: US-10765266-B2

Title: Heated fog bathing system and method of controlling same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/631,992, filed on Feb. 19, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of bathing systems (e.g., bathtubs, bubble massaging or hydro-massaging bath systems, whirlpool tubs, etc.). Specifically, this application relates to a bathing system that can generate heated bubbles to provide a bubble massage. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a bathing system including a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, and an atomizer. The primary reservoir is configured to hold a first volume of water. The secondary reservoir is in fluid communication with the primary reservoir by a channel. The secondary reservoir is configured to hold a second volume of water. The atomizer is disposed in the secondary reservoir, and is configured to introduce water from the second volume of water into a flow of air received in the channel by atomizing at least a portion of the second volume of water to form an air-water mixture upstream of the primary reservoir. 
     Another embodiment relates to a bathing system including a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, an atomizer, a fluid conduit, and an air blower. The primary reservoir is configured to hold a first volume of water. The secondary reservoir is in fluid communication with the primary reservoir. The secondary reservoir is configured to hold a second volume of water. The atomizer is disposed in the secondary reservoir. The fluid conduit fluidly couples the secondary reservoir to the primary reservoir. The air blower is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, and is configured to provide a flow of air to the fluid conduit. The atomizer is configured to introduce water from the second volume of water into the flow of air by atomizing at least a portion of the second volume of water to form an air-water mixture. The fluid conduit is configured to direct the air-water mixture to the primary reservoir to create bubbles in the first volume of water. 
     Yet another embodiment relates to a method of controlling the water temperature of a bathing system. The method comprises providing a flow of air to a fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with a primary reservoir including a first volume of water and a secondary reservoir including a second volume of water; introducing water from the second volume of water into the flow of air by atomizing at least a portion of the second volume of water to form an air-water mixture; and directing the air-water mixture to the primary reservoir to create bubbles in the first volume of water. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bathing system further comprises an air blower fluidly coupled to the channel, wherein the air blower is configured to provide the flow of air. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the atomizer is coupled to a wall of the secondary reservoir, and is configured to be at least partially submerged in the second volume of water. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the atomizer is configured to float within the secondary reservoir, and is configured to be at least partially submerged in the second volume of water. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bathing system further comprises a first heater disposed in the secondary reservoir, wherein the first heater is configured to heat the second volume of water. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bathing system further comprises a second heater configured to heat the air-water mixture upstream of the primary reservoir. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary reservoir includes a pitched lower surface configured to facilitate draining of fluid from the secondary reservoir. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bathing system further comprises a controller operatively coupled to the atomizer. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the bathing system further comprises a water level sensor disposed in the secondary reservoir, wherein the water level sensor is configured to detect a water level in the secondary reservoir and to send a corresponding electronic signal to the controller to purge the secondary reservoir of fluid. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises heating at least one of the air-water mixture or the second volume of water prior to directing the air-water mixture to the primary reservoir. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, by a controller, an electronic signal indicative of a water level of the secondary reservoir; and purging, in response to the electronic signal, the secondary reservoir of fluid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic showing a side view of a bathing system, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a secondary reservoir of the bathing system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic showing a side view of various components of the bathing system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a control diagram showing a control system of the bathing system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic showing a side view of a bathing system, according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the water temperature of a bathing system, according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conventional bubble massaging or hydro-massaging bath systems typically suffer from relatively rapid cooling rates while a user is taking a bath. For instance, conventional systems cool very quickly; approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit or more over a period of about 20 minutes. Specifically, conventional bath systems may lose between about 5.6 to about 6 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of about 20 minutes. This rapid cooling is caused by the introduction of cool, dry air into the system to form bubbles, particularly in the bathing vessel in which the bather bathes. Some conventional bathing systems require an additional water line to inject a spray of water into the air conduits leading to the tub, which are subsequently heated to compensate for the temperature loss. Because the spray of water is not broken down into sufficiently small particles or droplets, however, the water spray in the extra water line is generally ineffective at increasing the humidity of air in the air conduits, so cool, dry air continues to be introduced into the system. Accordingly, this approach is not effective at maintaining a bath water temperature in a bubble massage bathing system over a period of about 20 minutes or more. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a bubble massaging bath system that can maintain a temperature of a volume of water in the bathing system to a predetermined temperature to provide a more comfortable bathing experience for a user. 
     Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein are heated bubble massage bathing systems and methods. These systems are designed to maintain a temperature and a humidity in a bubble massage bath for periods of time of at least about 20 minutes. Specifically, these systems are designed to achieve a loss of not more than about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of about 20 minutes. These systems include a primary reservoir (e.g., a bathtub, etc.) configured to hold a first volume of water for bathing in, and a secondary reservoir configured to hold a second volume of water and at least one atomizer disposed in the secondary reservoir. The primary and secondary reservoirs are in fluid communication with each other. The at least one atomizer is configured to produce atomized water in the secondary reservoir, which is introduced into a flow air to form an air-water mixture. The air-water mixture is directed to the primary reservoir to form bubbles in the first volume of water, thereby providing a bubble massage. The water in the secondary reservoir may be heated and/or the air-water mixture itself may be heated prior to entering the primary reservoir. In this manner, an appropriate relative humidity of the air in contact with the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir can be achieved. Additionally, by heating the atomized water and/or the air-water mixture, a desired water temperature can be maintained in the first volume of water in the primary reservoir, consistent with a comfortable bathing experience for a user. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , a bathing system  1  (e.g., a bubble massage bathing system, a hydro-massage bathing system, etc.) is shown by way of example to include a primary reservoir  10  and a secondary reservoir  25 . The bathing system  1  also includes at least one atomizer  40  disposed within the secondary reservoir  25 . The bathing system  1  also includes an air blower  80  in fluid communication with a channel  60  (e.g., fluid conduit, etc.), which fluidly couples a first fluid outlet  32  of the secondary reservoir  25  with the primary reservoir  10  via an opening  63  (e.g., jet orifice, etc.). The opening  63  is configured to create bubbles in the water contained in the primary reservoir  10  to provide a bubble massage for a user. According to an exemplary embodiment, the primary reservoir  10  includes a plurality of openings  63 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the primary reservoir  10  (e.g., a bathtub, massage tub, bathing vessel, etc.) is configured to hold a first volume of water. The first volume of water forms a water line  15  within the primary reservoir  10 . The first volume of water held by the primary reservoir  10  is determined by a user, for example, or determined automatically by a control system (such as controller  90  shown in  FIG. 4 ), as another example. By controlling the amount of the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10 , the water line  15  is adjusted or maintained. According to various exemplary embodiments, the primary reservoir  10  can be of any suitable size or shape. For example, the primary reservoir  10  is of a same size and/or shape as a conventional bubble massage bathtub, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The primary reservoir  10  is defined by a vessel wall  13  having an inner surface  11  and an outer surface  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the bathing system  1  also includes the secondary reservoir  25 . The secondary reservoir  25  is configured to hold a second volume of water. The secondary reservoir  25  in combination with a flow of air received in the channel  60  are configured to provide air bubbles to the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10  (as described in more detail below). As shown in  FIG. 2 , according to one aspect, the secondary reservoir  25  includes a top surface  27 , at least one side surface  26 , and a pitched lower surface  30 . The secondary reservoir includes a fluid inlet  31  disposed at the top surface  27  of the secondary reservoir  25 . The fluid inlet  31  is fluidly coupled to a fluid conduit  75  (e.g., channel, etc.), which is fluidly coupled to an external water source (not shown), such as a household water source. A flow of water to the fluid inlet  31  from pipe  75  is controlled by water valve  76  shown in  FIG. 1 , which is configured to control the water level  15   a  in the secondary reservoir  25 . The secondary reservoir  25  also includes a first fluid outlet  32  disposed at the top surface  27  of the secondary reservoir  25 , and a second fluid outlet  33  disposed on a bottom portion of the pitched lower surface  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pitched lower surface  30  of the secondary reservoir  25  is configured to facilitate drainage (e.g., purging) of fluid (e.g., water, air-water mixture, etc.) from the secondary reservoir  25 . For example, when a user has completed a bath, the second volume of water in the secondary reservoir  25  must be purged, for example, by draining the second volume of water through the second fluid outlet  33  and providing a drainage flow  34  to a drain (not shown). As a specific example, the pitched lower surface  30  is configured to allow the second volume of water in the secondary reservoir  25  to drain into a household drain. The secondary reservoir  25  also includes an overflow pipe or channel  35 , which is configured to allow an excess volume of water held in the secondary reservoir  25  to flow out of the secondary reservoir  25  through the overflow conduit or channel  35  to a fluid outlet (not shown). In this manner, standing water that may be present in the secondary reservoir  25  can be reduced or eliminated when the bathing system  1  is not in use. 
     According to one aspect, the secondary reservoir  25  also includes at least one water level sensor  50  disposed at a suitable location on an inner wall (such as the side surface  26  shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the secondary reservoir  25 . For example, a water level sensor  50  is disposed at a first location on the at least one side surface  26  of the secondary reservoir  25  and a second water level sensor  50  is disposed at another location on either the same side surface  26  or a different side surface or a bottom surface  30  of the secondary reservoir  25 . The at least one water level sensor  50  is configured to detect a level of water (e.g., water level  15   a ) present in the secondary reservoir  25 . When the at least one water level sensor  50  detects a water level below a predetermined threshold (for example, when a user drains water from the reservoir or bathtub), the at least one water level sensor  50  sends an electronic signal to a controller  90  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) that controls a purging of any residual water in the secondary reservoir  25 . The at least one water level sensor  50  is disposed in the reservoir  25  to avoid limiting or ruining the aesthetic appearance of the bathing system  1 . 
     According to one aspect, the secondary reservoir  25  includes at least one heater  51  configured to heat the second volume of water held within the secondary reservoir  25 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The at least one heater  51  is configured to heat the second volume of water before any portion of the second volume of water is drawn into the at least one atomizer  40  (described below). For example, the heater  51  is configured to heat the second volume of water from an ambient temperature (e.g., room temperature) to a predetermined temperature, for example, a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After the heated water is atomized by the at least one atomizer  40  (as described below), the heated atomized water is provided to the primary reservoir  10 , thereby maintaining and/or increasing a temperature of the first volume of water held within the primary reservoir  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the at least one atomizer  40  is disposed within the secondary reservoir  25 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the at least one atomizer  40  is physically and/or rigidly mounted to an inner surface of the secondary reservoir  25 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the at least one atomizer is physically coupled to the surface  26  of the reservoir  25 . Although as shown in  FIG. 3 , the at least one atomizer  40  is coupled to the same surface  26  of the reservoir  25  that includes the fluid inlet  31 , the present disclosure is not particularly limited to this example. The at least one atomizer  40  may be coupled to any surface of the reservoir  25 , for example. The at least one atomizer  40  is configured to create micro-droplets of water. For example, the at least one atomizer  40  is configured to create micro-droplets of water of a size of less than about 0.5 microns in diameter. According to one aspect, the at least one atomizer  40  includes a piezoelectric transducer with a resonating frequency of approximately 1.6 MHz, as one example. The at least one atomizer  40  produces and/or focuses ultrasonic waves on the second volume of water held by the secondary reservoir  25  to produce a fog that comprises the micro-droplets of water. Rapid vibration at ultrasonic speeds produced by the at least one atomizer  40  causes the micro-droplets of water to form. The fog produced by the at least one atomizer  40 , including micro-droplets of water, is delivered from the secondary reservoir  25  via the first fluid outlet  32  to the primary reservoir  10  through a channel  60  (described below). By continuously delivering the fog including the micro-droplets of water, the fog increases and/or maintains a humidity level of ambient air that is in contact with the first volume of water held within the primary reservoir  10 . 
     In some aspects, increasing the number of the at least one atomizer  40  in the secondary reservoir  25  will allow further increases in the humidity of the air in contact with the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10 , because an amount of the fog including the micro-droplets of water provided to the primary reservoir  10  increases the humidity of the air. In some aspects, the at least one atomizer  40  is automatically controlled by the controller  90  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In other aspects, the at least one atomizer  40  is manually controlled by a user. In some aspects, when the at least one atomizer  40  includes a plurality of atomizers, the plurality of atomizers in the secondary reservoir  25  are configured to be independently controlled, that is, each individual atomizer is controlled independently of the other atomizers such that a desired amount of fog including micro-droplets of water is provided to the primary reservoir  10 , thereby maintaining a desired relative humidity of the air. 
     To operate effectively, the at least one atomizer  40  must be at least partially submerged (e.g., almost completely submerged, etc.) in the volume of water held within the secondary reservoir  25 . For example, the optimal operating depth for the atomizer  40  is between about 1 inch and about 4 inches, such that the entire atomizer is disposed at least about 1 inch below the water level  15  in the secondary reservoir  25 . A sensor (not shown) in each of the at least one atomizer  40  detects a level of water in the secondary reservoir  25  and activates the transducer in the at least one atomizer  40  when a suitable level of water in the secondary reservoir  25  is achieved, for example, by using a float switch. The use of the at least one atomizer  40 , advantageously, eliminates a need for heating or boiling of the second volume of water held in the secondary reservoir  25  before fogging. Heating or boiling of the second volume of water in the secondary reservoir  25  may be undesirable. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the fog produced by the at least one atomizer  40  is delivered to a channel  60  (e.g., pipe) via the first fluid outlet  32  of the secondary reservoir  25 . The channel  60  is configured to mix the fog with an airflow  70  produced by an air blower  80 , shown in  FIG. 1 . The channel  60  includes a first end  61  in fluid connection with the air blower  80  and further configured to receive the airflow  70  from the air blower  80 . The channel  60  also includes a second end  62  that includes an opening  63  configured to deliver an air-water flow  71  to the primary reservoir  10 . Although the opening  63  as shown in  FIG. 1  is below the water line  15 , the opening  63  is not particularly limited to that orientation or position. For example, the opening  63 , in one example, is above water line  15 . The fog increases a humidity of the airflow  70 , producing an air-water mixture in the air-water flow  71 . The air-water mixture is thereby introduced into the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10 . The air-water mixture is configured to produce bubbles in the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10 . 
     According to one aspect, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the channel  60  optionally includes a heater  65  disposed in the channel  60 . In this example, the air-water mixture is heated by heater  65  in the channel  60  prior to introducing the air-water mixture to the primary reservoir  10 . Alternatively, the channel  60  is heated by an external heater (not shown) and thereby heats the air-water mixture within the channel  60 . The air-water mixture is heated to a predetermined temperature such that the air-water mixture produces heated bubbles when the heated air-water mixture is introduced into the primary reservoir  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the system  1  also includes a connector  55  (e.g., a T-connector, a Y-connector, etc.) that couples the secondary reservoir  25  with the channel  60 . The connector  55  fluidly couples the first fluid outlet  32  of the secondary reservoir  25  to the channel  60 . The connector  55  is configured to allow a fog generated by the at least one atomizer  40  in the secondary reservoir  25  to flow into the airflow  70  produced by an air blower  80  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), thereby creating the air-water flow  71 . The airflow  70  and the air-water flow  71  can flow through channel  60  to the opening  63  of the primary reservoir  10 . Accordingly, humidity is added to the airflow  70 . When the air-water flow  71  (including micro-droplets of water) is delivered to the primary reservoir  10  and/or the ambient air, a humidity of the ambient air surrounding and/or in contact with the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10  is maintained or increased. Additionally, because the air-water flow  71  includes micro-droplets of water (which may be heated by a heater, for example the heater  65 ), a temperature of the first volume of water held in primary reservoir  10  is maintained or increased. For aesthetic purposes, according to one aspect, the channel  60  is hidden from view of a user in the primary reservoir  10 . According to one aspect, the connector  55  includes a venturi tube configured to create a vacuum to pull the fog from the secondary reservoir  25  via the first fluid outlet  32  and into the channel  60 . 
     The air-water mixture in the connector  55  flows through the channel  60  and may be heated by the air heater  65  disposed within the channel  60  and located at a suitable location within channel  60 . The air heater  65  is disposed at any suitable location within the channel  60  downstream of the first fluid outlet  32  of the secondary reservoir  25 . The air heater  65  is configured to heat the air-water mixture to a suitable temperature. According to one aspect, the suitable temperature is a predetermined temperature sufficiently high to maintain a temperature of the bath water to a comfortable temperature for the user. The suitable temperature is, however, low enough to avoid overheating a user in the bath. The heated air-water mixture is then introduced to the primary reservoir  10  (e.g., a bathtub) such that the heated air-water mixture generates bubbles to create a bubble massage bath. 
     The air heater  65  is controlled by any suitable means. For example, the air heater  65  is controlled manually by a user in a bathtub. A user may manually select a temperature at which the air heater heats the air-water mixture. As a further example, the air heater  65  is controlled automatically such that the air heater  65  heats the air-water mixture to a predetermined temperature and is controlled by controller  90 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     According to some aspects, the bathing system  1  includes a controller  90 . The controller  90  is configured to receive electronic signals from the at least one water level sensor  50  disposed within the secondary reservoir  25 . The controller  90  is further configured to control the at least one atomizer  40  disposed within the secondary reservoir  25 . For example, the controller  90  controls when the at least one atomizer  40  is turned on and off. As a further example, the controller  90  controls the resonating frequency of the transducer of the at least one atomizer  40 . In the case in which the at least one atomizer  40  includes a plurality of atomizers, the controller  90  is configured to independently control the plurality of atomizers; for example, by turning one atomizer on and another atomizer off. The controller  90  is further configured to control either or both of the heater  65  in the channel  60  or the heater  51  in the secondary reservoir  25 . Additionally, the controller  90  is configured to control the air blower  80  by, for example, controlling a speed of the air blower  80  or otherwise controlling the air flow  70 . In one example, the controller  90  is configured to control one or all of the at least one atomizer  40 , the heater  65 , the heater  51 , or the air blower  80  automatically. In one example, the controller  90  is configured to control one or all of the at least one atomizer  40 , the heater  65 , the heater  51 , or the air blower  80  using a manual input from a user of the bathing system  1 . The controller  90  can automatically control the atomizer  40 , the heater  65 , the heater  51 , or the air blower  80  in response to various inputs, such as an electronic signal from water level sensor  50 , temperature sensors, other sensors, or a user input. 
     For example, when a water level  15  of the volume of water in reservoir  25  falls below a predetermined threshold, the at least one water level sensor  50  sends an electronic signal to the air blower  80  via the controller  90 . The air blower  80  then purges the channel  60  of any residual water to prevent any accumulation of excess water within the channel  60  (including in and around air heater  65 ) when the bathing system  1  is not in use. 
     According to a second exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a bathing system  2  includes all the features herein described with reference to bathing system  1  except for the differences described below. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bathing system  2  includes at least one atomizer  40  disposed on a floater  45  such that the at least one atomizer  40  maintains the appropriate operational position/level relative to the water level  15  in the secondary reservoir  25 , as described with reference to the system  1  above. The floater  45  may be made of any sufficiently buoyant materials (e.g., solid or hollow) to provide a floatation platform for the at least one atomizer  40 . According to one aspect, the floater  45  may be treated with an anti-microbial agent to minimize growth of bacteria, etc. 
     Additionally, the bathing system  2  includes a primary reservoir  10 ′, which is similar to the primary reservoir  10  of bathing system  1 , except for the differences described below. The primary reservoir  10 ′ is in fluid communication with the secondary reservoir  25 ′ (described in more detail below). Because the primary reservoir  10 ′ and the secondary reservoir  25 ′ are in fluid communication with each other, the water level  15 ′ is the same for both the primary reservoir  10 ′ and the secondary reservoir  25 ′. Also, the vessel wall  13 ′ of the primary reservoir  10 ′ includes an opening  20  fluidly coupled to a fluid inlet  31 ′ of the secondary reservoir  25 , described in more detail below. The opening  20  is configured to provide and/or receive a flow of water to or from the secondary reservoir  25 ′ via the fluid inlet  31 ′ of the secondary reservoir  25 ′. For example, the opening  20  is configured to provide a flow of water from the primary reservoir  10 ′ such that at least a portion of the first volume of water held in the primary reservoir  10 ′ is transferred to the secondary reservoir  25 ′. As another example, the opening  20  is configured to receive a flow of water from the secondary reservoir  25 ′ via the fluid inlet  31 ′ such that the secondary reservoir  25 ′ is drained of a second volume of water held in the secondary reservoir. 
     The secondary reservoir  25 ′ of the bathing system  2  is similar to the secondary reservoir  25  of the bathing system  1 , except for the differences described below. The secondary reservoir  25 ′ includes a fluid inlet  31 ′, which is disposed on a lower edge of the pitched lower surface  30  of the secondary reservoir  25 ′. The fluid inlet  31 ′ is configured to receive a flow of water from the primary reservoir  10 ′ such that at least a portion of the volume of water in the primary reservoir  10 ′ is transferred to the secondary reservoir  25 ′. The fluid inlet  31 ′ is further configured to be a fluid outlet such that the second volume of water held in the secondary reservoir  25 ′ can be drained from the secondary reservoir  25 ′ due to the pitched lower surface  30  of the secondary reservoir  25 ′. Additionally, the secondary reservoir  25 ′ of the bathing system  2  is not fluidly coupled to an external water source, unlike the secondary reservoir  25  of the bathing system  1 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method  600  of controlling the water temperature of a bathing system for a heated massage bubble bath is shown in  FIG. 6 . The method  600  includes a step  601  of providing a flow of air to a fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with a primary reservoir including a first volume of water and a secondary reservoir including a second volume of water. The method further includes a step  602  of introducing at least a portion of the second volume of water into the flow of air by atomizing at least a portion of the second volume of water to form a mixture of air and water. The method further includes a step  603  of directing the mixture of air and water to the primary reservoir to create bubbles in the first volume of water. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the method  600  further includes a step  604  of heating at least one of the mixture of air and water or the second volume of water prior to directing the mixture of air and water to the primary reservoir. In some exemplary embodiments, the method  600  further includes a step  605  of receiving, by a controller, an electronic signal indicative of a water level of the secondary reservoir, and a step  606  of purging the secondary reservoir of fluid in response to the electronic signal. 
     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. 
     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). 
     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. 
     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. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the bathing system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is 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. For example, any element (e.g., the reservoir, connector, atomizer, heater, etc.) disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.