Abstract:
A bathtub system is disclosed. The first bathtub has a plurality of side portions. The plurality of side portions of the first bathtub having a plurality of openings. A second bathtub is disposed underneath the first bathtub wherein the second bathtub overlaps the plurality of side portions of the first bathtub, where an opening space is defined between the second bathtub and the first bathtub. The plurality of side portions are configured to receive a plurality of liquids. The opening space between the second bathtub and the first bathtub includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the plurality of liquids to transform the plurality of liquids into a gas. The gas is released through the plurality of openings in the plurality of side portions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a Divisional application to utility application Ser. No. 11/525,465 entitled, “Bathtub System” filed Sep. 22, 2006 by Karen Stewart. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a bathtub system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Generally, households, such as apartments and houses have bathtubs and/or showers where persons use them to clean and wash themselves. In some instances, the bathtubs and showers are replaced with whirlpool systems that are becoming more and more common. The whirlpool systems allow a person to enjoy a bath while bubbles are being circulated around the person to massage the person, which provides the person with an enjoyable and soothing experience.  
         [0004]     Even though the whirlpool systems, provide the user with an enjoyable experience the whirlpool systems does not provide all the needs of the user. For example, the whirlpool moves the water in a wavelike motion that massages the person, but it does not provide a means to aid a person that may be suffering from asthma, sinus troubles or stuffy noses due to colds. The whirlpool systems do not provide a means to relieve the aforementioned ailments because it only circulates water in a wave like motion.  
         [0005]     Therefore, there is a need for a bathtub system or whirlpool system that includes a design that is capable of helping a person with asthma sinus troubles or a stuffy nose.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned technical background, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system that is able to provide a person with a way to deal with ailments, such as asthma and sinus trouble.  
         [0007]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bathtub system is disclosed. The first bathtub has a plurality of side portions. The plurality of side portions of the first bathtub having a plurality of openings. A second bathtub is disposed underneath the first bathtub wherein the second bathtub overlaps the plurality of side portions of the first bathtub, where an opening space is defined between the second bathtub and the first bathtub. The plurality of side portions are configured to receive a plurality of liquids. The opening space between the second bathtub and the first bathtub includes a heating device.  
         [0008]     The heating device is configured to heat the plurality of liquids to transform the plurality of liquids into a gas. The gas is released through the plurality of openings in the plurality of side portions.  
         [0009]     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of utilizing the bathtub system is disclosed. A first bathtub is provided that has a plurality of side portions. The plurality of side portions of the first bathtub is provided with a plurality of openings. A second bathtub is provided that is disposed underneath the first bathtub where the second bathtub overlaps the plurality of side portions of the first bathtub, wherein an opening space is defined between the second bathtub and the first bathtub. The plurality of side portions receives a plurality of liquids, where the opening space between the second bathtub and the first bathtub includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the plurality of liquids to transform the plurality of liquids into gas. The gas is released through the plurality of openings in the plurality of side portions.  
         [0010]     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of utilizing a bathtub system is disclosed. A plurality of liquids is received. The plurality of liquids is heated based on a particular amount of the plurality of liquids received. The plurality of liquids are transformed into gas responsive to the plurality of liquids being heated to a certain temperature. The gas is released to a plurality of openings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  Illustrates an exploded view of a bathtub system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  Illustrates a flow chart of how the bathtub system of  FIG. 1  is employed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The presently preferred embodiment of the invention are described with references to the drawings, where like components are identified with the same numerals. The descriptions of the preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1 . Illustrates an exploded view of the bathtub system. The bathtub system  101  includes a first bathtub  103 . A first bathtub drain  103   a , a left side portion  105   a , a right side portion  105   c , a front side portion  105   d , a back side portion  105   b , a switch  109 , a heating device  113 , a second bathtub  115 , a faucet  123 , a second bathtub drain  115   a . Faucet  123  is a typical faucet  123  associated with a typical bathtub. Faucet  123  includes a standard hot water faucet turning mechanism  123   a  and a standard cold water faucet turning mechanism  123   b  where hot and cold water flows from typical pipes (not shown), associated with a standard bathtub, coupled to the faucet  123  into the first bathtub  103 . When the water is in the first bathtub  103  it is utilized for bathing and the like, then the water and other materials are dispensed through the first bathtub drain  103   a  through a valve  103   b , in between the first bathtub  103  and the second bathtub  115 , into the second bathtub drain  115   a  where the water and other materials are dispensed into a typical sewer system and the like. This bathtub system  101  can be used as a regular bathtub where only the first bathtub  103  and second bathtub  115  are utilized only to take a bath. Otherwise, the bathtub system  101  is used as a bathtub and a way to have a steam bathtub or vapor bathtub as described below.  
         [0016]     The first bathtub  103  and the second bathtub  115  are made of a heat resistant, insulated lightweight material associated with a standard bathtub, such as Formica, porcelain and the like. The shape of the first bathtub  103  and second bathtub  115  is in the shape of a typical elongated elliptical bathtub. However, the shape of the first bathtub  103  and the second bathtub  115  can have a circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape or any other shape known to those of ordinary skill in the art. First bathtub  103  includes the left side portion  105   a , a right side portion  105   c , front side portion  105   d  and the back side portion  105   b . Second bathtub  115  is disposed around a bottom portion of the first bathtub  103 , where the left side portion  105   a , right side portion  105   c , front side portion  105   d  and the back side portion  105   b  is located in an open space between the second bathtub  115  and the first bathtub  103 .  
         [0017]     Within the left side portion  105   a , right side portion  105   c , front side portion  105   d  and the backside portion  105   b  are respective left side opening  107   a , a right side opening  107   c , front side opening  107   d  and the backside opening  107   b . The left side opening  107   a , right side opening  107   c , front side opening  107   d  and the backside opening  107   b  are air inlets or vents that allows air, steam, vapor or the like to flow out from the side portions  105   a - 105   d  of the bathtub system  101 . A plurality of openings each side of the bathtub system  101  is represented by left side opening  107   a , right side opening  107   c , front side opening  107   d  and back side opening  107   b.    
         [0018]     Switch  109  is a standard switch utilized to turn the bathtub system  101  ON or OFF. Also, the switch  109  is mechanically or electrically connected or coupled to valve  111  with a swingable flap  111   a  so that when the switch  109  is turned ON the flap  111   a  opens up to allow a person to pour a plurality of liquids into the side portions  105   a - 105   d  of the bathtub system  101 . For example, the plurality of liquids can be water, medicinal oil, herbal oil, or essence oil that is poured into the bathtub system  101 . Also, the switch  109  is electrically connected by an insulated non-conductive wire  109   a  or wirelessly connected to the heating device  113 . Located next to the switch  109  is an electronic timer  117  that is electrically or wirelessly connected to the heating device  113 , whereby the electronic timer  117  transmits instructions to the heating device  113  on how long the plurality of liquids should be kept at a certain temperature. For example, when a user turns a dial or presses buttons on the electronic timer  117  to continuously heat the bathtub system  101  for a period of time and a specific temperature, then the electronic timer  117  transmits a message to the processor of the heating device  113  to continuously heat the plurality of liquids for an hour at a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius. The range of time the user can choose to heat the bathtub system  101  can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 8 hours and the temperature is in the range of 100 degrees to 150 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the electronic timer  117  can inform the heating device  113  to intermittently heat the bathtub system  101 , for example for 1 hour with 5 minute breaks at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.  
         [0019]     The heating device  113  is a typical heater or heating device utilized to heat up liquids. Heating device  113  is located underneath a bottom portion of the first bathtub  103  and a top portion of second bathtub  115 . In another embodiment, the heating device  113  may be located in any portion of the bathtub system  101 . The heating device  113  includes a memory, a processor, a storage device and the typical components associated with a computer, a personal digital assistance and the like, where the heating device  113  includes a software program in the memory, storage or processor that is initialized to heat up the plurality of liquids. This software program or equation instructs the heating device  113  to heat up the liquids to a certain temperature for a particular time period when a particular amount of liquid is poured in through swingable flap  111   a . The swingable flap  111   a  has a range of opening from 0 degrees being closed to 180 degrees being fully opened. In this case, switch  109  is utilized to fully open the swingable flap  111   a  in order to pour a plurality of liquids in the range of about 5-25 gallons or the liter equivalent of a mixture of water and medicinal oil into the bathtub system  101 . Heating device  113  also includes a typical electrical thermometer  113   a  that measures the temperature of the plurality of liquids in order to determine how long the heating device  113  should be activated to heat the plurality of liquids. For this case, the temperature of the plurality of liquids is measured in Celsius, but it may also be measured in Fahrenheit or any standard temperature measurement.  
         [0020]     The heating device  113  is covered by an insulating material, such as a silicon or any typical insulating material so the electrical components of the heating device  113  do not come in contact with the plurality of liquids in between the first bathtub  103  and the second bathtub  115 . In another embodiment, a plurality of heating devices may be placed at different locations of the bathtub system  101  to heat up the plurality of liquids. A water measuring device  121  is electrically connected to the heating device  113  so that when the water measuring device  121  measures that, for example 10 gallons of water has been poured into the bathtub system  101 , then the water measuring device  121  will transmit a message to the heating device  113  to become activated. The water-measuring device  121  may be the standard sharp-crested weir, short-throated flume, or submerged orifice or a typical device utilized to measure the amount of water or any type of liquid. When the bathtub system  101  receives the 10 gallons of water and medicinal oil, then the water measuring device  121  measures 10 gallons and instructs the heating device  113  to heat the water and medicinal oil for a period of time depending on the amount of liquids poured in the bathtub system  101 . For example, when the 10 gallons of water and medicinal oil (plurality of liquids) is received by the bathtub system  101 , then the heating device  113  begins to heat the plurality of liquids for approximately 2 hours to raise the temperature of the plurality of liquids to a range in between 100 to 150 degrees Celsius. The electrical thermometer  113   a  is utilized to determine the temperature of the plurality of liquids before the heating device  113  begins to heat up the plurality of liquids in order for the heating device  113  to determine how long it should be activated. The software program in the processor of the heating device  113  includes a database table that states how long the heating device should be activated depending on the temperature of the plurality of liquids and amount of the plurality of liquids. For example, if 10 gallons of the plurality of liquids at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is poured into the bathtub system, then the heating device  113  should be activated for 3 hours to raise the temperature of the plurality of liquids to 100-150 degrees Celsius. The standardized temperature conversion of Celsius to Fahrenheit can be used to transform the 100-150 degrees Celsius to its Fahrenheit equivalent.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart that depicts a method of utilizing the bathtub system. At block  201 , a person utilizing turns the bathtub system ON by turning the switch  109  to ON and the valve  111  opens up from totally closed at 0 degrees to being opened at 180 degrees. At this point, the person may choose to turn on the faucet  123  by turning the hot water mechanism  123   a  and/or cold water mechanism  123   b  to fill the first bathtub  103  with water or the person can wait until some later point to turn on the faucet  123 , for example when the vapor is dispensed through the openings  107   a - 107   d . Optionally, switch  109  includes a small computer that allows a person to specify the temperature the heating device  113  should heat the plurality of liquids to, for example 120 degrees Celsius.  
         [0022]     Next, at block  203  a person transfers or pours a plurality of liquids through the valve  111  where the plurality of liquids are dispensed and received at the portions  105   a - 105   d . The plurality of liquids may be only water or a mixture of water with a combination of medicinal oil, castor oil, essence oil or any liquid that is feasible to be placed into the bathtub system. At block  205 , the amount of plurality of liquids is measured by the water-measuring device  121 . This water-measuring device  121  as stated above, is electrically connected to the heating device  113 . When the amount of plurality of liquids reaches a certain amount in the bathtub system  101 , for example 10 gallons then the water-measuring device  121  transmits a message to the heating device  113  to begin heating the plurality of liquids.  
         [0023]     At block  207 , the processor of the heating device  113  determines the temperature of the plurality of liquids by utilizing the electronic thermometer  113   a . If the temperature of liquid is equivalent to the temperature the user optionally requires, for example the plurality of liquids is at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius and the user requested 100 degrees Celsius by utilizing switch  109 , then the heating device  113  will turn ON and keep the plurality of liquids at the same temperature and goes to block  211 .  
         [0024]     On the other hand if the user requires the temperature of the plurality of liquids to be at 120 degrees Celsius and the current measured temperature of the plurality of liquids is 50 degrees Celsius, then the heating device  113  will heat up the plurality of liquids until the temperature of the plurality of liquids is 120 degrees Celsius. At block  209 , the plurality of liquid is heated by the heating device  113  based on the amount of liquid received as per the water-measuring device  121 . The processor of the heating device  113  includes a database table where depending on the amount of plurality of liquids received in the bathtub system  101  the plurality of liquid will be heated for a specific time to reach a specific temperature requested by the user. For example, the user requests the plurality of liquids have a temperature of 120 degrees for 10 gallons which requires the heating device  113  to heat the plurality of liquids for 2 hours.  
         [0025]     At block  211 , when the plurality of liquids rises to a certain temperature, for example 120 degrees then the gas, vapors or steam is released through the openings  107   a - 107   d . The plurality of liquids may be heated to a range of 100-150 degrees Celsius or its Fahrenheit equivalent. Optionally, the user can utilize the electronic timer  117  to keep the water heated to 120 degrees Celsius for anywhere from 1 minute to 6 hours. This electronic timer  117 , as stated above is electrically or wirelessly connected to the heating device  113 , where the electronic timer  117  instructs the processor of the heating device  113  to remain ON for a certain period of time, for example 2 hours. After the plurality of liquids become vapors or steam, the person may turn ON the faucet  123  to disperse water into the first bathtub  103 . When the person has finished utilizing the bathtub system  101 , then he/she can turn the switch  109  OFF, which transmits a signal to heating device to turn OFF then the water cools. The plurality of liquids would then drain into the second bathtub drain  115   a  and this process ends.  
         [0026]     This invention provides a user with a bathtub system that allows a person to enjoy a vapor or steam bathtub. The person is able to pour any desired plurality of liquids into the bathtub system, where the plurality of liquid will be transformed to a vapor or steam that is able to relax the person with asthma or stuffy nose by releasing gas, steam or vapor through the openings of the bathtub system. Also, this bathtub system can be utilized as a regular bathtub where the vapor portion of the bathtub system is not utilized.  
         [0027]     It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.