Abstract:
A system for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub. The system comprises a reservoir for receiving a substance. The reservoir is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a tub. A vapor creating device changes the substance to a vapor. An outlet is associated with the vapor creating device for directing the vapor in the surroundings of the tub. The substance is aromatic. A light source is optionally provided so as to diffuse light in the vapor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/557,680, filed on Mar. 31, 2004, by the present applicants. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to washing/bathing tub accessories and, more particularly, to an aromatherapy system to be used in conjunction with tubs, such as bathtubs, spas, pools, etc. The aromatherapy system of the present invention also optionally involves chromotherapy.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Tubs are well known for their primary use, namely a washroom installation in which a user person washes, bathes. Tubs have however evolved to add relaxation and comfort to practicality, and are found in many forms, such as bathtubs, spas, whirlpools. For instance, tubs are now provided with air jet systems, whirlpool systems.  
         [0006]     In order to increase the level of relaxation of bathers, there are provided systems that enhance the senses of the bather. Bathing typically procures stimulation of the sense of touch, by the temperature and feel of the water on the skin. The air jet systems and whirlpool systems increase the stimulation of the sense of touch by creating turbulences in the vicinity of the skin of the bather.  
         [0007]     Various systems and apparatuses are used in order to involve other senses during the bathing period. For instance, waterproof radios and the like are more present adjacent to bathtubs. Aromatic oils come in numerous aromas. The tubs remain however limited in the enhancing of other senses.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an aim of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy system that creates an odorous or chromotherapeutic vapor in the surroundings of a tub.  
         [0009]     It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a system creating a colored vapor in the surroundings of a tub.  
         [0010]     It is as still further aim of the present invention to provide a method for creating an aromatic/chromotherapeutic vapor in the surroundings of a tub.  
         [0011]     It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a method for creating a colored fog/spray in the surroundings of a tub.  
         [0012]     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub, comprising: a reservoir for receiving a substance and adapted to be positioned adjacent to a tub; a vapor creating device for changing the substance to a vapor; and an outlet associated with the vapor creating device for directing the vapor in the surroundings of the tub.  
         [0013]     Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub, comprising the steps of: providing a reservoir with a substance to be changed to a vapor; creating the vapor with the substance; and directing the vapor in the surroundings of the tub. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an aromatherapy system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as mounted to a tub;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the aromatherapy system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the aromatherapy system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the aromatherapy system of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view, taken along cross-section lines V-V of  FIG. 4 , of the aromatherapy system. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, to  FIG. 1 , an aromatherapy system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at  10 , as mounted to a tub A. In  FIG. 1 , the aromatherapy system  10  is supported in a hole in the tub wall.  
         [0021]     Referring concurrently to FIGS.  2  to  5 , the aromatherapy system  10  has a retention casing  12 , a substance reservoir  13  within the casing  12 , an atomizer device  14  in the substance reservoir  13  ( FIG. 5 ), and a cover  15 , upon an open end of the substance reservoir  13 .  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the retention casing  12  has a concavity  20 . The concavity  20  has an open upper end  21  and a closed bottom end  22 . A flange  23  projects radially at the open upper end  21  of the concavity  20 . By way of the flange  23 , the retention casing  12  sits on the periphery of the opening in the tub wall. An opening  24  is defined in the closed bottom end  22  of the concavity  20 .  
         [0023]     The retention casing  12  is provided so as to support the substance reservoir  13  with respect to the tub A. Moreover, the retention casing  12  will receive leaks of substance from the substance reservoir  13 . The retention casing  12  may consist of any suitable plastic material, composite, metal (e.g., ferrous or non-ferrous), wood, preferably with a watertight finish. The retention casing  12  may be secured to the tub A by adhesives or mechanical fasteners. For instance, the retention casing  12  is sealed to the tub A.  
         [0024]     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the substance reservoir  13  is shown having a concavity  30 . The concavity  30  of the substance reservoir  13  is sized so as to be removably nested in the concavity  20  of the retention casing  12 . The concavity  30  has an open upper end  31  and a closed bottom end  32 . A rim  33  is provided at the open upper end  31  and projects radially therefrom. The rim  33  accommodates the flange  23  of the retention casing  12 , such that liquid on the tub wall cannot readily infiltrate between the retention casing  12  and the substance reservoir  13 . The rim  33  has a support surface  34  at the periphery of its open upper end  31 . A sealing plug  35  is optionally provided in a wall of the concavity  30 , such that wiring may enter the concavity  30  from the retention casing  12 .  
         [0025]     The substance reservoir  13  receives an aromatic substance B, as well as an atomizer  40  of the atomizer device  14 . The substance reservoir  13  may consist of any suitable plastic material, composite, metal (e.g., ferrous or non-ferrous), wood, with a watertight body or finish. The substance reservoir  13  is removably secured to the retention casing  12 , for instance by various securing systems, such as threading/tapping, releasable clamps, mechanical fasteners or the like. As the substance reservoir  13  is removable from the retention casing  12 , the concavity  20  may be washed, or drained from liquid retained therein.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the atomizer device  14  is shown having an atomizer  40  supported by the closed bottom end  32  of the substance reservoir  13 . Therefore, the atomizer  40 , in  FIG. 5 , is immersed into the aromatic substance B. The atomizer  40  optionally has a light emitting device, emitting light of a given color (e.g., using color lenses). Alternatively, the light emitting device has a light emitting diode (LED) emitting light of one or more colors.  
         [0027]     A level switch  41  is mounted to the atomizer  40 , and is triggered when the level of substance B is below a threshold level, for instance to turn off the actuation of atomizer  40 . Alternatively, an indicator signal may be emitted to indicate that the substance level in the substance reservoir  13  has reached the threshold level. For instance, the indicator signal may be a flashing light emission from the atomizer  40 . Moreover, although the atomizer  40  is described as potentially having a light source, the aromatherapy system  10  may be provided with a light source separated from the atomizer  40 .  
         [0028]     A wire  42  is connected to atomizer  40  so as to provide power thereto. An electric plug  43  is optionally provided at a free end of the wire  42 . It is pointed out that the configuration of the aromatherapy system  10  takes into account the fact that electric power is used within a liquid reservoir (i.e., the substance reservoir  13 ), and adjacent to a tub. Accordingly, all safety measures are taken into consideration so as to prevent any electric hazard.  
         [0029]     A sealing plug  44  is provided on the wire  42 . The sealing plug  44  is sized so as to be fitted within the opening  24  in the concavity  20 , such that any liquid retained by the retention casing  12  remains thereinto, while the wire  42  passes through the opening  24  to reach a power source.  
         [0030]     Moreover, the wire  42  may be used in conjunction with the sealing plug  35  to reach the atomizer  40  in the substance reservoir  13 , whereby the sealing plug  35  is shown in  FIG. 5  although not being used. An alternative solution, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , consists of providing the closed bottom end of the concavity  30  of the substance reservoir  13  with a hole (not shown) directly under the atomizer  40 , with the atomizer  40  preventing the substance B from draining through this hole.  
         [0031]     The atomizer  40  atomizes substance B by way of ultrasounds, by evaporation, by vaporization, or any other suitable way of atomizing, evaporating or vaporizing, so as to create an odorous vapor, fog or spray in the surroundings of the aromatherapy system  10 , and of the tub A.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the cover  15  is shown having a body  50 . As the body  50  is visible from an exposed surface of the tub A, it is given a decorative shape. In the present figures, the body has a generally hemispherical shape, with openings  51  defined therein, such that atomized substance B may exit the aromatherapy system  10  to reach the surroundings of the tub A.  
         [0033]     As mentioned previously, the aromatherapy system  10  may be provided with a light source (e.g., within the substance reservoir  13 ), whereby the cover  15  is preferably made of a translucent material, to enable light transmission (e.g., diffusion, refraction). The cover  15  may also add color to the light, by being tinted or colored. The cover  15  also generally shields the concavity  30  from water infiltration (e.g., from the tub A). Although water may infiltrate the concavity  30  through the opening  51  in the cover, the cover  15  will deflect some of the water (e.g., resulting from a splash) away. The openings  51  will guide the atomized substance B out of the aromatherapy system  10 .  
         [0034]     Therefore, a vapor, fog or spray of the aromatic substance B will be created in the surroundings of the aromatherapy system  10  (e.g., tub A). Light emitted by the aromatherapy system  10  will be diffused by the vapor, fog or spray. Accordingly, a bather will be surrounded by the aromatic fog, and will be subjected to chromotherapy, by the light of various colors that will be diffused by the aromatic fog, to enhance the state of relaxation of the bather.  
         [0035]     Although the aromatherapy system  10  is illustrated as secured to an opening in a wall of the tub A, the aromatherapy system  10  may be a self-contained system adjacent to the tub A, or part of furniture, such as cabinet. The aromatherapy system  10  may also be mounted to a shelf, a counter or any other like surface. The tub A is typically any one of a bathtub, a spa, a pool, a basin.  
         [0036]     It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.