Patent Description:
Several models of relatively accessible bathtubs exist in the market, mostly with an access threshold that is lowered with respect to the ground. However, what exists in the market is suitable only for a short period of use. Indeed, such bathtubs do not adapt well with the physical degeneration of the user's age (loss of independence, need of a walker, need of a wheelchair) and become practically unusable if bathing assistance becomes necessary. In addition, people with lessening autonomy often feel embarrassed when visitors or other users of the bathroom see such a bathtub due to its appearance that is reminiscent of hospital furniture.

Other bathtub models are better suited for people who need a walker or wheelchair or are disabled or the like. Those known bathtubs use a side door and a raised seat, but still have numerous drawbacks. For example, those known bathtubs require electricity when the bather needs to get out of the bath, so that if a power blackout occurs, these are rendered inoperative. Also, such bathtubs require a long period of time for emptying the tub. Some of the existing bathtubs have a poor design that can increase the risk of back pain for caregivers that assist the bather. Also, installing these bathtubs requires significant changes to the existing plumbing of the facility. In addition, this creates a relatively small space for future maintenance of the drain, since these are installed under the existing drain. Moreover, many of these bathtubs have replaced manual sealing with pneumatic sealing systems, to reduce the effort required by the user, such as by using compressors, which besides being very expensive, are also very noisy and run against the principle of a relaxing bath.

Also known are the following patent documents:.

According to the present invention, there is provided a bathtub according to independent claim <NUM> comprising a tub having an enclosure defined by at least one sidewall for holding a water capacity, a doorway on the sidewall for providing access to the tub, a door mountable onto the doorway for holding at least two water levels in the tub, an actuator for moving the door over the doorway allowing a user to move the door between at least three positions including a lowered, an intermediate and elevated positions, a mechanical drain for emptying the tub, a double reservoir for receiving water from the tub through the drain and a door drip, a control interface, door position sensors for detecting intermediate and elevated locking positions of the door, water detection sensors for detecting the water level in the tub and reservoir, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in a seal valve of the door, and a controller configured to receive input controls signals from the control interface for security control, receive input door lock position signals from the door position sensors, receive input water detection signals from the water detector sensor, receive input pressure signals from the pressure sensor for sealing the door, send control signals to control a sealing valve of the door, and send control signals for operating a drain valve.

In embodiments, a bathtub according to the present invention addresses the above drawbacks by incorporating innovative solutions and a modern design.

In embodiments, the bathtub has a side opening for receiving a slidable door that is movable at least between lowered and raised positions, and also at least to an intermediate position. The bathtub may include a raised seat.

In embodiments, the bathtub comprises walls defining a contour, in which at least a portion of one or more vertical walls is provided with a door. The bath may be made of a shell which defines an entrance on a portion thereof or on all of one or more vertical walls of the shell.

In embodiments, the door leaves a passage for a bather when in an open position or is closed or partially closed in its various closed levels.

In embodiments, the door has an integrated overflow system allowing the bathtub to meet safety standards and prevent spills regardless of the chosen door position.

The door can be moved in multiple positions, such as a middle position, which helps with bathing an incapacitated person, or washing a child, and in the highest position to contain a maximum water level to allow full relaxation of the bather.

In embodiments, the door, which can be moved to multiple positions, is provided with a frame allowing it to withstand the pressure of different sealing levels.

In embodiments, the door makes a movement from bottom to top in a circular direction, but it could also be a linear direction, an elliptical direction, or a combination of those movements. The inertia of the door due to its weight may be countered or alleviated for the user by means of an assisting device such as a gas cylinder and/or spring. The door could also be motorized with an actuator, a solenoid, a set of counterweights, or other known means for providing a straight linear movement and/or circular movement.

The bathtub includes a controller for managing the automation, safety devices, and an optional user keyboard.

In embodiments, the controller performs a bath sequence analysis of the various states of the system to control both the water supply and the cap closure of the drain.

In embodiments, the controller cuts off the water supply if water is detected in the drain reservoir so as to avoid an overflow of the bathtub.

In embodiments, the bathtub includes an automatic drain that is controlled by the controller.

In embodiments, the controller enables the water supply if the door is opened to permit cleaning of the bath and/or test the water temperature before filling the tub.

In embodiments, the controller allows the closure of the drain hole if the position of the door is not open, if the pressure required for the sealing is attained and maintained, and if the drain tank is detected as empty.

In embodiments, the automatic drain includes a cylinder for lifting a movable plate acting as a plug when it abuts against the drain hole to close the passage of water.

In embodiments, the drain can be operated with water, air or any gas or liquid, while achieve the same result.

In embodiments, the controller has an integrated power pack to allow a delay and for a user to safely get out of the bath, without the disagreement of an automatic open drain in the case of a rapid failure.

In embodiments, the drain could also be used for different door bathtub models, either hinged, counterweight, side slide, or double-axis as well as for conventional baths.

In embodiments, the drain function may also be operated by means of a flexible membrane assembly or a diaphragm, a lifting cushion, or any other similar actuator or lever.

In embodiments, the drain is installed in the same shell of the bathtub but may be installed outside the shell.

In embodiments, the drain is designed so as to be removably installed. The drain can be removed entirely from the interior of the tub by a plumber so as to allow for checking or maintenance of the drain or of the reservoir.

In embodiments, the drain has a round outlet in order to facilitate the molding of the shell, but could be of any shape without affecting the performance.

In embodiments, the drain has a hair filter to reduce the risks of the reservoir becoming blocked or clogged and to reduce its maintenance.

In embodiments, the tub has a drain cover for masking the non-aesthetic portion of the drain, to protect the user from the risk of being pinched by the automatic drain, to distribute the water removal in a way that diminishes swirls and noises and to control the draining speed.

In embodiments, the bathtub includes a buffer zone or reservoir for fast draining and/or rapid filling.

In embodiments, the reservoir allows for draining the tub in less than <NUM> seconds, eliminating the cooling and discomfort felt by the user in the bathtub, since the user must wait a full or partial drainage (in some type of bath doors) to get out of the bathtub.

In embodiments, the reservoir allows for draining the tub in less than <NUM> seconds, even if the tub has its highest volume of water possible with no bather in the tub and filled to the overflow.

In embodiments, the bathtub includes a retaining system of the draining mechanism for retaining the drain inside the shell.

In embodiments, the retaining system of the drain mechanism is designed to allow a watertight installation, without silicone, despite different process variations.

In embodiments, the retaining system of the drain mechanism allows it to be easily installed and removed to permit maintenance or a simplified replacement.

In embodiments, the retaining system of the drain mechanism includes fixing rods which move vertically by the clamping of holding bolts. When tightened, the holding bolts lift the fixing rods, which enter into contact with the structure of the bath, the drainage mechanism is then clamped in its position.

In embodiments, the bathtub includes a rapid drain system based on a concept that has long existed in the prior art, such as in <CIT>). The rapid drain system uses a buffer reservoir, but which has been modified to provide an easy access to the drain through a removable drain that may be quickly removed from the inside of the bathtub. Maintenance service costs are very expensive for existing bathtubs of this type. However, by incorporating a fully removable drain installed inside the bathtub and provided with an attachment mechanism that does not require access under the bath like that of typical bathtubs, service costs can be reduced substantially by installing a simple access to the main drain. Once removed, the drain mechanism allows quick replacement in case of malfunction and/or gives way to an opening giving access to the buffer reservoir to a plumber.

In embodiments, the drain is an automatic drain comprising a cylinder for raising a movable plate acting as a cap that closes an opening to prevent passage of water.

The door, unlike others on the market, may be set to at least three positions: open, closed and intermediate or mid-height. An overflow is built into the door so as to always be at a height that is compliant to the industry standards and different plumbing codes. The mid-height of the door provides caregivers a more ergonomic bath when assisting the bather. This mid-height position makes it even possible for a caregiver to be sitting when assisting the bather.

In embodiments, the door is sealed with an expandable seal with textile reinforcement to act as a stop for the door. This design is based in prior art <CIT>). Such seal is unlike the non-reinforced seal, which is frequently used in the bathroom market such as in <CIT>). Because at mid-height the upper seal does not contact the door, the textile reinforcement is used to limit the expansion thereof, and thereby avoiding premature wear of the seal.

In embodiments, the bathtub does not require a compressor, but rather uses the water pressure of the residential circuit. This allows to both seal the door and automatically close the drain. A pressure regulator on the line lowers the pressure to ensure a predetermined fixed pressure and reduces the risk of problems in places with high pressure networks. The actuator cap is connected to a normally closed supply valve and normally open drain valve allowing to cut the water supply and to perform drainage in case of power failure. Accordingly, water in the tub is drained automatically in case of power failure.

In embodiments, the double reservoir comprises a single discharge port.

In embodiments, the single discharge port comprises a non-return device preventing the return of water to the door drip.

In embodiments, the controller has several bath conditional protection devices, making it relatively safer compared to bathtubs in the market. The controller allows sealing of the cap if the pressure is not reached in the door sealing system and the water supply is cut if water is present in the reservoir, which prevents a possible overflow in case of blockage of the external drain system. In known bathtubs available in the market, the following sequence is often times observed: first the door is closed, then second, after a predetermined time period, the cap is closed. However, without the first step of closing being conditional upon the second step of closing the cap, problems may arise in case of a component malfunction. Moreover, in general the water supply is usually not controlled in the bathtubs that are currently available on the market.

In embodiments, the followings steps are followed:.

In embodiments, the following control sequence is followed:.

In embodiments, a status light is illuminated when proper sealing of the door is achieved. When a problem is detected, the status light may blink, or an error code may be displayed on the digital keyboard.

In embodiments, when the pressure sensor detects that a pressure limit is reached, it sends the information to the controller to indicate that the safety step has been reached (it could be used as a switch on the supply valve to reduce the number of "INPUTS" of the controller if single valves are use);.

In embodiments, the drain valve for sealing the door can be only two <NUM>-way valves or four single valves if the two actions of the actuator are controlled, or one <NUM>-way valve or two single valves if a spring return actuator is used or for all other custom assembling valves.

In embodiments, the mechanical drain comprises a drain actuator that comprises two valves for controlling the opening and closing of the drain.

In embodiments, the input water valve can be automatically closed to prevent damage if water is detected in the reservoir. The water valve may close the tap water supply or any other device used to fill the tub.

The various embodiments disclosed here in will be better understood by way of the following detailed description with reference to the appended drawings, in which:.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a bathtub <NUM> that includes a tub <NUM> having an enclosure defined by at least one sidewall <NUM> for holding a water capacity, according to different embodiments of the present invention. The bathtub <NUM> has a doorway <NUM> on the sidewall <NUM> for providing access to the tub <NUM>. A sealing strip <NUM> is installed on the periphery of a doorway <NUM>. A set of finishing panels <NUM> are positioned in the front of the bath <NUM>, and are used to mask the sealing strip <NUM>. A door <NUM> is mountable onto to the doorway <NUM> for holding at least one water level in the tub <NUM>. The bathtub <NUM> has a unidirectional double side door lock mechanism <NUM> for holding the door <NUM> over the doorway <NUM> between at least two positions, preferably at least three positions such as a lowered, an intermediate and elevated positions. A receiver door drip <NUM> is fixed under the door <NUM> and incorporated to the double reservoir <NUM>, to catch the water in the sealing strip <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the lower position. The door <NUM> has a door frame <NUM> to support pressure of the sealing strip18. The door frame <NUM> is fixed to the door arms <NUM>, themselves fixed to the pivot axis <NUM>. The pivot axis <NUM> is fixed to removable structural pivot plates <NUM>, themselves fixed to the tub frame <NUM> and the gas cylinder <NUM>. The door has a unidirectional lock actioned by the lock rod <NUM>. The door <NUM> has a door overflow <NUM> using, for example, a structural overflow pipe. The door overflow <NUM> allows the door <NUM> to receive water therein and allows the door <NUM> to be maintained in any position of the door <NUM> as it moves up and down. The door overflow <NUM> function may be achieved in other different ways other than the illustrated structural pipe. Indeed, one may use a flexible tube or pipe or a slidable tube or pipe that follows the movement of the door <NUM> to achieve the function of the door overflow <NUM> to control the height of the water level in respect to door <NUM> heights at a desired level. Alternatively, one or more draining valves may be used to achieve the function of the door overflow <NUM> to control the height of the water level in respect to door <NUM> heights at a desired level.

The bathtub <NUM> also has a frame <NUM> to hold together the tub <NUM>, the door <NUM>, and the reservoir with double compartment <NUM>. The reservoir with double compartment <NUM> is equipped with a sewage segregation system <NUM> that prevents water from the reservoir to the receiver door drip <NUM>. In embodiments, other systems could be used, such as a mechanical trap or a check valve. The sewage segregation system <NUM> has a reservoir drain <NUM>, a tail piece <NUM>, a segregation pipe <NUM>, and a receiver drain <NUM>.

The bathtub <NUM> includes a mechanical drain, as best shown in <FIG>, for emptying the tub <NUM>. The bathtub <NUM> may have a reservoir <NUM> for receiving water from the tub <NUM> through the hole of drain <NUM>. A tub <NUM> has a draining enclosure <NUM> and hole drain <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the draining enclosures <NUM> contain the mechanical drain. The mechanical drain has a drain actuator <NUM> for opening and closing the drain plug <NUM> on the drain plate <NUM>. The drain actuator <NUM> may have an integrated spring return, water activation on both sides or an external spring return, managed by the controller <NUM>. The drain plate <NUM> is fixed in the draining enclosures <NUM> by the retention bracket <NUM>, the compressed gasket <NUM> sealing between draining enclosures <NUM> and the drain plate <NUM>. The retention bracket <NUM> is movable up and down by tightening the mounting bolts <NUM> and maintained parallel by the guide rod <NUM>. The mechanical drain also has a drain cover <NUM> and a hair filter <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in addition to <FIG>, the bathtub <NUM> includes a door push button <NUM> used by a user or bather. Also shown are door position sensors <NUM> for detecting the lowered, intermediate and elevated positions of the door <NUM>. Also shown are water detection sensors <NUM> for detecting water level in the tub <NUM> and reservoir <NUM>. Also shown is a pressure sensor <NUM> for detecting a pressure in the door sealing strip <NUM>. Also shown is a controller <NUM> configured to: receive input controls signals from the door push button <NUM>; receive input door position signals from the door position sensors <NUM>; receive input water detection signals from the water detector sensor <NUM>; receive input pressure signals from the pressure sensor <NUM> for sealing the door sealing strip <NUM>; send control signals to control a sealing valve <NUM> of the sealing strip <NUM>, illustratively at different levels for sealing the door <NUM>; and send control signals for operating a drain valve <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A bathtub (<NUM>) comprising:
a tub (<NUM>) having an enclosure defined by at least one sidewall (<NUM>) for holding a water capacity;
a doorway (<NUM>) on said sidewall (<NUM>) for providing access to the tub (<NUM>);
a sealing strip (<NUM>) installed on the periphery of the doorway (<NUM>), the sealing strip (<NUM>) comprising a sealing valve (<NUM>),
a door (<NUM>) mountable onto said doorway (<NUM>);
a mechanical drain for emptying the tub (<NUM>);
a drain valve (<NUM>);
and a controller (<NUM>) connected to
a door position sensor (<NUM>) for detecting an elevated locking position of the door (<NUM>),
a water detection sensor (<NUM>) for detecting the water level in the tub (<NUM>) and
a pressure sensor (<NUM>) for detecting a pressure in the sealing valve (<NUM>) of the sealing strip (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the door is arranged for holding at least two water levels in the tub (<NUM>) and
the bathtub comprises :
an actuator for moving the door (<NUM>) over the doorway (<NUM>) allowing a user to move the door (<NUM>) between at least three positions including a lowered, an intermediate and an elevated positions, the door in the intermediate and elevated positions holding the water at said two water levels respectively;
a door position sensor (<NUM>) for detecting an intermediate locking position of the door (<NUM>);
a door drip (<NUM>) fixed under the door (<NUM>) to catch the water in the sealing strip (<NUM>) when the door (<NUM>) is in the lower position;
a double reservoir (<NUM>) for receiving water from the tub (<NUM>)
through the drain and water from the door drip (<NUM>), wherein the door drip (<NUM>) is incorporated to the double reservoir;
a water detection sensor (<NUM>) for detecting the water level in the reservoir (<NUM>);
a control interface;
and in that
the controller (<NUM>) is configured to:
receive input controls signals from the control interface for security control;
receive input door lock position signals from the door position sensors (<NUM>);
receive input water detection signals from the water detector sensor (<NUM>);
receive input pressure signals from the pressure sensor (<NUM>) for sealing the door;
send control signals to control the sealing valve (<NUM>) of the sealing strip (<NUM>); and
send control signals for operating the drain valve (<NUM>).