Whirlpool bathtub and purging system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9775772-B2
Application number	US-201615059044-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2016
Priority date	Mar 3, 2015
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A whirlpool bathtub system includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, and a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line. When the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line. When the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A whirlpool bathtub system comprising:
a basin having a plurality of nozzles;
a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
a pump configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line; and
a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line;
wherein, when the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line, and when the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line.

2. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , wherein the blower is further configured to provide air to the basin through the water feed line.

3. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 2 , further comprising a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the water feed line.

4. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 3 , wherein, when the blower is in the off condition, the check valve is closed.

5. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 3 , wherein the pump includes an off condition and an on condition and, when the blower is in the on condition and the pump is in the off condition, the check valve is open to allow air to flow from the blower to the basin through the water feed line.

6. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 3 , wherein the check valve is configured to open and close based on a pressure difference between the water feed line and the air feed line.

7. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , further comprising a Hartford loop in the air feed line.

8. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , further comprising an air intake inlet in the air feed line, the air intake inlet configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line to the plurality of nozzles.

9. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , wherein the blower comprises a plurality of speed settings that are configured to provide air into the air feed line at variable speeds.

10. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , wherein the water feed line is configured to distribute water to the plurality of nozzles along a perimeter of the basin.

11. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 9 , wherein the air feed line is configured to distribute air to the plurality of nozzles along the perimeter of the basin.

12. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , further comprising a heater configured to heat water flowing through the water feed line.

13. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 1 , wherein the blower is connected to the water feed line through a second Hartford loop.

14. A system for a whirlpool bathtub comprising:
a basin having a plurality of nozzles;
a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
a pump having an off condition and an on condition, the pump being configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line;
a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line and through the water feed line; and
a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the water feed line;
wherein, when the pump is in the on condition, the check valve is closed and the blower is configured to provide air to the basin only through the air feed line and, when the blower is in the on condition and the pump is in the off condition, the check valve is open and the blower is configured to provide air to the basin through both the air feed line and the water feed line such that residual water present in the water feed line is purged into the basin.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the check valve is configured to open and close based on a pressure difference between the water feed line and the air feed line.

16. A whirlpool bathtub system comprising:
a basin having a plurality of nozzles;
a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles;
a pump having an off condition and an on condition, the pump being configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, wherein the water feed line comprises a suction line configured to allow water to flow from the basin to the pump;
a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line;
a conduit connected to the suction line, the conduit comprising a bleed hole configured to allow air to flow into the suction line;
wherein, when the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line and, when the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line; and
wherein, when the pump is in the on condition, the conduit is configured to allow air to flow into the pump.

17. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 16 , further comprising a check valve configured to open and close the flow of air from the blower to the basin through the air feed line.

18. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 16 , further comprising a valve configured to open and close the flow of air through the conduit to the suction line.

19. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 16 , wherein the bleed hole comprises a diameter ranging from about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches.

20. The whirlpool bathtub system of claim 16 , wherein the conduit extends upward from the suction line such that the bleed hole is at a position above the water feed line.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Tempas Jeff
• Manchiraju Ravikanth
• Narasimhan Santosh R
• Ogreenc Fred

Classifications

• A61H33/028 Primary

  Means for producing a flow of gas, e.g. blowers, compressors · CPC title

• A61H33/0095

  Arrangements for varying the temperature of the liquid · CPC title

• A61H2033/022

  with control means for regulating the air volume aspirated by a water jet · CPC title

• A61H33/6063

  Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls · CPC title

• A61H33/027

  Gas-water mixing nozzles therefor · CPC title