Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 1 -
RECONFIGURABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FOR A WALK-INTUB BATHING INSTALLATION
WITH A SINGLE PUMP FOR MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application No.
16/195,529 filed November 19, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated
by reference and of U.S. Patent Application 17/081,881, filed October 20,
2020, issued
December 29, 2020 as U.S. Patent No. 10.874,260, the entire contents of which
are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Walk-in bathtubs provide easier ingress and egress through a water-
tight,
hinged door, and provide a seat for the bather. In walk-in bathtubs, there are
multiple types of
therapies and functions which can be provided, such as a whirlpool systemwith
bath jets, a
micro nano bubbles system with small jets, an air system, lights, heating
pads, and a rapid
water discharge system.
[0003] In the current walk-in baths on the market, the whirlpool, micro
nano bubbles
and rapid water discharge systems each require a separate pump. This is a two-
fold problem as
the pumps are expensive and there is very limited real estate underneath the
bathtub to fit the
components, plumbing and the electronics to operate the tub. The available
space is
generally confined to a compartment below the seat.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
The present invention meets a need in the walk-in bath tub art by providing a
bath tub with a reconfigurable water distribution system for selective
operation of multiple
functions independently with a single pump, and more particularly, for
selectively
independently providing through MNB jets a MNB micro-nano bubble function in
the bath
water held in the water reservoir, a pressurized water flow through the bath
jets into the water
reservoir, and a rapid water discharge mode to prepare for bather exiting of
the walk-in bath
tub. The present invention provides a reconfigurable water distribution system
for a walk-in
bath tub, comprising a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction
port of a water
reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water
during operation
of the pump. A first valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from
the pump, a first
outlet for communicating pressurized water to a second valve, and a second
outlet for
communicating pressurized water to a drain, with the first valve selectively
movable to a first
position for communicating pressurized water through the first outlet for a
selected one of a
plurality of bathing functions and to a second position for communicating
pressurized water
through the second outlet for selective rapid draining function of the water
reservoir. The
second valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the first valve
and selectively
positioned for communicating pressurized water selectively to a first piping
system for a first
type of bathing function and to a second piping system for a second type of
bathing function. A
controller connects to the first valve for moving between the first position
or the second
position for communicating pressurized water selectively and connects to the
second valve for
communicating pressurized water to the first piping system or to the second
piping system
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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when the first valve is in the first position, whereby the reconfigurable
water distribution
system selectively provides multiple operational bathing functions
independently with one
pump.
[0005] In
another aspect, the present invention provides a walk-in bath tub with a
reconfigurable water distribution system for operation with a single pump of a
selected one of a
plurality of bathing functions, comprising a motorized pump having an inlet
connected to a
suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for
delivering pressurized
water during operation of the pump. A first T valve has an inlet for receiving
pressurized water
from the pump, a first outlet for communicating pressurized water to a second
T valve, and a
second outlet for communicating pressurized water to a drain for a bathing
drain function, the
first T valve selectively movable to a first position for communicating
pressurized water
through the first outlet for a selected one of a plurality of bathing
functions and to a second
position for communicating pressurized water through the second outlet for
selective rapid
draining of the water reservoir for the bathing drain function. A second T
valve has an inlet for
receiving pressurized water from the first T valve and selectively positioned
for communicating
pressurized water selectively to a first piping system having a first bath jet
configured flowing
micro bubbles into the water reservoir for a micro bubbles bathing function
and to a second
piping system having a plurality of second bath jets configured for jetting
pressurized water
into the water reservoir for a jetting bathing function. A controller connects
to the first T valve
for moving between the first position or the second position for communicating
pressurized
water selectively and connects to the second valve for communicating
pressurized water to the
first piping system or to the second piping system when the first valve is in
the first position,
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system selectively provides
three
operational bathing functions independently with one pump.
[0006] In
another aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing water
for independent selectable one of multiple bathing functions for a walk-in
bath tub, comprising
the steps of:
(a) providing a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction port of
a water
reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water
during operation
of the pump;
(b) positioning a first valve to a first position for communicating
pressurized water
through the first outlet for a selected one of a plurality of bathing
functions and to a second
position for communicating pressurized water through the second outlet for
selective rapid
draining bathing function of the water reservoir, the first valve having an
inlet for receiving
pressurized water from the pump;
(c) positioning the second valve for communicating pressurized water
selectively to a
first piping system for a first type of bathing function and to a second
piping system for a
second type of bathing function, the second valve having an inlet for
receiving pressurized
water from the first valve, and
(d) operating a controller for moving the first valve between the first
position or the
second position for communicating pressurized water selectively and for moving
the second
valve for communicating pressurized water to the first piping system or to the
second piping
system when the first valve is in the first position,
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system selectively provides
multiple
operational bathing functions independently with one pump.
[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a reconfigurable
water
distribution system for a walk-in bath tub, comprising a motorized pump having
an inlet
connected to a suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an
outlet for delivering
pressurized water during operation of the pump. A valve has an inlet for
receiving pressurized
water from the pump and selectively positioned at least in a first position
and a second position
for communicating the pressurized water to one of a plurality of outlet ports
for a respective
bathing function for walk-in bathtubs, said plurality of bath tub functions
comprising at least a
quick drain function communicating the pressurized water to a sanitary drain
and at least a
bathing function communicating the pressurized water into the reservoir. A
controller connects
to the valve for moving the valve between the first position and the second
position for
communicating pressurized water selectively to one of the outlet ports of the
first position and
the second position, whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system
selectively provides a
plurality of operational bath tub functions independently with one pump.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention
according ot eh
present disclosure will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art
upon a reading of
the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates in a partially broken-away, diagrammatic
isometric view an
exemplary embodiment of a walk-in tub installation.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates in a diagrammatic end view the tub installation
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates in a partially broken-away, diagrammatic side
view the tub
installation of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram an exemplary
embodiment
of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate three
functions Ma walk-
in tub installation.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram an alternate
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
three functions
in a walk-in tub installation.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram another
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
three functions
in a walk-in tub installation.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram yet another
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
three functions
in a walk-in tub installation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram an exemplary
embodiment
of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate two
functions in awalk-in
tub installation.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram a second
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
two
functions in a walk-in tub installation.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram yet another
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
three functions
independently in a walk-in tub installation.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates in a simplified schematic diagram yet another
exemplary
embodiment of a water distribution system employing a single pump to operate
three functions
independently in a walk-in tub installation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following detailed description and in the several figures of
the drawing,
like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The figures are not
to scale, and
relative feature sizes may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0021] A walk-in tub installation is shown in FIGS. 1 - 3. The
installation includes a
tub structure 10 which includes a water reservoir 12 defined by the tub
structure, and a door
14 which swings on hinges from a water-tight closed position (shown in FIGS. 1
- 3), and an
open position which allows the user ready egress into and from the water
reservoir.
Typically, the tub structure 10 defines a seat platform 16 for the user to sit
while bathing
with the door closed, and water filling the reservoir to a comfortable level
for the user.
Manual valve elements (not shown in FIGS. 1 - 3) allow the user to control the
filling of the
bathing water into the tub reservoir.
[0022] The tub structure 10 defines an open space 20 under and behind the
seat 16, into
which the tub installation pump, control and water pipes are installed. This
space can be quite
limited in volume, with the installation equipment mounted to a platform 22.
The
equipment includes a motor driven pump 30, and an electronic controller unit
24. A user
interface control panel 42 is positioned for ready access by the user,to
control operation of
the tub functions.
[0023] The tub installation includes a network of water jets 32, through
which water
is pumped by the pump under pressure to provide a therapeutic effect for the
user. A
recirculating water flow path is provided, with the pump drawing bathing water
from the
reservoir through a suction fitting 34, and direct pressurized water from the
pump to the water
jets 32. This is a first function provided by the installation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0024] Another function which may be implemented in an exemplary
embodiment is
a rapid water discharge function, activated by the user once finished bathing,
to actively
pump water out from the reservoir into the drain, to speed up the tub drain
process so that
the user when finished bathing, may open the door 14 without water escaping
through the
door opening. This function may be implemented by use of the pump 30 as well,
without
requiring a separate pump dedicated to the rapid water discharge function.
[0025] Another function which may be implemented in an exemplary
embodiment is
a micro-nano bubble (MNB) function, in which water and entrained air is forced
through a
small jet or a network of small jets, typically known as MNB jets, positioned
in the tub walls.
This function delivers air-entrained water to the small jets, creating a milk-
water effect.
This MNB function may be implemented in an exemplary embodiment without
requiring a
separate pump dedicated to this function. In this embodiment, air is entrained
in the water
at the pump.
[0026] In accordance with aspects of the invention, two or more functions
can be
realized in a bathing installation, such as a walk-in tub, with a
reconfigurable water
distribution system including a pipe network, a single pump and one or more
valves,
typically motorized valves controlled by the controller 24, in accordance with
user
commands entered on a control panel mounted on the tub structure. The valves
are typically
controlled by signals from the controller 24. Several embodiments are
described below, with
respect to FIGS. 4 - 10.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates in schematic form a walk-in tub installation
employing a
reconfigurable water distribution system 50 which provides three functions, a
water jet
function, an MNB function and a rapid water discharge, with a single pump 30.
In this
embodiment, the functions may be performed one at a time, with the function
selected by the
setting of three valves 64-1, 64-2 and 64-3 arranged in the pipe network. The
pipe network in
this embodiment includes several sections. Pipe section 60-1 connects between
the suction
fitting in the tub wall to the suction port of the pump 30, and allows water
to be drawn from the
reservoir for pumping from the suction port through the pump. Pipe section 60-
2 connects to a
T fitting 62-1, with the T port connected to pipe section 60-4, and the
through port connected to
pipe section 60-3. The pipe section 60-4 is connected to a port of a two-port
motorized valve
64-1; the other port of the valve is connected to pipe manifold section 60-8,
which is connected
to the MNB jets 36. The valve 64-1 in this embodiment is an on-off valve, so
that in the off
position, no water or air flows through the valve, and in the on position,
water and air flow is
permitted to the jets 36. If there is a single MNB jet, the section 60-8 will
be connected directly
to the MNB jet; if there is a plurality of MNB jets, section 60-8 can be a
pipe manifold with a
separate output for each MNB jet.
[0028] The system 50 further includes a second T fitting 62-2, with an
inline port
connected to the pipe section 60-3, a T port connected to pipe section 60-6,
and the opposite
inline port connected to pipe section 60-4, whose opposite end is connected
through an elbow
fitting to an input port of a motorized valve 64-3. The opposite end of pipe
section 60-6 is
connected to an input port of another motorized valve 64-2. The output port of
valve 64-2 is
connected to a pipe manifold 60-7, which serves the array of bath jets 32, or,
in the case of a
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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single bath jet, directly to the bath jet. The output port of valve 64-3 is
connected to pipe
section 60-5, whose terminal end is connected to a drain 38 for the tub.
Typically, the drain
connection will be to an overflow connection for the tub, so that water can be
discharged
whether the tub drain stopper is in place or not, for example, as described in
US 8549678, for
an accelerated tub drain for a walk-in tub installation, the entire contents
of which are
incorporated herein by this reference.
[0029] The reconfigurable system 50 is configured to provide three
functions, the MNB
jet function, the water jet function, or the fast water discharge function,
with a single pump. For
the MNB function, the valve 64-1 is set to the on position, and valves 64-2
and 64-3 are set to
the off position. With the pump operating, the entire pump discharge is sent
to the MNB jets,
and no water is sent to the jets 32 or to the drain. For the jet function,
valves 64-1 and 64-3 are
closed, and valve 64-2 is opened, sending all water to the bath jets 32 while
the pump is
operating. For the fast water discharge function, valves 64-1 and 64-2 are
closed and valve 64-
3 is opened, sending all water from the pump to the drain 38 while the pump is
operating.
[0030] The pipe sections may be rigid pipe sections, flexible pipe
sections or a
combination of rigid and flexible. The valves are connected to the controller
40, which supplies
control signals to the valves.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a tub system
configured for three
function usage with a single pump, using a reconfigurable water distribution
system 60, using
only two valves 64-2 and 64-3. The system 60 is similar to system 50 (FIG. 4),
except that the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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valve 64-1 is omitted, and the MNB pipe manifold 60-8' is connected directly
to the T port of T
fitting 62-1. In this embodiment, the MNB function is always active when the
pump 30 is
running. With valves 64-2 and 64-3 in the closed position, all water from the
pump is sent to the
pipe manifold 60-8'. For the bath jet function, valve 64-2 is put to the open
position, and valve
62-3 to the closed position. In this configuration, some water is sent to the
MNB jets, but most
will be sent to the bath jets 32. For the fast water discharge function, valve
64-2 is put to the
closed position, and valve 64-3 is opened. In this configuration, some water
is sent to the MNB
jets, but most will be sent to the drain 38.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a tub system with a
reconfigurable
water distribution system 70, configured to operate three functions with a
single pump 30.
The system 70 is similar to system 60 of FIG. 5, except that motorized valve
64-2 is moved
and placed in the pipe section 60-4', valve 64-3 is replaced with a diverter
valve 64-3', and
pipe manifold section 60-7 is replaced with pipe manifold section 60-7'
connected one
output port of the valve 64-3', the other output connected through pipe
section 60-5 to the
drain 38. The diverter valve 64-3' has two settings, one in which the input
port is connected
to the output port connected tothe bath jet manifold pipe section 60-7', and a
second setting
in which the input portis connected to the output port connected to the pipe
section 60-5.
In this embodiment, the MNB jet function is always active when the pump is
opened. For
an MNB function only, the motorized valve 64-2 is closed, so that all water
from thepump
is directed to the MNB jets 36. The bath jet function is selected by placing
valve 64-2 in
the open position, and setting the diverter valve to direct flow to the bath
jets. Some water
flows to the MNB jets, but most will flow to the bath jets. For the rapid
water discharge
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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function, valve 64-2 is opened, and the diverter valve is set to direct water
to the port
connected to the pipe section 60-5. Again, some waterwill flow to the MNB
jets, but most
will flow to the drain for discharge.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows in schematic form another embodiment of a tub system
with a
reconfigui-able water distribution system. The system 80 uses two motorized
open/close
valves 64-1 and 64-2, and a motorized diverter valve 64-3'. The water
distribution system
is similar to that of system 70 (FIG. 6), except that the valve 64-1 is placed
between the T
fitting 62-1 and the pipe manifold section 60-8. This allows the path to the
MNB jets to be
closed when the system 80 is in the bath jets functionmode or in the rapid
water discharge
mode.
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a tub installation with a reconfigurable water
distribution
system 90, in which the tub does not include MNB jets. The system 90 provides
two
functions or mode of operation, a bath jet mode and a rapid water discharge
mode, using a
single pump 30, using a single diverter valve. In this embodiment, the pump
pressure port is
connected to pipe section 60-9, which runs to the input port of the diverter
valve 64.-3'. One
output port of the valve is connected to pipe manifold section 60-7', which is
connected to
the bath jets 32. The other output port of the diverter valve is connected to
the drain by pipe
section 60-5. The two modes of operation are selected by the position of the
diverter valve
64-3', to thus provide either a bath jet mode or a rapid water discharge mode
when the pump
is operating.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a tub installation with a reconfigurable water
distribution system
100, in which the tub does not include MNB jets. The system 100 provides two
functions or
mode of operation, a bath jet mode and a rapid water discharge mode, using a
single pump 30,
using two motorized open/close valves. The system 110 is similar to system 50
(FIG. 4), except
that the valve 64-1 and T fitting 62-1 are omitted. Pipe section 60-2'
connects the pump output
directly to the T fitting 62-2. To select the bath jets mode, valve 64-2 is
opened, and valve 64-3
is closed, sending the entire output of the pump to the bath jets. To select
the rapid water
discharge mode, valve 64-2 is closed, and valve 64-3 is opened, sending the
entire output of the
pump to the drain. If both valves are opened, water will be distributed
between the bath jets and
the drain. Alternatively, the valve 64-2 may be connected to the drain
fitting, and valve 64-3
connected to the bath jets, in any of the foregoing embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tub system with a
reconfigurable water distribution system 110, configured to operate three bath
tub functions
with a single pump 30. In this embodiment, the three bath tub functions are
selectively
independently operative for providing a MNB micro-nano bubble bathing function
in the
bath water held in the water reservoir 12 through the MNB jets 36, a
pressurized water flow
bathing function into the water reservoir 12 through the bath jets 32, and a
rapid water
discharge bath function mode, using the single pump 30 and two motorized T
valves 64-10
and 64-11. The operative function of the pressurized water flow into the bath
water through
the bath jets 34 have a destabilizing influence on the MNB micro-nano bubbles
and the
bubbles collapse in the pressurized water flow rather than flow freely
upwardly in the bath
water. The motorized T valves 64-10 and 64-11 each have an inlet port and two
selective
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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outlet ports. Water flows into the valve through the inlet and out through one
of the two
selective outlet ports. The pipe section 60-1 connects between the suction
fitting 34 in the
tub wall to the suction port of the pump 30, and allows water to be drawn from
the water
reservoir 12 for pumping from the suction port through the pump. The pipe
section 60-2
connects to the inlet of the first motorized T valve 64-10. A first T port
connects with a pipe
section 60-10 to an inlet of the second motorized T valve 64-11. A second T
port connects
to the pipe section 60-5 to a drain. The floor drain 38 of the reservoir 12
connects to the
drain (such as to the pipe section 60-5). A first outlet of the second
motorized T valve 64-11
connects with the pipe section 60-8 to the MNB jets 36. A second outlet of the
second
motorized T valve 64-11 connects with the pipe section 60-7 to the pressurized
flow bath
jets 32. The electronic controller 24 connects to the interface control panel
42 and the
motorized T valves 64-10 and 64-11 for selective operation of the three fi
nctions or
operating modes for MNB treatment, pressurized jets, or rapid water discharge
in
preparation for the bather to exit the bath tub 10.
[0037]
The electronic controller 24 operates the first and second motorized T valves
64-
and 64-11. The first motorized T valve 64-10 is biased to a first position for
directing water
from the first outlet through the connector pipe 60-10 to the inlet of the
second motorized T
valve 64-11. This closes or prevents water flow from the second outlet of the
first T valve 64-10
to the drain through the drain pipe 60-5. The second motorized T valve is
selectively positioned
for water flow outwardly from the first outlet to the MNB jet 36 or from the
second outlet to the
pressurized flow jets 32. The interface control panel 42 displays the
operative status or
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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position of the second T valve. Alternatively, the second T valve 64-11 may be
biased to
one function or the other.
[0038] Upon filling of the water reservoir 12, the water distribution
system 110
illustrated in FIG. 10 operates to provide independently the MNB micro-nano
bubble
bathing function, the pressurized jets bathing function, and the rapid water
discharge bathing
function, selectively. The water distribution system 110 in an illustrative
implementation
biases the first T valve 64-10 for directing pressurized water from the pump
30 to the second
T valve 64-11. The first T valve 64-10 thus is closed to flow of water to the
drain. The
interface control panel 42 may be operated to select MNB jet 34 function or
pressurized jet
32 function. Upon selection of the MNB jet function, the pump 30 if operating
stops. The
motorized T valve 64-11 moves to direct water flow to the first outlet for
communication
pressurized water through the connector pipe 60-8 to the MNB jets 36 and into
the bath
water of the reservoir. The pump 30 then starts and micro-nano bubbles flow
through the
MNB jet 36 into the bath water.
[0039] Upon selection of the pressurized jet bathing function, the pump
30 if
operating stops. The motorized T valve 64-11 moves to direct water flow to the
second
outlet for communication of pressurized water through the connector pipe 60-7
to the bath
jets 32 and into the bath water of the reservoir. The pump 30 starts and the
pressurized
water jets into the bath water. The bather may alternate the selection of the
independent MNB
jet or pressurized jet water flow for bathing functions.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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[0040] To exit the bath tub, the bather selectively operates a fast drain
switch on the
interface control panel 42. In the illustrative embodiment, the switch is held
for a
predetermined period such as 3 seconds. The interface control panel 42 then
prepares for
raid drain function of the bath water for bather egress. The pump 30 if
operating stops. The
first T valve 64-10 operates to move to a second water flow position. This
closes the first
outlet and opens the second outlet for communicating water to the drain
through the drain
pipe 60-5. The pump 30 then starts and pressurized water flows from the pump
through the
supply pipe 60-2 into the inlet of the T valve 64-10 and out of the second
outlet to the drain
pipe 60-5 and to the drain. The first T valve 64-10 being closed to the first
outlet does not
communicate pressurized water to the second T valve 64-11. The pump 30
operates for a
predetermined period to drain water from the water reservoir. Preferably the
pump operates
for a period sufficient to lower the water level below a threshold of the door
to the water
reservoir. This allows bather egress through the door of the walk-in bath tub.
The pump
stops. Residual water drains through the floor drain 38 to the drain. The
interface control
panel 42 then operates to move the first T valve 64-10 to the first position
closing the second
outlet to the drain and opening the first outlet for communicating water to
the second T
valve 64-11. The bath tub 10 is then ready for a subsequent filling of the
water reservoir
and bathing.
[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of a tub system with a
reconfigurable water distribution system 120, configured with a bottom-entry
single "L" 4
way valve 64-12 to operate three bath tub functions with a single pump 30. The
valve 64-12
has an inlet port 122 and three selectable outlet ports 124, 126, and 128. The
pump 30
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
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provides pressurized water to the inlet port 122 of the valve 64-12. The
outlet ports of the
valve 64-12 provides three bathing functions selectively independently
operative for
communicating water through outlet port 124 to provide a MNB micro-nano bubble
bathing
function in the bath water held in the water reservoir 12 through the MNB jets
36, though
outlet port 126 for pressurized water flow bathing function into the water
reservoir 12
through the bath jets 32, and though outlet port 126 for a rapid water
discharge or drain
function mode, using the single pump 30 and the valve 64-12.
[0042] The water flows into the valve 64-12 through the inlet 122 and out
through
one of the three outlet ports 124, 126, or 128. The pipe section 60-1 connects
between the
suction fitting 34 in the tub wall to the suction port of the pump 30, and
allows water to be
drawn from the water reservoir 12 for pumping from the suction port through
the pump.
The pipe section 60-2 connects to the inlet 122 of the valve 64-12. The outlet
port 124
connects with the pipe section 60-8 to the MNB microbubbles generator 36. The
outlet port
126 connects to the pipe 60-7 to the bath jets 32. The outlet port 128
connects with the pipe
section 60-5 to a sanitary drain. The floor drain 38 of the reservoir 12 also
connects to the
drain (such as to the pipe section 60-5). The electronic controller 24
connects to the
interface control panel 42 and the motorized controller for the valve 64-12
for selective
operation of the three bathing functions or operating modes for MNB treatment,
pressurized
jets, or rapid water discharge in preparation for the bather to exit the bath
tub 10.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 111, the electronic controller 24 operates
the valve 64-12.
The valve 64-12 is biased to the first position for directing water from the
outlet 126 to the bath
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
- 19 -
jets 32. The valve 64-12 selectively operates for MNB microbubbles bathing
function or for
quick draining bathing function for bather egress. The interface control panel
42 may display
the operative status or position of the valve 64-12.
[0044] Upon filling of the water reservoir 12, the water distribution
system 110
illustrated in FIG. 11 operates to provide independently the MNB micro-nano
bubble
bathing function, the pressurized jets bathing function, and the rapid water
discharge
draining bathing function, selectively. The water distribution system 120 in
an illustrative
implementation biases the valve 64-12 for directing pressurized water from the
pump 30 to
bath jets 32. This allows filling of the bath tub for bathing use. The
interface control panel
42 may be operated to select MNB jet 34 bathing function or pressurized jet 32
bathing
function. Upon selection of the MNB jet function, the pump 30 if operating
stops. The
valve 64-12 moves to direct water flow to the outlet 124 for communication
pressurized
water through the connector pipe 60-8 to the MNB jets 36 and into the bath
water of the
reservoir. The pump 30 then starts and micro-nano bubbles flow through the MNB
jet 36
into the bath water.
[0045] Upon selection of the pressurized jet function, the pump 30 if
operating stops.
The valve 64-12 moves to direct water flow to the outlet 126 for communication
of
pressurized water through the connector pipe 60-7 to the bath jets 32 and into
the bath water
of the reservoir. The pump 30 starts and the pressurized water jets into the
bath water. The
bather may alternate the selection of the independent MNB jet or pressurized
jet water flow for
bathing functions.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
- 20 -
[0046] To exit the bath tub, the bather selectively operates a fast drain
switch on the
interface control panel 42. In the illustrative embodiment, the switch is held
for a
predetermined period such as 3 seconds. The interface control panel 42 then
prepares for
raid drain bathing function of the bath water for bather egress. The pump 30
if operating
stops. The valve 64-12 operates to move to the quick drain position for outlet
128. The
pump 30 then starts and pressurized water flows from the pump through the
supply pipe 60-
2 into the valve 64-12 and out of the outlet port 128 to the drain pipe 60-5
and to the
sanitary drain. The pump 30 operates for a predetermined period to drain water
from the
water reservoir. Preferably the pump operates for a period sufficient to lower
the water
level below a threshold of the door to the water reservoir. This allows bather
egress through
the door of the walk-in bath tub. The pump stops. Residual water drains
through the floor
drain 38 to the sanitary drain. The interface control panel 42 then operates
to move the
valve 64-12 to the position for communicating through the outlet port 126 for
the bath jets
32. The bath tub 10 is then ready for a subsequent filling of the water
reservoir and bathing.
[0047] Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of
specific
embodiments of the subject matter, various modifications and changes thereto
can be made by
persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-11-18
