Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
2(3~
IMPROVED CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR HYDROM~SSAGING
APPARATUS AND IMPROVED HYDROMASSAGING APPARATUS
USING SUCH CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
l(a) Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a particularly preferred
05 improvement in check valve assembly of the type intended
to be mounted across a corresponding opening of a
hydromassaging apparatus and already broadly di.sclosed
and claimed in co-pending Canadian patent application No.
2.005.276-7 of December 12, 1989. The invention also
ln relates to an improved jet bath massaging or
hydromassaging apparatus (especially a therapeutic bath)
of the type disclosed and claimed in co-pending Canadian
application No. 2.005.276.7 of December 12, 1989, which is
provided with a plurality of openings positioned below a
level of water, a check valve assembly being mounted
across each openings of the apparatus, the improvement
being in the selection of a particularly preferred type of
check valve assembly according to the present invention.
l(b) Brief description of the prior art
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. no. 4,249,522 there exist a
hydromassagi.ng apparatus comprising in combination a tub,
compressed air supply means located adjacent the tub,
longitudinally extending air distribution duc-t means
-- 1 --
secured to ~he outside surface of the tub, the duct means
also comprising air distribution branches and a plurality
of small apertures extending through the tub from the air
distribution ducts means, the apertures being evenly
05 spaced apart.
~Also, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. no. 4,525,881, there
exists tubs, spas or pools provided with hydrotherapy jets
comprising an air and water check valve. More
particularly, such a jet comprised an air and water check
valve housed in a valve chamber and adapted to move therein
between a seated sealing position preventing the escape of
water therethrough from a nozzle, and an open position
allowing the passage of air into the chamber from an air
inlet passage and out through an outlet port in an nozzle.
More particularly, the valve of this U.S. Pat. no.
4,525,881 consists of a cup-shaped cylindrical element
concentrically suspended within a cylindrical chamber
provided with an air inlet, a water inlet and an outlet for
air and water, the element being provided at one end with
a rubber disc and being allowed to slide, according to a
differential of pressure between the water in the chamber
and the atmospheric pressure from a position where the
disc abuts with the air inlet (valve is closed) to a
position where the disc is moved away from said air inlet
(valve is open) so as to allow a blend of air and water
flowing toward the outlet.
According to U.S. Pat. no. 4,249,522, ducts are designed
to be emptied by gravity and then dried by a flow of air
circulating therein. There is no means to keep the ducts
dry except a special and tedious process for drying the
ducts. With tubs, spas or pools of U.S. Pat. no. 4 525
-- 2
there is an air check valve preventing water of tubs, spas
or pools from entering the piping that is normally used for
introducing a pressurized ~low of air and water in tubs,
spas or pools. However, this valve always needs the
05 simultaneous use of water and air and would not efficiency
work with water or air alone. Therefore, there was either
a cumbersome drying process or a sophisticated
hydrotherapy jet to prevent water from entering in ducts
or pipings. It must be remembered that when water
(especially waste water) is allowed -to enter the ducts or
piping, bacteria and/or fungi are then allowed to grow.
These drawbacks negatively affect the sanitariness of the
apparatus .
Applicant's co-pending Canadian patent application No.
2.005.276-7 of December 12, 1989, discloses and claims an
improvement in jet bath massaging or hydromassaging
apparatus (especially therapeutic bath) which is provided
with a plurality of openings connected to air ducts,
positioned below a level of water and allowing a
pressurized flow of air to bubble into water. The
improvement is to mount a check valve across each opening
in order to prevent any introduction of water into air
ducts. There is also disclosed and claimed a check valve
especially adapted to embody such an improved
hydromassaging apparatus. When introduction of water in
air ducts is prevented, a growth of bacteria and/or fungi
inside the ducts is also prevented and thus prior art
drawbacks are overcome.
Preferably in co-pending Canadian patent application No.
2.005.276-7, there is disclosed and claimed a
hydromassaging apparatus (such as a therapeutic bath)
comprising:
- a tub having a bottom wall and side walls and being
05 intended to be filled with water to a determined level, at
least one of said walls (especially one of said side walls)
being provided with openings below said determined level
of water;
- generation means adapted to generate a flo~ of
pressurized air; and
- duct means positioned in fluid communication between
said openings and generation means so that said flow can
circulate from said generation means through said duct
means and openings, and then bubble in water. This
apparatus is improved in that a simple and inexpensive
check valve which is also claimed in Canadian patent
application No. 2.005.276-7, is mounted across each of
said openings. Each check valve advantageously
comprises:
- A casing having opposite ends and being provided with a
longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal outer
surface, an inlet at one end of said casing, said inlet
being intended to be put in fluid communication with said
duct means, an outlet at the opposite end of said casing,
said outlet being intended to be put in fluid
communication with an interior of said tub, a conduit
extending Erom said inlet to said outlet and a partition
provided with an orifice and transversally positioned
across said conduit, said partition being inclined with
respect to the longitudinal axis and said orifice defining
2~ 7
the sole passageway of the conduit. The casing is further
provided with means adapted for axially setting and
fastening said check valve to seal a corresponding opening
of the tub.
05
- A flexible membrane defining at least in part a flap~
- Means adapted to position and fasten the membrane inside
the casing in such a way that when the check valve is
s 10 closed the flap can cover the orifice and rest against a
corresponding portion of the partition that surrounds this
orifice and defines a flap seat. The flap seat is provided
i on a side of the partition facing the outlet.
The casing of the aforesaid preferred check valve of co-
pending Canadian patent application No. 2.005.276-7 is
intended to be axially set and fastened in such a way,
according to its longitudinal axis, through a
corresponding opening of the tub, that said flap and seat
are substantially inclined with respect to the horizontal
and have the lower portion of the partition closer the
outlet of the casing. When such a check valve is mounted
across each openings of an aforesaid apparatus, then for
each check valve, the flap can completely cover the flap
seat and the orifice when the pressure applied by the water
of the tub against one face of the flap is higher -than the
pressure applied by the air on the opposite face of this
flap ti.e. check valve closed), the flap can be moved away
from said orifice and flap seat when the pressure applied
by the pressurized flow of air against one face of the flap
is higher than the pressure applied by the water of the tub
against the opposite face of this flap (i.e. check valve
open).
$~7
With the aforesaid preferred chec~ valve assembly of co-
pending Canadian patent application No. 2.005.276-7:
05 - the partition is provided with an orifice surrounded by
a flap seat that is inclined with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the casing;
- the portion of the flap seat that is near the outlet of
the casing has to be set downwardly (by axial rotation of
the casing when this latter is fastened in a corresponding
opening of the tub);
- the flap is fastened to the partition in the vicinity of
the orifice by means of a barbed plug integral to the flap
and "snapped" in a corresponding bore provided in the
partition; and
- the orifice is positioned between the bore and the
portion of the flap seat that is near the outlet of the
:~ casing, so as when the check valve is cloPed, the flap may
rest against the flap seat to cover the orifice and the
inclined orientation of the f]ap involve that the weight
o water continuously press the flap against the flap seat
to further seal the check valve and further prevent any
water flow from the tub toward the duct means.
Thus, with this preferred check valve of co-pending
Canadian patent application No. 2.005.276-7, there are the
following drawbacks:
- the check valve must be properly oriented around its
longitudinal axis to work efficiently (thus additional
care must be provided when mounting a check va]ve in a
corresponding opening of an apparatus);
- the flap must be properly positioned above the orifice
05 and fastened to the partition with a barbed plug
introduced and positionned (i.e. snapped) in a bore
located above said orifice;
- the introduction and positioning of a plug in an
appropriate bore of the partition may allow some leak of
water toward the duct means.
The present invention relates to an improvement with
respect to preferred check valve assembly of co-pending
Canadian patent application No. 2.005.276-7, that allow
to overcome aforesaid drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to an improved check valve
intended to be mounted across a corresponding opening of
a hydromassaging apparatus of the type comprising a tub
having a bottom wall and side walls and being intended to
be filled with water to a determined level, at least one
of said side walls being provided with openings below said
determined level of water; generation means adapted to
generate a flow of pressurized air; and duct means
positioned in fluid communication between said openings
and generation means so that said flow can circulate from
said generation means through said duct means and
openings, and then bubble in water. Each check valve
comprises:
- 7
- A casing having opposite ends and being provided wi-th
a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal outer
surface, an inlet at one end of the casing, said inlet in
fluid communication with the duct means, an outlet at the
05 opposite end of the casing, the outlet in fluid
communication with an interior of said tub, a conduit
extending from the inlet to the outlet and a partition
provided with at least one orifice (preferably one
orifice) and transversally positioned across the conduit.
The orifice defines the sole passageway of the conduit.
The casing is further provided with means adapted for
axially setting and fastening the check valve to seal a
corresponding opening of the tub.
- Means fastened to the casing, including at least one
membrane and adapted to react to a differential of
pressure existing between opposite faces of the membrane
and to move said membrane either to an open position which
allow a fluid communication from the inlet to the outlet
through said orifice, or to a closed position which
prevent any fluid communication from the outlet to the
inlet through said orifice.
The improvement according to the invention is that means
including at least one membrane consists, for each
orifice of the partition, of a nozzle comprising:
. A sleeve of the type having a longitudinal axis, at
least one longitudinal outer surface, opposite ends, a
conduit connecting said opposite ends and means adapted
for axially setting and fastening it to seal a
corresponding orifice in the partition of the casing. One
end of the sleeve defines an inlet in fluid communication
with duct means~ The other end of the sleeve is intended
to define an outlet in fluid communication with an
interior of the tub.
OS . At least one membrane (preferably two membranes) having
opposite faces, made of resilient and flexible material
and partly fastened to (preferably partly integral with)
the end defining the outlet of the sleeve. ~aid
membrane(s) is (are) of sufficient size to completely
cover and seal the outlet. When the pressure applied by
water of the tub against one face of membrane~s) is higher
than the pressure applied by the air on the opposite face
of said membrane(s), then the unfastened portion of said
membrane(s) is (are) moved against the end of the sleeve
lS to completely covers and seal the outlet (check valve
closed) and prevent any fluid communication from the tub
to the duct means. When the pressure applied by the air
on one face of membrane(s) is higher than the pressure
applied by water on the opposite face of said membrane(s),
then the unfastened portion of the membrane(s) is (are)
moved away from the outlet (check valve open) to aliow a
fluid communication from the duct means to the tub and thus
allow the pressurized air to bubble in water.
Also, the present invention relates to an improved
hydromassaging apparatus of the type comprising: a tub
having a bottom wall and side walls and being intended to
be filled with water to a determined level, at least one
of said side walls being provided with openings below said
determined level of water; generation means adapted to
generate a flow of pressurized air; duct means positioned
in fluid communication between said openings and
generation means so that said flow can circulate from said
g
Lt7
generation means through said duct means and openings, and
- then bubble in water; and a check valve mounted across
each of said openings, each check valve being an improved
check valve as described hereinbefore.
05
BRIEF D~3SCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood with
reference to the following non-restrictive description of
preferred embodiments thereof, taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a therapeutic bath in
which an improvement according to the invention is to be
provided;
Figure 2 is a partial and perspective cross-sectional view
of a side wall of the bath of Figure 1, which shows a part
of one side opening and part of a duct;
~ .
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the casing of an
improved check valve according to the invention, which is
intended to be mounted through a corresponding side
opening of the bath represented in Figures 1 and 2 in order
2~ to define an improved therapeutic bath;
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the casing of
Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the casing of
Figures 3 and 4;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the improved means
-- 10 --
.
20~
including at least one membrane according to the invention
(in closed position);
Figure 7 is a rear elevational view of means represented
05 in Figure 6~
Figure 8 is a front elevational view of means represented
in Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a front elevational view of means represented
in Figure 6 (in open position);
Figure 10 illustrates how means represented in Figures 6
to 9 are positioned and fastened in the orifice of the
casing represented in Figures 3 to 5, to define a check
valve according to the invention (the casing and the
nozzle are respectively shown in part according to A-A of
Figure 4 and to B-B of Figure 8);
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate how the improved check valve
represented in Figure 9 is axially set and positioned
inside a corresponding opening of the bath represented in
Figures 1 and 2 to embody an improvement according to the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferably, the invention relates to an improved check
valve "CV2" and to a hydromassaging apparatus "B" equipped
with such a check valve "CV2".
The therapeutic bath "B" in which an improved check valve
according to the invention can be mounted, comprises, as
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a tub having a bottom 1,
opposite side walls 5 provided with a plurality of evenly
spaced openings 9, opposite side walls 7, ducts 11 and
means adapted to generate a flow of pressurized air,
OS circulate it through said ducts 11 and openings 9 and then
bubble it (under jet form) in water "W". The tub is filled
with water "W" to a level "L". In use, this level "L" is
always above openings 9. In fact, openings 9 may be
advantageously positioned in walls 5 close to bottom 1, so
as to maximize the distance between said openings and the
level "L" and thus increase the path of bubbles across
water "W" to thereby increase movement of water "W"
generated by said bubbles.
More particularly, means adapted to generate a flow of
pressurized air may consist of a fan 13 operated by an
electric motor and provided with an outlet 15 which is put
in fluid communication with ducts 11 by any appropriate
means well known to one skilled in the art. (e.g. pipe
fitting, etc... ).
Preferably, walls 5 and 7 consist of a sheet 6 (made of
metal (such as steel), plastic or fiber glass) and one
layer 8 of an appropriate coating (such as enamel,
acrylic, gel coal, etc). Also, ducts 11 may be made with
a sheet of metal (such as steel), plastic or fiber glass.
Preferably, a portion of ducts 11 is integral with sheet
6. Of course, one skilled in the art is well aware of how
a therapeutic bath (such as the one of U.S. patent No.
4,249,522) has to be built. Therefore, it is not necessary
to provide further particulars about walls 5 and 7, ducts
11, fan 13 and openings 9.
~ 8~7
The improvement to this bath "B" consists of a check valve
~, l "CV2" as shown in Figures 3 to 12, mounted across each
opening 9 in order to allow a pressurized flow of air
generated by the fan 13 to circulate successively through
i 05 said ducts 11 and through said check valve "CV2" mounted
through said openings 9, and then to bubble in water "W",
and, when the fan 13 is stopped, to prevent any
introduction of water "W" toward said ducts 11. The use
of check valve "CV2" allow to keep dry ducts 11 and thus
prevent any growth of bacteria and/or fungi therein.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the
invention relates to an improvement in a check valve of the
type comprising:
- A casing 331 having opposite ends and being provided with
a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal outer
surface 332, an inlet 333 in fluid communication with said
duct means 11, an outlet 335 in fluid communication with
an interior of said tub, a conduit 341 extending from the
inlet 333 to the outlet 335 and a partition 363, provided
with an orifice 353 and transversally positioned across
said conduit 341 (advantageously near the inlet 333 and
preferably flush with the inlet 333). This crifice 353
defines the sole passageway of the conduit 341. According
to a particularly preferred embodiment, the orifice 353
may be provided with a protuberance 383. The casing is
further provided with means adapted for axially setting
and fastening said check valve to seal a corresponding
opening of the tub.
- Means fastened to the casing 331, including at least one
membrane and adapted to react to a differential of
2~
pressure existing between opposite faces of said membrane
and to move it either to an open position which al.low a
fluid communication from the inlet 333 to the outlet 335
through said orifice 353, or to a closed position which
05 prevent any fluid communication from the outlet 335 -to the
inlet 333 through said orifice 353.
More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement
wherein said means including at least one membrane is a
nozzle comprising.
- a sleeve 401 made of resilient and flexible material,
provided with a longitudinal axis and having two
distinctive sections 405 and 407 which integrally extend
each other along the longitudinal axis of said sleeve
401.
The first section 405 has opposite ends, a wall connecting
said ends together and defining a conduit 409 (see Figure
10) therebetween, a longitudinal axis concentric with the
longitudinal axis of said sleeve 401, and at least one
longitudinal outer surface 411. One end of the section 405
is in fluid communication with said duct means 11, and
defines an inlet 413 to the nozzle. This section 405 is
further provided with means adapted for axially setting
and fastening said first section 405 to seal a
corresponding orifice 353 in the casing 331.
The second section 407 has opposite ends, a wall having an
inner surface 415, an outer surface 417 and connecting
said ends together to define a conduit 419 (which
preferably has a frustum geometry, see Figures 10 to 12)
therebetween, a longitudinal axis concentric with -the
- 14 -
longitudinal axis of said sleeve 401. One end of section
407 is integral with the end of section 405 opposite to
the inlet 413 of the section 401. Conduits 409 and 419
communicate together. The other end of section 407 is
05 shaped to define opposite lips, preferably two opposite
lips 421. More particularly, for each lip 421, a segment
of the wall of the second section 407 defines a membrane
427 made of resilient and flexible material.
Advantageously, this material is further provided with
elastic properties and two or more lips 421 are
positionned in such a way (one with respect to the other)
that when there is no differential of pressure between
opposite faces of each membrane 427, they are brought and
kept one against the other by the mere elastic force of
membranes 427. The end of the section 407 that is opposite
the end integral with section 405 is intended, when lips
421 are separated from each other, to define the outlet 429
~see Figures 9 and 12) of the nozzle and to be in fluid
communication with an interior of the tub. According to
another particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, each lip 421 of each membrane 427 is bevelled
in order to increase the surface of contact between said
lips 421 when the outlet is closed.
When the pressure applied by water "W" of the tub against
one face 417 of each membrane 427 (plus eventually the
elastic force of membranes that may bring and ke`ep lips 421
one against the other) is higher than the pressure applied
by the air on the opposite face 415 of membranes 427, then
lips 421 are brought and kept one against the other (check
valve closed) to prevent any fluid communication from the
tub to the duct means.
- 15 -
.~ 2q3~3~
When the pressure applied by the air on face 415 of each
membrane 427 is higher than the pressure applied by water
- "W" on the opposite face 417 of said membrane 427 (plus
eventually the elastic force of membranes that may bring
05 and keep lips 421 one against the o-ther), then membranes
427 and lips 421 are disformed and lips 421 are separated
from each other to allow a fluid communication from the
duct means to the tub (check valve open) and thus allow the
pressurized air to bubble in water.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, means adapted to position and fasten the sleeve
401 inside the orifice 353 of the casing 331 consist of a
pair of protuberances 395 and 397 integral with said
longitudinal outer surface 411 of section 405 and provided
with radial faces 396 and 398, said radial faces being
intended to sontact opposite faces of the partition wall
363.
More particularly, means for axially setting and fastening
casing 331 of check valve "CV2" to seal a corresponding
opening 9 (which is provided with an inner cylindrical
surface 111 (see Figure 11)) may consist of:
- A collar 371 comprising a portion 373 of cylindrical
outer surface and, eventually a portion 375 of conical
outer surface. The cylindrical surface of portion 373 has
a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of
cylindrical surface 111 (see Figure 11). The diameter of
cylindrical surface 111 of an opening 9 may be either the
one of an opening provided in a therapeutic bath already
in use or the one resulting of the drilling of such an
opening with a drill of appropriate diameter.
- 16 -
- A flange 377 which radially extends a part of -the
cylindrical surface of portion 373 and is provided with
opposite radial faces 378 and 378a which may be,
05 preferably slightly conical and convergent. Face 378 may
define, advantageously, a cup (especially a suction or
sealing cup). Casing 331 is provided with a slightly
conical outer longitudinal surface 332. Diameter of
surface 332 at or near the inlet end 333 of the casing is
preferably smaller than the diameter of surface 111, to
facilitate the alignment of the casing 331 in the opening
9. Preferably a portion 332a of surface 332 may be more
conical in order to further facilitate the initial
alignment of the casing 331 in the opening 9.
Casing 331, collar 371, partition 363 and protuberance 383
are advantageously integral to each other and are
preferably made with an appropriate plastic material.
They are preferably obtained by conventional moulding
technics. An example of a preferred plastic material is
SANTOPRENE ttrade mark), especially SANTOPRENE having a
shore "A" durometer value ranging from 82 to 92 (i.e. 87
+ 5).
Advantageously both sections 405 and 407 are made with an
elastomeric material. Advantageously, section 407
comprises two protuberances 395 and 397 which radially
extend from the outer surface 411. Section 407 and
protuberances 395 and 397 may be of any appropriate
elastomeric material. Preferably, section 405, membranes
427, lips 421, section 407 and protuberances 395 and 397
are integral to each other and made with an elastomeric
material and they are preferab]y obtained by conventional
moulding technics. The elastomeric material is
advantageously selected amongst tho~e having resilience,
flexibility and elastic properties. (An example of
preferred elastomeric material is a silicone rubber,
05 especially a silicone rubber having a Shore "A" durometer
value ranging from 27 to 43 advantageously 27 to 33 (i.e.
30 + 3))~
When the sleeve 401 is fastened inside orifice 353 and when
there is no differential of pressure between opposite
faces of membrane 427, lips 421 are preferably brought one
against the other by the mere elasticity of the
elastomeric material.
To position and fasten the sleeve 401 of a nozzle inside
the orifice 353, the following steps are carried out:
. The free end of section 407 is introduced successively
through the orifice 353 toward the outlet 335. The orifice
353 is advantageously further provided with a protuberance
383;
. Membranes 427 are grasped by any appropriate means (such
as pincers) and pulled until protuberance 395 is forced
through the orifice 353. Distance between protuberances
395 and 397 are advantageoulsy smaller than the thickness
of partition 363 so as to allow section 407 to be housed
tightly within the orifice 353 (because the elasticity of
the material defining the nozzle). Advantageously, a
protuberance 383 may pinch outer surface 411 between
protuberances 395 and 397 in order to further seal section
407 in the orifice 353 and further avoid any risk of leak
between said section 407 and the orifice 353.
- 18 -
2~
Advantageously, the diameter of surface 411 between
radical faces 396 and 398 is slightly greater than the
diameter define by the orifice 353 and/or eventually
protuberance 383. (Preferably, the diameter of surface
05 411 between radial faces 396 and 398 is slightly greater
than the diameter defines by protuberance 383. Then,
surface 411 is slightly disformed as illustrated in
Figures 11 and 12).
To remove the sleeve 401 of the no~zle from the orifice
353, one only has to inverse the aforesaid sequence and
grasp protuberance 397 by any appropriate means (such as
pincer) and pull until protuberance 395 is forced through
the orifice 353.
For mounting a check valve "CV2" in a corresponding
opening 9, the following steps are carried out:
- The inlet end 333 of casing 331 is axially aligned with
the axis of opening 9 (which may have been drilled, if
desired or if necessary, to increase its diameter when
check valve "~V2" has to be mounted through a
corresponding side opening of an existing therapeutic
bath).
- Surface 332 is engaged in said opening 9 and then casing
331 is axially pushed (with hands) until surface 111
contact either surface 332 or, preferably, portion 375.
Then casing 331 is axially pushed in opening 9 (with hands
or, if necessary, with an appropriate tool such as a
hammer) until surface ]11 is successively forced over the
remaining portion of surface 332, if any, and over
portions 375 and 373, and until face 378 abuts with coating
- 19 -
8 and be slightly disformed ~o become substantially plane
instead than conical~ Face 378 may define a suction or
sealing cup. Under the pressure exerted by surface 111
against portion 373, the casing 331 is slightly disformed
OS and friction existing between surface 111 and cylindrical
surface of portion 373 is generally sufficient to seal and
retain the casing 331 in said opening 9.
To remove a casing 331 of check valve "CV2" from an opening
9, one only has to inverse the aforesaid sequence and use
his fingers or appropriate tools (such as crow bar or
preferably the blade of a screwdriver).
Of course, it should be possible to use an adhesive or
cement between surface 111 and portion 373 to further seal
a casing 331 in a corresponding opening 9. However, this
is facultative and friction existing between surface 111
and portion 373 as well as suction that may be generated
by face 378 against coating 8 are generally sufficient to
seal the casing in opening 9 and make orifice 353 the sole
passageway through which a pressurized flow of air can
flow.
In use, a preferred improved therapeutic bath according to
the invention which is defined by the combination of a bath
"B" as shown in Figures 1 and 2 with with a improved check
valve "CV2" as shown in Figure 12 mounted through each of
its openings 9, works as follows:
.
The tub of bath "B" is filled with water by any appropriate
means well known to one skilled in the art (e.g. faucets
112 shown in Figure 1) to a level "L" which is set above
said check valves "CV2". Then, for each check valve "CV2",
- 20 -
Z~E~
water "w" applies a pressure against one face of membranes
427 and press (or eventually fur-ther press) the lips 421
one against the other, in order to close the check ~alve
"CV2" and prevent any flow of water "w" from the outlet 335
05 toward the inlet 333 Thus, ducts 11 are kept dry.
Then, fan 13 is started and a flow of pressurized air is
: allowed to circulate through ducts 11 and conduits 409,
419 and 341, and then to bubble (especially in jet form)
in water. Of course, the force exerted by the pressurized
flow of air against face 415 of each membranes 427 ought
to be greater than the force exerted by water "W" against
opposite face 417 of said membranes 427 (plus eventually
the elastic force of membrane that may contribute to bring
: 15 and keep lip5 one against the other), so that membranes 427
and lips 421 can be disformed and lips 421 be moved away
from each other to allow a fluid communication between
inlet 333 and outlet 335 and allow to pressurize flow of
air to create jet of bubbles in water "W". (N.B~ Jet of
bubble was voluntary omitted in Figure 12 ~or clarity
purpose).
When the fan is stopped, pressure applied by water against
face 417 of each membrane 427 (plus eventually the elastic
force of membrane that may contribute to bring and keep
lips 421 one against the other), become greater than
pressure of air contained in ducts 11 and applied against
opposite face 415 of each membrane 427. When this occurs,
lips 421 are brought and kept one against the other to
prevent any fluid communication between outlet 335 and
inlet 333 through said orifice 353.
Water contained in the bath "B" may be removed by any
J~
appropriate means well known to one skilled in the art
(e.g. a draln 113 provided in the bottom 1).
As a non-limitative e~ample, the check valve CV2 according
05 to the invention may have the following size
characteristics:
diameter of surface 373
(when intended to be
introduced in an opening
9 whose surface 111 has a
diameter of 0.50 inch) ................. 0.52 inch
diameter of flange 377 ................. 0.77 inch
lenght of casing 331
between inlet 333 and
outlet 335) ................. 0.43 inch
. diameter of orifice 353 ................. 0.354inch
diameter of surface 411 ................. 0.354inch
diameter of protuberance
395 ................. 0.374inch
diameter of protuberance
397 ................. 0.46 inch
. diameter of conduit 309 ................. 0.222inch
lenght of nozzle (between
inlet 413 and outlet 42g).. ~...................... 0.48 inch
~ 22 -
3~
Again, the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the
invention are not limitative, and therefore, the invention
also extends to any variants or equivalents that would be
obvious for person skilled in the art.
- 23 -
