And Aerating Patents (Class 4/541.4)
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Patent number: 6363548Abstract: A temperature-controller equipped foot-bathing device mainly comprises a basin, a heating device, a temperature-control device, a water pump, and an air-feeding device, wherein the heating device is disposed in a lower part of the basin for heating the loaded liquid. A user may control the liquid temperature externally to associate with air feeding and adjustment for the medicine blended liquid to seep through foot sole skin. Moreover, a dual-security mechanism of this invention is offered for protecting the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Inventor: Tian-Shiang Kuo
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Patent number: 6357060Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting and removing standing water from the hydraulic plumbing system that circulates water in a whirlpool bath. The apparatus includes a pneumatic pump fluidically coupled to the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system of a whirlpool bathtub, such that air pressure from the pneumatic pump can be used to flush standing water out of the hydraulic plumbing after each use of the whirlpool bathtub. An ozone generator is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic pump, such that the air circulated by the pump is enriched with ozone or ozonated. The pneumatic plumbing connecting the pneumatic pump to the hydraulic plumbing system is positioned substantially above the maximum water level allowed in the tub and also substantially above the hydraulic plumbing system.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Inventor: Cary Gloodt
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Patent number: 6351859Abstract: Hydrotherapy-tub coplanar-flow device includes slotted nozzle on a body for discharge of fluids from the nozzle in a substantially coplanar flow. The body is adapted for mounting on an inner surface of a hydrotherapy tub and attachable to first and second fluid supply conduits. Further, the body has a first inlet for flow of water from the first fluid supply conduit and a second inlet for flow of air from the second fluid supply conduit. The slotted nozzle discharges these fluids in the substantially coplanar flow. The second inlet of the body is located between the first inlet and the slotted nozzle. The body includes an air dam located between the inlets, such as an interior face portion having a steep decline toward the second inlet of the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Inventor: John V. Maiuccoro
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Patent number: 6334224Abstract: A whirlpool jet assembly has both an articulatable nozzle and a rotary face. The nozzle can be directed over a range of angles to provide a narrow stream of water and air to hit a selected spot. The rotary face is easily installed to fluidly and mechanically engage the end of the nozzle. When so installed, the rotary face sends the stream through at least two canted apertures which thereby generate torque to rotate a rotor in the face. The resultant circularly shaped stream impinges on a larger area. The user can readily install or remove the rotary face to select either configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Hydrabaths, Inc.Inventors: Philip Edward Chalberg, Kipley R. Marks
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Patent number: 6327721Abstract: A hydrotherapy unit has a housing supporting a tub. The tub has sidewalls defining arm rests, end walls defining a foot rest and back rest, and a bottom defining a seat. The seat, arm rests, foot rest and back rest form a chair for the user. Jets are located strategically about the tub to circulate water to zone therapy areas of the body for hydrotherapy. The unit is mounted on wheels or skids for mobility.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Inventors: Thomas Devereaux, Sherry Devereaux
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Patent number: 6317903Abstract: A hydro massaging tub is used for massage treatment wherein the treatment is performed by ozone-mixed warm air or water jets distributed adjacent the bottom wall of the tub all about its circumference. Ozone generated by an ozone generator is injected in an air distribution duct to sterilize the air distribution system and help clean the skin of the bather's body. The oxygen liberated in the water and the air improves the quantity of oxygen in the bather's environment so that oxygen intake through the skin and lungs is facilitated. A mobile air jet and section control of the air jets enable the bather to massage selective body areas with adjustable intensity of sections of the massage to achieve a desired effect. In one embodiment, orientable valves are mounted in the air jet holes for adjusting the orientation of the air jets. In another embodiment, optical fibers or light emitting diodes are provided to emit light frequencies in the water turbulence for physiological and therapeutic effects.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Bains Ultra Inc.Inventors: Henry Brunelle, Stéphane Baron, Marc Jacques, Louis Morrissette, Berthier Mailloux, Louis Martin, Martin Roy
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Patent number: 6279177Abstract: An apparatus for removing standing water from the hydraulic plumbing system that circulates water in a whirlpool bath. The apparatus includes a pneumatic pump fluidically coupled to the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system of a whirlpool bathtub, such that air pressure from the pneumatic pump can be used to flush standing water out of the hydraulic plumbing after each use of the whirlpool bathtub. The pneumatic plumbing connecting the air pump to the hydraulic plumbing system is positioned substantially above the maximum water level allowed in the tub and also substantially above the hydraulic plumbing system. The pneumatic plumbing is connected in fluidic communication with different portions of the hydraulic plumbing, such that activation of the pneumatic pump (after the tub has been substantially drained) forces residual water from the whirlpool hydraulic plumbing system into the bathtub, where it can be conventionally drained.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Inventor: Cary Gloodt
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Publication number: 20010002238Abstract: A safety device for use in a fluid transfer and/or circulation system of the type which uses a pump to draw water from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to the pump intake. The safety device connects to the fluid transfer/circulation system and includes a sensor, a triggering mechanism, and a vacuum breaker. When the pump is operating, the sensor monitors one or more conditions of the system. When one or more of the monitored conditions deviates outside of a normal operational range, as a result of an obstruction of any one or more of the open ends of the intake lines, the triggering mechanism triggers the vacuum breaker to eliminate negative pressure in the system by introducing air from atmosphere into the intake lines, thereby removing suction at the open ends of the intake lines. The safety device may further activate warning devices including audible and visible alarms to indicate that the system has been deactivated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2001Publication date: May 31, 2001Inventors: Paul C. McKain, Mark Fritze
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Patent number: 6199224Abstract: A cleaning system for hydromassage baths of the type that includes a tub having nozzles that introduce a water/air mixture into the tub with a suction opening through which water in the tub is removed for pressurization through a pump and reintroduction into the tub via the nozzles. The system includes water supply piping extending from the pump outlet to the nozzles on each side of the tub to define at least two water circuit portions. In a similar manner, air supply piping that connects to the various nozzles. During a cleaning mode, the water circuit portions are connected to a respective air circuit portion and the air circuit portions are connected to the inlet of the pump to create multiple water/air flow loop through which water and a cleaning agent are passed to effect the desired cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Vico Products Mfg., Co.Inventor: Anders Versland
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Patent number: 6175970Abstract: A spa enclosure for a spa tub is provided with a cabinet having at least one towel bar or towel hook and which at least partially recesses into the wall of the enclosure. The cabinet is provided with vent openings which permit heat cogenerated by a water pump used to pump water in the spa, an air blower, and/or a water heater to enter the cabinet by convection, heat towels provided on the bars or hooks, and exit through an upper portion of the cabinet. No additional dedicated heating element is provided to heat the towels. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cabinet is hinged at a lower portion to the enclosure and pivots about the hinge to open. The front and sides of the cabinet are preferably insulated to retain heat within the cabinet, and likewise, the enclosure may be insulated. A supply of towels may be kept in the cabinet or towels may be placed in the cabinet just prior to entering the spa tub.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Precision Design Concepts Ltd.Inventor: John Pinciaro