Abstract: A spa is provided including a frame, a shell mounted to the frame defining a basin for holding water, at least one sensor for monitoring a spa component or water condition, a communications interface including a cellular transceiver, and a battery for providing power to the at least one sensor and to the communications interface when the spa is not connected to a power source. The spa also includes a controller in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the communications interface. The controller is configured to, while the spa is not connected to the power source, receive information from the at least one sensor, process the received information, and cause the communications interface to wirelessly transmit the processed information to a remote source or central server.

Abstract: A massage pillow configured to be positioned over a fluid jet includes a cushion and a retaining assembly. The cushion includes a front surface, a rear surface, and side surfaces extending there between. The rear surface includes an annular edge defining an opening providing access to an interior of the cushion sized to at least partially cover the jet. The retainer assembly includes an opening configured to align with the jet and a peripheral edge configured to retain the annular edge of the cushion. The retainer assembly is configured to be removably fixed to a wall surrounding the jet with the jet aligned with the opening of the retainer assembly and the opening of the cushion, such that fluid expelled from the jet passes into the interior of the cushion, so that the pillow provides massage and/or warmth due to the expelled fluid.

Abstract: A spa is provided including a frame, a shell mounted to the frame defining a basin for holding water, at least one sensor for monitoring a spa component or water condition, a communications interface including a cellular transceiver, and a battery for providing power to the at least one sensor and to the communications interface when the spa is not connected to a power source. The spa also includes a controller in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the communications interface. The controller is configured to, while the spa is not connected to the power source, receive information from the at least one sensor, process the received information, and cause the communications interface to wirelessly transmit the processed information to a remote source or central server.

Abstract: A spa tub includes a spa shell configured to contain a volume of water; a circulation system configured to create a flow of the water to and from the spa shell; and a testing system configured to acquire water samples from the volume of water and to perform water quality tests on the water samples. The testing system includes a housing; a circulation pump disposed within the housing configured to acquire the water samples from the volume of water; a replaceable reagent cartridge removably received within the housing; and a water test assembly disposed within the housing. The water test assembly is configured to receive the water samples acquired by the circulation pump and a reagent from the reagent cartridge. The water test assembly is configured to mix the water samples and the reagent and to perform the water quality tests on the mixed water samples and reagent.

Abstract: A spa is provided including a frame, a shell mounted to the frame defining a basin for holding water, at least one sensor for monitoring a spa component or water condition, a communications interface including a cellular transceiver, and a battery for providing power to the at least one sensor and to the communications interface when the spa is not connected to a power source. The spa also includes a controller in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the communications interface. The controller is configured to, while the spa is not connected to the power source, receive information from the at least one sensor, process the received information, and cause the communications interface to wirelessly transmit the processed information to a remote source or central server.

Abstract: A pump drip control system for attachment to a pump assembly to prevent premature replacement of the pump. The control system includes a pump housing having a leakage collection chamber and a drip cap engaged with a second end of the leakage collection chamber. The drip cap includes a circumferential channel defining a flow path to a gathering chamber. The pump drip control system further includes a slinger assembly located within the leakage collection chamber, and wherein, in operation, the slinger assembly directs liquid leakage from the impeller shaft to the drip cap and the circumferential channel within the drip cap which directs the liquid along the circumferential flow path and into the gathering chamber. The gathering chamber can hold a predetermined amount of liquid until the liquid evaporates and includes a liquid exit port for draining excessive liquid out of the pump housing to another location.

Abstract: A spa is provided including a frame, a shell mounted to the frame defining a basin for holding water, at least one sensor for monitoring a spa component or water condition, a communications interface including a cellular transceiver, and a battery for providing power to the at least one sensor and to the communications interface when the spa is not connected to a power source. The spa also includes a controller in electrical communication with the at least one sensor and the communications interface. The controller is configured to, while the spa is not connected to the power source, receive information from the at least one sensor, process the received information, and cause the communications interface to wirelessly transmit the processed information to a remote source or central server.

Abstract: A spa tub system comprising a spa tub and at least one compartment integrated into the frame of the spa tub. The compartment includes a hatch which is attached to the compartment using a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a bearing trough, a bearing cam, and a cam stop. The hatch is pivoted to open and close and can open to a predefined angle. At this predefined angle, the hatch cannot be removed. When the hatch is pivoted to a pivot angle less than the predefined angle, the hatch can be removed.

Abstract: A spa tub system comprising a spa tub and at least one compartment integrated into the frame of the spa tub. The compartment includes a hatch which is attached to the compartment using a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a bearing trough, a bearing cam, and a cam stop. The hatch is pivoted to open and close and can open to a predefined angle. At this predefined angle, the hatch cannot be removed. When the hatch is pivoted to a pivot angle less than the predefined angle, the hatch can be removed.

Abstract: A rim for engaging a vessel wall of an existing liquid-containing vessel, wherein the vessel wall defines a liquid-containment area, and wherein the vessel is open ended could includes a rail cap comprising a cap surface and two spaced apart rail cap walls attached to and depending from the cap surface defining a rail cap cavity adapted to engage the vessel wall. The rim could include a plurality of rim segments and a segment seam cap for positioning over a seam formed between adjacent rim segments.

Abstract: A vessel for containing liquid includes a floor perimetrically surrounded by a plurality of upwardly projecting walls; at least one exit port incorporated into at least one of the walls proximate to an upper edge of the at least one wall; and a liquid circulation pump apparatus. The liquid circulation pump apparatus includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the vessel; a circulation pump positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the first conduit; a supply conduit positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the circulation pump; and a diverter valve positioned downstream of the circulation pump and upstream of the supply conduit. The circulation pump is adapted to pump liquid from the vessel through the first conduit and deliver liquid through the supply conduit to the exit port. The diverter valve is adapted to change a rate of flow of liquid supplied to the exit port.

Abstract: A vertical filter assembly includes a top filter assembly, the top filter assembly including a primary filter; a canister in fluid communication with the top filter assembly, the canister including a canister body having a sidewall and a bottom wall that define a hollow interior of the canister; and a secondary filter positioned within the hollow interior of the canister and supported above the bottom wall of the canister.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes an outer filter assembly, the outer filter assembly including an outer filter layer of pleated polyester fabric arranged in a hollow cylindrical shape and first and second end caps for retaining the ends of the outer filter layer, and an inner filter assembly including a hollow cylindrical core having a side wall with a plurality of perforations defined therein, an inner filter layer of meltblown polypropylene disposed around an outer surface of the side wall of the hollow cylindrical core, and first and second end caps. The inner filter assembly is removably received within the outer filter assembly such that the hollow cylindrical core and inner filter layer extend within the hollow cylindrical shape defined by the outer filter layer. The filter assembly is adapted to be mounted in a horizontal orientation within a filtering chamber of a spa device.

Abstract: A vessel for containing liquid includes a floor perimetrically surrounded by a plurality of upwardly projecting walls; at least one exit port incorporated into at least one of the walls proximate to an upper edge of the at least one wall; and a liquid circulation pump apparatus. The liquid circulation pump apparatus includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the vessel; a circulation pump positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the first conduit; a supply conduit positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the circulation pump; and a diverter valve positioned downstream of the circulation pump and upstream of the supply conduit. The circulation pump is adapted to pump liquid from the vessel through the first conduit and deliver liquid through the supply conduit to the exit port. The diverter valve is adapted to change a rate of flow of liquid supplied to the exit port.

Abstract: An articulating cover member for covering an opening, such as a spa, includes a plurality of pivotally connected door panels wherein each of the door panels include at least one longitudinally-extending tubular member and at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member associated with a longitudinal edge portion of the at least one tubular member. The at least one longitudinally-extending attachment member is configured for cooperation with an attachment member extending along a longitudinal edge portion of the tubular member of an adjacent door panel for pivotally connecting the door panels. An insulating material may be located within the tubular members and a motor assembly may be provided for automatic actuation of the cover member.

Abstract: A rim for engaging a vessel wall of an existing liquid-containing vessel, wherein the vessel wall defines a liquid-containment area, and wherein the vessel is open ended could includes a rail cap comprising a cap surface and two spaced apart rail cap walls attached to and depending from the cap surface defining a rail cap cavity adapted to engage the vessel wall. The rim could include a plurality of rim segments and a segment seam cap for positioning over a seam formed between adjacent rim segments.

Abstract: A waterfall unit for use in a spa includes a body defining a bowl, a beveled arcuate outer edge surface which curves over the bowl and a water entrance port in communication with the bowl. The water entrance port is located in the bottom of the bowl. A deflector cap is spaced away from and over the water entrance port. Water flows upwardly through the water entrance port in a fountain-like manner. This water contacts the deflector cap which deflects the water and causes it to flow laterally and into the bowl. When the bowl fills with water, the water flows over the beveled outer edge surface to create a waterfall. The body further defines a flat back wall for mounting the waterfall unit against a spa wall. The body has a substantially curved body profile formed by the bowl and the beveled outer edge surface.