BATH ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A bath arrangement includes a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body. A fluid connection is provided between the bath body and the tank. A fluid connection valve is provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank. The bath arrangement further includes a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath supply rate, wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bathwater supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. GB 0908308.0 filed on May 14, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, including the specification, drawings, claims, and abstract thereof.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a bath arrangement.

Standard baths are awkward for people with limited movement to get into and out from, as the user must lift their leg over the side of the bath. Walk-in baths solve these problems by having a door at the side of the bath which can be opened when the bath is empty so that the user can walk into the bath without having to lift their leg over the side of the bath. A seat is provided within the bath. Once the door of the bath has been closed, the bath can be filled with water from the tap to the desired level. However, the bath must be empty before the user enters the bath. When the user has finished bathing, the water must be completely drained out of the bath before the user can open the door to exit the bath. During filling and emptying of the bath, therefore, the user must sit and wait for the bath to fill or empty, which is inconvenient. In addition, on emptying of the bath, the user, who is wet from having been immersed in water, may become cold while waiting for the water to drain out of the bath.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bath arrangement.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a bath arrangement that includes a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body, a fluid connection provided between the bath body and the tank, a fluid connection valve to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank, and a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate. The fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a bath arrangement that includes a bath body for bathing in. The bath body is connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path, and the at least one flow path is configured to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a bath arrangement that includes a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body, a fluid connection being provided between the bath body and the tank, a fluid connection valve being provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank, and a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate. The fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate. The bath body is connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path. The at least one flow path is configured to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the bath of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the bath of FIG. 1, including plumbing and electrical connections;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the bath of the second embodiment of the present invention, including plumbing and electrical connections;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the bath of the third embodiment of the present invention, including plumbing and electrical connections;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the bath of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, including plumbing and electrical connections;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the bath arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bath arrangement comprising a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body, a fluid connection being provided between the bath body and the tank, a fluid connection valve being provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank, a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate, wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate.

In this specification, by “main bath water supply” we mean an external water supply which may include, for example, the mains water, water from a heated water tank, or instantaneously heated water.

An advantage of this invention is a reduction in the time a user must wait for the bath body to fill with water as either the tank alone produces a flow rate of water into the bath body higher than that of a standard main bath water supply, or the flow from the tank supplements the flow from the main bath water supply. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a walk-in bath, where the user must already be in the bath body before filling can start, and therefore must wait in the bath while it fills, although the invention is not limited to such a bath.

Preferably, the bath body and the tank are both supplied by the main bath water supply. This allows a higher flow rate of water to be provided to the bath body than if the tank alone is connected to the main bath water supply, as both the tank and the main bath water supply can be used simultaneously to fill the bath body. A further advantage is that the main bath water supply to the bath body can also be used to adjust the water temperature in the bath body if the water in the tank is not at the desired temperature. For example, the water in the tank may be arranged at a temperature slightly lower than desired and the main bath water supply can add hotter water to bring the bath water up to the desired temperature.

The fluid connection valve is preferably normally closed. Therefore, water cannot enter the bath body from the tank, unless the valve is specifically positioned to allow this. The valve may be a three-way valve, the valve being connected to the tank, the bath body, and the waste water pipe.

Preferably, the fluid connection includes a nonreturn valve, to allow the flow of water from the tank to the bath body, but prevent the flow of water in the opposite direction. As grey water is prevented from entering the tank, the tank can be kept clean.

Preferably, the tank includes a water level detection device. The water level detection device may be arranged to stop filling of the tank when a threshold water level has been reached. Preferably the water level detection device is a float valve. A float valve is a simple arrangement to automatically ensure the tank is not overfilled.

The tank may be positioned so that the bath body can be filled solely under the influence of gravity. Preferably, all water stored in the tank can be emptied into the bath body under the influence of gravity. Thus, emptying of the tank simply requires opening of the fluid connection means.

Preferably, the fluid connection includes a pump. Water can therefore be transferred into the bath body more quickly than may be possible using gravity alone.

The bath body may include a seat for the user, and the tank may be located inside or beneath the seat. Therefore, the bath body and tank can be provided in a compact manner. The filling tank may be positioned such that hot water in the tank can be used to warm the seat. This improves comfort for the user.

A thermostatic mixing valve may be provided between the main bath water supply and the tank. This allows the temperature of the water in the tank to be easily controlled, up to a maximum legal limit.

A testing reservoir may be provided between the main bath water supply and the tank, the testing reservoir being accessible to a user, to enable the user to test the water temperature.

Flow of water into the tank and from the tank to the bath body may be controlled by means of a switch. Preferably the switch includes an isolator with RCD. This enhances the safety of the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bath arrangement comprising a bath body for bathing in, the bath body being connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path, the at least one flow path comprising means to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

Therefore, the bath of this second aspect of the present invention, allows faster emptying than a standard bath. This is of particular advantage for walk-in baths, as the user cannot exit the bath until the bath body is completely empty, and so reducing the amount of time taken for the bath to empty increases the convenience and comfort of bathing.

The at least one flow path may include a pump. Use of a pump increases the speed at which water flows through the pipe, thus increasing the volume flow rate.

The bath body preferably has at least one outlet, the or each outlet being in fluid connection with the at least one flow path.

The total cross sectional area of the at least one outlet preferably is greater than the cross sectional area of a standard waste water pipe. Therefore, the volume flow rate of water which can flow through the at least one outlet is greater than that which can flow through the standard flow pipe. The at least one flow path is preferably arranged to accommodate a sufficient volume of water such that the volume flow rate of water emptying from the bath body is not limited by the cross sectional area of the waste water pipe to which the flow path is ultimately connected. Preferably, the at least one flow path is arranged to accommodate a total volume of water substantially the same as or greater than the volume of water the bath body is arranged to hold.

The bath body may be connected to a waste water pipe via first and second flow paths, the flow paths being arranged such that water flowing along the second flow path takes longer to reach the waste water pipe than water flowing along the first flow path.

The bath body preferably has at least two outlets, one of the at least two outlets being connected to the first flow path and another of the at least two outlets being connected to the second flow path.

The second flow path may be arranged to accommodate a greater volume of water than the first flow path. The second flow path may be arranged to accommodate a volume of water no greater than half of the maximum volume of water the bath body is arranged to hold.

The second flow path may be arranged such that water passing along it does not reach the waste water pipe until the bath body is empty and there is no water flowing along the first flow path.

The second flow path may include a collection area, the collection area being connected to the waste water pipe and the collection area being of greater cross sectional area than the waste water pipe. Therefore, even though flow of water into the waste water pipe from the collection area may be limited by amount of water flowing along the first flow path also entering the waste water pipe, water can continue to drain from the bath at the same rate, until the collection area is full.

The second flow path may include a second flow path valve. Preferably, where the second flow path includes a collection area, the second flow path valve is located between the collection area and the waste water pipe. Therefore, water can be prevented from entering the waste water pipe via the second flow path until all water has emptied from the bath and through the first flow path, thus maximising the flow of water along the second flow path at all times.

The bath may further comprise a tank for storing water separately from the bath body, a fluid connection being provided between the bath body and the tank, a fluid connection valve being provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank, a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate, wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a bath arrangement comprising a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body, a fluid connection being provided between the bath body and the tank, a fluid connection valve being provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank, a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate, wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate, the bath body being connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path, the at least one flow path comprising means to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

Therefore, the bath can be both filled and emptied faster than a standard bath.

The bath body may be connected to the standard waste water pipe via first and second flow paths, the flow paths being arranged such that water flowing along the first flow path takes longer to reach the waste water pipe than water flowing along the second flow path.

The tank may be connected to the second flow path by a second fluid connection. Therefore, if all the water in the filling tank is not used to fill the bath, the water can be emptied from the tank, without it having to pass through the bath body. The second fluid connection may include a valve. Therefore, flow of water from the tank to the second flow path can be prevented until the release of water from the tank will not interfere with emptying of water from the bath body. The second fluid connection preferably further includes a nonreturn valve to prevent waste water flowing into the tank.

Preferably the bath is a walk-in bath, having a door.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the bath arrangement 10 of the first embodiment comprises a bath body 12 in the form of a tub which is suitable for filling with water and for a user to bathe in. The tub 12 includes a door 16 which, when opened, allows access to the tub 12 without the user having to step over the side of the tub 12. The tub 12 includes a seat 17. The bath arrangement 10 further comprises a filling tank 18, located behind the seat 17. The filling tank 18 is connected to the tub 12 via a fluid connection 20, the fluid connection 20 being a pipe. The pipe 20 includes a normally closed valve 22 and a non-return valve 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the filling tank 18 is connected to a main bath water supply (not shown), via a mixer valve 25 and a reservoir 27. Hot and cold water is provided to the mixer valve 25 from the main bath water supply via hot and cold water pipes 28, 30. The mixer valve 25 includes a normally closed valve 34. When the valve 34 is open, water flows from the mixer valve 25 into the reservoir 27. The reservoir 27 is fluidly connected to the filling tank 18 by means of an aperture 29, and thus water flows into and fills the filling tank 18. The reservoir is accessible to the user so the user can test the temperature water entering the filling tank 18 and adjust the mixer valve 25 output according to the desired water temperature for bathing.

An overflow pipe 36 is provided from the tank 18. A float switch 38, which acts as a water level detection means, is operated when water enters the overflow pipe 36. The float switch is connected to the valve 34 and shuts off the valve when the switch is tripped in the overflow, as described below.

The bath arrangement 10 includes a single pole changeover switch 40 which can be switched between a first position 41 and a second position 42. The switch includes an isolator with RCD (not shown), to protect the user from receiving an electric shock. In the first position 41, a circuit is formed to the valve 34, via the float switch 38. In use, before the user wants to take a bath, the single pole changeover switch 40 must be switched to the first position 41, thus opening the valve 34 and allowing water to flow into the reservoir 27, and hence the filling tank 18. If the float switch 38 has been operated as a result of the water level in the filling tank 18 reaching the float switch 38, the circuit to the valve 34 will be broken, so that the mixer valve 25 is switched off. Therefore, the filling tank 18 is prevented automatically from being overfilled.

The user does not need to enter the tub 12 until the filling tank 18 is filled. Once the user is in the tub 12, with the door 16 closed, the single pole changeover switch 40 can be changed to the second position 42. This will ensure that the valve 34 is closed, so that no more water can enter the filling tank 18. Then, the valve 22 is opened, allowing water to flow through the pipe 20 into the tub 12. As the tank 18 is positioned entirely above the highest level of the water in the tub 12, the filling tank 18 can be emptied into the tub 12 under the influence of gravity alone.

The tub 12 has a bath body outlet 43 connected to the waste water pipe 44. The outlet 43 has a plug 45 which can seal the outlet 43.

The tub 12 has an overflow point 48 which allows water to flow via an overflow pipe 50 to the outlet 43, and thus into the waste water pipe 44 in a conventional fashion.

When the user wishes to exit the tub 12, the plug 45 is removed from the bath body outlet 40 in the usual way, allowing the water to flow from the tub 12 into the waste water pipe 44. Plug removal may be effected remotely in a known manner.

In the above embodiment, the fluid connection is a pipe. However, the skilled person will be able to envisage other ways of providing a fluid connection, for example the tub 12 and the tank 18 may share a wall, and an aperture could be provided in the shared wall to allow water to flow from the tank 18 into the tub 12.

The second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, is similar to the first embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Similar features will have the same numbers as in embodiment 1 but with the prefix “1”.

The tank 118 in this embodiment is not positioned entirely above the likely required water level in the tub 112. Therefore, a pump 160 is provided in the fluid communication means 120 to enable all the water from the filling tank 118 to be transferred to the bath body 112 of the bath arrangement 110. The pump is operated by a switch 161. Three port mid-position valves 122, 164 are positioned in the fluid communication means 120 either side of the pump 160.

A float switch 165 is positioned in the tub 112, and is operated when the water in the tub 112 reaches a threshold level.

A water detection switch 166 is located at the bottom of the filling tank 118.

In this embodiment, instead of being a single pole changeover switch, the switch 167 in this embodiment is a two-pole 168, 169, three-position 170, 171, 172 switch.

In the first position 170, the first pole 168 completes the circuit to the valve 134, and thus the valve 134 is opened, unless the float switch 138 has been operated. The second pole 169 provides no function in the first position 170. Thus, when a user wishes to fill the filling tank 118, the switch 167 should be switched to the first position 170.

In the second switch position 171, the first pole 168 opens the valves 122, 164. The second pole 169 is connected to the water detection switch 166 at the bottom of the filling tank 118, the float switch 165 in the tub 112, and the pump operation switch 161. Thus, provided there is water in the filling tank 118, and the water level threshold 165 has not been reached in the tub 112, the switch 161 will be operated, thus turning the pump 160 on. Thus, in the second switch position 171, water will be pumped from the tank 118 to the tub 112, and the tub 112 will be filled.

In this embodiment, the tank 118 has a tank outlet 174 which is connected to the waste water pipe 144 (not shown in FIG. 4). A normally closed valve 176 is located in the filling tank outlet 174. Water can flow from the tub outlet 143 to the waste water pipe along a flow path via a pipe 173. The pipe 173 splits into two sections 173a, 173b, section 173b passing through the pump 160. The two sections 173a, 173b join together again after the pump 160. Flow of water through the sections 173a is controlled by a valve 178, and flow of water through the section is 173b is controlled by the valve 164. Valves 164, 122 in section 173b must be positioned to ensure that the grey water does not flow back into the tub 112 or into the filling tank 118.

In the third switch position 172, the second pole 169 operates the valve 178, so that water can flow from the tub 112 to the waste water pipe 144, and the valve 176, so that water can flow from the filling tank 118 directly into the waste water pipe 144. The first pole 168 operates the pump 160, so that the volume flow rate of water exiting the tub 112 is faster than if the water was emptying by gravity alone. Therefore, the tub 112 can be emptied faster than a conventional bath. The section 173a ensures that even if the pump 160 is not working, the tub 112 can be drained by gravity.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bath arrangement of the third embodiment has similarities to both the first embodiment and the second embodiment and only the differences from those embodiments will be described. Features in the third embodiment similar to those in the first and second embodiments will be numbered in the same way but with the prefix “2”.

In the bath arrangement 210 of this embodiment there is a pump 260, as in the second embodiment, but this is not connected to the waste water pipe 244. The pump is only used for filling of the tub 212, and, on emptying the tub 212, water drains out of the tub 212 solely under the influence of gravity. A valve 222 is provided between the tank 218 and the pump 260, but, as the pump 260 is not connected to the waste water pipe 244, no valve equivalent to valve 164 in the second embodiment is required.

As in the first embodiment, the overflow pipe 236 from the tank 218 is connected directly to the tub outlet 243. As in the second embodiment, the first tank 118 has a tank outlet 174 which is connected to the waste water pipe 144 via the valve in the tub outlet 243.

As the pump is not used for emptying the tank, only a single pole changeover switch 240 is provided, similarly to the first embodiment, to control filling of the tank 218 and tub 212. The first position 241 of the switch 240 is the same as in embodiment 1. In the second position 242, as well as being connected to the valve 222, the switch 240 is also connected to a water detection switch 266 at the bottom of the filling tank 218, a float switch 265 in the tub 212, and the pump operation switch 261. Thus, provided there is water in the filling tank 218, and the water level threshold 265 has not been reached in the tub 212, the switch 261 will be operated, turning on the pump 260. Therefore, in the second switch position 242, water will be pumped from the tank 218 to the tub 212, and the tub 212 will be filled.

Therefore, this embodiment provides fast filling of the tub, but not fast emptying.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bath arrangement of the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Features in the third embodiment similar to those in the first embodiment will be numbered in the same way but with the prefix “3”.

In this embodiment, there is no reservoir, and instead the pipes 328, 330 are connected to a thermostatic mixing valve 332, which can be used to control the temperature of the water entering the filling tank 318. A ball valve 333 is positioned between the thermostatic mixing valve 332 and the tank 318, and this can be operated to prevent or allow flow of water into the tank 318.

This embodiment does not have a single pole changeover switch. The pipe 320 between the tank 318 and the bath body 312 of the bath arrangement 310 includes a three-way valve 370 which can be operated by means of a handle 371. The portion of the pipe 320 between the valve 370 and the tub 312 is connected to the tub outlet 343. On filling the tub 312, water therefore enters the tub 312 through the outlet 343.

The outlet 343 in this embodiment has a cross sectional area larger than that used in standard baths and larger than that in previous embodiments, and so has a larger flow capacity than the standard waste water pipe 344. The three-way valve 370 is also connected to a third pipe 372. The pipe 372 splits into a first section 372a and second section 372b. The first section 372a is connected directly to the waste water pipe 344. The second section 372b is connected to a collecting area or tank 374, which is hereafter referred to as the emptying tank 374. The first section therefore provides a first flow path to the waste water pipe and the second section provides a second flow path to the waste water pipe.

The tub 312 includes a standard tap 375 connected to hot and cold water pipes 377, 379 of a main bath water supply. Thus the tub 312 can be filled via the tap 375 as well as the via the tank 318. This increases the speed of filling over just a standard tap 375, or just using the filling tank 318, and also allows the temperature of the water from the filling tank 318 to be moderated by the water from the tap 375.

The tank 374 has a tank outlet 376 which is connected to the waste water pipe 344. The tank outlet 376 includes second control means 378 which is a valve which when closed prevents flow of water from the emptying tank 374 to the waste water pipe 344.

The overflow pipe 328 from the filling tank 318 is connected to the waste water pipe 344 as in the first embodiment but also is connected to the emptying tank 374. The overflow pipe 328 includes a non-return valve 318, thus preventing grey water from entering the filling tank 318 via the overflow pipe 336.

In use, the tub 312 is filled by positioning the three-way valve 370 to allow flow of water between the filling tank 318 and the tub 312. When the user wishes to exit the bath, the valve 370 can be positioned to allow water to flow from the tub 312 through the bath body outlet 343 into the pipe 372. Water will then flow along section 372a, directly to the waste water pipe, and also along section 372b, into the emptying tank 374. Therefore, even though the flow of water through section 372a will be limited by the flow capacity of the waste water pipe 344, the flow capacity of the tub outlet 343 will not be reduced while the tank is able to accommodate the extra flow capacity. Therefore, unless the tank 374 is full, the tub 312 will be emptied, under the influence of gravity only, faster than a conventional bath.

The pipe 320 includes the nonreturn valve 324 which prevents flow of grey water into the filling tank 318 if the valve 370 is not positioned correctly.

Once the emptying tank 374 is full the water will back-up in the pipe section 372b, thus preventing further water entering the pipe section 372b. If there is water remaining in the bath body 312 of the bath arrangement 310, this can still exit the bath via the first section 372a. Once the bath has been emptied and all water which is passed through the first section 372a has flowed into the waste water pipe 344 the valve 378 in the tank outlet 376 can be opened, allowing the tank 374 to be emptied.

The user is able to open the door 316 (not shown) of the bath arrangement 310 as soon as the bath body 312 of the bath arrangement 310 is empty, even though there is still water in the system which needs to be emptied from the emptying tank 374. Therefore, the bath of this embodiment allows fast filling and fast emptying of tub 312 compared to a standard bath.

Although in the above embodiment, a single tub outlet 312 with an increased flow capacity compared with a standard outlet is used, the outlet being connected to both pipe sections 372a and 372b, two tub outlets could instead be used, their combined flow capacity being greater than that of the waste water pipe, one flow outlet being connected directly to the waste water pipe, the other being connected to the waste water pipe via the emptying tank 374.

In the fifth to seventh embodiments, the bath arrangements are similar to the first embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Features in these embodiments similar to those in the first embodiment will be numbered in the same way but with the prefix “4”, “5”, or “6”, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the fifth embodiment, the tank 418 is located so that its lowest point is not lower than the maximum water level (shown by the dotted line) that the tub 412 is intended to accommodate. Therefore, the tank 418 can be emptied into the tub 412 entirely under the influence of gravity.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the sixth embodiment, the tank 512 is located entirely below the maximum water level (shown by the dotted line) that the tub 512 is intended to accommodate. Therefore, the tank 518 cannot be emptied entirely under the influence of gravity. A pump 560 is located in the fluid connection 520 so that the tank 518 can be entirely emptied into the tub 512.

In the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the tank 618 is surrounded by insulation 680. Therefore, the tank 618 can be filled, but if the user does not want to fill the tub 612 immediately, the insulation 680 acts to keep the water warm until the user wishes to fill the tub 612.

In the eighth embodiment, the bath arrangement is similar to the fourth embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Features in this embodiment similar to those in the fourth embodiment will be numbered in the same way but instead of the prefix “3”, the prefix “7” will be used.

In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the bath arrangement 710 does not have a filling tank 718. The tub 712 has a tub outlet 743 which is connected to a pipe 772. As in the fourth embodiment, the flow capacity of the outlet 743 is greater than a standard outlet in a bath, and greater than the flow capacity of the waste water pipe 774. The pipe 772 splits into two sections 772a, 772b. Section 772a is connected directly to the waste water pipe 744. Section 772b is connected to the waste water pipe 744 via a tank 774. When the tub 712 is emptied, water flows along both pipe sections 772a, 772b. Water collects in the tank 774 when the water flow rate out of the tub outlet 743 is too great to be accommodated by the waste water pipe 774. The volume of water which can be accommodated by the pipe 772, including the two sections 772a, 772b, and the tank 774 is greater than the maximum volume intended to be accommodated in the tub 712. Therefore, the rate of flow out of the tub outlet 743 is not slowed by the low capacity of the waste water pipe 744.

The bath arrangement of the ninth embodiment is similar to that of the eighth embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Features in this embodiment similar to those in the eighth embodiment will be numbered in the same way but instead of the prefix “7”, the prefix “8” will be used.

In the ninth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, instead of a tank which acts as a collection area, the section 872b of the pipe 872 is much longer than the section 872a. Water collects in the section 872b when the water flow rate out of the tub outlet 843 is too great to be accommodated by the waste water pipe 874. The volume of water which can be accommodated by the pipe 872, including the two sections 872a, 872b, is greater than the maximum volume intended to be accommodated in the tub 812. Therefore, the rate of flow out of the tub outlet 843 is not slowed by the low capacity of the waste water pipe 844.

The bath arrangement of the tenth embodiment is similar to that of the eighth embodiment and only the differences from that embodiment will be described. Features in the this embodiment similar to those in the eighth embodiment will be numbered in the same way but instead of the prefix “7”, the prefix “9” will be used.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the tenth embodiment, the pipe 972 does not split into two sections. However, it does not take a direct route to the waste water pipe 974. In addition, the cross sectional area of the pipe 972 is such that the flow capacity of the pipe is sufficient not to reduce the flow rate of the water from the tub outlet 943. The flow capacity is therefore not reduced until the waste water pipe 943. The volume of water which can be accommodated by the pipe 972 is greater than the maximum volume intended to be accommodated in the tub 912. Therefore, the rate of flow of water out of the tub outlet 943 is not slowed by the low capacity of the waste water pipe 944.

In both embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, heat from the waste water could be transferred by flowing along the pipes. For example, the pipes could form part of an underfloor heating arrangement.

Claims

1. A bath arrangement comprising:

a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body;

a fluid connection provided between the bath body and the tank;

a fluid connection valve to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank; and

a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate;

wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by means of the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate.

2. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the bath body and the tank are both supplied by the main bath water supply.

3. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fluid connection valve is normally closed.

4. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fluid connection valve is normally closed and the valve is a three-way valve, the valve being connected to the tank, the bath body, and the waste water pipe.

5. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fluid connection includes a nonreturn valve to allow the flow of water from the tank to the bath body but prevent the flow of water in the opposite direction.

6. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the tank includes a water level detection device, the water level detection device being arranged to stop filling of the tank when a threshold water level has been reached.

7. The bath arrangement of claim 6, wherein the water level detection device is a float valve.

8. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the tank is positioned so that the bath body can be filled solely under the influence of gravity.

9. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein all water stored in the tank can be emptied into the bath body under the influence of gravity.

10. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fluid connection includes a pump.

11. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the bath body includes a seat for the user.

12. The bath arrangement of claim 11, wherein the tank is located inside or beneath the seat.

13. The bath arrangement of claim 11, wherein the filling tank is positioned such that hot water in the tank can be used to warm the seat.

14. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein a thermostatic mixing valve is provided between the main bath water supply and the tank.

15. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein a testing reservoir is provided between the main bath water supply and the tank, the testing reservoir being accessible to a user, to enable the user to test the water temperature.

16. The bath arrangement of claim 1, wherein the bath body is connected to a waste water pipe via at least one flow path, the at least one flow path is arranged to allow a higher flow rate out of the bath body than can be accommodated by a standard waste water pipe, the at least one flow path is arranged to accommodate a sufficient volume of water such that the flow rate of water emptying from the bath body is not limited by the cross sectional area of the waste water pipe.

17. A bath arrangement comprising a bath body for bathing in, the bath body being connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path, the at least one flow path configured to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

18. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the at least one flow path includes a pump.

19. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the bath body has at least one outlet, the or each outlet being in fluid connection with the at least one flow path.

20. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the total cross sectional area of the at least one outlet is greater than the cross sectional area of a standard waste water pipe.

21. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the at least one flow path is arranged to accommodate a sufficient volume of water such that the volume flow rate of water emptying from the bath body is not limited by the cross sectional area of the waste water pipe.

22. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the at least one flow path is arranged to accommodate a total volume of water substantially the same as or greater than the volume of water the bath body is arranged to hold.

23. The bath arrangement of claim 17, wherein the bath body is connected to a waste water pipe via first and second flow paths, the flow paths being arranged such that water flowing along the second flow path takes longer to reach the waste water pipe than water flowing along the first flow path.

24. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the bath body has at least two outlets, one of the at least two outlets being connected to the first flow path and another of the at least two outlets being connected to the second flow path.

25. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second flow path is arranged to accommodate a volume of water greater than the first flow path.

26. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second flow path is arranged to accommodate a volume of water no greater than half the maximum volume of water the bath body is arranged to hold.

27. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second flow path is arranged such that water does not reach the waste water pipe until the bath body is empty and there is no water flowing along the first flow path.

28. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second flow path includes a collection area, the collection area being connected to the waste water pipe and the collection area being of greater cross sectional area than the waste water pipe.

29. The bath arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second flow path includes a second flow path valve.

30. The bath arrangement of claim 29, wherein the second flow path valve is located between the collection area and the waste water pipe.

31. A bath arrangement comprising:

a bath body for bathing in and a tank for storing water separately from the bath body;

a fluid connection being provided between the bath body and the tank;

a fluid connection valve being provided to control the flow of water between the bath body and the tank; and

a main bath water supply for supplying water to the bath body at a main bath water supply rate;

wherein the fluid connection valve is operable to effect filling of the bath body from the tank either alone or supplementary to filling by the main bath water supply, so that the fill rate of the bath body is higher than the main bath water supply rate, the bath body being connected to a standard waste water pipe via at least one flow path, the at least one flow path configured to provide an increased volume flow rate of water out of the bath than that provided by gravity alone through the standard waste water pipe.

32. The bath arrangement of claim 31, wherein the bath body is connected to a waste water pipe via first and second flow paths, the flow paths being arranged such that water flowing along the first flow path takes longer to reach the waste water pipe than water flowing along the second flow path.

33. The bath arrangement of claim 31, wherein the tank is connected to the second flow path by a second fluid connection.

34. The bath arrangement of claim 33, wherein the second fluid connection includes a valve.

35. The bath arrangement of claim 33, wherein the second fluid connection further includes a nonreturn valve to prevent waste water flowing into the tank.