Hydromassage bath unit

Abstract

A hydromassage bath apparatus (1) comprising: a shell (10) delimiting a volume (15) intended to receive a liquid such as water, and one or more users; at least one liquid reservoir (20) disposed in said shell (10) and configured to be pressurized when filled with liquid; said reservoir (20) having, on one face, at least one liquid inlet (24) into the reservoir, and on a second face, a plurality of pressurized liquid outlets (26; 28) from the reservoir into said volume, referred to as "massage outlets"; a liquid supply system (30) comprising at least one conduit (32) arranged to carry the liquid to said reservoir (20); said conduit (32) being connected to said reservoir (20) through at least one through-hole (13) formed in the shell (10). (See Figure 1 for abbreviations)

Description

Title of the invention: Hydromassage bath apparatus Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydromassage bath apparatus. Technological background

[0002] Bathtubs or the like are known which allow hydromassage of an anatomical area, in particular the back, of a user by directing jets of pressurized water towards this area.

[0003] A conventional spa of this type comprises a container which is generally equipped with a plurality of massage points obtained using nozzles provided on the walls of the bathtub. These nozzles are distributed in groups according to the different anatomical regions of a user's body. Each nozzle is supplied with water from a pump using a hose which is connected to a feeder.

[0004] The massage points, as described above, require a considerable number of parts for their operation, for example, the nozzle, the means for fixing it, the sealing means, the supply pipe, etc. This impacts both the cost of producing the hydromassage bathtub, but also its maintenance.

[0005] Furthermore, each nozzle requires a corresponding perforation to be made in the bathtub, thus increasing the risk of leaks, particularly when mounting the nozzles on the wall or due to wear.

[0006] There is therefore a need to further improve hydromassage bath devices, in particular to reduce the cost of producing massage points while maintaining good massage performance. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to meet this need and has as its subject a hydromassage bath apparatus comprising: - A shell delimiting a volume intended to receive a liquid such as water, and one or more users, - At least one liquid reservoir arranged in said shell and configured to be pressurized when it is supplied with liquid, said reservoir comprising on a first face, at least one liquid inlet orifice in the reservoir, and on a second face, a plurality of pressurized liquid outlet orifices from the reservoir to said volume, called "massage orifices", - a liquid supply system comprising at least one pipe arranged to bring the liquid to said reservoir, said pipe being connected said tank through at least one through opening made in the hull.

[0008] Preferably, the liquid is water.

[0009] In the present invention, a reduced number of perforations is provided in the shell for all the massage orifices of the same reservoir. Preferably, a single through opening is made in the shell to supply the corresponding reservoir with liquid. Also, for a similar or even improved massage result, the number of perforations is less than in conventional bath appliances. This reduces the risk of leaks mentioned above.

[0010] Furthermore, the claimed bath apparatus has reservoirs which are pressurized when supplied with liquid. This makes it possible to produce jets of liquid through the massage orifices without the use of nozzles. Also, the number of parts required to produce the massage points is considerably reduced. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to reduce the cost associated with the parts required for the massage, and on the other hand, to facilitate the maintenance of these massage points. Reservoir

[0011] The tank makes it possible to define a space suitable for accumulating the liquid under pressure.

[0012] As mentioned above, the reservoir is configured to be pressurized when it is supplied with liquid by said supply system. This pressurization makes it possible to obtain jets of liquid through the massage orifices making it possible to massage an anatomical area of ​​the user. Also, the invention makes it possible, by means of the reservoir and its pressurization, to dispense with the use of nozzles, thus making it possible to reduce the number of parts involved in producing the massage points.

[0013] At least one massage orifice may be without a nozzle.

[0014] Preferably, all the massage orifices of the tank are without nozzles.

[0015] Preferably, the first face of the reservoir is distinct from the second face. Tagmently, the first and second faces are opposite faces of the tank.

[0016] The reservoir may have a capacity greater than 0.11, better still greater than 0.3 1, even better still greater than 0.5 1.

[0017] The device may comprise at least two tanks arranged at different locations on the hull, in particular on the same side of the hull or on different opposite or adjacent sides.

[0018] The bathing apparatus may comprise a number of reservoirs between 1 and 50, better still between 2 and 30, even better still between 2 and 15.

[0019] At least two reservoirs may have a different number of massage orifices and / or a different arrangement of massage orifices.

[0020] Preferably, the tank is fixed to the hull.

[0021] Preferably, the reservoir is housed in a reservation or imprint made in the hull.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir is formed by a hollow-shaped part, said part comprising within it a liquid accumulation space. Said space is delimited by the walls of the hollow part.

[0023] Preferably, the shell comprises at least one reservation intended to accommodate said hollow part, the reservation being made in the inner face of a wall of said shell and opening towards said volume. Preferably, said through opening made in the shell opens towards the reservation.

[0024] Preferably, the hollow part is arranged in the aforementioned reservation so as to at least partially cover the reservation.

[0025] Reservation

[0026] Preferably, the reservation is made in a side wall of the shell, in particular in a wall intended to be in contact with an anatomical zone, in particular the back, of the user.

[0027] The reservation is made by stamping, thermoforming, or by any other known technique.

[0028] The shell may have at least two reservations at two different locations on the shell and at least two hollow parts each arranged so as to cover the corresponding reservation.

[0029] Preferably, the reservations are of identical shape.

[0030] Alternatively, the reservations may be of different shape and / or size.

[0031] The reservations may be present on the same wall, for example on the side wall.

[0032] The reservations can be placed on the same side or on two different sides of the wall, in particular adjacent or opposite.

[0033] Hollow part

[0034] The hollow part is configured to be energized when the reservoir is supplied with liquid by said supply system.

[0035] Preferably, the hollow part has the inlet orifice on its first face opposite the reservation. Preferably, the massage orifices are arranged on a second face of the part, in particular distinct from the first face, preferably opposite the first face.

[0036] Preferably, the part is monolithic.

[0037] By "monolithic" we mean that the part is in the form of a single block. The part can be obtained by molding, in particular by rotational molding, by injection or by blowing.

[0038] Preferably, the part is made of plastic.

[0039] Alternatively, the part is made of a metallic material. The metallic material may be chosen from steel, particularly stainless steel, or even aluminum.

[0040] The part can be fixed to the hull in a removable manner, in particular by snap-fastening, by screwing or by means of other removable fixing means.

[0041] The part may extend over a maximum measured length, along a longitudinal axis thereof, of between 50 and 2000 mm, better still between 60 and 1500 mm, even better still between 80 and 1000 mm, in particular between 100 and 800 mm.

[0042] The part may have a maximum width measured, along a transverse axis thereof, of between 50 and 1500 mm, better still between 60 and 1000 mm, even better still between 100 and 800 mm, in particular between 150 and 500 mm.

[0043] The part may have, in front view, a substantially polygonal outline, in particular parallelogrammatic, rectangular, square, etc.

[0044] Alternatively, the part has, in front view, a circular or elliptical outline.

[0045] In embodiments, the plurality of massage orifices of the part or The tank has a main massage orifice arranged to overlap at least partially the inlet orifice. Also, a portion of the liquid arriving through the pipe can go directly into the main massage orifice.

[0046] Preferably, the inlet orifice is of wider section than the main massage orifice.

[0047] The massage orifices may be of different size and / or shape.

[0048] Alternatively, all of the plurality of massage orifices of the hollow part or reservoir are identical.

[0049] The reservoir or hollow part may have a number of orifices between 2 and 30, better still between 2 and 20, even better still between 2 and 15.

[0050] The massage orifices can be circular or slot-shaped in section.

[0051] When the device comprises at least two reservoirs, the corresponding parts may be of identical shape or have different shapes.

[0052] In particular, at least two parts may have a different number of massage orifices and / or a different arrangement of massage orifices. Power supply system

[0053] The supply system may comprise at least one bulkhead element comprising a body capable of being fixed to a rim surrounding the through opening made in the hull.

[0054] Preferably, the body comprises a liquid passage arranged to be connected to the pipe and to pass through the liquid inlet orifice provided in the reservoir. Also, the liquid passage makes it possible to convey the liquid from the pipe to said reservoir.

[0055] The supply system may comprise a pump for supplying the reservoir(s) with pressurized liquid.

[0056] When the apparatus comprises at least two tanks as described above, the latter can be connected in series or in parallel.

[0057] In this embodiment, the supply system comprises a plurality of connectors, in particular T or Y connectors, for connecting the pipes together. Preferably, the bulkhead elements are each connected to the corresponding pipe by a connector.

[0058] Alternatively, the supply system comprises one or more feeders, the tanks each being connected to the feeder(s) by means of the corresponding pipe.

[0059] The supply system may comprise at least one means for regulating the pressure and / or flow rate of the liquid. The regulating means may correspond to one or more valves.

[0060] The bathing device can be a bathtub, a swimming pool, a spa or even a jacuzzi®.

[0061] The invention also relates to a method of using a bathing appliance according to the invention, said method comprising: - supplying the tank(s) with liquid from the corresponding inlet port so as to pressurize the tank(s), - the jet of pressurized liquid through the massage orifices towards an anatomical part of a user to perform a massage of a portion of said anatomical area. Brief description of the figures

[0062] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the appended figures:

[0063] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a hydromassage bath apparatus according to the invention;

[0064] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the apparatus of [Fig.l];

[0065] [Fig.3a] and [Fig.3b] are details of the apparatus of [Fig.l];

[0066] [Fig.4a] and [Fig.4b] are cross-sections of Figures 3a and 3b, respec tively;

[0067] [Fig.5] represents in isolation a hollow part and a bulkhead element according to the invention;

[0068] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a variant of the bathing apparatus according to the invention;

[0069] [Fig.7] is a top view of the apparatus of [Fig.6];

[0070] [Fig.8] is a detail of the apparatus of [Fig.6];

[0071] [Fig.9] is a bottom view of another variant of the bathing apparatus according to the invention,

[0072] [Fig. 10a] and [Fig. 10b] are an example of an apparatus according to the invention in which the reservoirs are connected in parallel, and

[0073] [Fig. 11] represents the apparatus of figures 10a-b without the hull. Description of embodiment(s)

[0074] In the figures, and unless otherwise provided, identical elements will bear the same reference signs.

[0075] Figures 1 to 4 show a hydromassage bath apparatus 1 according to the invention.

[0076] As illustrated, the hydromassage bath apparatus 1 comprises a shell 10 delimiting a volume 15 intended to receive a liquid such as water and to receive one or more users. In the illustrated example, the shell 10 has a contour, in top view, substantially polygonal, in particular rectangular.

[0077] The shell 10 rests on a frame 11 and comprises a side wall 12 having an inner face 14 against which an anatomical area, in particular dorsal or lumbar, of the user can come to bear. As illustrated, this side wall 12 has on its inner face 14 a plurality of reservations 16 at different locations, here four in number. These reservations 16 open towards the volume 15 and each have a depth pr of between 50 and 200 mm. The reservations each extend over a length Lr of between 100 and 800 mm.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the reservations 16 are present on two opposite sides 12a and 12c of the wall 12. Alternatively, the reservations 16 are present on two adjacent sides 12a and 12b of the wall 12 as illustrated in [Fig.7], or on both adjacent sides and opposite sides 12a-c, as in the example of [Fig.9].

[0079] Each reservation 16 receives a part 22. Each part 22 is removably mounted on the shell 10 so as to at least partially cover the corresponding reservation 16. The part 22 is hollow in shape as can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b. Thanks to its hollow shape, the part 22 constitutes a liquid reservoir 20 capable of accumulating the liquid. The reservoir is supplied with liquid under pressure through a liquid inlet orifice 24 made in the wall of the part 22. As illustrated, the inlet orifice 24 is made in a first face of the part which is opposite the corresponding reservation 16.

[0080] In the example illustrated, the hollow part 22 is made of plastic and is configured to be pressurized when it is supplied with liquid.

[0081] The part extends over a maximum length / ^measured between 100 and 800 mm and has a maximum width lp measured between 150 and 500 mm.

[0082] Each hollow part 22 comprises on a second face, opposite the first face, a plurality of orifices 26 and 28 for the outlet of pressurized liquid from the reservoir 20 to said volume 15 and therefore to the aforementioned anatomical zone, called “massage orifices” in the following.

[0083] The number and distribution of the massage orifices in the hollow part 22 depend on the type of massage desired. The hollow parts in the example considered each have a different number and distribution of massage orifices. The number of massage orifices in the same part can range from two orifices to twenty orifices.

[0084] In the example considered, each hollow part 22 comprises a main massage orifice 26 and secondary massage orifices 28. The main massage orifice 26 is positioned so as to overlap at least partially the inlet orifice 24. The inlet orifice 24 has a wider section than that of the main massage orifice.

[0085] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the part is monolithic. Alternatively and as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the part is formed by two portions 22a and 22b. The main portion 22a includes the inlet and massage orifices as described above.

[0086] The supply of the tanks 20 is carried out using a supply system 30. The supply system 30 comprises a plurality of pipes 32, each of these pipes 32 being arranged to bring the liquid to one of the tanks 20. The pipe 32 is connected to the corresponding tank 20 through a through opening 13 made in the shell 10. In the example illustrated, the through opening 13 is made at the level of each reservation 16.

[0087] The supply system 30 further comprises a plurality of bulkhead elements 34 each comprising a body 35 fixed to a rim surrounding one of the through openings 13.

[0088] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 5], the bulkhead element 34 comprises a liquid passage 36 arranged to be connected to the corresponding pipe 32 and to pass through the liquid inlet orifice 24 provided in the hollow part 22.

[0089] The supply system 30 comprises a pump 31 for supplying the reservoir(s) 20 with pressurized liquid.

[0090] The tanks can be connected in series, as illustrated in [Fig.9]. In this embodiment, the supply system 30 comprises a plurality of connectors 39, in particular T or Y connectors, for connecting the pipes 32 together. In this example, the bulkhead elements each cooperate with the corresponding pipe via one of the connectors 39.

[0091] Alternatively, the supply system comprises a manifold (not shown) to which the reservoirs 20 are connected by means of the corresponding pipe 32, as illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0092] Figures 10a-b and 11 illustrate an example in which the tanks are connected in parallel.

[0093] The supply system 30 further comprises regulation of the pressure and / or the flow rate of the liquid 38. The regulation means 38 comprises a valve in the examples illustrated.

[0094] We will now describe the operation of a bathing appliance according to the invention.

[0095] The supply system supplies the reservoir 20 formed by the hollow part 22 with pressurized liquid using the pump 31 and the pipes 32. Due to the position of the main massage orifices, a portion of the liquid conveyed by the pipes goes directly into these orifices and is therefore ejected towards the volume 15 first. A second portion goes into the reservoir. Such a supply has the effect of putting the reservoir under pressure and allows the liquid to be ejected through the secondary massage orifices under the effect of the pressure. This results in jets of pressurized liquid making it possible to carry out the desired massage.

[0096] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

[0097] The number of hollow parts used may be different. The general shape of the hollow parts may be different from that of Figures 1 to 11.

[0098] The massage holes may be slit-shaped.

Claims

Claims

1. Hydromassage bath apparatus (1) comprising: - a shell (10) delimiting a volume (15) intended to receive a liquid such as water, and one or more users, - at least one liquid reservoir (20) arranged in said shell (10) and configured to be pressurized when it is supplied with liquid, said reservoir (20) comprising on a first face, at least one inlet orifice (24) for liquid in the reservoir, and on a second face, a plurality of outlet orifices (26; 28) for pressurized liquid from the reservoir to said volume, called "massage orifices", - a liquid supply system (30) comprising at least one pipe (32) arranged to bring the liquid to said reservoir (20), said pipe (32) being connected to said reservoir (20) through at least one through opening (13) made in the shell (10).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least two reservoirs (20) arranged at different locations on the hull, in particular on the same side of the hull (10) or on different opposite or adjacent sides.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two reservoirs (20) have a different number of massage orifices (26; 28) and / or a different arrangement of massage orifices (26; 28).

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (20) is formed by a hollow-shaped part (22) configured to be pressurized when it is supplied with liquid, in that the shell (10) comprises at least one reservation (16) opening towards said volume (15) and in which said part (22) is arranged so as to at least partially cover the reservation (16), and in that said reservation (16) is made in an inner face (14) of a wall (12) of said shell (10).

5. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shell has at least two reservations (16) at two different locations on the shell and at least two hollow parts (22) arranged each in such a way as to cover the corresponding reservation.

6. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reservations (16) are present on the same wall (12), for example on the side wall, in particular on the same side (12a) or on at least two different sides of the wall (12a-c), in particular adjacent or opposite.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the liquid inlet orifice (24) is provided on a first face of the hollow part (22) opposite the reservation (16), and the massage orifices (26; 28) are arranged on a second face of the hollow part (22), in particular distinct from the first face, preferably opposite the first face.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the hollow part (22) is monolithic.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the hollow part (22) is removably mounted on the shell (10).

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the hollow part (22) is obtained by molding, in particular by rotational molding.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply system (30) comprises at least one bulkhead element (34) comprising a body (35) capable of being fixed to a rim surrounding the through opening (13) of the shell (10), the body comprising in particular a liquid passage (36) arranged to be connected to the corresponding pipe (32) and to pass through the liquid inlet orifice (24) provided in the reservoir (20).

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