Antimicrobial chemical dispensing faceplate

Abstract

A system to sanitize water in a whirlpool bathtub, spa, swimming pool, and other water vessels comprising improvements to U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,167 and incorporating an antimicrobial chemical dispenser.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In combination with a whirlpool bathtub, said whirlpool bathtub having a tub, the tub having an inside surface, a closed loop plumbing system, a housing assembly component, a water pump and an output jet, a suction and purification device comprising: 
 a porous faceplate having a chemical dispenser; and    wherein said chemical dispenser is in axial alignment with said faceplate and located adjacent to a front surface of said faceplate.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical dispenser is insertable into said housing assembly component of said tub.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said chemical dispenser is further located adjacent to an inlet orifice of said housing assembly component after insertion.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suction and purification device further comprises means functioning to inhibit a suction force caused by said pump if said faceplate is missing or if said faceplate is improperly attached to said housing assembly component.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said suction and purification device further comprising means functioning to filter debris.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said suction and purification device further comprises means functioning to inhibit a suction force caused by said pump if said filter means is missing or if said filter means is improperly inserted into said housing assembly component.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suction and purification device has one or more chemical dispensers.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said faceplate further comprises a pop off design, whereby a tool is not required to remove it.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said faceplate has one or more rearwardly extending members for positioning the faceplate when initially inserted into said housing assembly component.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical dispenser has a length of less than about 8 inches.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical dispenser has a diameter of less than about 2 inches.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical dispenser further comprises one or more openings to release a metered dose of said chemical housed therein into said water.  
     
     
         13 . In combination with a whirlpool bathtub, said whirlpool bathtub having a tub, the tub having an inside surface, a closed loop plumbing system, a housing assembly component, a water pump and an output jet, a suction and purification device comprising: 
 a faceplate means functioning to filter substantially large debris from entering said closed loop plumbing system;    said faceplate means having a dispensing means, said dispensing means functioning to discharge antimicrobial chemicals into said closed loop plumbing system; and    wherein said dispensing means is in axial alignment with said faceplate means and located adjacent to a front surface of said faceplate means.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said dispensing means is insertable into said housing assembly component of said tub.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said dispensing means is further located adjacent to an inlet orifice of said housing assembly component after insertion.  
     
     
         16 . A method of retrofitting a below-the-waterline suction device having a faceplate, said method comprising the steps of: 
 removing said faceplate;    providing a chemical dispenser;    attaching said chemical dispenser to a component of said suction device; and    installing a retrofit faceplate on said suction device.    
     
     
         17 . A method of retrofitting a below-the-waterline suction device having a faceplate, said method comprising the steps of: 
 removing said faceplate;    providing a retrofit faceplate having a chemical dispenser located rearward of a front surface of said retrofit faceplate and in axially alignment with said retrofit faceplate; and    installing said retrofit faceplate on said suction device.    
     
     
         18 . In combination with a whirlpool bathtub, said whirlpool bathtub having a tub, the tub having an inside surface, a closed loop plumbing system, a housing assembly component, a water pump and output jets, a suction and purification device comprising: 
 a porous faceplate having a chemical dispenser;    wherein said chemical dispenser is in axial alignment with said faceplate and located adjacent to a front surface of said faceplate;    said chemical dispenser housing a chemical; and    wherein said chemical dispenser has one or more openings to release said chemical into a suction line of said closed loop plumbing system when contacted with water.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said one or more openings may vary in size, configuration, and location.  
     
     
         20 . A method of replenishing a chemical in a below-the-waterline suction device for a whirlpool bathtub having a faceplate and a chemical dispenser that houses the chemical, said chemical dispenser located rearward of a front surface of faceplate and adjacent to an input orifice of a suction device housing, said method comprising the steps of: 
 removing said chemical dispenser from said suction device;    refilling the chemical dispenser with said chemical; and    reinstalling the chemical dispenser in said suction device.    
     
     
         21 . A method of replenishing a chemical in a below-the-waterline suction device for a whirlpool bathtub having a faceplate and a chemical dispenser that houses the chemical, said chemical dispenser located rearward of a front surface of faceplate and adjacent to an input orifice of a suction device housing, said method comprising the steps of: 
 removing said chemical dispenser from said suction device;    replacing the chemical dispenser with a new chemical dispenser; and    reinstalling said new chemical dispenser in said suction device.    
     
     
         22 . A method of replenishing a chemical in a below-the-waterline suction device for a whirlpool bathtub having a faceplate and a chemical dispenser that houses the chemical, said chemical dispenser located rearward of a front surface of faceplate and adjacent to an input orifice of a suction device housing, said method comprising the step of replacing said chemical in said chemical dispenser without removing said chemical dispenser.  
     
     
         23 . A method to reduce bacteria growth in a whirlpool bathtub, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a faceplate to intake circulating bath water;    locating a chemical chamber adjacent the faceplate; and    filling the chemical chamber with an antimicrobial agent.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of placing the chemical chamber in axial alignment with the faceplate.  
     
     
         25 . A faceplate comprising: 
 a mount for a suction fitting;    an axially aligned chemical chamber located rearward and adjacent to said faceplate;    said chemical chamber having a chemical that releases and mixes with water that is directly induced into the suction fitting; and    wherein said chemical inhibits bacteria growth.