Automatic bathroom filler

Abstract

A system ( 10 ) for automatically filling a bathtub ( 14 ), is operatively arranged to supply heated water to the bathtub and to drain water from the bathtub through a drain outlet ( 12 ) after use, the system comprising a conduit ( 14 b ) through which water from the drain outlet is recirculated back to the bathtub in use. The bathtub outlet comprises a passageway having an upstream end connectable in fluid communication with the bathtub, a downstream end connectable to a drain ( 60 ) and a servo-actuated valve ( 34 ) disposed to control water flow through the passageway, the passageway comprising a branch ( 80 ) in fluid communication with it at a region between the upstream end and the servo-actuated valve. The branch may be used to fill the bathtub and/or for the water recirculation. Alternatively the bathtub overflow outlet ( 30 ) comprises an inlet ( 18 ) connectable to an external supply ( 50 ) of filling water and directing this filling water into the bathtub in use. The overflow outlet may further comprise an inlet connectable to the recirculation conduit ( 14 b ) and directing water from the recirculation conduit into the bathtub in use. The drain outlet may also be used to recirculate water back into the bathtub via an inlet branch ( 81 , FIGS. 7 a , 9 ).

1 . A system for automatically filling a bathtub, the system being operatively arranged to supply heated water to the bathtub, and to drain water from the bathtub through a drain outlet after use, the system comprising a recirculation conduit through which water from the drain outlet is recirculated back to the bathtub in use, wherein the recirculation conduit is connected to a filling inlet that is combined with an overflow outlet for the bathtub or formed as a spout mounted on an adjacent wall or ceiling area. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , in which an external water supply for filling the bath is connected to an inlet combined with the drain outlet. 
   
   
       3 . The system as defined in of  claim 1 , in which an external water supply for filling the bath is connected to the filling inlet. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  adapted to fill the bathtub to a predetermined depth. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  in which, to maintain the water at a predetermined temperature, a control system is arranged to automatically add heated water to the bath from the external water supply. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , in which water is released through the drain outlet to a drain so as to maintain the depth of water at the predetermined depth. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , in which water is released through the drain outlet to a drain so as to maintain the depth of water below a maximum depth. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  in which after filling the bathtub to the predetermined depth, to maintain the predetermined water temperature in the bath, a control system is arranged to automatically add heated water to the bath through the recirculation conduit. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , in which the recirculation conduit is provided with a water heater. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a main inlet and an auxiliary inlet, to one, the other or both of which the heated water may be selectively supplied. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , in which the main inlet comprises one or more of a separate filling inlet, a combined filling inlet/drain outlet and a combined filling inlet/overflow outlet. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , in which the auxiliary inlet comprises one or more of a shower head, body jets or another inlet. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , which is programmable to fill the bathtub at a predetermined time. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , which is programmable by local control. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , which is remotely programmable. 
   
   
       16 . A bathtub overflow fitting comprising a first inlet connected in use to an external supply of filling water and directing this filling water into a bathtub in use, the overflow fitting comprising a further inlet connected in use to a recirculation conduit and directing water from the recirculation conduit into the bathtub. 
   
   
       17 . A bathtub fitting comprising a passageway having an upstream end connectable in fluid communication with a drain aperture of a bathtub, a downstream end connectable to a drain and a valve disposed to control water flow through the passageway; wherein the fitting comprises first and second branches in fluid communication with the passageway at a region between the upstream end and the valve, for recirculation of water from the bathtub back into the bathtub. 
   
   
       18 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 17 , in which at least one of the branches is used as a filling inlet for the bathtub. 
   
   
       19 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 17 , in which the passageway comprises an overflow connection downstream of the valve. 
   
   
       20 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 17 , comprising a sensor or sensors for sensing pressure and/or temperature of the water upstream of the valve. 
   
   
       21 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 17 , in which the valve is servo-actuated. 
   
   
       22 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 21 , in which the servo-actuated valve comprises a manual override. 
   
   
       23 . The bathtub fitting of  claim 17 , in which the valve comprises an upwardly extending baffle which divides the passageway into two parts, respectively in fluid communication with the first and second branches.