EP4154971A1

EP4154971A1 - Device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas

Info

Publication number: EP4154971A1
Application number: EP22382869.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jordi JUNYENT LLADÓ
Original assignee: Inquide SA
Current assignee: Inquide SA
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-20
Publication date: 2023-03-29
Also published as: ES2937068A1; ES2937068B2

Abstract

Device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas, attachable to a water delivery nozzle for gradual release of water treatment products housed inside porous capsules (4). It comprises a body (1) with two opposite ends. At one end there is a through opening (2) for coupling with the nozzle, and a fastening element (6). At a second end, opposite the first end and separated from it, so that it is separated from the water flow of the discharge nozzle, there is a chamber (3) for housing the capsules (4) of product stacked together, comprising support means (10) for coupling the capsules (4) stacked together, a hinged lid (9) for opening and closing the inside of the chamber (3), and through holes (11) for connecting the inside of the chamber (3) with the outside.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the technical field of water treatment, especially treatment by addition of specific substances, as well as within the technical field of devices for the distribution of chemical products in swimming pool water, and relates in particular to a device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas, especially designed for inflatable swimming pools and spas.
The device comprises a main body with a circular opening that is fixed to the water return nozzle by means of a flange or clamp with a mobile arm that allows the assembly to be tightened to achieve a suitable adjustment. Additionally, it includes a series of housings for perforated and stacked capsules containing the chemical product to be dosed, the arrangement of which allows the concentrations of the chemical elements to be kept constant. The device works without water flow, i.e. as a floating dispenser would, but with the difference that it can be attached to the side walls through the adaptable flange.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The great benefits derived from spa treatment have led to the development of removable spa facilities especially designed for home use. These installations, hereafter referred to as inflatable spas, are smaller than the fixed installations usually found in beauty or similar establishments and are more economical to purchase and maintain.
An inflatable spa has a structure that, as the name suggests, can be inflated and deflated. It can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As for the structure itself, it can be made of different materials, although it is usually made of a light and very resistant coating consisting of several layers of PVC assembled together.
As for the inflatable spa machinery, it is integrated in a block or technical room that is placed outside the spa, like a backpack. This part of the spa includes the filtering system, the motor or filtration pump and the filtration cartridge, as well as the heating system. This external part also incorporates the air pump that will push the air through different outlets to produce the characteristic bubbles. This technical unit is subject to a control unit that allows the parameters of filtration, heating and air outlet to be adjusted independently to obtain the bubbles.
Inflatable spas require the care of several aspects for their correct operation. For example, as for the water contained in the inflatable spa, the pH level must be checked and balanced regularly as in any other pool. In addition, chemical treatments for water disinfection must be provided regularly. In inflatable spas, the use of bromine is recommended, as traditional chlorine loses its effectiveness in water with high temperatures, as is the case here. It is also advisable to use substances to prevent the formation of algae, especially when the spa is located outdoors.
Due to the non-professional use of these inflatable spas, it is desirable that the user himself can carry out all maintenance tasks as easily as possible. To avoid possible accidents, one solution is to encapsulate the chemical products to be used in the water treatments, thus avoiding spillage and unwanted contact. In addition, since the quantity of product contained in the encapsulation is fixed, this avoids risks arising from both excess and deficiency in the quantity of product applied.
It is necessary that the encapsulated chemical product is put in contact with the water, which accesses the inside of the encapsulation, whose capsules have a determined porosity, to dissolve the product in a gradual way, thus allowing it to mix with the water to be treated and to act in the desired way.
In order to be able to apply these encapsulated products, it is necessary to have devices known generically as dispensers, in which a capsule of the chemical product is housed for its release into the water. Within the dispensers used for water treatment in inflatable spas, two main groups can be clearly differentiated: floating and fixed dispensers.
The floating ones, as their name suggests, float and move freely inside the spa, with the inconvenience that this can cause to the users. The fixed ones are attached to the water impulsion nozzle and have the disadvantage that, due to this water impulsion flow, the chemical products to be dispersed dissolve quickly, resulting in a short-lasting product. In addition, as they are specially configured for specific nozzle dimensions, they are not very versatile and cannot be interchanged between different models of inflatable spas.
For example, in the prior art documents US6162407 and ES1149236U , the dispenser is coupled to the delivery nozzle to forcibly redirect its flow into a closed chamber where the chemicals are located, resulting in their rapid dissolution.
Regarding the use of porous capsules for the dispersion of chemicals in swimming pools, the international PCT application with publication number WO2020/190354 is known. However, this document discloses the use of capsules inside a filter outside the pool basin instead of in a dispenser.
On the other hand, existing devices are designed to hold only one capsule, which needs to be replaced once it is exhausted. This is a further disadvantage for such devices, as they do not allow for the maintenance of adequate concentrations of chemicals to ensure optimal conditions in the inflatable spa water for a long time, as they need to be replaced too frequently.
Furthermore, as only one capsule can be housed, no dosage of the applied product can be made, nor can combinations of different products be made, such as disinfectant with flavoring agents.
There is therefore a need for a device for the treatment of water in swimming pools and inflatable spas that can overcome the disadvantages of the current state of the art devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the invention consists of a device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas, especially in inflatable pools and spas, designed to be attached to an internal surface, preferably to a delivery nozzle, to allow a gradual and controlled release of water treatment chemicals housed inside porous capsules.
For this purpose, the device consists of a body, generally elongated, which at one end has a housing for at least one chemical capsule and at the other end has a through opening with means of attachment and adjustment, designed to allow the water delivery nozzle to pass through this opening.
Through holes allow the water in the pool tank to penetrate the interior of the housing containing the chemical capsules, so that the chemical is gradually released on contact and dispersed throughout the pool tank.
This constitutes a first difference with the devices mentioned in the prior art, in which the chemical capsule is interposed in the outgoing water flow through the discharge nozzle, which forcibly contacts the capsule and releases the product in a rapid and uncontrolled manner. On the contrary, in the device of the invention, the coupling to the nozzle does not imply that the capsules are dissolved by the flow of water, since this flow passes through the nozzle fixing opening without contacting the capsules, which are in a separate chamber, preferably located in a higher plane above the nozzle.
The device can therefore work without flow, or at least with a minimal or unforced flow, like free-floating dispensers, but avoiding the discomfort they cause to users by being fixed to an internal surface of the inflatable spa.
A second advantage of the device is that, as it has the means of attachment and adjustment, it can be incorporated into inflatable spas of different models, its use is not limited by the specific dimensions of the delivery nozzles.
An additional advantage is that the housing can hold several chemical capsules stacked on top of each other. This allows, first of all, to ensure the right concentration of chemical over long periods of time, as the device holds several capsules, avoiding the need to replace them every so often. It also allows for combinations of capsules with different chemical formulations to create optimal conditions in the spa water, even for the release of aromas in aromatherapy.
For example, in the case of bromine, the device makes it possible to release the necessary amount of bromine for water disinfection, keeping it constant within the ideal range of 3-5 ppm, while at the same time extending the life of the bromine encapsulation, which lasts for 30-35 days instead of the current 10 days.
It is also envisaged the incorporation of elements that allow an external and automated control of the chemical product concentration parameters in the water of the inflatable spa. These elements consist of a controller coupled to the device to regulate the release of the product, this controller being wirelessly linked to external equipment equipped with specific software, such as a smart phone equipped with an application. In this way, a user can remotely control factors such as the concentration of products, the combination to be applied, etc.
It is also envisaged that this device can be linked to water quality analysis devices, such as the well-known test strips, to allow real-time assessment of the quality of the water in the inflatable spa.
The device thus described is an advantageous, simple and inexpensive solution that overcomes the disadvantages of the current state of the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description being made and in order to assist in a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached hereto as an integral part of the said description, in which the following is illustratively and non-limitingly depicted:

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the water treatment device with capsules inside.
Figure 2.- Shows a rear view of the device.
Figure 3.- Shows a view of the device installed in an inflatable spa.
Figure 4.- Shows the device with a single, larger capsule inside.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A detailed explanation of an example of a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention is given below with the aid of the figures referred to above.
The device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas described, shown in figure 1, is attachable to an internal surface of the pool or spa. In this preferred embodiment, the coupling is concentric to a water delivery nozzle to allow a gradual and controlled release of water treatment chemicals contained within porous capsules (4).
For this purpose, the device is made up of a body (1), made of plastic material and with an elongated configuration, which presents:

a first end where a through opening (2) is located for coupling with the delivery nozzle, and
a second end, opposite the first end and separated from it, in such a way that it is separated from the flow of water entering through the delivery nozzle, where a chamber (3) is located to house capsules (4) of chemical product, stacked together and separated and isolated from the flow coming from the delivery nozzle.

As shown in figure 3, the through opening (2) has a circular geometry, corresponding to the geometry of the delivery nozzle, which must pass through the through opening (2) in order to be concentric to the device and be able to pour the water directly into the inflatable spa pool.
The through opening (2) also includes a concentric, removable adjustment ring (5), which allows adaptation to different sizes of delivery nozzles.
The device also comprises a fastening element (6) to prevent possible displacement of the body (1) pushed by the outgoing water flow through the delivery nozzle. In the preferred embodiment described here, the fastening element (6) consists of a clamp comprising a fixed arm (7) integrated into the body (1) and a movable arm (8) with a locking ratchet for locking the movable arm (8) in the desired position. The movable arm (8) allows the fastening element (6) to be tightened to achieve the appropriate adjustment.
The chamber (3) is separated from the water inlet flow through the delivery nozzle and comprises an opening and closing hinged lid (9) and support means (10) for coupling the capsules (4) stacked together inside the chamber (3).
Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment in which the support means (10) allow the accommodation of up to four capsules (4) stacked one on top of the other. These support means (10) comprise two walls facing each other on two opposite edges of the chamber (3), being provided with corresponding slots for coupling the perimeter edge of the upper closing lid of each of the capsules (4), which are thus fixed.
The lid (9) allows the insertion and removal of the capsules (4) inside the chamber (3) and, in its closed position, also prevents the flow of water from the delivery nozzle from reaching the capsules.
The body (1) also has a plurality of through holes (11) that connect the inside of the chamber (3) with the outside. These through-holes (11) allow the water in the inflatable spa vessel to enter and leave the interior of the chamber (3), in an unforced manner, contacting the capsules (4) housed therein and gradually releasing the chemical product contained therein, which diffuses, diluted in the outgoing water, through the through-holes (11), throughout the inflatable spa vessel.
As shown in figure 3, in the preferred installation option of the device, the device is installed in such an orientation that the chamber (3), with the capsules (4) inside, is in a position above the nozzle that passes through the through opening (2). In this way, the outgoing water jet through the delivery nozzle does not strike the capsules (4) directly, thus preventing rapid and uncontrolled dissolution of the chemical elements. The capsules (4) are immersed in the water, with which they come into contact through the through holes (11).
Figure 4 illustrates the device, with a single porous capsule (4), larger than usual, which is also perfectly housed in the chamber (3) thanks to the configuration of the support means (10).

Claims

Device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas, attachable to a water delivery nozzle for gradual release of water treatment products housed inside porous capsules (4), characterised in that it comprises a body (1) with an elongated configuration in turn comprising:
- a first end comprising:
- a through opening (2) for concentric coupling with the delivery nozzle, and

- a fastening element (6) for immobilization of the body (1) on the delivery nozzle, and

- a second end, opposite the first end and separated from it, so that it is separated from the flow of water entering through the delivery nozzle, with a chamber (3) for housing the capsules (4) of product stacked one on top of the other, the chamber (3) comprising:
- support means (10) for coupling the stacked capsules (4) together,

- a hinged lid (9) for opening and closing the interior of the chamber (3), and

- a plurality of through holes (11) for connection of the interior of the chamber (3) with the spa water.
Device for water treatment according to claim 1, wherein the through opening (2) comprises an adjustment ring (5) for adaptation to different sizes of delivery nozzles.
Device for water treatment according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fastening element (6) is a clamp comprising:
- a fixed arm (7) integrated into the body (1); and

- a movable arm (8) in turn comprising a locking ratchet for locking the movable arm (8) in the desired position.
Device for water treatment according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support means (10) comprise two walls facing each other on two opposite edges of the chamber (3), wherein each wall has grooves for engagement of the perimeter edge of the upper sealing cap of each of the capsules (4).