APPARATUS FOR A PORTABLE HEAT AND STEAM CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus for converting a shower space into a steam shower space, by utilizing the existing hot water supply from the existing shower head and providing a means to contain and disperse the heat and steam with-in the containment apparatus. The apparatus for creating a steam shower space generally includes a removable and portable water resistant containment curtain for containing heat and steam, a diverter that alters the direction of hot water from the shower head while dispersing heat and affecting the flow of water vapor and hot air, a frame that supports the containment curtain, and mounts that secure th.e aforementioned to the shower space structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for converting a shower space into a heat and steam containment system, comprising: (a) a shower structure defining confines of a shower space; (b) a shower head configured to supply heated water to the confines of the shower space; (c) a shower space converter configured to enclose at least a portion of the confines of the shower space; and (d) a shower head diverter for altering the direction of flow of heated water emitted from the shower head.

2. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shower space converter includes a containment curtain which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material.

3. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the containment curtain includes at least one panel configured to enclose substantially the confines of the shower space.

4. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shower space converter includes at least one panel configured to enclose at least a portion of the confines of the shower space.

5. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shower space converter includes a removable frame which connects to the shower structure for supporting at least one panel which encloses at least a portion of the confines of the shower space.

6. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the shower space converter includes a removable frame with at least one pole supporting the frame.

8. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the shower space frame removably connects with mounts to at least a portion of the confines of the shower space.

9. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the shower space converter includes a removable frame which connects to the shower structure for supporting the at least one panel which encloses at least a portion of the confines of the shower space and at least one said panel is configured to provide a means for entry and exiting the enclosure.

10. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shower space converter includes a shower head diverter which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material.

11. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the shower head diverter and has one or more holes or perforations, or is otherwise textured.

12. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 2, wherein containment curtain provides a means to form one or more compartments.

13. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the containment curtain provides a means to form one or more protective compartments which may hold a low voltage electronic device.

14. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the containment curtain provides a means to dispense aromatic fragrances or oils.

15. An apparatus for converting a shower space into a heat and steam containment system, comprising: (a) a shower structure defining confines of a shower space; (b) a shower head configured to supply heated water to the confines of the shower space; (c) a shower space converter which includes a 5-sided containment curtain which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material; and (d) a removable frame for supporting the containment curtain which encloses at least a portion of the confines of the shower space. (e) a shower head diverter which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material for altering the direction of flow of heated water emitted from the shower head.

16. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shower head diverter which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material which has one or more holes or perforations, or is otherwise textured.

17. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the 5-sided containment curtain of which at least one side is configured to provide a means for entry and exiting the enclosure.

18. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shower space converter includes a frame which connects to the shower structure and which frame has one or a plurality of support poles.

19. The shower space converting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shower space converter includes a free standing frame with a plurality of support poles which supports the containment curtain.

20. An apparatus for converting a shower space into a heat and steam containment system, comprising: (a) a shower structure defining confines of a shower space; (b) a shower head configured to supply heated water to the confines of the shower space; (c) a shower space converter which includes a 5-sided containment curtain which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material; and (d) a removable frame which connects to the shower structure for supporting the shower curtain which encloses at least a portion of the confines of the shower space; and (e) removable frame mounts for removably attaching a frame to the shower structure; and (e) a shower head diverter which is comprised of a lightweight water resistant material for altering the direction of flow of heated water emitted from the shower head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a portable heat and steam containment system embodying the principles of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of the containment curtain of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled frame and frame mounts of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a back side view of the shower head diverter of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a back side view of the shower head diverter in relationship to a section view of the containment curtain of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a section view of the shower head diverter and containment curtain of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a front view of a mount used to removably mount the frame of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a section view of a mount of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a back side view of a mount of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 9 is an exploded section view of a mount of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] With reference being made to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a portable heat and steam containment apparatus 1 is constructed in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. As shown, the containment curtain 1 conforms to and is defined in shape and supported at the desired height by the curtain frame 11 of FIG. 2, and said frame is secured and removably mounted to the existing shower space structure with a plurality of mounts 15. A shower head diverter as shown on FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 for altering the direction of flow of heated water emitted from the shower head is connected to one of either a wall of the containment curtain or frame section and is removably secured to an opposing wall of the containment curtain. Although various alternative embodiments are contemplated, the portable heat and steam containment apparatus 1 in each includes a lightweight water resistant containment curtain 1 which functions to contain heat and steam in a shower space by substantially enclosing a shower space utilizing one or more surfaces of said shower space in which the apparatus is used, and a diverter for altering the direction of flow of heated water emitted from the shower head.

Overview

[0034] Turning now more descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a water resistant containment curtain for containing heat and steam, a diverter that alters the direction of hot water flowing from shower head aside while also dispersing heat and affecting the flow of water vapor and heated air, a frame that supports the containment curtain and diverter, and frame mounts that secure the aforementioned to one or more of the shower space structure surfaces.

Containment Curtain

[0035] The containment curtain in the preferred embodiment being 5-sided or is said to have five panels or walls comprised of water resistant material similar to shower curtains and preferably non-toxic, the first being the ceiling wall, and the other four walls being vertical which contact and conform to the shower floor, in effect joining the containment curtain walls and the shower space floor to substantially enclosure the area on all six sides, and a zipper to easily open and close a vertical seam in one of the containment curtain walls for access. At the time of installation, the containment curtain material is slit enough for the shower head and fixtures to penetrate through the containment curtain into the enclosed area as needed.

[0036] As shown on FIG.1, the containment curtain 1, comprised of water resistant flexible material, with a ceiling 2 and four vertical walls 3-6 creates a five-sided enclosure, the bottom portion 9 of all vertical walls contact and conform to the shower space floor substantially enclosing the area on all six sides to contain the heat and water vapor produced from the shower head. Wall 5 is split vertically top to bottom into two halves forming an access seam 7. The access seam provides an opening 10 the full height wall 5 to enter and exit that can be easily opened or secured closed with the use of a zipper 8. Moving to FIG. 5, the shower head 13 and water valve fixture 15 penetrate through the containment curtain by way of a vertical slit cut in the containment curtain as needed. Slit 12 for the shower head 13, and slit 14 for the water valve fixture 15 as needed during installation to accommodate the exact location of the shower head and water valve fixture. Back to FIG. 1, the containment curtain 1 could also incorporate a number of device compartments or pockets 20 to hold and keep dry electronic signaling devices such as a digital thermometer, lighting, audio, or other low voltage devices such as a smart phone. The device compartment 20 shown as a simple pocket mounted to the outside surface of the containment curtain 1 when containment curtain material is relatively clear.

[0037] While the containment curtain and frame optimally creates an enclosure with a footprint that is square or rectangular for adapting to most shower or bathtub spaces, it has been contemplated that other shapes such as circular or elliptical or other geometric or more organic shapes could easily be incorporated into the design. While adequate ventilation is provided by the penetrations through the containment curtain, and at points where wall panels are not completely joined such as at the corners where bottom of the wall panels 9 meet, it has been considered that additional grommets or ventilation holes could be added to the containment curtain or panel to provide additional ventilation. The containment curtain material could be fabricated with more rigid walls, with or without a frame and or with any relatively lightweight water resistant material. In any case the containment curtain or panel thereof could be printed with different colors, patterns or indicia. If the material is flexible, one or a plurality of the walls could be pleated providing extra material for expanding the interior space beyond the normal footprint. The containment curtain could have multiple layers for better insulating qualities to better contain heat. The access seam could be secured closed with any number of mechanical couplings or pressure release mechanism such as magnets, hook and loop, button, or snapping, or suction cup. More than one seam could be incorporated into the containment curtain, whether in a vertical wall or in a corner where the walls meet.

Frame

[0038] On FIG. 2 the frame 11 shown provides for a relatively rigid structure to support the containment curtain. It is appreciated that the frame could be made from a variety of water resistant materials and shapes. As shown, the frame 11 is comprised of four round elongated tubes 12 having a first end and a second end, both ends being of the same shape and size, connected together in a square or rectangular shape by inserting into four in total 90-degree elbows, three of which said elbows have two openings 13 and one of which has three openings 14, one 90-degree elbow set between each frame section, each end of the frame section inserts into the similarly shaped dimensionally minimally larger opening of one end of 90-degree elbows on the same plane which have two said openings orientated outwardly 90 degrees from the corner point of the elbow, and the fourth 90-degree elbow 14 with its first two openings having the same orientation of two openings on the same plane as the two-opening elbows, and which also has a third opening 16 orientated downward and perpendicular to the other openings for receiving a support pole 17, together the four elongated tubes and four 90-degree elbows forming a square or rectangular shaped frame on the same horizontal plane, with a vertical support pole extending down from the frame the length to the shower space floor.

[0039] The Curtain Frame 11 is comprised four round elongated plastic tubes 12, three two-openings 90-degree elbow joiner parts 13, one three-openings 90-degree elbow joiner part 14, one support pole 17, one support pole coupling 18 to alter the length of support pole 17, and one support pole anti-slip end cap 19. Once assembled the frame 11 provides a structure for the containment curtain. It has been contemplating that the frame sections could be an elongated square or rectangular shaped with similarly shaped openings in the 90-degree elbow joiners, or the frame could be one continuous organic shape, or the containment curtain itself could be more rigid in which case it would also function as the frame. The supporting pole could be a single piece, telescoping, or multiple pieces that join together. The frame or a portion thereof could be suspended from the shower structure ceiling and or other shower structure surfaces.

Mounts

[0040] FIG. 6 is a front view of a mount 1 used to secure a round elongated tube frame section to one or more surfaces a shower space structure. The mounts have a front side 8, and a back side 9 as shown on FIG. 8. The back side could be joined to a shower space structure surface with any number of wall fastener types, but optimally with a double-sided water resistant removable adhesive tape 10 of FIG. 9 disposed on the back side of the mount 9 by way of side 11 of the tape 10, and then to a wall surface by way of the exposed adhesive side of the tape 12, for quick and easy installation that does not require tools and does not necessitate penetration of the shower space surface. Once fastened to the shower space surface, the front side of the mounts hold the frame perpendicular to the shower space wall surface or surfaces at the optimum height. The front portion of the mounts have a receiving area 2 shown on FIG. 7 shaped to form a cavity to removably receive and secure the tube frame sections by way of a beveled leading receiving edge 3, a back side beveled edge 4 and a resiliently biasly apposed extended portion 5, together forming a semi-circular shaped cavity 2 to retain an elongated circular tube frame section 12 of FIG. 2. By way of example with specific reference to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the round frame 12 section will be guided by leading beveled edge 3 and then engage with the extended portion 5 such that upon application of force, the resiliently biased extended portion 5 will give way outwardly allowing the frame 12 section to pass through the opening 2 and come to rest in the semi-cylindrical receiving portion of the mount. The mounts may have pilot holes 6 as shown on FIG. 6 with beveled leading edges 7 forming a countersink for optional mounting methods utilizing a screw or bolt.

[0041] Any number of shapes of mounts could be used to receive varying shaped frame sections and elbow joiners. In an alternately square shaped elongated frame section and similarly shaped openings in the 90-degree elbow joiners, the receiving area cavity of the mounts would also be square shaped to further secure the frame by constraining it from twisting with-in the mount, the result being that when the assembled the frame sections are secured in the mounts, the combination would have a cantilever effect to frame sections not mounted to a shower surface to resist sagging. Other mount shapes could take on more aesthetic and decorative considerations. The mounts could be simple snaps, other pressure release mechanisms, or mechanical couplings. Likewise the materials used for the containment panel or panels is limited only to that which is able to be made relatively lightweight and impervious to wet conditions and are preferably non-toxic.

Diverter

[0042] Moving to FIG. 3, which is a back side view of the diverter 1 is constructed of the same or similar material as the containment curtain and is secured along its top edge 2 to the top of one of either the containment curtain walls or frame sections. It has two has two straps 5 and 10 with magnets 6 and 11 respectively, secured at the end of said straps and used to removably connect to the containment curtain wall on the opposing side witch also has magnets or a metallic surface at the upper mounting points 19 and 22 as shown on FIG. 4. There are also three mounting point magnets at the bottom end of the diverter denoted by 7, 8, and 9 shown on FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which are directly adhered to the diverter, and which are used to connect to three lower mounting points on the opposing wall of the containment curtain 20, 21, and 23. The diverter 1 also has a circular shaped hole or penetration 4 which allows a heated air and water vapor to flow through the opening. Relative to FIG. 4 we see a back view of the diverter in combination with a section view of the containment curtain and frame, and in this illustration the containment curtain material being semi-opaque, and we see the orientation of the diverter and its attachments to the containment curtain. In FIG. 5 we see a section view of the diverter 3 and the containment curtain 18 with the diverted attached in place to two of its removable mounting points upper 19 and lower 20. We also see the shower head 13 shown penetrating the containment curtain through slit opening 12 and water valve fixture 15 penetrating through slit opening 14. The top edge of the diverter 2 is fixed to either the containment curtain or frame at 2, and the diverter is draped under the shower head over to the opposing containment curtain wall and connects with the two mounting straps 5 and 10 shown in FIG. 3 by way of its attached magnets 6 and 11 to the releasable contact points 19 and 22 as shown on FIG. 4 as magnets or a metallic surfaces. We also see the lower connecting magnet 9 removably connected to the connecting point magnet or metallic surface 20. The magnets are used so the connections are easily removable and so that the diverter can be moved aside out of the way when utilizing the space as a normal shower. When in use, the diverter alters the direction of the hot water spray, flow, or dripping from the shower head, over to the opposing wall 18 as shown on FIG. 5 and down the same wall to the floor drain. The magnets also provide a means to easily make adjustments in orientation of the diverter contact points to the containment curtain wall connecting points. These slight adjustments at the connection points of the diverter to the containment curtain wall further alter the direction and path of the flow of heated water, heated water vapor, and heated air and how it circulates throughout the containment area, and through the penetration hole 4. How the heated water, heated water vapor, and heated air flows, is affected by a number of factors such as the temperature of the water emitting from the shower head, the volume and pressure of the water flowing to and from the shower head, and the pattern of spray emitting from the shower head nozzles. Any variation of these and other factors will affect heat transfer and the flow of the heated water vapor. Once the user has adjusted the factors above, the user can then further affect the vapor and hot air flow by adjusting the orientation of the diverter connecting points. While the diverter is shown with a single continuous length of material, it is understood that variations in its construction could be incorporated. One such variation could be a vertical portion added to further block spray. The diverter could be a panel or panels of more rigid material. The diverter could be attached to or an attachment to the shower head or neck rather than the containment curtain or frame. Other variations could incorporate multiple perforations or textured patterns in the lower portion of the diverter to further disperse and optimize the heat transfer and water vapor flow. The diverter could also incorporate a means to contain and dispense various substances for aroma therapy. It is also recognized that a modified shower head with an optimal number of nozzles that form a droplet size more conducive to heat transfer from said droplets to the surrounding air and water vapor, in combination with the invention, will enhance the efficiency of the system by reducing the volume of hot water flow through the shower head required to maintain the desired internal temperature of the containment area. It has also been considered that in addition to a shower head optimized for droplet size, a means for a secondary source of heat could be added to the shower head such as electronic heating elements.

Connections of Main Elements and Sub-Elements of the Preferred Embodiment

[0043] The containment curtain 1 of FIG. 1 drapes over the frame 11 of FIG. 2. The frame sections 12 of FIG. 2 are joined by alternately inserting the sections into the 90-degree elbows 13 and 14 by friction fit, once together forming the square or rectangular portion of the frame, and the assembled supporting pole 17 is then inserted to the bottom opening 16 of elbow 14 and frame is completed. The main section of supporting pole 17 is connected to the lower portion by the coupling 18, and the anti-slip end cap 19 is attached to the end of the supporting pole where it comes in contact to the shower floor. The assembled containment curtain and frame are then lifted and set into mounts which have been previously adhered to the shower space walls at a height above the shower head and so that the bottom of the containment curtain will remain in contact with the shower space floor once set in the mounts. A portion of the containment curtain material will be pinched between the frame and the mount opening cavity perimeter.

Alternative Embodiments of Invention

[0044] Many variations of materials could be used to form the containment curtain. They could be more rigid materials, foldable, or modular. Likewise, the mounts could be made of any type of material suitable for wet conditions, and be made of more ornamental design for aesthetic purposes. The containment curtain could be a single panel capping a shower stall space that is otherwise enclosed, or a combination of panels attached to the shower space surface openings to complete the enclosure. The frame 11 shown in FIG. 2 could be completely supported by four poles positioned under each of the 90-degree elbows forming a table like structure rather than set in mounts. The supporting pole could be a single piece, telescoping, or multiple pieces that join together. The containment curtain and or frame could also be suspended from the shower space ceiling by way of a single ceiling mount system. The frame could be constructed so that it had optimized spray nozzles incorporated into it, the frame itself acting as the water tube supply to the nozzles, the frame supplied by a water line from a water-valve-diverter between the shower water supply and shower head. The diverter could be attached, or have an attachment to, the shower head or neck.

[0045] What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.