EP-4574250-B1 - DOSING DEVICE FOR WATER TREATMENT IN SWIMMING POOLS

Inventors

• JUNYENT LLADÓ, Jordi

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20241122

Claims (4)

1. A dosing device for water treatment in swimming pools, for release of soluble chemicals, wherein the device comprises: - an outer casing (2) with an inner chamber (6) and through openings (7) for fluid two-way communication between the inner chamber (6) and the outside; - a product holder (3) housed in and at least partially removable from the inner chamber (6) of the casing (2); - closure means (5) for locking and immobilisation of the product holder (3) in the internal chamber (6) of the casing (2); characterized in that the dosing device is attachable to an internal surface of a swimming pool, wherein the dosing device further comprises - at least one magnetic attachment element (4) for removable and direct attachment of the casing (2) to the inner surface of the pool; and in that the product holder (3) can slide in the inner chamber (6) of the casing (2), into and out of which it can slide through a slot (20) defined in the casing (2).
2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the casing (2) comprises a first portion (8) and a second portion (9) which can be assembled together by means of corresponding couplings (10).
3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the product holder (3) comprises a plate (11) with a plurality of housings (12).
4. Device according to any one of claim 3 wherein closure means (5) consist of flexible fins (21) defined at one end of the plate (11) of the product holder (3), and ribs (22) defined in the inner chamber (6) of the casing (2).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention falls within the technical field of water treatment, especially treatment by the addition of specific substances, as well as within the technical field of devices for the distribution of chemical products in swimming pool water, and refers in particular to a dosing device for water treatment in swimming pools, spas and similar installations, especially designed for above-ground removable swimming pools, although its use is not limited to this type. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In the current state of the art, there are a number of dismountable swimming pool or spa-type installations that have been specially designed for home use and for mainly seasonal use. These installations, hereinafter referred to generically as swimming pools, are smaller than fixed installations and are more economical to purchase and maintain. Swimming pools require the care of various aspects for their correct functioning. For example, the pH level of the water in the pool must be regularly checked and balanced. In addition, chemical treatments must be provided to disinfect the water, and it is advisable to use substances to prevent the formation of algae, especially when the installation is located outdoors. Due to the non-professional use of these pools, it is desirable that the user himself can carry out all maintenance tasks as easily as possible. One solution consists of wrapping the chemical products to be used in the water treatments, generally by encapsulating them in a porous capsule, thus avoiding spillage and undesired contact. In addition, since the amount of product contained in the encapsulation is fixed, this avoids risks arising from both excess and deficiency in the amount 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, 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, two main groups can be clearly differentiated: floating dispensers and fixed dispensers. Floating dispensers, as their name suggests, float and move freely in the water with the inconvenience this can cause to users. The fixed dispensers are attached to the water delivery nozzle and have the disadvantage that, due to this delivery flow, the chemicals to be dispersed dissolve quickly, resulting in a short-lived product. Furthermore, as they are specially configured for specific dimensions of the water delivery nozzle, they are not very versatile and cannot be interchanged between different pool models. 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 has to be replaced once it is exhausted. This is an additional disadvantage for these devices, as they do not allow maintaining adequate concentrations of chemicals for optimal water conditions for a long time, and they need to be replaced too often. In addition, as only one capsule can be housed, no dosage of the applied product is possible, nor can combinations of different products be made, such as disinfectants with flavouring agents. The Spanish patent with publication number ES2937068, owned by this same applicant, describes a device for water treatment in swimming pools and spas, especially those of the inflatable type, designed to be coupled to an impulsion nozzle to allow a gradual and controlled release of water treatment chemicals housed inside porous capsules. It allows the housing of several capsules, but its correct operation is associated with its installation next to the delivery nozzle. Document EP0434948 discloses a swimming pool treatment device that comprises cylidrical pills comprising solid water treatment material such as trichloroisocyanuric acid. A collar surrounds the periphery of the pill so that only the end surfaces thereof are engaged by the water. Consequently, there is a constant erosion of the pill material. Various containers for one or more pills are disclosed. The containers which rest on the pool floor have downward projections that permit sufficient water flow below the pill container to prevent staining of