US-12622549-B2 - Bath with hot and cold water zones

Abstract

A bath receptor includes a first basin, a second basin, and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin. The first basin includes a first whirlpool system configured to direct water in a first rotational direction within the first basin. The second basin includes a second whirlpool system configured to direct water in a second rotational direction within the second basin. The second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction. The partition is physically coupled to the first basin and the second basin.

Inventors

• Jason Kwacz

Assignees

• KOHLER CO.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240605

Claims (19)

1. 1 . A bath receptor, comprising: a first basin comprising a first whirlpool system configured to direct water in a first rotational direction within the first basin; a second basin comprising a second whirlpool system configured to direct water in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction within the second basin; and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin and physically coupled to the first basin and the second basin.
2. 2 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein the first whirlpool system comprises a heating element configured to form hot water passing through the first whirlpool system, and wherein the second whirlpool system comprises a cooling element configured to form cold water passing through the second whirlpool system.
3. 3 . The bath receptor of claim 2 , wherein the first whirlpool system is configured to form a hot water vortex within the first basin, and wherein the second whirlpool system is configured to form a cold water vortex within the second basin.
4. 4 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein the first whirlpool system comprises a first suction system positioned proximate a bottom of the first basin, and wherein the second whirlpool system comprises a second suction system positioned proximate a bottom of the second basin.
5. 5 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein the partition is vertically provided along at least a portion of a height of the bath receptor, wherein the water from the first basin and the second basin are directed in a same translational direction along the partition.
6. 6 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein the first basin further comprises a first shallow zone and a first deep zone, the first shallow zone defining a first water depth and the first deep zone defining a second water depth, and wherein the first water depth is less than the second water depth.
7. 7 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein a height of the partition is less than a height of the bath receptor such that the water in the first basin and the water in the second basin converge along a fluid contact plane vertically provided above the partition when a water level within the first basin and the second basin exceeds the height of the partition.
8. 8 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein the first whirlpool system further comprises a first plurality of jets configured to output water into the first basin at an angle relative to a sidewall of the first basin, and wherein the second whirlpool system further comprises a second plurality of jets configured to output water into the second basin at an angle relative to a sidewall of the second basin.
9. 9 . The bath receptor of claim 1 , wherein a sidewall of the first basin includes a radius portion adjacent to the partition and configured to direct water in an annular direction aligned with a side wall of the partition.
10. 10 . A bath receptor, comprising: a first basin comprising a first basin floor, a first basin drain, and a first whirlpool system configured to direct water in a first rotational direction within the first basin, wherein the first basin floor is sloped towards the first basin drain; and a second basin comprising a second basin floor, a second basin drain, and a second whirlpool system configured to direct water in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction within the second basin, wherein the second basin floor is sloped towards the second basin drain; wherein the first basin floor and the second basin floor are sloped in opposite directions.
11. 11 . The bath receptor of claim 10 , wherein the first basin comprises a first suction system positioned proximate a bottom of the first basin, and wherein the second basin comprises a second suction system positioned proximate a bottom of the second basin.
12. 12 . The bath receptor of claim 11 , wherein a hot water vortex directs water from an outer portion of the first basin to an inner portion of the first basin proximate the first suction system, and wherein a cold water vortex directs water form an outer portion of the second basin to an inner portion of the second basin proximate the second suction system.
13. 13 . The bath receptor of claim 10 , further comprising a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin, wherein water in the first basin and water in the second basin converge along a fluid contact plane vertically provided above the partition.
14. 14 . The bath receptor of claim 10 , further comprising a heating element configured to heat water in the first basin and a cooling element configured to cool water in the second basin.
15. 15 . The bath receptor of claim 10 , further comprising a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin, wherein the first basin and the second basin are configured to direct water in opposite rotational directions in the first basin and the second basin and configured to direct the water in a same translational direction along the partition.
16. 16 . A water circulation system, comprising: a first basin comprising a heating element configured to heat water circulating in the first basin to form hot water; a second basin comprising a cooling element configured to cool water circulating in the second basin to form cold water; and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin, the partition having a height less than a height of the first basin and the second basin; wherein the hot water and the cold water converge on a fluid contact plane vertically provided above the partition.
17. 17 . The water circulation system of claim 16 , wherein the first basin further comprises a first whirlpool system configured to direct the hot water in a first rotational direction within the first basin and the second basin further comprises a second whirlpool system configured to direct the cold water in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction within the second basin, and wherein the hot water and the cold water are directed in a same translational direction along the partition.
18. 18 . The water circulation system of claim 16 , wherein the hot water and the cold water fluidly contact each other along the fluid contact plane vertically provided above the partition, and wherein the water circulation system is configured to prevent the hot water and the cold water from mixing along the fluid contact plane.
19. 19 . The water circulation system of claim 16 , wherein the first basin and the second basin are bounded by a plurality of side walls that form a continuous perimeter surrounding both the first basin and the second basin and separated from each other by the partition extending between opposite side walls of the plurality of side walls within the continuous perimeter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/858,627, filed Jul. 6, 2022, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/220,172, filed Jul. 9, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to bases or receptors for baths (e.g., showers, bath rubs, etc.) and sinks. Generally speaking, bath receptors are vessels that are configured for receiving water in a bathroom or other environment. Usually, a faucet or other water delivery device is located proximate to the bath receptor, and a drain pipe is coupled to the sink to remove unwanted water. SUMMARY At least one embodiment relates to a bath system that includes a bath receptor. The bath receptor includes a water inlet, a first basin, a second basin, and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin. The water inlet is configured to supply water to the bath receptor. The first basin includes a first whirlpool system configured to direct water in a first direction within the first basin. The second basin includes a second whirlpool system configured to direct water in a second direction within the second basin. The second direction opposite the first direction. The partition is vertically provided along at least a portion of a height of the bath receptor. Another example embodiment relates to a bath receptor. The bath receptor includes a first basin and a second basin. The first basin includes a first whirlpool system fluidly coupled to the first basin and includes a heating element configured to heat water passing through the first whirlpool system. The first whirlpool system is configured to direct hot water in a first direction. The second basin includes a second whirlpool system fluidly coupled the second basin and includes a cooling element configured to cool water passing through the second whirlpool system. The second whirlpool system is configured to direct cold water in a second direction. The first whirlpool system forms a hot water vortex within the first basin and wherein the second whirlpool system forms a cold water vortex within the second basin. Another example embodiment relates to a water circulation system. The water circulation system includes a first basin, a second basin, and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin. The first basin includes a first whirlpool system fluidly coupled to the first basin. The first whirlpool system includes a heating element configured to heat water passing through the first whirlpool system to form hot water. The second basin includes a second whirlpool system fluidly coupled to the second basin. The second whirlpool system includes a cooling element configured to cool water passing through the second whirlpool system to form cold water. The partition is positioned between the first basin and the second basin. The hot water and the cold water converge on a contact plane vertically provided above the partition. This summary is illustrative only and should not be regarded as limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath system, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is a top view of the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 3 is a top view of the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is a perspective, bottom view of the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective, top view of the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 7 is a perspective, top view of the bath system of FIG. 1 showing hot water circulation, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the flow of hot water within the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 9 is a perspective, top view of the bath system of FIG. 1 showing cold water circulation, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of cold water within the bath system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bath system, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 12 is a top view of the bath system of FIG. 11, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 13 is a side view of the bath system of FIG. 11, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 14 is a perspective, bottom view of the bath system of FIG. 11, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 15 is a perspective, top view of the bath system of FIG. 11, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 16 is a p