Patent Application
20090169136
This invention generally relates to bags for appliance such as, but limited to, water heaters.
Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Appliances adapted to provide a generally constant supply of hot water are known as water heaters, boilers, heat exchangers, calorifiers or geysers depending on whether they are heating potable or non-potable water, in domestic or industrial use, their energy source, and in which part of the world they are found. In domestic installations, potable water heated for uses other than space heating is sometimes known as Domestic Hot Water (DHW).
In household and commercial usage, most water heaters in North America are of the tank type, although tankless hot water heaters are becoming more popular. Also called storage water heaters, these tank heaters often comprise a cylindrical tank in which water is kept continuously hot and ready for use. Typical sizes for household use range from 75 to 400 liters, or about 20 to 100 gallons. These heaters may use electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, solar, or other energy sources to heat the water. Natural gas heaters are popular in the United States and most European countries since the gas is often conveniently piped throughout cities and towns and is the cheapest energy source to use. Compared to tankless heaters, storage tank water heaters have the advantage of using energy (gas or electricity) at a relatively slow rate, storing the heat for later use. Larger tanks tend to provide hot water with less temperature fluctuation at moderate flow rates.
The vertically-aligned cylindrical tanks used in the United States usually stand on the floor or on a platform raised a short distance above the floor. Other countries may have storage water heater tanks which are typically horizontal. Some water heaters may be mounted in the ceiling space or attic, possibly over laundry-utility rooms.
Water heater tanks have been historically made out of copper and were therefore very corrosion resistant, often lasting for decades. Now tanks are made out of steel and lined with glass or porcelain. Unlike the copper tanks, a steel tank can easily rust and leak over time. To prevent water heater tank destruction, anode rods of magnesium or aluminum alloy are installed in the tanks. As these anode rods undergo galvanic corrosion, they reduce the corrosion of the steel tank itself. Typically, tanks with longer guarantees have increased anode material, so when the anode is used up, the tank begins to rust. It may be possible to check the anode condition, and replace it if it is wearing out prior to the tank rusting. Modern US water heater tanks last about ten years.
Often, when replacing hot water heater tanks, as well as other types of appliances that use water, a large amount of water is spilled on the floor surrounding the appliance. To prevent this from occurring, prior art water heater and appliance bags were created. However, these bags were deficient in their design and use. For example, due the bag construction, the bags are very expensive and bulky. Furthermore, the bag design (particularly the horizontal length-wise opening and the length) was such that the water heater bags often leaked and created unsafe conditions. A water heater is prone to leaking in a prior art bag, given the horizontal opening in the bag and that the water is typically placed in the bag in a horizontal position. These leaks into the bag potentially create an unsafe environment for those working and living with and near the bag. For example, mildew and bacterial growth may occur in the damp conditions. Requiring the water heater to be positioned horizontally essentially defeats the purpose of using a bag since the water heater nearly always leaks into the bag and often onto the surroundings. Moreover, the prior bags did not allow a user to dispose of the bag after a single use and therefore users were required to remove the water heater to dispose of the water heater and reuse the bag.
When removal of a water heater from a home or business is necessary, a disposable water heater bag may be employed to help a plumber or other water heater replacement technician from spilling water during the replacement process as well as to make it easier for the plumber or technician to remove the water heater from the premises. Employing the use of a disposable water heater bag enables for easier disposal of the water heater as the water heater may no longer need removal from the bag prior to disposal. By having a rectangular bottom, an open upper end and a material adapted to be pierced by the hot and cold water ports, one embodiment of a disposable water heater bag may be adapted to also allow for a quicker removal and disposable process of the water heater as well.
A water heater bag may be comprised of a flexible polymeric material about 2 mils thick and may be used to help transport a used water heater whenever a water heater is to be replaced, removed from the premises, or moved to a different location. To perform these functions, in one embodiment and with one method, a water heater bag may first be unfolded. Unfolding the bag allows a user to correctly position the bag to receive a used water heater and prevent water spillage. One water heater bag embodiment may be unfolded to allow the rectangular water heater bag bottom to be placed on a flat surface. An upper end of the bag may have the upper end opening. As the bag is unfolded, the upper end opening and rectangular bottom may be exposed.
Upon unfolding and correctly positioning the bag, one embodiment of the invention is adapted to, and one method allows for, a used water heater to be inserted into the bag. The water heater end not having water inlet/outlet ports may be first inserted into the opening and placed on the generally rectangular bottom. This end, in one method, may be a water heater bottom end. Upon placing the water heater end through the opening and onto the rectangular bottom, one or more water heater bag sidewalls may be pulled along the length of the water heater.
Fully extended, the one or more sidewalls are long enough in one embodiment to extend beyond the opposing end of the water heater, which may be a top end having hot and cold water inlet/exit ports. Upon extending past the top end of the water heater in one embodiment and method, and pulling the bag generally taut, an embodiment's sidewalls are adapted to fold over and operatively couple to the top end of the water heater. For example, in one embodiment, a first sidewall may generally fold towards a second sidewall, coming into contact with the hot and cold water inlet/outlet ports. The sidewall is continued to be folded towards the water heater end, with the ports eventually piercing the sidewall. A second, third, fourth, etc., sidewall may also be folded and pierced by the ports.
Once the water heater has been placed in the bag and the bog is closed either with the method disclosed above or otherwise, in one embodiment, the bag and heater may be placed vertically on a dolly and conveniently rolled out of the removal location. Alternatively, one embodiment and one method may involve dragging or carrying the water heater and bag out of the premises. A user may grab the bag near the hot and cold water ports and use this portion of the bag as a handle to help facilitate movement of the bag and heater to the disposal location—this method is an alternative removal method in some bag embodiments. The bag and the heater may be disposed of after a single use. Other closing and handling devices are also contemplated.
By using a disposable hot water heater bag in this manner, a user is able to dispose of a water heater in a more efficient manner than with prior art bags which are not disposable as there is no need to remove the heater from the bag prior to disposal. Furthermore, including an upper end opening instead of an opening along the length of the bag decreases the chance at water spillage since the opening is a much smaller opening and can be positioned correctly during movement of the heater. Also, as the one or more sidewalls are adapted to extend beyond the upper end of water heater, the bag is larger than prior art bags, allowing for use with larger water heater systems than prior art bags. Furthermore, the rectangular bottom allows a user to correctly position the water heater bag prior to reception of the bottom end. Altogether, these improvement save time, money, and resources for plumbers and water tank installation technicians.
The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.
The term “couple”, “coupled”, “coupling”, or any variation thereof, as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact. Specifically, this term may be used to define two elements joined by a bolted fastener, a latch, a hook, or any other reasonably readily removable fastening device.
The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.
Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.
As best shown in
The sidewalls 14 of one embodiment may be integrated to the generally rectangular bottom 12. The sidewalls extend generally perpendicularly away from the bottom when the sides are extended. The sides and the bottom may be comprised of a flexible polymeric material. The material comprises a thickness that is adapted to prevent unwanted ripping of the bag upon reception of a water heater. A preferred thickness is about 1.0 mils to 5.0 mils, a more preferred thickness of about 1.5 mils to 4.0 mils, and a most preferred thickness of about 2.00 to 3.00 mils. One embodiment may have one or more sidewalls which is comprised of a crease. The crease in the one or more sidewalls may enable to sidewall to expand widthwisely, for example.
Upon receiving a water heater, one bag is comprised of a flexible polymeric material in order to allow the one or more sidewalls to fold after extending past a water heater top end 18, as best shown in
The bag 10 may be adapted to fold through the use of the particular material the bag is comprised of. For example, if the bag is comprised of polyethylene or a polyethylene-based material (which may be disposable), the bag may be adapted to fold by pulling the one or more sidewalls taut—wherein the bottom 12 is generally flush against a water heater bottom end 20. Alternatively, the bag may fold through the use of hinges, an internal frame, or other folding mechanisms generally known in the art. During folding, at least one of the one more water heater bag sidewalls may be pivoted against the intersection of the water heater top end 18 and the water heater side 22.
The one or more sidewalls 14 are adapted to fold to a position wherein a sidewall top portion 24 is substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the water heater. In order to do so, as the sidewall is folded towards the water heater top end 18, as best shown in
One embodiment may be adapted to be punctured through one or more perforations in the bag sidewall 14 top portion 24. The perforations may have a cross-sectional diameter generally equal to the cross-sectional diameter of the pipe. Furthermore, the perforations may be located in a bag position adapted to allow the pipe to fit through the perforations. In such an embodiment, the bag may be substantially taut against the water heater. The perforated edges may be reinforced. In one embodiment, the puncture bore created by the pipe may help secure the bag to the water heater. Furthermore, additional sidewalls may be adapted to help secure the bag to the heater. In one embodiment, upon folding the sidewalls, the sidewall material may “bunch” up at the water heater end the sidewalls are folded at, as best shown in
In addition to the generally rectangular bottom 12 and the one or more sidewalls 14 having a top portion 24 adapted to be punctured by at least one water port 28, one embodiment of a water heater bag 10 may also be comprised of an upper end opening. One upper end opening may be a bag cavity created by one end of the one or more sidewalls. For example, in one embodiment, and as best shown in
The upper end opening of one embodiment is adapted to substantially close. One way that the upper end opening may close is through the puncturing method described above. However, a portion of the upper end may also close in a different manner. For example, at least a portion of the upper end opening may be closed through a coupling mechanism such as, but not limited to, a drawstring, an adhesive, or with another coupling mechanism or a combination of one or more coupling mechanisms.
As best shown in
One method may also use an embodiment comprised of sidewalls 14 with a length greater than 90 inches. The sidewalls may create an opening called an upper end opening which is adapted to receive a water heater 16. One material which is used may be a disposable material having a thickness of about 2 mils.
Besides using a water heater bag 10 as described above, a method for disposing of a water heater 16 may include unfolding the disposable water heater bag. To unfold the bag, the bag may be removed from a carrying case and placed on a substantially flat surface. One edge of the bag may then be lifted and unfoldingly placed on an opposing bag side. This may enable the size of the area resting on the substantially flat surface to double. This method of unfolding may occur until the bag is substantially fully unfolded.
A separate unfolding method may also be implemented. In one such separate method, the bag 10 may be unfolded in a manner wherein the generally rectangular bottom 12 lies substantially flat on a surface and the sidewalls 14 are bunched, grouped, placed, or unfolded around the bottom, as best shown in
One method may be comprised of removing a generally cylindrical used water heater 16 having a generally elliptical cross-section, a bottom end 20, and at least one side from where the water heater was installed. For example, the water heater may be installed in a basement of a house. In such a case, the method may include removing the water heater from this location. The removed water heater may then be placed into the upper end opening created by an edge of the one or more sidewalls 14. In one method, the bottom end of the water heater is placed through the upper end opening. The water heater is then set upon the generally rectangular bottom 12. In one method, it is the water heater bottom end that is set against the bag bottom. The method may then include substantially surrounding the at least one water heater sides having generally elliptical cross-sections with the one or more sidewalls. In one method, this occurs through pulling on the bag sidewalls so the sidewall may extend over the water heater side.
One method may further include extending the bag's one or more sidewalls 14 past a water heater top end 18, as best shown in
Furthermore, the one or more sidewall top portions 24 may be adapted to be pierced or punctured. For example, as the left sidewall top portion as shown in
A method may also include removing the water heater 16. For example, a water heater may need to be replaced. Therefore, the method may require removal of the water heater from the installation location and after placing the heater inside of the bag, removing the bag and heater from the premises. In one method, the water heater may be removed by vertically placing the water heater into the water heater bag and then using a dolly to remove the water heater and bag from the premises. A dolly is one type of water heater or appliance transport system which may be used to remove the water heater or other appliance from the premises. The use of a dolly may be important as some water heaters are required to be kept in a generally vertical position to prevent spillage. Furthermore, some heaters are too heavy to carry. By using a dolly, or when a water heater may be carried, these removal methods prevent the water heater bag from breaking upon removal. A dolly may also be used to place the water heater into the bag instead of carrying the water heater into the bag. Upon removing the water heater and bag from the premises, one method may include simultaneously disposing of the water heater and the water heater bag.
The embodiments of the disposable water heater bag and methods of use as illustrated in the accompanying figures and described above are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. For example, it is contemplated to have a similar disposal bag for toilets. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
