Tub with swirl ports and dispenser

A bathtub assembly, comprising:

• a bathtub shell defining an interior cavity configured to contain a volume of liquid, the bathtub shell having at least one dispenser flow opening and a plurality of directed flow openings defined therein;
• a circulation system in communication with the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the circulation system being configured to create a flow of the liquid to and from the interior cavity of the bathtub shell;
• a plurality of directed flow jets in fluid communication between the circulation system and the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the plurality of directed flow jets being configured to convey at least a first portion of the flow of the liquid through the directed flow openings to create a directed flow of the liquid within the interior cavity of the bathtub shell;
• a housing in fluid communication between the circulation system and the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the housing being connected to the bathtub shell at the at least one dispenser flow opening and configured to convey a second portion of the flow of the liquid created by the circulation system into the interior cavity of the bathtub shell through the at least one dispenser flow opening;
• a dispenser assembly in fluid communication between the circulation system and the housing, the dispenser assembly being configured to contain a substance therein and to expose the substance to the second portion of the flow of the liquid conveyed to the at least one dispenser flow opening such that the substance is introduced into the volume of liquid in the interior cavity of the bathtub shell via the at least one dispenser flow opening;
• and
• a valve positioned in the circulation system, the valve being configured to be operated to allow the second portion of the flow of the liquid created by the circulation system to be directed to the dispenser assembly and the housing.

A method of operating a bathtub assembly, comprising:

• providing the bathtub assembly, the bathtub assembly comprising:
• a bathtub shell defining an interior cavity configured to contain a volume of liquid, the bathtub shell having at least one dispenser flow opening and a plurality of directed flow openings defined therein;
• a circulation system in communication with the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the circulation system being configured to create a flow of the liquid to and from the interior cavity of the bathtub shell;
• a plurality of directed flow jets in fluid communication between the circulation system and the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the plurality of directed flow jets being configured to convey at least a first portion of the flow of the liquid through the directed flow openings to create a directed flow of the liquid within the interior cavity of the bathtub shell;
• a housing in fluid communication between the circulation system and the interior cavity of the bathtub shell, the housing being connected to the bathtub shell at the at least one dispenser flow opening and configured to convey a second portion of the flow of the liquid created by the circulation system into the interior cavity of the bathtub shell through the at least one dispenser flow opening;
• a dispenser assembly in fluid communication between the circulation system and the housing, the dispenser assembly being configured to contain a substance therein and to expose the substance to the second portion of the flow of the liquid conveyed to the at least one dispenser flow opening such that the substance is introduced into the volume of liquid in the interior cavity of the bathtub shell via the at least one dispenser flow opening;
• and
• a valve positioned in the circulation system, the valve being configured to be operated to allow the second portion of the flow of the liquid created by the circulation system to be directed to the dispenser assembly and the housing;
• filling the interior cavity of the bathtub shell with the volume of liquid;
• inserting the substance into the dispenser assembly;
• activating the circulation system to create the flow of the liquid to and from the interior cavity of the bathtub shell through the directed flow jets to form the directed flow of the liquid within the interior cavity of the bathtub shell;
• and
• operating the valve to allow the second portion of the flow of the liquid to pass through the dispenser assembly, the housing, and the at least one dispenser flow opening to introduce the substance to the volume of liquid in the interior cavity of the bathtub shell via the at least one dispenser flow opening.