ABSTRACT Aqualis
In May 2001, Aqualis, a manufacturer of shower, the shower had launched Quartz, the first significant product innovation in the market history of the showers in the UK. However, in early September 2001, had long the euphoria surrounding the initial launch of the product had vanished. Quartz was the technologically superior to the other showers in the market in terms of water pressure, ease of installation, use and design. However, for some reason was not sold.
Showers in the United Kingdom had many problems, everyone had a bathtub, but only 60% of homes had a shower. Archaic pipes dating from Victorian times were common in homes and operated mostly by gravity.
Installations based on seriousness of water generated a low water pressure, about 3 to 4 liters per minute. These facilities often resulted in pressure fluctuations, causing abrupt changes in temperature from one to another minute. This was often solved with the use of electric showers or special valves for the United Kingdom.
The following products were available in the market:
1. Electric showers through resistance heating installed in the shower the water instantly heated to the temperature required. Failed to solve the problem of insufficient water flow, because it was limited by the amount of energy that could be applied to heat the water instantly. Aqualis competed under the Gainsborough brand.
2. Manual mixing valve and thermostat. These mixed the hot and cold water to obtain the desired temperature. The thermostat controlling the temperature automatically while the manual force the user to set the mixture to the proper temperature. Its installation requires drilling the wall of the bathroom (two days of work) and to increase the water pressure was necessary to install an additional booster pump to increase the flow.
The Aquavalve 609 consisting of a thermostat valve that could be complemented with the booster pump to increase pressure Aquaforce, was the star product...