US20240225372A9

US20240225372A9 - Bathtub liner

Info

Publication number: US20240225372A9
Application number: US18/488,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Diedra Emerson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2023-10-17
Publication date: 2024-07-11
Also published as: US20240130574A1

Abstract

A bathtub liner for covering an inner surface of a bathtub, wherein the bathtub liner provides a buffer against the chipped or cracked inner surface of the bathtub. The bathtub liner includes a cushioning layer sandwiched between an upper layer and a bottom layer. The bottom layer can be thick and cut resistant while the top layer may be transparent and slip resistant. Edge portions of the upper and the bottom layer can be sealably bonded together encasing the cushioning layer. The bathtub liner further has a drain hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/417,337, filed on Oct. 19, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to bathtub liners, and more particularly, the present invention relates to reusable bathroom liners.

BACKGROUND

Bathtub liners are known in the art for their use in bathtubs to provide a hygienic environment. Such bathtub liners are made from a thin plastic sheet to cover the inner of the bathtub. The bathtub liners are disposable and used in bathtubs of hotels, guest rooms, and the like for hygiene. Thus, such bathtub liners have limited use and suffer from several drawbacks. Some of the major limitations and drawbacks include a thin profile that is susceptible to cuts and damage. Thin plastic bathtub liners do not provide any thermal insulation from the surface of the bathtub. Also, many times the inner surface of the bathtub develops cracks or chipping. The portion of the plastic liner getting in touch with the damaged inner surface of the bathtub liner is more susceptible to cuts.
A need is therefore appreciated for a novel bathtub liner that is devoid of the above drawback and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a bathtub liner that is devoid of the above drawbacks with the conventional thin plastic sheet bathroom liners.
It is an object of the present invention that the bathtub liner provides cushioning against the hard surface of the bathtub.
It is another object of the present invention that the bathtub liner is made cut resistant.
It is still another object of the present invention that the bathtub liner can cover the chipped inner surface of the bathtub.
It is a further object of the present invention that the bathtub liner provides insulation against the surface of the bathtub.
It is still a further object of the present invention that the bathtub liner is reusable.
It is yet a further object of the present invention that the bathtub liner is comfortable to use.
It is an additional object of the present invention that the bathtub liner has an aesthetic appearance.
It is still an additional object of the present invention that the bathtub liner is economical to manufacture.
In one aspect, disclosed is a bathtub liner for covering an inner surface of a bathtub, wherein the bathtub liner provides a buffer against the chipped or cracked inner surface of the bathtub. The bathtub liner includes a cushioning layer sandwiched between an upper layer and a bottom layer. The bottom layer can be thick and cut resistant while the top layer may be transparent and slip resistant. Edge portions of the upper and the bottom layer can be sealably bonded together encasing the cushioning layer. The bathtub liner further has a drain hole.
In one aspect, disclosed are a bathtub liner and a method of use thereof for lining an inner of a bathtub. The bathtub liner comprises a cushioning layer, an upper layer, and a bottom layer. The cushioning layer is sandwiched between the upper layer and the bottom layer, edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are sealably bonded together encasing the cushioning layer. The method includes lining the bathtub with the bathtub liner. The edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are heat bonded. The bathtub liner further comprises a drain hole. The bottom layer is thick and cut resistant. The top layer is transparent. The cushioning layer is covered by fabric and designs are disposed over a surface of the fabric, and wherein the designs are visible through the transparent upper layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying FIGURES, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the FIGURES further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

The drawing depicts a perspective view of the bathtub liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Referring to the drawing depicted is a perspective view of the disclosed bathtub liner shown in a flat profile. The bathtub liner 100 includes a cushioning layer 110 that may be sufficiently thick to provide comfort to the user sitting or lying over the disclosed bathtub liner. For example, the cushioning layer can be made from suitable foam, such as latex foam, polyurethane layer, and the like foams known to a skilled person. The bathtub liner can be rectangular in shape having an elongated profile and the size of the bathtub liner may be proportional to the size of the bathtub for which the bathtub liner has to be used. The corners of the bathtub liner can be rounded and such modifications in shape and size are within the scope of the present invention. For bathtubs of round and square shapes, bathtub liners of similar shapes i.e., round and square can be designed.
The cushioning layer can be sandwiched between a bottom layer 120 and an upper layer 130. The bottom layer can be thick, cut-resistant, and impermeable to water. The thick bottom layer may be resistant to damage such as cutting and chipping from the damaged inner surface of the bathtub. For example, the bottom protective layer can be made from thick plastic that may be flexible and waterproof.
The upper layer can be thinner than the bottom layer and must be impermeable to water. Both the bottom layer and the upper layer are of a size larger than the cushioning layer, such that the edge portions of both layers can be bonded together. For example, the upper layer and the bottom layer sandwiching the cushioning layer can be bonded together along the edges thereof to sealably encase the cushioning layer. The edge portions of the bottom layer and the upper layer can be bonded in a variety of ways, such as using adhesive or heat bonding the two layers together. The binding must provide a seal against water to prevent the ingress of water that may wet the cushioning layer.
The cushioning layer can optionally be covered by an opaque layer on the top side or maybe both sides of the cushioning layer. This opaque layer may hide the cushion structure providing an aesthetic appearance to the bathtub liner. In such a case, the upper layer may be made transparent so that the opaque layer is visible from the outside. Preferably, suitable designs can be disposed on the opaque layer to further add aesthetic appeal to the bathtub liner. For example, the foam layer can be covered in a fabric having a design on at least its upper surface i.e., the surface adjacent to the upper layer of the bathtub liner.
A drainage hole can also be provided in the bathtub liner through which water in the bathtub lined with the disclosed bathtub liner can be drained. The position of the drain hole in the bathtub liner can correspond to the position of the drain hole in the bathtub. Bracket 140 can be used to seal the drain hole preventing the ingress of water between the upper layer and the bottom layer. The bracket can be hollow and cylindrical in shape with a top member and a bottom member. The edge portion of the upper layer and the bottom layer along the drain hole can be sealably sandwiched between the top member and the bottom member of the bracket. The bracket also provided rigidity for the water to easily pass through. The bottom member of the bracket can fit into the drain hole of the bathtub so that water can directly flow into the drain and the bathtub may remain dry. The top and bottom members of the bracket can be coupled using a variety of ways such as using an adhesive, heat bonded, or fastening along threads provided in both the top member and bottom member of the bracket. The bracket can be made from rigid and durable plastic or metal.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bathtub liner for covering an inner surface of a bathtub, the bathtub liner comprises:

a cushioning layer;

an upper layer; and

a bottom layer,

wherein the cushioning layer is sandwiched between the upper layer and the bottom layer, edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are sealably bonded together encasing the cushioning layer.

2. The bathtub liner according to claim 1, wherein the edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are heat bonded.

3. The bathtub liner according to claim 1, wherein the bathtub liner further comprises a drain hole.

4. The bathtub liner according to claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is thick and cut resistant.

5. The bathtub liner according to claim 4, wherein the upper layer is transparent.

6. The bathtub liner according to claim 5, wherein the cushioning layer is covered by fabric.

7. The bathtub liner according to claim 6, wherein designs are disposed over a surface of the fabric, and wherein the designs are visible through the upper layer.

8. A method for lining an inner of a bathtub, the method comprises

providing a bathtub liner comprising:

a cushioning layer,

an upper layer, and

a bottom layer,

wherein the cushioning layer is sandwiched between the upper layer and the bottom layer, edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are sealably bonded together encasing the cushioning layer; and

lining the bathtub with the bathtub liner.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the edge portions of the upper layer and the bottom layer are heat bonded.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the bathtub liner further comprises a drain hole.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the bottom layer is thick and cut resistant.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the upper layer is transparent.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the cushioning layer is covered by fabric.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein designs are disposed over a surface of the fabric, and wherein the designs are visible through the upper layer.