Hot tub cover protector and method of using the same

Abstract

A hot tub cover protector that includes a polymer sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface optionally has a first image disposed thereon and the second surface optionally includes at least one fastener that is available for coupling to the surface of a hot tub cover.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to altering a hot tub cover and protecting a hot tub cover.

Hot tubs have become an increasingly popular source of relaxation. Hot tubs generally include a number of side walls that define an interior space having an opening and a support structure. Insulating covers are often used on hot tubs to retain heat and reduce evaporation of water located in the tub. These covers typically include an insulating, e.g. foam, core and an exterior cover that surrounds and encloses the core. Hot tub covers are typically designed to sit on a top surface of the hot tub and occlude the opening when the hot tub is not in use. When the hot tub is to be used, the cover is generally folded over or slid onto a portion of an adjacent support structure, which allows access to the interior of the hot tub. As the cover is folded over or slid off the top of the hot tub, frictional contact can occur between an interior surface of the cover and a top surface of the hot tub, which can result in wear to the hot tub cover and transfer of oils and dirt to the interior surface of the hot tub cover. Depending on how the cover is positioned, the interior of the cover including the wear on the cover can be visible to a person sitting in the tub.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a method of modifying a hot tub construction that includes a tub for accommodating a human being, the tub including side walls that define an opening and a cover for substantially occluding the opening, the cover including a first major interior surface, where the method includes coupling a first fastener to the first major interior surface of the cover, and coupling a first polymer sheet to the cover through the first fastener. The first polymer sheet includes a first major surface, a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface of the polymer sheet and a second fastener coupled to the second major surface of the polymer sheet, the second fastener being removeably engageable with the first fastener of the cover.

In a second aspect, the invention features a hot tub cover that includes an interior core that includes an insulating material, a cover enclosing the interior core, the cover comprising polymer, a first fastener coupled to the cover, a first interior sheet that includes polymer, and a second fastener coupled to the first interior sheet, the first interior sheet being removeably engageable with the cover through the first fastener and the second fastener. In some embodiments, an image is disposed on a first surface of the first interior sheet.

In some embodiments, the first interior sheet is formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, and copolymers and blends thereof. In one embodiment, the first interior sheet includes a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

In another aspect, the invention features a hot tub cover kit including a sheet that includes polymer, a first major surface and a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface and a first fastener coupled to the second major surface, and a second fastener that includes a first component for coupling the second fastener to a surface of a hot tub cover and a second component for removeably engaging the first fastener.

In an additional aspect, the invention features a hot tub cover kit including a sheet that includes a polymeric substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface and a first image disposed on the first major surface, and a means for reversibly coupling the polymeric substrate to a hot tub cover.

In some embodiments, the polymeric substrate includes a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

In some embodiments, the first image is selected from the group consisting of graphics, text, numbers, printed pictures, trademarks, logos, fraternity letters, sorority letters, nature scenes and combinations thereof.

In a further aspect, the invention pertains to a method of using a hot tub, the method including operably coupling a protector to an interior surface of a hot tub cover comprising an interior core and an exterior cover that surrounds and encloses the interior core, the protector including a polymeric substrate having a first surface and a second surface, an image disposed on the first surface, and at least one fastener disposed on the second surface.

The invention features a polymer sheet that is designed to be coupled to an interior surface of a hot tub cover. The polymer sheet can function as a cover protector by reducing the frictional contact between cover and a surface of the hot tub. Additionally, the covers can enhance the enjoyment of a hot tub by providing images that are visible when the cover is folded over to permit access to the interior of the hot tub.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top view of a cover protector according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cover protector of FIG. 1 FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a cover protector.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cover protector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is top view of another embodiment of a cover protector.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cover protector of FIG. 5 depicting cutting guides disposed on a surface of the protector.

FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of a cover protector.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cover protector of FIG. 7 depicting cutting guides disposed on a surface of the protector.

FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of a cover protector.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cover protector of FIG. 9 depicting cutting guides disposed on a surface of the protector.

FIG. 11 is bottom view of a hot tub cover having a protector operably coupled to an interior surface of the hot tub cover.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hot tub with a protector operably coupled to an interior surface of a hot tub cover.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hot tub cover construction having a cover protector operably coupled to the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hot tub cover protector includes a polymer sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface optionally includes a first image disposed thereon and the second surface optionally includes at least one fastener that is available for contact with a corresponding fastener on a hot tub cover. In some embodiments, a second image is disposed on the second surface, the second image being different than the first image. The hot tub cover protector can be operably coupled (e.g., permanently or removeably) to a desired surface of a hot tub cover through a coupling device, e.g., a fastener. In one embodiment, the cover protector is operably coupled to an interior surface of the hot tub cover such that the image on the first surface of the polymer sheet is visible when the cover is folded over to permit access to the interior of the hot tub. In some embodiments, the polymer sheet is removeably coupled to the hot tub cover such that it can be repeatedly removed from and attached to the hot tub cover. In other embodiments, the polymer sheet is permanently coupled to the hot tub cover. In further embodiments, the polymer sheet is draped over a portion of the hot tub cover when the cover has been removed to permit access to the interior of the hot tub. In some embodiments, the polymer sheet is a flexible polymer sheet, which enables the protector to be rolled up on itself, which facilitates shipping and storage.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a hot tub cover protector 10 that includes a polymer sheet 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 opposite the first surface. A first image 18 is disposed on the first surface 14 and fasteners 20 are located on the second surface and are available for contact with corresponding fasteners disposed on a surface of a hot tub cover (not shown).

In some embodiments, the cover protector is designed so that a user can easily adjust a dimension, the peripheral shape, or combinations thereof, of the protector. This feature allows a user to adjust the size or periphery shape of the protector to fit a particular hot tub cover. One mechanism that facilitates such adjustment is the presence of at least one set of cutting guides (e.g., perforations, patterns (e.g., printed, embossed or relief patterns) and combinations thereof) on a surface of the polymer sheet. A cutting guide provides a pattern that a user can follow using a cutter (e.g., scissors) to trim or cut the polymer sheet. The cutting guides can be disposed on a first major surface of the polymer sheet, a second major surface of the polymer sheet, or both the first major surface and the second major surface. The cutting guides can have any configuration including, e.g., linear, circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, curved, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting guides extend from a first edge (e.g., a bottom edge) towards a second opposing edge (e.g., a top edge). In other embodiments, the guides extend from a first edge (e.g., a bottom edge) towards an adjacent second edge (e.g., a side edge).

The protector can optionally include a transparent layer disposed on a first major surface of the polymer sheet, a second major surface of the polymer sheet, or both the first major surface of the sheet and the second major surface of the polymer sheet. The transparent layer can help protect the image(s) disposed on the polymer sheet from damage (including, e.g., soiling) from various sources including, e.g., abrasion, friction, chemicals, dirt, oil and heat. The transparent layer can be disposed on a portion of a major surface or all of a major surface of the polymer sheet. The transparent layer can be provided as a continuous or discontinuous layer in a variety of forms including, e.g., a coating, a film, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the polymer sheet may be formed from a transparent polymer and an image can be disposed (e.g., by reverse printing) on the second surface (i.e., the surface of the polymer sheet proximate the hot tub cover when the sheet is operably coupled to the hot tub cover), which can protect the image from damage when the polymer sheet is operably coupled to a hot tub cover.

In some embodiments, the fasteners can be designed so that the fastener can be positioned or repositioned on desired surfaces of the hot tub cover or polymer sheet without permanently damaging (e.g., punching holes in) or altering the integrity of the hot tub cover or polymer sheet. One example of a useful fastener is a fastener that includes a mechanical portion (e.g., a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, hook-and-loop structure and combinations thereof) and an adhesive composition disposed on a surface of the mechanical portion. In one embodiment, for example, the mechanical portion is a hook-and-loop structure (e.g., VELCRO) having an adhesive composition disposed on a surface of the hook-and-loop structure, which facilitates attaching the fastener to a surface of the polymer sheet or hot tub cover without permanently damaging the hot tub cover. A release liner optionally can be disposed on the adhesive composition.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of a hot tub protector 30 that includes a polymer sheet 32 having a first surface 34 and a second surface 36 opposite the first surface. A first image 38 is disposed on the first surface 34 and a second image 40 is disposed on the second surface 36, the second image 40 being different than the first image 38. First fasteners 42 are provided on the first surface 34 and the second surface 36 and are available for contact with corresponding fasteners disposed on a surface of a hot tub cover.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate polymer sheets that include various configurations of cutting guides. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover protector 50 includes a polymer sheet 52 having a first surface 54 and a second surface 56 opposite the first surface. A first image 58 is disposed on the first surface and at least one fastener (not shown) is provided to the second surface 56 and is available for contact with a corresponding fastener positioned on a surface of a hot tub cover. The cover protector 50 also includes cutting guides 62 disposed on the second surface 56. As depicted in FIG. 6, cutting guides 62 are formed in a generally linear configuration and extend from first edge 64 towards opposing second edge 66.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover protector 70 includes a polymer sheet 72 having a first surface 74 and a second surface 76 opposite the first surface. A first image 78 is disposed on the first surface 74 and at least one fastener (not shown) is provided to the second surface 76. Cutting guides 80 are disposed on second surface 76. As depicted in FIG. 8, cutting guides 80 are formed in a generally linear configuration and extend from a first edge (82 or 84) toward an adjacent edge (86 or 88).

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, cover protector 90 includes polymer sheet 92 having a first surface 94 and a second surface 96 opposite the first surface. A first image 98 is disposed in the first surface 94 and at least one fastener (not shown) is provided to the second surface 96. Cutting guides 100 are disposed on second surface 96. As depicted in FIG. 10, cutting guides 100 can have a curved or non-liner configuration and can extend form a first edge (102, 104) towards an adjacent second edge (106, 108).

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a hot tub cover 110 having an interior surface 112 and a cover protector 114 operably coupled to the interior surface 112 by one or more fasteners (not shown). As depicted in FIG. 12, image 118 is visible when the cover 110 is folded over to permit access to the interior portion 120 of hot tub 122. Support structure 121 can support cover 110 when the cover is folded over. The visibility of the image from the tub can increase the enjoyment of hot tub 122. Cover protector 114 can also reduce the frictional contact between the interior surface 112 of cover 110 and a top surface 124 of hot tub 122 during movement of cover 110, which can reduce the amount of wear experienced by cover 110.

FIG. 13 illustrates hot tub cover construction 128 that includes an insulating core 130 and an exterior cover 132 that surrounds and encloses core 130. Exterior cover 130 has side flaps 131, which extend down around outside surface of the hot tub walls. Exterior cover 130 has a first major exterior surface 136 and a first major interior surface 138. First fasteners 140 are operably coupled to the first major interior surface 138 and second fasteners 142 are operably coupled to a surface of polymer sheet 144. Polymer sheet 144 is operably coupled to the first major interior surface 138 through the first fasteners 140 and the second fasteners 142.

Polymer Sheet

The polymer sheet can be formed from any material suitable for use in hot tub cover applications including, e.g., poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), spun-bonded polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene), polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene (e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methacrylic acid, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate), polyamides, and copolymers and blends thereof.

The polymer sheet may include reinforcing fibers, which provide additional structural strength to the polymer sheet. The reinforcing fibers can be any suitable fiber including, e.g., woven fibers, non-woven fibers, carbon fibers including carbon nanotubes, metal fibers or wires, and combinations thereof. The non-woven fibers can be made from a variety of fibers including natural fibers (e.g., cellulose fibers, creped cellulose fibers, crosslinked cellulose fibers and combinations thereof), synthetic fibers made from a variety of polymers including polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), styrene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyacrylic acids, polyvinyl acetates, polyester ether block copolymers, polyamides and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the polymer sheet includes a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

The polymer sheet can also include additives including, e.g., plasticizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet light (UV) absorbers, UV stabilizers, antimicrobial agents, pigments and combinations thereof. The additives can be dissolved or suspended in the polymer sheet during formation of the polymer sheet. Additionally or alternatively, the additives can be applied to a surface of the polymer sheet in a variety of forms including, e.g., a coating or a film. The additives can be present in an amount from about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 0.5% by weight to about 10% by weight, or even from about 1.0% by weight to about 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the polymer sheet.

Antioxidants, UV absorbers and UV stabilizers can be added to the polymer sheet to help reduce photo and thermal degradation of the polymer sheet. Useful antioxidants include, e.g., phosphites, hindered phenols, hindered-amine light stabilizers and combinations thereof. Useful UV absorbers include, e.g., benzophenone-derived compounds, benzoates, benzotriazoles, phenyl salicylates and combinations thereof. Useful UV stabilizers include, e.g., hindered-amine light stabilizers, 2-hydroxy-benzophenones, 2-hydroxyphenylbenzotriazoles and combinations thereof.

The polymer sheet can also include one or more antimicrobial agents to reduce the growth of mold or bacteria on the polymer sheet. Antimicrobial agents are agents that have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal properties or a combination thereof. Any suitable antimicrobial agent can be used including, e.g., silver ions, silver sulfadiazine, sulfadiazine, benzalkonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, methylbenzethonium, neomycin sulfate, eosin, and combinations thereof.

Useful polymer sheets have an area weight from about 100 g/m² to about 1000 g/m², from about 200 g/m² to about 700 g/m², or even from about 240 g/m² to about 650 g/m². The polymer sheet can have an average thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 400 mil, from about 1.0 mil to about 200 mil, from about 5 mil to about 100 mil, or even from about 10 mil to about 30 mil.

Useful polymer sheet materials are commercially available, for example, under the Mesh Banner Material 8453, Banner Material 8450 ES, Banner Material 8452, and Banner Material RG 8452 trade designations from 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.), under the SMART trade designation from Sihl (Chesapeake, Va.) and under the TYVEK trade designation from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.).

Images

The image disposed on the surface of the polymer sheet can be any suitable image including, e.g., graphics, text, numbers, photos, trademarks or logos (e.g., college and university trademarks, college mascots, professional sports trademarks, professional sports mascots, corporate trademarks, and combinations thereof) nature scenes, fraternity letters, sorority letters, and combinations thereof. The image can be disposed on the surface of the polymer sheet using any suitable method including, e.g., printing (e.g., flexographic printing, ink jet printing such as thermal and piezo, silk screen printing, screen printing and combinations thereof), embossing, lamination, thermal transfer, digital photo imaging techniques, molding and combinations thereof. Any ink suitable for use in hot tub application can be used including, e.g., mild solvent inks, solvent based inks, aqueous dye, aqueous pigments, UV curable inks, oil based inks, sublimation inks, IR curable inks, and combinations thereof.

Transparent Layer

The optional transparent layer disposed on a surface of the polymer sheet can help to protect the image(s) from frictional, chemical and thermal damage. Useful protective layers can be in the form of a transparent coating or film. The coatings or film can be formed from a variety of polymers including, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethanes, poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and combinations thereof. Useful coatings and films are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,783, U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,258 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,149, and incorporated herein.

Fasteners

The fasteners can be any fastener suitable for operably coupling a polymer sheet to a surface of a hot tub cover including, e.g., a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure (e.g., VELCRO), adhesive composition and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fasteners can include a mechanical portion and an adhesive composition disposed on a surface of the mechanical portion. The adhesive composition can be any adhesive suitable for adhering a mechanical fastener to a polymer sheet. Suitable adhesives include, e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, radiation curable adhesives, water resistant adhesives, removable adhesives, permanent adhesives, chemically resistant adhesives, and combinations thereof. Useful pressure sensitive adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesive compositions in which the base polymer includes, e.g., block copolymer (e.g., styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), acrylic acid, acrylate silicone, polyurethane, polyurethane elastomers, polyester, polyester elastomers, polylactic acid and combinations thereof. Useful water resistant adhesive compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,493 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,342, which are incorporated herein. Useful water-resistant adhesives include, e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives commercially available under the SCOTCH-GRIP trade designation from 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.).

The fasteners can optionally include a release liner to protect the utility of the adhesive composition. When present, the release liner is removed prior to attaching a fastener to a desired surface of a polymer sheet or hot tub cover. Any suitable release liner can be used including, e.g., liners made of or coated with polyethylene, polypropylene, and fluorocarbons, and silicone coated release papers. Useful commercially available release liners include, e.g., silicone coated release papers available under the POLYSLIK trade designation from H. P. Smith Co. (Chicago, Ill.).

Hot Tub Cover

Hot tub covers have a variety of constructions including, e.g., hot tub covers that include a core including an insulating material (e.g., foam) enclosed by an exterior polymeric layer. In some embodiments, the core tapers from the center to the outer edge to facilitate the run off of water. Additionally, the hot tub covers can further include a moisture barrier that is wrapped around the core to prevent the core form absorbing moisture. Suitable hot tub covers are further described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,031, U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,083 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,192, and incorporated herein.

Other embodiments are within the claims.

All references disclosed herein are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A method of modifying a hot tub construction comprising a tub for accommodating a human being, the tub comprising side walls that define an opening, and a cover for substantially occluding the opening, the cover comprising a first major interior surface the method comprising:

coupling a first fastener to the first major interior surface of the cover; and

coupling a first polymer sheet to the cover through the first fastener, the first polymer sheet comprising a first major surface, a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface of the polymer sheet and a second fastener coupled to the second major surface of the polymer sheet, the second fastener being removably engageable with the first fastener of the cover.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first polymer sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, and copolymers and blends thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first polymer sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first polymer sheet has an area weight of from about 100 g/m2 to about 1000 g/m2.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first image is selected from the group consisting of graphics, text, numbers, printed pictures, trademarks, logos, fraternity letters, sorority letters, nature scenes, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the second fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fastener comprises a mechanical portion having an adhesive composition disposed on a surface of the mechanical portion.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting the first polymer sheet.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first polymer sheet further comprises a transparent protective coating on the first major surface of the first polymer sheet.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising a second image disposed on the second major surface of the first polymer sheet, the second image being different than the first image.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first polymer sheet has an average thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 400 mil.

13. A hot tub cover comprising:

an interior core comprising an insulating material;

a cover enclosing the interior core, the cover comprising polymer;

a first fastener coupled to the cover;

a first interior sheet comprising polymer; and

a second fastener coupled to the first interior sheet,

the first interior sheet being removably coupled to the cover through the first fastener and the second fastener.

14. The hot tub cover of claim 13 wherein the cover comprises an interior surface, the first interior sheet being coupled to the interior surface of the cover.

15. The hot tub cover of claim 13 wherein the first interior sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, and blends and copolymers thereof.

16. The hot tub cover of claim 13 wherein the first interior sheet comprises a first image disposed on a first major surface of the first interior sheet.

17. The hot tub cover of claim 13 wherein the interior core has a center and an outer edge, the interior core tapering from the center to the outer edge.

18. The hot tub cover of claim 13 wherein the first interior sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

19. A hot tub cover kit comprising:

a sheet comprising polymer, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface, and a first fastener coupled to the second major surface; and

a second fastener comprising a first component for coupling the second fastener to a surface of a hot tub cover and a second component for removably engaging the first fastener.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, copolymers and blends thereof.

21. The kit of claim 19 wherein the sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim.

22. The kit of claim 19 wherein the first fastener is coupled to the second major surface of the polymeric substrate through an adhesive composition.

23. The kit of claim 19 wherein the first image is selected from the group consisting of graphics, text, numbers, printed pictures, trademarks, logos, fraternity letters, sorority letters, nature scenes, and combinations thereof.

24. The kit of claim 19 wherein the sheet has an average thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 400 mil.

25. The kit of claim 19 wherein the sheet has an area weight of from about 100 g/m2 to about 1000 g/m2.

26. The kit of claim 19 wherein the sheet further comprises a second image disposed on the second major surface of the sheet, the second image being different than the first image.

27. The kit of claim 19 wherein the first fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, a female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof.

28. The kit of claim 19 wherein the second fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, a female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof.

29. The kit of claim 19 wherein the polymeric substrate further comprises cutting guides disposed on at least one of the first major surface and the second major surface.

30. The kit of claim 29 wherein the cutting guides are selected from the group consisting of a perforation, pattern and combinations thereof.

31. A method of using a hot tub comprising the method comprising operably coupling a protector to a first major interior surface of a hot tub cover comprising an insulating form core and a exterior cover that surrounds and encloses the interior core, the protector comprising a flexible polymer sheet, a first image disposed on a first surface of the flexible polymer sheet and at least one fastener disposed on a second surface of the flexible polymer sheet.

32. A hot tub cover kit comprising:

a sheet comprising a polymeric substrate, a first major surface, a second major surface, and a first image disposed on the first major surface; and

means for coupling the sheet to an interior surface of a hot tub cover.