Washable Bathtub Liner

Abstract

Disclosed is a washable bathtub liner. The liner is advantageously formed from a flexible nylon fabric. A series of silicon panels are bonded to the nylon fabric. This results in a flexible liner that can be removed from the tub to be washed. The spacing between the panels further permits the liner to be folded for storage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims benefit from provisional application Ser. No. 61/688,733 filed on May 18, 2012, and entitled “Tub Liner.” The contents of this prior application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bathtub liner. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washable bathtub liner that includes a lower layer of a nylon fabric and an upper layer of silicon.

2. Description of the Background Art

The use of bath tub liners in known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,081,987 to Price, Jr. discloses a paper bath tub liner. The liner is formed from two sections. A first section is formed of the main body and includes laterally extending side portions. The second section is a back portion and is adapted to be bent to conform to the rear end of the tub.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,651 to Weir discloses a disposable bathtub liner. The liner is formed from a thin flexible liner with a horizontal flange overlying the top surface of the bathtub. The liner also includes a main portion that covers the inner wall of the bathtub. The liner is opened at the bottom for leaving the bottom of the bathtub exposed.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,764 discloses a disposable bathtub and shower liner. The liner includes a thin, flimsy, disposable, sterile, contoured, impervious, plastic film sheers. The liner further includes a bottom mat-like sheet that is secured to the bathtub or shower basin for providing cushioning and comfort.

Although each of these inventions achieves its own individual objective, they all suffer from common drawbacks. Namely, the background art does not disclose a bathtub liner that is formed from two layers, with the underlying layer being a fabric layer that can conform to the contours of the tub. Nor does the background art otherwise disclose a bathtub liner can be easily removed for cleaning. The bathtub liner of the present disclosure is aimed at fulfilling these and other deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a two ply bath tub liner, with a first ply formed from a flexible fabric and a second ply of a bonded silicon.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub liner that includes a flexible layer so that the liner that can fully conform to the underlying tub surface, regardless of the shape, size, or configuration of the tub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub liner that can be easily removed after use.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub liner that can be washed and reused.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bathtub liner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bathtub liner of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bathtub liner of the present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a washable bathtub liner. The liner is advantageously formed from a flexible nylon fabric. A series of silicon panels are bonded to the nylon fabric. This results in a flexible liner that can be removed from the tub to be washed. The spacing between the panels further permits the liner to be folded for storage. The various features of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 1, the washable bathtub liner 10 is shown in use within a conventional bath tub. The tub is defined by a bottom, back, side edges, a drain, and a faucet. As shown, liner 10 includes cutouts that permit access to the drain and faucet with liner 10 secured to the bottom of the tub. It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize the liner in connection with tubs of various shapes and sizes. The liner can also be used in connection with sinks or large basins.

The various components of liner 10 are best illustrated in FIG. 2. This figure shows that liner 10 is preferably formed from a flexible fabric layer 20 with a series of polymeric panels 30, 40 that are bonded to layer 20. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the flexible layer 20 is formed from a durable nylon fabric and panels 30, 40 are formed from silicone. This flexible layer 20 includes forward and rearward edges and opposing side edges. A narrowed region 22 is formed along the forward edge of the fabric layer 20. This narrowed region 22 includes a cutout that is adapted to receive the faucet or other plumbing feature. The narrowed region 22 may preferably be formed from a silicone as opposed to fabric to give the liner more rigidity in this area. The rearward end of the fabric layer 20 is adapted to be positioned over the back of the tub. The central panel 30 is elongated and, when in position, extends along the back side of the tub. This allows the central panel 30 to act as a cushion for a person reclining in the tub (note FIG. 3). The opposing edges of side panels 40 are adapted to be fitted over the side edges of the tub. Thus, when getting out of the tub, the person can grip panels 40 as opposed to the surface of the tub. Panels 30 and 40 can include a texturized upper surface. If needed, suction cups can be included on the bottom of the fabric layer 20 to promote adhesion between the layer and the tub. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible layer 20 is approximately 55 inches in length and between 30 to 32 inches wide.

A series of three panels 30, 40, are bonded to the fabric layer 20. The bonding can be achieved via an adhesive or via a heat seal. In the preferred embodiment, the panels 30, 40 are formed from silicone. Other polymer based materials can alternatively be used. A central silicone 30 panel is bonded to the flexible layer 20. The central panel 30 includes a cutout that is adapted to fit about the drain or other plumbing feature. The central panel 30 extends to the rearward edge of the flexible layer. The central panel 30 is approximately 68 inches to 72 inches in length and 28 to 30 inches in length.

The opposing side silicone panels 40 are formed on either side of the central silicone panel 30. Each of the side panels 40 is bonded to the flexible layer 20. The side panels 40 extend to the opposing side edges of the flexible layer 20. The opposing side panels 40 are approximately 54 inches in length and 18 to 22 inches wide. The invention, however, is not limited to any specific dimensions. Rather, the liner is preferably sized to fit in an average sized tub or sink.

Spaces 50 are formed between the opposing side panels 40 and the central silicon panel 30. These spaces 50 permit the bathtub liner to be folded when not in use. Specifically, spaces 50 allow the entire liner to be folded into thirds for storage and transport.

Although the liner has been described as being formed from a flexible nylon layer with bonded silicone panels, other materials can readily be used in connection with the invention. In particular, disposable materials, such as paper or coated papers, can be used to make the tub liner fully disposable. The use of other disposable and/or non-disposable materials is also within the scope of the present invention.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A washable bathtub liner, the liner adapted to be fitted into a bathtub having a bottom, back, side edges, a drain, and a faucet, the bathtub liner comprising in combination:

a flexible layer of a durable nylon fabric, the flexible layer having forward and rearward edges and opposing side edges, a narrowed region formed along the forward edge, a cutout formed within the narrowed region, the cutout adapted to receive the faucet, the rearward end adapted to be positioned over the back of the tub, the opposing edges adapted to be fitted over the side edges of the tub, the flexible layer being approximately 55 inches in length;

a central silicone panel bonded to the flexible layer, the central panel including a cutout that is adapted to fit about the drain, the central panel extending to the rearward edge of the flexible layer, the central panel being approximately 68 inches to 72 inches in length;

opposing side silicone panels formed on either side of the central silicone panel, each of the side silicone panels being bonded to the flexible layer, the side panels extending to the opposing side edges of the flexible layer, the opposing side panels being approximately 54 inches in length;

spaces being formed between the opposing side panels and the central silicone panel, whereby the spaces permit the bathtub liner to be folded when not in use.

2. A washable bathtub liner, the liner adapted to be fitted into a bathtub having a bottom, back, side edges, a drain, and a faucet, the bathtub liner comprising in combination:

a flexible layer of a durable fabric, the flexible layer having forward and rearward edges and opposing side edges, the rearward end adapted to be positioned over the back of the tub, the opposing edges adapted to be fitted over the side edges of the tub,

a central panel bonded to the flexible layer, the central panel extending to the rearward edge of the flexible layer;

opposing side panels formed on either side of the central panel, each of the side panels being bonded to the flexible layer, the side panels extending to the opposing side edges of the flexible layer.

3. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein the central and side panels are formed from silicone.

4. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein the fabric is formed from nylon.

5. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein the opposing side panels are approximately 54 inches in length, the flexible layer is approximately 55 inches in length, and the central panel is approximately 68 inches to 72 inches in length.

6. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein spaces are formed between the opposing side panels and the central panel, whereby the spaces permit the bathtub liner to be folded when not in use.

7. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein a narrowed region is formed along the forward edge, and a cutout is formed within the narrowed region, the cutout adapted to receive the faucet.

8. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 2 wherein the central panel includes a cutout that is adapted to fit about the drain.

9. A washable bathtub liner comprising:

a flexible layer of a durable fabric, the flexible layer having forward and rearward edges and opposing side edges, the rearward end adapted to be positioned over the back of the tub, the opposing edges adapted to be fitted over the side edges of the tub,

a central panel bonded to the flexible layer, the central panel extending to the rearward edge of the flexible layer;

opposing side panels separated from and formed on either side of the central panel, each of the side panels being bonded to the flexible layer, the side panels extending to the opposing side edges of the flexible layer, the separation between the side panels and central panel allowing the liner to be folded into thirds.

10. The washable bathtub liner as described in claim 9 wherein the central and side panels are texturized.