INFLATABLE POOL

Abstract

The present invention includes an inflatable spa pool with thermal insulative properties to maintain an elevated temperature of water stored in the spa pool. The inflatable spa pool can include a pool body including a wall and a bottom, where the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall and the bottom define a cavity with a first upper opening. The inflatable spa pool can include a thermal insulation pool sheath with a second upper opening to receive the pool body, where the thermal insulation pool sheath includes an outer sheath and a first thermal insulation structure. The inflatable spa pool can include a thermal insulation pool lid that includes an outer lid and a second thermal insulation structure, where the bottom includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving a third thermal insulation structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Chinese Application No. 201721597976.7, filed Nov. 24, 2017 and entitled “Inflatable Pool,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable pool, and more particularly, to an inflatable pool with a thermal insulation structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable inflatable pools (the term “pools” used herein includes spas, swimming pools, Jacuzzi® spas, and any other vessels capable of containing water) attract increasing interest from consumers due to their portability, which encourages their use in an outdoor environment. Depending upon the conditions of the outdoor environment, temperatures may decrease to the level where consumers are interested in heating the water stored in the pools. Heating devices may be used to elevate and maintain the water temperature at desired comfort levels.

Typical inflatable pools or “spa pools” are constructed of flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) fabrics or strengthened (reinforced) PVC fabrics with two layers of PVC fabric and one layer of woven fabric sandwiched in between. These typical spa pools constructed as described provide limited thermal insulative effect to the water stored in the spa pools. Other typical spa pools include a sheath constructed of a single layer of fabric, which also provides limited thermal insulative effect. As a result of the limited thermal insulative properties of typical spa pools, the time required to heat the water stored in the spa pools is increased, delaying the use of the spa pools until the heating devices overcome the limited thermal insulative properties of the typical spa pools. Additionally, due to the limited thermal insulative properties of the typical spa pools, the heated water quickly loses its elevated temperature, requiring the heating devices to re-heat the water (or continuously operate to provide water at the desired elevated temperature), consuming energy and impacting the experience of the users of the spa pools. Therefore, there is a need for an inflatable spa pool with thermal insulative properties to maintain an elevated temperature of water stored in the spa pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an inflatable spa pool with thermal insulative properties to maintain an elevated temperature of water stored in the spa pool.

The inflatable spa pool can include a pool body including a wall and a bottom, where the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall and the bottom define a cavity with a first upper opening. The inflatable spa pool can include a thermal insulation pool sheath with a second upper opening to receive the pool body, where the thermal insulation pool sheath includes an outer sheath and a first thermal insulation structure. The inflatable spa pool can include a thermal insulation pool lid that includes an outer lid and a second thermal insulation structure, where the bottom includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving a third thermal insulation structure.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that is disposed between at least one of the outer wall and the outer sheath and the bottom and the outer sheath.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that is detachably coupled to the outer sheath.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that is detachably coupled to the outer sheath.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure including a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that include a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that includes a first wall thermal insulation structure disposed between the outer wall and the outer sheath, and a first bottom thermal insulation structure disposed between the bottom and the outer sheath.

The inflatable spa pool can include a first thermal insulation structure that includes a combination of a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane and a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

The inflatable spa pool can include a thermal insulation pool lid including an outer lid and a second thermal insulation structure, where the thermal pool insulation lid includes an inflatable inner lid to cover the first upper opening of the cavity and a receiving structure for receiving an inflatable inner lid.

The inflatable spa pool can include a receiving structure that is coupled to the second thermal insulation structure and defines an opening for receiving the inflatable inner lid.

The inflatable spa pool can include a second thermal insulation structure that is configured in layers including a second flexible foam thermal insulation structure and a second reflection membrane joined to the second flexible foam thermal insulation structure.

The inflatable spa pool can include a second thermal insulation structure that includes a second closed insulation sheath having a second thermal insulation filling material.

The inflatable spa pool can include an inflatable inner lid that includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a plurality of second tension bulkheads joining the top sheet and the bottom sheet to define a second inflatable closed cavity.

The inflatable spa pool can include a bottom that includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving a third thermal insulation structure.

The inflatable spa pool can include a third thermal insulation structure that is disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer.

The inflatable spa pool can include a third thermal insulation structure that includes a flexible foam thermal insulation layer.

The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming a pool body including a wall and a bottom, where the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall, where the inner wall and the bottom define a cavity with a first upper opening. The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming a thermal insulation pool sheath with a second upper opening to receive the pool body, where the thermal insulation pool sheath includes an outer sheath and a first thermal insulation structure. The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming a thermal insulation pool lid that includes an outer lid and a second thermal insulation structure, where the bottom includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving a third thermal insulation structure.

The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming a first thermal insulation structure between at least one of the outer wall and the outer sheath and the bottom and the outer sheath, where the first thermal insulation structure is detachably coupled to the outer sheath, where the first thermal insulation structure includes a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane, where the first thermal insulation structure includes a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein, where the first thermal insulation structure includes a first wall thermal insulation structure disposed between the outer wall and the outer sheath, and a first bottom thermal insulation structure disposed between the bottom and the outer sheath, where the first thermal insulation structure includes a combination of a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane and a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming a receiving structure coupled to the second thermal insulation structure and defining an opening for receiving the inflatable inner lid, where the second thermal insulation structure is configured in layers including a second flexible foam thermal insulation structure and a second reflection membrane joined to the second flexible foam thermal insulation structure, where the second thermal insulation structure includes a second closed insulation sheath having a second thermal insulation filling material, where the inflatable inner lid includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a plurality of second tension bulkheads joining the top sheet and the bottom sheet to define a second inflatable closed cavity, where the bottom includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving a third thermal insulation structure.

The inflatable spa pool can include a method of forming the third thermal insulation structure is disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, where the third thermal insulation structure includes a flexible foam thermal insulation layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which implementations of the inventions are illustrated and, together with the descriptions below, serve to explain aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the inflatable pool according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention as described herein;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the inflatable pool as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is partial enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the inflatable pool according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention as described herein;

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the thermal insulation pool lid as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled inflatable pool according to an exemplary embodiment as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings for illustration. It should be understood that, the description about the exemplary embodiments should be considered as the illustrative of the structure and the principle of the spa pool as described herein and the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The drawings and the detailed description of the particular embodiments are for the purpose of illustration but not intend to limit the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the inflatable spa pool 100 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a pool body 101 and a thermal insulation pool sheath 201 that is disposed around the periphery of the pool body 101 and has a second upper opening 202. The pool body 101 comprises walls 111 and bottom 112. The walls 111 comprise inner walls 121, outer walls 131 and a plurality of first tension bulkheads (“stripes”) 141 which are coupled to the inner walls 121 and the outer walls 131. The inner walls 121 and the bottom 112 define a cavity 161 with a first upper opening 151, for receiving water. The thermal insulation pool sheath 201 includes an outer sheath 211 and a first thermal insulation structure 221 that is disposed between the pool body 101 and the outer sheath 211.

According to an aspect of the invention, the inner walls 121, the outer walls 131 and the plurality of first tension bulkheads 141 form a first inflatable closed cavity 171. The plurality of first tension bulkheads 141 support the inner walls 121 and the outer walls 131. A first air valve (not shown) can be mounted on the inner walls 121 or the outer walls 131, through which air is charged (forced under pressure) into the first closed cavity 171. Alternatively, the first closed cavity 171 can be discharged for ease of storage and carrying of the inflatable spa pool 100.

The first thermal insulation structure 221 can be disposed between the outer walls 131 and the outer sheath 211 and/or between the bottom 112 and the outer sheath 211. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first thermal insulation structure 221 is disposed between the outer walls 131 and the outer sheath 211 and between the bottom 112 and the outer sheath 211. The thermal insulation pool sheath 201 coats the bottom 112, the outer walls 131 and extends inward. In this aspect of the invention, the thermal insulation pool sheath 201 can substantially coat (cover) the whole pool body 101 to decrease loss of heat from the pool body 101, so as to effectively improve the thermal insulation effect of the spa pool 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in the exemplary embodiment as described herein, the first thermal insulation structure 221 is coupled to the inner surface of the outer sheath 211, which faces the pool body 101, such that the first thermal insulation structure 221 is closely adhered between the pool body 101 and the outer sheath 211, thereby effectively exhibiting thermal insulation effect. The first thermal insulation structure 221 can be detachably coupled to the outer sheath 211. In particular, the first thermal insulation structure 221 is detachably coupled to the outer sheath 211 by means such as a zipper, a buckle, a cord lock, a hook-and-loop fastener, for example and without limitation. The first thermal insulation structure 221 can be fixedly coupled to the outer sheath 211 by adhesion, welding or suture, for example and without limitation.

According to an aspect of the invention, at least one of the inner walls 121, the outer walls 131, the plurality of first tension bulkheads 141 and bottom 112 are made of thermoplastic materials comprising single layer of adhesive fabric, or two layers of adhesive fabrics and the net cloth sandwiched therebetween. The outer sheath 211 can be made of flexible fabrics (such as nylon cloth, polyester cloth or cotton cloth) or artificial leather.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first thermal insulation structure 221 can have a thickness ranging from 3 to 50 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the first thermal insulation structure 221 can have a thickness of 20 mm.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first thermal insulation structure 221 can have various designs. In the exemplary embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first thermal insulation structure 221 has a layered structure comprising a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer 222 and a first reflection membrane 223 that is adhered to the surface of the first foam thermal insulation layer 222, which faces (is adjacent to) the pool body 101, such that the first thermal insulation structure 221 achieves a doubled thermal insulation effect. In particular, the first foam thermal insulation layer 222 can be made of foldable flexible foam (such as closed pore foam). The closed pore foam for example may be EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) foam or EPE (expandable polyethylene) foam. The first reflection membrane 223 may be thermal insulation aluminum foil.

According to an aspect of the invention, in another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first thermal insulation structure 221 includes a first closed thermal insulation sheath 224 with the first thermal insulation filling materials 225 filled therein. In particular, the first thermal insulation sheath 224 can be made of at least one of flexible fabrics (such as nylon cloth, polyester cloth or cotton cloth), non-woven fabrics and thermoplastic adhesive fabrics (such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) adhesive fabrics, polyurethane (“PU”) adhesive fabrics). The first thermal insulation filling materials 225 can be at least one of materials selected from the group consisting of hollow synthetic fiber, knitting wool, cotton batting and particles of foam thermal insulation materials. The first thermal insulation structure 221 includes a first wall thermal insulation structure 226 disposed between the outer walls 131 and the outer sheath 211, and a first bottom thermal insulation structure 227 disposed between the bottom 112 and the outer sheath 211. In this embodiment, the first wall thermal insulation structure 226 is separated from the first bottom thermal insulation structure 227, both of which are coupled to each other by suture, or other connection means. In other embodiments, the first wall thermal insulation structure 226 can be integrally formed with the first bottom thermal insulation structure 227.

According to an aspect of the invention, in addition to the above layered structure and the thermal insulation sheath structure, the first thermal insulation structure 221 can have a combination structure of the above two structures. For example and without limitation, the thermal insulation structure between the outer walls 131 and the outer sheath 211 can have a layered structure, while the thermal insulation structure between the bottom 112 and the outer sheath 211 can have a thermal insulation sheath structure.

According to an aspect of the invention, the inflatable pool 100 further includes a thermal insulation pool lid 301 detachably coupled to the thermal insulation pool sheath 201. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the thermal insulation pool lid 301 includes an outer lid 311 and a second thermal insulation structure 321 that is coupled to the surface of the outer lid 311, which faces the pool body 101, such that the thermal insulation pool lid 301 can provide a thermal insulation effect. The outer lid 311 is detachably coupled to the outer sheath 211. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the outer lid 311 is coupled to the outer sheath 211 through a zipper 343. The second thermal insulation structure 321 can be detachably coupled to the surface of the outer lid 311, which faces the pool body 101. In particular, the second thermal insulation structure 321 can be detachably coupled to the surface of the outer lid 311, which faces the pool body 101, through a zip, a buckle, a cord lock, a hook-and-loop fastener and the like. The second thermal insulation structure 321 can be fixedly coupled to the surface of the outer lid 311, which faces the pool body 101, through adhesion, welding and suture.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second thermal insulation structure 321 has a thickness ranging from 3 to 50 mm.

According to an aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second thermal insulation structure 321 can have a layered shape comprising a second flexible foam thermal insulation layer 322 and a second reflection membrane 323 adhered to the surface of the second foam thermal insulation layer 322, which faces the pool body 101, such that the second thermal insulation structure provides a double thermal insulation effect. In particular, the second foam thermal insulation layer 322 is made of foldable flexible foam (such as closed pore foam). The closed pore foam for example can be EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) foam or EPE (expandable polyethylene) foam. The second reflection membrane 323 can be thermal insulation aluminum foil.

According to an aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second thermal insulation structure 321 includes a second closed thermal insulation sheath 324 with the second thermal insulation filling materials 325 filled therein. The second thermal insulation sheath 324 can be made of at least one of flexible fabrics (such as nylon cloth, polyester cloth or cotton cloth), non-woven fabrics and thermoplastic adhesive fabrics (such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) adhesive fabrics, polyurethane (“PU”) adhesive fabrics). The second thermal insulation filling materials 325 can be at least one of materials selected from the group consisting of hollow synthetic fiber, knitting wool, cotton batting, wool and particles of foam thermal insulation materials.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second thermal insulation structure 321 can completely cover or partially cover the inner surface of the outer lid 311.

According to an aspect of the invention, the thermal insulation pool lid 301 further includes an inflatable inner lid 331 for covering the first upper opening 151 of the cavity 161 and a receiving structure 341 for receiving the inflatable inner lid. The receiving structure 341 is coupled to the second thermal insulation structure 321 through suture, adhesion or welding, for example, and has an opening 342 (as shown in FIG. 6). The inflatable inner lid 331 can be received within the receiving structure 341 through the opening 342.

According to an aspect of the invention, the inflatable inner lid 331 includes a top sheet 332, a bottom sheet 333 and a plurality of second tension bulkheads (stripes) 334 coupled to the top and bottom sheets 332 and 333. The top sheet 332, the bottom sheet 333 and the plurality of second tension bulkheads 334 define a second inflatable closed cavity 335. A second air valve (not shown) is mounted on the top sheet 332 or the bottom sheet 333. The receiving structure 341 can be a cyclic pocket made of flexible materials. When the inflatable inner lid 331 is received within the receiving structure 341, air can be charged into the second closed cavity 335 via the second air valve. When the inflatable inner lid 331 is removed from the receiving structure 341, air can be discharged out from the second closed cavity 335. The arrangement of the inflatable inner lid 331 and the receiving structure 341 can support the thermal insulation pool lid 301 and further enhances the thermal insulation effect of the spa pool 100.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bottom 112 of the pool body 101 includes an upper layer 113 of the bottom 112 and a lower layer 114 of the bottom 112, both of which define a closed bottom cavity for receiving a third thermal insulation structure, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The third thermal insulation structure 115 can be a flexible foam thermal insulation layer, which can further avoid loss of heat from the bottom of the pool.

According to an aspect of the invention, the thermal insulation pool sheath 201 and the thermal insulation pool lid 301 according to the exemplary embodiments as described herein cover the spa pool 101, such that the thermal insulation effect of the spa pool 101 can be greatly enhanced. Additionally, both the thermal insulation pool sheath 201 and the thermal insulation pool lid 301 can be folded with light weight for ease of storage and carrying.

Although the exemplary embodiments are described above, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the skilled in the art would make various modifications and changes to the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims.

The detailed embodiments as described herein intend to illustrate the present utility model. It will be apparent for the skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the present utility model and various equivalents can be used to implement the present utility model. Therefore, the specific embodiments as mentioned above merely intend for illustration. Various substitutions, combinations or modifications and all changes to the illustrative embodiments as mentioned above come within the scope of the present invention. In absence of any elements which are not disclosed in detail or optional elements as disclosed herein, the illustrative swimming machine can be suitably implemented. All values and ranges as mentioned above can be changed to some extent. When disclosing the value range with upper and lower limits, any values or subranges coming within the said value range can be considered as being disclosed in detail. In particular, it should be understood that any numerical range as disclosed herein can be considered as setting forth any value and range coming within the broad numerical range. Similarly, in the claims, all terms should be understood in the broadest sense with clean and common meanings, unless otherwise indicated.

In addition, the number of the elements in claims comprises one or at least one, unless otherwise indicated. If the terms or phrases used in the present invention have meanings inconsistent with those in other literatures, the terms or phrases used in the present invention have the meanings as defined herein.

Claims

1. An inflatable pool comprising:

a pool body including a wall and a bottom; wherein the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall; wherein the inner wall and the bottom define a cavity with a first upper opening; and

a thermal insulation pool sheath with a second upper opening to receive the pool body; wherein the thermal insulation pool sheath includes an outer sheath and a first thermal insulation structure.

2. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure is disposed between at least one of the outer wall and the outer sheath and the bottom and the outer sheath.

3. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure is detachably coupled to the outer sheath.

4. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane.

5. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

6. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first wall thermal insulation structure disposed between the outer wall and the outer sheath, and a first bottom thermal insulation structure disposed between the bottom and the outer sheath.

7. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer, a first reflection membrane and a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

8. The inflatable pool of claim 1, further comprising a thermal insulation pool lid including an outer lid, a second thermal insulation structure, an inflatable inner lid to cover the first upper opening of the cavity, and a receiving structure for receiving the inflatable inner lid.

9. The inflatable pool of claim 8, wherein the receiving structure is coupled to the second thermal insulation structure and defines an opening for receiving the inflatable inner lid.

10. The inflatable pool of claim 8, wherein the second thermal insulation structure is configured in layers including a flexible foam thermal insulation structure and a reflection membrane joined to the flexible foam thermal insulation structure.

11. The inflatable pool of claim 10, wherein the second thermal insulation structure includes a closed thermal insulation sheath having a thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

12. The inflatable pool of claim 8, wherein the inflatable inner lid includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a plurality of tension bulkheads joining the top sheet and the bottom sheet to define an inflatable closed cavity.

13. The inflatable pool of claim 1, wherein the bottom includes an upper layer and a lower layer for receiving another thermal insulation structure.

14. The inflatable pool of claim 13, wherein the other thermal insulation structure is disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer.

15. The inflatable pool of claim 14, wherein the other thermal insulation structure includes a flexible foam thermal insulation layer.

16. A method of forming an inflatable pool, the method comprising:

forming a pool body including a wall and a bottom; wherein the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall; wherein the inner wall and the bottom define a cavity with a first upper opening;

forming a thermal insulation pool sheath with a second upper opening to receive the pool body; wherein the thermal insulation pool sheath includes an outer sheath and a first thermal insulation structure.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

forming the first thermal insulation structure between at least one of the outer wall and the outer sheath and the bottom and the outer sheath; wherein the first thermal insulation structure is detachably coupled to the outer sheath; wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer and a first reflection membrane; wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein; wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first wall thermal insulation structure disposed between the outer wall and the outer sheath, and a first bottom thermal insulation structure disposed between the bottom and the outer sheath; and wherein the first thermal insulation structure includes a first flexible foam thermal insulation layer, a first reflection membrane and a first closed thermal insulation sheath including a first thermal insulation filling material disposed therein.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

forming a thermal insulation pool lid including an outer lid, a second thermal insulation structure, an inflatable inner lid to cover the first upper opening of the cavity, and a receiving structure for receiving the inflatable inner lid.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiving structure is coupled to the second thermal insulation structure and defines an opening for receiving the inflatable inner lid.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the second thermal insulation structure is configured in layers including a second flexible foam thermal insulation structure and a second reflection membrane joined to the second flexible foam thermal insulation structure.