Solar heat reflective pool covering

Abstract

A multilayer cover for a pool containing water comprising (a) an uppermost layer having a solar heat reflective material; and (b) a lower layer having a first thermoplastic film (i) having a plurality of portions wherein each of the portions defines a cavity; and (ii) is in sealing engagement with the uppermost layer to provide a plurality of closed cavities; wherein the uppermost layer provides an effective reflective barrier to the ingress of solar radiation through the cover to the water in the pool to prevent or reduce the rate of the water temperature increase.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pool covers, particularly, swimming pool covers, comprising solar heat reflective materials to reduce the amount of solar energy reaching the water in order to desirably reduce the rise in pool water temperature. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Swimming pool solar panels, blankets and the like comprising heat reflective materials are well-known to insulate the pool in order for the water to retain its heat and maintain its temperature. One such pool cover having integral reflective solar heating and insulative properties is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,155 which issued Sep. 11, 2001 to Handwerker, Gary. U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,155 describes an improved lightweight, multi-layer, reflective swimming pool cover containing two thermoplastic layers. The top layer has a dark-colored polyethylene film and the lower layer has a polyethylene film with a aluminum concentrate, or other suitable reflecting material, deposited thereon along the ent...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is a further object of the invention to provide in combination a swimming pool containing water and a multilayer pool cover having reflective solar heat properties to provide an effective barrier to the ingress of solar radiation through the cover to the water in the pool.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of ameliorating undesired heating of a swimming pool by solar radiation by covering the pool with a multilayer pool cover having reflective solar heat properties to provide an effective barrier to the ingress of solar radiation through the cover to the water in the pool.

The reflective pool covers according to the invention as hereinabove defined provides for the efficacious reflection of solar radiation by reason that the reflective surface is uppermost of the cover when located on the pool. The so-called “bubble pack” construction effect of the cover, preferably, allows the cover to float on the water, if desired. This obviates the need for structural supports, spars and the like above the water surface.

The uppermost layer (a) of the cover hereinabove defined, in a preferred aspect, may be constituted as a thin metal foil, preferably, aluminum, which is bonded in sealing engagement to the lower layer of a plastics material (b) to provide an integral “bubble pack” arrangement, which assists the cover to float on water.

Although the uppermost layer comprising the reflective material (a) to the invention as hereinabove defined, is, indeed, the uppermost member of the cover, it is to be understood that the reflective material may have a protective film, coating or the like of a second thermoplastic material on the top surface of the reflective material, to protect against or reduce corrosion, delamination or other destructive effects caused by the chemical-containing pool-water. Preferably, the protective coating has a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm and does not substantially affect the desired reflective property of the uppermost reflective layer.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of a method of preventing or reducing the rate of increase in water temperature in a pool containing water by solar-radiation, said method comprising covering said pool, in whole or in part, with a multilayer cover for a pool containing water comprising (a) an uppermost layer comprising a solar heat reflective material; and (b) a lower layer comprising a first thermoplastic film (i) having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions defines a cavity; and (ii) in sealing engagement with said uppermost layer to provide a plurality of closed said cavities; wherein said uppermost layer provides an effective reflective barrier to the ingress of solar radiation through the cover to the water in the pool.

Problems solved by technology

However, such cooling means may constitution a significant expense in capital equipment and operating costs, and as well as an inconvenience to the pool owner.

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