Bathtub

Abstract

To provide a bathtub capable of improving designability.SOLUTION: A bathtub 10 comprises a bathtub body 11, and an apron 20 that is attached to cover the wash place 2 side of the bathtub body. A decorative film 28 different in color or pattern from the bathtub body is stuck on the apron.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, bathtubs installed in bathrooms are known. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a bathtub that is divided into a bathtub, an apron, and a washbasin pan, and is configured such that an apron of a different color can be selected for installation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the bathtub described in Patent Document 1 above, although it is conceivable to select from a plurality of single-color aprons formed from colored resin or the like, further improvement is desired from the viewpoint of design.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bathtub capable of improving design.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the bathtub according to the present disclosure includes a bathtub main body and an apron attached so as to cover the washbasin side of the bathtub main body, and a decorative film having a color or pattern different from that of the bathtub main body is adhered to the apron. The apron is detachably attached to the bathtub body and, when attached to the bathtub body, is exposed on the washing area side and comprises a surface portion to which the decorative film is attached, and a retained portion to which a protective member is attached to protect the attached decorative film, which is held by a retaining portion provided on the bathtub body. It is characterized by this. To achieve the above objective, the bathtub according to the present disclosure comprises a bathtub body and an apron attached to cover the washing area side of the bathtub body, wherein a decorative film of a different color or pattern from that of the bathtub body is attached to the apron, the apron is detachably attached to the bathtub body and is exposed on the washing area side when attached to the bathtub body, and comprises a surface portion to which the decorative film is attached and a held portion to which the decorative film is not attached, which is held by a holding portion provided on the bathtub body.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The bathtub relating to this disclosure can be improved in terms of design by having the configuration described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic, partially omitted perspective view showing an example of a bathtub and an example of a bathroom apparatus equipped therewith according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are schematic exploded perspective views of a partially broken section of the bathroom unit. [Figure 3] (a) and (b) are schematic exploded perspective views of a partially broken section of the bathroom unit. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are schematic exploded perspective views of a partially broken section of the bathroom unit. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a partially broken section of the bathroom device. [Figure 6] (a) is a schematic longitudinal section diagram illustrating an example of the apron provided with the bathtub, and (b) is a schematic longitudinal section diagram illustrating a modified example of the apron provided with the bathtub. [Figure 7] (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same apron, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same modified apron. [Figure 8] This is a partially fractured schematic enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to section X in Figure 6(a). [Figure 9] (a) is a schematic longitudinal section diagram illustrating an example of the apron provided with the bathtub, and (b) is a schematic longitudinal section diagram illustrating a modified example of the apron provided with the bathtub. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, directions such as the vertical direction will be explained based on the state in which an example of a bathtub and an example of a bathroom device equipped therewith according to this embodiment have been installed. Figures 1 to 9 schematically show an example of a bathtub and an example of a bathroom apparatus equipped therewith according to this embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the bathtub 10 according to this embodiment comprises a bathtub body 11 and aprons 20 and 30 that are attached to cover the washing area 2 side of the bathtub body 11. With this configuration, the washing area 2 side of the bathtub body 11 can be covered by the aprons 20 and 30. This bathtub 10 constitutes the bathroom equipment 1. The bathroom equipment 1 includes a floor pan 3 that constitutes the bathroom floor, wall panels that partition the four sides of the bathroom, ceiling panels that constitute the bathroom ceiling, etc., and constitutes a bathroom unit such as a unit bath (system bath). The floor pan 3 is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from above. In the illustrated example, the floor pan 3 constitutes only the washing area floor pan that forms part of the floor of the washing area 2. In other words, the illustrated example illustrates a bathroom device 1 that does not have a bathtub floor pan on which the bathtub 10 is installed, but it may have a bathtub floor pan. In this case, the washing area floor pan (floor pan 3) and the bathtub floor pan may be integrally molded, or they may be separated, or they may be composed of multiple floor panels that are further divided into smaller sections.

[0011] A drainage section connected to an underfloor drain pipe is provided at an appropriate location on the floor pan 3. The floor pan 3 may be configured to be installed on a foundation floor such as a slab via appropriate support legs or the like. As shown in Figure 5(a), a weir 3a is provided at the end of the floor pan 3 on the side facing the bathtub 10, rising upwards. At the end of the floor pan 3 on the wall side, a wall support section is provided to receive the wall panel, and a door / window installation section is provided for installing a door / window that opens and closes the bathroom entrance. The wall panels surrounding the bathtub 10 may be installed at the wall support section formed at the upper end of the wall side of the bathtub body 11. The ceiling panel may be installed by joining it to the upper ends of the four surrounding wall panels, and a suitable ventilation device may be provided at an appropriate location on the ceiling panel. Lighting, windows, control panels, etc. may be provided at appropriate locations on the four surrounding walls. The floor pan 3 constituting the bathroom device 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and the ceiling panel, wall panel, door / window, faucet, etc. constituting the bathroom device 1, which are not shown, may also have various configurations.

[0012] The bathtub main body 11 is substantially square in plan view (see FIG. 1). The bathtub main body 11 is formed so as to partition a hot water storage portion that opens upward. On the inner peripheral wall of the hot water storage portion of the bathtub main body 11, a handrail, an armrest step portion, a leg rest (seat) step portion, etc. may be provided. The bathtub main body 11 may be formed from various artificial marbles such as organic glass-based ones, glass fiber reinforced plastics, etc. The bathtub main body 11 may be colored in a single color of a light color system such as white or beige, or a dark color system such as black. An appropriate heat insulating material may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the hot water storage portion of the bathtub main body 11. The bathtub main body 11 may be installed on a foundation floor such as a slab via an appropriate frame or support legs.

[0013] Decoration films 28, 38 (see also FIG. 8) having a color or pattern different from that of the bathtub main body 11 are adhered to the aprons 20, 30. With such a configuration, various patterns such as leather-like, wood grain-like, metal-like, stone grain-like, etc. can be applied to the surfaces of the aprons 20, 30, not only single colors, and the design property can be improved. Also, since a configuration can be achieved in which the decoration films 28, 38 are adhered to the single-color aprons, the product variations can be effectively increased, including the single-color aprons to which the decoration films 28, 38 are not adhered. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the aprons 20, 30 are detachable from the bathtub main body 11. With such a configuration, by removing the aprons 20, 30, the back surface (the surface facing the bathtub main body 11 side) of the aprons 20, 30 and the inside of the aprons 20, 30 can be cleaned.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 9(a), the aprons 20, 30 are exposed on the washbasin 2 side in the state of being attached to the bathtub main body 11, and include surface portions 21, 31 to which the decoration films 28, 38 are adhered. With such a configuration, the design property of the surface portions 21, 31 exposed on the washbasin 2 side in the state of being attached to the bathtub main body 11 can be improved. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6(a) and 9(a), the aprons 20 and 30 are held by a holding portion (19) provided in the bathtub main body 11, and have held portions (22, 32) to which the decorative films 28 and 38 are not attached. With such a configuration, since the decorative films 28 and 38 are not attached to the held portions (22, 32) which are likely to be damaged by contact with the holding portion (19) when the aprons 20 and 30 are attached and detached, it is possible to prevent the decorative films 28 and 38 from being damaged at the held portions (22, 32).

[0015] The holding portion of the bathtub main body 11 is a holding groove 19 with a downward opening formed at the upper end edge portion on the washbasin 2 side, and the held portions of the aprons 20 and 30 are projecting pieces 22 and 32 provided at the upper end so as to project upward and inserted into the holding groove 19. With such a configuration, by inserting the projecting pieces 22 and 32 of the aprons 20 and 30 into the holding groove 19 of the bathtub main body 11, the upper end side of the aprons 20 and 30 can be held by the bathtub main body 11. Further, since the decorative films 28 and 38 are not attached to the projecting pieces 22 and 32, it is possible to prevent the decorative films 28 and 38 from being damaged at the projecting pieces 22 and 32 which are likely to be conspicuous on the upper end side. A spacer 18 for reducing the gap with the projecting piece 22 is attached to the groove inner wall on one side in the groove width direction of the holding groove 19. With such a configuration, as will be described later, the movable range in the groove width direction of the projecting piece 22 with respect to the holding groove 19 when the apron (first apron) 20 is attached and detached can be reduced by the spacer 18. Thereby, the contact between the upper surface portion 21b continuous with the base end side of the projecting piece 22 and the bathtub main body 11 can be suppressed, and the damage of the decorative film 28 on the upper surface portion 21b can be suppressed.

[0016] Specifically, the aprons 20 and 30 are provided so as to cover the washbasin 2 side of the bathtub main body 11 across between the upper end portion of the bathtub main body 11 and the floor pan 3. The front portions 21a and 31a (see FIGS. 6(a) and 9(a)) of the surface portions 21 and 31 of the aprons 20 and 30 facing the washbasin 2 side may be in a protruding curved surface shape, a concave curved surface shape, a flat surface shape, or a shape in which these are combined. Aprons 20 and 30 are divided along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. In other words, the bathtub 10 comprises multiple aprons 20 and 30 arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. In this example, the bathtub 10 comprises a first apron 20 on one side of the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 where the counter and faucet are installed (counter side), and a second apron 30 arranged adjacent to the first apron 20 on the other side of the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. These first apron 20 and second apron 30 are generally rectangular and flat.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the dimensions of the first apron 20 along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 are smaller than the dimensions of the second apron 30 along the same direction. The first apron 20 is roughly square in shape when viewed in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 4(a), the projection 22 of the first apron 20 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 and extends over substantially the entire upper end of the first apron 20. As shown in Figures 5 and 6(a), the projection 22 is provided in a stepped manner from the front portion 21a toward the bathtub body 11, so as to form a step between it and the front portion 21a. The projection 22 comprises a vertical portion that protrudes upward from the stepped portion toward the front portion 21a, and a horizontal portion that extends toward the bathtub body 11 from the upper end of the vertical portion.

[0018] The retaining groove 19 into which the protruding piece 22 is inserted is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. As shown in Figure 5, the bottom of the retaining groove 19 is demarcated by a flange portion 12 that extends from the upper end of the bathtub body 11 toward the washing area 2 side. The inner wall of the retaining groove 19 on one side in the groove width direction is demarcated by the upper end portion 13a of the inner apron 13 provided between the outer peripheral wall of the bathtub body 11 toward the washing area 2 side and the aprons 20 and 30. The inner apron 13 is provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. The lower end of the inner apron 13 may be supported by the weir portion 3a of the floor pan 3 via an appropriate sealing material or the like. The upper end of the inner apron 13 may be in contact with the lower surface of the flange portion 12 via an appropriate sealing material or the like. The inner apron 13 is provided with a cover 17 that covers an inspection opening provided so as to penetrate the inner apron 13.

[0019] The inner wall of the retaining groove 19 on the other side in the groove width direction is demarcated by a hanging piece 12a that hangs downward from the end of the flange portion 12 on the washing area 2 side. A spacer 18 is attached to the surface facing the washing area 2 of the upper end 13a of the inner apron 13, which is at least one of the inner walls of the retaining groove 19 on both sides in the groove width direction. Alternatively, the spacer 18 may be attached to the surface of the hanging piece 12a facing the bathtub body 11 side, instead of or in addition to the upper end 13a of the inner apron 13. The spacer 18 may be provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11, or it may be attached to multiple locations at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. The spacer 18 may be a rubber sheet such as EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber). The spacer 18 may be provided at multiple locations at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 so as to protrude downward on the lower surface side of the flange portion 12, and may be provided in locations where there are no receiving projections to receive the protruding portions 22 and 32 of the aprons 20 and 30. The spacer 18 may be provided so as to be located on the back side of the protruding portion 22 of the first apron 20, which slides in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 when attaching or detaching, as described later. The configuration may not provide a spacer 18 on the back side of the protruding portion 32 of the second apron 30. Furthermore, the configuration may not provide such a spacer 18 at all.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5, the back surface of the first apron 20 facing the bathtub body 11 is provided with a supported portion 23 that is supported by a support portion 15 provided on the bathtub body 11 side. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), the supported portion 23 is provided so as to protrude toward the bathtub body 11 side from the lower end portion of the back surface of the first apron 20. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which multiple (two in the illustrated example) supported portions 23, 23 are provided on the back surface of the first apron 20 at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. On the lower surface side of the protruding tip of these supported portions 23, 23, a guided portion is provided that is guided by a guide groove of the support portion 15 provided on the bathtub body 11 side. The support portion 15 is provided so as to protrude from the lower end portion of the inner apron 13 on the counter side toward the washing area 2, and so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. The support portion 15 is provided with a guide groove that opens toward the upward side and extends in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the end of the first apron 20 on the side of the second apron 30 is provided with a retained portion 24 that is held by a retaining portion 16 provided on the side of the bathtub body 11. The retained portion 24 is provided over the entire vertical length of the end of the first apron 20 on the side of the second apron 30. The projection portion 22 described above is provided over substantially the entire upper end of the first apron 20, excluding the portion where the retained portion 24 is provided. As shown in Figures 4(a) and 7(a), the retained portion 24 is provided in a stepped manner from the front portion 21a toward the bathtub body 11, so as to form a step between it and the front portion 21a. The retained portion 24 is provided to protrude toward the side of the second apron 30. The retained portion 24 is in the shape of a thin plate. The holding portion 16 may also be a female threaded portion into which a screw inserted through a screw insertion hole provided in the held portion 24 is screwed. The illustrated example shows two holding portions 16, 16 provided on the inner apron 13, spaced apart vertically so as to correspond to the screw insertion holes provided on the upper and lower ends of the held portion 24.

[0022] When attaching the first apron 20 configured as described above to the bathtub body 11, the following may also be done. As shown in Figures 3(b) and 4(a), the protruding piece 22 at the upper end of the first apron 20 is inserted into the retaining groove 19 at an angle, at a position spaced apart from the counter-side wall so that the supported parts 23, 23 do not interfere with the support part 15. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the guided parts of the supported parts 23, 23 are engaged with the guide grooves of the support part 15, and the first apron 20 is slid toward the counter-side wall, and screws are screwed into the retaining parts 16, 16 through the screw insertion holes of the retained part 24 to fix it in place. When the first apron 20 is attached to the bathtub body 11 in this way, the surface of the hanging piece 12a of the bathtub body 11 facing the washing area 2 and the front part 21a of the first apron 20 (see Figure 6(a)) are generally on the same plane. Furthermore, in this state, a gap is formed between the hanging portion 12a of the bathtub body 11 and the upper portion 21b positioned opposite it, and a gap is formed between the floor pan 3 and the lower portion 21c positioned opposite it. When removing the first apron 20, the screws threaded into the retaining parts 16, 16 are removed, and the first apron 20 is slid away from the counter-side wall. Once the engagement of the supported parts 23, 23 with the guide grooves of the support part 15 is released, the first apron 20 may be removed by tilting the projecting part 22 to detach it from the retaining groove 19.

[0023] As described above, when attaching and detaching the first apron 20 at an angle, the angle may occur in places where there is no receiving projection on the back side of the protruding piece 22. In this case, the protruding piece 22 is prone to displacement toward the bathtub body 11 (inner apron 13), and there is a concern that the upper surface portion 21b on its base end may come into contact with the hanging piece 12a. However, in this example, a spacer 18 is provided, which can suppress such displacement of the protruding piece 22. As shown in Figure 3, the first apron 20 is provided with an insertion section 25 through which piping is inserted. In the illustrated example, the insertion section 25 is notched so as to open at the wall-side end. The inner apron 13 is provided with a piping insertion hole at a position corresponding to the insertion section 25. Recesses are provided around the insertion section 25 of the first apron 20 to receive the end of the counter. Depending on the piping configuration and the arrangement of the counter, the first apron 20 may be configured without such an insertion section 25 or recesses.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), the first apron 20 is constructed by attaching a decorative film 28 to the washing area 2 side of the base material 26 that constitutes the apron body. The base material 26 is in the shape of a thin plate and has four perimeter pieces (upper piece, lower piece, and side pieces) that extend from the four peripheral edges of the front plate on the washing area 2 side toward the bathtub body 11 side. The upper piece of the base material 26 forms a stepped surface with the protruding piece 22, and the protruding piece 22 is formed to connect with the upper piece. In addition, the side piece of the base material 26 on the second apron 30 side forms a stepped surface with the retained piece 24, and the retained piece 24 is formed to connect with the side piece. This base material 26 may be formed from various synthetic resin materials such as PMMA (acrylic resin) or glass fiber reinforced plastic. This base material 26 may be colored in a single color, similar to the bathtub body 11 described above. If the decorative film 28 is not attached, this base material 26 may constitute a single-color first apron.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6(a), the decorative film 28 is attached to the upper surface portion 21b of the first apron 20, which faces upward and forms a stepped surface that extends from the front portion 21a of the surface portion 21 to the base end side of the protruding piece portion 22. With this configuration, even if there is a gap between the lower end of the hanging piece portion 12a of the bathtub body 11 and the decorative film 28, the decorative film 28 is attached to the upper surface portion 21b that is visible through the gap, thus improving the appearance. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 28 is not attached to the part of the stepped surface on the protruding piece portion 22 side. The decorative film 28 is not attached to the surface of the protruding portion 22 facing the washing area 2 or the surface facing upward. In other words, the base material 26 is exposed on the protruding portion 22. The decorative film 28 is attached so as to form a lower surface portion 21c that extends downward from the front portion 21a. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 28 is attached to the entire downward-facing surface of the lower piece of the base material 26, but it may also be configured so that it is not attached to the back portion.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7(a), the decorative film 28 is attached so as to form both side portions 21d, 21d that extend from the front portion 21a to both sides of the bathtub body 11 in the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 28 is not attached to the back portion of the outer surface of the side piece of the base material 26 on the holding portion 24 side. Also, although the illustrated example shows an example in which the decorative film 28 is attached to the entire outer surface of the side piece on the counter side of the base material 26, it may also be configured so that it is not attached to the back portion. In other words, in this example, the decorative film 28 is attached to at least the front-facing portions (21b, 21c, 21d, 21d) of the front portion 21a and the four surrounding surfaces (top, bottom, and both sides) connected thereto. With this configuration, the appearance of the four surrounding edges can be improved compared to a configuration in which the decorative film 28 is attached only to the front portion 21a, and peeling of the decorative film 28 from the edges can be suppressed. The decorative film 28 is not attached to the retained portion 24. In other words, the base material 26 is exposed in the retained portion 24. With this configuration, the decorative film 28 will not be damaged by screws or the like that screwed into the retained portion 16. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 28 is also attached to the bottom surface of the recess that receives the end of the counter formed in the first apron 20, but the decorative film 28 may not be attached to this part.

[0027] As shown in Figure 8, the decorative film 28 comprises a surface layer 28a which is the outermost layer of the decorative film 28, and a printed layer 28b located on the back side (substrate 26 side) of the surface layer 28a. The decorative film 28 also comprises a base layer 28d located on the back side of the printed layer 28b, and an adhesive layer 28e located on the back side of the base layer 28d. The surface layer 28a may be formed from, for example, transparent PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PMMA (acrylic resin), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), etc. The printed layer 28b is a layer that imparts color and patterns to the decorative film 28, and various patterns may be formed by printing. For example, various patterns such as leather-like, wood-grain, metallic, or stone-like patterns may be formed on the printed layer 28b. The base layer 28d may be formed from, for example, rigid PVC or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

[0028] Metal flakes 28c may be contained in either or both of the base layer 28d and the printing layer 28b. With this configuration, minute textured irregularities can be created on the surface side of the decorative film 28, improving water drainage and giving it a metallic feel. The illustrated example shows an example in which metal flakes 28c are contained in the printing layer 28b. The metal flakes 28c are in the form of thin flakes, and for example, their diameter (long axis) may be about 1 μm to 25 μm. The metal constituting the metal flakes 28c may be aluminum, silica, titanium, zinc, copper, nickel, etc. The content ratio of metal flakes 28c to either or both of the base layer 28d and the printing layer 28b may be appropriately set so that minute textured irregularities are formed on the surface side of the decorative film 28.

[0029] The adhesive layer 28e may be, for example, a PMMA-based adhesive that is resistant to hydrolysis, or it may be formed from various adhesives such as epoxy or urethane-based adhesives. The decorative film 28 may have a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. The layer structure of the decorative film 28 is not limited to the above-described structure, and various other structures may be used. The decorative film 28 may be attached to the surface of the substrate 26 via a primer layer 27. The primer layer 27 may be formed by applying, for example, an isocyanate-based primer.

[0030] The decorative film 28 may be attached to the surface of the substrate 26 in a tightly adhering manner by TOM (Three-Dimensional Overlay Method) molding (vacuum / pressure molding). For example, the decorative film 28 may be placed above the substrate 26, which is placed on a base in the lower chamber of two upper and lower chambers, each connected to a vacuum source, and the pressure inside the upper and lower chambers may be reduced. Then, with the decorative film 28 heated and softened inside the upper and lower chambers, the base may be raised to press the decorative film 28 against the surface of the substrate 26, and the upper chamber may be opened to the atmosphere or pressurized to make the decorative film 28 adhere tightly to the surface of the substrate 26. In this case, the decorative film 28 attached to the protruding portion 22 and the holding portion 24 of the first apron 20 may be removed by trimming or the like so that non-adhered portions are formed on the substrate 26 where the decorative film 28 is not attached, as described above. The method of attaching the decorative film 28 to the surface of the substrate 26 is not limited to the above, and various molding methods such as vacuum forming, in-mold molding, and insert molding can be used.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second apron 30 is roughly rectangular in shape, elongated in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 when viewed in the thickness direction. The projection 32 of the second apron 30 is provided along the entire upper end of the second apron 30 so as to be in line with the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. Similar to the projection 22 of the first apron 20, the projection 32 is provided in a stepped manner from the front portion 31a toward the bathtub body 11, as shown in Figure 9(a), so as to create a step between it and the front portion 31a. As shown in Figures 2(b) and 9(a), the back surface of the second apron 30 facing the bathtub body 11 is provided with a supported portion 33 that is supported by a support portion 14 provided on the bathtub body 11 side. The supported portion 33 is provided so as to protrude from the lower end portion of the back surface of the second apron 30 toward the bathtub body 11 side. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which multiple (two in the illustrated example) supported portions 33, 33 are provided on the back surface of the second apron 30 at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11. These supported portions 33, 33 may also be engaging projections (strikers) that are inserted into and held in receiving recesses (catch portions) of the support portions 14, 14 provided on the bathtub body 11 side. The support portions 14, 14 are provided at multiple locations (two locations) at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11 on the lower end portion of the inner apron 13.

[0032] The lower end portion of the back of the second apron 30 may be provided with a suitable holding projection that is held on a rib formed to protrude from the lower end portion of the inner apron 13 toward the washing area 2. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which the holding projection is provided adjacent to the support portions 33, 33. The lower end portion of the second apron 30 may be provided with a handle for attaching and detaching the second apron 30. The second apron 30 is attached to the bathtub body 11 such that its end on the first apron 20 side covers the held portion 24 of the first apron 20. When attaching the second apron 30 to the bathtub body 11, as shown in Figure 2(a), the protruding piece 32 at its upper end is inserted into the retaining groove 19 at an angle. The supported parts 33, 33 on the lower rear end are then engaged with the support parts 14, 14 on the bathtub body 11 to attach the second apron 30 to the bathtub body 11. When removing the second apron 30, the opposite is true: the lower end is pulled toward the washing area 2 to release the engagement of the supported parts 33, 33 with the support parts 14, 14 on the bathtub body 11, thereby detaching the protruding piece 32 from the retaining groove 19 and removing the second apron 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9(a), the second apron 30 is constructed in much the same way as the first apron 20, with a decorative film 38 attached to the washing area 2 side of the base material 36 that constitutes the apron body. The base material 36 is in the same form as described above, and has four periphery pieces (upper piece, lower piece, and side pieces) that extend from the four peripheral edges of the front panel on the washing area 2 side toward the bathtub body 11 side. As described above, the upper piece of this base material 36 forms a stepped surface with the protruding piece 32, and the protruding piece 32 is formed so as to be connected to this upper piece. As described above, this base material 36 may be made from various synthetic resin materials or glass fiber reinforced plastic. As described above, this base material 36 may be colored in a single color. If the decorative film 38 is not attached to this base material 36, it may constitute a single-color second apron.

[0034] The decorative film 38 is attached to the second apron 30 in the same manner as described above, so as to form an upper surface portion 31b that faces upward and forms a stepped surface that extends from the front portion 31a of the surface portion 31 to the base end side of the projection portion 32. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 38 is not attached to the portion of the stepped surface on the projection portion 32 side. As described above, the decorative film 38 is not attached to the surface of the protruding portion 32 facing the washing area 2 or the surface facing upward. The decorative film 38 is attached so as to form a lower surface portion 31c that extends downward from the front portion 31a. In the illustrated example, the decorative film 38 is not attached to the back portion of the lower surface of the lower part of the base material 36. Although not shown in the illustration, the decorative film 38 may be attached to both sides of the bathtub body 11, extending from the front portion 31a in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the decorative film 38 may not be attached to the back portion of the outer surface of both sides of the base material 36.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, the decorative film 38 has the same layer structure as the decorative film 28 of the first apron 20 described above. That is, the decorative film 38 comprises a surface layer 38a, a printing layer 38b, a base layer 38d, and an adhesive layer 38e. Both or one of the base layer 38d and the printing layer 38b may contain metal flakes 38c, as described above. The decorative film 38 may be attached to the surface of the substrate 36 via the primer layer 37, as described above. This decorative film 38 may be attached to the surface of the substrate 36 in close contact with it by TOM molding or various other molding methods, as described above.

[0036] Next, a modified example of the apron provided in the bathtub 10 will be explained with reference to the drawings. In the following modified examples, the differences from the example described above will be explained primarily. Similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified. The effects and benefits achieved in the same manner as in the example described above will also be omitted or simplified.

[0037] Figures 6(b) and 7(b) schematically show a modified first apron 20A. In this example, protective members 29 are attached to the protruding portion 22 and the holding portion 24 that constitute the holding portion of the first apron 20A to protect the attached decorative film 28. With this configuration, the decorative film 28 attached to the protruding portion 22 and the holding portion 24 is protected by the protective members 29, so that damage to the decorative film 28 at the protruding portion 22 and the holding portion 24 can be suppressed. The protective member 29 may be, for example, a protective tape with better scratch resistance than the decorative film 28. As shown in Figure 6(b), a decorative film 28 is attached in a continuous manner to the upper surface of the upper piece of the base material 26 and to the surface and upper surface of the protruding piece 22 facing the washing area 2. The protective member 29 is attached in a continuous manner to the surface and upper surface of the protruding piece 22 facing the washing area 2. As shown in Figure 7(b), a decorative film 28 is attached in a continuous manner to the outer surface of the side piece of the base material 26 on the holding portion 24 side and to the surface of the holding portion 24 facing the washing area 2 side. The protective member 29 is attached to the surface of the holding portion 24 facing the washing area 2 side.

[0038] Figure 9(b) schematically shows a modified second apron 30A. In this example, as in the above, a protective member 39 similar to the above is attached to the protruding portion 32 that constitutes the holding portion of the second apron 30A to protect the attached decorative film 38. A decorative film 38 is attached in a continuous manner to the upper surface of the upper piece of the base material 36 and to the surface and upper surface of the protruding piece 32 facing the washing area 2. The protective member 39 is attached in a continuous manner to the surface and upper surface of the protruding piece 32 facing the washing area 2.

[0039] In the example described above, projections 22 and 32 constituting the retained portion are provided at the upper ends of aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A. However, instead of such projections, the upper ends of aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A themselves may be inserted into the retaining groove 19. The above examples show configurations in which the decorative films 28, 38 are not attached to the protruding portions 22, 32 and the holding portions 24 of the aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A, or in which protective members 29, 39 are provided to protect the attached decorative films 28, 38, but the invention is not limited to these. For example, the decorative films 28, 38 may be attached to the protruding portions 22, 32 and the holding portions 24 of the aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A without providing protective members 29, 39.

[0040] In the example described above, the aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A are shown to be detachable from the bathtub body 11, but they may also be made non-detachable. In the example described above, an inner apron 13 is provided between the bathtub body 11 and the aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A, but a configuration without such an inner apron 13 is also acceptable. In the example described above, the bathtub 10 is shown to be provided with multiple aprons 20, 20A, 30, and 30A that are divided along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub body 11, but a configuration with only one apron is also acceptable. The configuration of each part and component of the bathtub 10 described above is not limited to the above configuration, and various other modifications are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10 Bathtubs 11 Bathtub body 16 Holding part 18 Spacers 19 Retaining groove (retaining part) 20,20A First Apron (Apron) 21,31 Surface part 22,32 Projection part (held part) 24 Holding part 28,38 Decorative film 29,39 Protective components 30,30A Second apron (apron) 2 Washing area

Claims

1. It comprises a bathtub body and an apron that is attached to cover the washing area side of the bathtub body. The apron has a decorative film attached to it that is a different color or pattern from the bathtub body. The apron is detachably attached to the bathtub body and is exposed on the washing area side when attached to the bathtub body. The bathtub is characterized by comprising a surface portion to which the decorative film is attached and a retained portion to which a protective member is attached to protect the attached decorative film, which is held by a retaining portion provided on the bathtub body.

2. In claim 1, The bathtub is characterized in that the holding portion of the bathtub body is a downward-opening holding groove formed on the upper edge of the washing area side, and the held portion of the apron is a projection provided at the upper end so as to protrude upward and is inserted into the holding groove.

3. In claim 2, The bathtub is characterized in that the decorative film is attached to at least the front side portion on the washing area side of the stepped surface that is connected to the base end side of the protruding piece.

4. In claim 2, A bathtub characterized in that a spacer is attached to the inner wall of the groove on one side in the groove width direction of the retaining groove to reduce the gap with the protruding piece.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The decorative film comprises a surface layer which is the outermost layer, a printed layer located behind the surface layer, and a base layer located behind the printed layer, and is characterized in that metal flakes are contained in at least one of the base layer and the printed layer.

Images