Inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable assembly (1) that forms, when in the inflated state, a cover for a body of water (3), the assembly comprising at least one inflatable structure (2). According to the invention, the at least one inflatable structure (2) comprises, on the axially outer portion of the outer surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3), at least one flap (7) connected to the outer surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3).

Description

INFLATABLE SET FORMING A COVER FOR A LARGE AREA WATER

[0001] The present invention relates to inflatable assemblies forming a cover in the inflated state for bodies of water such as basins or swimming pools.

[0002] In the field of inflatable structures, we are familiar with the creation of inflatable structures designed to cover the surface of bodies of water such as swimming pools. These inflatable structures, thanks to the layer of air inside them, provide thermal insulation to maintain the water temperature, particularly during cooling periods when the pool is not in use. They also help limit water loss through evaporation. Furthermore, they can serve as a safety feature and help prevent accidents.

[0003] These inflatable structures can be made from sheets or films of thermoplastic polymer that are heat-sealed together. Heat sealing can be achieved by locally heating the sheet to its melting temperature.

[0004] The heat sealing of thermoplastic polymer sheets or films can be carried out in particular by ultrasound, conduction or high frequency.

[0005] Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer sheet(s) or film(s) have a thickness of less than 1 mm and preferably even less than 0.5 mm.

[0006] This type of material allows, as is well known, the simple production of a component with a sealed cavity that can be pressurized. Thermoplastic polyurethanes and polyvinyl chlorides are particularly suitable materials.

[0007] Such inflatable structures must be easy to use, quick to set up and maneuverable by a limited number of people, ideally no more than two.

[0008] In their deflated state, such structures can advantageously be wound around an axis, with winding and unwinding triggered by rotation of The structure is only inflated when used as a pool cover. Since it is stored deflated, its footprint is reduced. It can also be stored on a mobile pallet, folded when deflated.

[0009] Such inflatable structures also have the advantage of being lightweight and easy to handle.

[0010] Inflating the structure ensures it takes shape on the pool and covers the water's surface. Inflation pressure is generally between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, and most often between 0.2 and 0.35 bar.

[0011] Structures thus created, when inflated, form a three-dimensional inflatable product or assembly with a length, a width, and a height or thickness.

[0012] For the purposes of this invention, the length of an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water when inflated corresponds to its longest dimension. It is most often defined by the direction in which the inflated assembly is rolled up or unrolled during its deployment or storage.

[0013] According to the invention, the width of an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water when inflated is measured along a direction perpendicular to the length of the inflatable assembly. The directions of width and length define a plane that substantially coincides with the substantially parallel surfaces of the mattress, including the one intended to come into contact with the surface of the body of water.

[0014] For the purposes of this invention, the height or thickness of an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water when inflated is measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the length and width directions of the inflatable assembly. The height or thickness of such an assembly is the distance measured between two parallel planes parallel to each other and to the plane formed by the length and width directions of the inflatable assembly, said two planes being tangent to the outermost points of the outer surfaces of the inflatable assembly.

[0015] Such inflatable sets are described, for example, in document DE 3000396 A1. The inflatable pool cover described in this publication is an inflatable mattress that rests on the water's surface when inflated and essentially covers the entire water surface. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up onto a roller located at the edge of the pool.

[0016] Document FR 2822488 Al describes a swimming pool cover in the shape of a cushion made of sheets or films welded together around their perimeter.

[0017] Document WO 2022 / 264052 A1 further describes a swimming pool cover consisting of an inflatable mattress in which two sheets of flexible material are joined together by a plurality of threads or bonding fibers. This document describes a construction known as "drop stitch" which provides significant rigidity and perfectly flat mattress surfaces.

[0018] This document describes yet another method for deploying the inflatable assembly. Pressurizing the inflatable assemblies is used for this deployment. In fact, the progressive inflation of the inflatable assembly from one end helps to move it across the body of water, for example, by deploying it between two free-rotating rollers positioned according to the width of the water. The inflation of the portion in contact with the water exerts a tensile force on the rollers, which then deploys the remaining uninflated portion of the inflatable assembly.

[0019] The inventors highlighted that this method of deploying the inflatable structure on the pool could have drawbacks. Ideally, to avoid heat loss, the inflatable structure should cover the entire surface of the water. However, this deployment method can cause the inflatable structure to rub against the pool walls, leading to its rapid deterioration.

[0020] The inventors have also highlighted that these inflatable structures used as pool covers can present major drawbacks in certain applications. Particularly in the case of infinity pools, it has been found that such covers, designed to fit very close to the pool's edges, can interfere with the proper functioning of the water filtration system. Indeed, the device... filtration must remain active when the pool cover is in place and it appeared that the cover thus made in accordance with the documents described above was disrupting the proper circulation of the water to the point of risking damage to the suction pumps when they pump air for too long.

[0021] There are also known retractable pool cover systems. These systems are made with rigid slats to form roller shutters that float on the water when unrolled. These systems provide a barrier to evaporation and a safety feature for people, but offer limited thermal insulation. They are also quite heavy, requiring reinforced roller mechanisms, and are consequently limited in size.

[0022] There are still systems of tarpaulins reinforced by spaced bars that cover the water's surface, resting on the beach. They offer the same advantages in terms of safety and evaporation barrier as the previously described shutter solution. However, they also share the same limitations in terms of thermal insulation and size, particularly due to their weight. Furthermore, storing these tarpaulins is complicated due to their bulk, and their installation is not straightforward.

[0023] The inventors have therefore set themselves the task of proposing a pool cover that is compact, easy to install regardless of size, whose installation does not risk causing damage to the cover and adaptable to any type of pool regardless of the filtration system.

[0024] This purpose is achieved according to the invention by an inflatable assembly forming a cover for a body of water in the inflated state, comprising at least one inflatable structure comprising two external surfaces whose average planes are substantially parallel, one being intended to come into contact with the water, said surfaces being formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges to form a watertight structure having a length, a width and a thickness, said at least one inflatable structure comprising on the axially external part of the external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with the water, at least one flap connected to said external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with the water.

[0025] For the purposes of the invention, the average plane of an external surface of an inflatable structure is defined as the plane tangent to the outermost points of the external surfaces of the inflatable structure and parallel to the plane formed by the directions of the length and width of the inflatable structure.

[0026] Preferably according to the invention, said inflatable assembly comprises on the axially outer part of the external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with water, two flaps attached to said external surface, which is not intended to come into contact with water.

[0027] Preferably, at least one flap extends along the length of the inflatable assembly onto the lateral edges of the inflatable assembly.

[0028] Advantageously according to the invention, said at least one bib has a length at least equal to that of said inflatable assembly.

[0029] The inventors have thus been able to present an inflatable unit that serves as a pool cover, which can be quickly installed by one or two people and can be easily sized for the area of ​​water to be covered.

[0030] Like the inflatable structures described earlier, this type of cover is lightweight and easy to set up. In fact, this type of inflatable structure is designed for quick and easy installation. The materials used result in a relatively low weight, and setup is primarily accomplished by inflation using a compressor connected to the inflatable unit via a valve. Installation can be easily carried out by one or two people.

[0031] The inventors have shown that the inflatable assembly according to the invention can be made with a dimension, and more particularly a width, smaller than that of the body of water to be covered. Indeed, the presence of flaps advantageously positioned on the edges of the mattress along the length of the inflatable assembly will extend the surface area of ​​the water to be covered by resting on the edges or coping of the body of water.

[0032] Since the inflatable unit is narrower than the water surface, it can be deployed on the water without risk of damaging the mattress due to friction against the pool walls. After the unit is fully deployed inflatable, the flaps can in turn be deployed to rest on the coping stones, the body of water thus being totally covered.

[0033] Because the flaps are attached to the outer surface of the mattress and rest on the coping, when deployed they trap a volume of air above the water. This air volume helps to supplement the thermal insulation provided by the inflatable when it is inflated and deployed on the water. Similarly, the flaps help to limit water evaporation.

[0034] The inventors have also demonstrated that the inflatable assembly according to the invention is adaptable to any type of body of water or swimming pool, and particularly to infinity pools which require drainage at the water's surface. Indeed, since the inflatable mattress is narrower than the width of the body of water it covers, when inflated and deployed on the water, it does not risk hindering or obstructing the water circulation system. The same applies to the flaps positioned between the outer surface of the mattress and the pool coping.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable assembly comprises at least two inflatable structures associated with each other, at least one flap being associated with an inflatable structure constituting a longitudinal edge of the inflatable assembly.

[0036] Preferably, according to the invention, the width of at least one inflatable structure, or the width of at least two inflatable structures, is less than the width of the body of water to be covered. The flap(s) allow the coverage width to be increased.

[0037] Preferably according to the invention, the flexible material films forming an inflatable structure are joined together by heat sealing as explained previously.

[0038] According to a first variant embodiment, the external surfaces of said at least one inflatable structure are formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges to form a cushion.

[0039] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the external surfaces of said at least one inflatable structure are formed by films of flexible material joined to each other at their edges by at least one film of flexible material to form a mattress.

[0040] According to one embodiment, according to this second variant of the invention, said at least one film of flexible material, which connects the two surfaces by forming the sides of the mattress forming an inflatable mattress according to the invention, is made of at least two films, for example welded together to form the four sides of the mattress. According to another embodiment, each side is made individually from a film, the four films being welded together.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention, according to this second variant of the invention, said at least one film of flexible material, which connects the two surfaces by forming the sides of the mattress forming an inflatable mattress according to the invention, is made with a single film so as to limit the number of welds and facilitate the manufacture of an inflatable mattress.

[0042] Preferably according to the invention, the flexible material films forming the surfaces of an inflatable structure and said at least one flexible material film forming the sides in the case of a mattress are polymer materials such as polyurethanes or polyvinyl chloride.

[0043] Preferably, films made of flexible materials have a thickness between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0044] Preferably also according to the invention, in use on a body of water, the inflation pressure of the inflatable assembly is generally between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, and most often between 0.2 and 0.35 bar.

[0045] The mud flaps are advantageously made of a flexible film material. This flexible film material is advantageously identical to the material constituting the inflatable structure and is a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

[0046] Preferably, the said film constituting the mud flaps has a thickness of between 100 and 500 microns and preferably between 150 and 350 microns.

[0047] According to a first embodiment of the invention, said at least one bib is permanently attached to said at least one inflatable structure. This type of attachment can be achieved by welding, sewing, or any other suitable means such as gluing.

[0048] According to a second embodiment of the invention, said at least one bib is removably linked to said at least one inflatable structure by a linking device comprising at least two separable parts.

[0049] Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the invention, said at least one connecting device comprising at least two separable parts is of the detachable zipper type. One part of this connecting device is then attached to an inflatable structure and the other part is attached to said at least one bib. Each of the parts is fixed by welding, sewing, or any other suitable means.

[0050] This connecting device comprising at least two separable parts may also be any other type of fastening system which is advantageously simple to use, such as, for example, Velcro® type fasteners or any type of quick-release buckle system.

[0051] Preferably, according to the invention, the height of said at least one inflatable structure is between 5 cm and 25 cm.

[0052] During the deployment of the inflatable assembly according to the invention, pressurizing the inflatable assembly, or at least one inflatable structure, can be used for this purpose. Indeed, the progressive inflation of the inflatable assembly from one end can help to advance the inflatable assembly across the body of water, for example, by deploying it between two freely rotating rollers arranged across the width of the water. The inflation of the portion in contact with the water exerts a tensile force on the rollers, which deploys the remaining uninflated portion of the inflatable assembly. This contribution of inflation to the deployment of the inflatable assembly is described, for example, in document WO 2022 / 264052 AL

[0053] When the inflatable assembly is fully deployed on the body of water, the inflatable assembly is brought to its operating pressure and the flaps are deployed to rest on the edges or coping of the pool.

[0054] Other advantageous details and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of an example embodiment of the invention with reference to Figure 1, which represents a perspective view of a diagram of an inflatable assembly according to the invention.

[0055] Figure 1 is not shown to scale to simplify understanding.

[0056] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an inflatable assembly 1, shown in its inflated state, comprising an inflatable structure 2, placed on a body of water 3. The inflatable assembly 1 thus presents a visible surface 4 and a surface 5 not apparent in Figure 1 which comes into contact with the water.

[0057] Inflatable assembly 1 is made from sheets of woven PVC (woven polyvinyl chloride) with a thickness of approximately 500 microns.

[0058] An inflation valve, not shown in Figure 1, is present on the inflatable structure 2. The valve can be connected to a compressor to inflate said inflatable structure.

[0059] The inflatable structure 2 consists of two sheets of woven PVC, one forming surface 4, visible when the inflatable assembly is in use, the other forming surface 5, in contact with the water when the inflatable assembly is in use.

[0060] Inflatable structure 2 has a length of 12 meters, a width of 7.5 meters and a height of approximately 20 centimeters.

[0061] The inflatable assembly 1 further includes two flaps 7 attached to the inflatable structure 2, forming the lateral edges of the inflatable assembly when deployed. These flaps are made of the same material as the inflatable structure 2 and are attached to it with detachable zipper-type fastening systems, not shown in Figure 1.

[0062] The width of each of the 7 splash guards is approximately 50 centimeters. The length of the 7 splash guards is the same as that of the inflatable structure 2 and is equal to 12 meters.

[0063] These flaps (7) are folded over the inflatable structure (2) during its deployment and inflation to prevent it from rubbing against the pool edges and disrupting the deployment process. After the inflatable structure (2) is fully inflated, the flaps (7) are unfolded to rest on the coping stones surrounding the water.

[0064] These flaps help to complete the coverage of this body of water to prevent heat loss.

[0065] Handling tests were carried out with an inflatable assembly as shown in Figure 1. The splash guards are attached to the inflatable structure with detachable zipper-type fasteners, each part being pre-welded to both the splash guards and the inflatable structure. The inflatable assembly is folded and placed on a mobile trolley with two rollers between which the inflatable assembly can pass. The trolley is moved to one end of an outdoor swimming pool measuring approximately 96 m³. 2The inflatable structure is 12 meters long and 8 meters wide, with its edges above the water level on all four sides. The initial inflation process causes the inflatable structure to expand, exerting a pulling force on the two rollers between which the entire inflatable passes, unfurling across the water. Once fully deployed, the inflatable structure is inflated to a pressure between 200 and 250 millibars. The two splash guards are then deployed onto the pool's coping. To prevent the splash guards from folding over, for example, due to wind, weights can be placed at intervals along the length of the pool. These weights are positioned to hold the splash guards in place on the coping.

[0066] The setup time for two people was approximately 30 minutes. Folding up the entire structure, which requires folding the flaps back onto the inflatable, deflating it, and then folding it, takes 45 minutes.

[0067] The example of an inflatable assembly tested with both flaps confirmed the feasibility of setting it up without friction on the edges of the pool.

Claims

DEMANDS 1 - Inflatable assembly (1) forming a cover for a body of water (3), in the inflated state, comprising at least one inflatable structure (2) comprising two external surfaces (4, 5) whose average planes are substantially parallel, one being intended to come into contact with the water (3), said surfaces (4, 5) being formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges to form a watertight structure (2) having a length, a width and a thickness, characterized in that said at least one inflatable structure (2) has on the axially external part of the external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water, at least one flap (7) attached to said external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with the water (3). 2 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said two external surfaces of said at least inflatable structure (2) are formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges to form a cushion. 3 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said external surfaces of said at least inflatable structure (2) are formed by films of flexible material connected to each other on their edges by at least one film of flexible material to form a mattress. 4 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said inflatable assembly (1) comprises on the axially external part of the external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with water, two flaps (7) linked to said external surface (4), which is not intended to come into contact with water (3). 5 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one flap (7) extends along the length of the inflatable assembly (1) on the lateral edges of the inflatable assembly (1). 6 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one flap (7) has a length at least equal to that of said inflatable structure (2). 7 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one bib (7) is irremovably linked to said at least one inflatable structure (2). 8 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one bib (7) is removably linked to said at least one inflatable structure (2) by a linking device comprising at least two separable parts. 9 - Inflatable assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said connecting device comprising at least two separable parts is of the detachable zipper type. 10 - An inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible film materials forming said at least one inflatable structure (2) are polymer materials such as polyurethanes or polyvinyl chloride. 11 - An inflatable assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flap (7) is made of a flexible film material and in that said flexible film material is a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

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