Inflatable Spa Liner with Crisscross Air Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tub liners fail to provide sufficient protection, especially for infants and the elderly, and have design flaws such as breakable plastic pipes, high manufacturing and usage costs, and difficulties in packaging and transportation, while also not adequately addressing sanitation and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable spa liner with crisscrossed air channels between two layers, an air intake channel, and an elastic band for easy installation, which inflates to create a cushioned air layer between the user and the tub, reducing the risk of slipping and improving sanitation and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tub liners are used, then users are protected from direct contact with the tub surface, but the protection is insufficient especially for infants and elderly, and the design has safety risks from breakable plastic pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating air channels between the inner and outer layers that are inflated to create a cushioning air layer before the user contacts the liner. This pre-established cushion protects users, especially infants and elderly, from direct contact with the hard tub surface, preventing slipping and injury rather than reacting after contact occurs.
2Ease of operation
If plastic pipes are used for air inflation, then the liner can be inflated, but the pipes are breakable and pose injury risk to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by completely removing the plastic pipe component from the system. Instead of using traditional plastic pipes for air inflation, the invention integrates air channels directly into the liner structure between the inner and outer layers, eliminating the breakable pipes that posed injury risks while maintaining the inflation capability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional tub liners are used, then they provide a non-skid surface, but the manufacturing and usage costs are higher due to manual labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The air channels are formed directly within the liner body between the inner and outer layers, merging the inflation system with the liner structure itself. This eliminates separate plastic pipe components and reduces manual assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the non-skid surface function.
4Ease of operation
If plastic pipes of certain length are used, then air can be pumped to the liner, but the pipes cannot be folded and are difficult to package or transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by removing the external plastic pipe infrastructure entirely. The air channels are integrated directly into the liner's layered structure, allowing the entire inflation system to be folded and packaged within the liner itself, eliminating the need for separate, non-foldable pipe components that complicate packaging and transportation.
5Area of stationary object
If traditional tub liners are used, then they cover the tub surface, but they do not provide sufficient cushioning and comfort for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by creating an inflated air layer within the liner structure before user contact. The air channels positioned between the inner and outer layers provide this pre-established cushioning, enhancing user comfort and safety beyond what traditional single-layer liners provide, while maintaining full tub surface coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The inflatable spa liner effectively prevents slipping and injury, enhances user comfort, reduces air inflation time, and lowers costs by providing a single-use, easy-to-clean solution with minimal maintenance, suitable for various tub types including bathtubs and spa pedicure buckets.
Implementation Method 1
The air channels inflate such that a user sitting in said inflatable spa liner contacting said second layer does not come in contact with the surface of said tub
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable spa liner to be placed in a tub or spa pedicure bucket to prevent a user from contacting the surface of the tub is disclosed. The inflatable spa liner includes a first layer and a second layer that are sandwiched. The inflatable spa liner includes air channels formed at one of the first layer and the second layer. The air channels are arranged in between the first layer and the second layer. The inflatable spa liner is placed in a tub such that the first layer is in contact with the surface of the tub. The air channels inflate such that a user sitting in said inflatable spa liner contacting said second layer does not come in contact with the surface of said tub.