Customizable Pool Liners and Skimmer Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool surfaces, particularly gunite and vinyl liner pools, face issues with durability and aesthetics due to erosion and lack of customization options for skimmer face plates, which disrupt the visual appeal of pool interiors.
Innovation Solution
A water-resistant vinyl surfaced liner with customizable decorative patterns and a system for producing matching skimmer face plate covers using templates and water-resistant materials, allowing for easy installation and concealment of unsightly skimmer face plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional gunite and ceramic tile surfaces are used to create high-end pool finishes with decorative indicia, then aesthetic appeal and light reflection are improved, but installation complexity and cost increase, and the surfaces become permanently fixed with limited customization options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating vinyl liner surfaces that replicate the aesthetic appearance of expensive gunite and ceramic tile finishes. The liner includes printed patterns, textures, and decorative indicia that mimic the visual characteristics of high-end permanent surfaces, allowing pools to achieve similar aesthetic appeal without the complexity of permanent installation. This enables cost-effective reproduction of desired visual effects while simplifying installation and enabling future replacement.
2Ease of manufacture
If vinyl liner pool surfaces are used instead of gunite, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but aesthetic appeal and durability deteriorate due to weathering and lack of decorative options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining vinyl liner base material with printed decorative patterns, textured surfaces, and protective coatings. The liner is constructed as a composite structure that integrates structural vinyl material with aesthetic surface layers featuring printed tile patterns, stone textures, and decorative elements. This composite construction enhances both the visual appeal and durability of the liner while maintaining ease of installation compared to permanent gunite surfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard white plastic skimmer face plates are used, then manufacturing cost is low, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates as they appear glaring and out of place in pools with colorful linings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing skimmer face plates with customized appearances that match specific pool lining designs. Instead of uniform white plastic plates, the invention offers face plates printed with patterns, colors, and textures that correspond to the surrounding pool liner aesthetic. This allows the skimmer area to blend seamlessly with the overall pool design, enhancing local aesthetic appeal while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through printed decorative layers on standard plate structures.
4Illumination intensity
If decorative indicia are applied to ceramic tiles in gunite pools, then aesthetic appeal and light diffusion are improved, but maintenance difficulty and replacement cost increase due to permanent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, permanent ceramic tile installations to dynamic, replaceable vinyl liner systems with printed decorative indicia. The vinyl liner with its printed patterns and decorative elements can be removed, replaced, or reconfigured without the permanent fixation required for ceramic tiles. This dynamic characteristic enables easier maintenance and updates while preserving the aesthetic appeal and light diffusion properties of decorative surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A liner for finishing an interior pool surface is disclosed, the liner including a water resistant material; and a predetermined decorative pattern or design, wherein the pattern or design is applied onto at least one side of the liner. The patterns and designs may be either two- or three-dimensional, and can include iridescent and/or reflective inks, reflective beads and/or pebbles and so on, and be arranged in either predetermined or randomized arrays. A customized pool skimmer face plate system is also disclosed, including at least a skimmer face plate cover; a template having a size and shape proportional to the size and shape of the face plate cover; a water-resistant material bearing a color, pattern, or design; and a wrapper created from the water-resistant material using the template that complements neighboring colors, patterns and designs surrounding the skimmer face plate installation location.