Inflatable Spa Liner Air Channels to Prevent Tub Surface Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tub liners do not provide sufficient protection for users, especially infants and the elderly, and have design flaws such as rough surfaces, breakable plastic pipes, and high manufacturing and usage costs.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable spa liner with a sandwiched structure of two layers and strategically positioned air channels that can be inflated to prevent contact with the tub surface, providing comfort, sanitation, and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tub liners are used, then users have basic protection from tub surface, but the protection is insufficient especially for infants and elderly, and the surface can still be slippery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser protectionVSAvoidslipping and falling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates air channels between the inner and outer layers that can be inflated to create a cushioning air layer before the user contacts the liner. This pre-inflated air cushion provides additional protection and prevents direct contact with the tub surface, addressing the insufficient protection and slipping issues of traditional liners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure with an inner layer, outer layer, and air channels between them. This composite design combines the benefits of layered protection with air cushioning, creating a more reliable protective system than single-layer traditional liners while reducing slipperiness through the air gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If plastic pipes are used for air connection, then air can be pumped to the liner, but the pipes are breakable and can cause injury to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair pumpingVSAvoidinjury from breakable pipes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the external plastic pipes from the system and integrates the air channel connections directly into the liner structure. The air channels are formed as integral parts of the liner layers, eliminating the need for separate plastic pipes that could break and cause injury, while still allowing air to be pumped into the liner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible air channels formed within the liner layers themselves rather than rigid plastic pipes. These flexible channels are integrated into the fabric structure, making them resistant to breaking while still allowing air flow for inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If plastic pipes of certain length are used, then air connection is established, but the pipes cannot be folded and are difficult to package or transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair connectionVSAvoidpackaging and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates external plastic pipes entirely and integrates the air channel functionality directly into the liner body. This integration allows the entire product to be folded and packaged compactly without the constraint of rigid or long flexible pipes, significantly improving ease of packaging and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If traditional tub liners are used, then basic coverage is provided, but the manufacturing and usage costs are higher due to manual labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetub coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing and usage cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the liner into an inner layer, outer layer, and integrated air channels, allowing for modular manufacturing. The air channels are formed as integral parts of the layers through manufacturing processes, reducing the need for manual assembly and lowering both manufacturing and usage costs while maintaining reliable tub coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 falling, enhances user comfort, improves sanitation, reduces manufacturing and usage costs, and is easy to clean and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

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.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250143518A1Inflatable SPA liner

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 BN BEAUTY SUPPLY LLC

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. A flexible tube is also sandwiched between the layers so that the air channels may be conveniently connected to an incoming air supply.