GB2172501A - Bath blanket - Google Patents

Abstract

A blanket of insulating material is of a shape and construction whereby it can be laid over the water in a domestic or institutional bath thereby substantially insulating the bath water and the occupant of the bath from the atmosphere. It is suitable for direct insulation of the surface of the water or by indirect insulation via an air gap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bath blanket This invention relates to an insulating bath blanket.

It is a well known fact that when a person takes a bath in a normal domestic or institutional bath the water begins to cool from the time the bath is first set.

The rate of loss of heat from the bath is proportional to the surface area of the water in the bath and tithe extentto which the temperature of the bath water exceeds that ofthe atmosphere. When a hot bath is taken, particularly in winter, there is also substantial condensation present in the room.

There is at present no method or device applicable to overcome or contain these natural physical phenomena.

According to the present invention there is provided a blanket of insulating material which can be laid over a domestic or institutional bath such that the surface of the bath water is insulated from the atmosphere. The shape of the blanket is such that it can cover any domestic or institutional bath either by laying directly onto the surface of the water or by laying overthetop ofthe bath thus providing an air space between the water and the blanket. The blanketisforusepriortoand during the time in which a person is in the bath.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the blanket.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the blanket.

Figure 3 shows an end view of the blanket laying on the surface ofthe bath water.

Figure 4 shows an end view of the blanket laying overthe bath with an air gap between the blanket and the bath.

Referring to the drawing the blanket 1 is made of flexible material and is shown in Figure 1. It comprises an outer surface 2 and insulation 3as shown in cross section Figure 2.

The blanket is placed on the surface of the bath water 5 as shown in Figure 3.

The blanket is placed overthe bath 4to provide an airgap as shown in Figure 4.

The blanket is removed from use by lifting it away.

1. A bath blanket of insulating material which can be laid over a domestic or institutional bath such that the surface ofthe bath is insulated from the atmosphere. The shape of the blanket is such that it can cover any domestic or institutional bath either by laying directly onto the surface of the water or by laying over the top of the bath thus providing an air space between the water and the blanket.

2. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of one layer of material only.

3. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, comprising a material which insulates the bath water from the atmosphere.

4. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of outer surfaces of one material and an innerlayerof a different insulating material.

5. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of outer surfaces of different materials and an inner layer of a different material.

6. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed ofmorethanonelayerofmaterial bonded or held together.

7. A bath blanket substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1--4 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bath blanket This invention relates to an insulating bath blanket. It is a well known fact that when a person takes a bath in a normal domestic or institutional bath the water begins to cool from the time the bath is first set. The rate of loss of heat from the bath is proportional to the surface area of the water in the bath and tithe extentto which the temperature of the bath water exceeds that ofthe atmosphere. When a hot bath is taken, particularly in winter, there is also substantial condensation present in the room. There is at present no method or device applicable to overcome or contain these natural physical phenomena. According to the present invention there is provided a blanket of insulating material which can be laid over a domestic or institutional bath such that the surface of the bath water is insulated from the atmosphere. The shape of the blanket is such that it can cover any domestic or institutional bath either by laying directly onto the surface of the water or by laying overthetop ofthe bath thus providing an air space between the water and the blanket. The blanketisforusepriortoand during the time in which a person is in the bath. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows the blanket. Figure 2 shows a cross section of the blanket. Figure 3 shows an end view of the blanket laying on the surface ofthe bath water. Figure 4 shows an end view of the blanket laying overthe bath with an air gap between the blanket and the bath. Referring to the drawing the blanket 1 is made of flexible material and is shown in Figure 1. It comprises an outer surface 2 and insulation 3as shown in cross section Figure 2. The blanket is placed on the surface of the bath water 5 as shown in Figure 3. The blanket is placed overthe bath 4to provide an airgap as shown in Figure 4. The blanket is removed from use by lifting it away. CLAIMS

1. A bath blanket of insulating material which can be laid over a domestic or institutional bath such that the surface ofthe bath is insulated from the atmosphere. The shape of the blanket is such that it can cover any domestic or institutional bath either by laying directly onto the surface of the water or by laying over the top of the bath thus providing an air space between the water and the blanket.

2. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of one layer of material only.

3. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, comprising a material which insulates the bath water from the atmosphere.

4. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of outer surfaces of one material and an innerlayerof a different insulating material.

5. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed of outer surfaces of different materials and an inner layer of a different material.

6. A bath blanket as claimed in claim 1, constructed ofmorethanonelayerofmaterial bonded or held together.

7. A bath blanket substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1--4 of the accompanying drawing.