GB2313778A

GB2313778A - Bathtub with heat insulation

Info

Publication number: GB2313778A
Application number: GB9611611A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Edwards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-04
Filing date: 1996-06-04
Publication date: 1997-12-10
Also published as: GB9611611D0

Abstract

A method of improving the heat retention properties of a bathtub comprises applying an insulating material to the dry or external surface of the bathtub. The insulating material suitably comprises fibre glass matting or wadding, or an expanded plastics foam or polystyrene. The insulating material may be applied in layers or preformed to the shape of a standard bathtub.

Description

BATHTUB This invention relates to bathtubs, that is to say to personal bathtubs used for bathing people for example at their homes, in hospitals or in hotels, as opposed to industrial baths used for chemical processes, dyeing of fabrics and the like.

It is well known that hot water left standing in a cast iron or other metal bathtub cools quickly by comparison with water in a porcelain, fibreglass or plastics bathtub, and also that a metal bathtub often feels cold when initially entered, and thus conventional wisdom is that people who wish for the bathwater to remain hot should purchase fibreglass or plastics bathtubs rather than metal ones. Where a metal bathtub is already installed, it may not be possible, for example on grounds of cost, to replace it with a fibreglass or plastics bathtub.

Situations arise where it is particularly desirable to prolong the time for which the water in the bathtub remains hot, for example when a person is bathing to alleviate muscular or arthritic pain rather than simply for reasons of personal hygiene, or when several children are being bathed and there is a wish to avoid the use of large amounts of water, such as where a water meter is fitted, or of heating fuel.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a bathtub with improved heat retaining properties such that hot water contained therein remains hot for a longer period of time than in a conventional bathtub. It is also an object of the invention to improve the heat retention properties of an existing bathtub without the need to replace the bathtub.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method for improving the heat retention properties of a bathtub in which method an insulating material is applied to the dry or external surface of the bathtub. By "dry or external" is meant the surface which, in use, is not in contact with hot water.

Preferably, the insulating material comprises fibreglass matting or wadding, an expanded plastics foam, for example a polyurethane foam, or polystyrene. One or more layers of insulating material may be used. The insulating material may be provided in a roll and cut to fit the bathtub in situ, or in suitably sized pieces the ends of which are shaped to accommodate the curvature of the bathtub, or may be preformed, for example by moulding, according to the shape of a standard bathtub.

The material may be attached to the bathtub by the use of adhesives, or by the use of strapping, webbing, or an elasticated mesh.

The present invention is particularly advantageous when used with metal bathtubs but may successfully be used with fibreglass or plastics bathtubs.

When the insulating material is likely to be visible it may be desirable to decorate the outwardly facing surface of the insulating material. Alternatively, a separate decorative cover or coloured panel may be used, or the insulating material may be contained between the walls of a double-skinned bathtub. In this case, the insulating material may air at reduced or sub-atmospheric pressure.

The materials constituting the two skins of the bathtub may be the same or different. The outer skin may be decorated or coloured.

In another aspect, the invention provides a bathtub having an insulating material applied to the dry or external surface thereof.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only.

In a first embodiment, fibre glass matting of the type used to insulate roof voids is cut to the appropriate length and shaped so as to be applied to the outside of a cast-iron bathtub. Strips of the matting are attached to the bathtub with a suitable heat- and moistureresistant adhesive. The strips may be applied as a monolayer, or further layers may be added.

In a second embodiment, polystyrene is expanded and moulded to the shape of a bathtub; slots and apertures are provided to accommodate the plumbing fittings. The preformed polystyrene insulator is then attached to the outer surface of the-bathtub.

In the third embodiment, a double-skinned bathtub is provided, the two skins having a layer of expanded polystyrene sandwiched between them.

Claims

1. A method for improving the heat retention properties of a bathtub in which method an insulating material is applied to the dry or external surface of the bathtub.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the insulating material comprises fibre glass matting or wadding, an expanded plastics foam or polystyrene.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the insulating material is applied in layers.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the insulating material is provided in a roll and is cut to fit the bathtub in situ.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the insulating material is preformed to the shape of a standard bathtub.

6. A method according any preceding claim, in which the insulating material is attached to the bathtub by the use of adhesives, strapping, webbing, or an elasticated mesh.

7. A method according to any preceding claim further including the use of a decorative cover or coloured panel to cover the outwardly facing surface of the insulating material.

8. A method any one of claims 1-6, in which the bathtub is double-skinned and the insulating material is contained between the walls thereof.

9. A method according to claim 8, in which the insulating material is air at a reduced or subatmospheric pressure.

10. A bathtub having improved heat retention properties comprising an insulating material applied to the dry or external surface of the bathtub.

11. A bathtub according to claim 10, in which the bathtub further comprises a separate decorative cover or coloured panel over the insulating material.

12. A bathtub according to claim 10, in which the bathtub is double-skinned and the insulating material is contained between the walls thereof.

13. The bathtub according to claim 12, in which the insulating material comprises air at a reduced or subatmospheric pressure.

14. A method of improving the heat retention properties of a bathtub substantially as described herein.

15. A bathtub having an insulating material applied to the dry or external surface thereof substantially as hereinbefore described.