GB2465022A

GB2465022A - Swimming pool cover with air bubbles

Info

Publication number: GB2465022A
Application number: GB0820435A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Peter Adlington
Original assignee: PLASTIPACK Ltd
Current assignee: PLASTIPACK Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-07
Filing date: 2008-11-07
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Also published as: GB0820435D0

Abstract

A swimming pool cover incorporating bubbles or air pockets comprises a translucent, but may be transparent, upper layer bonded to a translucent lower layer which may be a pale colour, e.g. blue or turquoise, the lower layer being shaped to trap air bubbles between the two layers. The bubbles may have a diameter of 1cm and a height of 4mm. The bubbles may also be arranged to form an array. The translucent layer may be translucent for infra red light.

Description

Swimming Pool Cover The present invention relates to swimming pool covers.

Conventional swimming pool covers allow some solar energy to be transferred to the water but do so by absorbing solar energy so that the pool cover is heated, and then relying on thermal conduction to transfer heat from the cover to the water.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swimming pool cover comprising: a translucent upper layer; and a translucent lower layer, wherein the lower layer is bonded to the upper layer, and wherein the lower layer is shaped to trap air bubbles between the upper layer and the lower layer.

An advantage of the present invention is that solar energy, for example infra-red (IR) light can pass through the translucent upper and lower layers, thereby allowing the IR to directly heat the swimming pool water.

The bubbles may be formed in an array similar to "Bubble Wrap" (RIM) packaging material.

The bubbles are preferably formed on the underside of the swimming pool cover. The bubbles provide the cover with buoyancy.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention has a substantially transparent upper layer and a tinted (for example pale blue or pale turquoise) lower layer. The lower layer is substantially transparent but has a pale colour.

In a preferred embodiment, the swimming pool cover is made of polyethylene. The bubbles may have a diameter of 1 cm and a height of 4 mm.

The pool cover is preferably made from a plastic comprising additives to stabilise the pool cover against degradation by ultraviolet (UV) light and/or against degradation by swimming pool chemicals (such as chlorine). For example, the pool cover may comprise a light stabilisation system on the basis of a synergistic mixture of monomeric and oligomeric hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) with outstanding extraction resistance and low pigment interaction. In some embodiments, the additives combine weather resistant pigments with high performance light and weather stabilisation. In some embodiments, the additives used are non-toxic and registered in Australia, Canada, China, EU, Japan, Korea, S Philippines and USA.

In some embodiments, one or more intermediate layers may be provided between the upper and lower layers, for example to improve the bonding between the upper and lower layers.

In some embodiments, the swimming pooi cover of the present invention allows 90%, 99%, 99.9% or 99.99% or more of the solar energy to pass through to heat the water.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swimming pool comprising a swimming pool cover according to the present invention.

Benefits: * Increases Pool Temperature by up to 8 degrees C through Solar Energy * Virtually Eliminates Water Evaporation (98% +) * Reduces Chemical Consumption by up to 30% * Reduces Energy Consumption by over 50% * Reduces Debris Contamination Increases Pool Temperature through Solar Energy Gain The present invention provides an innovative swimming pooi bubble cover material that may be sold in roll form to fabricators around the world for commercial and domestic use.

An embodiment of the product has a unique two ply combination, a clear top surface and a translucent coloured bubble side. Tests carried out in collaboration with Brighton and London Metropolitan Universities prove the more translucent a bubble cover is the greater the penetration of solar energy into the p001 water. This cover provides substantially the maximum possible amount of solar gain.

Virtually Eliminates Water Evaporation (98%+) Research carried out in collaboration with Brighton and London Metropolitan Universities indicate that the average loss per square metre of water surface area in the United Kingdom is in the region of 1,000 litres per year. For the average sized pooi 4m x 8m, this adds up to a loss of around 32,000 litres per year.

With a pool cover according to the present invention, one can virtually eliminate water evaporation, as it will reduce evaporation by over 98%, thus greatly reducing water consumption and also a water bill.

Reduces Chemical Consumption The present invention can help reduce chemical losses by evaporation.

Reduces Energy Consumption by over 50% e

I

The principle source of heat loss in a pool is evaporation, through the surface area, although some is lost by radiation and some by conduction. A cover according to the present invention will virtually eliminate evaporation and greatly reduce radiation. A series of tests hest retention tests carried out in collaboration with The Universities of Brighton and S London Metropolitan Universities, showed conclusive energy savings of over 50%. Whether using an oil, gas, electric heater or heat pump one can make a huge saving covering a pool, if using solar heating one can half the amount of panel that is needed.

Reduces Debris Contamination Debris such a leaves, dirt, insects and bird droppings are not only unsightly in a pool but also provide nutrients for algae and bacteria to feed on. When the pool is covered these contaminants will be kept out of the water improving the quality of the water.

Environmental Benefits By reducing the amount of energy needed to heat swimming pool water, a cover according to the present invention will greatly reduce a pool's C02 footprint, It conserves water, a valuable resource that, unlike oil and gas, we cannot live without, and reduces the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment.

Furthermore polyethylene, from which the pool cover in some embodiments is manufactured, is 100% recyclable and can be turned into other useful products. This use of recycled product has an enormous impact on the environment; independent studies show that products made from recycled rather than virgin polythene results in a reduction of energy consumption by two thirds, production of only one-third of sulphur dioxide and half of the nitrous oxide and a reduction of water usage by 90%. It is estimated that 1.8 tonnes of oil are saved for every tonne of recycled polythene produced (British Polythene Industries).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A swimming pool cover comprising: a translucent upper layer; and a translucent lower layer, wherein the lower layer is bonded to the upper layer, and wherein the lower layer is shaped to trap air bubbles between the upper layer and the lower layer.
2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the bubbles are formed in an array.
3. A cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bubbles are formed on the underside of the swimming pool cover.
4. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper layer is substantially transparent.
5. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower layer is substantially transparent.
6. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower layer has a pale colour.
7. A cover according to claim 6, wherein the lower layer is pale blue.
8. A cover according to claim 6, wherein the lower layer is pale turquoise.
9. A cover according to any preceding claim, and made from a plastic material comprising weather-resistant pigments.
10. A cover according to any preceding claim made of polyethylene.
11. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more intermediate layers are provided between the upper and lower layers.
12. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the bubbles have a diameter of 1cm and a height of 4mm.
13. A swimming pool cover comprising substantially transparent upper layer and a substantially transparent lower layer having a pale colour, wherein the lower layer is bonded to the upper layer, and wherein the lower layer is shaped to trap air bubbles between the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein the bubbles have a diameter of 1cm and a height of 4mm and are formed in an array.
14. A swimming pool cover substantially as herein described.
15. A swimming pool comprising a swimming pool cover according to any preceding claim.