US20070113334A1

US20070113334A1 - Bath blanket

Info

Publication number: US20070113334A1
Application number: US11/286,625
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Bowers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2007-05-24

Abstract

A bath blanket includes a first side and a second side. A first opening is located at a first end. A second opening is located at a second end. A coupler is connected to either the first end or the second end. The bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and be placed on water.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field
The embodiments relate to bath blankets, and more particularly to a thermal bath blanket.
2. Description of the Related Art
When the air temperature is much colder than water temperature in a bath tub, the water temperature cools quickly as most bath tubs are not insulated and the large top water layer exchanges heat quickly. As a cost effective way of saving energy from heating water, people have been using spa covers that are seated on top of the spa and does not come in contact with the water. Similar to spa covers, U.S. Pat. No. D485,605 shows an ornamental design for a thermal bath blanket that sits on top of a bath tub and does not come into contact with the water.
A problem with the prior art is the thermal covers must be removed when a person enters the water. With the cover removed from over the bath tub or spa, additional heat must be added to the water or the water will quickly cool down.

SUMMARY

Presented is a bath blanket including a first side and a second side. A first opening is located at a first end. A second opening is located at a second end. A coupler is connected to either the first end or the second end. The bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and be placed on water.
Also presented is a bath blanket including a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A first opening is located at a first end. A second opening is located at a second end. A looped material is connected to either the first end or the second end. The bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and lay on water.
Further presented is a bath blanket including a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A first opening having a flexibly coupled first insert is located at a first end. The first insert having a first coupler to removably couple the first insert to a first portion of the bath blanket. A second opening having a flexibly coupled second insert is located at a second end. The second insert having a second coupler to removably couple the second insert to a second portion of the bath blanket. A looped material is coupled to either the first end or the second end. The bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and lay on bath water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a bath blanket.
FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a bath blanket.
FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a bath blanket.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view the material of the above embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to bath blankets. Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a bath blanket. Bath blanket 100 includes first side 150 and second side 160 (see FIG. 4). Bath blanket 100 further includes first opening 110 at first end 111, second opening 120 at second end 121, and coupler 130. In one embodiment coupler 130 is located near or at second end 121. In another embodiment, coupler 130 is located at first end 111. Bath blanket 100 is sized to fit within a bath tub and be placed on water.
In one embodiment first opening 110 is larger than second opening 120. In this embodiment, first opening 110 is sized to allow a person to be in a bath tub filled with water with bath blanket 100 on top of the water where first opening allows a person to have their neck and head uncovered by bath blanket 100. In another embodiment, first opening 110 is sized for a person's upper torso to be exposed when situated in a bath tub with bath blanket 100 on top of water. In one embodiment, second opening 120 is sized to allow water to enter a bath tub through opening 120 when bath blanket 100 is placed on top of water in a bath tub. In this embodiment, second opening 120 is not large enough to allow a person's neck or upper torso to fit through second opening 120.
In another embodiment, first opening 110 is the same size as second opening 120. In this embodiment, either opening can be placed toward a person's neckline or towards a bath tub faucet. In one embodiment, bath blanket 100 is about 17 inches across and 54 inches long. It should be noted that other embodiments have other dimensions to fit custom and non-standard bath tubs.
In one embodiment bath blanket 100 is made out of material similar to a wet suit for diving. In another embodiment, bath blanket 100 has interior/middle layer 170 (see FIG. 4) disposed between first side 150 and second side 160. In one embodiment, interior layer 170 is made of neoprene rubber. In another embodiment, metal coatings or other insulators are mixed or coated over interior layer 170. In yet another embodiment, interior layer 180 is made of closed cell foam trapping gas, such as nitrogen. It should be noted that bath blanket 100, being constructed as asserted above, floats on top of water. When bath blanket 100 is placed on warm or hot bath water, bath blanket 100, being insulated, keeps heat within the water. A person can then enjoy warm or hot water for a longer period of time. This helps reduce costs involved with constantly having to add warm or hot water to the bath tub.
When a person uses bath blanket 100 while situated in the bath tub, a sauna/spa effect is achieved adding enjoyment to the use of the bath tub and bath blanket 100. Bath blanket 100, can also be used as a non-slip bath mat in and/or out of the bath tub to reduce the chances of a person slipping and falling on a wet bath tub or floor.
In another embodiment, first side 160 and second side 170 are made of material, such as nylon, stretchable nylon, etc. In one embodiment, first side 160 includes a plurality of raised ridges. In this embodiment, a person can stand on bath blanket 100 in a wet bath tub or place bath blanket 100 outside a bath tub for stepping on. In this embodiment, the plurality of ridges (not shown) provides additional non-slip frictional elements. In one embodiment, interior layer 180 is at least 5 mm. thick. In other embodiments, interior layer 180 can have thicknesses of ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 2 inches, etc.
FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a bath blanket. Bath blanket 200 is similar in construction as bath blanket 100. Bath blanket 200 includes flexibly coupled first insert 210 and flexibly coupled second insert 220. Flexibly coupled first insert 210 is connected to the main portion of bath blanket 200 at connecting portion 211. Flexibly coupled first insert 210 can be folded back on first side 150 to form an opening for a person's neckline or upper torso. Flexibly coupled first insert has first coupling means 205 to couple with second coupling means 206. In one embodiment, first and second coupling means are hook and loop type fasteners (e.g., Velcro®). In another embodiment, first and second coupling means can be snaps, loop and hook fasteners, ties, etc.
In one embodiment, first flexibly coupled insert 210 is held in place when closed (i.e., within the opening at the first end) by friction between the first insert and the main body of bath blanket 200. In another embodiment, fist insert couplers 213 and second insert couplers 214 are used to hold first insert in place. In one embodiment, first insert couplers and second insert couplers are hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®).
In one embodiment first insert 210 is flush with the first end of bath blanket 200. In another embodiment, first insert 210 has an additional opening so first insert can be lowered to enclose around a person's neck (see dashed lines on first insert 210). Flexibly coupled second insert 220 has second coupling means 207 and 208 so second insert can be flexed and connected to remain in an open state (pulled back over first side 150. Second coupling means are similar to first coupling means 205 and 206. After a bath tub is filled, if a person wants to add more water they can fold second insert back and turn a faucet on. If the bath blanket 200 is in their way, the person can leave first insert couplers 213 and second insert couplers 214 in place, fold the bath blanket so that first coupling means 205 couples with second coupling means 206. This folds the bath blanket 200 over and allows a person to reach the second insert area/and or faucet. Also, a person could fold bath blanket 200 until first coupling means 205 couples with second coupling means 207.
It should be noted that first insert 210 and second insert 220 can have various sizes. That is, first insert can be equal to, greater than or less than the size of second insert 220.
In one embodiment coupler 130 includes a coupling portion and a hanging portion 140. Hanging portion 140 can hook over a faucet (e.g., a shower faucet, bath faucet, etc.) when not in use. In one embodiment, hanging portion 140 is made of a nylon rope material. It should be noted that other hanging means, such as a hook, can be used for hanging portion 140.
FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a bath blanket. Bath blanket 300 includes removably coupled first insert 320 and removably coupled second insert 315. Removably coupled first insert 320 couples within first opening 310 via a plurality of first fasteners 325 and a plurality of second fasteners 326. Removably coupled second insert 315 couples within second opening 305 via a plurality of third fasteners 328 and a plurality of fourth fasteners 327.
It should be noted that first removably coupled insert 320 and second removably coupled insert 315 can have various sizes. That is, first removably coupled insert 320 can be equal to, greater than or less than the size of removably coupled second insert 315.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of bath blanket 100, 200 and 300. As illustrated, interior layer 170 is disposed between first side 150 and second side 160. First side 150, second side 160 and interior layer 170 are such that bath blankets 100/200/300 can be formed by a heat source in a press which molds the composite materials. Since bath blanket 100/200/300 are comprised of molded material, bath blanket 100/200/300 have “memory.” Therefore, bath blanket 100/200/300 can be folded, twisted, washed, etc., and will retain its formed shape.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A bath blanket comprising:

a first side and a second side;

a first opening at a first end,

a second opening at a second end, and

a coupler coupled to one of the first end and the second end, wherein the bath blanket has a size to fit within a bath tub and be placed on water.

2. The bath blanket of claim 1, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.

3. The bath blanket of claim 1, wherein the first opening is the same size as the second opening.

4. The bath blanket of claim 1, further comprising:

a removably coupled first insert, the removably coupled first insert to couple to the bath blanket and to fit within the first opening.

5. The bath blanket of claim 1, further comprising:

a removably coupled second insert, the removably coupled second insert to couple to the bath blanket and to fit within the second opening.

6. The bath blanket of claim 1, further comprising a middle layer, wherein

the middle layer is disposed between the first side and the second side.

7. The bath blanket of claim 6, wherein the middle layer comprises neoprene.

8. The bath blanket of claim 1, wherein the first side and the second side are comprised of nylon stretch material.

9. The bath blanket of claim 1, wherein the coupler to hang the bath blanket.

10. The bath blanket of claim 9, wherein the coupler is a looped material to hang the bath blanket on a raised faucet.

11. A bath blanket comprising:

a first layer, a second layer and a third layer, wherein the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer,

a first opening at a first end,

a second opening at a second end, and

a looped material coupled to one of the first end and the second end, wherein the bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and lay on water.

12. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.

13. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein the first opening is the same size as the second opening.

14. The bath blanket of claim 11, further comprising:

15. The bath blanket of claim 11, further comprising:

16. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein a user can use the bath blanket on water while seated in a bath tub.

17. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein the second layer is made of neoprene.

18. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein the first layer and the second layer are comprised of nylon stretch material.

19. The bath blanket of claim 11, wherein the looped material to hang the bath blanket on a raised faucet.

20. A bath blanket comprising:

a first opening having a flexibly coupled first insert at a first end, the first insert having a first coupler to removably couple the first insert to a first portion of the bath blanket,

a second opening having a flexibly coupled second insert at a second end, the second insert having a second coupler to removably couple the second insert to a second portion of the bath blanket, and

a looped material coupled to one of the first end and the second end, wherein the bath blanket is sized to fit within a bath tub and lay on bath water.

21. A method comprising:

filling a bath tub with water;

placing a bath blanket on the water to retain heat, the bath blanket comprising:

a first opening at a first end,

a second opening at a second end, and

a looped material coupled to one of the first end and the second end;

entering the bath tub by a person, wherein the person lies under the bath blanket and has an upper portion of the person protrude through the second opening and additional water is filled into the bath tub through the first opening.