Molding a bathtub liner
OwnerJohn T. Kott, John M. Kottinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an apparatus for forming a liner on a washbasin, in situ, with the washbasin acting as a master mold, vacuum tubes are inserted into the corners of the washbasin and connected to a portable vacuum unit. The washbasin cavity is sealed, with a sheet of unmolded liner material adhered over the washbasin cavity. A portable frame engages one surface of the liner adjacent an edge of the liner to restrain deformation of the periphery of the liner during molding. A portable heater rests on top of the frame. The frame is enclosed to form an oven to heat the liner material to the appropriate temperature, vacuum is then drawn in the washbasin cavity to mold the liner, replicating the washbasin's contour.
Claims20
An apparatus for in situ molding of a liner for a household bathtub, which liner substantially conforms to the exact shape of the bathtub comprising:
- a lightweight, portable frame having substantially the same horizontal size and shape as the top ledge of said bathtub;
- portable restraining means for releasably engaging at least one edge of said plastic liner on one surface of said liner to prevent any deleterious deformation of said sheet material during the molding procedure without requiring any heavy downward force between the liner material and the bathtub;
- portable oven means supported by said frame above said sheet for heating the exterior surface of said sheet of plastic liner material until said material reaches a sufficiently pliable state to be vacuum molded into the cavity defined between said sheet and said bathtub;
- and
- portable evacuation means communicating with said cavity for vacuum molding said pliable liner.
An apparatus for in situ molding of a liner for a washbasin used in a house or office, which liner substantially conforms to the exact shape of the washbasin, comprising:
- a lightweight, portable frame having substantially the same horizontal size and shape as the top ledge of said washbasin;
- portable restraining means for releasably engaging at least one edge of said plastic liner on one surface of said liner to prevent any deleterious deformation of said sheet material during the molding procedure without requiring any heavy downward force between the liner material and the washbasin;
- portable heating means supported by said frame above said sheet for heating the exterior surface of said sheet of plastic liner material until said material reaches a sufficiently pliable state to be vacuum molded into the cavity defined between said sheet and said washbasin;
- and
- portable evacuation means communicating with said cavity for vacuum molding said pliable liner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.