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US 5,092,951 AGranted
Method of forming a tub apparatus
AssigneeSoftub, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Popovich, Roc V. Fleishman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tub apparatus includes a foamed resiliently compressible plastic tub wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid; a tensile liner adjacent the wall side, the liner and characterized in that it resists outward expansion in response to loading exerted by liquid filled into the tub interior; and including ports extending through the side wall and liner for circulating liquid between the interior of the tub and the exterior thereof. The plastic wall is typically locally heat cored in situ and provided with elbow fittings having venturis for efficient water, and water and air flow.
Claims18
In the method of forming a tub, the steps that include:
- a) forming a foamed, resiliently compressible plastic tub side wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid,
- b) providing and installing a liner adjacent the wall inner side, and also extending over the top of said wall,
- c) said side wall and liner provided with ports cut into the inner and outer sides of said side wall, said ports connected by recesses formed in said side wall, said recesses extending lengthwise of said tub side wall, and providing and installing water supply ducts to extend in said recesses lengthwise thereof for circulating liquid between said interior of the tub and the exterior thereof,
- d) and including providing and installing a flexible jacket closely fitting said wall at the outer side thereof, and forming openings in said jacket in alignment with said ports.
1 more element
In the method of forming a tub, the steps that include:
- a) forming a foamed, resiliently compressible plastic tub side wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid,
- b) providing and installing a liner adjacent the wall inner side, and also extending over the top of said wall,
- c) said side wall and liner provided with ports cut therethrough to extend through said side wall and liner for circulating liquid between said interior of the tub and the exterior thereof.
- d) providing and installing tubular means in said ports to pass said liquid, at least one of said tubular means being installed to extend through said liner and to have sealing relationship therewith,
- e) and wherein said tubular means is provided to include a first tubular body in the form of an elbow installed in one of said ports, the method including forming a gas passage in said foamed wall in communication with said elbow to pass gas to the liquid flowing in said elbow to the tub interior.
2 more elements
In the method of forming a tub, the steps that include:
- a) forming a foamed, resiliently compressible plastic tub side wall having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an inner side and an outer side, the tub having an interior to receive liquid,
- b) providing and installing a liner adjacent the wall inner side, and also extending over the top of said wall,
- c) said side wall and liner provided with ports cut therethrough to extend through said side wall and liner for circulating liquid between said interior of the tub and the exterior thereof,
- d) and including providing tubular means and installing said tubular means in said ports and wall to pass said liquid which is water, said tubular means provided to include:
- i) a first tubular body in the form of an elbow received in one of said ports,
- ii) a first liquid duct connected with said elbow to pass water thereto, said first duct received in said resiliently compressible wall, lengthwise thereof,
- iii) a second tubular body in the form of a flow member received in another of said ports,
- iv) a second liquid duct connected with said member to pass water thereto for discharge from the tube interior, said second duct received in said resiliently compressible wall length wise thereof.
5 more elements
The method of forming tub apparatus, that includes:
- a) providing a foamed plastic sheet or sheets and interconnecting said sheet or sheets to form interconnected multiple layers, and defining an insulative, upstanding side wall of a tub, the tub having an interior bathing space, and providing a liner adjacent said wall,
- b) providing a bottom wall and attaching said bottom wall to said side wall,
- c) forming a recess in said side wall to intersect said layers and extending lengthwise of said side wall,
- d) providing and installing a water supply duct to extend in said recess, lengthwise thereof, and
- e) providing and installing water jet means to extend in said side wall to discharge a stream of water to said bathing space, said jet means being installed in water receiving communication with said water supply duct.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.