Hot tub cover protector and method of using the same

Abstract

A hot tub cover protector that includes a polymer sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface optionally has a first image disposed thereon and the second surface optionally includes at least one fastener that is available for coupling to the surface of a hot tub cover.

1 . A method of modifying a hot tub construction comprising a tub for accommodating a human being, the tub comprising side walls that define an opening, and a cover for substantially occluding the opening, the cover comprising a first major interior surface the method comprising:
 coupling a first fastener to the first major interior surface of the cover; and   coupling a first polymer sheet to the cover through the first fastener, the first polymer sheet comprising a first major surface, a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface of the polymer sheet and a second fastener coupled to the second major surface of the polymer sheet, the second fastener being removably engageable with the first fastener of the cover.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, and copolymers and blends thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer sheet has an area weight of from about 100 g/m 2  to about 1000 g/m 2 . 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first image is selected from the group consisting of graphics, text, numbers, printed pictures, trademarks, logos, fraternity letters, sorority letters, nature scenes, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first fastener comprises a mechanical portion having an adhesive composition disposed on a surface of the mechanical portion. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising cutting the first polymer sheet. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer sheet further comprises a transparent protective coating on the first major surface of the first polymer sheet. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a second image disposed on the second major surface of the first polymer sheet, the second image being different than the first image. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer sheet has an average thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 400 mil. 
   
   
       13 . A hot tub cover comprising:
 an interior core comprising an insulating material;   a cover enclosing the interior core, the cover comprising polymer;   a first fastener coupled to the cover;   a first interior sheet comprising polymer; and   a second fastener coupled to the first interior sheet,   the first interior sheet being removably coupled to the cover through the first fastener and the second fastener.   
   
   
       14 . The hot tub cover of  claim 13  wherein the cover comprises an interior surface, the first interior sheet being coupled to the interior surface of the cover. 
   
   
       15 . The hot tub cover of  claim 13  wherein the first interior sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, and blends and copolymers thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The hot tub cover of  claim 13  wherein the first interior sheet comprises a first image disposed on a first major surface of the first interior sheet. 
   
   
       17 . The hot tub cover of  claim 13  wherein the interior core has a center and an outer edge, the interior core tapering from the center to the outer edge. 
   
   
       18 . The hot tub cover of  claim 13  wherein the first interior sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim. 
   
   
       19 . A hot tub cover kit comprising:
 a sheet comprising polymer, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first image disposed on the first major surface, and a first fastener coupled to the second major surface; and   a second fastener comprising a first component for coupling the second fastener to a surface of a hot tub cover and a second component for removably engaging the first fastener.   
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly vinyl chloride, polyolefins, spun-bonded polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrene, poly vinyl alcohols, poly vinyl ethers, copolyesters, polyester ether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene, polyamides, copolymers and blends thereof. 
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the sheet comprises a vinyl fabric and a polyester scrim. 
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the first fastener is coupled to the second major surface of the polymeric substrate through an adhesive composition. 
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the first image is selected from the group consisting of graphics, text, numbers, printed pictures, trademarks, logos, fraternity letters, sorority letters, nature scenes, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the sheet has an average thickness from about 1.0 mil to about 400 mil. 
   
   
       25 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the sheet has an area weight of from about 100 g/m 2  to about 1000 g/m 2 . 
   
   
       26 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the sheet further comprises a second image disposed on the second major surface of the sheet, the second image being different than the first image. 
   
   
       27 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the first fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, a female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       28 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the second fastener is selected from the group consisting of a male connector, a female connector, snap, screw, hook, pin, peg, hook-and-loop structure, adhesive composition and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       29 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the polymeric substrate further comprises cutting guides disposed on at least one of the first major surface and the second major surface. 
   
   
       30 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein the cutting guides are selected from the group consisting of a perforation, pattern and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       31 . A method of using a hot tub comprising the method comprising operably coupling a protector to a first major interior surface of a hot tub cover comprising an insulating form core and a exterior cover that surrounds and encloses the interior core, the protector comprising a flexible polymer sheet, a first image disposed on a first surface of the flexible polymer sheet and at least one fastener disposed on a second surface of the flexible polymer sheet. 
   
   
       32 . A hot tub cover kit comprising:
 a sheet comprising a polymeric substrate, a first major surface, a second major surface, and a first image disposed on the first major surface; and   means for coupling the sheet to an interior surface of a hot tub cover.