Method of and water-impermeable sheet for ice rinks

Abstract

A method for increasing the ability of a water surface to cool and freeze is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate surface adapted to support a layer of ice, and providing a water-impermeable flexible sheet on top of the substrate surface which supports the flexible sheet, the sheet including at least first, second and third layers. The first layer includes a heat reflective coating for reflecting heat transmitted from the substrate back into the substrate, a second or middle layer which may be an insulative layer, and a third or uppermost layer including a non-reflective coating to reduce heat absorption, and providing a layer of water or ice on top of the water-impermeable flexible sheet whereby the flexible sheet enhances or lowers the temperature of the water on the surface by reducing the temperature transmission through the substrate surface and the upper surface or layer providing non-reflective properties to reduce heat transmission therethrough.

1 . A method of increasing or enhancing the ability of a water surface to cool and freeze comprising the steps of
 providing a substrate surface adapted to support a layer of ice;   providing a water-impermeable flexible sheet on top of said substrate surface with said substrate surface supporting said flexible sheet, wherein the sheet includes at least first, second and third layers, the first layer including a heat reflective coating for reflecting heat transmitted from the substrate back into the substrate and in juxtaposition with the substrate, the second layer positioned between and in juxtaposition with said first and third layers, and the third layer including a non-reflective coating to reduce heat absorption;   providing a layer of water or ice on top of said water-impermeable flexible sheet whereby the flexible sheet enhances or lowers the temperature of the water on the surface of said flexible sheet by said reflective side of said sheet reducing temperature transmission through said substrate surface and with said upper layer of said flexible sheet providing non-reflective properties to said sheet in order to reduce transmission of heat therethrough; and   allowing the layer of water on top of said water-impermeable flexible sheet to freeze to thereby provide a frozen water layer.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of providing a source of coolant in direct or indirect communication with said layer of water. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and third layers are integrally affixed to said second layer. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said second layer is an insulating layer. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said second layer is of a polyethylene material. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said polyethylene material is a woven material. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said second layer is a foam. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said second layer is of a bubble type material. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said bubble type material includes foam. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers are of a low density polyethylene material. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and third layers are of a mesh weave. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said mesh weave is made of a polyolefin.