Patent Publication Number: US-2019183292-A1

Title: Method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/607,105 filed Dec. 18, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of surface coatings of existing art and more specifically relates to a traction coating application. 
     RELATED ART 
     Presently bathing implements such as showers and bathtubs are made with a glazed enamel surface. The glazed enamel surface is not porous and provides no traction when wet. The lack of traction on conventional bathing implements is problematic. A person may sustain serious injuries by slipping in their designated bathing area. Slipping on the surface of a shower or bathtub is a fear that many people who live alone have, more specifically the elderly. A suitable solution is desired. 
     Existing removable surface covers may be used but are not often practical. The removable surface covers generally comprise of a material that may provide traction to a person in a bathtub or shower, such as rubber or plastic. These surface covers are placed over a limited surface area of the bathing implement, and subsequently removed after bathing is complete. The surface covers may not be reliable and introduce an additional tripping hazard if not placed and secured properly. Further methods for adding traction may be incomplete or cost prohibitive. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,868,862 to Jia Liu relates to a surface coating system and method of using surface coating system. The described surface coating system and method of using surface coating system includes a coating system for a surface (such as a floor) including a liquid adhesive layer composition including a heat-activated adhesive that forms an adhesive layer upon drying after application to a surface, and a liquid maintenance layer composition comprising a dispersible polymer that forms a maintenance layer upon drying after application to the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer and the maintenance layer may form a peelable coating. An adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the maintenance layer may be greater than an adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the surface. The peelable coating may have a tensile strength that is greater than the adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the surface. The peelable coating may be configured to be peeled from the surface without the adhesive layer and the maintenance layer separating from one another. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known traction coating application art, the present disclosure provides a novel method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an effective and efficient method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement. 
     A method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement is disclosed herein. The method involves providing a bathing implement. The bathing implement may be prefabricated and of any suitable dimensioning. At least one surface of the bathing implement is cleaned with a cleaning agent. The cleaning involves removing any particulates that may be on the surface of the bathing implement. A stencil is secured to the surface of the bathing implement that had been cleaned of any debris and particulate matter. A base coat of silicon rubber may then be applied to the surface. The base coat applied may not be less than 1 millimeter in thickness and may not exceed 4 millimeters of thickness. The base coat of silicon rubber may then be cured from a liquid state to a substantially solid state. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the means of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the means of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the means of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the means of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a traction coating application and more particularly to a method/means for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement as used to improve the traction of the host bathing implement. 
     Generally, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement involves acquiring a conventional bathing implement or coating of an existing bathing implement. The bathing implement may be purchased from a retail store or through a manufacturer. The bathing implement may embody a bathtub, shower stall, wash basin and similar residential fixtures used for washing that may require a traction surface. The present invention provides a method to apply a traction coating of silicon rubber or a composite thereof to the bathing implement. 
     Further, the method includes modifying the surface of the bathing implement. The surface may be modified by attaching an anatomically formed structure. The anatomically formed structure may provide additional support for people with special needs. The anatomically formed structure may be customized prior to application correspondingly to a client&#39;s request. The anatomically formed structure may further embody any structure that a client may request. The structure may embody a novelty children&#39;s toy, additional seating, organizational containers, and all further considered customized features that may be added to the bathing implement. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement  110 . 
     The application of a traction coating to a bathing implement  110  is shown for an ‘in-use’ condition  50 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the method  100  may be beneficial to apply a traction coating to a bathing implement  110  surface. As illustrated, the method  100  may include providing a bathing implement  110 . The bathing implement  110  may embody a prefabricated bathtub, shower, and any similar facility used for washing. Cleaning at least one surface  200  of said bathing implement  110  with a cleaning agent  112 . The process of cleaning is to remove any matter that may be on the at least one surface  200  of the bathing implement  110 . Securing a stencil  114  to the at least one surface  200 . The stencil  114  may be used to protect the at least one surface  200  from debris. The stencil  114  may have a design configured to increase traction. The stencil  114  may be coated in an oil to prevent the adherence of any material. 
     Applying a base coat of silicon rubber  116  to the at least one surface  200  measuring a thickness of 1 millimeter to a thickness of 4 millimeters is preferred. The base coat of silicon rubber  116  may be applied over the stencil  114 . The stencil  114  may then be removed, and alternatively, remain secured to the at least once surface  200 . Curing  118  the base coat of silicon rubber  116  such that the base coat of silicon rubber  116  transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state. The method of curing  118  may involve an additive reaction. The additive reaction may include adding additional chemicals to the base coat of silicon rubber  116  such that the base coat of silicon rubber  116  transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state. The method of curing  118  may involve vulcanization. The vulcanization may be completed by inputting energy through heat and light. 
     The method  100  may include providing a bathing implement  110 . The bathing implement  110  may have a base coat of silicon rubber  116  applied to the at least one surface  200 . A traction stencil  222  may be applied to the base coat of silicon rubber  116  during a substantially solid state. The traction stencil  222  may cover a traction area  220 . The traction stencil  222  may have at least one surface  200  coated in oil. The oil may be configured to disallow the adherence of silicon rubber to said traction stencil  222 . The traction stencil  222  may include voids configured to pool the second coat of silicon rubber  230 . The voids may define the pattern used for increasing traction in the bathing implement  110 . The pattern used for increasing traction may have any design. A second coat of silicon rubber  230  may be disposed over the traction area  220 . The second coat of silicon rubber  230  may then be cured into a substantially solid state. 
     A further step in the method  100  may be to affix an anatomically formed structure  300  to the bathing implement  110 . The anatomically formed structure  300  may be custom made to accommodate different body types. The anatomically formed structure  300  may embody any structure that may be affixed to the at least one surface  200  of the bathing implement  110 . The anatomically formed structure  300  may be made of steel. The anatomically formed structure  300  may be made of plastic, and alternatively any composite thereof. The anatomically formed structure  300  may be attached to the bathing implement  110  prior to the base coat of silicon rubber  116  ( FIG. 1 ) having been applied. The anatomically formed structure  300  may be affixed to the bathing implement  110  prior to, and alternatively, following the second coat of silicon rubber  230  being applied. 
     A third coating of silicon rubber  310  may be applied on the anatomically formed structure  300 . The third coating of silicon rubber  310  may be applied directly to the anatomically formed structure  300 . The third coating of silicon rubber  310  may be applied multiple times. The traction stencil  222  ( FIG. 2 ) may be used in conjunction with the third coating of silicon rubber  310 . The third coating of silicon rubber  310  is then cured into a substantially solid state. The curing  118  ( FIG. 1 ) may be achieved through additive reaction, vulcanization, and any other means of curing  118 . 
     As shown, the method  100  comprises a bathing implement  110  ( FIG. 1 ) having a base coat of silicon rubber  116  applied to at least one surface  200 . As shown, a granular material  320  may be mixed into the base coat of silicon rubber  116  prior to the step of curing  118  ( FIG. 1 ) the base coat of silicon rubber  116 . The granular material  320  may include silica sand. The granular material  320  effectively increases the traction of the base coat of silicon rubber  116 . Further modifications of the base coat of silicon rubber may include the step of mixing a coloring agent into the base coat of silicon rubber  116  prior to the step of curing  118  the base coat of silicon rubber  116 . Further shown are multiple instances of an anatomically formed structure  300 . The anatomically formed structure  300  may be removably attachable to the bathing implement  110   
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement  500 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement  500  may include one or more components or features of the method  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing a bathing implement; step two  502 , cleaning at least one surface of said bathing implement with a cleaning agent; step three  503 , securing a stencil to the at least one surface; step four  504 , mixing granular material into the base coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the base coat of silicon rubber; step five  505 , mixing a coloring agent into the base coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the base coat of silicon rubber; step six  506 , applying a base coat of silicon rubber to the at least one surface measuring a thickness of 1 millimeter to a thickness of 4 millimeters; step seven  507 , curing the base coat of silicon rubber such that the base coat of silicon rubber transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state; step eight  508 , securing a traction stencil to the base coat of silicon rubber during a substantially solid state, the traction stencil covering a traction area; step nine  509 , mixing granular material into the second coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the second coat of silicon rubber; step ten  510 , mixing a coloring agent into the second coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the second coat of silicon rubber; step eleven  511 , applying a second coat of silicon rubber over the traction area; step twelve  512 , curing the second coat of silicon rubber into a substantially solid state; step thirteen  513 , affixing an anatomically formed structure to the bathing implement; step fourteen  514 , applying a third coating of silicon rubber on the anatomically formed structure; step fifteen  515 , curing the third coating of silicon rubber into a substantially solid state; 
     It should be noted that step  504 ,  505 ,  508 ,  509 ,  510 ,  511 ,  512 ,  513 ,  514 , and  515  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement, are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.