Therapeutic bath liner

Abstract

A bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert is provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes a flexible sheet material bathtub liner. The bathtub liner has an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface. The bathtub insert includes an air and/or water conduit having an air and/or water inlet, a plurality of air and/or water outlets and a wall defining a passage for airflow and/or water flow. The air and/or water conduit is secured to the outer surface of the bathtub liner such that the plurality of air and/or water outlets is generally aligned with the plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface of the bathtub liner such that air and/or water passing through the air and/or water outlet passes through the bathtub liner.

1 . A bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert, comprising:
 a flexible sheet material bathtub liner, the bathtub liner having an inner surface and an outer surface, the bathtub liner comprising a plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface; and   an air and/or water conduit having an air and/or water inlet, a plurality of air and/or water outlets and a wall defining a passage for airflow and/or waterflow, the air and/or water conduit secured to the outer surface of the bathtub liner such that the plurality of air and/or water outlets is generally aligned with the plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface of the bathtub liner such that air and/or water passing through the air and/or water outlet passes through the bathtub liner.   
   
   
       2 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 1 , further comprising an air compressor for delivering a stream of compressed air, the air compressor having an air outlet for the stream of compressed air, the outlet port of the air compressor connected to the air and/or water inlet of the air and/or water conduit. 
   
   
       3 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for delivering a stream of water, the pump having a water outlet for the stream of water, the outlet port of the water pump connected to the air and/or water inlet of the air and/or water conduit. 
   
   
       4 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners for detachably securing the outer surface of the flexible bathtub liner to a bathtub. 
   
   
       5 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of fasteners for detachably securing the outer surface of the flexible bathtub liner to a bathtub is a plurality of suction cups attached to the flexible bathtub liner. 
   
   
       6 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 2 , further comprising an inflatable cushion in airflow communication with the air compressor, the inflatable cushion selected from the group consisting of: a head rest, a back rest, a seat, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 1  wherein the flexible bathtub liner further comprises an opening between the inner surface and the outer surface for insertion of at least a portion of a bathtub drain therethrough. 
   
   
       8 . The bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert of  claim 1  wherein the flexible bathtub liner further comprises an opening between the inner surface and the outer surface for insertion of at least a portion of a bathtub drain valve control therethrough. 
   
   
       9 . A bubble anchor water-jet producing bathtub insert for a bathtub, comprising:
 a shaped flexible bathtub liner having a base, two generally opposing side walls and two generally opposing end walls, the shaped flexible bathtub liner having an inner surface and an outer surface, the bathtub liner comprising a plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface of the two generally opposing side walls; and   an air and/or water conduit having an air and/or water inlet, a plurality of air and/or water outlets and a wall defining a passage for airflow, the air and/or water conduit secured to the outer surface of the bathtub liner such that the plurality of air and/or water outlets is generally aligned with the plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface of the two generally opposing side walls such that air and/or water passing through the air and/or water outlet passes through the bathtub liner.   
   
   
       10 . A method of providing bubbles and/or water-jets to a subject in a bathtub, comprising:
 providing a bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert for a bathtub according to  claim 9 ;   placing the bubble and/or water-jet producing bathtub insert in the bathtub; and   activating an air compressor and/or water pump to deliver air and/or water to the air and/or water conduit; thereby delivering air and/or water through the plurality of passageways between the inner surface and the outer surface of the two generally opposing side walls of the bathtub liner of the insert such that air and/or water passing through the air and/or water outlet passes through the bathtub liner to the subject.