Panels for Spas

Abstract

Panels are provided that are usable in a skirt surrounding a frame of a spa. The panels can have a multi-tone appearance and can be made from durable, low maintenance synthetic materials.

1 . A panel usable as part of a skirt at least partially extending about a frame supporting a vessel of a spa, the panel comprising:
 an inward part of the panel having a first appearance property; and   an outward part of the panel having a second appearance property different from the first appearance property, a removed portion of the outward part forming an opening in the outward part of the panel exposing an underlying portion of the inward part of the panel.   
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is surrounded by the outward part of the panel. 
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the outward part of the panel is disposed on both a front and back side of the inward part of the panel. 
   
   
       4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second appearance properties is transparency. 
   
   
       5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second appearance properties is a color different from the other of the first and second appearance properties such that the panel has a multi-color appearance. 
   
   
       6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the inward and outward parts are joined through lamination or coextrusion. 
   
   
       7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the outward part adjacent the opening is partially removed. 
   
   
       8 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the inward part coextensive with the opening is partially removed. 
   
   
       9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein an inner part is disposed on an opposite side of the inward part from the outward part, the inward part having a removed portion at least partially coextensive with the opening in the outer part to expose the underlying inner part. 
   
   
       10 . A method of manufacturing a multi-tone panel usable in a skirt of a spa, the method comprising:
 coextruding a first material having a first appearance property and a second material having a second appearance property to form a panel; and   removing a portion of the first material to expose the underlying second material to form a multi-tone panel.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of partially removing another portion of the first material to a depth less than the thickness of the first material of the panel. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of removing the portion of the first material further includes using a computer-controlled machine to remove the first material in a pattern. 
   
   
       13 . A spa comprising:
 a vessel for containing water;   a frame supporting the vessel;   a skirt extending at least partially around the frame, the skirt including a panel having one or more openings; and   a light source disposed behind the panel to illuminate the opening of the panel.   
   
   
       14 . The spa of  claim 13 , wherein the opening in the panel is backed by a translucent sheet.