WO1995002983A1

WO1995002983A1 - Baby bathtub

Info

Publication number: WO1995002983A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008424
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip C. Strassburger; Esther Strassburger; Frans Prins; Alfred Strassburger
Original assignee: Strassburger Philip C; Esther Strassburger; Frans Prins; Alfred Strassburger
Priority date: 1993-07-26
Filing date: 1994-07-26
Publication date: 1995-02-02
Also published as: AU7515094A

Abstract

A baby bathtub (2) is disclosed that allows a baby to bathe in an essentially upright position. The baby can be substantially submerged in water, and is not confined by the bathtub (2). The bathtub (2) may be configured for use in a sink and includes a fluid-tight container and a support means (8) positioned within the container. The support means (8) may consist of a platform (10) which is configured to anatomically conform to the baby's body (3).

Description

BABY BATHTUB

Background of the Invention For the purposes of the United States of America, this is a continuation-in-part application of United States Patent Application Serial No. 08/097,772, filed July 26, 1993. This invention relates to the field of bathtubs, and more particularly to the field of bathtubs for babies.

Babies do not always enjoy bathing. An otherwise perfect child may become hysterical once he or she is placed in a bathtub. This makes it difficult to bathe the baby and generally detracts from the parent/baby bonding experience. The reasons for such a negative reaction are not fully understood. Perhaps it is because many baby bathtubs require babies to completely recline in an uncomfortable position. After spending nine months in a fetal position, the baby may feel vulnerable in such an exposed position. Also, many bathtubs only allow the baby to become slightly submerged in water so the baby is exposed to uncomfortable drafts. Existing baby bathtubs also present difficulties and inconveniences to a baby's parents. Most bathtubs are too wide to fit in a sink so water must be carried from a sink to the bathtub. Alternatively, a parent can fill the bathtub with water at a sink and then carry the bathtub to a table or counter. Either way, the chance of a water spill is significant. Some parents improvise by bathing their baby in a standard bucket, but a baby is not supported in a standard bucket and the parent must exert time and energy to stabilize the baby.

Baby bathtubs are disclosed in Baker (U.S. Patent No. 3,493,976) and Sackett (U.S. Patent No. 3,619,823). However, each of these bathtubs have drawbacks. The former bathtub does not allow the baby to be substantially submerged and it is open in the front thereby exposing the baby to drafts. The latter bathtub confines the baby with a confining means thereby making it difficult for the baby to assume a comfortable position and making it difficult for the parent to wash the baby below the confining means. Bathtubs and other bathing devices are also disclosed in the following documents: Musseiman (U.S. Patent No. 962,970); Langley (U.S. Patent No. 2,505,252); Symbaluk (U.S. Patent No. 3,031 ,229); Gurolnick (U.S. Patent No. 4,216,552); Grier et al. (U.S. Patent No. 4,602,392); Schwartz (U.S. Patent No. 1 ,432,916); Schlegel (U.S. Patent No. 1 ,961 ,433); Boone (U.S. Patent No. 2,714,725); Cevasco (U.S. Design Patent No. 103,216); Black (U.S. Design Patent No. 180,264); and Hayem (French Patent No. 759,394). (All of the documents identified herein, including the foregoing, are incorporated herein in their entireties for all purposes.)

Summary of the Invention Broadly, the present invention relates to a bathtub for a baby comprising an upstanding container having a substantially circular cross-section throughout its length and a seating platform secured to an interior wall and extending outwardly therefrom and terminating at about the center of the container and defining a space between an opposing wall thereof. The platform can be substantially parallel to the bottom of the container and located in a plane wherein a baby supported thereon can be substantially submerged in an essentially upright position into bath water placed therein thereby permitting unrestrained movement of the baby's legs in the space. The bathtub can be configured for use in a sink. The bathtub can include an accessory holding tray removably secured to the wall of the container opposite the seating platform and extending outwardly therefrom. The tray can have means thereon cooperating with means on the wall to selectively position the same to accommodate the orientation of a right or left handed bathing attendant. The accessory tray can be of circular configuration and extend partially about the wall. The bathtub can be of unitary construction. The platform can be anatomically configured to conform to the baby's body. The bathtub may have a headrest, and may be made from a transparent material. The accessory holding tray may be removably secured by inserting at least one peg between at least one set of aligned holes in the accessory holding tray and the bathtub.

The present invention also relates to a baby bathtub comprising: (a) a fluid-tight container for substantially submerging a baby therein; and (b) support means positioned within the container, the support means generally configured for positioning the baby in an essentially upright position without confining the baby's arms or legs. The bathtub may have a bottom and at least one side and the support means may comprise a platform that is essentially parallel to the bottom of the bathtub. The platform may be configured to anatomically conform to the baby's body. The bathtub may further comprise a headrest, and the headrest may have drainage means for draining water from the inside of the bathtub to the outside of the bathtub. The support means may be removably attached to the container. The bathtub may further comprise a supply holder externally mounted on the bathtub.

The present invention also relates to a baby bathtub comprising: (a) a fluid-tight container for submerging a baby therein; (b) support means positioned within the container, the support means generally configured for positioning the baby in an essentially upright position; and (c) a headrest comprising drainage means for draining water from the inside of the bathtub to the outside of the bathtub. The bathtub may have a bottom and at least one side and the support means may comprise a platform that is essentially parallel to the bottom of the bathtub. The platform may be configured to anatomically conform to the baby's body. The support means may not confine the baby's arms or legs, and it may be removably attached to the container. The bathtub may further comprise a supply holder externally mounted on the bathtub.

The present invention also relates to a baby bathtub comprising: (a) a fluid-tight container for substantially submerging a baby therein, the bathtub having a bottom and at least one side; and (b) support means positioned within the container comprising a platform that is essentially parallel to the bottom of the bathtub and configured to anatomically conform to the baby's body. The bathtub may further comprise a headrest, and the headrest may have drainage means for draining water from the inside of the bathtub to the outside of the bathtub. The support means may be removably attached to the container. The bathtub may further comprise a supply holder externally mounted on the bathtub, which may be mounted by inserting at least one peg between at least one set of aligned holes in the supply holder and the bathtub.

The present invention also relates to a baby bathtub configured for use in a sink comprising: (a) a fluid-tight container of unitary construction comprising a bottom and a conical or cylindrical wall, the container capable of holding water to submerge a baby while the baby is in an essentially upright position from about the baby's torso to about the baby's shoulders; and (b) support means positioned within the container and configured for positioning the baby in an essentially upright position, the support means comprising a platform being essentially parallel to the bottom of the bathtub and being anatomically configured to conform to the baby's body. The supply holder may be externally mounted on the bathtub by inserting at least one peg between at least one set of aligned holes in the supply holder and the bathtub to removably attach the supply holder to the bathtub, and it may have at least one hole and the bathtub at least two holes, and the holes are configured such that the at least one supply holder hole can be aligned with the bathtub holes, and the supply holder can be moved relative the bathtub to accommodate a person's right or left handed orientation. The bathtub may have a leg space defined by the conical or cylindrical wall, the bottom, and a vertical face extending from the platform to the bottom, and the leg space configured such that the baby's feet can rest in a corner defined by the conical or cylindrical wall and the bottom.

The present invention also relates to a baby bathtub configured for use in a sink, said bathtub comprising: (a) a fluid-tight container of unitary construction comprising a bottom and a conical or cylindrical wall, the container capable of holding water to submerge a baby while the baby is in an essentially upright position, the container having a front side which the baby faces and a back side which the baby leans against, wherein the height of the front corresponds to a height relative to the baby from about the baby's chest to about the baby's forehead and the height of the back side is the same or different than the height of the front side and corresponds to a height relative to the baby from about the baby's chest to above the baby's head; and (b) support means positioned within the container and configured for positioning the baby in an essentially upright position, the support means comprising a platform being essentially parallel to the bottom of the bathtub and being anatomically configured to conform to the baby's body.

The present invention also relates to a bathtub that is useful for bathing a baby as the baby grows. The bathtub comprises: (a) a fluid-tight container comprising a bottom and at least one wall; and (b) at least two support means, the support means being configured for receiving the body of a baby therein in an essentially upright position, wherein the at least two support means are removably attachable to the container and each support means is configured for a different size baby.

The present invention also relates to a process for making a bathtub comprising: (i) extruding a plastic parison; (ii) closing two mold halves on the parison, wherein the first mold half comprises a semi-cylindrical or semi-conical wall and the second mold half comprises a semi-cylindrical or semi-conical wall incorporating means to form a platform; (iii) cooling the walls of the mold cavity and blowing the parison against the cooled wall of the mold; and (iv) opening the mold and removing the bathtub. The present invention also relates to a process of making a bathtub comprising (i) forming a fluid-tight container; (ii) forming a support means; and (iii) attaching the support means to the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings To facilitate further discussion of the invention, the following drawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention with a baby bathing therein;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. These drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The following discussion of the drawings is provided to further illustrate the present invention. However, the invention is not limited by the specific details provided in the discussion. With reference to FIG. 1 , a baby is shown bathing in a first embodiment of the present invention. The bathtub 2 is configured for use in a sink. It has a bottom 4 (not shown) and a somewhat conical wall 6. The wall 6 may be a shape other than somewhat conical, such as cylindrical or somewhat cylindrical, and there may be more than one wall. Thus the walls 6 in certain embodiments may form shapes such as squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, and the like. Preferred shapes are somewhat conical and somewhat cylindrical because such shapes will tend to support the baby's back if the baby leans back against the wall 6. In an especially preferred embodiment the wall(s) 6 will be configured to anatomically conform to the baby's back.

The wall(s) 6 may contain indentations, ridges, or other irregularities. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the wall 6 surrounds the baby and has a front side and a back side wherein the baby faces the front side and leans back against the back side. The wall 6 in the front side has a height corresponding to about the height of the baby's neck. In other embodiments, the height of the front side may vary from a height corresponding to about the baby's torso to a height corresponding to above the baby's head. Thus, for instance, the height of the front side may extend to a height corresponding to about the baby's chest, or to about the baby's armpits, or to about the baby's chin, or to about the baby's forehead, or to any height in between. The height of the back side may be the same as or different from the height of the front side, and it may also range from a height corresponding to about the baby's torso to a height corresponding to above the baby's head, e.g., a height corresponding to about the baby's chest, or to about the baby's armpits, or to about the baby's chin, or to about the baby's forehead, or to any height in between. In FIG. 1 , the back side is in unitary construction with a headrest 14. There need not be an apparent delineation between the wall 6 and the headrest 14. The headrest 14 here consists of a portion of the wall which rises in elevation to a point sufficient to allow the baby to rest his or her head. In this case, the baby can see beyond the front side of the bathtub. The headrest 14 may be in a reclined position so that the baby may rest his or her head back, thus making it easier to wash the baby's hair without getting shampoo in his or her eyes. In general, the headrest 14 may form an angle in relation to the bottom 4 of from about 90 to about 135 degrees, preferably from about 90 to about 125 degrees, and especially preferably from about 95 to about 120 degrees. The headrest 14 may be anatomically configured to conform to the baby's head and/or be made of soft or flexible materials. The bathtub 2 may also contain drainage means for draining water that flows down the headrest to the outside of the bathtub. For instance, the headrest 14 or the upper part of the back side of the wall (e.g., the part of the back side of the wall corresponding to about a height just above the height of the baby's shoulder) may contain water collecting means to collect water that runs down the headrest. The water collecting means can be a groove, channel, or beveled piece that is configured to catch the water that flows down the headrest. Such collecting means may contain openings (such as holes) that run from the interior of the bathtub to the exterior of the bathtub 2 to drain the water outside of the bathtub. Thus, for instance, water used for rinsing shampoo can run down the headrest, into the collecting means (located at the base of the headrest or at the upper part of the back side of the wall) and flow through openings to the outside of the bathtub and into a sink. Accordingly, the bath water can remain relatively uncontaminated by the shampoo rinse water. FIG. 6 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention showing such drainage means. A beveled section 54 is at the base of headrest 14. The beveled section contains one or more holes 60 through which water can drain to the outside of the bathtub. The beveled section 54 also slopes to the outside of the container, and thereby drains water to the outside of the container.

The bathtub 2 shown in FIG. 1 has an edge 18 that will preferably be smooth and provide a space for an adult to place his or her fingers to grab the bathtub 2; it can serve as a handle. Alternatively, the bathtub 2 may contain separate handles mounted on the bathtub 2, for instance on the exterior of the wall 6. The bathtub 2 may optionally contain a supply holder 20 for holding supplies such as soap or shampoo. As shown, the supply holder 20 is externally mounted on the bathtub 2 and has two compartments 22 a,b. In this embodiment the supply holder 20 is removably attached to the bathtub by aligning holes (not shown) in the supply holder 20 with peg holes 24 a,b (not shown) and 24 c in the bathtub, and then placing pegs 26 a,b through the aligned holes. The supply holder (not shown) and the bathtub peg holes 26 a,b are configured in this embodiment so that the supply holder 20 can be easily moved to accommodate a parent's right/left handed orientation. The supply holder may also be completely removed. A beveled piece 16 is shown at the top of the headrest 14. The bottom 4 and wall 6 form a fluid tight container which can be filled with water at varying levels. Means for discharging the fluid may be included in the bathtub, such as one or more plugs or other closable openings in the bottom 4 or in the lower part of the wall 6.

The baby in FIG. 1 is shown in a comfortable, slightly reclined position. However, the bathtub 2 allows each baby to assume the position that is most comfortable for him or her. Some baby's will prefer a hunched-over, somewhat fetal-like position. Some babies will assume a rigidly upright position. Typically the baby will move during the bath and assume several different positions. The baby's position will also depend on the water level in the bathtub 2 and the resulting buoyancy forces that are applied on the baby. Of course, a parent may also support the baby with his or her hands and thereby alter the baby's position. For the purposes of this application, all of the above-cited positions (e.g., hunched-over, upright, and slightly reclined) are considered to be somewhat upright positions. FIG. 1 also shows the baby enjoying the feeling of being substantially surrounded by the walls 6 of the bathtub 2. Perhaps this offers the baby a sense of security, even when the baby is not substantially submerged. The baby can also enjoy the feeling of being substantially submerged in water. As used herein, substantially submerged means submerged from a point varying from the baby's torso to the top of the baby's shoulders. The water level may be, but need not be, defined by the lowest point of the wall 6. In some cases it will be desirable to have the lowest point of the wall extend to a height corresponding to, for instance, the top of the baby's head but have the water level set at a height corresponding to, for instance, the baby's shoulders. A benchmark may be included in the interior of the bathtub 2 to assist the parent in determining the appropriate water level for his or her baby, but in general the appropriate water level will depend on the size of the baby. Openings may also be provided in the wall 6 at predetermined height(s) to drain water that rises above those height(s) and thereby define the highest possible water level. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the bathtub 2. It is shown that the wall 6 is somewhat conical. A support means 8 is shown consisting of a platform 10. In this embodiment, the platform 10 has a vertical wall 44 which extends to the bottom 4. It is essentially parallel to the bottom 4. In this embodiment, the seating platform is secured to an interior wall and extending outwardly therefrom and terminating at about the center of the container. The support means 8 generally holds the baby in an essentially upright position, however, the baby is free to move his or her arms or legs or to shift to a different generally upright position. The support means allows the baby to become temporarily free from contact with the bathtub 2 in the course of the baby's movement, and allows the parent to easily raise the baby within the bathtub 2 for washing. The bathtub 2 does not confine the baby or overly restrict the baby's movement. In this embodiment the platform 10 has an indentation 12 which is anatomically configured for receiving the baby's bottom. The indentation 12 may be somewhat more exaggerated than shown to provide more support. Alternatively, the platform 10 may be somewhat flat and horizontally configured without any indentations, or it may be substantially flat but reclining toward the wall 6. It may form an angle with the wall 6 ranging from about 45 to about 135 degrees, preferably from about 90 to about 125 degrees, and especially preferably from about 90 to about 120 degrees. As shown in FIG. 6, the support means 8 may be removably attached to the bathtub 2, such as by one or more suction cups 56 that attach to the bottom 4. In certain embodiments, a bathtub may comprise more than one support means 8, each of which is configured to correspond to a different size of the baby as the baby grows; the appropriate support means 8 corresponding to the baby's size may be removably attached to the bathtub 2. Also shown here is a leg space 40 defined by the wall 6, the bottom 4, and the vertical wall 44. In certain embodiments, such a leg space may provide additional support for the baby by being configured so that the baby's feet rest in the corner 48 of the bathtub 2. When a baby's feet are resting in the corner 48, the baby's position will tend to be more stable. Subbase 42 can rest on a sink surface, and it may be attached to or integrally formed with the bottom 4. The subbase 42 may contain grooves or holes to allow water to run along the surface of a sink under the bathtub 2 to the sink drain.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a third embodiment. Here there are two indentations 12 a,b that have been configured to anatomically conform to the baby's bottom. The support means 8 comprises a platform 10. The semicircle 50 in the bottom 4 is an indentation formed by the subbase 42 (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment. It can be seen that the support means 8 comprises a platform 10 with two indentations 12 a,b that have been configured to anatomically conform to the baby's bottom. The bathtub may be made of any suitable material, such as polymers or light weight metal. Polymers will preferably be suitable for molding the bathtub, such as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, high molecular weight/high density polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, other thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. Especially preferred is polypropylene. In some cases an insulated material will be preferred. The different components of the bathtub can be made of the same or different materials.

The bathtub may be made of brightly colored materials and it may contain designs. In a preferred embodiment the bathtub is made of transparent materials. As used herein, the term "anatomically configured" means configured to essentially complement the shape of the corresponding anatomy. Thus, where the wall(s) may be configured to anatomically conform to the baby's back, that means that the walls contain, e.g., an indentation that generally matches the shape of a baby's back. Similarly, an anatomically configured support means may contain, e.g., one or two indentations that generally match the shape of a baby's bottom. The term "anatomically configured" should not be narrowly construed to necessarily mean an exact complement of the baby's anatomy, although such an exact complement is within the purview of the present invention.

When made of a thermoplastic, the bathtub can be made by a blow-molding process. For instance, a bathtub of unitary construction can be made by extrusion- blow molding according to the following steps: (a) extruding a plastic parison; (b) closing two mold halves on the parison, clamping the mold and cutting the parison; (c) blowing the parison against the cooled walls of the mold cavity, calibrating the opening, and holding it under air pressure (about 80 to about 125 p.s.i.) during a cooling period; (d) opening the mold and removing the blown part; and (e) finishing the part by trimming off the flash. General blow-molding procedures are described in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia '91 , McGraw Hill, pp. 255-262. The molds used in blow molding processes will be suitably configured to form the bathtub.

A bathtub of non-unitary construction can be made by molding the container and support means separately. The container may be of unitary construction and may be made by a blow-molding process with two cylindrical or somewhat conical molds, and the support means can be made by a separate molding process. The support means can then be attached to the inside of the container to form the bathtub.

Claims

1. A bathtub for a baby comprising an upstanding container having a substantially circular cross-section throughout its length, a seating platform secured to the container and extending outwardly from an interior wall and terminating at about the center of said container and defining a space between an opposing wall thereof, said platform being substantially parallel to the bottom of said container and being located in a plane wherein a baby supported thereon can be substantially submerged in an essentially upright position into bath water placed therein thereby permitting unrestrained movement of the baby's legs in said space, said bathtub being configured for use in a sink.

2. The bathtub of claim 1 further including an accessory holding tray removably secured to said wall of said container opposite said seating platform and extending outwardly therefrom, said tray having means thereon cooperating with means on said wall to selectively position the same to accommodate the orientation of a right or left handed bathing attendant.

3. The bathtub of claim 2 wherein the accessory tray is of circular configuration and extends partially about said wall.

4. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the bathtub is of unitary construction.

5. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the platform is anatomically configured to conform to the baby's body.

6. The bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a headrest.

7. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the bathtub is made from a transparent material.

8. The bathtub of claim 3 wherein said accessory holding tray is removably secured by inserting at least one peg between at least one set of aligned holes in the accessory holding tray and the bathtub.

9. The bathtub of claim 6 wherein the headrest comprises draining means for draining water from the headrest outside of the bathtub.

10. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the platform is removably secured to the container.