EP3442387B1

EP3442387B1 - Bathing apparatus for an infant or child

Info

Publication number: EP3442387B1
Application number: EP17721825.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Mattei
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-13
Filing date: 2017-03-17
Publication date: 2020-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-17
Also published as: ITUA20162576A1; WO2017178877A1; EP3442387A1

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing apparatus for an infant or child.
More in particular, the present invention relates to a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, comprising basin means for bathing the infant or child and supporting means of said basin means at a convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child. During the operations to bathe an infant or child, the need to improve the conditions of comfort for the person doing the bathing is particularly felt.
Bathing of an infant or child usually takes place in a common bathtub, shower system or the like, where a tub Is suitably positioned, Inside which the child is placed in seated or semi-seated position In order to be bathed.
In this regard, it is evident that the person doing the bathing of the infant or child is obliged to work in relatively uncomfortable conditions, often in a kneeling position. There are known stand means to be placed on the floor, or on the bottom of a bathtub, shower system or the like, which support the tub for bathing the Infant or child at a convenient using height for the person doing the bathing.
Similarly, for the same purpose, there are known frame means, to be connected stably with respect to walls of a bathtub, and which support a tub for bathing the infant or child.
Prior art related to a bathing apparatus for an infant or child is disclosed, as an example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication no. 2 084 236 A , which renders known an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.
However, the aforesaid prior art apparatus still has some drawbacks.
Firstly, said prior art apparatus require the operator to perform operations to put it into and out of operation that are onerous and not always simple.
Moreover, the aforesaid prior art apparatus occupies a considerable amount of space when put out of operation, when not in use.
In addition, said prior art apparatus do not allow easy and comfortable bathing of the infant or child to be carried out using a continuous flow of running water.
Furthermore, said prior art apparatus do not allow effective optimization of the conditions of comfort of the person doing the bathing.
Moreover, it must be noted that the aforesaid prior art apparatus does not allow the use of hot running water, as for example during normal bathing of a person carried out in a bathtub or under the shower.
The present invention, taking account of the above prior art and starting from the notion of the aforesaid drawbacks, intends to provide a solution.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, which supports the basin means at a convenient height for the person doing the bathing and is easy and convenient to put into and out of operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that, when put out of operation when not in use occupies a limited space.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that allows bathing of the infant or child in a conventional tub, using a continuous flow of running water.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that allows effective optimization of the conditions of comfort for the person doing the bathing.
One more object of the present invention is to provide a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that allows the use of hot running water, as for example during normal bathing of a person carried out in a bathtub or under the shower.
In view of these objects, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject matter of claim 1.
In particular, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, which comprises basin means for bathing the infant or child and supporting means of said basin means at a convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child, whereby said supporting means comprise:

a hydraulic cushion, including a first hydraulic chamber, made at least partially of flexible material and supporting said basin; characterized in that the bathing apparatus also comprises:
- automatic distributor-diverter means of a flow of pressurized running water, including:
  - hydraulic connection means between a pressurized running water distribution network and a second hydraulic chamber, which comprises:
    - first hydraulic communication means between said same second hydraulic chamber and said first hydraulic chamber, including first valve means that allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of pressurized running water from said second hydraulic chamber into said first hydraulic chamber, until said first chamber is filled with pressurized water, so that said first hydraulic chamber maintains said hydraulic cushion stably configured as support for said basin means at said convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child, and
    - second hydraulic communication means branched from said second hydraulic chamber toward said basin means and including second valve means that allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of running water toward said basin means, when said first hydraulic chamber and said second hydraulic chamber are completely filled with pressurized water.

Further advantageous features are described in the dependent claims.
In particular, said apparatus according to the invention comprises selective emptying means of said hydraulic cushion to a condition of minimum footprint, by means of the outflow of water through gravity.
Advantageously, said first valve means comprise first check valve means, which prevent the water present in said first hydraulic chamber from flowing back into said second hydraulic chamber.
Moreover, said second valve means comprise second check valve means, normally hydraulically closed and which are hydraulically opened automatically when said first hydraulic chamber and said second hydraulic chamber are completely filled with pressurized water by means of said continuous flow of pressurized running water, allowing the outflow of the pressurized water toward said basin means.
Preferably, said hydraulic connection means comprise flow limiting means.
Moreover, the bathing apparatus for an infant or child according to the invention comprises directing means of said continuous flow of pressurized running water, arranged downstream of said second valve means.
In particular, said selective emptying means of said hydraulic cushion comprise nozzle means with respective removable hydraulic closing plug, provided in proximity of the bottom area of said first hydraulic chamber.
Advantageously, said second hydraulic chamber is contained, at least partially, inside said first hydraulic chamber.
Moreover, the bathing apparatus for an infant or child according to the invention comprises stable retaining means inside a bathtub, shower system or the like.
In particular, said stable retaining means comprise suction means applied with respect to a bathtub, shower system or the like.
According to a variant of embodiment, said stable retaining means comprise mechanical retaining means detachably engaged with respect to said bathtub, shower system or the like. According to a further variant of embodiment, said stable retaining means comprise at least a part of said hydraulic cushion inflated with pressure against opposite walls of said bathtub, shower system or the like.
Advantageously, the bathing apparatus for an infant or child according to the invention comprises splash guard means, including a flexible sheet supported in extended state and at least partially raised with respect to said basin means and arranged along at least part of the border of said same basin means. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an example of embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawing, which shows important details for the invention, and from the claims.
The characteristics illustrated are not necessarily to scale and are represented so that the specific features according to the invention are clearly highlighted. The different characteristics can be produced individually or in any combination with one another, as variants of the invention.
In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of the bathing apparatus for an infant or child, according to an example of embodiment of the present invention, with parts omitted and with parts illustrated in a transparent view for clarity of illustration;
Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, without parts illustrated in a transparent view and wherein directing means of a flow of water are also represented;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but with parts in a transparent view as in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a schematic and perspective view in enlarged scale of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, in particular of a second hydraulic chamber, with parts represented in a transparent view for clarity of illustration;
Fig. 5 is a perspective and vertical section view of said second hydraulic chamber of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but also illustrating the splash guard means of the apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 6, according to a different perspective angle;
Fig. 8 is a schematic and perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention, used in a bathtub and comprising stable retaining means inside said bathtub, including suction means;
Fig. 9 is a schematic and perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention, used in a bathtub and comprising stable retaining means inside said bathtub, including mechanical retaining means.

Set forth below is the description of an example of embodiment of the bathing apparatus for an infant or child according to the present invention.
In the accompanying drawing, said bathing apparatus for an infant or child is indicated, as a whole, with 10. The bathing apparatus 10 for an infant or child comprises, as known, basin means 11 for bathing an infant or child and supporting means 12 of said basin means 11 at a convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child. The expression "convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child" is intended, in the present description, to define a stable arrangement in height of the basin means 11, such as to allow a comfortable and correct posture of the person doing the bathing, during the bathing operation.
According to the present invention, said supporting means 12 comprise:

a hydraulic cushion 12.1, including a first hydraulic chamber 12.2 made, at least in one part 12a, of flexible material, and supporting said basin 11;
automatic distributor-diverter means 13 of a flow of pressurized running water, including:
- hydraulic connection means 13.1 between a pressurized running water distribution network (not illustrated) and a second hydraulic chamber 12.3, which comprises:
  - first hydraulic communication means 14 between said same second hydraulic chamber 12.3 and said first hydraulic chamber 12.2, including first valve means 14.1 that allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of pressurized running water from said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 into said first hydraulic chamber 12.2, until said same first hydraulic chamber 12.2 is filled with pressurized water, so that said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 maintains said hydraulic cushion 12.1 stably configured as support for said basin means 11 at said convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child, and
  - second hydraulic communication means 15 branched from said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 toward said basin means 11 and including second valve means 15.1 that allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of pressurized running water toward said basin means 11, when said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 and said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 are completely filled with pressurized water.

In particular, in the example illustrated, said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 is in the shape of a cylindrical drum with a flat bottom 12.21 and a lateral wall 12a, made of flexible material, for example by means of a sheet of flexible plastic material.
It can be noted that said basin means 11 are stably superimposed on said hydraulic cushion 12.1 of said supporting means 12. In particular, said basin means 11 are stably housed in a corresponding seat provided in the upper part of said hydraulic cushion 12.1, specifically at the top of said first cylindrical drum shaped hydraulic chamber 12.2.
In particular, said first valve means 14.1 comprise first check valve means 14.1, which prevent the water present in said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 from flowing back into said second hydraulic chamber 12.3.
In the embodiment illustrated, said first check valve means 14.1 comprise a duckbill valve (Figs. 4, 5), made of elastomeric material, which acts as backflow prevention member or one-way valve.
Moreover, said second valve means 15.1 comprise second check valve means 15.1, which are normally hydraulically closed and are hydraulically opened automatically, when said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 and said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 are completely filled with pressurized water by means of said continuous flow of pressurized running water, allowing the outflow of the pressurized water toward said basin means 11.
In the embodiment illustrated, said second check valve means 15.1 comprise a flat faced valve made of elastomeric material, with calibrated through cross slots forming a shutter, in which four contiguous segments are normally mutually juxtaposed in a fluid-tight manner.
Said second hydraulic chamber 12.3, in particular, is made of elastomeric material and has a cylindrical cavity 12.30 communicating hydraulically, in the lower part, with said first valve means 14.1 and, in the upper part, with said second valve means 15.1. Said first valve means 14.1 and said second valve means 15.1 are substantially aligned with each other according to the axis of the cavity 12.30 of said second hydraulic chamber 12.3. Moreover, said cavity 12.30 communicates with a radial duct 13.10 which is part of said hydraulic connection means 13.1 with respect to a source of pressurized running water (not illustrated). In said radial duct 13.10 of the hydraulic connection means 13.1 there are provided flow limiting means 13.2, provided in the shape of a ring coaxial and integral with respect to said duct 13.10 and which provides a narrowing of the same duct. Said second hydraulic chamber 12.2 with said hydraulic connection means 13.1, 13.10 and said flow limiting means 13.2 are made of plastic material.
Moreover, said apparatus 10 comprises directing means 17 of a flow of pressurized running water, arranged downstream of said second valve means 15.1. Said flow directing means 17 are shaped as an essentially vertical pipe or tube 17.1, axially aligned with said cavity 12.30 of said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 and having a free end 17.2 bent toward said basin means 11. Said flow directing means 17 are made of plastic material and are detachably connected with respect to said second hydraulic chamber 12.3, downstream of said second valve means 15.1, according to the direction of flow of the pressurized running water through the same valve means.
It can be noted, in particular, that a substantial part of said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 is contained inside said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 and is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the flexible wall 12a of said first hydraulic chamber. Said duct 13.10 of the hydraulic connection means 13.1 projects from said first hydraulic chamber 12.2.
Furthermore, said apparatus 10 comprises selective emptying means 16 of said hydraulic cushion 12.1 to a condition of minimum footprint.
Said selective emptying means 16 of said hydraulic cushion 12.1 comprise nozzle means 16.1 with respective removable hydraulic closing plug 16.2, provided in proximity of the bottom area 12.21 of said first hydraulic chamber 12.2.
Said apparatus 10 can be used, for example, inside a bathtub V (Figs. 8, 9). In this case, said apparatus 10 advantageously comprises stable retaining means 18, 19. inside said bathtub V. In a particular embodiment, said stable retaining means 18 comprise suction means 18.1, extending from said hydraulic cushion 12.1 and applied against at least one lateral wall of the bathtub V (Fig. 8).
According to another embodiment, said stable retaining means 19 comprise mechanical retaining means 19.1 with respect to said bathtub V. In particular, said mechanical retaining means 19.1 comprise a rigid arm, substantially L-shaped lying horizontally, integral with and projecting from said basin 11. The free end of said arm is superimposed on and detachably engaged with respect i to a rim of the bathtub V (Fig. 9).
According to another embodiment, not illustrated, said stable retaining means comprise at least a part of said hydraulic cushion inflated with pressure against opposite walls of said bathtub, shower system or the like.
Moreover, said apparatus 10 comprises splash guard means 20 (Figs. 6, 7), including a flexible sheet 21, for example made of plastic material, supported extended, in the fashion of a screen, and partially raised with respect to said basin means 11. Said splash guard means 20 are arranged along part of the border of the same basin means 11.

Operation

Firstly, the radial duct 13.10 of the hydraulic connection means 13.1 is connected in a fluid-tight manner, for example by means of a flexible pipe (not illustrated), with respect to a hydraulic connection (not illustrated), provided at the outlet of a mixer tap of a domestic water system (not illustrated). Said mixer tap is appropriately operated and delivers a continuous flow of pressurized hot running water. Said flow of pressurized hot running water reaches said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 and fills it. Said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 comprises, as explained above, said first hydraulic communication means 14 and said second hydraulic communication means 15, wherein, with reference to the hydraulic pressure found inside said second chamber 12.3, said first valve means 14.1 have a lower resistance to that of said second valve means 15.1. Therefore, when said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 is filled with pressurized water, the first valve means 14.1 open hydraulically automatically and the continuous flow of pressurized hot running water flows from said second chamber 12.3 into said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 until it is filled.
In these conditions, the return of the pressurized water through the first valve means 14.1 is prevented and said first hydraulic chamber 12.2, when hydraulically inflated, maintains said hydraulic cushion 12.1 stably configured as support for said basin means 11, which are supported at a convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child.
Therefore, the pressure exerted by the flow of hot water entering said second hydraulic chamber 12.3 overcomes the resistance to the hydraulic pressure of the second valve means 15.1, which therefore open hydraulically automatically and said continuous flow of pressurized hot water flows, completely, through the second valve means 15.1, toward said basin means 11.
Said flow, when exiting from said second valve means 15.1, is correctly conveyed through said flow directing means 17 toward the basin means 11 positioned at the top of the hydraulic cushion 12.1 and flows continuously into the basin means, to then spill out of said basin means 11, for example into a bathtub V, in which the apparatus 10 is placed and stably maintained in use (Figs. 8, 9).
To put the apparatus 10 out of operation, after having interrupted the continuous flow of pressurized hot water by operating said mixer tap, it is sufficient to remove the plug 16.2 from the nozzle 16.1 of the selective emptying means 16 of said hydraulic cushion 12.1. Complete emptying is obtained through the outflow of the water through gravity from said first hydraulic chamber 12.2 and second hydraulic chamber 12.3, for example into said bathtub V. In this way, the hydraulic cushion 12.1 of the apparatus 10 sags, for example by folding of the flexible lateral wall 12a in a concertina fashion to a condition of minimum footprint of the apparatus 10. Hence, said apparatus 10 can be placed out of operation, when not in use, in a limited space.
As is apparent from the above, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, which supports the basin means at a convenient height for the person doing the bathing and is easy and convenient to put into and out of operation.
Moreover, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that, when put out of operation, when not in use, occupies a limited space.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child, which allows the infant or child to be bathed in a conventional tub, using a continuous flow of running water.
Moreover, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that uses hot running water, as used for example during normal bathing of a person in a bathtub or under the shower.
Further, the present invention provides a bathing apparatus for an infant or child that effectively optimizes the conditions of comfort for the person doing the bathing.
As is apparent from the above, the present invention allows the objects specified in the introduction to be achieved in a simple and advantageous manner.

Claims

Bathing apparatus (10) for an infant or child, comprising basin means (11) for bathing the infant or child and supporting means (12) of said basin means (11) at a convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child, whereby said supporting means (12) comprise:
- a hydraulic cushion (12.1), including a first hydraulic chamber (12.2) made, at least partially (12a), of flexible material and supporting said basin (11);
characterized in that the bathing apparatus also comprises:
- automatic distributor-diverter means (13) of a flow of pressurized running water, including:
- hydraulic connection means (13.1) between a pressurized running water distribution network and a second hydraulic chamber (12.3), which comprises:
- first hydraulic communication means (14) between said same second hydraulic chamber (12.3) and said first hydraulic chamber (12.2), including first valve means (14.1) that allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of pressurized running water from said second hydraulic chamber (12.3) into said first hydraulic chamber (12.2), until said first hydraulic chamber (12.2) is filled with pressurized water, so that said first hydraulic chamber (12.2) maintains said hydraulic cushion (12.1) stably configured as support for said basin means (11) at said convenient height for a person bathing the infant or child, and

- second hydraulic communication means (15), branched from said second hydraulic chamber (12.3) toward said basin means (11) and including second valve means (15.1), which allow the automatic passage of a continuous flow of running water toward said basin means (11), when said first hydraulic chamber (12.2) and said second hydraulic chamber (12.3) are completely filled with pressurized water.
Bathing apparatus (10) for an infant or child according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selective emptying means (16) of said hydraulic cushion (12.1) to a condition of minimum footprint, by means of the outflow of water through gravity.
Bathing apparatus (10) for an infant or child according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that said first valve means (14.1) comprise first check valve means (14.1), which prevent the water present in said first hydraulic chamber from flowing back into said second hydraulic chamber (12.3).
Bathing apparatus (10) for an infant or child according to claim 1, 2 and/or 3, characterized in that said second valve means (15.1) comprise second check valve means (15.1), normally hydraulically closed and which are hydraulically opened automatically when said first hydraulic chamber (12.2) and said second hydraulic chamber (12.3) are completely filled with pressurized water by means of said continuous flow of pressurized running water, allowing the outflow of the pressurized water toward said basin means (11).
Bathing apparatus (10) for an infant or child according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic connection means (13.1) comprise flow limiting means (13.2).
Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises directing means (17) of said continuous flow of pressurized running water, arranged downstream of said second valve means (15.1).
Apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said selective emptying means (16) of said hydraulic cushion (12.1) comprise nozzle means (16.1) with respective removable hydraulic closing plug (16.2), provided in proximity of the bottom area (12.21) of said first hydraulic chamber (12.2).
Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second hydraulic chamber (12.3) is contained, at least partially, inside said first hydraulic chamber (12.2).
Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, used inside a bathtub (V), shower system or the like, characterized in that it comprises stable retaining means (18, 19) of said same apparatus (10) inside said bathtub (V), shower system or the like.
Apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said stable retaining means (18) comprise suction means (18.1) applied with respect to said bathtub (V), shower system or the like.
Apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said stable retaining means (19) comprise mechanical retaining means (19.1) detachably engaged with respect to said bathtub (V), shower system or the like.
Apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said stable retaining means comprise at least a part of said hydraulic cushion inflated with pressure against opposite walls of said bathtub, shower system or the like.
Apparatus (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises splash guard means (20), including a flexible sheet (21) supported in extended state and at least partially raised with respect to said basin means (11) and arranged along at least part of the border of said same basin means (11).