US20230233033A1

US20230233033A1 - A foldable baby bathtub

Info

Publication number: US20230233033A1
Application number: US17/641,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Niels Peter Estrup
Original assignee: Bst20 Holding Aps
Current assignee: Bst20 Holding Aps
Priority date: 2020-10-01
Filing date: 2021-09-06
Publication date: 2023-07-27
Also published as: DK202001136A1; DK180807B1; EP4009842A4; CN115734732A; WO2022069007A1; EP4009842A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a foldable baby bathtub where the shape specifically been designed to benefit baby during bathing, comprises of a cup-like container with a flexible plastic material tube, used for holding liquids, wherein tube and its bottom are made up of thermoplastic elastomers. The tube is sealingly interconnected with the top rim, made up of a harder material than the bottom, eg., polypropylene. The top rim has a flat horizontal upper side and a lower side, where the two legs are placed/clicked on the lower side of the top rim into slats-locks, which prevents the legs from moving from the wanted locked position, thereby holding up the soft tube in a horizontal position. The system provides a flexible bottom that can fold in itself. The tub ensures the baby remains in an upright position and is fully supported by the sides of the flexible material tube.

Description

THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a foldable baby bathtub as defined in claim 1, deep basin with a flexible material tube used for holding liquids/water.
A foldable baby bathtub is an open wide rim with a flexible material tube molded into the rim and the flexible material tube are hanging underneath the rim, placed on two legs to support the A foldable baby bathtub, the flexible material tube can be folded into a small position when not in use or traveling. The rim stays like a ring with the flexible material tube attached at all time, the flexible material can be folded.
A foldable baby bathtub is big when legs are attached and in use but small when folded and not in use. A foldable baby bathtub also has a low water consumption, since the child sit close to the upwards flexible materials walls, just like the mothers whom. The baby/child will feel free and safe and cannot get the head under water when seated. The child remains in an upright position and is fully supported by the flexible material sides of a soft tub for children.
The strength of A foldable baby bathtub (seams) which makes it possible to make a soft tub for children so thin and strong/safe, comes exclusively from the special molding technology (2 K injection mold = two component injection molding) and the milling in of notch in the mold/form (tool of metal) which ensure good adhesion between the two types of plastic flexible material (TPE = thermoplastic elastomer) and hard plastic (PP= Polypropylene)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A foldable baby bathtub is known in all homes this to enjoy a daily bath.
This design, material and the shape of a tub/bucket and has specifically been designed this way to benefit your baby during bathing.
The shape of this foldable baby bathtub mimics the mother’s womb allowing seamless transition into the world of taking a bath every day which can be stressful for an infant. But a tub or basin is only in use some of the time and the rest of the time it simply takes up space in the room. That’s why the foldable baby bathtub has removable legs/frame which makes it easy to disassemble the foldable baby bathtub and stowed it away.
A foldable baby bathtub is therefore great when traveling or going places where it could be beneficial to bring a bathtub for children.
Foldable bathtubs for babies and children are a well-known concept.
The foldable baby bathtub of this invention is the only baby bathtub to provide a flexible bottom that can fold in itself made by one flexible material only. Other known foldable baby baths, all have a solid bottom typical made of PP (polypropylene), some combined with a flexible hinge (TPE = thermoplastic elastomer) between the solid (Polypropylene) and the flexible part.
The foldable baby bathtub of this invention has a one-piece flexible material as the bottom material (TPE)
Also some well-known baby bathtubs have legs attached to the flexible bottom. These bathtubs uses metal screws to attach the legs, A foldable baby bathtub only uses plastic for attaching the supporting legs and no tools needed to assemble the legs to A foldable baby bathtub. The bottom on foldable baby bathtub is soft and not solid hard as other known baby bathtub-techniques example like patent EP2630901, where the bottom is hard PP material.
A foldable baby bathtub of this invention is also helping to reduce water, the consumption is low, fill only this small space, instead of filling a big adult tub or other baby bath. The design helps to keep the water warmer for longer - a soft tub has insulation properties because there is less surface area exposed to air, this naturally keeps the water warmer for longer.
A foldable baby bathtub is made of two kind of plastic injected molded together and with two supporting legs made of hard plastic (PP = Polypropylene) and the design allows an integrated outlet like a drain-plug, if wanted, this into the bottom of the foldable baby bathtub for children. A foldable baby bathtub can have two different designs, one with and one without a drain plug.
A foldable baby bathtub can vary in size too; the original size will be from newborn to 2 years old or when your baby grows out of it.
A foldable baby bathtub for children is recyclable.
A foldable baby bathtub is produced in a flexible material and with a stiffening rim (horizontal placed) on top of the flexible material tube are positioned in a vertical direction. A foldable baby bathtub can be folded together when not filled with water or other material.
If wanted to pack down the tub, you first remove the two legs and then place the rim on the top of the flexible material tube, this will be almost a flat soft sac, with the rim on top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A foldable baby bathtub is a bathtub for children from new born to 2 years old. The tube is made of a flexible material (TPE = thermal plastic elastomers) and the rim and legs is made of material like Polypropylene (PP) plastic.
This hard PP rim is connected to the flexible material tube made of TPE plastic (thermal plastic elastomers) the two kind of plastic is injected molded together and this makes the foldable baby bathtub waterproof and very solid. The special tools / molds are machined out with a notch on the surface between the flexible material TPE plastic (thermal plastic elastomers) and the hard PP. plastic.
This causes that the engagement between the PP. (polypropylene) and TPE (thermal plastic elastomers) is very strong and the seam between the two kind of plastic can managed a heavy load and the soft tub for children, does not break or fall down from the two PP legs.
The hard PP rim is made with a top curve/handle so you can get a grip and carry it around when needed.
The two legs are clicked up underneath the curve/handle of the rim and can only be released when pressing a button placed on the legs, without reach from the child to release the leg, when wanted.
The water keeps the flexible material tube in a vertical direction determined by gravity and gives the soft tub for children a perfect stability and shapes, this due gravity, and the liquids density.
When a child push the sidewalls of the flexible material tube with hands or feet is will be a soft sensational feeling, close to the feeling of a mothers soft whom and this is the whole meaning of this tub design, feeling safe and back to something similar to a known experience.
A foldable baby bathtub could also have a drain plug at the bottom of the flexible material tube.
This allows the water to get out of the tub, when placed close to a drain in a shower, bathtub or on to the floor. The tub can also be made without a drain plug and when so the water will be let out of the tub by tipping the tub, thereby pouring the liquid over the edge.
The Outside of the flexible material tube you find two legs attached up underneath the hard PP (polypropylene) rim of the top of the flexible material tube.
The two legs are made of hard plastic material here with PP (polypropylene). The two legs hold up the flexible material tube when in use and the baby is bathing.
When A foldable baby bathtub is emptied for liquids, you remove the two legs and lift the hard rim (polypropylene) up and fold the flexible material (TPE) tube so it lies beneath the hard rim.
This two component way of molding A soft tub for children have many advantages, but first of all it is a very strong and solid construction and nonslip because of the flexible material TPE (TPE = Thermoplastic elastomers) plastic tube. Easy to clean. 100% recyclable.
Alternatively, the flexible material tube joint can be formed by an oblong flexible material such as for instance silicone, rubber, flexible plastic or the like which is attached between the sides and back, the sides and seating surface or/and the back and seating surface. This type of joints may be constructed by gluing the parts together by flexible silicone or rubber.
Standardized molding processes can be used for production of the tube and PP rim including two-component molding injections methods.
A foldable baby bathtub results in the collapsible tub only demanding a minimum of space when folding, thus A soft tub for children can easily be brought along.
A soft tub for children is also very efficient for online sales since it comes down to a small box and the weight is light since it is made of plastic.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub from the front.

FIG. 2 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub seen from above without drain plug design.

FIG. 3 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub, with drain plug in the center of the flexible material tube at the bottom, this seen from the bottom underneath/outside, and the balance foot is shown too.

FIG. 4 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub with the two legs clicked off.

FIG. 5 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub top rim PP plastic (Polypropylene), the Stop slats where to click the legs on and off.

FIG. 6 Illustrates the 3 parts of A foldable baby bathtub, two legs and the PP rim, with the 4 slats to lock the PP rim to the legs. One slat in the front and one in the back of the legs top side.

FIG. 7 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub, how to pack it when dissembled. The two legs fit into each other and the rim with the folded TPE flexible material tube folds along the rim and put on tub.

FIG. 8 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub, legs safe balanced points made of (PP). This shape will help avoid tipping situations.

FIG. 9 Illustrates the top hard PP rim of flexible material tube and the soft TPE able to fold to one side and go flat.

FIG. 10 Illustrates an alternative way to hold and fold the legs of A foldable baby bathtub and in different material like metal.

FIGS. 11 a, b Illustrates alternative shapes of legs, which can be done in a variety of shapes.

FIG. 11 Illustrates the seam between the hard PP and the flexible material TPE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) in an open position. The rim-top (02) are made of PP. (polypropylene) and the legs (04) is also made of hard plastic material. The PP. polypropylene rim is molded to the TPE (thermal plastic elastomers) flexible material tube (03) this flexible material will help the tub/tube to fold. The rim-top(02) is placed in the top of the flexible material tube (03), to make it possible to carry the tub and also to give the top of the tub stability.
The legs (04) on the outside this to stable and secure A foldable baby bathtub so it cannot fall when in use. The flexible material tube (03) hangs free between the two legs (04) when in use.
FIG. 2 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) seen from above, at the bottom-tube (03) of the basin is the outlet/drain-plug (05) if one placed in the tub.
The bottom of the tube (03) is made of a thin layer of the flexible material injected plastic (TPE= thermal plastic elastomers). This bottom of the tube (03) will move up towards when pulled upwards holding the outlet/drain-plug (05).
02 Illustrates the top rim handles, here you place your fingers underneath when moving A foldable baby bathtub around. 04 illustrates the top part of the legs holding the flexible material tube (03), when in use.
FIG. 3 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub from underneath at the outside bottom the tube (03), looking up. 06 shows the two wide feet on the two legs made to keep in in a good balance, when in use. These two legs can be made of a variety of shapes, but all to ensure that the tub stays steady when in use. 07 show the locks-slats where the legs (04) are clicked into, so the legs (04) stay into place and secure A foldable baby bathtub (01) when in use.
FIG. 4 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) in a separated position where the two legs (04) are clicked off the hard top rim (02). The drain-plug (05) if wanted is again inside the flexible material tube (03) and at the bottom placed in the center of the flexible material tube (03). 06 shown the safe balance feet (06) of the legs (04), this shape can be made in several shapes.
FIG. 5 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub’s top hard rim (02) upside down and without the flexible material tube (03) 07 shows the locks-slats, where to place the two feet (06), when using A soft tub for children.
FIG. 6 Illustrates a top hard rim (02) on its way down onto the legs (04) The slats-locks (07) are placed on the legs (04) top piece, one right and one left, to ensure the legs to stay in place when in use.
FIG. 7 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) folded as flat it can go in this design. The flexible material tube (03) is between the legs (04) and on top the hard top rim (02) is placed.
FIG. 8 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) from the front where the hard PP top rim (02) is taken off the two legs (04). 06 shows the balance shape of the two legs (04) bottom foot (06)
FIG. 9 Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01), without the two legs. Here the hard top rim (02) is placed upside down and the flexible material tube (03) is coming up into the air, but because the flexible material tube (03) is flexible it collapses and will naturally fall to one side. The drain plug (05) will stay in the center of A foldable baby bathtub (01) When pressed down the flexible material tube (03) will finally lay almost flat down and only be connected to the hard rim top (02) in the top of the flexible material tube (03)
FIGS. 10 & 10 a Illustrates A foldable baby bathtub (01) with an alternative legs system, like an aluminum frame (10), holding up A foldable baby bathtub (01). 11 illustrates the legs of this type of frame-legs. 12 is the lock for the frame legs, to prevent it from collapsing, when in use. FIG. 10 a show how the frame legs (10) can fold close together, when the flexible material tube (03) and the hard top rim (02) is removed.
FIG. 11 a Illustrates an alternative leg supporting of A foldable baby bathtub when in use. The legs (04) can be made of several different hard materials and be done in a variety of shape, same for all; they should be able to hold the water and child in the same lifted position when bathing.
This leg is made with two frames screwed together with a plastic or metal nob (18) into a hole (19) in the other leg. At the top rim (02) some holes are made (20) so the legs click into them and stay safe locked when in use.
FIG. 11 b Illustrates another alternative leg supporting of A foldable baby bathtub in use. (04) Shows the legs (04) that will be placed underneath the hard rim (02) On this kind of legs there is also a balance foot (06) to keep the flexible material tube (03) in place when in use.
FIG. 11 Illustrates the PP rim (15) from the top rim (02) where and how it injects mold together. The hard part (15) have a notch and the soft TPE (16) a likewise in part, so the two parts mold together sealingly interconnected as one soft/hard part.

SUMMARY

The invention of A foldable baby bathtub is a cup-like container with a flexible plastic material tube, used for holding liquids, demands waterproof plastic materials, like TPE (thermal plastic elastomers).
The shape of A foldable baby bathtub has specifically been designed this way to benefit your baby during bathing. The shape mimics the womb allowing less stressful bathing experience for an infant. A foldable baby bathtub is made of plastic and have a hard top rim with a flexible tube and bottom made of a soft flexible material, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), the flexible material tube is connected with the top rim, wish is made of a harder material than the tube and bottom, e.g. polypropylene. Two legs are placed/clicked on the lower side of the top rim into slats-locks, which prevents the legs from moving or tilting or collapse when you put liquids and a child into it.
The parts are manufactured by plastic injected molding. It is a flexible material tube in one piece only, and the added two separately PP legs. If wanted a drain plug can be added and molded and integrated into A foldable baby bathtub.
The flexible material bottom said tube is strong and thin and very flexible and it can be folded without tearing, and this can be folded for many times, and A foldable baby bathtub with the hard PP rim on top and the two legs clicked off, this ensures that A foldable bathtub for children takes no room, when not in use.
Foldable bathtubs for children are well-known in the market, but this foldable baby bathtub for is the only baby bathtub to provide a flexible bottom that can fold in itself. A foldable baby bathtub have a one-piece flexible material as the bottom material (TPE) A foldable baby bathtub also has two legs mounted in the hard horizontal top rim, where other known bathtub techniques have 4 legs in 4 corners, A foldable baby bathtub only have two legs, placed into sluts underneath/inside the top rim handle.
A foldable baby bathtub ensures the baby remains in an upright position and is fully supported by the sides of the flexible material tube.
The water stays warm for a longer time due the design of the tub in because it has less of a surface area at the top. Also A soft tub for children only needs about few liters of water to cover 80% of a baby body, which is better than most ordinary baby bath tubs. Therefore, quite organic (if made of bio plastic) and energy efficient baby bath tub as it saves water too.

Claims

1. A foldable baby bathtub made of plastics, comprising a tube with a bottom and a top rim and two legs, wherein the tube and its bottom are made of a soft flexible material, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), the tube is sealingly interconnected with the top rim made of a harder material than the tube and bottom, e.g. polypropylene (PP), and where the top rim has a flat horizontal upper side and a lower side, where the two legs are placed/clicked on the lower side of the top rim into slats-locks, which prevents the legs from moving from the wanted locked position, thereby holding up the soft tube in a horizontal position.

2. The bathtub according to claim 1, where the top rim is made from PP and comprises a notch, and the tube is made from TPE, and wherein the top rim and the tube is molded together such that the notch is covered by the TPE material of the tube.

3. The bathtub of claim 2, wherein the tub is injection molded in a two-step process, wherein the harder top rim are molded first and the flexible material for the tube (TPE) is added.

4. The bathtub of claim 1, having an Outlet and a drain-plug and said drain-plug is made of TPE (Thermoplastic elastomers) or other flexible material, wherein drain plug can be molded into the bottom or be a standalone plug.

5. The bathtub of claim 1, having a safety pressure lock (button) on the hard top rim to prevent the legs to move away from the hard top rim, wherein two locks are placed on the hard top rim and made and placed so the child cannot release them at any point.

6. The bathtub of claim 1, having rounded shape underneath the top rim such that the top rim constitutes ergonomic handles.

7. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the tube having a shape that keeps the baby in an upright position fully supported by the flexible material sides (TPE) of the tube and the top hard rim.

8. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the sides of the tube and its bottom is made from a non-slip TPE material and then it is safe to sit inside the flexible material tube, without slipping down.

9. The bathtub of claim 1, has a maximum filling line inside the flexible material tube.

10. The bathtub according to claim 1, comprises a notch at the PP part, this PP notch will be covered by the flexible material tube (TPE), the bathtub tube will appear as one piece, one part of flexible material and one piece as a hard plastic rim, wherein the notch is not visible when molded, (15, 16) illustrates the PP notch molded together with a flexible material (16), here the notch shows how it connect with a flexible material (03).

11. The bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the tub is injection molded in a two-step process, wherein the harder top rim are molded first and the flexible material for the tube (TPE) is added.