WO2004041045A1

WO2004041045A1 - A bath with integral table

Info

Publication number: WO2004041045A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2003/000249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trudy Jane Ward
Original assignee: Trudy Jane Ward
Priority date: 2002-11-08
Filing date: 2003-11-06
Publication date: 2004-05-21
Also published as: AU2003283880A1

Abstract

A bath 1, comprising a containment portion 2 suitable for holding sufficient water in which to bath a human therein, a table surface 3 adjacent and integral with the containment portion, and elevation means 4 for simultaneously holding the containment portion and the table surface in an elevated disposition.

Description

BATH WITH INTEGRAL TABLE

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a bath, and in particular an especially preferred form of the invention relates to a baths suitable for use with a new or recently born child.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known to use a small bath to bathe an infant. A problem with many such baths is that they are often used at floor level, requiring an adult to kneel or bend over while holding an infant within the bath. This can lead to postural complications, particularly if one routinely bathes infants - for example in a hospital or day care setting. In some instances known baths are lifted onto a bench so that an infant can be bathed while the adult is standing. This is a somewhat inconvenient way of addressing the problem in that the bath can be reasonably heavy and difficult to move when filled with water. It is accordingly an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a bath which goes at least some way towards addressing the above problem.

The term "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising", if and when used in this document, should be interpreted non-exclusively, i.e. should be interpreted non-exclusively - to mean "consisting of or including".

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a bath, comprising a containment portion suitable for holding sufficient water in which to bath a human therein, a table surface adjacent and integral with the containment portion, and elevation means for simultaneously holding the containment portion and the table surface in an elevated disposition.

Preferably the elevation means comprises a leg or legs.

Preferably the table surface has inwardly curved edges and/or is of sufficient size to function as an infant changing pad.

Preferably the containment portion and the table surface are collectively in the form of two lobes, for example an approximate figure "8" shape, arranged to enable an adult/care giver to stand very close to the baby or infant while bathing takes place.

Preferably the containment portion has a drainage hole and a plug for the hole.

Preferably the bath has one or more carry handles.

Preferably the elevation means (eg the leg or legs) have a wheel or wheels so that the bath can be readily moved across a floor surface without having to be lifted.

Preferably the bath is height adjustable - eg the leg or legs may be telescoping.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a bath, comprising a containment portion suitable for holding sufficient water in which to bath a human therein, a table surface adjacent and integral with the containment portion, the containment portion and the table surface being collectively in the shape of an at least approximate figure "8" in plan view. Preferably the lobes of the figure "8" merge with one another in a substantially curved fashion when viewed in plan view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a baby bath in plan view,

Figure 2 shows the bath in isometric view,

Figure 3 shows the bath in a side elevation view, Figure 4 shows the bath in an end elevation view, and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a bath similar to that of figures 1-4, but with a more significantly curved form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figures 1-4, the bath 1 has a bath cavity 2 (ie a containment portion) of sufficient size and shape to enable a baby or other infant to be bathed therein. Integral with and adjacent the cavity 2 is a changing pad 3 (ie a table surface) of sufficient size to enable the baby or infant to be laid thereon and undressed or dressed, etc, before and after bathing respectively. The changing pad 3 has inwardly curved edges to make it tray-like such that the baby or infant is less able to roll therefrom. The inwardly curved edges also serve to retain water from a wet infant so that such water is less likely to run over the side of the changing pad 3 onto the floor.

The bath has four legs 4 (ie elevation means) arranged such that the cavity 2 and the changing pad 3 are held in an elevated disposition when the bath is in use. This enables an adult to bathe and change the baby or infant while standing with good body posture. The legs 4 may be height adjustable, detachable, and/or of a fold-away type.

As can be seen from figures 1 and 2, the bath cavity 2 and the changing pad 3 are collectively in the shape of an approximate figure "8" in plan view. The figure "8" shape enables one to stand very close to the baby or infant (eg - against the inset portion between the lobes of the figure "8") while bathing takes place, thus facilitating a feeling of security on the part of the baby or infant while bathing occurs. As shown in figures 1 and 2, ergonomic qualities of the bath may involve a gently curved merge between the lobe side edges of the figure "8".

When the bath 1 is in use warm water is placed in the bath cavity 2. An infant or baby may be laid on the changing pad 3, undressed, and then held by an adult and bathed in the bath cavity 2. During the bathing process items such as soap, shampoo, body powder, wiping cloths, towels, etc, can be placed on or adjacent the changing pad 3. When the baby or infant has been washed he or she can be laid on the changing pad 3, dried, and dressed.

Water can be drained from the bath cavity 2 by removing a plug (not shown) from a drain hole (not shown) in the bath cavity 2.

Optionally the bath 1 has carry handles (not shown), and may or may not be formed such that the legs 4 are foldable and/or detachable.

The bath 1 is especially suitable for use in the post and/or neo natal sections of public or private hospitals, in child care centres, and may also be used within a domestic setting. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bath 1 has desirable ergonomic qualities and is aesthetically pleasing.

In some forms of the invention the changing pad 3 may incorporate heating means so that the changing pad can be warmed, and thus enhance comfort to an infant or baby laid thereon.

Referring to figure 5, there is shown a further bath 5 substantially the same as the bath 1 mentioned above, but with more significantly curved edges 6.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that improvements and modifications can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bath, comprising a containment portion suitable for holding sufficient water in which to bath a human therein, a table surface adjacent and integral with the containment portion, and elevation means for simultaneously holding the containment portion and the table surface in an elevated disposition.

2. A bath according to claim 1 , wherein the elevation means comprises a leg or legs.

3. A bath according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the table surface has inwardly curved edges and/or is of sufficient size to function as an infant changing pad.

4. A bath according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the containment portion and the table surface are collectively in the form of two lobes, arranged to enable an adult/care giver to stand very close to the baby or infant while bathing takes place.

5. A bath according to claim 4, wherein the lobes form an approximate figure "8" shape.

6. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containment portion has a drainage hole and a plug for the hole.

7. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bath has one or more carry handles.

8. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elevation means (eg the leg or legs) has a wheel or wheels so that the bath can be readily moved across a floor surface without having to be lifted.

9. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims which is height adjustable

10. A bath, comprising a containment portion suitable for holding sufficient water in which to bath a human therein, a table surface adjacent and integral with the containment portion, the containment portion and the table surface being collectively in the shape of an at least approximate figure "8" in plan view.

11. A bath according to claim 10 wherein the lobes of the figure "8" merge with one another in a substantially curved fashion when viewed in plan view.

12. A bath substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1-4.