WO2006115404A1

WO2006115404A1 - Device for bathing or washing a baby or a young child

Info

Publication number: WO2006115404A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas Adolf
Original assignee: Lumahold B.V.
Priority date: 2005-04-27
Filing date: 2006-04-26
Publication date: 2006-11-02
Also published as: NL1028879C2

Abstract

Baby bath that, besides a tub-shaped part (1), comprises cavities (2a, 2b) in which means needed for bathing or washing (3 a, 3b) such as bottles with liquid soap, bath foam or hair lotion or a lockable soap dish, can be placed in a 'child safe' way. One of the cavities (2b) may be arranged for receiving a thermometer (3b). The accommodation of the thermometer simultaneously serves as a stopper module which can lock a water flush opening (7) in the bottom position and open in the top position. Besides, the stopper module can be removed as a whole from the relevant cavity for cleaning purposes. A display window (9) of the thermometer locks the top of the stopper module.

Description

Title: Device for bathing or washing a baby or a young child

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a device for bathing or washing in particular a baby or a young child, usually called a baby bath.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device for bathing or washing in particular a baby or a young child - a "baby bath"- , usually comprises, additional to a tub-shaped part which is arranged to comprise a layer of water and the child to be washed, a small tray upon which means can be placed which are needed for bathing or washing, such as soap, hair lotion, bath water thermometer etcetera. Such a tray usually has very modest dimensions, due to which the space is rather restricted. Placing those means somewhere else meets also restrictions, because especially when bathing a young baby, the radius of action and freedom of movement of the person which is bathing the baby, is restricted.

Additionally, the problem occurs that especially when bathing somewhat older babies, such babies usually, grip, throw, put into their mouth, throw away etc. everything within their reach and thus said means for bathing or washing too.

Additional to the presented problems, moreover, the problem occurs that a child, especially when it has become still somewhat older, sometimes cannot resist the temptation, when the bottom of the tub-shaped part of the bath has been provided with a water flush opening locked by a plug, to pull that plug out of the water flush opening, the results of such an undesired action simply may be guessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to offer a solution for the presented problems. To that end a device for bathing or washing in particular a baby or a young child is presented, comprising a tub- shaped part, arranged to comprise a layer of water, which device moreover comprises one or more cavities, able to receive means which are needed for bathing or washing. These cavities, arranged to receive means needed for bathing or washing, aim to reach that, in spite of the restricted dimensions of the device, said means can be put to the disposal of the person who is bathing the baby in an ergonomic way, considering the person's restricted radius of action and freedom of movement due to bathing the child.

Besides, the presented cavities aim to prevent that a child will overturn those means, put them into its mouth, throw them away etcetera. Additionally, when the bottom of the tub- shaped part of the bath is provided with a water flush opening and a plug, such a cavity can play a role in the prevention of undesirably pulling the plug out of the water flush opening. All this will be explained more in detail hereinafter.

Preferably, the walls of said one or more cavities form an integrated whole with the walls of the tub-shaped part. The walls of the tub-shaped part and the integrated one or more cavities may be made of a plastic, e.g. a thermoplastic plastic like polypropylene.

At least one of said cavities may be arranged for receiving a container which is fit to comprise a liquid such as e.g. a bottle with liquid soap, bath foam or hair lotion. Such a cavity may also be arranged for receiving a solid piece of soap which, if desired, - like the liquid means- may be placed in a suitable container, such as e.g. a lockable soap dish, which fits in the relevant cavity.

One of said cavities may be arranged for receiving a thermometer. Preferably the cavity which is arranged for receiving a thermometer is connected with the tub-shaped part and, additionally, the thermometer is dimensioned such that, in normal use, at least a temperature sensitive part of the thermometer reaches within the water layer. With this option it can be reached that the temperature of water continuously can be controlled without the child - such as e.g. is the case with floating thermometers- being able to throw the thermometer to the ground, etcetera.

The problem that the child would be able to pull the plug out of the water flush opening may be solved by making one of the cavities suitable to receive a stopper module which is arranged to lock resp. open a water flush opening applied in the device.

A synergetically attractive option can be reached when said thermometer is coupled with the stopper module, especially an embodiment in which the stopper module, besides to lock resp. open the water flush opening in the device, also is arranged as an accommodation (housing) for the thermometer, causing that the thermometer fits well in the form of the relevant cavity. The synergy is based on the fact that the (e.g. dial or digital) display window of the thermometer preferably will reside at the top (well readable) while the warmth sensor will reside at its bottom side (within the layer of water). Besides, a user preferably will operate the stopper module from the top (ease of use), while the underside has logically to be at the location of the water flush opening in the bottom of the bath.

Preferably, the water flush opening is situated under in the cavity which is arranged for receiving the stopper module (and optionally the thermometer).

The water flush opening can be circular and the stopper module and the water flush opening can be arranged such as to lock the water flush opening by means of a first rotating movement around an imaginable axis through the heart of the circular water flush opening, mainly perpendicular to it, and/or to open it with a second, oppositely directed movement. In other words the stopper module can be operated by means of rotation to the right and to the left respectively.

In a preferred version the stopper module is arranged to lock the water flush opening by means of a first movement along an imaginable axis, ending in the water flush opening and mainly perpendicular to it and/or to open it with a second, oppositely directed movement. The first movement, to lock the water flush opening, preferably is a downward movement and the second movement, to open the water flush opening, an up-going movement. The stopper module preferably is arranged to secure the stopper module at the end of the first movement and at the end of the second movement into that end position. To be able to clean the stopper module and/or the relevant cavities, preferably it is provided that the means for securing the stopper module at the end of the second (opening) movement are so that the security lock can be overcome, in order to remove the stopper module as a whole from the relevant cavity.

As already noted, the thermometer may comprise a digital or analogous, mechanical or electronically driven, e.g. dial shaped display window. Preferably this display window is incorporated in the upper side of the stopper module.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the presented device in a first view. Figure 2 shows the same exemplary embodiment in a second view, partly in cross-section.

Figure 3 shows a detailed drawing of especially the cavities in which bottles can be received.

Figures 4a to 4f show detailed drawings of especially the cavity for the stopper module, the stopper module it-self and the thermometer which is integrated in the stopper module, in different positions of the stopper module.

Figure 1 shows a bath for a baby or young child, comprising a tub-shaped part 1 , meant to contain a layer of water in which the baby can be washed. The baby bath comprises also cavities 2a and 2b which are able to receive means needed for bathing or washing 3 a and 3b. The walls of the cavities 2a and 2b form an integrated whole with the walls of the tub- shaped part 1 and can be made in a single production step by means of a mould meant for plastic production which mainly may consist of an outside and an inside part of the mould and which can be released in one direction mainly perpendicular to the bottom of the baby bath.

From the cavities shown in the bath from figure 1, two of them, namely the cavities 2a, are arranged for receiving e.g. a bottle 3 a with liquid soap, bath foam, hair lotion or the like. A similar cavity, not drawn in this exemplary embodiment - can be arranged for receiving a solid piece of soap, either directly or enclosed in a lockable soap dish, preferably fitting well in the relevant cavity, in the same way as the bottles 3 a in their cavities.

From the cavities shown in the bath in figure 1, one of them, namely cavity 2b, is arranged for another kind of means needed for bathing or washing (bath attribute), namely - primarily - to receive a bath water thermometer 3b. As explained before, this cavity 2b can also, in a synergetic way, be used to receive and to guide a stopper module 4, meant to lock resp. open a water flush opening in the baby bath (which is made visible in more detail in figure 2 and in the figures 4a to 4f). By all this it is reached that the thermometer 3b, like the bottles 3 a, get a fixed place amongst the bath attributes, while simultaneously it is reached that the child can not pull out the plug in an unguarded moment, namely by arranging that the plug is part of the accommodation of the thermometer, which preferably extends between about the bottom of the bath — for the temperature sensitive part of the thermometer has to end in the water - and the top of the bath, where the temperature can be read out easily.

By some small adjustments to the accommodation of the thermometer it can be used successfully to lock and open a water flush opening in the bottom of the bath, causing that the thermometer accommodation simultaneously can serve as a "plug", which however can be operated from the topside. Besides, for guiding of the combined thermometer accommodation - stopper module use can be made of cavity 2b, which is arranged for receiving the thermometer 3b, including possible applied fixation ridges, grooves etc, which will be explained more in detail later.

Figure 2 shows the same exemplary embodiment in a second view, partly in cross-section. In this (and even better in the figures 4c and 4e) it is visible that the bottom of the tub- shaped part 1 enters the bottom of cavity 2b, so that the layer of water fills the underside of cavity 2b, causing that the thermometer 3b with its temperature sensitive part — if extending far enough - reaches within the water, thus displaying the temperature of the water at the top sided display window.

Figure 3 a and 3b show detailed drawings of especially the cavities 2a in which bottles 3 a can be received. It is also shown how bottles 3 a, by means of fixation grooves 5 and fixation ridges 6 on the side in cavity 2a, can be fixed, thus preventing that a child which is bathed, can pull the bottles 3 a out of their cavities 2a.

The figures 4a to 4f show more in detail how in the presented exemplary embodiment the thermometer 3b is connected with the stopper module 4. As described, the stopper module 4 is primarily developed as an accommodation of the thermometer 3b which is fit for cavity 2b so that the thermometer, like other bath accessories (lotion, soap), can be placed in a fixed, "child safe" place, namely in the relevant cavity 2b. Next in the design process of the present new baby bath, the thermometer accommodation has, additionally, been given the parallel function of ergonomic stopper module, as a result of which the accommodation now simultaneously serves both as a thermometer accommodation and as an organ for closing resp. opening a water flush opening applied in the baby bath.

The water flush opening 7 preferably is situated in cavity 2b in the direct extension of the accommodation of the thermometer/stopper module 4. In figure 4b it is visible that the stopper module 4 at its end has a "plug" 8 of e.g. rubber which can lock tightly water flush opening 7. The stopper module 4 is essentially guided by the wall of cavity 2b. The wall forms a whole with the wall of the rest of the bath. The thermometer 3b comprises in this exemplary embodiment a display window 9 having the shape of e.g. an analogous (electronic or mechanical) dial or a digital display window, as well as a shaft 10 from which at least the below part 11 is warmth sensitive and is thus able to measure the temperature of the layer of water in the bath (via cavity 2b) and to pass the value of it to the display window 9. By means of a sealing ring 12 and a transverse ridge 12 the thermometer 3b is kept in its place in the stopper module, while the display window 9 and the seal ring lock the top of the stopper module 4 in a aesthetic and functional way.

The stopper module could be arranged, to close the water flush opening by means of a first rotating movement around an imaginable axis through the heart of the circular water flush opening, mainly perpendicular to it, and/or to open the water flush opening by means of a second, oppositely directed movement. In other words the stopper module could, together with the water flush opening, function as a simple rotating tap.

Constructively and by reason of production technique, however, it is considered more favorable to arrange the stopper module - together with the cavity 2b and the water flush opening 7 - so that the water flush opening can be locked by means of a first (straight) movement along an imaginable axis through the water flush opening flowing and mainly perpendicular to it, and/or opened by means of a second, oppositely directed movement. In this exemplary embodiment it has been chosen that the first movement, to lock the water flush opening 7, is a downward movement and the second movement, to open the water flush opening, is an up-going movement. At the end of the first movement and at the end of the second movement the stopper module 4 can be secured in these positions by means of bolting or securing ridges 14 and cavities 15.

These bolting or securing ridges 14 and cavities 15, applied to secure the stopper module at the end of the up-going movement are so that this securing — by applying an extra up-going force - can be overcome to be able to remove the stopper module as a whole from cavity 2b e.g. to be able to clean the stopper module and/or cavity 2b.

The figures 4a and 4b show the stopper module 4 and its direct surroundings in the position in which the stopper opening 7 is locked tightly by a rubber plug 8. The figures 4c and 4d show the stopper module 4 in the opened position of the stopper opening 7. The water can flush away via a hose (not shown), pushed over the outside of the stopper opening 7. Finally, the figures 4e and 4f show the stopper module and its surroundings in the "cleaning position" when removed as a whole from cavity 2b.

Claims

1. Device for bathing or washing in particular a baby or a young child, comprising a tub- shaped part which is arranged to comprise a layer of water, the device moreover comprising one or more cavities (2a, 2b), arranged to receive means which are needed for bathing or washing (3 a, 3b).

2. Device according to claim 1, the walls of said one or more cavities forming an integrated whole with the walls of the tub-shaped part.

3. Device according to claim 2, the walls of the tub-shaped part and the integrated one or more cavities being made of a plastic.

4. Device according to claim 1, at least one of said cavities (2) being arranged for receiving a container (3a) which is arranged to comprise a liquid, such as e.g. a bottle with liquid soap, bath foam or hair lotion.

5. Device according to claim 1, at least one of said cavities being arranged for receiving a piece of solid soap.

6. Device according to claim 1 , at least one of said cavities being arranged for receiving a container which is arranged to comprise a solid material, such as e.g. a lockable soap dish.

7. Device according to claim 1, at least one of said cavities (2b) being arranged for receiving a stopper module (4) which is arranged to lock and/or open a water flush opening applied in the device (7).

8. Device according to claim 1, at least one of said cavities (2b) being arranged for receiving a thermometer (3b).

9. Device according to claim 8, the cavity being arranged for receiving a thermometer, the cavity, moreover, being connected with the tub-shaped part, and the thermometer being shaped so that at least a temperature sensitive part of it will, in normal use, reach in the layer of water.

10. Device according to claim 7 and 8, the thermometer (3b) being coupled with the stopper module (4).

11. Device according to claim 10, the stopper module, in addition to its function to lock and/or open the water flush opening in the device, being arranged simultaneously as an accommodation for the thermometer.

12. Device according to claim 7 or 11, the water flush opening being situated at the bottom of the cavity arranged for receiving the stopper module.

13. Device according to claim 7 or 12, the water flush opening being circular and the stopper module being arranged to lock the water flush opening using a first rotating movement around an imaginable axis through the heart of the circular water flush opening, mainly perpendicular to it, and/or to open the water flush opening using a second, oppositely directed movement.

14. Device according to claim 7 or 12, the stopper module being arranged to lock the water flush opening using a first movement along an imaginable axis through the water flush opening, mainly perpendicular to it, and/or to open the water flush opening using a second, oppositely directed movement.

15. Device according to claim 14, the first movement, to lock the water flush opening, being a downward movement and the second movement, to open the water flush opening, being an up-going movement.

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, comprising means (14,15) being arranged to secure the stopper module at the end of the first movement and/or at the end of the second movement into that respective end position.

17. Device according to claim 16, the means (14,15) to secure the stopper module at the end of the second movement being arranged so that this securing can be overcome to be able to remove the stopper module as a whole from the relevant cavity.

18. Device according to claim 8, the thermometer (3b) comprising a digital display window.

19. Device according to claim 8, the thermometer (3b) comprising a dial shaped display window.

20. Device according to the claims 11 and 18 or according to claims 11 and 19, the display window locking essentially the top of the stopper module.