United States Patent [19]
`Pfaeffle
`
`[54]
`
`INFANT BATHING APPARATUS WITH
`FAUCET GUARD
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Patricia Pfaeffle, 72 S. Charles St.,
`Hopelawn, N.J. 0.8861
`
`[21]
`[22]
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`Appl. No.: 661,907
`Filed:
`Jun. 12, 1996
`Int. Cl* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A47K 3/024
`U.S. Cl. .....
`...... 4/572.1; 4/571.1; 4/585;
`4/586
`Field of Search .................................. 4/572.1, 57.1.1,
`4/585, 586, 588, 655, 657, 580, DIG. 18,
`506, 581, 582, 583; 5/461; 428/315.5, 315.7.
`315.9; 2/68, 421, 425, 410, 411
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,406,147 2/1922 Brady .......................................... 4/655
`2,112,409 3/1938 Prince ..........
`2,806,227
`9/1957 Arbetter ...................................... 4/657
`3,931,652
`1/1976 Navarra .
`
`
`
`US005735000A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,735,000
`Apr. 7, 1998
`
`4216,552 8/1980 Gurolnick .
`4,675,213
`6/1987 Yammamori et al. .................. 427/244
`4,838,967 6/1989 Todd et al. .
`5,040,252
`8/1991 Taggart ....................................... 4/580
`5,065,752 11/1991 Sessions et al.
`. 128/156
`5,189,743
`3/1993 Difloe .......................................... 5/724
`5,345,622 9/1994 Plone.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3134256 5/1995 Germany ................................... 4/580
`12215 of 1899 United Kingdom ..
`---
`
`Primary Examiner—David J. Walczak
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Cobrin. Gittes & Samuel
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`An infant bathing apparatus including a cushioned body
`having a cavity surrounded on all sides except one by the
`body. The sides and bottom of the cushioned body are
`formed from a water permeable outer layer joined to a water
`permeable inner layer having a hydrophobic material dis
`posed therebetween.
`
`19 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,735,000
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,735,000
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,735,000
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,735,000
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`5 .735,000
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`1
`INFANT BATHING APPARATUS WITH
`FAUCET GUARD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to bathing tubs for infants
`and more particularly to an infant bathing spa with a faucet
`guard.
`It is known in the art to bathe infants in bathing tubs that
`fit into sinks or bathing tubs that sit in a standard bath tub.
`More particularly. there are inflatable infant bathing tubs
`which form fit into kitchen sinks. there are inflatable infant
`bathing tubs that include frame structures and there are
`sculptured infant bathing tubs. Examples of such devices are
`set forth in the following patents:
`
`U.S. Pat. No.
`Inventor
`
`Navarre.
`3,931,652
`Gwolnick
`4,216,552
`'Ibdd et a1.
`4,838,967
`
`5,345,622 Plone
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 3.931.652 to Navarra discloses an infant
`bathing apparatus.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4.216.552 to Gurolnick discloses a sink
`mounted infant bathing device.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4.838.967 to Todd et a1. discloses an
`inflatable baby‘s bath.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5.345.622 to Plone discloses a method of
`fabricating inflatable bathing tubs and associated support
`apparatus.
`Conventional infant bathing tubs have either been con-
`structed of relatively rigid materials sueh as stiff plastics or
`metal or have been constructed from soft plastics to be
`inflatable. As is well lmown. babies in their first few months
`of life are very delicate and must be handled with geat care
`to avoid bodily harm. The use of a bath made of rigid
`material could cause damage to the baby if the baby slipped
`from the hands of the person washing it. It is also well
`known that tubs of this nature take a lot of abuse during
`storage or transport. The inflatable tubs may pop due to such
`abuse. Further. when storing these items. the inflatable tubs
`may become moldy or mildew because they are diflicult to
`dry completely. Conventional baby tubs are also generally
`not versatile. They are either made for new born infants or
`for older babies. This forces parents to buy multiple tubs
`during the infancy of the child. lastly. conventional infant
`tubs provide no protection to the infant from the water faucet
`or from the knobs.
`Thus there exists the need for a versatile device for
`washing infants (newborn and older babies) which is soft
`enough to protect the infant from harm. yet durable enough
`not to break or pop.
`It is accordingly an object of the present invention to
`provide a baby spa that is both soft and durable.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a baby spa
`which is mold and mildew resistant.
`
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a baby spa
`that can be used to wash infants of all ages until they are able
`to be washed in a regular bath tub.
`It is still a further object of the invention to provide an
`apparatus for bathing an infant that can be used in a sink or
`in a bath tub and which protects a baby from getting burned
`by the hot water faucet.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The foregoing objects are attained by the present
`invention. which provides a baby spa that is soft yet durable.
`
`5
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`2
`The invention utilizes a cushioned body having a cavity
`wherein the cavity is surrounded on all sides except one by
`the body. The cushioned body includes a water permeable
`outer layer sealed to a water permeable inner layer and a
`hydrophobic material disposed between the outer and inner
`layers.
`In one embodiment of the invention. the bathing appara-
`tus is generally trough shaped and may be used in a kitchen
`sink. The bathing apparatus includes a number of generally
`tubular shaped. water permeable. side walls wherein each of
`the side walls has a top and a bottom It further includes a
`water permeable floor joined to the bottom of each of the
`side walls. The floor includes an outer layer and an inner
`layer each layer having a number of edges such that the outer
`layer is joined to the inner layer at the edges of the layers.
`The walls and the floor are each filled with a hydrophobic
`material. Thus the combination of the outer layer of the floor.
`the inner layer of the floor and the hydrophobic material
`form a water permeable cushion. The combination of the
`generally tubular walls and the hydrophobic material also
`form water permeable cushions.
`The invention will next be described in connection with
`certain illustrated embodiments; howeVer. it should be clear
`to those skilled in the art that various modifications. addi-
`tions and subtractions can be made without departing from
`the spirit or scope of the claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
`invention. reference should be made to the following
`detailed description and accompanying drawings. in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodi-
`ment of an infant bathing apparatus with faucet guard;
`FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the infant bathing apparatus
`depicted in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodi-
`ment of the faucet guard for use with the infant bathing
`apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of
`the faucet guard for use with the infant bathing apparatus
`depicted in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the infant bathing apparatus
`depicted in FIG. 1. as it would be used in a double kitchen
`sink. with details of the faueet guard unattached from the
`infant bathing apparatus; and.
`FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the alternate embodiment of
`the faucet guard for use with the infant bathing apparatus
`depiaed in FIG. 3 with details of the inflation valve.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED
`ENIBODIIVIENTS
`
`The invention is directed to an infant bathing apparatus
`with faucet guard. This bathing apparatus can be used to
`bathe a child from infancy until the child is old enough to be
`bathed in a regular tub. It is portable and can be used at
`home. in hospitals or when traveling with an infant.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention which overcomes the problems typical of
`the art by providing an infant bathing apparatus with faucet
`guard. The body 10 may be generally trough shaped having
`four side walls 12 and a floor 14. While the preferred
`embodiment includes four side walls 12. it is within the
`scope of the invention that the body 10 may include three
`side walls 12. five side walls 12 or more than five side walls
`12. Fm‘ther. while the overall shape of the preferred embodi-
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`BESTWAY EXHIBIT 1006-0006
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`5,735,000
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`3
`ment is depicted as generally rectangular in shape it is
`considered within the scope of the invention that the overall
`shape may be circular. square, triangular, hexagonal or any
`other desired shape so long as the body 10 defines a cavity
`16 surrounded on all sides save one and the cavity is
`sufficiently large to accept a baby. The bathing apparatus
`may also include weights and/or magnets 30 disposed within
`the side walls 12 and/or the floor 14 to help stabilize the tub.
`The preferred embodiment further includes a faucet guard
`18. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. the
`faucet guard 18 is generally shell shaped and is connected to
`the body 10. It is considered within the scope of the
`invention that the faucet guard may also be any shape such
`as rectangular, circular, square, triangular, shell shaped (as
`shown) etc. so long as the faucet guard 18 blocks the faucet
`and the hot and cold water knobs from the infant. It is further
`considered within the scope of the present invention that the
`faucet guard 18 may be permanently attached to the body 10
`(as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2), selectively attachable to the
`body 10 (as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4), or separate from the
`body 10 (as depicted in FIG. 5). Further still, the bathing
`apparatus may be utilized without the faucet guard 18
`altogether.
`The bathing apparatus of the present invention is designed
`to be water permeable and washable to allow for quick
`drying, thus preventing the buildup of mold, mildew or odor
`and to keep the bathing apparatus sanitary for the infant. In
`the preferred embodiment the body 10 and the faucet guard
`18 are formed from three layers of material such that the
`outer layer 20 and the inner layer 22 are formed from the
`same material. In the preferred embodiment the outer layer
`20 and the inner layer 22 are formed from a woven vinyl
`coated polyester, but other materials such as poly vinyl
`chloride, rubber or any other material may be used so long
`as the material is waterproof and washable and the layer of
`material is water permeable. Further, the inner layer 22 may
`be formed from a different material than the outer layer 20
`again so long as the material for both layers is waterproof
`and washable and so long as each layer is water permeable.
`The outer layer 20 and the inner layer 22 may also be formed
`from the same sheet of material folded over itself.
`In the preferred embodiment, the middle layer 32 includes
`a polyester fiber. This polyester fiber is disposed between the
`inner layer 22 and the outer layer 20 and forms a cushion to
`protect the infant from injury. It is considered within the
`scope of the invention that any other material may be used
`so long the material is soft, hydrophobic and so long as the
`layer of material allows water to flow through it.
`The faucet guard 18 in the preferred embodiment is made
`from the same materials as the body; however, the faucet
`guard 18 may also be inflatable. The faucet guard 18 may be
`formed from an outer air impervious layer having a
`periphery, sealed by a periphery seal to an inner air imper
`vious layer having a periphery. The faucet guard 18 may also
`include a conventional inflation valve 34 disposed within
`one of the air impervious layers to enable the faucet guard
`18 to be selectively inflated. To help the faucet guard 18
`remain in place, the faucet guard may include a standard
`VELCROTM strap 36 attached to either the inner layer or the
`outer layer of the faucet guard 18 to wrap around the faucet.
`It is within the scope of the invention that the strap may be
`any standard strap. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 4, the
`faucet guard 18 may include a pouch 26 for placing over the
`faucet to hold the faucet guard 18 in place. The pouch 26
`may formed by a flexible sheet of material connected on all
`sides but one at its periphery to one layer of the faucet guard.
`This will enable the operator to fit the faucet guard 18 over
`the faucet.
`
`4
`In use, the infant bathing apparatus may be placed in a
`sink such as a standard kitchen sink or in one half of a double
`kitchen sink (as shown in FIG.5) or it can be placed in a tub.
`If the faucet guard 18 is being used, the faucet guard is
`placed in front of the faucet or over the faucet as the case
`may be. To fill the body 10 with water, a person plugs the
`drain of the sink or bath tub and fills the sink or tub until the
`water is at the desired level. Because the body 10 is water
`permeable, as the sink or bath tub fills with water, the body
`10 will fill with water. Because the body 10 is water
`permeable, it can be removed from the sink or bath tub at
`any time without a hassle and without draining the sink or
`bath tub. Once the water level has reached the desired level
`the infant is placed into the body 10 and can be washed.
`Once the bath is over, the baby can be removed by removing
`the baby from the body 10. Then the body 10 can be
`removed from the sink or bath tub either before or after
`removing the water from the same.
`It will thus be seen that the invention efficiently attains the
`objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the
`preceding description. In particular, the invention provides
`an infant bathing apparatus with faucet guard. Those skilled
`in the art will appreciate that the configurations depicted are
`distinguishable over the art.
`It will be understood that changes may be made in the
`above construction and in the foregoing sequences of opera
`tion without departing from the scope of the invention. It is
`accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above
`description or shown in the accompanying drawings be
`interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.
`It is also to be understood that the following claims are
`intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of
`the invention as described herein, and all statements of the
`scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might
`be said to fall therebetween.
`Having described the invention, what is claimed as new
`and secured by Letters Patent is:
`What is claimed is:
`1. A generally trough shaped infant bathing apparatus for
`use in a sink comprising:
`a plurality of generally tubular shaped, water permeable,
`side walls, each of said side walls having a top and a
`bottom;
`a water permeable floor joined to said bottom of each of
`said plurality of side walls wherein said floor comprises
`an outer layer and an inner layer each of said layers
`having a plurality of edges, said outer layer being
`joined to said inner layer at said plurality of edges; and,
`a hydrophobic material, disposed between said outer layer
`and said inner layer and disposed within each of said
`plurality of side walls, said outer layer, inner layer and
`hydrophobic material forming water permeable cush
`1Ons.
`2. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`further comprising:
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said top of one of
`said plurality of side walls.
`3. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 2
`wherein said faucet guard comprises
`a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water permeable
`inner layer, and a hydrophobic material disposed
`between said outer layer and said inner layer.
`4. A generally trough shaped infant bathing apparatus for
`use in a sink comprising:
`a plurality of generally tubular shaped, water permeable.
`side walls, each of said side walls having a top and a
`bottom;
`
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`a water permeable floor joined to said bottom of each of
`said plurality of side walls wherein said floor comprises
`an outer layer and an inner layer each of said layers
`having a plurality of edges, said outer layer being
`joined to said inner layer at said plurality of edges; and,
`a hydrophobic material, disposed between said outer layer
`and said inner layer and disposed within each of said
`plurality of side walls, said outer layer, inner layer and
`hydrophobic material forming water permeable cush
`10ns;
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said top of one of
`said plurality of side wherein said faucet guard com
`prises a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer, and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`and,
`said faucet guard further comprises a strap joined to one
`of said layers for selectively fastening said faucet guard
`to a faucet.
`5. A generally trough shaped infant bathing apparatus for
`use in a sink comprising:
`a plurality of generally tubular shaped, water permeable,
`side walls, each of said side walls having a top and a
`bottom;
`a water permeable floor joined to said bottom of each of
`said plurality of side walls wherein said floor comprises
`an outer layer and an inner layer each of said layers
`having a plurality of edges, said outer layer being
`joined to said inner layer at said plurality of edges; and,
`a hydrophobic material, disposed between said outer layer
`and said inner layer and disposed within each of said
`plurality of side walls, said outer layer, inner layer and
`hydrophobic material forming water permeable cush
`1Ons;
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said top of one of
`said plurality of side wherein said faucet guard com
`prises a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer, and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`and,
`wherein said faucet guard further comprises a flexible
`sheet having a plurality of sides and a periphery, said
`flexible sheet being joined at the periphery on all of said
`plurality of sides except one, to one of said layers, thus
`enabling said faucet guard to be selectively fitted over
`a faucet.
`6. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 3
`wherein said inner and outer layers comprise woven vinyl
`50
`coated polyester fiber and said hydrophobic material com
`prises polyester.
`7. A generally trough shaped infant bathing apparatus for
`use in a sink comprising:
`a plurality of generally tubular shaped, water permeable.
`side walls, each of said side walls having a top and a
`bottom;
`a water permeable floor joined to said bottom of each of
`said plurality of side walls wherein said floor comprises
`an outer layer and an inner layer each of said layers
`having a plurality of edges, said outer layer being
`joined to said inner layer at said plurality of edges; and,
`a hydrophobic material, disposed between said outer layer
`and said inner layer and disposed within each of said
`plurality of side walls, said outer layer, inner layer and
`hydrophobic material forming water permeable cush
`1OnS;
`
`65
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`35
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`55
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`6
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said top of one of
`said plurality of side walls; and,
`wherein said faucet guard comprises an outer air imper
`vious layer having a periphery, an inner air impervious
`layer having a periphery, said inner and outer layers
`being joined by periphery seals, and an inflation valve
`disposed within one of said layers.
`8. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 7
`wherein said faucet guard further comprises a strap joined to
`one of said layers for selectively fastening said faucet guard
`to a faucet.
`9. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 7
`wherein said faucet guard further comprises a flexible sheet
`having a plurality of sides and a periphery, said flexible sheet
`being joined at the periphery on all of said plurality of sides
`except one, to one of said layers, thus enabling said faucet
`guard to be selectively fitted over a faucet.
`10. An infant bathing apparatus comprising:
`a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides
`except one by said body, said cushioned body compris
`ing a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer.
`11. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 10
`wherein said cushioned body is shaped to conform to a
`kitchen sink.
`12. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 11
`wherein said inner and outer layers comprise woven vinyl
`coated polyester fiber and said hydrophobic material com
`prises polyester.
`13. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 11
`further comprising:
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said cushioned
`body.
`14. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 13
`wherein said faucet guard comprises
`a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water permeable
`inner layer, and a hydrophobic material disposed
`between said outer layer and said inner layer.
`15. An infant bathing apparatus comprising:
`a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides
`except one by said body, said cushioned body compris
`ing a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`wherein said cushioned body is shaped to conform to a
`kitchen sink;
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said cushioned
`body;
`wherein said faucet guard comprises a water permeable
`outer layer sealed to a water permeable inner layer, and
`a hydrophobic material disposed between said outer
`layer and said inner layer; and,
`wherein said faucet guard further comprises a strap joined
`to one of said layers for selectively fastening said
`faucet guard to a faucet.
`16. An infant bathing apparatus comprising:
`a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides
`except one by said body, said cushioned body compris
`ing a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`wherein said cushioned body is shaped to conform to a
`kitchen sink;
`a faucet guard selectively attachable to said cushioned
`body; and,
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`wherein said faucet guard further comprises a flexible
`sheet having a plurality of sides and a periphery, said
`flexible sheet being joined at the periphery on all of said
`plurality of sides except one, to one of said layers, thus
`enabling said faucet guard to be selectively fitted over
`a faucet.
`17. The infant bathing apparatus as claimed in claim 14
`wherein said inner and outer layers comprise woven vinyl
`coated polyester fiber and said hydrophobic material com
`10
`prises polyester.
`18. An infant bathing apparatus comprising:
`a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides
`except one by said body, said cushioned body compris
`ing a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`
`8
`permeable inner layer and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`and,
`a plurality of magnets disposed between said inner and
`outer layers.
`19. An infant bathing apparatus comprising:
`a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides
`except one by said body, said cushioned body compris
`ing a water permeable outer layer sealed to a water
`permeable inner layer and a hydrophobic material
`disposed between said outer layer and said inner layer;
`and,
`a plurality of weights disposed between said inner and
`outer layers.
`
`BESTWAY EXHIBIT 1006-0009
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