Abstract:
A baby bath-support device comprises a frame having a generally rigid body. The rigid body is adapted to be positioned on a surface of a bathing tub or sink. The frame has an opening in the upper portion. The opening comprises a peripheral edge. The opening also comprises a support panel made of a flexible material. The flexible material defines a concave support surface to support a baby laid thereon during bathing. The support panel contains perforations to allow fluid to flow through the support surface. The frame opening also comprises a connection arrangement between the frame and the support for hanging the support panel at the peripheral edge. The support panel is hung to the frame to partially cover the opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/533,375, filed on Sep. 12, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present application pertains to baby bath-support devices used to support babies while bathing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    Baby bath-support devices are commonly used to support a young baby during the bathing activity. The baby bath-support devices are typically made of a rigid material with an inclined surface supporting the baby in a supine position. The baby lies on the inclined surface, which may feature some antislip material. 
         [0004]    Commonly used baby bath-support devices are made of rigid materials and/or fabric. There are thus issues related to the use of such materials. Rigid materials and fabric do not permit an efficient flow and drainage of water about the baby. For instance, spoiled water may remain captive between the baby and the inclined surface, resulting in inefficient washing. Moreover, some fabrics have absorption properties, requiring that the fabrics be washed regularly. 
         [0005]    There remains a need to provide an ergonomic, safe and efficient baby bath-support device that overcomes issues associated with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0006]    It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a baby bath-support device that addresses issues associated with the prior art. 
         [0007]    Therefore, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present application, there is provided a baby bath-support device comprising: a frame having a generally rigid body adapted to be positioned on a surface of a bathing tub or sink, the frame defining an opening in an upper portion, the opening comprising a peripheral edge; a support panel made of a flexible material and defining a concave support surface adapted to support a baby laid thereon during bathing, the support panel having a plurality of perforations through the concave support surface to allow a fluid to flow therethrough; and a connection arrangement between the frame and the support for hanging the support panel at the peripheral edge such that the support panel is hung to the frame to cover at least partially the opening. 
         [0008]    Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a wall defining an annular body, with the opening being a top open end of the annular body. 
         [0009]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the support panel is connected by the connection arrangement to the full peripheral edge. 
         [0010]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the annular body flares from a top to a bottom. 
         [0011]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device further comprises at least one cutout in the wall of the frame to provide a passage from an undervolume of the frame to an exterior of the frame. 
         [0012]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device comprises two of said cutout, with the two cutouts being laterally positioned in the wall with respect to an orientation of a baby laid on the baby bath-support device. 
         [0013]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, a bottom edge of the frame generally lies in a plane, and a plane in which lies the peripheral edge is generally oblique relative to the plane of the bottom edge. 
         [0014]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device further comprises at least one gripping strip covering a bottom edge of the frame. 
         [0015]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the device further comprising a convexity in the top concave surface of the support panel, the convexity being located at a head region with respect to an orientation of a baby laid on the baby bath-support device. 
         [0016]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the frame defines lateral extensions with respect to an orientation of a baby laid on the baby bath-support device, the lateral extensions projecting upwardly relative to an adjacent portion of the support panel. 
         [0017]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the frame defines a foot extension with respect to an orientation of a baby laid on the baby bath-support device, the foot extension projecting upwardly relative to an adjacent portion of the support panel. 
         [0018]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the connection arrangement is a channel and hook arrangement. 
         [0019]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the support panel is a monolithic piece made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
         [0020]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the frame is a monolithic piece made of a polymer. 
         [0021]    Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the frame and the support panel are co-molded. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an assembly view of a baby bath-support device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side assembly view of the baby bath-support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the baby bath-support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the baby bath-support device of  FIG. 3 , taken along cross-sectional lines A-A; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of a connection arrangement between a support and a frame of the baby bath-support device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the baby bath-support device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a baby bath-support device for bathing at  10 . The baby bath-support device  10  is sized so as to support babies during the bathing activity, in a bathtub. Some versions of the device  10  may be sized to fit in a sink. The baby bath-support device  10  is typically used with newborns, infants and toddlers. The baby bath-support device  10  is particularly well suited to be used with babies who cannot sit stably on their own, and is sized as a consequence. For instance, the baby bath-support device  10  may be used with babies of up to 7-9 months, if not longer. 
         [0029]    The baby bath-support device  10  has a frame  12  and a support  13 . 
         [0030]    The frame  12  is the interface between the ground surface (i.e., surface of the tub or sink) and the support  13 . 
         [0031]    The support  13  is a sling-like panel that will support the baby during the bathing activity. 
         [0032]    Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1-6 , the frame  12  is shown made up of a wall  20 . The wall  20  is an upstanding wall flaring from top to bottom, to increase a footprint of the device  10  for stability. From an upper viewpoint, the wall  20  defines an annular body. The wall  20  has a bottom edge  21  along its bottom periphery. The bottom edge  21  is generally flat, as it usually lies on the planar surface. However, the bottom periphery of the wall  20  may also be curved, etc, for instance as a function of the type of surface the frame  12  will be rested on. The wall  20  is bounded by a top edge  22 . The top edge  22  has a sinuous vertical profile, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , for reasons stated below. 
         [0033]    With the generally annular shape of the wall  20 , the frame  12  defines an opening  23 . The opening  23  will be covered by the support  13 . Lateral cutouts  24  may be provided in opposite sides of the opening  23 , and are defined in the wall  20 . The frame  12  may have one or more of the cutouts  24 . Moreover, it is also considered to provide the wall  20  without any of such cutouts  24 . 
         [0034]    Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , a peripheral channel  25  is adjacent to the top edge  22 . In some locations, the peripheral channel  25  is in close proximity to the top edge  22 , whereas in other parts of the frame  12 , the peripheral channel  25  is spaced apart from the top edge  22  by a greater distance. More specifically, lateral abutment extensions  26  and front abutment extension  27  project downwardly from the top edge  22  to space the peripheral channel  25  from the top edge  22 . Accordingly, abutment surfaces are defined on the sides and in the front of the frame  12 , by these extensions  26  and  27 . These abutment surfaces will generally prevent the baby from rolling over laterally or slipping downwardly despite the inclination of the support  13 . 
         [0035]    According to an embodiment, the frame  12  is a one-piece molded unit made of material having a suitable structural integrity. For instance, the frame  12  is made of polymeric materials, such as polypropylene or ABS. Other materials, such as metals and natural fibers, could also be used. However, the materials should be selected as a function of the contemplated use, namely the repeated exposure of the frame  12  to bathing water. 
         [0036]    Moreover, the frame  12  may have alternative configurations. For instance, as an alternative to an annular body, the frame  12  may have legs by which the frame  12  rests on a surface. Any appropriate shape of the frame  12  is considered. 
         [0037]    Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1-3 , the support  13  is shown having a panel body  30 . The panel body  30  is a sling-like panel that is connected to the support  13 . The panel body  30  features a plurality of perforations  31  from top to surface, through which fluid may readily circulate (i.e., holes, throughbores, openings, apertures). The panel body  30  is bound by a peripheral edge  32 , which features a hook  33 . The hook  33  is shown enlarged in  FIG. 5 , and projects downwardly from the panel body  30 . The hook  33  is shaped so as to matingly engage with the peripheral channel  25  bounding the opening  23  in the frame  12 . Accordingly, the combination of hook  23  and peripheral channel  25  is such that the panel body  30  is hung in the opening  23  of the frame  12 . Moreover, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  allows for the support  13  to be removed from the frame  12 . The connection arrangement of the channel  25  and hook  33  may be about the full periphery of the opening  23 , or alternatively at selected locations, provided the support  13  can sustain the weight of an infant and remain hung. 
         [0038]    The connection arrangement may have variants. For instance, the hook may be part of the frame  12 , while the receiving channel may be part of the support  13 . Moreover, the connection arrangement does not necessarily require a mating relation between the frame  12  and the support  13 . 
         [0039]    The panel body  30  defines a general concavity in its upper surface, with the exception of a convexity  34 . The convexity  34  is located at an upper end of the panel body  30 , in the upper surface. Therefore, the body of the toddler is received in the concavity of the panel body  30 , with the head being rested on the convexity  34 , which acts as a pad or cushion. 
         [0040]    The material used for the panel body  30  is a material that may have more resilience than that of the rigid material of the frame  12 , for comfort reasons. For instance, the support  13  is relatively flexible, to conform to the shape of the baby, thereby further increasing the stability between the baby and the support  13 , in similar fashion to a hammock. Moreover, the material is selected so as to be subjected to the water of a bathing tub. For instance, polymers, and thermoplastic elastomers such as TPR, TPE and/or TPV are well suited to be used for the panel body  30 . Alternatives include urethane and silicone, among numerous other possibilities. 
         [0041]    The frame  12  and the support  13  are typically molded separately. However, it is contemplated to merge the support  13  to the frame  12  by way of an overmolding process. In such a case, a ledge would be molded over the joint between the hook  33  and the peripheral channel  25  to cover same. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , gripping strips  40  may be inserted onto the front and the rear of the bottom edge  21 . The gripping strips  40  are made of an antislip material increasing the traction between the frame  12  and the support surface of the tub or sink. The gripping strips  40  may be part of a molding process, by which they are overmolded over the frame  12 . Alternatively, the gripping strips  40  may be glued onto the frame  12  or connected thereon by interference fit. There may be a single one of the gripping strip  40 , covering completely or partly the bottom edge  21 . 
         [0043]    As seen in  FIG. 6 , jaws  41  may also be provided additionally or alternatively, typically in a rear area and/or front are of the frame  12 , within the frame  12 , and are used as interfaces for suction cups. 
         [0044]    It is observed that the overall arrangement of the baby bath-support device  10  has the support  13  in an inclined relation relative to the frame  12 . This ensures that the baby&#39;s head is generally above the torso, as opposed to having the baby horizontal when in a supine position. 
         [0045]    Advantageously, the presence of numerous perforations  31  in the panel body  30  allows water drainage and/or circulation through the perforations  31 , after the water has been poured onto the baby. The water may then accumulate in the concavity formed by the combination of the frame  12  and the support  13  and optionally flow out of this concavity by the cutouts  24 , if cutouts  24  are present. This allows the flow of washing water away from the infant. 
         [0046]    Despite the safe nature of the baby bath-support device  10 , it is important that adequate supervision be provided during the bathing activity. More specifically, the baby bath-support device  10  should always be used under the careful of a responsible adult, and the infant should not be left unattended in the baby bath-support device  10 . 
         [0047]    The flared shape of the frame  12  allows the device  10  to be readily stacked. Stacks of the device  10  are thus relatively stable. 
         [0048]    For clarity, the rigid nature of the frame  12  and non-rigid flexible nature of the support  13  are detailed. The frame  12  is said to be rigid in that it will generally maintain its shape without deforming excessively when exposed to low bending forces at temperatures similar to that at which the device  10  is used. Likewise, the support  13  is said to be non-rigid and/or flexible in that it will readily deform when exposed to low bending forces at temperatures similar to that at which the device  10  is used.