Patent Publication Number: US-2011047692-A1

Title: Portable baby cleaning device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This present application relates to a baby cleaning device, and more particularly, to a portable baby cleaning device for washing and drying babies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many different appliances to aid in the care and cleaning of a baby. A diaper changing table is often found in households. Such a changing table provides a work surface which facilitates the diaper changing task. After removing the diaper, generally, people need to find a bathtub for cleaning the baby. This presents a situation where a person carrying the baby takes time and energy to avoid bumping into edges and doors. Statistics shows that most of accidents related to babies occur in their homes. 
     Many times, when people are not at home or are outdoors, they have to spend some time to find a suitable place for changing diapers or cleaning their babies. That is to say, it is very difficult for people to hold their babies with wet diapers until they find a suitable place for changing and cleaning the babies. In addition, it is common to find abrasions on the babies&#39; skin caused by wiping with rough tissues or towels, which easily irritate the babies&#39; sensitive skin. Also, the rough tissues or towels do not clean babies&#39; groin well and germs may remain due to the urine or fecal matter from the babies. Although it is better to use water to clean the baby&#39;s groin, generally, it is not easy to find a suitable supply of water when outdoors. 
     A number of devices have been developed for cleaning babies. However, most of these portable devices can only be used in a restroom which is provided with a source of water. Further, such portable devices usually require the use of towels or toilet papers for wiping and drying babies&#39; skin. 
     For example, Adriano (U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,902) is directed to a portable washbasin for babies as disclosed in  FIG. 1 . This Adriano portable washbasin requires an additional external source of water to provide water for cleaning babies. Therefore, the users have to find such a source of water in order to clean their babies, which wastes time and energy. 
     Sauerbrei (U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,803) describes a baby changing and washing station which is placed on a table and must be connected to a source of electricity heater for heating the water reserved in a water reservoir. However, Sauerbrei baby changing and washing station does not provide a dryer for drying babies&#39; body. Therefore, when such station is used outdoors, people have to move this station into a bathroom for toilet papers or have towels with them to dry the babies&#39; buttocks. In this situation, germs may remain on the babies&#39; buttocks after use, which is not healthy for the babies. 
     To overcome these drawbacks it is the underlying purpose of the present invention to provide a user-friendly portable baby cleaning device for washing and drying babies, which does not need external supply water or any electric outlet. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a user-friendly portable cleaning device that improves on conventional baby bides that are configured to be used with electric and water supply system by providing an all-in-one portable baby cleaning device that can be used anywhere without any electric connection and water supply system. 
     A baby cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention includes a container and a substantially flat portion attached to the container. The device further includes a cover attached to the flat portion by a hinge portion which allows the cover is movable relative to the flat portion. A first water tank positioned in the container for collecting used water and a second water tank positioned in the container and configured to contain water for baby cleaning. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a waste water tank and a water tank used in a baby cleaning device; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded schematically perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view taken along lines III-III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the embodiment of the baby cleaning device shown in  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a spray gun used in the baby cleaning device; and 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a motor fan used in the baby cleaning device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a baby cleaning device  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the embodiment of the baby cleaning device  10  includes a container  12  containing a waste water tank  30  and a water supply tank  40 . The shape of the container  12  is not limited to a substantially rectangular arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 . The container  12  includes a front wall  12   a,  a rear wall  12   b,  a right side wall  12   c  and a left side wall  12   d,  wherein the right side wall  12   c  and the left side wall  12   d  are convexly configured with respect to each other so as to fit with a seat  20  which rests on a top of the container  12 , and which is arranged to engage with the front wall  12   a,  the rear wall  12   b,  the right side wall  12   c  and the left side wall  12   d.  The seat  20  which is used as a cover of the container  12 , provides a place for changing babies&#39; diapers and bathing their buttocks and groin areas. 
     The  FIGS. 2-5  describe an embodiment of a baby cleaning device  10  according to the present invention in an exploded view and other four side views. In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the right side door  12   c  includes a sliding door  70  that is slide open to protect the waste water tank  30  and the water tank  40  from external forces. 
     Also as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a portable motor fan  60  is disposed in a portable motor fan custody space  60 ′ of the left side wall  12   c.  The portable motor fan according to the embodiments of the present invention can be any type of conventional portable motor fans. For example, a portable motor fan is shaped as a gun with 1.5 volt battery operated as shown in  FIG. 8B . Compared to a rough towel, a swift and soft wind is much better in protecting babies&#39; delicate skin. 
     The container  12  is divided into two levels by the water tank  40  and the waste water tank  30  in a vertical direction of the container  12 , wherein the water tank  40  is disposed lower level of the container  12  and the waste water tank  30  is disposed on an upper level of the container  12 . In particular, the water tank  40  is adapted to be filled with water prepared for cleaning babies, and the waste water tank  30  is provided to be empty and adapted to collect the waste water after baby cleaning. Both the waste water tank  30  and the water tank  40  are removable from to the container  12 . The waste water tank  30  receives the waste water from baby cleaning and can be moved out from the container  12  to pour away the waste water when bathing duties are completed. 
     Non-slip feet  72  are attached to a bottom of the container  12  to prevent the device from slipping. As illustrated in Figures, there are four non-slip feet  72  attached to the bottom of the container  12  at four corners, respectively. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the material of the non-slip foot is rubber. 
     Seat 
     The seat  20  has a cover  22  and a main portion  24  reciprocally hinged by a hinge  26  so as to be openable and closable with respect to each other in an open and/or close position of the seat  20 . The hinge  26  is also attached to the container  12 , for example, attached to the rear wall  12   b  to secure the seat  20  onto the container  12 . The main portion  24  is configured substantially flat and shaped as but not limited to a general toilet seat. 
     It should be noted that the shape of the seat  20  is not limited to the shape of the embodiment shown in Figures. Any shape which provides a safe, comfortable, easy to use is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the shape of the cover  22  is substantially the same as that of the main portion  24 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the main portion  24  has a central opening  28  which is configured for receiving a baby&#39;s buttock. 
     In an open position of the seat  20 , the cover  22  is opened forward the rear wall  12   b  of the container  12  in the longitudinal direction of the seat  20  and is secured in the open position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the cover  22  in the open position defines, relative to the rear wall  12   b,  an opening angle which is large enough to provide a space for a baby. In this way, the cover  22  can be used as a back of the seat  20 . The seat  20  can also serve as a bed when the cover  22  is fully opened. In a closed position of the seat  20 , the cover  22  is folded down to contact the main portion  24  and the central opening  28  of the main portion  24  is covered by the cover  22 . 
     It should be noted that the opening angel is adjustable. Before cleaning, i.e., taking off a wet diaper, or after cleaning, i.e., put on a new diaper, the cover  22  is used as a back of the seat  20  for supporting the baby&#39;s body. A user can simply put the baby on the seat  20  to change the diaper. Alternatively, the cover  22  with the main portion  24  can be used as a bed thereby cleaning babies in a position they are comfortably placed. 
     Waste Water Tank 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the waste water tank  30  is disposed in the upper lever of the container  12 . Corresponding to the central opening  28  of the main portion  24  as described above, the waste water tank  30  has an opening  32  in a top surface  31  of the waste water tank  30 . This waste water tank opening  32  is configured to be located under the baby&#39;s groin and the waste water can enter the waste water tank  30  through the opening  32  during cleaning the baby. The waste water tank  30  further includes a waste water tank cover  34  detachably attachable on a peripheral portion  29  of the waste water tank opening  32  to cover the waste water tank opening  32 . In particular, the peripheral portion  29  of the waste water tank cover  34  protrudes away from the waste water tank cover  6  in the vertical direction and has a thickness which is the same as that of the main portion  24  of the seat  20 , therefore, the peripheral portion  29  of the waste water tank opening  32  is engaged with both the central opening  28  of the main portion  24  and the waste water tank opening  32  to provide a substantially flat surface for seating. 
     Further, the waste water tank  30  has a cut out portion on a right side of the waste water tank  30  and provides a waste water tank handle  36  therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the waste water tank handle  36  is shaped to fit the container  12 , especially for the sliding door  70 , thereby no additional space for disposition the waste water tank handle  36  needed. 
     It should be noted that the position of the waste water tank handle  36  depends on the position of the sliding door  70 , which can be formed on the front wall  12   a,  the rear wall  12   d  or the left wall  12   c.  Therefore, the waste water tank handle  36  is not limited to be positioned on the right side of the waste water tank  30  as shown in the Figures. 
     In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the waste water tank  30  can be made of plastic or other lightweight materials, which makes the portable baby cleaning device moved easily. The material of the waste water tank cover  34  can be made of rubber or other similar materials. 
     The portable cleaning baby device  10  according to the present invention is designed for use at home and/or outdoors. The waste water tank  30  used at home can be cleaned with water. When the portable cleaning baby device  10  is used outdoors, disposable trash bags (not shown) can be put into the waste water tank  30  for collecting the waste water. Thus, people do not need to find a place to clean the waste water tank  30  outdoors. The disposable trash bags can be made of either general plastic or cutting-edge, biodegradable and environment-friendly pulp. More than 90% of such environment-friendly material will be naturally biodegraded in six months in garbage collection. 
     Water Tank 
     The water tank  40  is disposed on the lower lever of the container  12 , i.e., under the waste water tank  30  as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . The water tank  40  is shaped similar as the waste water tank  30 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the waste water tank  30  serves as a reservoir to collect waste water from the water tank  40   a,  and the size of the water tank  40  is similar to that of the waste water tank  30 . Alternatively it can smaller than that of the waste water tank  30 . 
     The water tank  40  includes a water tank cap  42  that is connectable to a water pipe  44  for transferring water into the water tank  40 . In an embodiment of the invention, the water tank cap  44  is positioned to face the sliding door  70 , and water can be filled into the water tank  40  by twisting the water tank cap  50  to open and close. Also as seen in Figures, a spray gun  80  is connected to an end of the water pipe  44  for spraying water through a spray gun nozzle  82 . The other end of the water pipe  44  is provided with a water pipe inlet valve  50  which is positioned in the water tank  40 . The water tank  40  is molded to form a spray gun custody space  82 ′ for keeping the spray gun  80 . An embodiment of the spray gun  80  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8A . In addition, also as the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 2 , the water tank  40  provides a water pipe custody space  44 ′ which is molded with the spray gun custody space  82 ′ together for keeping the spray gun  82  and the water pipe  44 . 
     To protect the babies&#39; sensitive skin from germs, a bacteriostat such as Silver Na-no™ is supplied to the spray gun nozzle  13  and the water pipe inlet valve  50 . 
     Similar to the waste water tank handle  36 , the water tank  40  is configured with a water tank handle  46  so that a user can move the water tank  40  out of the container  12  easily. The water tank handle  46  has the substantially same size as the waste water tank handle  36  and faces the sliding door  70  which is openable to allow a user to grasp the water tank handle  46  and the waste water handle  36 . In  FIG. 5 , the waste water tank handle  36  is formed in a middle of the waste water tank  30 , and the water tank handle  46  is formed below the spray gun custody space  82 ′ and the water pipe custody space  44 ′. 
     In one or more preferred embodiments according to the present invention, the length of the main portion  24  in a longitudinal direction of the seat  20  is 13 inches, and a width of the main portion  24  in the transverse direction of the seat  20  is shorter than a width of the container  12 . The thickness of the main portion  24  is 0.5 inch. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the seat  12  is in the open state with a maximum opening angle, a length of the main portion  24  and the cover  12 , is 27 inches. A height of the container  12  in the vertical direction is 6 inches. A height of the main portion  24  in the vertical direction is 0.5 inch. Also, the cover  12  has a height in the vertical direction is 0.5 inch. 
     In use, before cleaning a baby, first, open the seat  20  and remove the waste water tank cover  34 , and then fold the main portion  24  backward. The cover  22  can be adjusted to be secured at a proper angle. For example, the cover  22  is adjustable to be fully opened substantially as a bed. The baby can be lying on the main portion  24  during changing diaper. To fill water in the water tank  40 , the water tank  40  is moved out of the container  12  and the water will be filled therein by twisting the water tank cap  42  open. 
     During cleaning the baby, the spray gun  80  is used to spray the water from the water tank  40  to bath the baby. The used water will naturally flow into the waste water tank  30  from the central opening  28  of the main portion  24  of the waste water tank opening  32 . 
     After cleaning the baby, the portable motor fan  60  can be used movably to dry the baby&#39;s skin instead of using toilet papers or towels. 
     It will be readily seen by one of skill in the art that the present invention fulfils all of the objects set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, the person of skill in the art will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.