CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/369,468 filed July 26, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Parents of children must bathe their child in order to maintain good hygiene. It is typical for parents to use hard plastic tubs or a kitchen sink instead of using a standard bath which offers little control of the child’s movements. Use of the standard tub also requires the parent to lean awkwardly or kneel.

[0003] Child bath seats and apparatus are available in various shapes and sizes and typically formed of sponge-like material such as polyurethane foam. Prior art child bathing apparatus has usually disclosed support for the child in a reclining position, however, other than a simple back rest, there has not been found apparatus disclosing adequate support for the child when in a sitting or upright position. Examples of child bathing seats and apparatus of interest are shown and described in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,460 issued to Bernstein, et al. on 27 Oct. 1992 entitled BATH SEAT; U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,000 issued to Pfaeffle on 7 Apr. 1998 entitled Infant Bathing Apparatus With Faucet Guard; U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,959 issued to Sundberg, et al. on 21 Jan. 2003 entitled Bath Station, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,993 issued to Dunn on 12 Oct. 1999 entitled Bath Sponge Support for Infants.

[0004] Kitchen sinks are generally made or hard materials including metals, quartz, acrylic, porcelain, and the like. The use of a bath mat within the sink basin provides a soft and plush surface for the child’s body to contact. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0041244 entitled Child Bathing Apparatus, discloses a math mat having a radial pattern that when placed in a sink or other basin, extends up the walls of the sink or basin to form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The complete disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0005] The present disclosure provides certain improvements to bath mats for sinks. SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

[0006] Various details of the present disclosure are hereinafter summarized to provide a basic understanding. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and is neither intended to identify certain elements of the disclosure, nor to delineate the scope thereof. Rather, the primary purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form prior to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.

[0007] The present disclosure generally relates to a soft bath mat for a sink having multiple side members protruding from a central base configured to connectively engage adjacent protruding side members, or petals, for bathing a child.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the embodiments, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a bath mat in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of adjacent protruding side members of the bath mat of FIG. 1 separated from one another.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the bath mat of FIG. 1 with adjacently protruding side members coupled together in a folded position with respect to the base and providing a free-standing configuration for the bath mat.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic top view of the bath mat of FIG. 1 in an unfolded configuration.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bath mat of FIG. 4 illustrating an outer cover and a filler material disposed within the outer cover.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate bath mat including a filler material without a cover disposed therearound. [0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic top view of an alternate bath mat including interior and exterior protruding side members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A more complete understanding of the components, processes and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure, and are therefore not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0017] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.

[0018] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the terms “generally” and “substantially” are intended to encompass structural or numeral modification which do not significantly affect the purpose of the element or number modified by such term.

[0020] As used here, a child, is an individual that is to be bathed using the current invention. While the child bathing apparatus is most beneficially used for children, it is nonetheless possible and anticipated to be within the scope of this invention that individuals of any age may use the child bathing apparatus as it is described herein. Placing an individual into the child bathing apparatus, as used herein, shall include without limitation placing an individual onto a surface of the child bathing apparatus.

[0021] FIG. 1 , illustrates a top view child bathing apparatus 100 for supporting and protecting a child during bathing. Apparatus (also referred to as a “bath mat”) 100 includes a central base portion 102 having multiple protruding side members 104a-d (collectively or generally referred to as protruding side members 104) connected to and protruding in radial manner from the central base portion 102. The central base portion 102 may be used as a seating area for a young child. Although four protruding side members 104 are shown in petal-like configuration it is understood that the number of protruding side members can be varied as desired, and they may have other configurations, or even different configurations one from the other, as may be suitable in accordance with the present disclosure. For instance, configurations may be adopted to fit a variety of sink shapes or aesthetic designs.

[0022] Both the central base portion 102 and the protruding side members 104 are generally formed of soft, flexible, compressible, resilient, water absorbent materials such as polyurethane foam. The materials further provide a non- slippery padding for the child. Also, selected other materials may be cut and attached, such as sewn, to a foam material to achieve either a more soft or more effective nonslip surface. In some embodiments, an interior surface 105 configured for contact with the child, may include a plush and finely textured material, such as 100% polyester. As used herein, a plush fabric may include a fabric with an even pile that is longer and less dense than velvet pile. In some embodiments, an exterior surface 106 (FIG. 2) configured for contact with a sink or basin, may include a grip enhancing material to minimize sliding movement of the apparatus 100.

[0023] In some embodiments, the central base portion 102 includes one or more drainage holes (not shown) configured to allow the passage of fluid such as water from the top or interior surface 105 through the bottom or exterior surface 106. In some embodiments, the central base portion 102 is made of a porous material that allows for the passage of fluid therethough.

[0024] Each protruding side member 104 is configured to couple to each adjacent protruding side member 104. For example and as illustrated, protruding side member 104b is placed between and is configured to couple to protruding side members 104a and 104c. When adjacent protruding side members 104 are coupled together, via couplers 110, the protruding side members 104 form a standing configuration in relation to the central base portion 102. For example, the protruding side members 104 extend vertically and radially from the central base portion 102 such that the protruding side members may circumscribe a child seated on the central base portion. [0025] In the illustrated embodiments, coupling of adjacent protruding side members 104 is accomplished by couplers 110 embodied as complementary female fasteners 110a (FIG. 2) and male fasteners 110b (FIG. 2) such as snap fasteners i.e., a pair of interlocking discs, made out of a metal or plastic,. That is, a circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of the other, holding them fast until a certain amount of force is applied. Couplers 110 can be attached to the fabric of the protruding side member 104 by riveting with a punch and die set specific to the type of rivet snaps used, sewing, or plying with special snap pliers. It is to be appreciated that the use of snap fasteners is not limiting and that outer couplers 110 may be substituted therein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example and without limitation, couplers 110 may include hook and loop fasteners, buttons, complementary male/female fasteners, and the like.

[0026] In some embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 2-3, coupling via couplers 110 is accomplished in an overlapping manor. That is, a portion of the left lateral side of a protruding side member 104b overlaps a portion of the right lateral side of a left adjacent protruding side member 104a, and so forth (left side of a protruding member 104c overlaps a portion of the right lateral side of a left adjacent protruding member 104b). The right and left directions are described herein from the perspective of an observer facing the interior surface 105. In this way, complementary couplers 110 may be placed on either the exterior or interior surface of each protruding member such that the partial overlap is achieved. As illustrated, female fastener 110a is placed on the exterior surface 106 of protruding side member 104b. Female fastener 110a is configured to engage male fastener 110b, placed on the interior surface 105, such that when coupled, a portion of the exterior surface 106 of a protruding side member 104b overlaps a portion of the interior surface 105 of the left adjacent protruding side member 104a. It is to be appreciated that while a counter- clock-wise overlapping pattern is illustrated, the pattern of the overlap is not limiting and that the pattern may be a clock-wise overlapping pattern wherein a portion of the left side of a protruding side member overlaps the right side of a right adjacent protruding side member.

[0027] The coupling of the protruding side members 104 provides that the coupled protruding side members 104 remain substantially in place relative to each other and to the central base portion 102 when in use. This provides a feature wherein a small child will not inadvertently move a protruding side member 104 and expose a hard basin surface or feature of the sink (e.g., faucet). A user of the apparatus 100 may also selectively decouple a protruding side member 104 to provide custom conformance to a particular basin or sink where the apparatus 100 is placed. The decoupled protruding side member 104 also presents a smaller, easier controlled environment with a broad, flat counter space for handily positioning baby bath products as well as for drying and dressing the child. As indicated, the apparatus 100 inhibits access and manipulation of the faucet controls by the child.

[0028] A user of the apparatus 100 may couple each of the protruding side members 104 by engaging the complementary couplers 110a, 110b. The user then places the child bathing apparatus 100 into a water basin, such as a sink. A child is placed onto the child bathing apparatus 100 while it is in the water basin, and water is set to flow over the child and/or child bathing apparatus 100. The child is supported and protected by the child bathing apparatus 100. At the same time, water is allowed to flow over the child and child bathing apparatus 100 into the water basin. The user may then bathe the child as desired. When finished, the child is removed from the child bathing apparatus 100. The child bathing apparatus is then preferably removed from the water basin and allowed to dry. The user may allow the apparatus 110 to dry in either a coupled, de-coupled, or partially coupled state. While the child bathing apparatus 100 may simply be laid out to dry over a period of time, the drying process may be accelerated by ringing out or otherwise compressing the child bathing apparatus 100 to force out any water retained therein.

[0029] During bathing, the child bathing apparatus 100 has multiple possible configurations. As will be easily understood from the drawings, the child bathing apparatus 100 may be placed into a water basin with the central base portion 102 in the middle of the water basin and the protruding side members 104 extending therefrom to and up any enclosing walls of the water basin. Alternatively, one protruding side member 104 (e.g., 104a can be decoupled from the other members 104b-d and folded underneath the central base portion 102 thereby acting as a wedge to angle and/or raise up the central base portion 102.

[0030] In some embodiments, the child bathing apparatus 100 also includes an added or hanging member 114 for hanging the child bating apparatus 100 to dry. In a particular embodiment, the hanging member 114 is a fabric loop that may also service as the product's information tag. The hanging member 114 can be attached to a radially outermost tip of one of the protruding side members 104 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, hanging member 114 may be affixed to the back side of the central base member 102.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4, the child bating apparatus 100 is illustrated in an unfolded configuration wherein the protruding side members 104 are decoupled from one another. Each of the protruding side members 104 is unfolded, or folded down with respect to the central base portion 102 at a hinge 116 defined between the protruding side member 104 and the central base portion 102. The hinge 116 is operable to transition the respective protruding side members 104 between an unfolded position wherein the respective protruding side members 104 are substantially level with the central base portion 102 and a folded position wherein the respective protruding side members 104 extend vertically from the central base portion 102. In some embodiments, the hinge 116 may be defined at a seam or an area of reduced thickness between the central base portion 102 and the protruding side members 104. Alternatively, the flexibility of the materials forming the central base portion 102 and the protruding side members 104 may promote bending or folding at the hinge 116.

[0032] In the unfolded configuration, the child bathing apparatus 100 assumes a generally flat shape wherein corresponding female fasteners 110a and male fasteners 110b are radially separated from one another by a radial distance DO. When the corresponding female and male fasteners 110a, 110b are joined together, the protruding side members 104 are folded up about the hinge 116 to assume the upright configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. Each protruding side member 104 includes a female fastener 110a on the left side thereof and a male fastener 110b on the right lateral side thereof. The alternating radial pattern of female and male fasteners 110a, 110b around the child bathing apparatus facilitate locating the corresponding fastener 110a, 110b to form the coupler 110.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the child bathing apparatus 100 according exemplary embodiments is made up of two main components. A filler material 120 is placed within a cover 122, where the cover 122 is made of two different materials. In a particular embodiment, the filler material 120 is a water-resistant, quick drying foamlike material, and more specifically one-pound density, open-cell polyurethane foam that is die cut from sheets that are about one and one-quarter inches thick. Such a foam material provides a balance of good cushioning for the child as well as drying capability. A denser foam filler material will dry slower while a less dense foam filler material does not provide a good cushion for a child in the child bathing apparatus 100. Another embodiment includes materials that are non-water absorbing, such as closed cell foam, skinned foam or cushioning materials made from soft egg-crate like shaped polymer sheet.

[0034] The cover 122 of the child bathing apparatus 100 has a top layer 124 (which comes in contact with the child when bathing) and a bottom layer 126 (which comes in contact with the water basin when bathing). The top layer 124defines the inner surface 105 thereon, and may be constructed from a plush, soft, durable, washable and finely textured material that has a mink-like feel, an example is made from 100% polyester. At the same time, this top layer 124 should readily absorb heat from adjacent running water to provide a warm and comfortable surface for a child. The bottom layer 126defines the exterior surface 106 thereon, and may be constructed from a highly breathable yet tight-knit mesh material, an example is made from 100% polyester, preferably using a tricot knit. The bottom layer 126 is specifically designed for its breathability and to enable the filler material 120 of the child bathing apparatus 100 to dry quickly. The bottom layer 126 should also resist slippage on smooth basin surfaces, such as sinks and bathtubs. Both the top layer 124 and bottom layer 126 should naturally resist mold and mildew.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the filler material 120 is made from a closed cell polyurethane foam. In a further embodiment, the filler material 120 is made from a skinned foam or integral skin foam. In yet another embodiment, the filler material 120 is made from a non-water absorbing foam substitute that would feel like foam, in terms of providing padding, but would be non-water absorbing. This foam substitute material would be produced from polymer sheet, formed polymer sheet, extruded polymer materials, or some combination of the aforementioned.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, in yet another alternative embodiment, a child bathing apparatus200 is made from a single layer 202 of material. This layer 202 is a foam layer that is made from an open-cell polyurethane foam or a cushioning foam-like material that is die cut from sheets or molded into the desired shape. The polyurethane foam material has a density greater than one-half pound, and in a particular embodiment it has a one-pound density. There is no cover that surrounds the single foam layer 202; rather, the child and water basin would each be in direct contact with the foam or foam like material layer during use. The interior and exterior surfaces 204, 206 of the foam or foam like materials would be prepared (by either chemical or mechanical means) in such a manner to provide non-slip surfaces when in contact with the child and in contact with the basin.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, in yet still other embodiments, a child bathing apparatus 300 may include interior protruding side members 304 and exterior protruding side members 306 extending radially from a central base portion 308., An exterior protruding side member 306 may be overlapped on the right lateral side by the left portion of the right adjacent interior protruding side member 304 and overlapped on the left lateral side by a right portion of the left adjacent interior protruding side member 304. The interior protruding side members 304 may each include a pair of female fasteners 110a and the exterior protruding side members 306may each include a pair of male fasteners 110b provided thereon. Corresponding female fasteners 110a and male fasteners 110b are radially separated from one another by a radial distance D1 in the unfolded configuration illustrated. When the corresponding female and male fasteners 110a, 110b are drawn together and coupled to one another, the interior and exterior protruding side members 304, 306 are caused to fold up about hinge 310 to extend vertically and radially from the central base portion 308. When the interior and exterior protruding side members 304, 306 are in a coupled or partially coupled state (i.e. , at least 2 members being coupled together) the coupled members 304, 306 are free-standing, projecting in an at least partially vertical direction from the central base portion 308.

[0038] A child bathing apparatus 100, 200, 300 according to the present disclosure may be manufactured using one or more steps of the following method. A center filler is cut as well as a plurality of member fillers. Described in more detail above, the filler material is a soft, resilient material such as polyurethane foam. Covers for the central base portion and each of the plurality of protruding side members are cut as well, which will include a top layer and a bottom layer. The covers may have larger dimensions than the filler material such that the covers may be affixed together around the filler material. The member filler for each protruding side member is attached to the center filler before the covers are attached to the fillers. The combined filler (center and members) is then placed within the cover, between the top layer and the bottom layer. The cover is sewn together around the edges and through certain portions of the filler. Alternatively, the protruding side member with its cover affixed is attached to the central base portion with its cover affixed thereto. The cover may include integrated couplers 110 or couplers 110 may be applied, (riveted, sewn, adhered, etc.) once the covers are affixed to the fillers.

[0039] Various designs are possible according to the current invention. In one embodiment, the child bathing apparatus appears to be a flower, with the center portion being the center of the flower and each member representing a petal of the flower. In a like manner, other design are contemplated including an octopus, bats around a baseball, footballs around a helmet, surfboards around a sun, and dolphins around a ball.

[0040] To aid the Patent Office and any readers of this application and any resulting patent in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.