1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to infant accessories, and particularly to a baby bath station that provides a mobile bathing/washing and changing station for a baby.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cleaning and bathing an infant can be an arduous task. Heretofore, this task has been performed in a conventional bathtub, a conventional bathroom basin, or a plastic container (tub) especially designed for bathing and cleaning an infant. These devices have proven to be less than adequate, since their use often requires the caregiver to bend or stoop in an awkward position, thereby making it difficult for the caregiver to maintain adequate control of a wiggling infant. Also, hygienic problems persist because there is no provision to separate infant excreta from the bath water. There are many apparatuses in the related art that have attempted to alleviate the aforementioned problems. None of the related art apparatuses, however, have proven to adequately solve these problems. The art would certainly welcome a mobile bathing apparatus that would effectively and efficiently address and alleviate the inadequacies of the related art. Thus, a baby bath station solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The baby bath station is a mobile bath and changing station for an infant. The station comprises a wheel-supported housing having a bathtub therein. The tub has a downward sloping floor, which has a relatively large drain at the bottom thereof. The drain empties into a wastewater holding receptacle. The receptacle is provided with converging, funnel-shaped walls. A valve is positioned to control flow from the bottom of the wastewater holding receptacle. The bottom of the holding receptacle is designed to be positioned over a conventional toilet for emptying. A bath water holding tank is positioned above the tub for containing warm bath water therein. A thermometer is mounted on the bath water tank to monitor the temperature of the bath water. A dispenser in the form of a shower head is attached to the bath water tank. The changing station is adapted for secure attachment to a kitchen sink cabinet for convenience and stability.
Accordingly, the invention presents a unique bath and changing station that facilitates efficient bathing and changing of a baby. The bath and changing station is mobile to allow quick and easy movement thereof. Provision is made to effectively supply warm, clean water for bathing and to remove soiled water and possible baby excrement to enhance hygiene. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
Referring to
A shelf assembly 34 is removably positioned on the upper surface of the panel 32. The shelf assembly 34 is adapted to hold baby-bath paraphernalia (lotion, talc, oil, etc.). Mounted atop the shelf assembly 34 is water holding tank 36. The tank 36 contains warm, clean water for bathing the baby. A hose and shower head 38 are attached to the tank 36 and are adapted to provide gentle spray of water therefrom for bathing. A thermometer 40 is mounted on the tank 36 for monitoring the temperature of the water in the tank 36.
In use, the bath station 10 is moved to a position opposite a kitchen sink cabinet or the like (shown in phantom lines). A clamp mechanism 42 is employed to secure the bath station 10 to the kitchen sink cabinet, providing stability for the bath station 10. A rubber bumper 44 cushions the contact between the bath station 10 and the kitchen sink cabinet. Warm water is provided for the bathwater tank 36 by any suitable means. The thermometer 40 is utilized to insure that the water in the tank 36 is at a comfortable temperature for the baby. The valve 28 at the opening 26a is moved to a closed position and the mattress 22 is disposed on the bottom wall 20. The baby is now placed in the tub 18 for bathing utilizing spray from the tank 36 via the shower head 38. Wastewater flows through the drain 24 into the receptacle 26. After the baby is cleaned, dried and secured in a bassinette or the like, the bath station 10 can be wheeled to a position wherein the outlet 26a is disposed over a toilet. The valve 28 is opened and the wastewater flows from the receptacle 26 into the toilet. Removing the panel 32 will provide access to the receptacle 26 for cleaning.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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