Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Bidets
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-07-10
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Bidets
C004S621000, C004S625000, C004S643000, C005S655000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256803
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES
The present invention was first disclosed in the Disclosure Document filed on Jun. 7, 1999. There have been no previously filed, nor any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to baby cleaning devices, and, more particularly, to a baby changing and washing station.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many different appliances to aid in the care and cleaning of an infant, all of which perform a certain function. A diaper changing table is often found in households in which an infant is present. The changing table provides a work surface that is relatively high and thus easy for the care giver to perform the diaper changing task.
Bathtubs are often used to bathe infants. However, most bathtubs are located at floor level. This obviously presents a situation where the back muscles of the care giver can easily become strained.
A related situation occurs when changing an infant's diapers. While tissues and baby wipes are available to assist in the cleaning duties, particularly messy diapers often require heavy duty cleaning.
Many times, placing the infant in a bathtub for bathing provides the best possible cleaning after a messy diaper. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which infants can be cleansed or cleaned at any location with the use of warm water in a manner that does not impact the back muscles of the care giver.
In the related art, several devices disclose the design and function of a fold-down, wall-mounted infant changing platform. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,015, issued in the name of Hilger et al., U.S. Pat. No. D 326,384, issued in the name of Burt et al. and U.S. Pat. No. D 314,112, issued in the name of Dainty.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,336, issued in the name of Marteeny, describes a portable diaper changing station.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,258, issued in the name of Eves, discloses a baby changing mat with a raised sill and straps for holding the baby.
Several patents describe the design and function of a platform for a baby diaper changing station. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,905, issued in the name of Helmsderfer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,647, issued in the name of Helmsderfer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,999, issued in the name of Helmsderfer et al. and U.S. Pat. No. D 408,190, issued in the name of Helmsderfer et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,381, issued in the name of Ludwick discloses a one-piece sanitary diaper changing station.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that anticipate directly many features of the instant invention. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which overcomes the problems cited above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved baby changing and washing station that allows an infant to be cleansed or cleaned at any location with the use of warm water in a manner that does not strain the back muscles of the care giver.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a baby changing and washing station is disclosed, designed as an apparatus to aid in the washing and/or cleansing of an infant. The present invention comprises a frame that is attached to a wall and provides for a fold down table portion, similar in design to a conventional diaper changing station. A padded vinyl area for the infant is provided along with restraining straps to hold the infant. A water bottle is provided in a heated container to allow the water to be slightly warmed. Tubing then carries the water through a release device at the end of the tube to allow cleansing of the infant after a diaper change or may be used to wash the entire infant. A drain system in the fold down table collects the waste water in a catch basin which may be removed and emptied after bathing duties are complete.
The present invention is intended for use in the home or public locations where a water supply is not readily available. The use of the present invention allows infants to be cleansed in a more complete manner which allows for increased health and sanitary conditions while providing for increased ease on care giver's part.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that secures a child while being cleaned.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that allows an infant to be cleaned with warm water in a quick and sanitary manner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used in both residential and commercial settings.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that allows a more thorough cleaning than tissues or baby wipes.
Other objects of the present invention include providing a device that has a small storage space requirement, cost effective and of stable construction.
DESCRIPTIVE KEY
10
baby changing and washing
90
restraining straps
station
100
water supply means
20
frame
110
water reservoir
25
wall
120
tubing
30
wall securement means
130
valve
40
table portion
140
heating means
50
indented portion
150
water bottle
60
hole
160
heated container
70
catch basin
170
electric heater
80
padded area
REFERENCES:
patent: 877770 (1908-01-01), Hines et al.
patent: 1442391 (1923-01-01), Filipache
patent: 2719306 (1955-10-01), Levitt
patent: 3319265 (1967-05-01), Losada
patent: 4689841 (1987-09-01), Owen
Dorsey Sasha Orihuela
Sauerbrei Roxanne
Corrigan Michael J.
Fetsuga Robert M.
Gugliotta John D.
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