GB2587261A

GB2587261A - A bathing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2587261A
Application number: GB2009694.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rissbrook Heather
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-08
Filing date: 2020-06-25
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-25
Also published as: GB2587261B; GB201906466D0; GB202009694D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bathing aid 100 for filling with and dispensing liquid, particularly for use to wash hair during bathing. The bathing aid includes a container formed from two parts, a receptacle 2 and a lid 1 that connect and lock together to define a volume. The receptacle has a base 5 with a plurality of holes (15, Fig 6) through which liquid escapes, and at least one finger hold 9 in a wall of the receptacle, and/or lid; and wherein the lid has at least one stop hole 6. The locking components may include corresponding threads (8, Fig 1D), a detent mechanism or have a resistance fit, and may include seals. The invention may be made of a synthetic plastic material and have a textured outer surface for grip. The receptacle and lid may be concaved in shape, the receptacle having a flat base for standing on a surface. A portion of the invention may be made from a thermochromic plastic material which is formed into a novelty image, word, character or device and changes colour within a predetermined temperature range.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bathing aid, in particular an aid for use in bathing; more particularly but not exclusively an aid for use with infants and children, as well as any person who is unable to use usual showering or bathing aids to wash their hair during bathing. It is also an aid that can be used to wash animals.

Background

As humans, bathing is part of everyday life. We bathe to clean dirt and bacteria away from our bodies to keep us healthy. Animals do exactly the same but in different ways and domestic animals who share our homes, for example dogs, are given help in keeping clean. As adults most find this task simple and quite enjoyable, however as children the experience can be quite the opposite. Most children enjoy spending time in the bath but when it comes to washing themselves, especially their hair, their mood can change quite dramatically.

Fear can take hold and can be difficult to conquer, becoming quite inconvenient when you have children to wash. Bath time is hoped to be a relaxed and fun time, an opportunity to bond with your child in one of the most positive ways possible. Parents want to raise their children to be happy and independent people, to encourage challenges and support them when any fears arise. Parents want their children to be creative and imaginative but also be aware of what they have to do as humans to keep clean and healthy. Bathing time is a perfect time for all this. However, more often than not bath time can end in frustration for both child and parent and therefore this aid has been created to promote positive experiences whilst completing the important task of bathing.

In many circumstances, especially for small infants, bathing can be problematic. They find it an unpleasant experience when water enters their eyes, ears, nose and mouth. This is perhaps owing to the sensation of the water, an overwhelming feeling of being unable to see or breath, the noise when the water or soap enters the ears or simply they would rather play than wash or be washed.

The flow rate and temperature of the water is important and obtaining the correct temperature in a shower hose can be difficult to gauge and obtain, particular in reference to the child's bathing water. As a result typically a parent, carer or user, will utilise a jug or similar of the bathing water. This leads to a deluge of water which can be unnecessarily traumatic for the child and an unpleasant experience for all involved. Unpleasant experiences such as these can also have a lasting effect as when the child becomes older they may find learning to swim, showering or other tasks involving water difficult to undertake successfully and independently. People with impairments may also find this aid an easier and gently way to wash as well as adults or children who want to wash small or young animals.

Prior Art

US 2011 250 820 (MARTIN) discloses a two-piece bath squirting toy comprising two separable pieces of flexible material, with each piece forming a section of a toy or an animal such that when the pieces are combined, they form a complete toy or animal. Each piece includes a portion of a liquid fluid reservoir inside of the squirting toy, with an interior wall of the portion of each piece directly contacting fluid within the liquid fluid reservoir.

CN 201 115 492 discloses a child hair washing cup which comprises a cup body made of hard plastic and a handle installed at one side of the cup body. The diameter of a cup rim is approximately equal to the diameter of the head of a child, the cup body at the side corresponding to the handle is a plane, the width of which is less than the diameter of the cup rim, the plane cup body is made of flexible plastic, the inner part of the cup body is longitudinally provided with a breakwater which divides the cup body into two parts, the breakwater is slightly lower than the height of the cup body. The plane cup body is contacted with the head of the child, and the soft cup body clings to the skin, so that water is uneasy to flow to the face of the child. The breakwater blocks the current, thereby reducing the streamflow, saving water and avoiding the discomfort caused by overlarge current. The cambered design of the breakwater ensures that the current is evener, thereby improving the comfort in the hair washing process.

CN 108 065 564 discloses a shampoo cup, comprises a cup body, a handle, the handle has one end fixed to the side of the cup body, wherein, further comprising: a cup lid, is provided on the opening of the cup, and is provided with a plurality of drain holes at one side of the cup, the child is used to slowly sprinkler; and drain holes to the other side of is provided with a water intake opening, pouring water to the cup. The present invention it is possible to slowly flow out of the cup as the water rinsing the child's head, it is convenient for the child's head.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bathing aid for filling with and dispensing liquid comprising: a container formed from two parts, a receptacle and a lid that connect and lock together by way of a lock means to define a volume; the receptacle has a base with a plurality of apertures through which liquid escapes and at least one finger hold is provided in a wall of the receptacle, and/or a wall of the lid; and wherein the lid has at least one stop hole.

In this way the receptacle and lid form a container for liquid that allows liquid, typically water, to flow out gently. Advantageously the invention is intended to assist with bathing and in particular hair washing of children and infants that do not like a strong flow of water from a traditional showerhead or other receptacles.

The parts of the container can be separated so that the container can be easily 5 filled with liquid. The parts are then connected to contain the water so that the container can be held over a user and water flows out through the apertures to provide a light gentle shower of water for washing children's hair.

A user holds their hand or finger over the stop hole(s) to prevent flow or liquid 10 and removes their hand or finger to permit flow of liquid.

Preferably the receptacle and the lid are connected together by corresponding screwthreads. Ideally the corresponding screwthreads are provided on an outer face of the receptacle and an inner face of the lid so that the lid is arranged over the receptacle. Thus reducing the risk of the parts detaching whilst in use.

In another embodiment the lock means is a resistance fit.

In yet a further embodiment the lock means is a detent mechanism.

In some preferred embodiments the lock means forms or includes a seal between the receptacle and lid to retain water. For example the connection means may have a resiliently deformable band or layer at a region where the two parts connect to prevent escape of water from the point of connection.

The lock means enables the parts to stay connected during use enable even when underwater.

Preferably the base is flat for standing on a surface. In this way the bathing aid can be rested upon a surface when not in use.

In some embodiments the lid may also have a flat region opposed to the base so that the container can be stood on either end when not in use.

In a preferred embodiment the lid and receptacle are substantially concave to define a cavity in which liquid is contained.

In a preferred embodiment the lid fits over and is retained by the receptacle. In 5 another embodiment the lid fits into and is retained by the receptacle.

In use the container is filled and then orientated so that the receptacle is the lowermost point to allow water to flow out.

In a preferred embodiment the lid has a larger internal volume than the receptacle. In this way the lid can be filled with water and the receptacle can be fitted whilst in a first orientation in which the lid is below the receptacle in use. This configuration makes it easier to capture more water. The container is then inverted to make the receptacle the lowermost point so that water can flow through the apertures.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments the arrangement of the receptacle and the lid may be reversed so that the lid sits within the receptacle.

To prevent leakage of water before use the stop holes are closed by a user. Preferably the stop hole or stop holes are covered by a fingertip or other part of the hand such as the palm.

As the lid is inverted a user's fingertip/hand remains over the at least one stop hole to prevent flow of water from the apertures by creating a vacuum until the bathing aid is positioned where required over a user. Once in position the fingertip/hand can be removed, to remove the vacuum. This allows air to be drawn through the at least one stop hole as water flows out through the apertures.

Preferably the at least one stop hole is provided in a recess to assist with guiding a fingertip or other part of the hand, to securely cover the stop hole(s).

In some embodiments the stop hole(s) may be arranged to be located and oriented for a standard adult hand, but the stops hole(s) may be arranged so that it cannot be closed by a child's hands.

It is appreciated that the bathing aid may be submerged in water when the lid and receptacle are locked together which will also permit water to flow in through the apertures or stop hole(s) and air to escape through apertures or stop holes, so that filling may be carried out without separating the parts. This provides an alternative means for refilling of the volume.

The bathing aid has finger holds s to assist with holding the aid during use and to help with assembling and dissembling the lid and receptacle. Typically the finger holds are indentations for receiving a user's fingers to aid both children 15 and adults to easily handle the device during assembly and disassembly.

In preferred embodiments only one of the lid or the receptacle has finger holds, although it is appreciated that both may have finger holds.

Ideally the finger holds are indentations in which a user's fingertips or parts of a finger can be located to assist with separating and connecting the parts of the container.

Preferably the receptacle or the lid has two or more finger holds making it 25 easier to grasp the container.

In some embodiments an outer face of the receptacle and/or the lid is textured to enhance grip. For example the outer surface may have a textured coating, raised and lowered portions, or may have a layer of a resiliently deformable 30 material such as rubber or cellular material such as foam.

It is appreciated that different regions of the outer surface may have different finishes, for example a band of textured material may be provided around the rim of the lid for the receptacle and the remaining region may have a smooth finish.

It is appreciated that different lids or receptacles with different designs may be 5 provided. For example different shapes and/or a different number and arrangement of apertures or stop holes may be provided, so that a user can select different combinations of parts. For example a user may select different receptacles to vary the number and size of apertures to change flow rate and volume of water than can be held, and/or to change the size of the container so 10 it can be easily head by the user, and/or to change the appearance of the aid.

In some embodiments the bathing aid may be decorated, for example being provided in different colours, or including text or images, for example for branding purposes.

In some embodiments an outer face of the container may be shaped, for example to have the appearance of an animal, character or an object.

By decorating and/or shaping the container it thereby also acts as a bath toy making hair washing a fun experience for the child and user. It is an intention that the bathing aid encourages the child to become more independent, taking ownership of their own bathing and builds confidence in having water on the head and over their face.

Bathing aids may also be formed from different materials. Preferably the bathing aid is form from synthetic plastics. In some embodiments all or part of the bathing aid may be formed from thermochromic plastics so that the colour of the aid changes depending upon the temperature. Advantageously this may encourage children to use the aid.

In some embodiments the portion of the bathing aid formed from the thermochromic plastics material defines or is formed into a novelty image or word or character or device which changes colour or becomes visible within a predetermined temperature range.

In some embodiments the bathing aid has a retainer provided on an inner 5 surface of the lid or the receptacle to retain shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, bath oil or bath salt. In this way the bathing aid may be used to dispense various liquids, or diluted solutions.

The aid of the present invention thereby provides a bathing aid that makes washing an infant's hair easier, by reducing water flow from what is expelled from a shower, yet still allowing for controlled, small and gentle showers of water to easily rinse the hair and encourage the child to become familiar with the feeling of water of their face.

In some embodiments the lid or receptacle may comprise resilient materials, for example such that movement between position is accomplished by deformation of the lid or receptacle. In this way the lid and receptacle may be arranged to comprise a mechanism for securement so as to secure one to the other, and/or may comprise a part proximate the securement that is not deformable.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief aescra Figure 1A shows an overview of the first embodiment of the bathing aid; Figure 1B shows a top view of the first embodiment; Figure 1C shows a side view of the first embodiment; Figure 1 D shows the receptacle and lid of the first embodiment disassembled; Figure 2 shows front views of three different versions of a first embodiment of the aid according to the present invention, with differing branding; Figure 3 shows an isometric exploded view of the first embodiment as shown 5 in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the aid shown in Figure 2, in use; Figures 5 show a front view of stacked lids and a plan view of the receptacle and lid of a second embodiment of the aid according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded view of the second embodiment shown in Figures 5; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the aid according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows a plan view and an isometric exploded view from above of the 20 embodiment respectively of the aid shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows an isometric view from below of a fourth embodiment of the aid according to the present invention; Figures 10 show an isometric view and an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the aid shown in Figure 9; and Figure 11 shows a top view and a front view of the embodiment of the aid shown in Figure 9.

Detailed Description of Figures

The Figures show various embodiments of a bathing aid 100, 99 comprising a receptacle 2, 12, 23,45 and a lid 1,11,21, 41 that together define a container that is locked together by a lock means 9 to provide a substantially liquid-tight volume.

The receptacle 2, 12, 23, 42 has a base 5,15, 25, 45 which has one or more apertures 7 and walls extending upward from the base to define the receptacle.

In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 the base 5, 15, 25 of the receptacle is flat.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10 the base 45 is curved.

The lid 1, 11, 21, 41 is substantially bowl shaped.

In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 the lids 1,11,41 have a greater internal volume that the of the receptacle 2, 12, 42.

In Figures 6 and 7 the lid 21 has a smaller volume than that of the receptacle 23.

With reference to Figures 1A, 1 B, 1C, 1D there is shown a bathing aid 100, with a concave lid 1 and a concave receptacle 2.

The lid 1 defines a greater volume than the receptacle 2. The lid 1 has three 25 stop holes 6 arranged on an uppermost surface of the lid 1. The stop holes 6 are arranged in a depression 6A to help guide fingertip to the stop holes 6.

The lid 1 has a frilled rim 3. This provides a distinctive appearance and also assist with grip when holding, or assembling or dissembling the parts. The 30 frilled edge 3 may be considered as alternative, or additional finger holds.

The lid 1 and the receptacle 2 lock together by a lock means 8 that is a pair of corresponding threads that enable the parts 1, 2 to be connected by means of a screwthread.

The receptacle 2 has four finger holds 9 arranged in the wall of the receptacle 2. The finger holds 9 are recesses for receiving part of a finger to aid with grasping the bathing aid.

The finger holds 9 are arranged in opposed pairs around the receptacle 2.

The lid 1 has a textured surface intended to give the appearance of a jellyfish. The textured surface also helps with grasping and securely holding the aid.

The receptacle has a face 4 on the lid 1 to make it appealing to users.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 there is shown an embodiment of the aid comprising a lid 1 and a receptacle 2, where the lid 1 splays gently outwards and is of a circular sectional profile, with a flat top and the receptacle fits inside the lid 1. The receptacle 2 is an open topped cup with a flat bottom and circular sectional profile.

The receptacle 2 comprises apertures in its flat base 5 and the lid 1 comprises a stop hole in its top face, and in use the lid 1 is uppermost.

The receptacle wall has branding 4 depicting child-friendly face.

The lid 1 has a finger hold 9 that extends from the lowermost rim 3 to aid in displacement of the lid from the receptacle as required.

The splay of the lid 1 is greater than that of the receptacle. In this lid and receptacle are guided to fit together.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 5 there is shown an embodiment of the aid comprising a translucent lid 11 and a translucent receptacle 12 wherein again the lid 11 sits over the receptacle 12, in a similar configuration to the first embodiment.

Having a transparent or translucent receptacle, or lid only or receptacle only enables the liquid within the volume to be visible.

The lid 11 flares outwards to a frilled lip 13 (see Figure 4A) that is an example 10 of a finger hold.

The lids 11 are stackable as shown in Figure 4A.

The receptacle 12 comprises a substantially straight walled cup of circular 15 sectional profile.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 there is shown an embodiment comprising a bucket style receptacle 22 with a lid 21 that fits inside the walls of the receptacle 22.

The receptacle has a handle 28 arranged on two external stud pivots 27.

The lid 21 is an animal themed domed part 21, doming up partially in the first position, out of the receptacle.

The receptacle 22 has gently flared sides, a flat base 25 with the apertures.

A stop hole 26 is located at a top region of the lid 21. The lid 21 has a three dimensional animal face 24.

The receptacle 22 comprises a lipped edge 23, on which the pivots 27 of the handle are located.

The handle 28 and the lipped edge 23 are examples of finger holds.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 8 there is shown an embodiment comprising a whale shaped bathing aid with a receptacle 42 and lid 41.

The lid 41 of the embodiment is whale shaped with side fins 43 and a tail. The volume is substantially defined by the whale shaped lid 41.

The fins 43 provide a finger hold to aid in taking the bathing aid apart.

The receptacle 42 is a displaceable portion of the whale's belly and is a shallow cup shaped portion. The receptacle is flexible and can be flexed to fit within the lid 41.

The lid 42 has a base 45 with circular concentric, or spiral, apertures.

The receptacle 42 is secured into the lid 41 in a channel 48 in the perimeter of the opening. The lid 41 may be formed from thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The receptacle 42 may be formed from a resiliently deformable material such as polyethylene. The receptacle 42 may therefore be deformed to remove it from the lid 41.

The lid 41 comprises a topmost stop hole 46. In some embodiments branding 25 eyes 44 may also be, or alternatively be stop holes.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A bathing aid for filling with and dispensing liquid comprises: a container formed from two parts, a receptacle and a lid that connect and lock together by way of a lock means to define a volume; the receptacle has a base with a plurality of apertures through which liquid escapes and at least one finger hold is provided in a wall of the receptacle, and/or a wall of the lid; and wherein the lid has at least one stop hole.

2. A bathing aid according to claim 1 wherein the lock means includes corresponding threaded portions provided on the receptacle and lid to lock the parts together.

3. A bathing aid according to claim 1 wherein the lock means is a resistance fit

4. A bathing aid according to claim 1 wherein the lock means includes a detent mechanism.

5. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the lock means includes a seal.

6. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the base is flat for standing on a surface.

7. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the bathing aid is formed from a synthetic plastics material.

8. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the bathing aid is formed from thermochromic plastics material.

9. A bathing aid according to claim 8 wherein the portion of the bathing aid formed from the thermochromic plastics material defines or is formed into a novelty image or word or character or device which changes colour or becomes visible within a predetermined temperature range.

10.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is substantially concave.

11.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the lid is substantially concave.

12.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein receptacle has two or more finger holds.

13.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein an outer face of the receptacle is textured to enhance grip.

14.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein an outer face of the lid is textured to enhance grip.

15.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the lid fits into and is retained by the receptacle.

16.A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein a retainer is provided on an inner surface of the lid or the receptacle to retain shampoo, conditioner, bath oil or bath salt.