Child Bathing Apparatus

Abstract

An improved bath apparatus providing 360 degree protection during bathing, is comfortable, easier and safer to use than conventional bathing apparatus, and is collapsible for storage and support. The apparatus includes a protective seat having plural protruding foam members in a radial pattern that when placed in a sink or other bathing basin, extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The base foam members have open spaces between them for providing for easy circulation and drainage of water.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a child during bathing in a basin, comprising:
 a central portion and a plurality of protruding members, where each member is attached to the central portion, where the central portion comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and a filler layer, and where the filler layer is between the top layer and bottom layer,   where the top layer comprises a plush material,   where the bottom layer comprises a breathable mesh, that is slip resistant when it contacts the basin surface,   where the filler layer comprises a fast-drying foam-like material, and   wherein each protruding member includes a top surface that is soft for contact with the child.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fast-drying foam-like material of the filler layer is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fast-drying foam-like material of the filler layer is greater than one-half pound density polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each protruding member further comprises a filler layer, where the top surface and filler layer of each member are sewn together. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the top surface and filler layer are sewn together down the centerline of the protruding member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top layer, bottom layer, and filler layer of the central portion are sewn together. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the top layer, bottom layer, and filler layer of the central portion are sewn together with sewing lines in the middle of the central portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each member is not secured or otherwise connected to another member except via the central portion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for supporting a child during bathing in a basin, comprising:
 a top layer, a bottom layer, and a filler layer, and where the filler layer is between the top layer and bottom layer, where the top layer, bottom layer and filler layer form a central portion and a plurality of member portions radiating from the central portion,   where the top layer comprises a plush material, wherein the top layer forms an external surface of the child bathing apparatus,   where the bottom layer comprises a breathable mesh material that is slip resistant when it contacts the basin surface,   where the filler layer comprises a fast-drying foam-like material.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the filler layer forms no part of an external surface of the child bathing apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plush material of the top layer is made from 100% polyester. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the water resistant foam-like material is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the breathable mesh, slip resistant material of the bottom layer is a tricot knit fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the top layer, bottom layer, and filler layer of each member are sewn together. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the top layer, filler layer and bottom layer are coupled together to form a laminate structure, where the middle layer is exposed around the perimeter of the structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the top layer, bottom layer, and filler layer of the central portion are sewn together. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the top layer, bottom layer, and filler layer of the central portion are sewn together with sewing lines in the middle of the central portion. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for supporting a child during bathing in a basin, comprising:
 a central portion and a plurality of members, where each member is attached to the central portion, where each member and the central portion comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and a filler layer, and where the filler layer is between the top layer and bottom layer,   where the top layer consists of a plush material,   where the bottom layer consists of a breathable mesh, that is slip resistant when it contacts the basin surface,   where the filler layer consists of a fast-drying foam-like material,   where the top layer forms an external surface of the apparatus, wherein the bottom layer forms an external surface of the apparatus, wherein the filler layer forms no part of an external surface of the child bathing apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the fast-drying foam-like material is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the filler layer consists of an egg-crate like structure formed from a soft thin polymer sheet that provides foam-like properties.