FOLDABLE BATH

Abstract

FOLDABLE BATHTUB The present invention relates to a bathtub (10) as a container configured to contain water for bathing a baby or child, wherein the bathtub (10) is transportable and foldable, wherein said bathtub comprises one or more perimeter faces (11, 17) with fold lines (12, 14, 16) and flexible edges (13) between said perimeter faces to allow folding, but whose lower face, corresponding to the base, is free of intermediate fold lines and comprises locking elements (18) for blocking the folding of the vertical fold lines (12) of two side faces (11) opposite each other, as well as visual marks (19) indicating the correct positioning of said locking element. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDABLE BATH

[0001] The present invention relates to a transportable and foldable bathtub, which is positioned in the area intended for bathing and opens so that it can be filled with water, at least partially, and to be able to bathe a baby, a child or, in any case, a user corresponding to the final size of the bathtub. Background of the invention

[0002] Transportable and foldable bathtubs allowing positioning in a storage area in the folded (closed) configuration and, at the desired time, positioning in a bathing area in the unfolded (open) configuration, are known and therefore form part of the state of the art.

[0003] These known bathtubs are provided with folding lines at their lower surface, that is to say at their face in contact with the surface of the area intended for making the bath, which allows the bathtub to be folded by joining the two largest side faces and reducing its storage space.

[0004] These state-of-the-art bathtubs have the disadvantage of not benefiting from very great stability in the folded position, when supported by their lower base, these having to be turned so as to rest on their lateral face having a larger contact surface, with the consequent risk of spilling the water remaining inside.

[0005] In the unfolded position and prior to filling, the bathtubs also remain partially unfolded and therefore also unstable.

[0006] A new configuration of a foldable bathtub ensuring correct stability in the folded position, without the need for turning over, and correct opening in the unfolded position, is thus necessary in order to avoid the drawbacks of the known state of the art. Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a foldable bathtub which makes it possible to solve the stated drawbacks, while having other advantages described below.

[0008] In accordance with this objective and in relation to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a foldable bathtub, where said bathtub is formed by a container, configured to contain water and allow a user to bathe therein, said bathtub having one or more perimeter faces provided with folding lines and flexible edges between said perimeter faces, in order to allow folding thereof.

[0009] The present invention is advantageously based on the fact that the bathtub comprises, on at least two first opposite lateral faces, a vertical folding line. starting from the upper edge of said face and dividing, both into diagonal fold lines towards the very angles of said first lateral faces common to the lower face, and into at least one horizontal fold line towards at least one of the second lateral faces, not opposite the first.

[0010] At least one of the second lateral faces included between the first opposite lateral faces comprises a horizontal folding line communicating the folding on this horizontal plane of the first opposite lateral faces with the second lateral face included between them.

[0011] In addition to this configuration, the lower face of the bathtub, corresponding to the base, is free from intermediate fold lines.

[0012] Also advantageously for the present invention, the bathtub comprises, at the edges of the first opposite side faces provided with vertical folding lines, folding locking elements in the form of elements which, in the locked position, prevent the change of position of the two parts of the edge relative to the vertical folding line, and whose alternative positioning on the edge makes it possible to unlock the folding of said first opposite side faces.

[0013] In the locked position, the locking element reveals to the user's view a mark ensuring the correct placement of said locking element, while a different position on the positioning section of the locking element on the edge, other than the effective locking position, causes the secure use mark to be covered by said locking element, in order to reveal a second mark indicating non-recommended use.

[0014] The configuration described advantageously makes it possible to have a foldable bathtub which, in the folded position, has the same main and secure support base as in the unfolded position, thanks to the continuous nature of the lower face forming said base, without fold lines.

[0015] The unfolded position further remains secure and has a stable configuration, thanks to the stiffening of the upper edges of the first side faces by the locking elements, keeping them on the same axis and, consequently, maintaining the final unfolded position without the need to fill the bathtub with water.

[0016] Another advantage obtained thanks to the advantageous configuration of this invention is that of having elements indicating the correct state of use, that is to say, the position of the locking elements in their unfolded use position or folded storage position, in order to guarantee that the user is aware of the recommendation or not for its use in said position of the locking elements.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first opposite side faces, provided with vertical fold lines, are the smaller side faces, while the second side faces are the larger side faces. As can be understood, variations in these positions do not alter the operation or the advantageous configuration principle of this invention.

[0018] According to one possibility of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking elements are configured to remain coupled to the edge in a sliding manner along the latter, said edge constituting the guide for movement of the locking element and placing the rigid body of said locking element in the locking position itself, on either side of the vertical folding line.

[0019] This configuration makes it possible to fix the locking elements in a coupled and mobile manner, preferably by clipped interlocking, on the edges of the first lateral faces, thus avoiding their loss in the case of easily removable elements. Easy placement of said locking element and effective retention of the position of the two parts of the edge on the same axis are also obtained, the rigid body forming said locking element being positioned on either side of the vertical folding line, in the locking position. This makes it possible to stiffen the junction of the two parts of the edge of the first lateral face at their point of junction with the vertical folding line, without allowing these two parts of the edge to pivot at the start of this vertical folding line.

[0020] Also preferably, although optionally, the first opposite side faces, provided with vertical folding lines, each comprise an opening as a handle, dividing the corresponding vertical folding line into two parts.

[0021] This configuration makes it possible to have elements for gripping the bathtub, which facilitate its transport and placement in the position of use.

[0022] Specifically to the previous embodiment, the opening as a handle comprises a gripping perimeter provided with fold lines in correspondence with the vertical fold line. This allows the effective folding of this first lateral face, although the fold line remains divided by the positioning thereon of said opening with gripping perimeter. This gripping perimeter is configured with a curved, or at least non-thin, edge in order to avoid the incidence of a thin profile on the hand of the user placing the bathtub. This gripping perimeter may be made of a material different from that of the face of the bathtub itself or of a protective coating of the edges, in order to avoid said incidence of these edges. These coatings of the incident edges are found at the level of the entire bathtub and the gripping opening, whether they are the edges of the fold lines or the free edges of the faces of the bathtub itself.

[0023] According to another possible embodiment complementary to the previous ones, the bathtub comprises a fixed assembly for the folded position, formed by a retaining element on which is fixed an element which can be anchored on the retaining element, each being located on each of the faces or edges corresponding to the external faces and / or edges of the folded assembly to allow its packaging.

[0024] This assembly consisting of a retaining element and its anchoring element thereon, makes it possible to ensure a folding position which, without which, would have a tendency to partially unfold. Brief description of the figures

[0025] In order to facilitate understanding of what has been explained, attached are drawings representing, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment.

[0026] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a top and side perspective view of the bathtub in the unfolded / open position.

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a bottom and side perspective view of the bathtub in unfolded / open position.

[0028] [Fig.3a] [Fig.3a] and [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] are two views of the bathtub in the folded / closed position. [Fig.3a] is a side view and [Fig.3b] is a detail of the retaining area in the folded position.

[0029] Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bathtub (10) is formed by a prism-shaped receptacle with a rectangular base open at its upper face, configured to be able to contain water inside, without leaks between its faces.

[0031] The bathtub (10) of the present invention is foldable in the up-down direction, by folding the larger side face, one of the second side faces (17), onto the lower face or base, while maintaining the lower face (21) as the base, without intermediate divisions or fold lines.

[0032] For this purpose, the bathtub (10) comprises two first opposite side faces (11), namely the smaller faces in the present preferred embodiment, which have a vertical fold line (12) starting from the very upper edge (13) of said face (11), said vertical fold line (12) then dividing into two diagonal fold lines (14) provided with fold lines towards the corners of said first side faces (11) which they share with the lower face (21). The vertical fold lines of each of the first side faces (11) also divide, at the same point, into a horizontal fold line (16) which extends until it coincides with another horizontal fold line (16) on one of the second side faces (17), namely the larger side faces in the present embodiment.

[0033] This configuration allows the desired folding of one of the larger side faces onto the corresponding face of the base and allows a stable folding to be obtained on the lower face (21), without the need to turn the bathtub itself (10). To maintain this folded position, a retaining element (24.1) is provided, in the form of a hook or the like, at the edge of the face remaining above the folding, to which is fixed an element (24.2) which can be anchored to said retaining element (24.1), fixed to the opposite edge of the lower face (21) to allow it to be packed in the folded position.

[0034] The bathtub is provided with an opening (22) on each of the first side faces (11), as a handle or grip allowing correct and practical transport, these openings being located so as to divide the vertical folding lines (12). These openings (22) comprise a gripping perimeter (23) provided with folding lines (24) in correspondence with the vertical folding line (12).

[0035] To prevent it from folding, the bathtub (10) comprises locking elements (18) at the edges (13) of the first side faces (11), fixed on these (13) so as to be able to be moved. This allows the locking element (18) to be positioned in different positions without it coming out of said edge (13), thus avoiding losing it or having to replace it on the latter after unfolding.

[0036] The locking element is a rigid element whose shape is configured so as to be able to slide along the edge (13), used as a guide. The edges (13) of the first lateral faces (11) are divided by the corresponding vertical folding lines (12), which allows pivoting relative to said folding line (12). The bathtub (10) in the unfolded position, the locking element (18) is thus located with its rigid body on either side of said vertical folding line (12), stiffening the edge (13) and maintaining its two sections on the same axis.

[0037] For folding the bathtub (10), the locking element (18) is slid over the edge (13) to a position where the body of the locking element (18) is located only on one of the two portions of said edge (13), thus allowing the face (11) to be folded.

[0038] To determine whether the locking element (18) is in the correct position and whether the use of the bathtub (10) is therefore recommended in this position, a first (19) and a second (20) mark are provided, one or the other appearing alternately to the user, depending on the position of the locking element (18). In the effective locking position, the locking element holding the edge (13) with its two sections on the same axis without the possibility of folding, the locking element (18) reveals the first mark (19) ensuring the correct placement said locking element and the proper preparation of the bathtub (10) for use without the risk of accidental folding. In a position different from the previous effective locking, the locking element having slid over the edge (13) has a second mark (20) indicating that the position is not safe for its use and that its use for bathing is therefore not recommended.

[0039] All of the folding edges and the edges of the gripping perimeter are at least configured in a material different from that of the face of the bathtub itself or in a protective coating of the edges, in order to avoid the impact of these edges on the user who handles it or takes the bath.

[0040] Although reference has been made to a concrete embodiment of the invention, it is obvious to an expert in the field that the bathtub described can be subject to numerous modifications and variations, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Claims - Foldable bathtub, wherein said bathtub is formed by a container configured to contain water and allow a user to bathe therein, said bathtub having one or more perimeter faces provided with fold lines and flexible edges between said perimeter faces, in order to allow folding thereof, characterized in that the bathtub (10) comprises, on at least two first opposite lateral faces (11), a vertical fold line (12) starting from the upper edge (13) of said face and dividing, both into diagonal fold lines (14) towards the very corners (15) of said first lateral faces (11) common to the lower face (21), and into at least one horizontal fold line (16) towards at least one of the second lateral faces (17), not opposite the first (11); where at least one of the second lateral faces (17) between the first opposite lateral faces (11) comprises a horizontal folding line (16) communicating the folding on this horizontal plane of the first opposite lateral faces (11) with the second lateral face (17) between them (11); where the inner face (21) of the tub (10), corresponding to the base, is free from intermediate fold lines; wherein the tub (10) comprises, at the edges (13) of the first opposite side faces (11) provided with vertical folding lines (12), folding locking elements (18) in the form of elements which, in the locked position, prevent the change of position of the two parts of the edge (13) relative to the vertical folding line (12), and whose (18) alternative positioning on the edge (13) makes it possible to unlock the folding of said first opposite side faces (11); and where in the locking position, the locking element (18) reveals to the user a first mark (19) ensuring the correct placement of said locking element (18), while a different position on the positioning section of the locking element (18) on the edge (13), other than the effective locking position, results in the covering of the first mark (19) of secure use by said locking element, in order to reveal a second mark (20) indicating non-recommended use.

2. - Foldable bathtub, according to claim 1, wherein the first opposite side faces (11), provided with vertical folding lines (12), are the smaller side faces, while the second side faces (17) are the larger side faces.

3. - Foldable bathtub, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking elements (18) are configured to remain coupled to the edge (13) in a sliding manner along the latter, said edge (13) constituting the guide for movement of the locking element (18) and placing the rigid body of said locking element in the locking position itself, on either side of the vertical folding line (12).

4. - Foldable bathtub, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first opposite side faces (11), provided with vertical folding lines (12), each comprise an opening (22) as a handle, dividing the corresponding vertical folding line (12) into two parts.

5. - A foldable bathtub, according to claim 4, wherein the opening (22) comprises a gripping perimeter (23) provided with fold lines (24) in correspondence with the vertical fold line (12).

6. - Foldable bathtub, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bathtub (10) comprises a folded position fixing assembly, formed by a retaining element (24.1) on which is fixed an element capable of being anchored (24.2) on the retaining element (24.1), each of which is located on each of the faces or edges corresponding to the outer faces and / or edges of the folded assembly to allow its packaging.

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