Forced air dryer for infant's bottom

• US 6,928,235 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shirley Pollack
• Original Assignee: Shirley Pollack
• Inventors: Pollack, Shirley
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/939,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,443 Days
• Field of Search: 392380-385, 392/409, 392/410, 34/90, 34/91, 34/96, 34/97, 607/96, 607/100, 607/104, 607108-111
• US Class Current: 392/380
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2020/128 involving features of the hand-held hair dryer
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B

Abstract

A forced air dryer designed to dry an infant'"'"'s bottom during the diaper changing process comprises a housing having an end piece designed to reduce skin abrasion, skin heating, and air flow blockage. In one embodiment, the device is powered by a rechargeable electric battery. In another embodiment, the invention is associated with a diaper changing table.

Claims

1. A forced air dryer for drying an infant'"'"'s bottom as part of a diaper changing process, comprising:

a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet;

an electric fan mounted within the housing operative to draw air into the housing through the inlet and force air out of the outlet;

an air heater mounted within the housing;

a rechargeable battery supported in the housing and operative to power the electric fan and the air heater;

a cylindrical tubular foam plastic end piece, connected to the air outlet so as to receive air from the outlet;

an air passage formed through the end piece, laterally to the axis of the cylinder, operative to vent outlet air to the atmosphere at such time as the tubular outlet of the end piece is blocked;

a cradle for removably supporting said housing; and

a source of electric power supported in the cradle for charging the battery.

2. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising a lamp mechanically associated with the housing, so as to illuminate a region to which air is directed.

3. The dryer of claim 1, in which the end piece is detachable.