Bilaterally collapsible bathing receptacle

Abstract

A bilaterally collapsible bathing receptacle, comprising a contiguous expanse of a resilient material having a first concavely curved surface and an opposing convexly curved surface, and a hinge extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the expanse. The hinge generally bisects the expanse and defines opposing bilateral halves thereof. The expanse is configured to assume an open, bowl-like configuration in a relaxed state, and when inwardly compressed laterally, flexes along the hinge and places the respective first surfaces of the opposing bilateral halves into confrontation with one another.

1 . A bilaterally collapsible bathing receptacle, comprising:
 a contiguous expanse of a resilient material having a first concavely curved surface and an opposing convexly curved surface; and   a first hinge extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the expanse, wherein:
 the first hinge bisects the expanse and defines opposing bilateral halves thereof, and 
 the expanse is configured to assume an open, bowl-like configuration in a relaxed state, and when inwardly compressed laterally, flexes along the first hinge and places the respective first surfaces of the opposing bilateral halves into confrontation with one another. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the expanse possesses a generally uniform thickness throughout excepting the first hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the expanse is less concavely curved at a central region aligned with the first hinge than at a lateral region lying outwardly relative to the central region. 
     
     
         4 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the expanse is elongate from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more perforations formed though the expanse from the first surface to the second surface proximate a periphery of the expanse.   
     
     
         6 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an ear extending outwardly from one or the other bilateral half of the expanse, the ear including a perforation extending therethrough.   
     
     
         7 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the expanse comprises a closed-cell polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge comprises a linear groove disposed at the second convex surface and extending through a portion of a thickness of the expanse. 
     
     
         9 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge comprises a linear arrangement of two or more perforations disposed between the opposing bilateral halves of the expanse and extending through the expanse from the first surface to the second surface thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material of the expanse comprises either or both of a thermoplastic material and a thermosetting plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 one or more pads affixed to the expanse, wherein the pads comprise a softer material than the material of the expanse.   
     
     
         12 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more pads of a softer material are affixed to the expanse by one or more selected from the group consisting of over-molding, sandwich molding, adhesive bonding, and tabs inserted into perforations in the expanse. 
     
     
         13 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material of the expanse comprises either or both of laminated wood and bamboo. 
     
     
         14 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lip formed along a peripheral edge of the apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second hinge disposed adjacent the first hinge, the first hinge and the second hinge defining a central region of the expanse therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of second hinges extending outwardly from the first hinge, wherein one hinge of the pair of second hinges extends laterally across one of the opposing bilateral halves and toward a periphery thereof, and the other hinge of the pair of second hinges extends laterally across the other of the opposing bilateral halves toward a periphery thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The bathing receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising a pair of third hinges also extending laterally and outwardly from the first hinge, wherein the pair of second hinges is located nearer to a first end of the first hinge than is the pair of third hinges. 
     
     
         18 . A bilaterally collapsible bathing receptacle, comprising:
 a contiguous expanse of a resilient material having a first concavely curved surface and an opposing convexly curved surface; and   a first hinge extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the expanse, wherein:
 the first hinge bisects the expanse and defines opposing bilateral halves thereof, and 
 the expanse is configured to assume a bilaterally collapsed state when relaxed, with the respective first surfaces of the opposing bilateral halves placed in confrontation with one another, and to assume an open, bowl-like state when the opposing bilateral halves are forced outwardly from one another and flex along the first hinge.