Portable diaper changing pad

Abstract

A portable, foldable, and machine-washable diaper changing pad which provides a sanitary area to change a baby or toddler in public restrooms is a single rectangular pad composed of several layers. The pad is sized so that, when folded, it is approximately the size of a small to medium-sized handbag. When unfolded, the top layer upon which the child rests is made of an impermeable material (e.g. vinyl) that is easy to clean. One end of the pad has an internal pocket which is sized to hold clean diapers, baby wipes, or other related accessories. A loop handle is attached to one side of the pad which allows the folded pad to be hung from a stroller, handbag, or other suitable location. The portable diaper changing pad is designed for one-handed use; that is, by a person who is assumed to be holding a child with the other hand.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 020,824 filed on Jan. 14, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Parents of newborn infants and toddlers routinely face a daunting logistical challenge; namely, how to easily carry the child, along with spare diapers and associated accessories such as baby wipes, through often-crowded public places such as shopping malls, airports, and grocery stores. In spite of the proliferation of baby changing stations in public restrooms, parents are still faced with the problem of locating a clean, soft, sanitary surface on which to change the diapers of a child. Therefore, there is a need for a portable diaper changing pad that is machine-washable and can be used on any surface; e.g. car, grass at a park, airplane, or other inconven...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention is distinguishable from the prior art because it contains features specifically configured to allow one-handed operation. It is also larger than prior art diaper changing pads, allowing use with both small newborns and larger toddlers. This makes it more cost-effective than prior art pads because parents can use it from infancy until the child is potty trained. The pad is composed of three rectangular layers-inside, middle, and outside-sewn together using Extra Wide Double Folded Bias Tape. The inside layer, upon which the child rests during changing, is made of a water-impermeable material such as vinyl or plastic. A middle layer is made of batting (usually 100% machine-washable polyester), and the outside layer, which is on the outside when the pad is folded, is made of a machine-washable soft material, such as chenille or fleece fabric. A loop handle with a side-release buckle is attached near one corner of the rectangular pad which allows the parent to easily carry the pad. The loop handle with side-release buckle makes it easy for a parent to carry the pad around her wrist or clip it onto her stroller or diaper bag. Finally, a fastening strap allows the pad to be quickly unrolled using only one hand. An internal pocket is located between the layers at one end of the pad. This pocket is sized so that diapers, baby wipes, and other associated accessories can be easily carried and reached with one hand while the child is being changed.

Problems solved by technology

Parents of newborn infants and toddlers routinely face a daunting logistical challenge; namely, how to easily carry the child, along with spare diapers and associated accessories such as baby wipes, through often-crowded public places such as shopping malls, airports, and grocery stores.

In spite of the proliferation of baby changing stations in public restrooms, parents are still faced with the problem of locating a clean, soft, sanitary surface on which to change the diapers of a child.

Another problem is that one parent often changes the child's diapers alone because many baby changing stations are located in gender-segregated bathrooms.

This presents a challenge for the parent, who usually has to secure the child on the changing surface with one hand, leaving only one hand free to reach for spare diapers, baby wipes and other items.

These prior art devices do not allow a parent to easily use them with one hand.

This usually requires the parent to use both hands and leave the child momentarily unattended.

Moreover, searching in a diaper bag for the necessary products to change a diaper is inconvenient.

Another problem not addressed by the prior art is the size of the diaper changing pad.

For example, the diaper changing pad claimed by Telegadis is not large enough for toddlers (as opposed to infants) to be changed on the pad.

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