U.S. patent application number 11/362853 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for user-expandable changing pad.
This patent application is currently assigned to Skip-Hop, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ellen D. Diamant, Sarah Galvan, John V. Zambrzycki.
Application Number | 20070199150 11/362853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38080958 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diamant; Ellen D. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
User-expandable changing pad
Abstract
The invention provides a user-expandable changing pad wherein a
user may removably attach one or more sections, each section of
which may contain one or more segments, each segment of which may
have one or more pockets or other mechanisms for securing useful
items. The user-expandable changing pad may be securely closed with
and without any removably attachable sections, and two or more
removably attachable sections may be securely closed to one
another.
Inventors: |
Diamant; Ellen D.; (US)
; Galvan; Sarah; (US) ; Zambrzycki; John V.;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John Zambrzycki
1123 King Street
Redwood City
CA
94061
US
|
Assignee: |
Skip-Hop, Inc.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
38080958 |
Appl. No.: |
11/362853 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ;
5/420 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 ;
005/420 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/06 20060101
A47G009/06 |
Claims
1. A user-expandable changing pad comprising a changing pad,
wherein at least one additional section can be removably attached
to said changing pad by the user.
2. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least
one first and at least one other removably attachable section can
be removably attached.
3. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 2 wherein said first
and said other sections are different.
4. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 2 wherein said first
and said other sections are the same.
5. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said one
additional removably attachable section comprises at least one
segment.
6. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said one
additional removably attachable section comprises at least two
segments.
7. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least
two sections can be independently removably attached.
8. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least
one area of said changing pad includes padding.
9. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 8 wherein the padded
area supports the child's head.
10. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein at least
one segment of said removably attachable section has at least one
pocket.
11. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at
least one pocket is secured to the outside surface of said
removably attachable section.
12. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein at least
one portion of said at least one pocket comprises mesh.
13. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein at least
one portion of said at least one pocket comprises a solid opaque
material.
14. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at
least one pocket can be releasable sealed.
15. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 10 wherein said at
least one pocket contains additional components for securing
articles within said pocket.
16. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at
least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one
zipper.
17. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at
least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one
piece of Velcro.
18. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at
least one removably attachable section is affixed via at least one
snap.
19. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the
changing pad, including its padded section, has a thickness of
approximately one inch when folded.
20. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said at
least one removably attachable section has a thickness between one
and two inches when folded.
21. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the
changing pad, including its padded section, and further including
at least one removably attachable section, has a thickness between
two and four inches when folded.
22. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein said
changing pad can be securely closed without any removably
attachable sections.
23. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein the set
comprising said changing pad and at least one removably attachable
section can be securely closed.
24. A user-expandable changing pad as in claim 1 wherein a set of
at least two removably attachable sections, affixed to one another,
can be securely closed without requiring said set to be affixed to
said changing pad. 7.1.2 Second Aspect
25. A changing pad wherein only at least one area of at least one
portion includes padding.
26. A changing pad as in claim 25 wherein the padded area supports
the child's head. 7.1.3 Third Aspect
27. A device for changing the inner and/or outer garments of a
child, comprising a changing pad and at least one section
permanently attached to said changing pad, wherein said at least
one section has at least one segment, and said at least one segment
has at least one pocket, and said changing pad comprises a top
portion, a center portion, a bottom portion, and left and right
side portions, wherein said device when folded in such a fashion as
to have at least one of its folded dimensions being approximately
1/3 the longest dimension of said changing pad's central portion,
has an overall thickness of between two and four inches.
28. A device as in claim 27 wherein at least one of said pockets
contains at least one container for holding elements essential for
changing the garments of a child and/or said elements themselves
without a container.
29. A device as in claim 27 wherein at least one area of said
changing pad includes padding.
30. A device as in claim 27 wherein the padded area supports the
child's head.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates in general to devices designed for
the purpose of carrying items necessary for the care of infants,
and in particular to an improvement on the design, organization,
ease of carrying, and usefulness of changing pads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generic changing pads are well known in the art. In general,
a changing pad is acts as a barrier between a child and another
surface, the goal being to protect the child from a potentially
rough surface or from any irritants or infectious agents that may
exist on the surface, or conversely, protecting the surface from
any potential runoff from the infant.
[0003] Some changing pads incorporate multiple types of materials
on different surfaces in order to achieve these different uses. For
example, the interior surface may comprise a soft, flexible, but
waterproof material which overlays a thin piece of padding, while
the exterior surface may comprise a heavy tear-resistant waterproof
membrane.
[0004] The singular characteristic of all of the prior types of
changing pads is the fact that they are not designed to hold or
carry anything. These older styles of changing pads are stand-alone
items, which by necessity require that be carried within a large
item, such as a diaper bag. This diaper bag is further designed to
hold not only the changing pad, but all of the other essentials for
changing the diapers of a child, such as the diapers, wipes,
lotions, etc. In addition to this, most diaper bags further allow
for the a carrying of changes of clothing, bottles, food, toys and
other items of interest to the child. As such, these diaper bags
become overly large and cumbersome.
[0005] Thus, what is required is a changing pad that can be
augmented with additional sections which will allow a care giver
access to only those items which are required in order to change
the diaper and/or clothing of a child. In this fashion, the
changing pad, even including these additional sections, remains a
more simple, compact structure, more easily transported, by itself
or inside of a larger container, while insuring that the essential
components for changing the child are always readily available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention comprises several general aspects. Each of
those can if desired be combined with additional features,
including features disclosed and/or not disclosed herein, the
resultant combinations representing more detailed optional
embodiments of these aspects.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for
both changing a child's garments and for transporting items
essential or useful for changing a child's garments, comprising a
user-expandable changing pad wherein said changing pad is of a size
suitable for containing a child while in the act of changing the
attire of the child, and wherein at least one additional section
may be removably attached to said changing pad. Said additional
section(s) may contain diapers, clothes, washing material, etc., or
may be used by the parent to carry other items such as a cell
phone, wallet, etc.
[0008] In various embodiments of this aspect at least one first and
at least one other removably attachable sections may be removably
attached. Said at least one first and at least one other removably
attachable sections may be attached to said changing pad at the
same time or in sequence. Further, said first and said other
section(s) may be independently attached and detached from said
changing pad. In various forms of these embodiments, said first and
said other section(s) may be different or may be the same. In other
forms of these embodiments, the removably attachable sections may
have at least one segment or may have at least two segments.
[0009] In another embodiment, the user-expandable changing pad may
comprise at least one area of padding. In certain forms of this
embodiment, the padded area is configured to support the child's
head.
[0010] In still other embodiments, at least one segment of said
removably attachable section may have at least one pocket. In
various forms of this embodiment, the pocket may be either internal
to said section or secured to an external surface of said section.
In various other forms, at least one portion of said pocket may
comprise mesh or a solid, opaque material. In still other forms,
said pocket may be releasable sealed. In yet other forms, said
pocket may comprise means for securing articles within said
pocket.
[0011] In another embodiment, said at least one removably
attachable section may be affixed via at least one zipper, at least
one Velcro segment, and/or at least one snap, or some combination
of zipper(s), Velcro segment(s) and/or snap(s).
[0012] In various embodiments, the user-expandable changing pad,
including its padded section, may have a thickness of approximately
one inch when folded. In related embodiments, at least one
removably attachable section may have a thickness between one and
two inches when folded. In still other related embodiments, the
combination of a user-expandable changing pad and at least one
removably attachable section may have an overall thickness of
between two inches and four inches when folded. In certain forms of
these embodiments, the folded thickness further includes materials
contained within the removably attachable sections.
[0013] In yet other embodiments, the user-expandable changing pad
may be securely closed without attaching any removably attachable
sections, or with at least one removably attachable section
affixed. In some related embodiments, a set of at least two
removably attachable sections, affixed to one another, can be
securely closed without requiring said set to be affixed to said
changing pad.
[0014] A second aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for
changing a child's inner and/or outer garments comprising a
changing pad wherein only at least one area of at least one portion
includes padding. In one embodiment of this aspect, the padded area
is positioned so as to support a child's head.
[0015] A third aspect of the invention is an apparatus useful for
changing a child's inner and/or outer garments comprising a
changing pad and at least one section permanently attached to said
changing pad, wherein said at least one section has at least one
segment, and said at least one segment has at least one pocket, and
said changing pad comprises a top portion, a center portion, a
bottom portion, and left and right side portions, wherein said
device when folded in such a fashion as to have at least one of its
folded dimensions being approximately 1/3 the longest dimension of
said changing pad's central portion, may have an overall thickness
of between two and four inches. In one embodiment of this third
aspect at least one of said pockets may be configured to contain at
least one container for holding elements essential for changing the
garments of a child and/or said elements themselves without a
container. In another embodiment only at least one area of at least
one portion of said changing pad may include padding. In a related
embodiment, the padded area may be positioned so as to support a
child's head.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The following discussion of advantages is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, nor to suggest that every form of
the invention will have all of the following advantages. As will be
seen from the remainder of this disclosure, the present invention
provides a variety of features. These can be used in different
combinations. The different combinations are referred to as
embodiments. Most embodiments will not include all of the disclosed
features. Some simple embodiments can include a very limited
selection of these features. Those embodiments may have only one or
a few of the advantages described below. Other preferred
embodiments will combine more of these features, and will reflect
more of the following advantages. Particularly preferred
embodiments, that incorporate many of these features, will have
most if not all of these advantages. Moreover, additional
advantages, not disclosed herein, that are inherent in certain
embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those who
practice or carefully consider the invention.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects of the invention are
achieved by the apparatus described herein which overcome problems
inherent in traditional changing pads and associated carrying
devices. Those problems include either no padding or too much
padding, no seamless assembly for carrying items necessary for
changing the child, and no way to conveniently vary the amount of
or type of items able to be carried along with the changing
pad.
[0018] Thus, when compared to other changing pads the
user-expandable changing pad offers several new and important
advantages. The advantages offered by the various embodiments of
this invention include: [0019] Partial padding. Traditional
changing pads have either no padding (or no substantial padding),
or are completely padded. These extremes cause either of two
problems: those with no or limited padding transfer the surface
features of any object through to the child; those with too much
padding are too bulky to transport conveniently. [0020] Removably
attachable sections. Changing pads in and of themselves only solve
one problem, that of preventing the child from exposure to a
potentially unclean surface. They fail to resolve the problem of
having the necessary items readily available when needed, or of
being able to include only those items that are required. [0021]
Included pockets. A removable section by itself is made more useful
with various methods of holding and securing the items required.
[0022] Multiple connection methods. Different types of removably
attachable sections are made more useful by being of different
sizes, dimensions, etc. In order to insure that these different
sections can be attached to the changing pad and/or to each other,
various connection methods are incorporated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] 6.1 FIGS. 1-3
[0023] FIG. 1 through 3 detail variations on a basic changing pad
110, comprising a top portion 111, central portion 112, bottom
portion 113 and two side portions 114, where the bottom, top and
side portions fold along a line comprising the edges of the central
portion. In FIG. 1, the two side portions are rectangular, while in
FIG. 2 the side portions trapezoidal in nature.
[0024] In FIG. 3, the entire changing pad 110 is rectangular in
shape, although it too comprises a top 111, central 112, bottom
113, and side portions 114. However, the various portions are
seamlessly interconnected. As such, the folding mechanics have
changed, requiring that the various portions partially overlay one
another along their joint diagonal seams when folded.
[0025] It should be noted that several other combinations and/or
variations on these basic patterns will be obvious to those skilled
in the art.
6.2 FIGS. 4-6
[0026] FIGS. 4 through 6 demonstrate various configurations for
attaching a removably attachable section 120 to the user-expandable
changing pad 110. Although shown only with a changing pad with
rectangular portions, any style of changing pad previously
detailed, and other obvious combinations/variations on these styles
could be used.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to a side portion 114.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113.
6.3 FIGS. 7-13
[0030] FIGS. 7 through 13 display various configurations for
attaching a first removably attachable section 120 and at least one
other removably attachable section 121 to a use-expandable changing
pad 110. The two removably attachable sections can be affixed to at
least two separate portions of the changing pad, or can be affixed
to each other and one portion of the changing pad. As previously
noted, although not shown, any style of changing pad could be
substituted for the pad shown. Additionally, although not shown,
the order of attachment of the first and the at least one other
removably attachable sections could be swapped/reversed without
changing the intent of these specific embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least
one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to the bottom
portion 113.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least
one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to a side
portion 114.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113 and at
least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to a side
portion 114.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to one side portion 114 and at least
one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to the other
side portion 114.
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the top portion 111 and at least
one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said first
removably attachable section 120.
[0036] FIG. 12 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to the bottom portion 113 and at
least one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said
first removably attachable section 120.
[0037] FIG. 13 shows a changing pad 110 with a first removably
attachable section 120 affixed to a side portion 114 and at least
one other removably attachable section 121 affixed to said first
removably attachable section 120.
6.4 FIGS. 14-17
[0038] FIGS. 14 through 17 display side and top views of a changing
pad showing an area that has been enhanced with extra padding in
the section which would support the child's head. The physical link
between the top 111 and center 112 portions may be altered to
enable the top portion to fold either backwards or forwards.
[0039] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a top and side view of the changing
pad's top 111 and center 112 portions, where the top portion
further contains a padded portion 130.
[0040] FIGS. 16 and 17 show a top and side view of the changing
pad's top 111 and center 112 portions, where the top portion and a
section of the center portion further contain a padded portion
130.
6.5 FIGS. 18-21
[0041] FIGS. 18 and 21 detail various locations and types of
pockets 140, 141 and/or 142 attached to or integral to a removably
attachable section 120.
[0042] In FIG. 18 a pocket 140 is integral to a removably
attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket
is located perpendicular to the long axis of the removably
attachable section.
[0043] In FIG. 19 a pocket 140 is attached to a removably
attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket
is located parallel to the long axis of the removably attachable
section.
[0044] In FIG. 20 a mesh pocket 141 is attached to a removably
attachable section 120. In this instance, the opening to the pocket
is located parallel to the long axis of the removably attachable
section.
[0045] FIG. 21 details a multi-segment removably attachable section
120. In this instance, the first segment contains an internal
resealable pocket 142, and the second segment contains two pockets,
a smaller external mesh pocket 141, and a larger external
transparent pocket 143.
6.6 FIGS. 22-26
[0046] FIGS. 22 through 26 detail top views of one of the many
possible transitions from open to closed for the use-expandable
changing pad 110.
[0047] FIG. 22 starts with the changing pad in the fully open
position. In FIG. 23, the side portions 114 are closed over the
center portion 112. Then in FIG. 24 the top 111 and bottom 113
portions are closed over center portion 112. Finally, FIG. 25 shows
the center portion 112 having been folded over onto itself, in this
instance at approximately 1/3 of the way from its top and
bottom.
[0048] FIG. 26 shows a side view of FIG. 25, detailing the locking
mechanism 160 which is then used to maintain the changing pad in
its closed position.
6.7 FIGS. 27-29
[0049] FIGS. 27 through 29 detail side views of some of the various
securely folded configurations of user-expandable changing pads 110
with one or more removably attachable sections 120, and 120 and
121, along with a locking mechanism 160.
[0050] In FIG. 27, a single removably attachable section 120 is
enclosed within the folded user-expandable changing pad 110.
[0051] In FIG. 28, a first 120 and a second 121 removably
attachable section are enclosed within the folded user-expandable
changing pad 110.
[0052] In FIG. 29, a first 120 and a second 121 removably
attachable section are external to the folded user-expandable
changing pad 110, but are sealed by the locking mechanism 160.
6.8 FIG. 30
[0053] FIG. 30 details the ability of at least two removably
attachable sections 120, 121, to be securely folded using a locking
mechanism 160 independently of their attachment of to a
user-expandable changing pad 110.
* * * * *