INFANT CHANGING COVER

Abstract

An infant changing cover comprising a plurality of pleats, each of the pleats made of impermeable material, each of the pleats foldably arranged adjacent to at least one other pleat, a transparent pleated window embedded within the plurality of pleats, a first support pleat at one end of the cover, and a second support pleat at an opposite end of the cover.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of infant nappy hygiene and diaper changing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable changing cover operatively arranged to provide privacy to an infant or baby being attended to and protection to a caregiver of the infant or baby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Shortly after birth all infants begin defecating. The time nor place at which an infant defecates cannot be predicted by its caregiver. For purposes of hygiene, infants are clothed with diapers (nappies). For interests of infant health, these diapers must be changed quickly after an infant has soiled a diaper. Neither the place nor time where this may occur can be predicted by the infant's caregiver.

[0003] Although the art does acknowledge some of the problems associated with this type of infant care, and provide some solution, the art is silent with respect to solutions to the myriad of issues associated with reliably covering the area above and around an infant during changing.

[0004] One reference relates configuration directed to intercepting urine discharged from an infant during diaper changing, that must itself be affixed to a non/portable mat so as to not move while changing the infant's diaper, including an elastic and binding mechanism for keeping the guard affixed to the infant. The reference provides no coverage over the exposed body of the child, most particularly its genitalia.

[0005] With respect to meeting its purpose, its use is limited, as it must be removed to actually change the infant's diaper, in which time the urine could still be excreted by the infant and soil the changer.

[0006] Another reference is directed to an infant-sized disposable mat directed towards preventing exposure to urine involving a left and right flap which must be folded over the infant while the changer is not directly changing the diaper, folded back during changing--again exposing the changer to urine discharge--at which time the physical body of the infant is completely exposed.

[0007] The drawbacks associated with these inventions stem in particular from the fact that they are not directed primarily to shielding the infant's entire body, while allowing a caregiver adequate space to remove a soiled diaper from the infant, clean the moving and restless infant's genitalia and surrounding area, while still covering the infant's genitalia completely.

[0008] Rather all references, except one (see dome), require the caregiver to remove the cover and replace the cover or portions thereof repeatedly in order to expose the genitalizes of the infant to adequately remove the diaper, clean the child and place a new diaper on it.

[0009] Further, they are cloth or disposable presenting a need for additional work, e.g., laundry, after changing the infant and create a negative impact on the environment due to the extra resource necessary for their cleaning and removal.

[0010] Therefore, a long-felt need exists for a novel portable infant changing cover which allows quick deployment, reliable fixation to a surface, appropriate visibility for the caregiver and the necessary discretion for all participants, be they the infant, caregiver or bystanders during the entire diaper changing process, while being portable and cleanable without undue waste and inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention broadly comprises an infant changing cover comprising an expandable cover, a plurality of attachment fixtures operatively arranged at the edges of the expandable cover, the attachment fixtures are operatively arranged to secure the cover to a surface, and, a transparent section operatively arranged to be centrally disposed on the expandable cover.

[0012] A primary object of the present invention is to provide for a portable infant changing cover which allows quick deployment, reliable fixation to a surface, appropriate visibility for the caregiver and the necessary discretion for all participants, be they the infant, caregiver or bystanders during the entire diaper changing process, while being portable and cleanable without undue waste and inconvenience.

[0013] This and other objects, features and advantage of the present invention will become apparent upon study of the following specification in view of the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in position atop an infant to be changed;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front top perspective view of the infant changing cover shown in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the infant changing cover shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of the infant changing cover shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0020] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "infant" and "baby" are used interchangeably and synonymously in the description of the invention. It should be appreciated that the words "infant" and "baby" are not to be intended to be limiting as to the age of the baby or child served by the present invention.

[0021] It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0023] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefits and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.

[0024] Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

[0025] Portable infant changing cover devices, apparatuses, and methods for positioning portable infant changing covers taped along straight and contoured adherents are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0026] The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

[0027] The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing a preferred embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in position atop an infant 6 to be changed. Cover 10 is shown as comprising a plurality of pleats or foldable sections arranged in an accordion-like manner with each individual pleat hingedly connected to its adjacent neighboring pleat. The cover is made of an impermeable material to protect both the baby and the caregiver. The cover may be made of any suitable impermeable material, such as plastic, for example. In this top view the cover is shown to be substantially rectangular in its shape, although other shapes of the cover are possible. The cover is dimensioned so as to cover at least a portion of the torso, genitalia and upper legs of the baby to be changed.

[0028] To assist the caregiver, in a preferred embodiment, cover 10 may include transparent window 11, permitting a clear view of the genitalia of the baby during changing. Again, this transparent window comprises impermeable transparent material, such as plastic. The window also permits a clear view of a soiled diaper to be changed.

[0029] In order to secure cover 10 for operation, a plurality of attachment fixtures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D are disposed at the ends on the bottom surface of cover 10. Attachment fixtures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D may be suction cups, or any other suitable device to secure cover 10 to a desired surface for changing an infant.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a top front perspective view of the present invention in an open position. Cover 10 is shown with a substantially-centered transparent window 11. Cover 10 further comprises stability pleats 13A and 13B operatively arranged at opposite ends of cover 10. Attachment fixtures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D are secured to the bottom surfaces of stability pleats 13A and 13B located at opposite end pleats of cover 10. Stability pleats 13A and 13B allow a user to open cover 10 from a folded closed position for ease of setup.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a left side view of cover 10 of the present invention in an open position. Transparent window 11 is positioned at the top of cover 10. Attachment fixtures 12A and 12C are arranged on the left end pleat of cover 10. Stability pleat 13A is fixedly secured to left end of cover 10.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of cover 10 shown positioned over infant 6 in a changing position. As seen in this view, cover 10 is generally semi-elliptical in shape when open, although other shapes are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Cover 10 is secured to surface right side 20 and surface left side 21 by way of attachment fixtures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. Attachment fixtures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are disposed on the bottom surface of stability pleats 13A and 13B. Cover 10 further comprises folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V. Folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V are hingedly secured to adjacent pleats. Stability pleat 13A is shown as arranged parallel to surface 20 and hingedly connected to vertical pleat 10A. Stability pleat 13B is shown as arranged parallel to surface 20 and hingedly connected to vertical pleat 10V.

[0033] Folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V are arranged to be folded into a closed position for transportation and expanded when in use. Cover 10 is opened by pulling stability pleats 13A and 13B in opposite directions thereby opening folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V. Cover 10 is secured in a folded closed position by way of a plurality closing mechanisms (not pictured) that may be comprised of magnets, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or any other acceptable closing means. In a preferred embodiment, closing mechanisms of cover 10 are fixedly secured to stability pleats 13A and 13B. In an alternative embodiment, closing mechanisms may be operatively arranged on folding pleats 10A and 10V.

[0034] When in a closed position, folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V are arranged such that the bottom surfaces of pleats 10A and 10B contact one another; the top surfaces of pleats 10B and 10C contact one another; the bottom surfaces of pleats 10C and 10D contact one another; the top surfaces of pleats 10D and 10E contact one another . . . the bottom surfaces of pleats 10U and 10V contact one another. The closing mechanisms of cover 10 maintain a closed and folded position of folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V such that the force of a user pulling folding pleats 10A, and 10V in opposite directions disengages the closing mechanisms. Cover 10 operates in opening and closing in a similar manner as a well-known accordion.

[0035] Folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V of cover 10 made be made of any desired dimensions and shapes to accommodate different size babies and different size changing surfaces. Similarly folding pleats 10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10V may be arranged to form a variety of heights to accommodate babies of different sizes, or to permit additional space for changing the baby.

[0036] While preferred material for elements have been described, the device is not limited by these materials. Wood, plastics, rubber, foam, metal alloy, aluminum and other materials may comprise some or all of the elements of the portable baby diaper changing cover devices and apparatuses in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0038] 6--infant

[0039] 10--cover

[0040] 10A--first folding pleat

[0041] 10B--second folding pleat

[0042] 10C--third folding pleat

[0043] 10D--fourth folding pleat

[0044] 10E--firth folding pleat

[0045] 10F--sixth folding pleat

[0046] 10G--seventh folding pleat

[0047] 10H--eighth folding pleat

[0048] 10I--ninth folding pleat

[0049] 10J--tenth folding pleat

[0050] 10K--eleventh folding pleat

[0051] 10L--twelfth folding pleat

[0052] 10M--thirteenth folding pleat

[0053] 10N--fourteenth folding pleat

[0054] 10O--fifteenth folding pleat

[0055] 10P--sixteenth folding pleat

[0056] 10Q--seventeenth folding pleat

[0057] 10R--eighteenth folding pleat

[0058] 10S--nineteenth folding pleat

[0059] 10T--twentieth folding pleat

[0060] 10U--twenty second folding pleat

[0061] 10V--twenty third folding pleat

[0062] 11--transparent window

[0063] 12A--first attachment fixture

[0064] 12B--second attachment fixture

[0065] 12C--third attachment fixture

[0066] 12D--fourth attachment fixture

[0067] 13A--first support pleat

[0068] 13B--second support pleat

[0069] 20--surface right side

[0070] 21--surface left side

Claims

1. An infant changing cover, comprising: a plurality of pleats, each said pleat made of impermeable material, each said pleat foldably arranged adjacent to at least one other pleat; a transparent pleated window embedded within plurality of pleats; a first support pleat at one end of said cover; and, a second support pleat at an opposite end of said cover.

2. The infant changing cover recited in claim 1 further comprising attachment fixtures operatively arranged to secure said changing cover to a surface.

3. The attachment fixtures recited in claim 2 wherein said attachment fixtures are suction cups.

4. The infant changing cover recited in claim 1 wherein said expandable cover is a non-absorbent material.

5. The infant changing cover recited in claim 1 is comprised of a disposable material.

6. The infant changing cover recited in claim 1 is comprised of a non-disposable material.

7. The infant changing cover recited in claim 1 wherein said expandable cover further comprises a plurality of closing mechanisms operatively arranged to secure said expandable cover in a substantially folded closed arrangement.

8. The infant changing cover recited in claim 7 wherein said closing mechanisms may comprise magnets, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners.

9. An infant changing cover, comprising: a plurality of pleats, each said pleat made of impermeable material, each said pleat foldably arranged adjacent to at least one other pleat; a transparent pleated window embedded within plurality of pleats; a first support pleat at one end of said cover, said first support pleat having at least one suction cup fixedly secured to a bottom surface of said first support pleat; and, a second support pleat at an opposite end of said cover, said second support pleat having at least one suction cup fixedly secured to a bottom surface of said second support pleat.

10. The infant changing cover recited in claim 9 wherein said expandable cover is a non-absorbent material.

11. The infant changing cover recited in claim 9 is comprised of a disposable material.

12. The infant changing cover recited in claim 9 is comprised of a non-disposable material.

13. The infant changing cover recited in claim 9 wherein said expandable cover further comprises a plurality of closing mechanisms operatively arranged to secure said expandable cover in a substantially folded closed arrangement.

14. The infant changing cover recited in claim 10 wherein said plurality of closing mechanism are specifically arranged on said first support pleat and second support pleat.

15. The infant changing cover recited in claim 10 wherein said plurality of closing mechanisms each comprise a magnet.

16. The infant changing cover recited in claim 10 wherein said plurality of closing mechanisms each comprise a snap and button, wherein said snaps of said plurality of closing mechanisms are located on either said first support pleat or said second support pleat, wherein said buttons of said plurality of closing mechanisms are located on either said first support pleat or second support pleat.