Self-inflating changing pad

Abstract

A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad includes an open-cell foam cushion unit; a flexible, airtight cover enclosing the cushion unit; and a self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating between the exterior and interior of the cover. The valve is operable to inflate and deflate the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open and the cushion unit is collapsed, the cushion unit is expanded by the flow of air into the valve in response to the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the cover. To collapse the changing pad, the valve is opened, allowing air to escape from the cushion unit as the changing pad is rolled into a substantially cylindrical configuration. The valve is then closed to maintain the changing pad in this collapsed state. To restore the changing pad to its inflated state, the valve is opened, whereby the elastic expansion of the foam material creates a pressure differential with respect to the atmospheric pressure, causing air to flow into the foam material, until the cushion unit is fully expanded.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: 
 an open-cell cushion unit;    a flexible, airtight retaining cover enclosing the cushion unit; and    a self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating between the exterior of the cover and the interior of the cover, and selectively openable to allow the inflation and deflation of the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open, the cushion unit may be collapsed from an inflated configuration into a collapsed configuration by the outflow of air from the cushion unit through the valve, and whereby the cushion unit may expanded from the collapsed configuration to the inflated configuration by the inflow of air through the valve in response to the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the cover.    
     
     
         2 . The changing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion unit comprises a base element and a perimeter bolster.  
     
     
         3 . The changing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further comprises: 
 a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom surface sides; and    a fastener on the second end of each of the straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the fasteners.    
     
     
         4 . The changing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid material on the bottom surface.  
     
     
         5 . The changing pad of  claim 1 , wherein the pad, in its collapsed configuration, may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         6 . The changing pad of  claim 2 , wherein the base element is substantially rectangular with a pair of opposed sides, and wherein the perimeter bolster comprises a side bolster extending along each of the opposed sides.  
     
     
         7 . A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: 
 an open-cell foam cushion unit comprising a base element having a pair of opposed side bolsters, wherein the base element and the side bolsters are formed as an integral structure;    a flexible, airtight, water-resistant retaining cover enclosing the cushion unit; and    a self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating between the exterior of the cover and the interior of the cover, and selectively openable to allow the inflation and deflation of the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open, the cushion unti may be collapsed from an inflated configuration into a collapsed configuration by the outflow of air from the cushion unit through the valve, and whereby the cushion unit may expanded from the collapsed configuration to the inflated configuration by the inflow of air through the valve in response to the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the cover;    whereby the pad, in its collapsed configuration, may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape.    
     
     
         8 . The changing pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further comprises: 
 a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom surface sides; and    a fastener on the second end of each of the straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the fasteners.    
     
     
         9 . The changing pad of  claim 7 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid material on the bottom surface.  
     
     
         10 . A self-inflating, collapsible changing pad, comprising: 
 an open-cell foam cushion unit;    a flexible, airtight retaining cover enclosing the cushion unit; and    a self-inflation valve situated in the cover and communicating between the exterior of the cover and the interior of the cover, and selectively openable to allow the inflation and deflation of the cushion unit, whereby, when the valve is open, the cushion unit may be collapsed from an inflated configuration into a collapsed configuration by the outflow of air from the cushion unit through the valve, and whereby the cushion unit may expanded from the collapsed configuration to the inflated configuration by the inflow of air through the valve in response to the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the cover;    wherein the valve comprises: 
 a tubular body that extends from an inner end inside the cover to an outer portion extending beyond the surface of the cover, and defining a valve passage having an outer opening; and  
 a valve cover operably engaging the outer portion of the valve body over the outer opening of the valve passage, the valve cover including a plurality of vents that are radially aligned with the outer end of the valve body;  
 wherein the valve cover is movable in a first direction relative to the valve body to a closed position in which the vents are closed against the outer end of the valve body, thereby closing the valve passage to the atmosphere, and in a second direction relative to the valve body to an open position in which the vents are spaced away from the end of the valve body, thereby opening the valve passage to the atmosphere through the vents.  
   
     
     
         11 . The changing pad of  claim 10 , wherein the cushion unit comprises a base element and a perimeter bolster.  
     
     
         12 . The changing pad of  claim 10 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface with opposed sides, and wherein the changing pad further comprises: 
 a pair of straps, each of which has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to one of the bottom surface sides; and    a fastener on the second end of each of the straps, whereby the straps are fastenable together by the fasteners.    
     
     
         13 . The changing pad of  claim 10 , wherein the cover has a bottom surface, and wherein the pad further comprises a sheet of non-skid material on the bottom surface.  
     
     
         14 . The changing pad of  claim 10 , wherein the pad, in its collapsed configuration, may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         15 . The changing pad of  claim 11 , wherein the base element is substantially rectangular with a pair of opposed sides, and wherein the perimeter bolster comprises a side bolster extending along each of the opposed sides.