Diaper changing apparatus and methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for changing diapers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bag member partially enclosing an interior region and an outer surface having at least one first securing member formed thereon. A changing mat is operatively coupled to the outer surface and has at least one second securing member formed thereon. The changing mat is deployable between a closed position wherein the first and second securing members are engageable and the changing mat occupies a stowed position proximate to the outer surface of the bag member, and an open position wherein the changing mat is unfolded to provide an elongated changing surface. The bag member remains substantially unchanged during deployment of the changing mat between the open and closed positions.

1 . A diaper changing assembly, comprising: 
 a bag member partially enclosing an interior region and forming an access opening leading thereto, the bag member including an outer surface having at least one first securing member formed thereon and a bottom portion positioned opposite from the access opening; and    a changing mat operatively coupled to the outer surface and having at least one second securing member formed thereon, the changing mat being foldable into a plurality of portions such that in a closed position, the plurality of portions are positionable proximate the outer surface and the first and second securing members are engageable with the changing mat occupying a stowed position external to the bag member, and in an open position the plurality of portions may be unfolded to provide an elongated changing surface, the bag member being adapted such that the bottom portion remains engaged with the support surface, the interior region remains substantially accessible through the access opening, and the bag member remains substantially unchanged during articulation of the changing mat between the open and closed positions.    
   
   
       2 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bag member includes first and second side panels and a handle coupled to at least one of the first and second panels.  
   
   
       3 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bag member includes one or more storage compartments coupled to the outer surface.  
   
   
       4 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bag member includes a substantially rectangular member having first and second side panels, opposing end panels, and a bottom panel coupled to the first and second side panels and the opposing end panels, the bottom panel comprising the bottom portion.  
   
   
       5 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the changing mat is removably coupled to the bag member.  
   
   
       6 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the changing mat is removably coupled to the bag member using a zipper.  
   
   
       7 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the changing mat is a tri-panel member.  
   
   
       8 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the changing mat includes a compartmentless exterior surface.  
   
   
       9 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the changing mat includes an inner layer of padding material substantially surrounded by an outer, durable layer.  
   
   
       10 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the changing mat includes a pillow member disposed therein.  
   
   
       11 . A diaper changing assembly, comprising: 
 a bag member having at least two side panels that substantially enclose an interior region and at least partially form an access opening leading thereto, the bag member including an outer surface having at least one first securing member formed on one of the side panels and a bottom portion positioned opposite from the access opening; and    a changing mat removably coupled to the outer surface of the one of the side panels, the changing mat having a compartmentless exterior surface and having at least one second securing member formed thereon and engageable with the first securing member, the changing mat being foldable into a closed position such that the changing mat is stowed proximate the one of the side panels and the first and second securing members are engageable, the changing mat further being unfoldable into an open position to form an elongated changing surface, the bag member being adapted such that the bottom portion remains engaged with the support surface, the interior region remains substantially accessible through the access opening, and the bag member remains substantially unchanged during articulation of the changing mat between the open and closed positions.    
   
   
       12 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bag member includes one or more storage compartments coupled to the outer surface.  
   
   
       13 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the bag member includes a substantially rectangular member having opposing end panels coupled between the first and second side panels, and a bottom panel coupled to the end panels and to the side panels, the bottom panel comprising the bottom portion and substantially enclosing a lower end of the interior region.  
   
   
       14 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the changing mat is removably coupled to the bag member using a zipper.  
   
   
       15 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the changing mat includes an inner layer of padding material substantially surrounded by an outer, durable layer.  
   
   
       16 . The diaper changing assembly of  claim 11  wherein the changing mat includes a pillow member disposed therein.  
   
   
       17 . A method of changing diapers, comprising: 
 providing a bag member that partially encloses an interior region and having an access opening leading thereto, the bag member including an outer surface and a bottom portion positioned opposite from the access opening;    engaging the bottom portion with a support surface such that the interior region is substantially accessible through the access opening;    deploying a changing mat operatively coupled to the outer surface into an open position to provide an elongated changing surface without modification of the bag member, the bottom portion remaining engaged with the support surface and the interior region remaining substantially accessible through the access opening;    positioning a wearer of a diaper on the changing surface;    installing a diaper on the wearer; and    redeploying the changing mat into a closed position proximate the outer surface wherein the changing mat occupies a stowed position external to the bag member and without modification of the bag member, the bottom portion remaining engaged with the support surface and the interior region remaining substantially accessible through the access opening.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising securing a first attachment device on the changing mat with a second attachment device on the outer surface when the changing mat is in the stowed position.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing a previously-installed diaper from the wearer.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein deploying a changing mat includes deploying a changing mat having a compartmentless surface.