Disposable cover for diaper changing station and method of use

Abstract

A disposable cover for use with a public diaper changing station provides a sanitary barrier between the child and the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the diaper changing station. The disposable cover is preferably a rectangular shape having four edges. Three of the edges include an elastic band for securing the cover around the horizontal surface of the diaper changing station. The fourth edge has two tabs permanently affixed to the cover. The tabs are double sided adhesive for attaching to the vertical surface of the diaper changing station and for securing the cover tightly to itself after use for sanitary disposal. The cover fully safeguards both the horizontal surface and the vertical surface of the diaper changing station to insulate the child and parent from possible contact with these surfaces during use. After use, the cover folds up on itself containing any contaminants and curtailing the spread of bacteria.

1 . A disposable cover for a diaper changing station mounted to a wall comprising:
 a thin, flexible sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;   an elastic band contained in the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge for securing the flexible sheet to the diaper changing station;   a first tab affixed to the flexible sheet and extending from the fourth edge;   a second tab affixed to the sheet and extending from the fourth edge;   wherein the first tab includes a first adhesive portion for securing the flexible sheet to the diaper changing station and a second adhesive portion for securing the flexible sheet in a closed position; and,   wherein the second tab includes a third adhesive portion for securing the flexible sheet to the diaper changing station and a fourth adhesive for securing the sheet in the closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is generally rectangular shaped. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the flexible sheet includes a temperature sensitive dye. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is on of the group of a moisture impenetrable paper and a flexible plastic. 
   
   
       5 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the elastic band is adjacent the full length of the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge. 
   
   
       6 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the elastic band is adjacent the full length of the second edge and the elastic band is adjacent less than the full length of the first edge and less than the full length of the third edge. 
   
   
       7 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion are covered by removable strips. 
   
   
       8 . The disposable cover of  claim 7  wherein the third adhesive portion and the fourth adhesive portion are covered by removable strips. 
   
   
       9 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein a non-volatile disinfectant is included on a surface of the disposable cover. 
   
   
       10 . The disposable cover of  claim 1  wherein a chemical with a scent is included on a surface of the disposable cover. 
   
   
       11 . A disposable cover for a diaper changing station mounted to a wall comprising:
 a rectangular sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;   an elastic band attached to the sheet proximate the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge;   a pair of tabs wherein each tab of the pair of tabs is comprised of a base layer affixed to the sheet, a first adhesive layer adjacent the base layer for attaching the sheet to the diaper changing station, a second adhesive layer adjacent the base layer for attaching the sheet to the sheet, a first removable strip adjacent the first adhesive layer, and a second removable strip adjacent the second adhesive layer; wherein,   each tab of the pair of tabs extends perpendicularly from the fourth edge.   
   
   
       12 . The disposable cover of  claim 11  wherein the rectangular sheet includes a first flap extending from the first edge and a second flap extending from the third edge. 
   
   
       13 . A method of protecting a child from contaminated surfaces when changing a diaper using a public changing station having a horizontal surface, a vertical surface, a stored position, and an in use position comprising the steps of:
 providing a sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;   providing an elastic band attached to the sheet proximate the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge;   providing a first tab affixed to the sheet, wherein the first tab extends perpendicularly from the fourth edge;   providing a second tab affixed to the sheet, wherein the second tab extends perpendicularly from the fourth edge;   providing a first adhesive adjacent the first tab and a second adhesive adjacent the first tab;   providing a third adhesive adjacent the second tab and a fourth adhesive adjacent the second tab;   providing a first strip adjacent the first adhesive, a second strip adjacent the second adhesive, a third strip adjacent the third adhesive, and a fourth strip adjacent the fourth adhesive;   rotating the horizontal surface down from the stored position to the in use position;   wrapping the elastic band proximate the second edge around the horizontal surface;   wrapping the elastic band proximate the first edge around the horizontal surface;   wrapping the elastic band proximate the third edge around the horizontal surface;   pulling the sheet tight across the horizontal surface towards the vertical surface;   removing the first strip from the first adhesive and removing the third strip from the third adhesive;   pressing the first tab against the vertical surface and pressing the second tab against the vertical surface;   changing the diaper and moving the child off the changing station;   unwrapping the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge from around the horizontal surface;   folding the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge up towards the fourth edge forming a closed shape;   peeling the first tab from the vertical surface and peeling the second tab from the vertical surface;   removing the second strip from the second adhesive and removing the fourth strip from the fourth adhesive;   folding the fourth edge over the closed shape; and   pressing the first tab against the closed shape and pressing the second tab against the closed shape.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of folding the first edge, the second edge, and the third edge up towards the fourth edge encompassing the diaper. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of comparing a color of a temperature sensitive region of the sheet to a color coordinated legend to determine a temperature of the child.