Diaper changing table with built in air filtration system

Abstract

A diaper changing table includes a base having an interior compartment, a bottom surface, a changing table surface, and side surfaces extending between the bottom surface and the changing table surface. The table further includes an air intake opening positioned adjacent to an edge portion of the changing table surface to facilitate airflow parallel or tangential to the changing table surface. The air intake opening is in fluid communication with the interior compartment. The air intake opening may extend through a sidewall in the edge portion of the changing table surface. Still further, the table includes a fan in fluid communication with the air intake opening, and configured for drawing air into the interior compartment through the air intake opening. The table further includes an air duct in the interior compartment. The air duct extends between the air intake opening and the fan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diaper changing table comprising:
 a base having an interior compartment, a bottom surface, a changing table surface, and side surfaces extending between the bottom surface and the changing table surface;   an air intake opening positioned adjacent to an edge portion of the changing table surface to facilitate airflow parallel or tangential to the changing table surface, wherein the air intake opening is in fluid communication with the interior compartment;   a fan in fluid communication with the air intake opening, and configured for drawing air into the interior compartment through the air intake opening; and   an air duct in the interior compartment, wherein the air duct extends between the air intake opening and the fan.   
     
     
         2 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising insulation lining at least a portion of the interior compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising an air filter positioned in series with the fan, such that air drawn into the interior compartment passes through the air filter. 
     
     
         4 . The diaper changing table of  claim 3 , wherein the air filter and the fan are positioned within the interior compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising a sidewall in the edge portion of the changing table surface, wherein the sidewall extends upwards relative to the changing table surface, and wherein the air intake opening extends through the sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The diaper changing table of  claim 5 , wherein the base is made of a first material and the sidewall is made of a second material that is different from the first material. 
     
     
         7 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising exhaust openings in the base. 
     
     
         8 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sidewalls extending upwards relative to the changing table surface, such that the plurality of sidewalls surround a periphery of the changing table surface. 
     
     
         9 . The diaper changing table of  claim 8 , wherein the air intake opening extends through one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         10 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising an activation mechanism operatively coupled to the fan and configured for turning the fan on and off. 
     
     
         11 . The diaper changing table of  claim 10 , wherein the activation mechanism is a user-operated switch. 
     
     
         12 . The diaper changing table of  claim 10 , further comprising a sensor, wherein the activation mechanism is an automated switch configured to activate and deactivate the fan in response to a condition detected by the sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The diaper changing table of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is at least one of: a pressure sensor, a weight sensor, a motion sensor, and an IR sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a light adjacent to the changing table surface; and   a switch configured for turning the light off and on.   
     
     
         15 . The diaper changing table of  claim 14 , wherein the switch is additionally configured to turn the fan off and on. 
     
     
         16 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , wherein the air duct comprises a liquid reservoir for capturing liquids thereby preventing liquids from coming into contact with the fan. 
     
     
         17 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , wherein the air duct extends vertically downward from the air intake opening, and wherein the air duct is positioned at or adjacent to a peripheral edge of the changing table surface. 
     
     
         18 . The diaper changing table of  claim 1 , wherein the air duct comprises a vertical conduit positioned beneath the changing table surface adjacent to a peripheral edge of the changing table surface.