Combination carrying bag for infant accessories and diapering station

A diapering station formed of a single piece of material is divided by fold lines into three successive sections to cushion an infant on a support surface and store infant accessories for diaper changing. The diapering station is converted into a carrying bag for infant accessories by folding the two end sections inwardly, one over the other along the fold lines, onto the middle section, enabling the bag to be conveniently carried by a combination handle and back pack strap. A waterproof, removable pouch on the middle section of the station provides a clean surface for the infant's bottom and stores dirty diapers for subsequent washing. An inwardly opening pocket formed in one of the end sections of the station stores clean diapers, and storage of infant assessories such as bottles and food jars is provided in additional pockets formed in the other end section of the station. A cylindrical, bib storage pouch adjacent the strap handle in the station provides stiffness to the unit, folded to form the carrying bag. The ergometric design of the station positions diapers and accessories within close reach of the attendant during diaper changing.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates generally to infant accessories carrying bags, and 
more particularly toward a combination carrying bag and diapering station 
having multiple storage pockets and conveniences. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Diaper changing bags and stations such as the ones disclosed in Hoover U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,489,194, Taniguchi U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,786 and Sneider U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,154,323 provide a cushioned surface for a baby during diaper 
changing and store diapers and other baby supplies and accessories. These 
products, although generally useful, tend to be cumbersome to fold and 
carry, inconvenient to use and expensive. There still exists a need for a 
diaper station that is compact, convenient, inexpensive, and above all, 
safe for the infant. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a 
combination diapering station and carrying bag that provides safety to the 
infant during diaper changing and presents accessories within close reach 
of the attendant. 
Another object is to provide a diapering station that cushions the infant's 
body and provides additional support to the head for comfort and safety 
during diaper changing. 
A further object is to provide a diapering station that establishes a 
sanitary region for an infant during diaper changing, insulating the body 
from the support surface and hygienically isolating dirty diapers. 
A still further object of the invention is to maximize storage and 
utilitarian efficiencies in a combination diaper changing station and 
carrying bag by applying dual functions to various structures constituting 
the unit. 
An additional object is to provide a diaper and infant accessories carrying 
bag that is alternatively carried as a handbag and back pack. 
A further object of the invention is to form a combination diapering 
station and carrying bag of a single piece of material to reduce costs by 
minimizing sewing steps and eliminating cutting. 
An additional object of the invention is to improve infant safety in a 
diapering station by isolating hard, bulky objects such as bottles and 
jars from the infant's body during diapering while employing soft articles 
such as diapers to cushion the head. 
These and other objects of the invention are satisfied in accordance with 
the invention by providing a diapering station formed of a single piece of 
material divided into three successive sections by fold lines. The station 
is laid flat on a support surface to cushion and isolate the infant during 
diaper changing. To convert the station to a carrying bag, the two end 
sections are folded inwardly, one over the other, onto the middle section, 
sealed and carried by hand or as a back pack using a convertible strap. 
One of the end sections is formed with a pocket that opens inwardly toward 
the center section and has a size corresponding to the size of a standard 
diaper. Clean diapers are retained within the pocket when the end section 
is folded to form the carrying bag. The pocket, stuffed with diapers, 
cushions the infant's head during diaper changing. A number of additional 
pockets formed in the opposite end section of the station provide storage 
for other infant supplies and accessories, such as bottles, jars, 
pacifiers, etc. These supplies and accessories are maintained away from 
the infant's body during diaper changing to avoid injury. 
The middle section of the diapering station carries a removable, waterproof 
pouch that is positioned beneath the infant's bottom during diaper 
changing, providing a waterproof surface. Dirty diapers are sealed within 
the pouch. Subsequently, at a convenient time, the pouch is removed from 
the diapering station, unsealed and the dirty diapers pulled for washing. 
The one piece construction of the bag is established by folding material 
over to form pockets, doubling the material back to define a base and 
sewing the handle to folds formed in the outer surface of the material. 
Storage efficiency is maximized by synergistic design wherein stored items 
establish rigidity and balance to the bag and cushioning to the station. 
Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent 
to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there 
is shown and described preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by 
way of illustration of one of the best modes and alternative embodiments 
contemplated for carrying out the invention. As it will be realized, the 
invention is capable of still other different embodiments, and its several 
details are capable of modifications in various, obvious aspects all 
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and 
descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as 
restrictive.

BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION 
In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in 
FIGS. 1A-1F, a combination diapering station and carrying bag 10 is formed 
of a single piece of material that may be fabric, plastic or other 
waterproof material or a combination of the two, i.e., a fabric outer 
layer and waterproof inner layer, sewn or bonded together. The diapering 
station 10 has three successive sections 12, 14 and 16 separated by fold 
lines 18 and 20. A strap 22 at one end of the station 10 functions as a 
carrying handle when the station is folded to form a carrying bag. This is 
done by folding end section 16 upwardly along line 20 onto middle section 
14 as shown in FIG. 1B, and then folding the center section along line 18 
into end section 12 (FIG. 1C). The bag is maintained closed by snap 
fasteners 24 at the outer end of section 12 and 26 that are on a fold or 
flange 28 behind fold line 20. The fold or flange 28 is formed by pinching 
material at the outer surface of the station along fold line 20 and 
stitching or bonding to form a permanent flange. This type of 
manufacturing enables the diapering station to be formed of a single piece 
of material without handling additional strips or pieces to establish or 
reinforce the flange. 
Returning to FIG. 1A, end section 16 has a pocket 30 that opens inwardly at 
32 to receive and retain diapers or other articles. Because the pocket 30 
opens inwardly, with the mouth 32 of the pocket positioned adjacent fold 
line 20, diapers and other contents are retained within the pocket 30, 
without requiring any pocket cover or flap, when the end section 16 is 
folded onto middle section 14. 
Cloth diapers are preferably retained within the pocket 30, and for 
convenience, the size of the pocket is made to conform to the size of a 
cloth diaper. Paper diapers can, of course, also be stored in pocket 30 
but to prevent sliding about, a strap or other hold down means (not shown) 
is preferably provided in the pocket to prevent sliding. Additionally, 
other items such as coloring books, note pads, etc. can be stored in the 
pocket to entertain an older youngster. This is particularly advantageous 
since the station 10 could, in practice, be used as a toy or training 
device for a youngster, rather than as a diapering station used by an 
adult. 
The pocket 30 is preferably formed by doubling back material and sealing 
the sides by stitching or bonding, again eliminating need for additional 
material, cutting or other manufacturing steps. The resultant pocket 30, 
with its opening 32 at middle section 14, locates clean diapers as close 
as possible to the infant during diapering, thereby optimizing ergometrics 
and minimizing diapering time. Furthermore, and of particular importance, 
the pocket 30 helps cushion and support the infant's head during diaper 
changing, with the rest of his body across the middle section 14 and 
opposite end section 12. This also results in a more compact bag, when 
folded, because unlike prior art designs wherein foam or other 
nonfunctional padding tends to waste space, the padding in pocket 30 is 
itself functional, constituted by diapers or other paraphernalia which 
would otherwise be carried elsewhere in the bag. 
The opposite end section 12 is provided with a number of additional pockets 
to store other infant supplies and paraphernalia, such as bottles and 
jars, pacifiers, toys, etc. These supplies are maintained away from the 
body of the infant during changing, minimizing the likelihood of injury 
and helping maintain the balance and rigidity of the bag. Referring to 
FIG. 1A, pocket 34 is available to store miscellaneous flat items, 
including diapers, and a further, preferably zippered pocket 36 is 
provided on the outer surface of the section 12 (see FIG. 1E). The pocket 
36 may conveniently hold relatively small but cumbersome objects, such as 
pacifiers, toys, key rings, etc., out of the infant's reach but 
conveniently accessible to the mother, father or attendant. An additional, 
larger, preferably zippered pocket 38 shown in FIG. 1E stores infant 
bottle and food jars within the side sleeves 40 and optional closure flaps 
42. The bottles or jars are maintain erect within the pocket 38 by the 
sleeves 40, maintaining the rigidity of the bag while protecting the 
bottles or jars from damage by contact. Furthermore, because the sleeves 
40 retain the bottles or jars at the sides of the bag, the useable pocket 
space within the bag is maximized. An elastic band 41 on each sleeve helps 
separate food jars within the sleeve. 
Within the center section 14 is located a removable, preferably plastic 
pouch 44, retained to the middle section by a number of Velcro or 
equivalent strips 46. The pouch 44 has an open side 48 that is sealable by 
a Velcro or equivalent fastening strip. The pouch 44 provides a convenient 
work surface for the station, insulating and cushioning the bottom of an 
infant during diaper changing. As the dirty diaper is removed from the 
infant, it is inserted into the pouch 44, and the pouch is sealed. 
Moisture is retained within the pouch, which is waterproof and sealed 
along edge 48. Following diapering, the pouch 44 may be placed in pocket 
34 and subsequently the pouch 44 and dirty diapers removed and washed for 
reuse. 
Handle 22 is preferably formed of a fabric strap attached to one side of 
the bag/station 10 (FIG. 1D) at a ring 50, looped through a second ring 52 
at the opposite side and doubled back, snapped between strap layers by 
snaps 54, shown in FIG. 1C, to eliminate dangling or tangling of the 
strap. The strap as shown in FIG. 1C forms a convenient carrying handle. 
To convert the carrying handle to a back pack strap, the strap is 
separated at snaps 54, and threaded through a loop 56 sewn on the back of 
the bag (FIG. 1D) and around ring 52, and then resnapped as shown. The two 
strap portions formed between loop 56 and 50, 52 fit around the shoulders 
of the mother or father or other individual. I have found in practice that 
a strap length of 46-50 inches forms a convenient handle 22, when double 
backed, and fits virtually all individuals as a back pack strap as shown 
in FIG. 1D. Loop 56 may alternatively have one end secured to an end 
section of the bag and an opposite end adapted to be releasably attached 
to the middle section to retain the bag folded. 
A zipper or other slide fastener 58 along the sides of sections 12 and 14 
help retain the bag closed and steady, which is particularly important 
when the bag is used as a back pack. Further, I found that the zippers 58 
enable a substantial number of diapers and additional paraphernalia to be 
stuffed into the bag, as is necessary for long trips. 
The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1F is formed with a stiffened base portion 60, 
enabling the bag 10 to stand upright on a support surface. The base 60 is 
preferably formed by doubling material back upon itself to form a multiple 
thickness section to establish the base without requiring any additional 
strips of material or stiffeners. Standoffs or feet 101 (FIG. 3C) may be 
inserted into the base 60 between the fold layers to hide rough edges. 
Sides 62 of the bag formed by appropriate stitching of the same material 
increase the storage capacity of the bag, making it possible, in my 
experience, to carry up to at least 30 diapers. To aid in loading the bag, 
the zipper 38 (FIG. 1E) has an end strip 64 that extends behind the side 
of the bag to enable the mouth of the pocket to expose substantially the 
entire storage volume of the pocket for more convenient loading and 
unloading. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2E, a second embodiment of the invention is shown 
wherein a combination diapering station and bag 64 is generally similar to 
the bag 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1F but includes some modifications and 
additions. In FIG. 2A, pocket 66 in end section 68 stores clean diapers 
whereas soiled diapers are stored in removable pouch 70, similar to pouch 
44 in FIG. 1A. In end section 72, additional pockets 74 and 76 provide 
further storage. The outer pocket 74 is a convenience pocket to receive 
small, preferably flat objects of a type that may be needed during 
diapering, such as wipe cloths. The larger pocket 76 is waterproof and is 
sealed shut by Velcro or equivant fastening strips 78, to retain pouch 70 
and soiled diapers following changing. An inner, still larger pocket or 
tote 80, more conveniently accessible from the outer surface of the bag 64 
contains a small, convenience, preferably zippered pocket 82 and an 
elastic sleeve 84 that may be used to retain credit cards, car keys or the 
like or may be formed slightly larger to retain infant bottles or jars. 
At the rear of the bag 64 is located a flap 84 (FIG. 2D) that extends 
between the ends of handle 86. This flap is provided with a snap that 
couples to end section 68 to maintain the bag closed and provide the 
appearance of a handbag or tote. 
The handle 88 is formed of a strap that is convertible, shown in FIG. 2E, 
to a back pack strap, similar to FIG. 1D. Again, the sides of the bag 64 
are sealed by zippers 92 to enable the bag to carry a maximum volume load. 
Also extending between the ends of handle 88 is a sleeve 90 which is 
adapted to receive a stiffening object, preferably a coiled bib, to 
provide rigidity to the load bearing end of the bag. Thus, the sleeve 90 
forms two distinct functions, that is, a bib storage pocket and, when 
loaded with a bib, a stiffener. 
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, similar to 
the embodiments described earlier but differing substantially in the 
manner by which the bag is closed and handles are attached. In FIG. 3A, a 
first handle 94 is sewn into the bag at end 96 of section 98 and a second 
handle 100 that is sewn to a flange or fold 107 formed at the outer 
surface of the bag, similar to flange 28 in FIG. 1B. Handle 94 is provided 
with a pair of snaps 102 adjacent section 98 and handle 100 has 
corresponding snaps 104. 
The diapering station 93 is folded into a bag by folding end section 95 
onto middle section 97, as shown in FIG. 3B, and making an additional fold 
to the bag of 3C. With the bag folded as in 3C, the snaps 102, 104 on 
handles 94, 100 are now coupled together, retaining the mouth of the bag 
shut. An advantage of locating the snaps 102, 104 on handles 94, 100 is to 
reduce costs while adding to the convenience of the bag; to open the bag 
and expose the contents, the two handles 94, 100 are merely separated to 
decouple the snaps. Furthermore, the provision of corresponding loop-type 
handles 94 adds to the tote-like appearance of the bag, shown in FIG. 3D. 
FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a low cost combination diapering station and bag 106 
incorporating the principles of the embodiments shown in the preceding 
figures. The diapering station/bag 106 is again formed of a single piece 
of material, preferably a plastic or similar material that is low in cost 
and waterproof, and is provided with an inwardly facing pocket 108 on end 
section 111 to store clean diapers and cushion the infant's head and 
additional pockets 110, 112 formed in the opposite end section 116. The 
middle section 118 is provided with a diaper pouch open toward section 116 
to enable diapers to be conveniently pulled from beneath the infant's 
buttocks. The pocket 110 conveniently stores small, relatively flat 
objects, such as wipes, needed when changing diapers. Additional diapers 
or other items are stored within the larger pocket 112. 
The outer face of section 116 has a tote pocket 120 (FIG. 4D), preferably 
zippered by 123 and adapted to hold larger, bulky objects such as bottles, 
etc. in a manner shown in FIG. 1E. 
The bag is maintained closed by handle snaps 122 provided on handle loops 
124 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D. 
In this disclosure, there is shown and described only the preferred 
embodiments of the invention, but as aforementioned, it is to be 
understood that the invention is capable of use in various other 
combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications 
within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.