Abstract:
A carryall baby changing station has a body member with an open top and a series of internal cavities each designed and dimensioned to hold a needed changing product. One or more of the cavities has a plate that biases that cavity&#39;s contents either sidewardly or upwardly. Some of the cavities may have a removable cover overtop the cavity. One or more pads are attached to a side wall of the body member and capable of folding and unfolding for laying a child thereon. A receptacle is attached to an end of the body member and holds a trash liner. A cover is attached to the body member and is capable of being removably placed overtop the body member and zipped into such position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a diaper changing station and more specifically to a carrying case that holds various items of infant and toddler care wherein the case is capable of being unfolded and laid upon an appropriate surface such as the back deck of a sports utility vehicle in order for the case to act as a convenient diaper changing station. 
   2. Background of the Prior Art 
   Every parent knows that one of the guarantees of having small children is the need to change diapers with regular frequency. A diaper that needs changing at home typically presents no problem. A diaper changing station is laid out and all of the needs for changing the diaper, including wipes, fresh diapers, a disposal for the used diapers, powders, etc., are all present and handy for easy access. The diaper is quickly changed, the old one disposed of, and the child is back on his or her way. 
   A more challenging situation occurs when the diaper needs to be changed on the road, and in today&#39;s hectic world, such needs tend to occur often. Any parent or guardian that has attempted to change a diaper in a vehicle, appreciates the difficulty in such an undertaking. As the vehicle is not overly baby proof, the caretaker must keep a good hold of the child in order to prevent injury while at the same time actually changing the diaper. In the limited confines of a vehicle, such a task is not easy. Additionally, the caretaker must fumble around in a carrying bag to find the necessary paraphernalia in order to get the job done. As Murphy&#39;s Law may have it, the package of needed wipes is at the bottom of the carrying bag and the contents are strew over the floor of the vehicle before success is achieved in getting to the desired item. This yoga routine is played out over and over again in many people&#39;s lives. 
   To address this problem, baby changing stations have been proposed wherein a changing station is part of the vehicle, typically the seat. These stations provide an area that has the needed tools to get the diaper changing job done in an organized and efficient manner all within the confines of the vehicle. However, some such systems, by being built into the vehicle directly add significantly to the overall vehicle costs making such systems cost-prohibitive to many consumers. Add on systems are likewise expensive to obtain and install and many vehicle owners are reluctant to modify their vehicles to accommodate such systems. Additionally, many households have two or more vehicles for transport of their children so that the above problems are magnified. 
   What is needed is a portable diaper changing station that allows a vehicle-bound caretaker to be able to quickly and easily change the diaper of a child while in a vehicle. Such a station must hold the various items needed for diaper changing—fresh diapers, wipes, creams, powders, etc., —and allow quick and easy access to such items so that the caretaker has rapid access to the organized products. Such a diaper changing station must not require expensive modification of the vehicle, either at the factory or in the aftermarket so as to not discourage parents from obtaining such a device. The station should be portable so as to be easily transportable and must be relatively compact so as not to occupy an inordinate amount of the finite available real estate within a vehicle. Ideally, such a device should be of relatively simple design and construction so as to be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a diaper changing station that allows a vehicle-bound caretaker to be able to quickly and easily change the diaper of a child during vehicle usage. The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle holds the various items needed for diaper changing in an organized manner allowing quick and easy access to such items for the caretaker. The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle does not require expensive modification of the vehicle, either at the factory or in the aftermarket, thereby not discouraging parents from obtaining and installing the present invention. The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle is relatively compact and is portable so as to be easily transportable and only occupies a relatively small amount of the finite real estate that is available within a vehicle. The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle is of relatively simple design and construction making the device relatively inexpensive to manufacture and use. 
   The diaper changing station for use in a vehicle of the present invention is comprised of a body member that has a base, a first side, an opposing second side, a first end wall, an opposing second end wall, an internal space, and an open top. An internal wall is disposed within the body member in order to segregate the internal space of the body member into at least two separate cavities. The internal wall may be monolithic with the rest of the body member or may be a separate insert. A first changing pad is attached to the first side wall proximate the base such that first changing pad is capable of being folded against the first side wall and held thereat by a first set of cooperating hook and loop fastener portions attached to the first changing pad and to the first side wall. A cover is attached to the body member and is positionable into a closed position overtop the open top of the body member such that a zipper system that attaches the cover to remainder main body member maintains the cover in the closed position. A notch is disposed within the first end wall and extends downwardly from the open top while a carrying handle is attached to the first end wall below the notch. A plate is disposed within a respective one of the cavities while a spring has a first end that abuts the base of the body member and a second end that abuts an underside of the plate so as to bias the plate toward the open top of the body member. A cover is removably positionable over this respective one of the cavities. The cover has a slot. Additional covers with slots may be provided to cover other cavities. Another plate disposed within another respective one of the cavities such that another spring has a first end that abuts the internal wall (or side or end wall of the body member) and a second end that abuts an underside of this second plate so as to bias this second plate away from the internal wall whereat the first end of this second spring is attached. A receptacle is removably attached to the second end wall of the body member, the receptacle being collapsible. A liner is removably insertable into the receptacle. A netting member is attached to the first side wall so as to define a pocket between the netting member and the first side wall. An opening is disposed within the first end wall leading to a respective one of the cavities. A second changing pad may be provided and is attached to the second side wall proximate the base such that the second changing pad is capable of being folded against the second side wall and held thereat by a second set of cooperating hook and loop fastener portions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle illustrating the detachment of the disposal system. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle illustrating the waste receptacle of the disposal system in a collapsed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle illustrated with the disposal system detached. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle with one of the changing pads deployed. 
   

   Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a main body member  12  having a base  14 , a first side wall  16 , a second side wall  18 , a first end wall  20 , and a second end wall  22  and an open top, the main body member  12  being made from an appropriate sturdy material such as plastic. As seen, a series of internal walls  24  are disposed within the main body member  12  in order to form a series of cavities therein, each cavity being used to hold an appropriate changing item. 
   As seen a first cavity  26  may hold plastic disposal bags  28  therein, such that a lower opening  30  may be located on the first end wall  20  in order to provide easy access for bag  28  retrieval. 
   A second cavity  32  is provided and may hold an appropriate container  34  of cream or ointment or similar material, while a third cavity  36  is disposed between the first cavity  30  and the second cavity  32  with a notch  38  located on the first end wall  20  so that an appropriate pump dispenser  40  may be held in this third cavity  36  so that the dispensing nozzle  42  of the pump dispenser  40  can be easily accessed through the notch  38 . 
   A fourth cavity  44  is provided such that this fourth cavity  44  may hold a container  46  of baby powder or similar article. 
   A fifth cavity  48  is provided such that a plate  50  is disposed within the fifth cavity  48 . A spring  52  is disposed between the base  14  of the main body member  12  and the underside of the first plate  50  in order to bias the first plate  50  toward the open top of the main body member  12 . As seen, a series of moist towelettes  54  are disposed on the top side of the plate  50  so that the plate  50  biases the towelettes  54  toward the open top of the main body member  12 . A first cover  56  is positioned overtop this fifth cavity  48  such that the cover  56  has a first slot  58  therein that allows a towelette  54  to protrude through the first slot  58  so as to allow a user to retrieve towelettes  54  one at a time. The first cover  56  is secured to the top of the fifth cavity  48  by the use of the illustrated first clip  60  that clips to a notch  62  in the first cover  56  and to another notch  64  on the internal wall  24  within the fourth cavity  44 , so that when loading of the fifth cavity  48  is required, the first clip  60  is removed allowing the first cover  56  to be removed. Towelettes  54  are placed onto the first plate  50  which is pushed downwardly as needed. Once the fifth cavity  48  is filled as needed, the first cover  56  is replaced overtop the fifth cavity  48 , the first clip  60  is clipped into place in order to hold the first cover  56  onto the main body member  12 , and the uppermost towelette  54  is fed through the first slot  58  of the first cover  56  is order to allow the orderly dispensing of towelettes  54 . As towelettes  54  are dispensed, the first plate  50  biases the remaining towelettes  54  toward the first slot  58  or the first cover  56 . 
   A sixth cavity  66  is used to hold a stack or box  68  of napkins  70  or similar items such that a second cover  72  having a second slot  74  is positioned overtop this sixth cavity  66 . Similarly to the first cover  56 , the second cover  72  is maintained in covering relationship with the sixth cavity  66  by providing a second clip  76  that clips into a notch  78  located on the second cover  72  and to another notch  80  located on the internal wall  24  within a seventh cavity  82  discussed infra. In order to fill the sixth cavity  66 , the second clip  76  is unclipped, and the second cover  70  is removed. A box  68  or just a stack of napkins  70  is placed into the sixth cavity  66  and the second cover  72  is replaced overtop the sixth cavity  66 , the second clip  76  is clipped into place in order to hold the second cover  72  onto the main body member  12 , and the uppermost napkin  70  is fed through the second slot  74  of the second cover  72  is order to allow the orderly dispensing of napkins  70 . 
   The seventh cavity  82  is designed to hold diapers  84  such that a second plate  86  is disposed within the seventh cavity  82  and has a spring  88  that abuts a first side of the second plate  86  and a wall underneath the sixth cavity  66  within the main body member  12 . The other side of second plate  86  presses against the endmost diaper  84  such that the spring  88  biases the second plate  86  toward the diapers  84  and thus biases the diapers  84  into the illustrated upright position. 
   Although the invention is disclosed with respect to the seven illustrated cavities, it is expressly noted that more or less cavities may be used and in differing configurations depending on the amount and style of the items that are to be stored, in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   A carrying handle  90  is attached to the first end wall  20  just below the notch  38  of the third cavity  36 . 
   A first changing pad  92  is attached to the first sidewall  16  proximate the base  14  such that the first changing pad  92  may be folded into a stowed position with appropriate cooperating hook and loop fasteners  94  (including the newer hook and dart) attached to the first side wall  16  of the body member  12  proximate the open top thereof, and to an underside of the first changing pad  92 . In the stowed position, the first changing pad  92  is folded into place against the first side wall  16  such that the hook and loop fasteners  94  hold the first changing pad  92  in this stowed position. When the first changing pad  92  is needed, the hook and loop fasteners  94  are detached from one another and the first changing pad  92  is unfolded and used as desired, as best illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Once the first changing pad  92  is no longer needed, it is folded back into the stowed position and the hook and loop fasteners  94  are appropriately rejoined. As seen in  FIG. 9 , a netting holder  96  is attached to the first sidewall  16  such that the netting holder  94  creates one or more holding pockets. 
   A second changing pad  98  may be attached to the second side wall  18  in similar fashion to the attachment of the first changing pad  92  to the first side wall  16 . 
   A collapsible waste receptacle  100  is removably attached to the second end wall  22  by the illustrated snaps  102  or similar attachment mechanism. A trash liner  104  is removably insertable into the waste receptacle  100  and is designed to hold used diapers  106  and other debris so that when the trash liner  104  is full, it is removed, with the assistance of the illustrated handles  108 , and disposed of as appropriate, with a new trash liner  104  inserted into the waste receptacle  100 . By being collapsible, the waste receptacle  100  can be collapsed as needed in order to compact the size of the device  10 . 
   A roll top cover  110  is provided in order to cover the open top of the main body member  12  such that first zipper legs  112  are provided on the first side wall  16 , the second side wall  18  and the first end wall  20 , and second zipper legs  114  are corresponding provided on the outer periphery of the roll top cover  110  in order to allow the roll top cover  110  to be placed overtop the open top of the main body member  12  and zipped into a closed position and such that when access to the main body member  12  is desired, the roll top cover  110  is unzipped and rolled away from the open top of the main body member  12 . Appropriate fasteners (hook and loop or otherwise—none illustrated) are used to hold the roll top cover  110  in its furled open position. 
   In order to use the diaper changing station for use in a vehicle  10  of the present invention, the various cavities are loaded with the desired supplies and a trash liner  104  is placed into the waste receptacle  100 . The roll top cover  110  is placed into the closed position and the first changing pad  92  and the second changing pad  98  are each placed into their stowed position. The main body member  12  is carried by the handle  90 . If access to supplies is needed, the roll top cover  110  is unzipped and unfurled and the supplies are retrieved (if only the contents of the pump dispenser  40  are needed, there is no need to unfurl the roll top cover  110 , as the dispensing nozzle  42  can be depressed through the notch  38  on the first end wall  20 ). If the baby needed to be changed, then one of the changing pads  92  or  98  is unfolded and the baby placed thereonto. The diaper is changed with a fresh diaper  84  retrieved from the seventh cavity  82  and the used diaper  106  deposited into the trash liner  104  of the waste receptacle  100 . Once the baby is appropriately changed, the changing pad used  92  or  98  is placed back into its stowed position. If desired the entire waste disposal system can be detached from the device  10  by detaching the waste receptacle  100  from the main body member  12 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.