Patent Publication Number: US-11039696-B2

Title: User restraint apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/714,039 entitled “DIAPER CHANGING APPARATUS” filed on May 15, 2015 for Michael J. Perry, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,907,412, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/993,503, filed May 15, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/036,582, filed Aug. 12, 2014, each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to user restraints. More specifically, this application relates to user restraints that prevent a user from reaching below their waste, interfering with a diaper changing process or the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Changing a baby&#39;s diaper can be a frustrating experience, especially when the diaper contains excrement. During a diaper changing procedure, many babies, whether consciously or subconsciously, move their hands into contact with the dirty diaper, the excrement, and/or their own soiled buttocks. Not only must a diaper changing attendant be able to remove the diaper and clean the buttocks of the baby, the diaper changing attendant must position the baby&#39;s lower body (e.g., hold the legs of the baby) in a desired position for changing and still be able to fend off the moving hands of the baby so that the baby&#39;s hands do not contact the soiled diaper and/or the excrement. Accordingly, diaper changing attendants generally need to simultaneously perform three separate tasks, cleaning the buttocks, positioning the lower body, and repelling the hands of the baby. 
     Conventional solutions to this problem include, among others, asking another person to assist with the diaper changing procedure, instructing the child to not touch the diaper/excrement, or somehow securing the baby&#39;s hands in a fixed position to prevent the hands from moving into contact with the diaper/excrement. However, these solutions are inefficient, impractical, and often cause the baby (and the diaper changing attendant) to experience discomfort and stress. 
     SUMMARY 
     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a user restraint apparatus that overcomes the difficulties that are associated with conventional user restraint techniques. Beneficially, such an apparatus would improve the ease, efficiency, and effectiveness of a diaper changing procedure, or the like. 
     The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available user restraints. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been developed to provide a user restraint apparatus that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
     Disclosed herein is one embodiment of a user restraint apparatus. The apparatus includes an underlay segment positionable underneath at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the user lying in the supine position. The apparatus further includes a barrier panel coupled to the underlay segment. The barrier panel is extendable around the chest of the user to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the user, with the barrier panel having a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edge is shaped to contour the chest or abdomen of the user. The barrier panel is foldable. 
     In certain embodiments, the proximal edge is shaped to rest on the chest or abdomen of the user so that engagement between the proximal edge and the chest or abdomen of the user supports the distal edge that extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper body portion of the user. In one implementation, the underlay segment and the barrier panel are permanently connected. In such an implementation, the underlay segment and the barrier panel are formed of the same, unitary material. However, in another implementation, the underlay segment and the barrier panel are detachably coupled together. 
     In yet another implementation, the apparatus further includes a changing pad extending from the underlay segment so that the changing pad is positionable underneath at least part of the lower body portion of the user. In such an implementation, the changing pad, the underlay segment, and the barrier panel may be permanently connected. In another implementation, the changing pad and the underlay segment are detachably coupled together. The changing pad may also include a wipe dispenser portion. The apparatus may be constructed from a flexible, foldable, non-rigid material. For example, the apparatus may be foldable to form a pouch for holding diaper changing supplies. 
     In another implementation, the barrier panel further includes attachment means for securing the barrier panel around the chest of the user. The barrier panel may also include adjustment means for adjusting to the size of the user or stiffener means for imparting sufficient structure to the barrier panel to prevent the barrier panel from collapsing, thereby maintaining at least a portion of the barrier panel suspended above the lower body portion of the user. In one implementation, the proximal edge of the barrier panel is substantially c-shaped. 
     Also disclosed herein is another embodiment of a user restraint apparatus. The apparatus includes an underlay segment positionable underneath at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the user lying in the supine position. The apparatus further includes a barrier panel coupled to the underlay segment. The barrier panel is extendable around the chest of the user to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the user, with the barrier panel having a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edge is shaped to contour the chest or abdomen of the user and to rest on the chest or abdomen of the user and the distal edge extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper body portion of the user. The barrier panel is foldable. Still further, the apparatus includes a changing pad extending from the underlay segment so the changing pad positionable underneath at least part of the lower body portion of the user. 
     In one implementation, the apparatus is foldable to form a pouch for holding diaper changing supplies. In another implementation, the barrier panel further includes attachment means for securing the barrier panel around the chest of the user and/or adjustment means for adjusting to the size of the user. 
     Disclosed herein is also one embodiment of a method for restraining a user. The method includes positioning the user in the supine position on an underlay segment, wherein at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the user are in contact with the underlay segment. The method further includes extending a barrier panel that is coupled to the underlay segment around the chest or abdomen of the user to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the user, wherein the barrier panel comprises a proximal edge that rests against the chest or abdomen of the user and wherein the barrier panel is foldable. 
     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present application may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a baby in the supine position with a diaper changing apparatus arranged around the baby; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus in a pre-installed position; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus with a barrier panel forming a cone-like shape (baby not depicted); 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an attachment means for coupling a barrier panel about a baby (not depicted); 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of another embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an attachment means and an adjustment means for coupling a barrier panel about a baby (not depicted); 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of another embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an attachment means for coupling a barrier panel about a baby (not depicted); 
         FIG. 3D  is a top view of yet another embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an attachment means for coupling a barrier panel about a baby (not depicted); 
         FIG. 3E  is a top view of one embodiment of stiffeners installed within a barrier panel of a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 3F  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an underlay segment that is detachable from a barrier panel; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an asymmetrical barrier panel; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing a changing pad with a wipe dispenser portion; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing a barrier panel with a c-shaped proximal edge; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing a barrier panel with a rectangular-shaped or T-shaped proximal edge; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a step for folding a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a step for folding a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a step for folding a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a folded diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus showing an attachment means for coupling a barrier panel about a baby (not depicted); 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 10A-10K  are top view of various shapes of the barrier panel, according various embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of another embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus; 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  are top views of various embodiments for folding the apparatus; 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  are top views of further embodiments of the barrier panel; 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  are top view of various shapes and features of the diaper changing apparatus, according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method for changing a soiled diaper. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a baby  50  in the supine position with a diaper changing apparatus  100  arranged around the baby  50 . The When the diaper changing apparatus  100  is arranged around the baby  50 , as depicted, the hands  51  of the baby are prevented from interfering with the diaper changing process. As briefly described above, many babies, whether consciously or subconsciously, move their hands into contact with the diaper that contains the excrement and/or their own soiled buttocks during a diaper changing procedure. The diaper changing apparatus  100  of the present disclosure generally provides a cone-like barrier panel (described in greater detail below) that forms a partition between the upper body portion  56  and the lower body portion  57  of the baby, thus preventing the baby&#39;s hands  51  from interfering with (e.g., touching the excrement or soiled diaper) the diaper changing procedure while still allowing the baby  50  to move his/her hands  51  in a substantial range of motion. In other words, the diaper changing apparatus  100  of the present disclosure prevents contact with the soiled diaper and the excrement but does not completely restrict the baby&#39;s hands  51  in a fixed position during the changing procedure, thus avoiding the stressful and uncomfortable situation of tying-down, holding down, or otherwise suppressing the baby&#39;s hand movements. In other words, the baby&#39;s hands are still allowed to move but are restricted from contacting his/her lower body portion  56  and the soiled diaper  58 . 
     As described in greater detail below with reference to the figures, the diaper changing apparatus includes an underlay segment and a barrier panel. To use the diaper changing apparatus  100 , the underlay segment is placed underneath at least one of the shoulders  52 , head  53 , back, and buttocks of a baby  50  in the supine position while the barrier panel extends around the chest  55  of the baby  50  to form a partition, specifically isolating the upper body portion  56  of the baby from the lower body portion  57  and the diaper  58 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus  100  in a pre-installed position. The diaper changing apparatus  100  includes an underlay segment  110  and a barrier panel  120 . In certain implementations, the diaper changing apparatus  100  may further include a changing pad  130  that extends the length of the baby to protect the surface upon which the baby is laid from inadvertent urine and excrement spillage. In one embodiment, the portions  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the diaper changing apparatus  100  may be formed of a single, unitary piece of material. In such an embodiment, the portions  110 ,  120 ,  130  may not be physically distinguished by borders, seams, or other distinctive margins or boundaries. Accordingly, the labeling and use of the terms “underlay segment”  110 , “barrier panel”  120 , and “changing pad”  130  do not necessarily refer to separate and physically distinguishable components but instead refer to segments that perform a certain function or assume a certain configuration when the apparatus  100  is in an installed position (e.g., arranged about a baby  50 —see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In other embodiments, all or some of the portions  110 ,  120 ,  130  may be physically distinguished from one another. For example, as described in greater detail below, the barrier panel  120  may be detachable from the underlay segment  110 , which is in turn detachable from the changing pad  130 . In another example, the underlay segment  110  and the barrier panel  120  may be integrally formed of the same piece of material and may rest on, or detachably couple to, a separate changing pad  130 . The apparatus  100  and its various portions  110 ,  120 ,  130  may be constructed from textiles, plastics, polymers, composites, etc. In one embodiment, at least the barrier panel  120  is constructed from a material that is foldable and/or that is non-rigid, thus allowing the barrier panel  120  to lay down flat to allow the apparatus to be easily stored, transported, folded, and/or collapsed. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a slot  133  disposed between the changing pad  130  and the barrier panel  120 . The slot  133  essentially allows the proximal edge  121  of the barrier panel  120  to extend further inwards relative to the changing pad  130 , thus allowing the changing pad  130  to remain substantially flat when the barrier panel  120  is extended around the baby. In certain embodiments in which the slot  133  is not included, the action of extending the barrier panel  120  around the baby may cause the changing pad  130  to partially wrap around the sides of the baby. In one implementation, it is undesirable for the changing pad  130  to at least partially wrap around the sides of the baby and therefore the slots  133  may be included in the configuration of the apparatus  100 . In another implementation, however, wrapping the changing pad  130  at least partially around the sides of the baby may provide additional stabilization to the baby during the diaper changing process, thus inhibiting the side-to-side (e.g., roll-over) movements of the baby. In such an implementation, the slots  133  may not be included (as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3C, 3D, 4C, and 8 ). 
       FIG. 2A  further shows various edges of the apparatus  100 . The barrier panel  120  has a proximal edge  121  that contours around the chest  55  of the baby  50 . The barrier panel  120  is detachably held in place around the chest  55  of the baby  50  by attachment means  123 , which are described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3D . Together with the underlay segment  110 , the proximal edge  121  forms a chest gap that secures around the baby&#39;s chest  55 . Additional details regarding the proximal edge  121  are included below with reference to  FIGS. 3E, 4B, and 5A-5B . A distal edge  122  is formed by the exterior edges of the barrier panel  120  and the exterior edges of the underlay segment  110 . When in an installed position, the distal edge  122  may resemble a circular or elliptical conic (e.g., a curve intersecting a cone). In another embodiment, the distal edge  122  of the barrier panel can have other shapes, such as a straight line, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, etc. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  with the barrier panel  120  forming a cone-like shape (baby  50  not depicted). Because there is no baby  50  resting on the underlay segment  110  in the depicted embodiment, the weight of the barrier panel  120  has pulled the underlay segment  110  from its typical installed position (e.g., flat on the ground) into a substantially vertical position. The proximal edge  121 , although its location is labeled in the figure, is not readily visible in  FIG. 2B  because the chest gap formed between the proximal edge  121  of the barrier panel  120  and the underlay segment  110  is collapsed in the depicted embodiment because the proximal edge  121  is not supported by resting on the chest  55  of a baby  50 . 
     According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2B , the barrier panel  120  forms a cone-like shape, with the distal edge  122  forming a conic base. The barrier panel  120 , according to one embodiment, is made from a material that is stiff enough (see description of  FIG. 3E ) to maintain a barrier despite the occasional collision from the hand  51  of a baby and the pull of gravity (e.g., the weight of the barrier panel itself). Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the barrier panel  120  extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper body portion  56  of the baby  50  (e.g., upwardly and outwardly from the underlay segment  110 ). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the barrier panel  120 , when installed about a baby  50 , is elevated/suspended above the lower body portion  57  of the baby  50 . In other words, the cone-like shape of the barrier panel  120  may be designed and oriented so that, if the cone-like shape of the barrier panel  120  were to collapse, deform, bend, or stretch due to gravity and/or the force of a collision from the hand  51  of a baby  50 , the barrier panel  120  would collapse, deform, bend, or stretch towards the lower body portion  57  of the baby  50  instead of towards the upper body portion  56  (e.g., the barrier panel  120  would not fall onto the head or face of the baby). 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing an attachment means  123  for coupling the barrier panel  120  about a baby  50  (not depicted). The attachment means  123  is for detachably coupling the barrier panel  120  about the chest  55  of a baby  50 . In one embodiment, the attachment means  123  may be a Velcro®-type fastener that allows a diaper changing attendant to quickly and efficiently couple and uncouple the barrier panels  120  about the baby  50 . As depicted, a Velcro® “hooks” section may be disposed on one end of one of the “arms” of the barrier panel  120  and a Velcro® “loops” section may be disposed on the other side of the other “arm” of the barrier panel  120 , thus allowing the ends of the two arms of the barrier panel  120  to partially overlap in order to couple together around the chest  55  of a baby  50 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a top view of another embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing an attachment means  123  and an adjustment means for coupling the barrier panel  120  about a baby (not depicted). In the depicted embodiment, the attachment means  123  may include strips or sections of fastener material that extend along at least portion of one or both of the edges  121 ,  122  of the barrier panel  120 . With the fastener material extending along one or both of the edges  121 ,  122 , the diaper changing attendant may select, based on the size/age of the baby, how large to make the chest gap by adjusting the extent of overlap between the two arms of the barrier panel  120 . In other words, corresponding fastener strips  123  on opposite sides of the arms of the barrier panel  120  may be aligned and fastened together along their respective lengths to according to the desired size of the chest gap (e.g., similar to an adjustable baseball cap that has fastener that allows the circumference of the cap to be modified). 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus  100  may optionally include multiple parallel strips or sections of corresponding fastener material (i.e., multiple strips of the fastener material of  FIG. 3A ), thus allowing a diaper changing attendant to select, based on the size/age of the baby, how large to make the chest gap, formed by the proximal edges  121  and the underlay segment  110  (e.g., adjusting how tightly the proximal edges  121  contour the chest  55  of the baby  50 ). Therefore, in one embodiment the adjustment means includes multiple attachment points to allow the diaper changing attendant to connect certain connection points to adjust the size of the chest gap. 
       FIG. 3C  is a top view of another embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing an attachment means for coupling the barrier panel  120  about a baby (not depicted). That attachment means  123  may include snaps, buttons, ties, straps, laces, fasteners or other detachable coupling mechanisms. For example,  FIG. 3D  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing another example of an attachment means  123  for coupling the barrier panel  120  about a baby  50 . The attachment means  123  may include a zipper or other edge coupling mechanism, thus not requiring the two “arms” of the barrier panel  120  to overlap. 
       FIG. 3E  is a top view of one embodiment of stiffeners  126  and adjustment means  124  installed within a barrier panel of a diaper changing apparatus  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus  100  does not include a changing pad  130  but includes a single section of material that has a portion (underlay segment  110 ) that wraps underneath at least one of the head, shoulders, back, and buttocks of a baby and another portion (barrier panel  120 ) that wraps around the chest of the baby. 
     As described above, in one embodiment the material of the barrier panel  120  is sufficiently stiff so as to maintain the shape of the barrier panel without the aid of stiffeners. However, in other embodiments the barrier panel  120  may be implemented with stiffeners  126  to facilitate maintaining the cone-like shape. For example, the barrier panel  120  may include at least one stiffener  126  that extends between the distal edge  122  and the proximal edge  121 . In one embodiment, the stiffeners  126  may be rods that are disposed within the material of the barrier panel  120 . In other words, the material may be a fabric and may include internal pockets that are configured to hold the stiffeners  126  in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the barrier panel  120  may have a pleated or other folded/overlapping design that functions to strengthen the material and impart stiffness to the barrier panel  120 . In one embodiment, not depicted, a stiffener  126  may be integrated with the barrier panel  120  along the distal edge  122  in order to maintain the conic curve. The stiffeners may be constructed from metallic, plastic, polymeric, or composite materials, among others. In another embodiment, the stiffeners may be foam members that impart a degree of structural stability while still being soft and at least somewhat pliable. 
     The adjustment means  124  for allowing a diaper changing attendant to adapt the size of the chest gap to the size of the baby  50  may be implemented using an elastic band integrated along the proximal edge  121  (as depicted in  FIG. 3E ). In such an embodiment, the proximal edge  121  would be held securely and snugly against the chest  55  of a baby  50 , thus impeding the hands of a baby from slipping through the chest gap along the torso of the baby. 
       FIG. 3F  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing an underlay segment  110  that is detachable from the barrier panel  120 . As briefly described above, the various portions  110 ,  120  of the apparatus  100  may be detachably coupled together. For example, the barrier panel  120  may couple, via attachment means  123 , to a separate underlay segment  110 . In one embodiment, the underlay segment  110  may be an existing changing pad that is retro-fitted with complimentary attachment means  123 . In other words, the underlay segment  110  may be partially or entirely formed from an existing changing pad, according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing an asymmetrical barrier panel  120 . As depicted, the barrier panel  120  is not required to couple to itself at a point equidistant from the underlay segment  110 . For example, one arm of the barrier panel  120  may be long enough to wrap around the torso/chest  55  of the baby  50  in order to couple with a complimentary attachment means  123  disposed near or mounted on the underlay segment  110  (as depicted in  FIG. 4A ). In yet another embodiment, the attachment means  123  may be located directly underneath the baby, thereby allowing the underlay segment  110  and the attachment means  123  to occupy substantially the same space.  FIG. 4B  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100 . In one embodiment, the changing pad  130  may be connected to the underlay segment  110  and the barrier panel  120  by a narrow patch of material, thus allowing the shape/dimensions of the proximal edge  121  to be further customized. 
       FIG. 4C  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing the changing pad  130  with a wipe dispenser portion  132 . The wipe dispenser portion  132  may be a pouch or a pocket that conveniently stores and positions baby wipes so that the diaper changing attendant can easily access and use the wipes during the changing procedure. It is expected that other accessories, such as pouches, pockets, straps, belts, handles, etc., may be implemented in conjunction with the apparatus  100  to further facilitate an efficient, comfortable, and stress-free diaper changing procedure. It is expected that other configurations and orientations of the portions  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the apparatus are possible to be implemented and such other configurations and orientations fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the various dimensions and sizes may vary according to the specifics of a given application. 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing the barrier panel  120  with a c-shaped proximal edge  121  that forms a hemisphere chest gap.  FIG. 5B  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100  showing the barrier panel  120  with a rectangular-shaped or T-shaped proximal edge  121  that forms a rectangular chest gap. Both  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are depicted from a viewpoint of the baby&#39;s feet looking towards the head of the baby, although no baby is depicted in  FIGS. 5A-B . It is expected that the proximal edge  121  extending over the baby may have other shapes, such as polygonal, triangular, etc., depending on the specifics of a given application. As described above, the proximal edge  121  may further include an elastic band liner that functions to snugly secure around the chest of the baby  50 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a first step for folding the diaper changing apparatus  100 , wherein a first end of the barrier panel  120  is folded inward toward the underlay segment  110 .  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a second step for folding the diaper changing apparatus  100 , wherein a second end of the barrier panel  120  opposite the first end is folded inward toward the underlay segment  110 . In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the first and second ends of the barrier panel  120  are folded to overlap the underlay segment  110 . 
       FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a third step for folding the diaper changing apparatus  100 , wherein the underlay segment  110  and the folded first and second ends of the barrier panel  120  are folded toward the changing pad  130 .  FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a folded diaper changing apparatus  100 , wherein a fold has been made in the changing pad  130  to enclose the folded underlay segment  110  and barrier panel  120 . 
     In certain embodiments, the changing pad  130  may comprise an attachment means (e.g., snap, Velcro®, button, hook) to secure the folded end of the changing pad  130  to an opposing surface, or the like. In certain embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6D , the diaper changing apparatus  100  may be formed from a pliable, flexible, and/or foldable material (e.g., flexible fabric, textile, plastic, polymer, laminate, composite, or the like) to facilitate portability and storage of the diaper changing apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the changing pad  130  is coupled to the underlay segment  110  above the proximal edge  121 , at a distance at least slightly removed from the proximal edge  121  toward an interior of the underlay segment  110 . As mentioned above, the changing pad  130  may be sewn, bonded, detachably coupled, or otherwise fastened to the underlay segment at  115 . The barrier panel  120 , in the depicted embodiment, extends out in three-quarters of a circle, or an extended-c shape. In certain embodiments, the diaper changing apparatus  100  of  FIG. 7  may result in a wider cone, a more compact apparatus  100 , or the like than one or more other designs for the diaper changing apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of one embodiment of a diaper changing apparatus  100  showing two attachment means  123 ,  127 A,  127 B for coupling the barrier panel  120  about a baby. As described above the barrier panel  120  may include portions that overlap and/or that otherwise connect together via fasteners  123  (e.g., Velcro®, etc). In another embodiment, the barrier panel  120  may have one or more tabs  127 A that extend from the barrier panel and that wrap around and engage a corresponding area/portion  127 B of the opposite barrier panel section when the barrier panel is extended around the chest of the baby. The tab  127 A or flap helps secure the barrier panel after it is coupled in place. The tab  127 A that folds over may be the exclusive fastener means or the table  127 A may function as extra strength to the barrier panel that has already been fastened. 
     The tab/flap  127 A may have Velcro or other connecting means on the back side so that when the barrier is coupled together it can attach to the opposite side of the barrier. When the barrier is folded up into place, the two sides of the barrier may first be attached via the main coupling devices  123  before the flap is folded over the top of the barrier panel and attached to fastener  127 B on the other side. This tab  127 A makes it difficult for the baby to unfasten the barrier 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of one embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus.  FIG. 9  shows a variation of the changing apparatus  100  where the baby&#39;s middle or lower back (baby not depicted) would lay on the underlay  110  and the barrier panels  120  would be positioned upwards towards the baby&#39;s head forming a general U-shape when viewed from above. Once again, the underlay segment  110  may be connected to the changing pad  130  at  115 . 
       FIGS. 10A-K  are top view of various shapes of the barrier panel and underlay according to various embodiments. Many shapes can be used for the proximal edge  121  and distal edge  122  that can fold up into a barrier. Some have been shown earlier that are c shaped and rectangular shaped. However,  FIGS. 10A-K  show various other examples of other shapes, formations, and configurations that may be implemented as the barrier panel  120 . For example, the barrier panel  120  can extend further down as seen in  FIG. 10B , which would cause the barrier panel to lean further away from the baby&#39;s face and more towards their lower body. On the other hand, as seen in  FIG. 10E , the barrier panel  120  can be extended outward causing the barrier panel (when coupled about the baby) to close closer to the baby&#39;s face and further away from the lower body of the baby. The barrier panel can include, but is not limited to, the combinations, shapes, and configurations depicted in these figures. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of another embodiment of the diaper changing apparatus that shows a way of overlapping and connecting the changing apparatus  100  to the changing pad  130  by a small connecting material  115 . In  FIG. 11 . The changing apparatus  100  is connected to the changing pad  130  either permanently by sewing or some other means, or in a removable manner with Velcro or other removable connection means. This allows for maneuverability of the barrier panel  120  and gives more flexibility to the proximal edge  121 . For example, the changing pad  130  may have connecting material  115  along its length, thus allowing the user to select where, with respect to the length of the changing pad  130 , to connect the barrier panel  120 . It also allows the changing pad  130  to be overlapped with the changing apparatus  100  in order to ensure that no part of the baby comes in contact with the ground or surface the changing pad is placed upon when the changing pad is pulled up into the barrier position. 
       FIGS. 12A-12D  are top views of various embodiments for folding the apparatus with dotted lines representing the fold creases. Any ribs or stiffening structures would be placed in pockets, sewn within the material, or given hinges in a way that the material can easily fold on the dotted fold lines. For example,  FIG. 12A  shows possible fold lines for a comparatively thicker yet shorter folding scheme. The fold lines shown in  FIG. 12A  are listed in numeric order (according to one embodiment). In one implementation, the sequential folding along the fold lines will result in the compact, folded apparatus shown in  FIG. 12B . 
     Similarly,  FIG. 12C  shows fold lines for a thinner yet longer folding scheme and  FIG. 12D  shows the compact, folded form of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 12C . The compact/folded form may include various fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) that hold various components together in the compact form. In a further embodiment, a pouch may be formed upon folding up the apparatus and wipes, diapers, or other diaper changing supplies may be stored within the pouch. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may include a vertical fold line that would allow the apparatus to be further folded, according to the specifics of a given application. 
       FIGS. 13A-13B  are top views of further embodiments of the barrier panel.  FIG. 13  shows some other variations of the apparatus in which various components of the apparatus are hingedly coupled together. For example, it is possible to also make the apparatus using material that doesn&#39;t flex like fabric or thin plastic, but instead is firm. 
       FIG. 13A  shows a structure that is made from stiff material that hinges on the dotted lines in order to couple about the baby to form the barrier. The barrier wouldn&#39;t have a rounded cone shape but would still function in a similar manner to the cone shapes depicted earlier.  FIG. 13B  shows another variation of the same idea with an extra hinge in the middle of the underlay segment  110  to allow the apparatus to fold smaller for storage. 
       FIGS. 14A-D  are top view of various shapes and features of the diaper changing apparatus, according to various embodiments.  FIGS. 14A-D  shows additional variations to the shape of the barrier panel. As mentioned above, the barrier panel  120  may form a pyramid shape or a rectangular box shape, among others. With some minor variations in shape, the same concept can form different barrier shapes.  FIG. 14A  shows a pattern that could form a pyramid shape with barrier arms that point outward when laid flat. The dotted lines are where it folds to put the barrier in place. When folded on the dotted lines, the barrier arms would be able to then couple to form the barrier, and uncouple again to be laid flat.  FIG. 14B  shows a similar concept that would form an open box instead of a pyramid. 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method  500  for changing a soiled diaper. The method  500  includes positioning the baby in the supine position on an underlay segment of a diaper changing apparatus, wherein at least one of the shoulders, the head, the back, and the buttocks of the baby are in contact with the underlay segment at  502 . The method  500  further includes extending a barrier panel that is coupled to the underlay segment around the chest of the baby to form a partition between an upper body portion and a lower body portion of the baby at  504 . Still further, the method  500  includes removing the soiled diaper from the buttocks of the baby at  506  and cleaning the buttocks of the baby at  508 . The method  500  may further include the steps of replacing the soiled diaper with a new diaper and decoupling the barrier panel to remove the baby from the apparatus. 
     In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
     Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination. 
     The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.