Patent Application
20060025738
The present invention relates in general to items that may be sold and dispensed from a coin-operated vending machine. Such vending machines are well known and are used for dispensing numerous pre-packaged items. However, the present invention more particularly pertains to a vending machine associated with a baby-changing table such as typically located within most public ladies restrooms. Such baby-changing tables are functional for their intended use but they do not provide any accessories or products that may be useful while changing the baby. Thus, the present invention substantially provides a pre-packaged dispensable diaper changing means for use with a baby-changing table, or the like.
In today's society most public ladies restrooms provide a baby-changing table for convenience. Such baby-changing tables typically include a table that may be pivoted between a closed position and an open position and also provide restraint means for securing the baby thereon. These types of tables are very convenient and provide a safe and secure baby-changing area. However, currently they do not include dispensable accessories associated therewith, such as a diaper, diaper wipes, lotion, baby powder, changing pad, or the like. It is therefore contended that there is a need to provide a vending machine therewith for dispensing such accessories.
Although the invention may be used in combination with a vending machine, the actual machine is not taught herein as such machines and their technology are very well known within the prior art and any type of suitable coin-operated dispensing machine may be used. Thus, the actual pre-packaged item is what we wish to address and resolve in a novel manner heretofore not taught within the known prior art.
Within the known prior art there have been many attempts to provide a diaper dispensing apparatus that may be coin-operated. Such attempts are taught within U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,678,727, 4,706,845, 4,574,822 and 3,970,217. Each of which provide diapers for dispensing but none provide a novel pre-packaged item including a diaper and associated accessories as taught herein as will be seen within the following specification.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a pre-packaged dispensable item having novel features and includes a method of use. For example, in the preferred embodiment we provide an external wrap for sanitary containment of a disposable diaper positioned therein. The external wrap is not only functional for containment of the diaper but also functions as a sanitary placemat that is of a size and shape to fit appropriately upon the changing table. Also, most importantly the external wrap is in the form of a disposable bag for containment of a used soiled diaper and/or other disposable items associated therewith.
Other notable novel objects of the present invention may be to further include additional accessories of engineering choice. For example, positioned within the package there may be one or multiple packaged accessory items such as moist diaper wipes, lotion, DESITIN™, baby powder, etc.
Yet another object of the present invention is provide the noted external wrap so that when the diaper and/or accessories are positioned either thereon or therein they are contained in a sanitary manner that is most important. Furthermore, the external wrap when unfolded provides easy access of the items therein to the user. Thus, the manner in which the wrap is used is unique and provides unusual end results heretofore not taught. Also, the method of use is simple, less time consuming, and most efficient. Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following drawings and specification.
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. It is to be understood the present invention is novel not because of the individual components respectively, but more so because of there use in combination that provides unusual results. For example, the actual components are pre-existing items and no modifications need be made thereto, as they are each fully functional as currently available, produced and sold. The actual components include at least a placemat (10) and a diaper (12). Other components are optional and may include packaged accessories of choice, such as a packaged moist diaper wipe (14) or packaged lotion (16) or the like. It is to be understood items (14) and (16) are only exemplary of some optional accessories and the invention is not to be limited thereto. Thus, numerous accessory items are possible and those actually used are dependant upon engineering, manufacturing choice and/or end user needs.
Referring now to the external wrapping represented by placemat (10) that is actually in the form of a disposable bag, respectively having an internal compartment (18). The external wrapping or placemat (10) is most important as it functions for multiple purposes. For example, the placemat (10) first provides a sanitary wrap for containment of diaper (12) and/or any other accessories positioned either thereon or therein. The placemat (10) or wrapping may be made from any suitable material of choice. However, even though plastic is an option, plastic alone may not be desirable as this may be dangerous and may not comply with safety codes. Therefore it is preferable that other materials, such as absorbent padded paper or the like are used for constructing placemat (10). Another option maybe to include an internal plastic coating (not shown) within internal compartment (18). This is simply to reduce undesirable odors from escaping there through, as odors from soiled diapers can be most unpleasant and may disturb others using the facility. Another option to resolve this matter would be to include a pleasant scent that may be impregnated within the material used for placemat (10).
Furthermore placemat (10) is to be of a shape and size to suitably fit onto the pre-existing typical diaper-changing table (20) (illustrated in ghost lines for exemplary purposes) when in the unfolded open position, as depicted in
Referring now to diaper (12), which again can be any suitable pre-existing disposable diaper of choice. Furthermore, the invention is not to be limited to any specific size, shape, or brand, as different types of diapers may be offered and this is again dependant on the dispensing means of choice and/or the noted variable options.
Referring now to items (14) and (16), as previously addressed these are only exemplary of some of the optional features inherent within the invention. As presented herein (14) substantially represents a packaged moist diaper wipe and (16) substantially represents a package of lotion (16). Therefore any packaged item or substance of choice may be offered in combination with diaper (12).
We will now address the method of use for the present invention so as to further define the novel features associated therewith. A method of use for changing a babies diaper using a pre-packaged dispensable wrapped diaper with accessories comprising the following steps of:
It can now be seen we have herein provided a new and novel means for changing a babies diaper using a pre-packaged dispensable diaper and accessories associated therewith. The pre-packaged diaper and accessories being contained within a sanitary external wrapping that is actually in the form of a disposable bag. Thus, the disposable bag, the diaper and/or accessories in combination provide unusual results heretofore not taught.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses.
