INFANT CHANGING STATION AND METHOD OF USE THEREWITH

Abstract

A changing station is provided to support an infant while changing the infant's diapers and garments. It generally includes a support base having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end longitudinally spaced therefrom, with a bay disposed proximately to the first end, and a cover panel extending above and across the bay. The bay and cover panel define a chamber to receive a roll of dispensable sheet liner whereby a section of the sheet liner is dispensed from the chamber and across the support base's upper surface. A method is also provided, including the step of supporting a roll of dispensable sheet liner at one end of the support base, advancing a section of sheet liner across the upper surface, changing the infant's diapers or garments, and thereafter moving away the advanced section of sheet liner from the upper surface of the support base.

Description

BACKGROUND

The disclosed embodiments herein relate to infant care products. One aspect of these embodiments is to provide a changing apparatus for safely supporting an infant while changing the infant's diapers or garments. Also disclosed is a method of using such an apparatus for changing an infant's diapers and garments.

One of the strongest human instincts involves the care and nurturing of offspring. Parents provide for their children in a wide variety of ways. At a basic level, however, most parents provide their children with the necessities of food, clothing and shelter. While the needs of children last from birth through later years, the care and nurturing of newborns and young infants present special issues.

In response to these special issues, the infant/baby industry continues to grow with new and innovative products that are continuingly made available to expectant mothers and fathers for the care of their children. Presently, the infant industry offers a vast number of products ranging from bedding products, travel products, feeding products, toys, bathing and health products, clothing, and the like.

One activity common to all caregivers and there infants is that of changing diapers and garments. Oftentimes, such activities occur throughout the day and can be quite difficult to accomplish because infants tend to move constantly. This is especially so when as the infant becomes more mobile because they no longer stay on their backs. This requires the care giver to stay more alert while changing diapers or garments because increasing mobility creates a higher risk of injury especially when the infant's needs are tended to from an elevated changing surface.

In addition, changing diapers is typically a messy job and while doing so, the area about which the activity occurs may become soiled. For this reason, caregivers often have to cleanse the changing area so that it is sanitary for its next use. To respond to this need, changing stations are provided with removable covers that are may be washed. Some of these removable covers are fitted over changing pads while others are able to detach and reattach by means of some fastening system.

However, there still remains a need for a changing station to safely secure an infant while tending to his/her needs as well as to provide a changing station that is easy to keep clean. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a new and improved changing station that meets these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the changing station illustrated herein may be used to support an infant while changing the infant's diapers and garments. Broadly, the disclosed embodiments include a longitudinally extending support base having a cover panel that extends over a bay. The bay defines a chamber to house a roll of dispensable sheet liner.

The support base extends from a first end to a second end and has an upper surface to support the infant and a lower surface opposite thereof. The support base may include a contoured inner shell and an outer cover that is adapted to removeably fit onto the inner shell. The support base has a recess formed therein and a bay adjacent thereto that is disposed proximately to the first end of the support base. The recess is sized and adapted to nestably receive a pad that is adapted to be disposed thereon. Preferably, the pad has a thickness that is the same or approximately the same as the selected depth of the recess.

The support base includes a pair of spaced apart upright sidewalls that extend along opposite side edges of the support base in opposed relation to one another so as to define an upwardly divergent channel sized and adapted to receive and support an infant. Each sidewall has an inverted V-shaped cross-section and a first end portion having an enlarged height. The first end portion of each of the sidewalls proximate to the first end of the support base forms an end wall for the bay. The upper surface of the support base has a first surface portion proximate to the first end of the support base that is arcuate in configuration and which defines the bay.

The cover panel associated with the changing station is also arcuate in configuration and sized to extend in an arch wise manner over the first surface portion of the bay. The cover panel may be pivotally disposed on the support base and formed of a material that is substantially transparent or, in the alternative, of a material that is opaque. Together, the bay and the cover panel define a chamber that is sized and adapted to receive a roll of dispensable sheet liner therein whereby a layer of the sheet liner may be dispensed out of the chamber across the support base so that it confronts the upper surface thereof.

Additionally, the support base may be provided with a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the support base. A mounting structure may further be provided that is adapted to receive at least one support block. The support block, in turn, is adapted support an accessory device.

A method is also contemplated by the present invention for changing an infant's diapers and garments, which comprises providing a support base that has a longitudinally extending channel defined by its upper surface and a pair of upright sidewalls whereby the channel is sized to receive an infant thereon in a supine position. The method includes the step of supporting a roll a dispensable sheet liner at one end of the support base, advancing a section thereof longitudinally across the upper surface of the support base and placing the infant in the channel such that the sheet liner underlies the infant. After the infant's diapers or garments are changed, the infant is removed from the channel and the section of sheet liner upon which the infant was lying is moved away from the upper surface of the support base. The method may further include the step of removing the section of sheet liner and thereafter discarding the section after its removal. Further, the sheet liner may be provided with transverse perforations wherein the step of removing the section of sheet liner is accomplished by detaching the section of the respective perforations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant changing station according to the present invention shown supporting an infant;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the infant changing station shown in FIG. 1 without the infant;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the infant changing station shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view, in elevation of the support base shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the support base shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, in elevation of the support base shown in FIG. 5 taken about lines 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the straps shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which may be used to safely restrain movement of the infant while during use of the changing station;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pad shown in FIG. 3 taken about lines 8-8;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, top plan view of the outer cover partially broken away, and the cover panel;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view in elevation of the cover panel shown in FIG. 3 taken about lines 10-10;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view, in elevation, of the infant changing station shown in FIG. 2, partially broken away, taken about lines 11-11, and without the outer cover;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the infant changing station shown in FIG. 2 with the cover panel in an open position; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded top plan view of the support base partially broken away and the cover panel shown with the dispensable sheet liner in phantom;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support block;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the changing station according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the support base and cover panel shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cover panel shown in FIGS. 15 and 16; and

FIG. 18 is a side view in elevation of the cover panel shown in FIGS. 15 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are broadly directed to products related to the care of infants. More particularly, the embodiments disclosed relate to a changing station adapted to safely support an infant in the supine position while changing the infant's diapers and garments. Generally, these embodiments include a support base to support the infant and a chamber for housing a roll of dispensable sheet liner that is interposed between the infant and the upper surface of the support base. Once the infant is removed from the changing station, soiled portions of the liner may be removed and discarded and new sheet liner dispensed from its chamber and across the upper surface of the support base. The disclosed embodiments are also directed to a method of changing an infant's diapers and garments wherein a changing station according to the present invention is used.

Turning then to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the infant changing station 10 is shown with infant 2 that safely supported thereby in a supine position. The infant is directly lying on a layer of sheet liner 80 and safely restrained by straps 12. FIG. 2 shows the infant changing station 10 without the infant. As may better appreciated, changing apparatus 10 generally includes channel 30 for receiving the infant and a chamber 96 that houses a roll of sheet liner 80. Sheet liner 80 is dispensed through chamber 96 and extends the length of channel 30. These and other features are described in more detail in the following figures.

As shown in FIG. 3, changing station 10 has several components, including support base 20, pad 60, outer cover 70, liner 80, and cover panel 90. Generally, support base 20 may be formed as a one-piece integral construction of suitable material for handling an infant such as plastic, wood, metal, and combinations thereof, to name a few. Other materials consistent with the infant care industry are contemplated as well as any decorative features that would permit the support base to accommodate the decoration of the nursery.

Turning now to the features of support base 20, attention is first directed to FIGS. 3-6. As shown, support base 20 extends longitudinally between first end 22 and second end 24 and has an upper surface 26 and lower surface 28 opposite thereof. Upper surface 26 may be divided into two distinct surface portions: an arcuate first surface portion 25 and a second planar surface portion 27.

Support base 20 includes two opposing upright sidewalls 32, 34, of selected height, which extend along a respective side edges 31, 33 of support base 20 to form an upwardly divergent channel 30 that is sized and adapted to receive the infant. Sidewalls 32, 34, together with upper surface 26 generally form a contoured inner shell 56. Sidewalls 32, 34 may have a substantially constant height, or, as shown, may have a first height, indicated by “d₁” in FIG. 3, and an enlarged height, indicated by “d₂”, which is proximate to second end 24 of support base 20. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 6, upright sidewalls 32, 34 may further have an inverted V-shape in cross-section.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, bottom surface 28 includes an arrangement of laterally extending support webs 35, 37, and 39, as well as a first pair of mounting structures 36 located proximate to first end 22 and a second pair of mounting structures 38 located proximate to second end 24. Mounting structures 36 and 38 are preferably arranged at a 45° angle with respect to ends 22 and 24. As shown, support webs 35, 37, 39 and mounting structures 36 and 38 include mounting holes 29, which may or may not be threaded, for use as a point of attachment for various items. Legs or feet 19, shown in FIG. 3, may be mounted into mounting holes 29 of support webs 35 and 39 so as to extend downwardly from the support base. Feet 19 may be made of rubber or other such material that reduces movement of the support base when in use. Additionally, straps may constructed to mount in mounting holes 29. Turning for the moment then to FIG. 7, straps 12 are shown, each having a respective first end 11, 13 and respective second end 14, 16. First strap ends 11 and 13 may be associated with cooperating fasteners, such as buckle 18. However, other such cooperating fasteners are contemplated such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and buttons, to name a few. Each second end 14, 16 may be associated with a respective mounting peg 17 that may be received through a respective bore 19. Mounting pegs 17 may then be threaded into mounting holes 29, such as those located on support webs 37 so as to be secured therein.

Additionally, with reference to FIG. 14, support block 54 may be provided to be receiving by mounting structures 36 and 38. Support block 54 includes pegs 56, which are sized and adapted to be received by mounting holes 29 of mounting structures 36 and 38. Support block 54 may further be adapted to support an accessory devices that may be received in bore 58. Bore 58 may be sized and adapted, for example, to receive a pole that supports a child's mobile or something that would distract or entertain the infant while his/her diapers are being changed such as a mobile.

Returning now to FIGS. 3-6, there are various additional features associated with support base 20 that need to be described in some detail to better appreciate the relationship of the support base to the other components of the changing station. First, as mentioned above, the upper surface 26 of support base 20 may be generally divided into two surface portions 25 and 27. The second upper surface portion 27 is a planar surface and generally associated with recess 40, which is formed in support base 20 while the first upper surface portion 25 is arcuate in configuration and generally associated with bay 50. Due to its arcuate configuration, areas of the first upper surface portion 25 are slightly elevated above the second upper surface portion 27.

Recess 40 has a first end wall 42 proximate to the second end 24 of support base 20 and a second end wall 44, which borders bay 50. Generally, recess 40 is sized and adapted to nestably receive pad 60. Turning then for the moment to FIG. 8, it may be further appreciated that pad 60 may be a soft, resilient pad and may include an inner foam layer 62, such as a polyurethane foam, encased in a water resistant outer layer 64, such as polyester. Again, other materials suitable for infant care are contemplated and further within the understanding of a person ordinarily skilled in this art. Pad 60 has a lower surface 66 adapted to confront the second upper surface portion 27 of support base 20, and an oppositely facing upper surface 68. Preferably, the depth of recess 40 and thickness of pad 60 are approximately the same such that when received therein, pad 60 is disposed between first end wall 42 and second end wall 44 of recess 40 and upper surface 68 of pad 60 is flush with the elevated areas of first upper surface portion 25.

Returning again to FIGS. 3-6, bay 50 is generally located proximate to first end 22 of the support base 20 and includes the first upper surface portion 25 of support base 20. Bay is further defined by a first end portion 46, 48 of respective sidewalls 32, 34, which together form a bay end wall 52. As mentioned above, first upper surface portion 25 is arcuate in configuration and has a radius “r₁”.

As shown in FIG. 3, changing station 10 includes an outer cover 70 that may be removably fit onto the inner shell 56 of support base 20 and over pad 60. Outer cover 70 has a head portion 72 that is adapted to extend about bay 50 of support base 20 and a body portion 74 that is adapted to extend about pad 60 when disposed in recess 40 of support base 20. Additionally, outer cover 70 includes a pair of apertures, such as aperture 76, the function of which will be described in more detail below after discussion of cover panel 90. Outer cover 70 may further include an elastic band proximate to bottom edge 78 so that outer cover 70 maintains proper positioning with respect to support base 20. Again material suitable for care of infants lying thereon may be used to form outer cover 70, which includes materials having water resistant properties, particularly with respect to its outer surface layer. Accordingly, outer cover may be formed of a top layer of 100% PVC and the bottom layer may be a polyester cotton blend, as an example, and may be decorated or otherwise suitable to provide an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance to change station 10.

Two general components remained to be discussed, sheet liner 80 and cover panel 90. Both of these components are shown in FIG. 3 are adapted to be disposed on the outer cover 70. Generally, sheet liner 80 is disposed on the head portion 72 of outer cover 70 and comes in direct contact with the infant during use of the changing station. Preferably, sheet liner 80 is formed as a roll that may be easily dispensed quite similar to that of a roll of paper towels. However, unlike paper towels, sheet liner 80 is preferably formed of multiple layers wherein the bottom layer is made of vinyl or other water resistant material. Additional layers, such as a top layer and an intermediate layer may be formed of a water absorbent material, such as cotton, that may be laminated to the bottom water resistant layer. The roll of sheet liner 80 may further include transversely extending perforations 82 thereby dividing the roll of sheet liner 80 into a plurality of partible sheet segments. It is contemplated that the perforations 82 are approximately 12″ apart. As should be appreciated, perforations 82 assist in the detachment of selected sheet segments from the roll. The sheet liner may also be provided with decorative patterns or other indicia.

Cover panel 90 is an arcuate one-piece panel construction that may then be hingedly secured to support base 20. Cover panel may be made of any suitable material sufficient to permit ease movement of cover panel about its hinge. Such materials include plastic, wood, metals, or combinations thereof. Further, it is preferred that cover panel be transparent so that at least a portion of the roll of sheet liner may be seen therethrough or may be opaque. To understand the construction and function of cover panel 90, reference is made to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown, cover panel 90 includes hinge 92, that is integrally formed therewith. Cover panel 90 is arcuate and has a radius “r₂”. Preferably, “r₂” is less than the radius of curvature r₁ of bay 50 described above with particular reference to FIG. 4.

Hinge 92 is received through apertures 76 located at head portion 72 of outer cover 70. Apertures 76 are somewhat teardrop in shape and are formed through the outer cover 70. Once received therethrough, hinge 92 may then be received by a second pair of apertures 94, which are associated with support base 20 and shown in FIGS. 3-5. Apertures 94 are formed in sidewalls 32 and 34 proximate to first end 22 of support base 20 and sized to receive hinge 92. Once received therein, hinge 92 is operative to permit the pivotal movement of cover panel 90 relative to support base 20. If desired, cover panel may be removed such that it is removably disposed with respect to support base 20.

Now that all of the components of changing station 10 have been described, the relationship among the components may now be understood with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Pad 60 is received in recess 40 of support base 20 such that its lower surface 66 is in a confronting relationship to the second upper planar surface portion 27 of support base 20. Further, as shown upper surface 68 of pad 60 is flush with the elevated portions of the arcuate first upper surface portion 25 of support base 20.

Outer cover 70 is fitted about support base 20 that head portion 72 is in confronting relationship with the first upper surface portion 25 of support base 20 while body portion 74 is in confronting relationship with pad 60. Sheet liner 80 and cover panel 90 are both disposed on head portion 72 of outer cover. Cover panel 90 is hingedly secured to support base 20 so that it extends in an archwise manner over bay 50 when closed and further permit access to the roll when opened as shown in FIG. 12. As may now be appreciated, bay 50 and cover panel 90 together form chamber 96 to house the roll of sheet liner 80.

Sheet liner 80 is fed between cover panel 90 and outer cover 70. More particularly, lower edge 97 of cover panel 90 forms gap 99 with the top surface 74 of outer cover 70 to accommodate sheet liner 80. Sheet liner 80 may be advanced in the direction of the arrows simply by pulling upon the exposed sheets that have been fed out of chamber 96 and pulled to traverse the body portion 74 of outer cover 70 to line the channel 30 as shown in FIG. 12. The infant may then be placed on the exposed sheets of sheet liner 80. If desired, outer cover 70 could be included so as to be interposed between the first upper surface portion 27 and sheet liner 80 and cover panel 90. In this way, the sheet liner would extend across the outer cover 70 rather than pad 60.

Alternatively, the components of changing station 10 can be assembled without use of outer cover 70. In this way, as shown in FIG. 13, hinge 92 may be inserted directly into support base apertures 94. Also, as shown in phantom, sheet liner 80 may be disposed directly onto arcuate first surface portion 25 thereby to be dispensed from chamber 96 to extend directly across pad 60 in confronting relationship thereto.

Turning now to FIGS. 15-18, a second exemplary embodiment of the changing station is shown. With respect to this second embodiment, changing station 110 is provided with an alternative support base 120 and cover panel 190. As shown, cover panel 190 includes flanges 192, which are formed as one-piece extensions of the cover panel. Flanges 192 are sized and adapted to be received in apertures 194 of support base 120 and are generally rectangular in cross-section. Cover panel 190 may be removably inserted in and out of apertures 194 to gain access to the sheet liner (not shown). To facilitate placement of cover panel 190, hand opening 199 is formed therethrough. In this embodiment, cover panel 190 is not adapted for pivotal movement with respect to support base 120. Further, as may be appreciate, an outer cover may also be used in conjunction with support base 120 and cover panel 190. In doing so, outer cover would be provided with four tear-drop shaped apertures adapted to align with the four apertures 194 of support base 120.

As may be appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention also contemplates a method of changing an infant's diapers and garments using the changing station described above with reference to FIGS. 1-13. Such a method contemplates providing a support base having a longitudinally extending channel that is sized and adapted to receive an infant in the supine position. The channel is defined by the upper surface of the support base and a pair of upright sidewalls extending along opposite side edges thereof. The method further contemplates supporting a roll of dispensable sheet liner at one end of the support base and advancing a section thereof across the upper surface of the support base so that the infant may be placed in the channel such that the infant the sheet liner underlies the infant. Next, the infant's diapers or garments may be changed and once this activity has been completed, the infant may be removed from the channel and the section of sheet liner upon which the infant was placed may be moved away from the upper surface of the support base.

If desired, and as contemplated by method, the used section of sheet liner could be removed from the roll and discarded after removal. Further, the step of removing the section of sheet liner may be aided by providing sheet liner is transversely perforated such that the section to be removed is accomplished by detaching the section at a respective perforation.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

1. A changing station adapted to support an infant while changing the infant's diapers and garments, comprising:

(A) a support base having an upper surface operative to support an infant thereon, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end;

(B) a bay disposed proximately to the first end at a location above the upper surface of said support base; and

(C) a cover panel extending above and across said bay so that said bay and said cover panel define a chamber sized and adapted to receive a roll of dispensable sheet liner therein whereby a layer of said sheet liner may be dispensed out of the chamber and across said support base in confronting relationship to the upper surface thereof.

2. A changing station according to claim 1 including a pad adapted to be disposed on the upper surface of said support base.

3. A changing station according to claim 2 wherein said support base includes a recess formed therein that is sized and adapted to nestably receive said pad.

4. A changing station according to claim 3 wherein said pad has a thickness and wherein said recess has a selected depth such that the thickness of said pad and the depth of said recess are about the same.

5. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein said support base includes a contoured inner shell and an outer cover adapted to removably fit onto said inner shell.

6. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein said support base has a pair of upright sidewalls extending along opposite side edges thereof in spaced-apart, opposed relation to one another thereby to define a channel sized and adapted to receive and support the infant therein.

7. A changing station according to claim 6 wherein the channel is upwardly divergent.

8. A changing station according to claim 7 wherein each of said sidewalls has an inverted V-shaped cross-section.

9. A changing station according to claim 6 wherein a first end portion of each of said sidewalls proximate to the first end of said support base forms an end wall for said bay.

10. A changing station according to claim 9 wherein each said end portion has an enlarged height.

11. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said support base has a first surface portion proximate to the first end of said support base that is arcuate in configuration thereby to define said bay.

12. A changing station according to claim 11 wherein said cover panel is arcuate in configuration and extends in an archwise manner over the first surface portion of said support base.

13. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein said cover panel is pivotally dispose on said support base.

14. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein said cover panel is formed of a material that is substantially transparent.

15. A changing station according to claim 1 including a plurality of legs extending downwardly from said support base.

16. A changing station according to claim 1 wherein said support base includes a mounting structure thereon and including at least one support block adapted to secure to said mounting structure and adapted to support an accessory device thereon.

17. A changing station adapted to support an infant while changing the infant's diapers and garments, comprising:

(A) a support base having an upper surface operative to support an infant thereon, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end;

(B) a bay disposed proximately to the first end at a location above the upper surface of said support base;

(C) a roll of dispensable sheet liner disposed in said bay whereby said sheet liner may be dispensed in confronting relationship to the upper surface; and

(D) a cover panel extending above and across said bay so as to enclose said roll, a first edge of said cover panel and said support member forming a dispensing opening therebetween whereby a layer of said sheet liner may be dispensed out of the chamber and across said support base in confronting relationship to the upper surface thereof.

18. A changing station according to claim 17 including a pad adapted to be disposed on the upper surface of said support base.

19. A changing station according to claim 18 wherein said support base includes a recess formed therein that is sized and adapted to nestably receive said pad.

20. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein said support base includes a contoured inner shell and an outer cover adapted to removably fit onto said inner shell.

21. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein said support base has a pair of upright sidewalls extending along opposite side edges thereof in spaced-apart, opposed relation to one another thereby to define a channel sized and adapted to receive and support the infant therein.

22. A changing station according to claim 21 wherein the channel is upwardly divergent.

23. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein the upper surface of said support base has a first surface portion proximate to the first end of said support base that is arcuate in configuration thereby to define said bay.

24. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein said cover panel is pivotally and removably disposed on said support base.

25. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein said cover panel is formed of a material that is substantially transparent.

26. A changing station according to claim 17 wherein said sheet liner has spaced-apart, transversely extending perforations thereby dividing said sheet liner into a plurality of partible sheet sections.

27. A changing station adapted to support an infant while changing the infant's diapers and garments, comprising:

(A) a longitudinally extending support base having an upper surface operative to support an infant thereon, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end, said support base having a pair of upright sidewalls extending along opposite side edges of said upper surface in spaced-apart opposed relation to one another and having a selected height thereby to define a channel sized and adapted to receive and support an infant therein; and

(B) a roll of dispensable sheet liner disposed between said sidewalls at the first end of said support base whereby said lining paper may be dispensed in confronting relationship to the upper surface.

28. A changing station according to claim 27 including a bay disposed proximately to the first end at a location above the upper surface of said support base.

29. A changing station according to claim 28 wherein a first end portion of each of said sidewalls proximate to the first end of said support base forms an end wall for said bay.

30. A changing station according to claim 29 including a cover panel extending above and across said bay so that said bay, said cover panel and the first end portions of said sidewalls together define a chamber sized and adapted to receive said roll of sheet liner.

31. A changing station according to claim 30 wherein each said end portion has an enlarged height.

32. A changing station according to claim 30 wherein the upper surface of said support base has a first surface portion proximate to the first end of said support base that is arcuate in configuration thereby to define said bay.

33. A changing station according to claim 32 wherein said cover panel is arcuate in configuration and extends in an archwise manner over the first surface portion of said support base.

34. A changing station according to claim 27 including a pad adapted to be disposed on the upper surface of said support base.

35. A changing station according to claim 34 wherein said support base includes a recess formed therein that is sized and adapted to nestably receive said pad.

36. A changing station according to claim 35 wherein said pad has a thickness and wherein said recess has a selected depth such that the thickness of said pad and the depth of said recess are about the same.

37. A changing station according to claim 27 wherein said support base includes a contoured inner shell and an outer cover adapted to removably fit onto said inner shell.

38. A changing station according to claim 27 wherein the channel is upwardly divergent.

39. A changing station according to claim 27 wherein each of said sidewalls has an inverted V-shaped cross-section.

40. A method for changing an infant's diapers and garments, comprising:

(A) providing a support base having a longitudinally extending channel defined by an upper surface of said support base and a pair of upright sidewalls extending along opposite side edges of said upper surface in spaced-apart opposed relation to one another, said channel size such that an infant may be placed therein in a supine position;

(B) supporting a roll of dispensable sheet liner at one end of said support base;

(C) advancing a section of said sheet liner longitudinally across the upper surface of said support base;

(D) placing an infant in the channel such that said section of sheet liner underlies the infant;

(E) changing at least one of the infant's diaper and garments;

(F) removing the infant from said channel; and

(G) moving said section of sheet liner away from the upper surface of said support base.

41. A method according to claim 40 including the step of removing said second of sheet liner and discarding said section of sheet liner after removal.

42. A method according to claim 40 wherein said sheet liner is transversely perforated and wherein the step of moving said section of lining paper is accomplished by detaching said section at a respective perforation.