CA1301408C - Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel - Google Patents

Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel

Info

Publication number
CA1301408C
CA1301408C CA000587612A CA587612A CA1301408C CA 1301408 C CA1301408 C CA 1301408C CA 000587612 A CA000587612 A CA 000587612A CA 587612 A CA587612 A CA 587612A CA 1301408 C CA1301408 C CA 1301408C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tabs
diaper
panel
rearward
infant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000587612A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Calvin B. Cosens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WORLDWIDE BABY BASICS INFANT WEAR Ltd
Original Assignee
WORLDWIDE BABY BASICS INFANT WEAR LTD.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WORLDWIDE BABY BASICS INFANT WEAR LTD. filed Critical WORLDWIDE BABY BASICS INFANT WEAR LTD.
Priority to CA000587612A priority Critical patent/CA1301408C/en
Priority to CA 2004463 priority patent/CA2004463A1/en
Priority to JP2501438A priority patent/JPH03503017A/en
Priority to EP19900901517 priority patent/EP0403633A1/en
Priority to PCT/CA1990/000008 priority patent/WO1990007313A1/en
Priority to AU48163/90A priority patent/AU4816390A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1301408C publication Critical patent/CA1301408C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A baby diaper has a forward portion, a rearward portion and attachment tabs mounted on opposite sides of both the forward and rearward portions. An expansion means in the form of elastic material is mounted on the forward portion between the oppositely located tabs on the forward portion and substantially centrally of the tabs to thereby allow for stomach movement of the infant and to create a connection between the tabs which has greater integrity. Additional elastic material is mounted in the central area between the forward and rearward portions which is pretensioned to allow for the diaper to assume a cup shape when it is unrestrained prior to positioning the diaper on an infant.

Description

~3nl40s CUP SHAPED DIAPER WITH EXPANDABLE FORWARD PANEL

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a baby diaper and, more particularly, to a baby diaper which utilises fastening systems allowing increased comfort to the baby and greater integrity in the diaper connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many diapers available for use on infants, such diapers being of the permanent or disposable type. Many of the diapers so available contain certain features which are intended to increase the comfort or utility of the diaper.

one such diaper is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,568,342 to Davis. Davis teaches a diaper which is intended to have greater utility during washing. Davis uses VELCRO (Trademark) as a fastening means, with two VELCRO tabs being mounted on opposite sides of the rearward portion of the diaper and a complementary single long piece mounted on the forward portion of the diaper.
When the diaper is positioned on an infant, the rear tabs hook hold to the forward long piece on opposite sides of the front portion and keep the diaper positioned on the infant .

While the attachment technique used in Davis allows for easy positioninq of the diaper on the baby, there is no expansion or elasticity in the forward portion of the diaper after the diaper has been attached on the infant. Since the stomach of the infant is accordingly restrained, it can be potentially uncomfortable.

13nl40s SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a reusable diaper comprising a forward panel adapted to fit over the forward torso and stomach area of a user, a rearward panel adapted to be worn over the lower back portion of the torso of a user, said rearward panel being connected to said forward panel, means for attaching said forward and rearward panels, said attachment means being mounted on both said forward and rearward panels, and being positioned on opposite sides of said forward and rearward panels, and means for expansion positioned in a centrally located position on said forward panel so as to expand and contract over the stomach area of said user, said expansion means being mounted between said attachment means mounted on said forward panel.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a reusable diaper comprising a forward panel, a rearward panel and means to allow expansion mounted in the central portion of said forward and rearward panels, said expansion means being under a predetermined tension such that said diaper forms a cup shape in its non-fitted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with the use of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a diaper according to the invention in a fastened position;

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Figure 2 is a side view of the diaper of Figure 1 in an unfastened and unrestrained position ready for fitting to an infant;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the diaper of Figure 2 according to the invention;

~3~1408 Figure 4 is a view of the forward portion of the baby diaper according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a view of a typical tab used to 5 fasten the diaper.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, a baby diaper is 10 generally illustrated at 10 in Figure 1. It includes a forward panel or portion 11, a rearward panel or portion 12, two wing portions 13, 14 which extend outwardly from the rearward portion 12. The diaper 10 is made from two layers of cotton material which are sewed together with 15 elastic and a rayon absorbent pad mounted therebetween as described in greater detail hereafter.

The forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 includes two VELCRO tabs 20, 21 affixed to the diaper 10 in the 20 normal manner by stitching. A piece of elastic 22 is stitched into the fabric of the diaper 10 between the layers and directly between the VELCRO tabs 20, 21 and not overlapping with the tabs 20, 21.

As best seen in Figure 4, the elastic 22 is centred between the tabs 20, 21 so that the elastic 22 pulls the tabs 20, 21 together directly in the centre of the tabs 20, 21 thus creating a minimal moment on the connection which exists between the tabs 20, 21, 23, 24 30 when the diaper 10 is fastened on an infant and thus allowing greater connection strength and integrity than would otherwise be the case if the elastic 22 was offset mounted such that a moment was created between the tabs 20, 21. The tabs 20, 21 are also of a size that, when 35 connected to the complementary VELCRO tabs 23, 24 on the rearward portion 12 of the diaper 10, the tabs will not 1~0140~3 buckle while in use. That is, the tabs 20, 21, 23, 24 will remain flat and will not fold. The tabs 23, 24, are hook tabs and they are located outwardly of the rearward portion. The protect tabs 31, 32 are loop pads and they are positioned inwardly of the hook tabs 23, 24.

A distance of approximately 3/4 inch as shown is left between the top of the tabs 20, 21 and the upper side 25 of the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10. This distance is designed to allow forward movement of the infant without discomfort to the stomach when the infant reaches forward or sits down. The cotton fabric of the diaper 10 is designed to fold over the tabs 20, 21 in this instance thus protecting the stomach of the infant against abrasion.

Two VELMATE (Trademark) protect tabs 31, 32 extend sidewise from the tabs 23, 24 and are connected thereto. The protect tabs 31, 32 are adapted to be folded over the tabs 23, 24, respectively, when the diaper 10 is being washed without the necessity of also folding over the flaps 50, 51. This prevents the tabs 23, 24 from catching with other clothes in a washing machine.

In order to cover the protect tabs 31, 32, when the diaper 10 is in use, two flaps or wing pieces 27, 30 are connected to and extend sidewise from the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 as best seen in Figure 4. At the widest fitting of the diaper 10, it is possible that the tabs 31, 32 could be positioned against the skin of the infant without being covered. Thus, the flaps 27, 30 which extend outwardly from the end of the tabs 20, 21 act to protect the infant in this eventuality as they will cover the protect tabs 31, 32 in all cases.

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~3~ 4~8 Reference is again made to Figure 3. ~ s~cond elastic portion 33 is sewed between the two layers of fabric of the diaper 10 and is positioned between the protect tabs 31, 32. The VELCR0 tabs 24, 23 and the protect tabs 31, 32 suitably have a dimension "h" as shown of approximately 1". This width allows the elastic portion 33 to be mounted in the centre of the height "h"
whiGh, as described above, allows a minimal moment to be exerted when the tabs 23, 24 are connected to the front tabs 20, 21. A rayon absorbent strip 34 having a thickness of approximately 1/2l" to 5/8" is sewed between the two layers of the diaper 10. A dimension "dl'l of 2 1/4" between the end of the rayon wear strip 34 and the top of the diaper 10 has been found suitable to allow connections of the tabs 20, 21, 23, 24 without interfering with the rayon strip 34. A dimension "d2" of 2 3/4" between the end of the rayon absorbent strip 34 and the upper side 40 of the rearward portion 12 of the diaper 10 has been found satisfactory to allow unobstructed flexibility for the elastic portion 33 and provides a fit where the rayon wear pad 34 does not stick out if it were located closer to the top 40 of the rearward portion 12 of the diaper 10. It further allows a comfortable taper fit of the diaper 10 to the infant.
~ lastic portions 41, 42 are also mounted to the diaper 10 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 43 in the central area. These elastic portions 41, 42 are mounted a distance "d3" of approximately 5". Such a dimension and the elastic portions 41, 42 allow a snug and comfortable fit of the diaper 10 to the infant and assist to reduce the drooping of the diaper 10 between the legs of the infant.

The elastic portions 22, 33 are separated a distance "d4" of approximately 5" in the centre area.

Such a dimension allows a snug and comfortable fit between the legs of the infant.

A distance "d5" of approximately 5~" is the distance from the upperside 25 of the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 to the beginning of the elastic portions 41, 42. Such a distance will allow non-interference of the diaper 10 with the top of the VELCR0 tabs 20, 21.
Further, the distance "d5" allows the tabs 20, 21 to be connected to the tabs 23, 24 without the elastic portion 41, 42 acting to separate the connecting pieces and, thereby, will similarly allow a greater connection integrity to the diaper 10 when it is fastened on the infant.
As viewed best in Figure 2, the diaper 10 has a cupping action when it is in a rest position prior to positioning the diaper 10 on an infant. This action allows for easy placement of the diaper 10 relative to the infant on which the diaper 10 is to be fastened and reduces the necessity for excessively moving either the infant or the diaper to obtain the proper and comfortable fit. In addition, since the rearward portion 12 and the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 are closer together, it takes less time to remove and install the diaper 10 on the infant.

The cupping action illustrated best in Figure 2 is achieved by the dimensions of the elastic material (3/8" wide) the distance of "d6" (1 1/8") of the elastic 41, 42 from the outside of the diaper 10 and the distance from both upper sides 25, 40. The distance "d9" of the elastic 41, 42 from the upper side 40 of the rearward portion 12 is approximately 4". The elastic portions 41, 42 are put under a predetermined tension when they are embedded between the cotton layers of the diaper 10. This A

pretension of the elastic is obtained by lying the diaper flat and by then installing an elastic portion of known length over a known length on the fabric of the diaper 10.
A distance of the elastic of 5" and a distance of the fabric of 9 1/2" has been found to allow the formation of the appropriate cupping action of the diaper 10.

Each of the VELCRO attachment tabs 20, 21, 23, 24, 31, 32 have rounded corners as best seen in Figure 5 where a typical tab is generally illustrated at 44. This tab 44 with its rounded corners allows for the absence of the otherwise sharp corners which are inherent in attachment tabs of the VELCRO type. The rounded corners reduce the risk of sharp edges coming into contact with the infant.

OPERATION

In operation, an infant will be positioned on the diaper 10, the diaper 10 being in the positions best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3; that is, the diaper 10 will have the cupping rest position illustrated in Figure 2 due to the position of the elastic portions 41, 42 on the diaper 10.
The front portion 11 of the diaper 10 will be snugly placed against the stomach of the infant and the flaps 50, 51 of the rearward portion 12 will be raised with the attached tabs 23, 24. The flaps 50, 51 will be brought into contact with the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 until the tabs 23, 24 contact and attach to tabs 20, 21 on the formed portion 11 in a snug and comfortable fit on the infant. It will be noted that in such an attached position as viewed in Figure 1, the flaps 27, 30 of the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 will overlap with the protect tabs 31, 32 so as to prevent contact of k 1~314()l~

these tabs with the infant. In positioning the diaper 10 on the infant, the elastic portion 33 in the rearward portion 12 of the diaper 10 will expand as necessary allowing the tabs 23, 24 to reach the correct attachment position relative to the tabs 20, 21 on the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10.

When the stomach of the infant moves, the movement will be accommodated by the elastic 22 in the forward portion of the diaper 10. This movement, assuming an outwardly movement of the stomach of the infant, will result in a force being exerted on the connection between the tabs 20, 21 and the tabs 23, 24. This force, however, will be a shear force only and will contain a relatively nominal moment force which will, therefore, result in enhanced connection inteqrity.

When the baby bends as if, for example, to pick up an item, the forward portion 11 of the diaper 10 above the elastic 22 and represented by the dimension "d3" will bend over the tabs 20, 21 which may still be exposed if the infant is large and the diaper 10 is intended for a small infant. Thus, the fabric will cover the tabs 20, 21 and prevent contact of these tabs with the stomach of the infant.

When the diaper 10 is removed from the infant, the process is simply reversed. The diaper 10 may then be washed by simply folding the VELMATE protect tabs 31, 32 over the attachment tabs 23, 24. Thus, no catching action of the tabs with other fabrics or clothing will occur in the washing machine.

Many dimensions have been disclosed which have been formed to be appropriate for an infant of normal size. Clearly, however, such dimensions may be amended or A

13(P140~

modified depending on the particular size of the infant on which it is intended to position the diaper.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, such an embodiment is illustrative of the invention only and should not be taken as limiting its scope. Many further modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and, accordingly, the invention should be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

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Claims (7)

1. A reusable diaper comprising a forward panel adapted to fit over the forward torso and stomach area of a user, a rearward panel adapted to be worn over the lower back portion of the torso of a user, said rearward panel being connected to said forward panel, means for attaching said forward and rearward panels, said attachment means being mounted on both said forward and rearward panels, and being positioned on opposite sides of said forward and rearward panels, and means for expansion positioned in a centrally located position on said forward panel so as to expand and contract over the stomach area of said user, said expansion means being mounted between said attachment means mounted on said forward panel.
2. A reusable diaper as in claim 1 wherein said attachment means are tabs, two of said tabs being located on opposite sides of said rearward panel and two of said tabs being located on opposite sides of said forward panel, said expansion means being located between said tabs on said forward panel.
3. A reusable diaper as in claim 2 wherein said tabs are VELCRO and said expansion means is elastic.
4. A reusable diaper as in claim 3 wherein said tabs are located a distance of approximately 3/4" below the upper side of said forward panel.
5. A reusable diaper as in claim 4 wherein said elastic expansion means is located substantially centrally on a line joining said tabs on said forward panel.
6. A reusable diaper as in claim 5 wherein said forward panel includes flaps extending outwardly from said tabs mounted on said forward panel.
7. A reusable diaper as in claim 6 and further comprising an elastic portion in said rearward panel, said elastic portion in said rearward panel being positioned substantially centrally of said tabs on said rearward panel.
CA000587612A 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel Expired - Fee Related CA1301408C (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000587612A CA1301408C (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel
CA 2004463 CA2004463A1 (en) 1989-01-05 1989-12-01 Baby diaper
JP2501438A JPH03503017A (en) 1989-01-05 1990-01-03 Diapers
EP19900901517 EP0403633A1 (en) 1989-01-05 1990-01-03 Baby diaper
PCT/CA1990/000008 WO1990007313A1 (en) 1989-01-05 1990-01-03 Baby diaper
AU48163/90A AU4816390A (en) 1989-01-05 1990-01-03 Baby diaper

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000587612A CA1301408C (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1301408C true CA1301408C (en) 1992-05-26

Family

ID=4139414

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000587612A Expired - Fee Related CA1301408C (en) 1989-01-05 1989-01-05 Cup shaped diaper with expandable forward panel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1301408C (en)

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