GB1574234A

GB1574234A - Doubleduty diaper

Info

Publication number: GB1574234A
Application number: GB434077A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-02-02
Filing date: 1977-02-02
Publication date: 1980-09-03

Description

(54) DOUBLE-DUTY DIAPER (71) I, JACOB ABRAHAM GLASSMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, of 1680 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, United States of America., do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a double-duty diaper and to a method of making it.

According to the invention there is provided a double-duty diaper comprising, in combination, a main diaper including at least one substantially rectangular layer of highly moistureabsorbent material having a longitudinal central portion, an insert strip of generally less width than the main diaper and including at least one layer of highly moisture-absorbent material, superimposed on said longitudinal central portion and being lightly adhered to the inner surface of said one layer, said insert strip having a length at least equal to that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper, a part of the insert strip extending as a pull tab beyond an edge of the main diaper so that, in use when the main diaper is secured about the waist portion of a human body with said insert strip in position to contact the body, said insert strip can be removed from the main diaper without corresponding removal of or im impairment of said main diaper.

The invention also provides a method of making such a diaper, which comprises a method of making a double-duty diaper which comprises lightly adhering a highly moistureabsorbent insert strip on the longitudinal central surface portion of a surface of a substantially rectangular layer of highly moisture-absorbent material of a main diaper, the insert strip being of a length at least equal to that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper and being so positioned that at least a part thereof extends beyond an edge of the main diaper so as to provide a pull tab whereby, in use of the double-duty diaper, the insert strip can be removed from the main diaper without corresponding removal of, or impairment of, said main diaper. Preferably, the method also includes providing means for securing the main diaper about the waist portion of a human body with said insert strip in position to contact the body.

In the double-duty diapers of the invention, the main diaper and the insert strip are each formed of one or more layers of highly ahsorbent material and may each overly a layer of moisture-impervious material. The insert is arranged over the longitudinal central area of the main diaper and preferably is constructed so that, when soiled or wetted, it may be partially rolled or folded over to cover the soiled or wetted area thereof and then withdrawn from the main diaper without removing the main diaper from the body of the wearer, thus leaving the retained main diaper relatively clean and dry for further use. If desired, the main diaper may have its longitudinal side edges recessed centrally of the ends so as to facilitate fitting of the diaper about a human body without generating wrinkles, bulges or gaps. Also, the main diaper may have its side margins folded over inwardly to overly the margins of the insert strip and be separably secured in place prior to use.

The insert strip may have its perimeter edges sealed to prevent or retard spill-over of moisture from the insert strip into the absorbent material of the main diaper. The pull tab may be reinforced to resist rupture when a pulling force is applied thereto. Preferably, the insert strip is provided on one or both of its faces with longitudinally spaced ]ateral recesses or channels designed to facilitate folding or rolling of a soiled insert, and one face is also formed with one or more longitudinal grooves or channels to assist widespread distribution of moisture on the insert. The insert strip is lightly adhered to the main diaper, e.g. by a rupturable adhesive.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of double-duty diaper of the invention, arranged on a human body; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the double-duty diaper of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of the body contacting surface of a doubleduty diaper, of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an insert strip, viewed from the bottom side; Figure 5 is a lateral sectional view of the insert strip of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of double-duty diaper of the invention, having recessed side edges, with the insert strip having a hand-hold tab on its side edge; Figure 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of double-duty diaper of the invention, having the central area of the side portions of the main diaper adhesively tacked over the insert strip; Figure 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 7, of another embodiment of double-duty diaper of the invention showing the side margins of a main diaper fan-folded to overly the side margins of the insert strip, to which it is adhesively tacked; Figure 9 is a plan view of the iriside face of another embodiment of a double-duty diaper of the invention having recessed side edges and an insert formed with a wide medial portion; Figure 10 is an outside view of another embodiment of a double-duty diaper of the invention having the lateral free edge of the main diaper recessed to expose an end portion of the insert strip; and Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of double-duty diaper of the invention, wherein the projecting end of the insert strip is reinforced by providing double thickness material.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 ofthe drawings the double-duty diaper includes a main diaper 11 comprised of a thick layer of highly moisture-absorbent material 12, such as cotton, cellulose, crim or the like, having a thin outside layer or backing sheet 13 of moisture-impervious material. These two layers are of like size and have preferably a rectangular shape and preferably are secured together along their complemental edges thus to form a substantially rectangular main diaper having a longitudinal central portion or area 14 and adjacent side marginal areas 15.

An insert strip 16 is comprised of a bottom layer 17 of moisture-impervious material, and at least one thick layer 18 of highly moistureabsorbent material, such as cotton, cellulose, crim or the like. These two layers are secured together along complemental edges, as at 19, to form a unitary strip and to prevent moisture spill-over at said edges. The insert strip is laid over the central portion 14 of the main diaper and is lightly adhered thereto by a rupturable adhesive 21. The insert strip 16 has a length slightly greater than that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper. When the insert strip is in place on the central portion of the main diaper, at least one end 22 of the strip extends beyond one end edge of the main diaper to provide a tab 23 that can be grasped between the fingers when removal of the insert strip is advisable. Preferably, the tab 23 is reinforced by fusing or adhesive in an area 23a to prevent its being inadvertently torn from the strip. Further, a slot 24 may be provided in the main diaper, in the region of the tab, to receive the tab tucked thereinto. In the alternative, a lateral tab may be provided on one longitudinal edge of the insert strip, as illustrated at 25 in Fig. 6, which can be grasped by the fingers to facilitate sideways removal of the strip. In this latter instance, the side edges of the main diaper may be recessed centrally of their length, as at 26 in Fig. 6, to afford ready access to the tab 25 and at the same time ensure that, when the diaper is being worn, there will be but a minimum amount of sideways compression between the wearer's thighs, thus reducing or eliminating bulges, wrinkles and/or gaps.

The insert strip 16 is formed preferably on both faces with lateral grooves 26', 27, which function to allow an attendant to insert one or more fingers between the main diaper 11 and the insert strip 16 and to then progressively fold or roll the insert strip (Fig. 2) sufficiently to carry the folded end portion into position overlying any solid waste or faeces, whereupon the insert strip can be withdrawn without undue soiling of the body.

When the insert strip is wetted excessively, there would be a tendency for the excess moisture to spill over onto the main diaper prior to complete absorption by the strip. To ensure adequate distribution of moisture throughout the length of the insert strip, said strip is provided, in the absorbent surface facing the human body, with one or more longitudinal grooves or channels 28 that preferably terminate short of the strip ends. Also, the sealing of the perimeter edges 19 of the insert strip prevents moisture from seeping out of the edges and into the main diaper.

Referring to Fig. 7, the side margins 15 of the- main diaper have their longitudinal central areas carried inwardly toward each other, which areas are lightly secured by adhesive 29 to the underlying insert strip 16. In Fig. 8, the side margins 15 of the main diaper are fanfolded and secured folded by rupturable adhesive spots 31.

In the Fig. 9 structure, the main diaper 11 corresponds to that shown in Fig. 6 by having its side edges recessed as at 26. The insert strip 1 6a has its longitudinal medial area widened as at 33, so as to increase its effective moisture capacity.

Figure 10 shows a structure similar to that shown in Fig. 9, and like numerals are used to identify corresponding parts. Here, however, the insert strip 16a projects beyond a recessed portion of the related end edge of the main diaper, the recessed portion being in the central area underlying the insert strip, as at 34, to provide access to the insert strip end to facilitate its withdrawal from the main diaper.

Figure 11 depicts means to reinforce the extended end portion of the insert strip, such as the pull tab 22a. Such reinforcement is provided by having the pull tab of two layers of absorbent material preferably by folding over the free extended end portion 22b of the insert strip. This extra thickness also provides a shoulder 22c that can abut the related end edge of the main diaper to ensure proper placement of the insert strip. Also, the absorbent material 12 of the main diaper and the absorbent material 18 of the insert strip are each overlaid with a thin woven covering layer 1 2a and 22d respectively, of moisture-pervious material which serves to prevent disturbance of the loose material 12 and 18 primarily when the insert strip 16 is being withdrawn.

In use, the double-duty diaper, with the insert strip 16 in place on the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper, is fitted onto the wearer and may be secured by pins or by means of adhesive tabs 32. When the absorbent layer 18 of the insert strip becomes wetted or soiled, the attendant may fold a portion of the strip over the soiled area and then grasp the exposed pull tab 23 or 25 of said strip, or tab 22a, and by the application of a slight tug can separate said insert strip from the main diaper 11 and withdraw said strip. As a consequence, the clean unsoiled or non-wetted main diaper remains in place in effect constitutes a clean diaper.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A double-duty diaper comprising, in combination, a main diaper including at least one substantially rectangular layer of highly moisture-absorbent material having a longi tudinal central portion, an insert strip of generally less width than the main diaper and including at least one layer of highly moisture absorbent material, superimposed on said longitudinal central portion and being lightly adhered to the inner surface of said one layer, said insert strip having a length at least equal to that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper, a part of the insert strip ex tending as a pull tab beyond an edge of the main diaper so that, in use when the main diaper is secured about the waist portion of a human body with said insert strip in position to contact the body, said insert strip can be removed from the main diaper without corres ponding removal of or impairment of said main diaper.

2. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein one end of the insert strip extends as a pull tab beyond an end edge of the main diaper.

3. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the main diaper has a recess disposed midway of the length of said edge into which a part of the insert extends as a pull tab.

4. A diaper according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each of the side edges of said main diaper-forming layer of highly moisture absorbent material is recessed in its mid-length portion to effect narrowing of the layer through.

out the mid-length portion, and said insert strip has a width in its mid-length portion corresponding substantially to the width of the recessed mid-length portion of the main diaper.

5. A diaper according to claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein the insert strip is moisture sealed along all of its edges.

6. A diaper according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main diaper is provided with tabs for securing it about the waist portion of a human body.

7. A diaper according to claim 1 wherein a part of the insert strip extends as a pull tab beyond one longitudinal side edge of the main diaper.

8. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the pull tab is reinforced to resist tearing.

9. A diaper according to claim 7, wherein the main diaper has a pocket to receive the pull tab.

10. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert strip has a series of lateral grooves on the side facing the main diaper to facilitate its being folded.

11. A diaper according to claim 10, wherein the insert strip has a series of lateral grooves on the side which, in use, faces the wearer to facilitate its being folded.

12. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert strip has a series of longitudinal grooves on its wearer facing sur face to facilitate distribution of moisture.

13. A diaper according to claim 1 wherein the insert strip overlies substantially the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper and the side margins of the main diaper are folded over and adhesively tacked to the said insert strip prior to use.

14. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein a moisture-impervious sheet underlies each of the layers of highly moisture absorbent material and a moisture pervious sheet overlies each of said layers of highly moisture-absorbent material.

1 5. A diaper according to claim 2, wherein the pull tab is folded over upon itself.

16. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein the main diaper includes means for securing it about the waist portion of a human body.

17. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert is lightly adhered to the main diaper by readily rupturable adhesive means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

capacity.

Figure 10 shows a structure similar to that shown in Fig. 9, and like numerals are used to identify corresponding parts. Here, however, the insert strip 16a projects beyond a recessed portion of the related end edge of the main diaper, the recessed portion being in the central area underlying the insert strip, as at 34, to provide access to the insert strip end to facilitate its withdrawal from the main diaper.

Figure 11 depicts means to reinforce the extended end portion of the insert strip, such as the pull tab 22a. Such reinforcement is provided by having the pull tab of two layers of absorbent material preferably by folding over the free extended end portion 22b of the insert strip. This extra thickness also provides a shoulder 22c that can abut the related end edge of the main diaper to ensure proper placement of the insert strip. Also, the absorbent material 12 of the main diaper and the absorbent material 18 of the insert strip are each overlaid with a thin woven covering layer 1 2a and 22d respectively, of moisture-pervious material which serves to prevent disturbance of the loose material 12 and 18 primarily when the insert strip 16 is being withdrawn.

In use, the double-duty diaper, with the insert strip 16 in place on the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper, is fitted onto the wearer and may be secured by pins or by means of adhesive tabs 32. When the absorbent layer

18 of the insert strip becomes wetted or soiled, the attendant may fold a portion of the strip over the soiled area and then grasp the exposed pull tab 23 or 25 of said strip, or tab 22a, and by the application of a slight tug can separate said insert strip from the main diaper 11 and withdraw said strip. As a consequence, the clean unsoiled or non-wetted main diaper remains in place in effect constitutes a clean diaper.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A double-duty diaper comprising, in combination, a main diaper including at least one substantially rectangular layer of highly moisture-absorbent material having a longi tudinal central portion, an insert strip of generally less width than the main diaper and including at least one layer of highly moisture absorbent material, superimposed on said longitudinal central portion and being lightly adhered to the inner surface of said one layer, said insert strip having a length at least equal to that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper, a part of the insert strip ex tending as a pull tab beyond an edge of the main diaper so that, in use when the main diaper is secured about the waist portion of a human body with said insert strip in position to contact the body, said insert strip can be removed from the main diaper without corres ponding removal of or impairment of said main diaper.
2. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein one end of the insert strip extends as a pull tab beyond an end edge of the main diaper.
3. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the main diaper has a recess disposed midway of the length of said edge into which a part of the insert extends as a pull tab.
4. A diaper according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each of the side edges of said main diaper-forming layer of highly moisture absorbent material is recessed in its mid-length portion to effect narrowing of the layer through.

out the mid-length portion, and said insert strip has a width in its mid-length portion corresponding substantially to the width of the recessed mid-length portion of the main diaper.
5. A diaper according to claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein the insert strip is moisture sealed along all of its edges.
6. A diaper according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main diaper is provided with tabs for securing it about the waist portion of a human body.
7. A diaper according to claim 1 wherein a part of the insert strip extends as a pull tab beyond one longitudinal side edge of the main diaper.
8. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the pull tab is reinforced to resist tearing.
9. A diaper according to claim 7, wherein the main diaper has a pocket to receive the pull tab.
10. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert strip has a series of lateral grooves on the side facing the main diaper to facilitate its being folded.
11. A diaper according to claim 10, wherein the insert strip has a series of lateral grooves on the side which, in use, faces the wearer to facilitate its being folded.
12. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert strip has a series of longitudinal grooves on its wearer facing sur face to facilitate distribution of moisture.
13. A diaper according to claim 1 wherein the insert strip overlies substantially the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper and the side margins of the main diaper are folded over and adhesively tacked to the said insert strip prior to use.
14. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein a moisture-impervious sheet underlies each of the layers of highly moisture absorbent material and a moisture pervious sheet overlies each of said layers of highly moisture-absorbent material.
1 5. A diaper according to claim 2, wherein the pull tab is folded over upon itself.
16. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein the main diaper includes means for securing it about the waist portion of a human body.
17. A diaper according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert is lightly adhered to the main diaper by readily rupturable adhesive means.
18. A diaper according to claim 15, wherein

the end edge of the insert at the folded pull tab forms a shoulder for abutment with the related end edge of the diaper.
19. A diaper according to claim 12, wherein the longitudinal grooves terminate short of the ends of the insert strip.
20. A diaper according to claim 1, wherein the side portions of the main diaper extending beyond the insert strip are folded inwardly to overly the insert strip.
21. A diaper according to claim 20, wherein a rupturable adhesive holds the folded over side portions of the main diaper in position.
22. A double-duty diaper substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, or any of Figures 6 to 11.
23. A method of making a double-duty diaper as claimed in claim 1, which comprises lightly adhering a highly moisture-absorbent insert strip on the longitudinal central surface portion of a surface of a substantially rectangular layer of highly moisture-absorbent material of a main diaper, the insert strip being of a length at least equal to that of the longitudinal central portion of the main diaper and being so positioned that at least a part thereof extends beyond an edge of the main diaper so as to provide a pull tab whereby, in use of the double-duty diaper, the insert strip can be removed from the main diaper without corresponding removal of, or impairment of, said main diaper.
24. A method according to claim 23 which also includes providing means on said main diaper for securing it about the waist portion of a human body with said insert strip in position to contact the body.
25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein a moisture-impervious layer of material is arranged beneath the insert strip, and another said moisture-impervious layer beneath the main diaper, and wherein the pull tab is folded over upon itself.
26. A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the insert strip includes a layer of moisture-impervious material and the perimeter edges of the strip are sealed to resist moisture spill-over in use.
27. A method according to claim 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein lateral grooves are formed in the insert strip to facilitate its being folded.
28. A method according to claim 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, wherein longitudinal grooves are formed in the exposed surface of the insert slip to facilitate moisture distribution in use.