GB2107172A

GB2107172A - Waterproof pants

Info

Publication number: GB2107172A
Application number: GB08129507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pamela Viola Denison Erskine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-09-30
Filing date: 1981-09-30
Publication date: 1983-04-27

Abstract

The invention relates to improvements in pants of the kind described in Specification No. 1,390,691. According to the invention, pants comprise an inner waterproof layer (1) and an outer layer (2) surrounding at least the upper part of the inner waterproof layer. The layers are connected at a position remote from the waist and both layers are releasably fastened, e.g. by snap- fasteners (6, 7), such that when unfastened the pants may be opened out in a flat state with the inner waterproof layer (1) superimposed on the outer layer (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pants The present invention relates to pants which are particularly useful for babies but which may also be used of older children and the incontinent.

More particularly the present invention relates to improvements in pants of the kind described in my Specification No. 1390691. According to the disclosure in that Specification, pants comprise inner waterproof pants and an outer layer surrounding at least the upper part of the inner waterproof pants, the outer layer being attached to the inner pants at a position remote from the waist so as to permit a vest of other garment to be tucked between the inner pants and the outer layer.

According to the present invention pants comprise an inner waterproof layer and an outer layer surrounding at least the upper part of the inner waterproof layer, the layers being connected at a position remote from the waist and both layers being releasably fastened such that when unfastened the pants may be opened out in a flat state with the inner waterproof layer superimposed on the outer layer.

Such a construction which enables the pants to be opened out into a flat state facilitates the placement of an absorbent pad, such as a disposable nappy, within the water proof pants, and also facilitates the fitting of the pants around the body, particularly onto a body, without having to draw them up over the feet and legs.

According to a feature of the invention, those regions adjacent the opposite ends of the length of waterproof material which forms the waterproof pants may be provided with a recess or pocket to receive the ends of the absorbent pad.

Alternatively the pad may be fastened in place by any suitable means e.g. by means of hooks or touch and close fasteners such as 'Velcro' (RTM) and may, or may not have a fold.

The pants may be releasably fastened at any convenient points, but advantageously are so fashioned that they fasten towards either side of the body of the wearer. Such fastening may be effected in any convenient manner e.g. by means of snap fasteners, touch and close fasteners or ties. Where ties are employed, they may form an integral part of the inner waterproof layer and/or outer layer forming the pants.

The constructions according to the present invention still retain the advantage of the constructions disclosed in Specification No.

1390691 i.e. that they permit a vest or other garment to be tucked between the inner waterproof pants and the outer layer and thereby prevent the garment from being soiled whilst helping to keep the wearer warm, whilst also facilitating the accommodation of an absorbent nappy or pad and the fitting of the pants.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of pants according to the invention shown in the opened-out position.

Figure 2 illustrates the pants in the closed position, and Figure 3 is a plan view showing a further embodiment of pants in the opened-out position.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 the pants comprise an inner layer 1 of waterproof material and an outer layer 2 of non-waterproof material, such as a woven fabric, which is slightly longer than and extends beyond the ends of the inner waterproof layer. Such a design is preferred so that a minimum amount of waterproof material comes into contact with the skin, for reasons of health and comfort. Both layers are shaped so as to define leg openings 3 when they are fastened together (Fig. 2) and are hemmed together along the edges 3a which will define the leg openings. A pocket or recess 4 is formed at each end of the inner waterproof layer and both layers may be elasticated at either end, as shown at 5, to form an elasticated waistband when the pants are fastened together.

The pants are secured together by providing elements 6 and 7 of snap-fasteners adjacent the edges 8 of both the inner and outer layers, as shown, such that when the pants are folded as for use and the fastener elements are snapped together they assume the shape shown in Figure 2.

The pockets or recesses 4 serve to receive opposite ends of an absorbent pad or disposable nappy and may be stitched sealed or welded to take different sizes of pad. The edges 3a of the leg openings may also be elasticated in the regions where they are joined together.

It will be seen that such a construction of the garment allows it to be opened out for easy placement of the absorbent pad and that it can also easily be fitted around a wearer, particularly a baby, whilst they are lying in a cot or on a table, as is common nursery practice, by laying the infant on the opened-out pants and folding them and fastening them around the legs and the waist of the infant.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of pants in which the inner and outer layers 1, 2 are both provided with lateral strips 1 1, 12 by means of which the pants may be tied around the waist of a wearer, instead of employing the snap-fasteners of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. As in the previous embodiment, the opposite ends of the inner waterproof layer are folded to form recesses or pockets 4 for receiving an absorbent pad and the inner and outer layers are hemmed together at 3a in the regions defining the leg openings of the pants. However, unlike the previous embodiment the fold to take the pad is made manually at each change of the pad. Such regions, as well as the waistbands, may either be elasticated or not as desired. In this embodiment the inner waterproof layer may be made from pre-fabricated waterproof plastics material as is sold in rolls which are intended to form tear-off plastic pants for babies.

In both embodiments described, although they have been shown as being fastened together generally at the sides of the garment, it will be understood that they may be so designed that they fasten at any other point e.g. in the region of the front or back of the garment.

The waterproof inner layer may also be so shaped that it is kept to a minimum in the regions where it would be in contact with the skin of a wearer in order to prevent sticking to the skin and possible irritation.

As will be apparent, the fabric forming the outer pants or outer layer can be coloured, patterned or otherwise decorated so as to have an attractive appearance.

Claims

1. Pants comprising an inner waterproof layer and an outer layer surrounding at least the upper part of the inner waterproof layer, the layers being connected at a position remote from the waist and both layers being releasably fastened such that when unfastened the pants may be opened out in a flat state with the inner waterproof layer superimposed on the outer layer.

2. Pants according to claim 2, in which regions located adjacent the opposite ends of the inner waterproof layer, when the pants are opened out in a flat state, are each provided with a recess or pocket to receive the ends of an absorbent pad, such as a disposable nappy.

3. Pants as claimed in claim 2, in which said pockets or recesses are stitched, sealed or welded so as to accommodate different sizes of pad.

4. Pants according to claim 1, in which means are provided to enable an absorbent pad, such as a disposable nappy, to be fastened in place within the inner waterproof layer.

5. Pants as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the layers are releasably fastened towards either side of the body of the wearer.

6. Pants as claimed in claim 5, in which the releasable fastening means are snap fasteners or touch and close fasteners.

7. Pants as claimed in claim 5, in which the releasable fastening means comprise ties which form an integral part of the inner waterproof layer and/or outer layer.

8. Pants as claimed in any preceding claim, in which both of said layers are elasticated at either end to form an elasticated waistband to the pants when the layers are fastened together.

9. Pants as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner and outer layers are connected together in the regions defining the leg openings of the pants.

10. Pants as claimed in claim 9, in which the edges of the leg openings are elasticated in the regions where they are joined together.

11. Pants as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the waterproof inner layer is so shaped that it is kept to a minimum in the regions where it would be in contact with the skin of a wearer in order to prevent sticking to the skin and possible irritation.

1 2. Pants substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.