GB2445268A

GB2445268A - Nappy

Info

Publication number: GB2445268A
Application number: GB0724984A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacqueline Morrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2008-07-02
Also published as: GB0724984D0

Abstract

A nappy 10 comprises a front portion 12, a back portion 14 and a seat portion 16 between the front and back portions. The front 12 and back 14 portions are configured to, in use, lie adjacent the abdomen and adjacent the back of a wearer respectively. The seat portion 16 is configured to, in use, lie adjacent the seat of the wearer. The front 12, back 14 and seat 16 portions comprise at least two layers of material. The nappy 10 is configured such that the layers of material of the seat portion and of at least one of the front and back portions are movable between: a first disposition, in which the layers of material are adjacent each other; and a second disposition, in which the layers of material are spaced apart from each other.

Description

1 Title:Nappy

3 Field of the invention

The present invention relates to non-disposable 6 shaped nappies.

8 Background to invention

Non-disposable shaped nappies are known. The shaped 11 nappy comprises at least one layer of fabric that is 12 shaped to fit a wearer of a particular size. Typically, 13 this kind of nappy comprises a shaped front portion, a 14 shaped seat portion and a shaped back portion.

Absorption of fluids by this kind of nappy is often 16 improved by the nappy having two or more layers of 17 material. * * * * * *.

* ** * The present inventor has appreciated that a shaped 0 nappy will often dry slowly where the nappy comprises two * *1 or more layers of material. Thus, there is a compromise *.S 22 between increasing absorption by increasing the number of layers of material in the nappy and reducing drying time. * * .

2 The present invention has been devised in the light 3 of this appreciation.

Thus, it is an object for the invention to provide 6 an improved non-disposable shaped nappy.

8 It is a further object for the invention to provide 9 a non-disposable shaped nappy that is configured to provide for reduced drying time without loss of 11 absorption.

13 Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention 16 there is provided a nappy comprising: 17 a front portion, a back portion and a seat portion 18 between the front and back portions; 19 the front and back portions being configured to, in use, lie adjacent the abdomen and adjacent the back of a 21 wearer respectively, and the seat portion being 22 configured to, in use, lie adjacent the seat of the 23 wearer; 24 the front, back and seat portions comprising at least two layers of material; and 26 the nappy is configured such that the layers of 27 material of the seat portion and of at least one of the ..28 front and back portions are movable between: a first * .** *29 disposition, in which the layers of material are adjacent 3,0 each other; and a second disposition, in which the layers of material are spaced apart from each other. *32 *. ** * S S * S

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1 The nappy according to the invention is worn when in 2 the first disposition. Thus, the adjacent plurality of 3 layers of material provide for absorption of fluids.

4 When the nappy has been laundered after use the nappy is put in the second disposition to facilitate quick drying.

6 The spacing apart of the layers of material from each 7 other in the second disposition increases the surface 8 area of material presented to the air to thereby reduce 9 drying time.

11 More specifically, first and second layers of 12 material comprised in the seat portion may have generally 13 a same footprint.

Alternatively or in addition, the second layer of 16 material may be, in use, closer to the wearer than the 17 first layer of material.

19 More specifically, the second layer of material comprised in the seat portion may be narrower than the 21 first layer of material comprised in the seat portion.

23 More specifically, thesecond layer of material may 24 have a width of no more than 90% of a width of the first layer of material at a location about half way along the 26 seat portion between the front and back portions.

More specifically, the second layer of material may * S. S have a width of about 80% of a width of the first layer of material at a location about half way along the seat * portion between the front and back portions. **. *. *. * S * * S

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*..SS. * *

1 Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the 2 first and second layers of material comprised in the seat 3 portion may comprise first and second edge portions 4 extending along opposing edges of the layer of material, the first and second edge portions being configured to 6 engage more intimately with the wearer than the material 7 between the first and second edge portions. Thus, the 8 first and second edge portions may, in use, present a 9 barrier against leakage from the nappy.

11 More specifically, each of the first and second edge 12 portions may be of greater thickness than the material 13 between the first and second edge portions. More 14 specifically, each of the first and second edge portions may comprise a seam. For example, the seam may be formed 16 by folding the material over itself.

18 Alternatively or in addition, each of the first and 19 second edge portions may comprise an elastic element.

The elastic elements may be disposed in the seat portion 21 such that, in use, the first and second edge portions are 22 biased against the skin of the wearer.

24 More specifically, an edge portion may be formed along at least part of its length by folding an edge of a 26 layer of material over an elastic element. * **

Alternatively or in addition, an edge portion may S...

have a width of less than about 20 mm. *

* 1 More specifically, an edge portion may have a width S..

32 of about 15 mm. *. . * .

S *

1 Alternatively or in addition, each of the first and 2 second layers of material comprised in the seat portion 3 may comprise a respective pair of first and second edge 4 portions.

6 More specifically, the first and second layers of 7 material may have lateral dimensions (i.e. in a direction 8 between the legs of a wearer) such that outer edges of 9 the first and second edge portions of the second layer of material lie inside respective inner edges of the first 11 and second edge portions of the first layer of material.

12 Thus, where each of the first arid second edge portions of 13 the first and second layers of material comprises an 14 elastic member, the first and second edge portions may, in use, be disposed in relation to each other such that 16 they present a double barrier against leakage from the 17 nappy.

19 More specifically, the nappy may be configured such that the second layer of material is, in use, closer to 21 the wearer than the first layer of material.

23 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may be 24 configured such that when the nappy is suspended from a first end the nappy is in the first disposition and such 26 that when the nappy is suspended from a second, opposing 27 end (e.g. by one or other of the first and second layers * ** 28 of material) the nappy is in the second disposition. **** * 2 I...

** 0 More specifically, the first end may be at or * *l towards a top edge of one of the back portion and the *** *32 front portion and the second end may be at or towards a ** 0* * * * * a *****I

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1 top edge of the other of the back portion and the front 2 portion.

4 More specifically, the first end may be at or towards the top edge of the back portion and the second 6 end may be at or towards the top edge of the front 7 portion.

9 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may be configured such that the nappy is in the second 11 disposition when the nappy is suspended from one of the 12 layers of material at the second end.

14 Alternatively or in addition, the front, seat and back portions may be formed together from a second 16 unitary layer of material. The nappy may be configured 17 such that, in use, the second layer of material is closer 18 to the skin of the wearer than a first layer of material.

Alternatively or in addition, the front, seat and 21 back portions may be formed together from first and 22 second layers of material, each of the first and second 23 layers of material being unitary. For example, a layer 24 of material may be unitary in the sense of being formed from a single piece of woven fabric. Thus, one layer of 26 the front, seat and back portions may be provided by the 27 first unitary layer and another layer of the front, seat * ** *8 and back portions may be provided by the second unitary **** 29 layer. *.

: Alternatively or in addition, first and second *.* 32 layers of material may be permanently attached to each .3.3 other, for example by stitching, at or towards a

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*1**** * I 1 longitudinal edge (i.e. at or towards a top edge of the 2 front or the back portion) of the nappy.

4 More specifically, the first and second layers of material may be permanently attached to each other 6 towards an edge of the back portion. The layers of 7 material may, for example, be attached to each other by 8 stitching.

More specifically, the first and second layers may 11 be permanently attached to each other along a 12 longitudinal edge and along lateral edges of the back 13 portion.

Alternatively or in addition, the first and second 16 layers may be releasably attached to each other at or 17 towards a longitudinal edge of the nappy opposing the 18 longitudinal edge at which the first and second layers 19 are permanently attached to each other. The releasable attachment of the first and second layers may allow the 21 nappy to be maintained in the first disposition and, at 22 other times, to allow the nappy to be changed from the 23 first disposition to the second disposition.

More specifically, the first and second layers may 26 be releasably attached to each other at or towards a 27 longitudinal edge (i.e. a top edge) of the front portion. * ** * S * **

Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may comprise 3O a plurality of spaced apart fasteners, which are : operative to provide the releasable attachment of the e* * 32 first and second layers of material. S. * * * * * *

* *.* S. * S 1 More specifically, one of the fasteners may be 2 disposed towards a first lateral edge of the nappy and 3 another of the fasteners may be disposed towards a 4 second, opposing lateral edge of the nappy.

6 Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the 7 fasteners may comprise a press stud device.

9 Alternatively or in addition, first and second layers of material comprised in at least one of the back 11 and front portions may have generally a same footprint 12 when overlying each other.

14 Alternatively or in addition, the seat portion may be attached at a first end to the back portion and may be 16 attached at a second, opposing end to the front portion.

18 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may be 19 formed at least in part of a fabric, such as a woven fabric.

22 More specifically, the nappy may be formed at least 23 in part of a bamboo fibre. Bamboo fibre can provide for 24 improved absorption of fluids for a given weight of fibre compared with other kinds of fibre, such as cotton fibre.

26 Thus, for absorption of a given amount of fluid a less 27 bulky nappy can be provided. A less bulky nappy will * .* 28 tend to dry more quickly. Also, less bulk can it make it * *** 29 easier to fit clothing over the nappy. *. 30

Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the *** 32 first and second layers of material may be of at least S. ** * S * * S ***...

1 double thickness by comprising at least two layers of 2 material.

4 More specifically, layers of material forming a double thickness layer may be permanently attached to 6 each other, e.g. by stitching.

8 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may comprise 9 a third layer of material.

11 More specifically, the third layer of material may, 12 in use, overlie at least one of the front, seat and back 13 portions.

More specifically, the third layer of material may, 16 in use, overlie the front and the seat portions.

18 Alternatively or in addition, the third layer of 19 material may be of sufficient length that it is foldable to at least double its thickness.

22 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may be 23 configured such that the third layer of material can be 24 spaced apart from the first and second layers of material when the nappy is not in use. Thus, the nappy may be 26 dried more quickly. * **

28 More specifically, the third layer of material may * I..

*,29 be releasably attached to the nappy. *

* More specifically, the third layer of material may *32 be releasably attached by means of at least one fastener, such as a press stud device. *

* *.* ** * a 2 Alternatively or in addition, one end only of the 3 third layer of material may be releasably attached to one 4 of the front portion or the back portion.

6 More specifically, the third layer of material may 7 be releasably attached to the front portion.

9 Alternatively or in addition, the third layer of material may be narrower than at least one of the front 11 and back portions.

13 Alternatively or in addition, the third layer of 14 material may be of substantially a same width as the seat portion.

17 More specifically, where the seat portion comprises 18 edge portions the third layer may be of a width such that 19 the opposing outer edges of the third layer are inside the edge portions of the seat portion.

22 Alternatively or in addition, the third layer of 23 material may have a substantially rectangular footprint.

Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may further 26 comprise a biasing arrangement operable to urge a top 27 edge of the nappy against the skin of the wearer. * *S ** * S. S...

More specifically, the biasing arrangement may be 0 disposed at or towards a top edge of the back portion. * .*1 *. S* * . . * .

1 Alternatively or in addition, the biasing 2 arrangement may comprise an elastic element operable to 3 draw the material of the nappy together.

More specifically, the nappy may be configured such 6 that material of the nappy is folded over the elastic 7 element to thereby enclose the elastic element.

9 Alternatively or in addition, the nappy may further comprise at least one wearing fastener that is operable 11 to maintain the nappy on the wearer.

13 More specifically, the at least one wearing fastener 14 may comprise at least one of: a hook and loop arrangement, such as Velcro ; a press stud device; a 16 nappy gripper; a pin; and a button.

18 Alternatively or in addition, components of a first 19 wearing fastener may be disposed towards first lateral edges of the front and back portions respectively and 21 components of a second wearing fastener may be disposed 22 towards second, opposing lateral edges of the front and 23 back portions respectively.

Brief description of drawings

27 Further features and advantages of the present * II ..8 invention will become apparent from the following * s** 9 specific description, which is given by way of example 0 only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in : which: *.* * 32 S. *S * * * * *

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1 Figure 1 is a view of the inside of the nappy when 2 in a first disposition; and 3 Figure 2 is a view of the inside of the nappy when 4 in a second disposition.

6 Specific description

8 Figure 1 is view of the inside of a nappy 10 9 according to the invention when the nappy is in a first disposition. The nappy comprises a front portion 12, 11 which is shaped and of dimensions such that it lies 12 adjacent the abdomen of a wearer, such as an infant, a 13 back portion 14, which is shaped and of dimensions such 14 that it lies adjacent the back of the wearer, and a seat portion 16, which is shaped and of dimensions such that 16 it lies adjacent the seat of the wearer. The nappy 17 comprises first 18 and second 20 shaped layers of 18 material. Each of the first and second layers of the 19 front 12, back 14 and seat 16 portions are formed together from the same single piece of woven fabric. In 21 use, the second layer of material 20 lies closer to the 22 skin of the wearer than the first layer of material 18.

23 The nappy also comprises a third layer of material 21, 24 which is movable such that it overlies the second layer of material 20 to provide for further absorbance. The 26 first, second and third layers of material are formed of 27 a bamboo fabric consisting of: about 70% bamboo; about * ** 8 20% to about 30% cotton, which provides for strength and *::::!9 spread of fluid across the material; and about 0% to * O about 10% polyester, which provides for strength and : elasticity. A layer of material is one of terry *.* 32 towelling, velour and fleece. Figure 1 shows the nappy a. a. * , . * .

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1 in a first disposition when the first and second layers 2 of material 18, 20 are adjacent each other.

4 The second layer of material 20 comprises first 22 and second 24 edge portions, which extend along opposing 6 lateral edges of the layer of material. Each edge 7 portion is formed by folding the layer of material over 8 itself and stitching the folded over material together.

9 The edge portions 22, 24 are about 15 mm wide in the region of the seat portion 20. In addition, the part of 11 each edge portion forming part of the seat portion 12 comprises a length of elastic. When the material is 13 being folded over on itself to form an edge portion a 14 length of elastic is located between the folds of material and the material stitched together to hold the 16 elastic in place. Each length of elastic is 160 mm long.

17 The edge portions 22, 24 are configured to provide for 18 more intimate contact with the skin of the wearer than 19 the material between the edge portions. Thus, the edge portions present a barrier against leakage of fluid when 21 the nappy is in use. The first layer of material also 22 comprises first 26 and second 28 edge portions, which 23 extend along opposing lateral edges of the layer of 24 material. The form and function of the first and second edge portions 26, 28 of the first layer of material is 26 the same as for the first and second edge portions 22, 24 27 of the second layer of material. Each of the first and * ** *8 second edge portions 26, 28 of the first layer of *::: material comprises elastic of about 160 mm in length that is incorporated into the nappy in the same way as for the second layer of material. As can be seen from Figure 1, **.

* 32 the width of the second layer of material 20 in the region of the seat portion 16 is less (about 80% less * *.I SI * S 1 about half way along the seat portion) than the width of 2 the first layer of material 18 in the seat portion such 3 that the outer edges of the edge portions 22, 24 of the 4 second layer of material sit inside the inner edges of the edge portions 26, 28 of the first layer of material.

6 Thus, the pairs of edge portions at each lateral side of 7 the seat portion 16 present a double barrier against 8 leakage of fluid from the nappy.

The first and second layers of material 18, 20 are 11 permanently attached to each other by stitching along the 12 top edge 30 of the back portion and along each of the 13 lateral edges 32 of the back portion. The first and 14 second layers of material 18, 20 are releasably attached to each other towards the top edge 34 of the front 16 portion 12 by means of a pair of press stud fasteners 36, 17 which are spaced apart from each other towards opposing 18 lateral edges of the front portion. In addition, a 19 length of elastic is located between folds of material towards a central portion 38 of the top edge of the back 21 portion. This length of elastic is about 120 mm long.

23 The nappy 10 of Figure 1 is brought into use by 24 first tucking the third layer of material 21 between the first 18 and second 20 layers of material. Then the 26 nappy is placed in situ on the wearer by moving the front 27 12 and back 14 portions upwards until they lie * IS w..28 respectively adjacent the abdomen and the back of the ISIS. . *,,29 wearer. The nappy is held in place by bringing the Velcro pads 40, which are attached towards lateral edges of the back portion 14, into engagement with a S'S * 32 cooperating Velcro pad (not shown), which is provided along substantially the entire width of the front of the S... SI

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1 front portion 12. The elastic central portion 38 at the 2 top edge of the back portion 14 provides for a snug fit 3 at the back and waist of the wearer by drawing the 4 material at the top edge 30 of the back portion together.

As discussed above, the elastic edge portions 22 to 28 of 6 the seat portion 16 provide for a snug fit around the 7 legs and seat of the wearer.

9 Figure 2 shows the nappy 10 of Figure 1 in a second disposition. The nappy shown in Figure 2 is of the same 11 form and function as the nappy shown in Figure 1, except 12 as described as follows. Hence, the same reference 13 numerals are used in Figure 2 as in Figure 1. Figure 2 14 lacks the third layer 21 of material shown in Figure 1.

However, Figure 2 shows the spaced apart press studs 42 16 used to secure the third layer of material 21 to the 17 first layer of material 18. As can be seen from Figure 18 2, the press studs 36, which held the first and second 19 layers of material together in Figure 1, have been released allowing for the first and second layers to be 21 moved completely apart from each other in the region of 22 the front portion 12 and the seat portion 16. The first 23 and second layers of material in the back portion 14 24 remain held together by the stitching discussed above.

This constitutes the second disposition in which the 26 surface area of the material of the nappy is 27 significantly increased over that of the nappy when in * et the first disposition shown in Figure 1. Thus provides *:29 for faster drying of the nappy after laundering. As can be seen by reference to Figures 1 and 2 and by comparison * 1 of Figures 1 and 2 with each other, when the nappy is S..

* 32 suspended from the top edge 30 of the back portion 14 the first and second layers of material lie adjacent each S.....

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1 other. Also, when the nappy is suspended, e.g. when 2 drying, from the top edge of one or other of the first 3 and second layers of material when in the second 4 disposition, the first and second layers separate to the extent that they lie in much the same plane.

6 In another embodiment of the invention, each of the 7 first and second layers of material 18, 20 is of double 8 thickness, each being formed of two layers of material, 9 which are stitched together so that they are permanently attached to each other. In use, the double thickness 11 first and second layers of material are of the same form 12 and function as described above with reference to the 13 first embodiment. This embodiment offers the advantage 14 of increased absorption of fluids with a drying time that may be as short as a known single thickness nappy lacking 16 the capability to be moved between the first and second 17 dispositions.

-* ** * * * * *9 S... * . 3.1 * *1 a.. S. *S * S a * . ** * S

Claims

1 CLAIMS: 3 1. A nappy comprising: 4 a front portion, a back portion and a seat portion between the front and back portions; 6 the front and back portions being configured to, in 7 use, lie adjacent the abdomen and adjacent the back of a 8 wearer respectively, and the seat portion being 9 configured to, in use, lie adjacent the seat of the wearer; 11 the front, back and seat portions comprising at 12 least two layers of material; and 13 the nappy is configured such that the layers of 14 material of the seat portion and of at least one of the front and back portions are movable between: a first 16 disposition, in which the layers of material are adjacent 17 each other; and a second disposition, in which the layers 18 of material are spaced apart from each other. 2. A nappy according to claim 1, in which the first and 21 second layers of material comprised in the seat portion 22 have generally the same footprint. 24 3. A nappy according to claim 1 or 2, in which the nappy is configured such that the second layer of 26 material is, in use, closer to the wearer than the first 27 layer of material. . A nappy according to claim 3, in which the second layer of material comprised in the seat portion is 31 narrower than the first layer of material comprised in * .32 the seat portion. **. * S. *S *. S * * **SS.. * S

1 5. A nappy according to claim 4, in which the second 2 layer of material has a width of no more than 3 substantially 90% of a width of the first layer of 4 material at a location about half way along the seat portion between the front and back portions.

7 6. A nappy according to claim 5, in which the second 8 layer of material has a width of substantially 80% of a 9 width of the first layer of material at a location about half way along the seat portion between the front and 11 back portions.

13 7. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 14 at least one of the first and second layers of material comprised in the seat portion comprises first and second 16 edge portions extending along opposing edges of the layer 17 of material, the first and second edge portions being 18 configured to engage more intimately with the wearer than 19 the material between the first and second edge portions.

21 8. A nappy according to claim 7, in which each of the 22 first and second edge portions is of greater thickness 23 than the material between the first and second edge 24 portions.

26 9. A nappy according to claim 8, in which each of the 27 first and second edge portions comprises a seam. * 0* * * *

* *9 10. A nappy according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in D which each of the first and second edge portions 31. comprises an elastic element. * .32 * ** ** * S * * S *

* S* * * S 1 11. A nappy according to claim 10, in which the elastic 2 elements are disposed in the seat portion such that, in 3 use, the first and second edge portions are biased 4 against the skin of the wearer.

6 12. A nappy according to claim 10 or 11, in which an 7 edge portion is formed along at least part of its length 8 by folding an edge of a layer of material over an elastic 9 element.

11 13. A nappy according to any one of claims 7 to 12, in 12 which an edge portion has a width of less than 13 substantially 20 mm.

14. A nappy according to claim 13, in which an edge 16 portion has a width of substantially 15 mm.

18 15. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 19 each of the first and second layers of material comprised in the seat portion comprises a respective pair of first 21 and second edge portions.

23 16. A nappy according to claim 15, in which the first 24 and second layers of material have lateral dimensions such that outer edges of the first and second edge 26 portions of the second layer of material lie inside 27 respective inner edges of the first and second edge 28 portions of the first layer of material. * .9 *.. S

0 17. A nappy according to claim 16, in which the nappy is *.3.1 configured such that the second layer of material is, in * .32 use, closer to the wearer than the first layer of S..

33 material. *. .. * . . * *

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2 18. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which

3 the nappy is configured such that when the nappy is 4 suspended from a first end the nappy is in the first disposition and such that when the nappy is suspended 6 from a second, opposing end the nappy is in the second 7 disposition.

9 19. A nappy according to claim 18, in which the first end is at or towards a top edge of one of the back 11 portion and the front portion and the second end is at or 12 towards a top edge of the other of the back portion and 13 the front portion.

20. A nappy according to claim 19, in which the first 16 end is at or towards the top edge of the back portion and 17 the second end is at or towards the top edge of the front 18 portion.

21. A nappy according to any one of claims 18 to 20, in 21 which the nappy is configured such that the nappy is in 22 the second disposition when the nappy is suspended from 23 one of the layers of material at the second end.

22. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 26 the front, seat and back portions are formed together 27 from a layer of material that is unitary. * **

29 23. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which S...

the front, seat and back portions are formed together from first and second layers of material, each of the * 32 first and second layers of material being unitary. S..

S ** S. S * * * S S..

1 24. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 2 the first and second layers of material are permanently 3 attached to each other at or towards a longitudinal edge 4 of the nappy.

6 25. A nappy according to claim 24, in which the first 7 and second layers of material are permanently attached to 8 each other towards an edge of the back portion.

26. A nappy according to claim 25, in which the first 11 and second layers are permanently attached to each other 12 along a longitudinal edge and along lateral edges of the 13 back portion.

27. A nappy according to any one of claims 24 to 26, in 16 which the first and second layers are releasably attached 17 to each other at or towards a longitudinal edge of the 18 nappy opposing the longitudinal edge at which the first 19 and second layers are permanently attached to each other.

21 28. A nappy according to claim 27, in which the first 22 and second layers are releasably attached to each other 23 at or towards a longitudinal edge of the front portion.

29. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 26 the nappy comprises a plurality of spaced apart 27 fasteners, which are operative to provide releasable 28 attachment of the first and second layers of material to * "29 each other. S.. * S

30. A nappy according to claim 29, in which one of the 32 fasteners is disposed towards a first lateral edge of the S. *S * S * * .

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1 nappy and another of the fasteners is disposed towards a 2 second, opposing lateral edge of the nappy.

4 31. A nappy according to claim 29 or 30, in which at least one of the fasteners comprises a press stud device.

7 32. A nappy according to any preceding claims, in which 8 first and second layers of material comprised in at least 9 one of the back and front portions have generally a same footprint when overlying each other.

12 33. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 13 the seat portion is attached at a first end to the back 14 portion and is attached at a second, opposing end to the front portion.

17 34. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 18 the nappy is formed at least in part of a fabric.

35. A nappy according to claim 34, in which the nappy is 21 formed at least in part of a bamboo fibre.

23 36. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 24 at least one of the first and second layers of material is of at least double thickness by comprising at least 26 two layers of material.

* 28 37. A nappy according to claim 36, in which layers of "29 material forming a double thickness layer are permanently S...

***3O attached to each other. * * a

:.32 38. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 33 the nappy comprises a third layer of material. *. S. * . . * a

S..... a

2 39. A nappy according to claim 38, in which the third 3 layer of material, in use, overlies at least one of the 4 front, seat and back portions.

6 40. A nappy according to claim 39, in which the third 7 layer of material, in use, overlies the front and the 8 seat portions.

41. A nappy according to any one of claims 38 to 40, in 11 which the third layer of material is of sufficient length 12 that it is foldable to at least double its thickness 13 within the footprint of the nappy.

42. A nappy according to any one of claims 38 to 41, in 16 which the nappy is configured such that the third layer 17 of material can be spaced apart from the first and second 18 layers of material when the nappy is not in use.

43. A nappy according to claim 42, in which the third 21 layer of material is releasably attached to the nappy.

23 44. A nappy according to claim 43, in which the third 24 layer of material is releasably attached by means of at least one fastener.

27 45. A nappy according to claim 43 or 44, in which one 28 end only of the third layer of material is releasably * *a 29 attached to one of the front portion and the back ***.

*"*0 portion. * *1 * .* * *** * ** *. * * * * *

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1 46. A nappy according to claim 45, in which the third 2 layer of material is releasably attached to the front 3 portion.

47. A nappy according to any one of claims 38 to 46, in 6 which the third layer of material is narrower than at 7 least one of the front and back portions.

9 48. A nappy according to any one of claims 38 to 47, in which the third layer of material is of substantially a 11 same width as the seat portion.

13 49. A nappy according to claim 48, in which, where the 14 seat portion comprises edge portions, the third layer is of a width such that opposing outer edges of the third 16 layer are inside edge portions of the seat portion.

18 50. A nappy according to any one of claims 38 to 49, in 19 which the third layer of material has a substantially rectangular footprint.

22 51. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 23 the nappy further comprises a biasing arrangement 24 operable to urge a top edge of the nappy against the skin of the wearer.

27 52. A nappy according to claim 51, in which the biasing * 28 arrangement is disposed at or towards a top edge of the 29 back portion. * ,

* .s.i 0 *:,.1 53. A nappy according to claim 51 or 52, in which the 32 biasing arrangement comprises an elastic element operable 33 to draw the material of the nappy together. S. *S * S * * S

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2 54. A nappy according to claim 53, in which the nappy is 3 configured such that material of the nappy is folded over 4 the elastic element to thereby enclose the elastic element.

7 55. A nappy according to any preceding claim, in which 8 the nappy further comprises at least one wearing fastener 9 that is operable to maintain the nappy on the wearer.

11 56. A nappy according to claim 55, in which the at least 12 one wearing fastener comprises at least one of: a hook 13 and loop arrangement; a press stud device; a nappy 14 gripper; a pin; and a button.

16 57. A nappy according to claim 55 or 56, in which 17 components of a first wearing fastener are disposed 18 towards first lateral edges of the front and back 19 portions respectively and components of a second wearing fastener are disposed towards second, opposing lateral 21 edges of the front and back portions respectively.

23 58. A nappy substantially as described herein with 24 reference to the accompanying figures. * S. * . . * 29 S... * I *-*30 * S S * SS * 32 S.. 33 S. ** * S S * S

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