IE41965B1

IE41965B1 - Diapers

Info

Publication number: IE41965B1
Application number: IE2707/75A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1974-12-12
Filing date: 1975-12-11
Publication date: 1980-05-07
Also published as: AU500994B2; ES228073U; IT1052365B; BR7507929A; DK518675A; GR58299B; BE836182A; AU8621275A; NL181166B; JPS5184345A; PH11628A; JPS6127482B2; DE2554504C2; US3920019A; GB1517706A; DE2554504A1; FR2293880B1; CA1073602A; SE432180B; FR2293880A1

Abstract

1517706 Diapers COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CO 28 Nov 1975 [12 Dec 1974] 49033/75 Heading A5R A disposable diaper or sanitary towel, 20, comprises a pad assembly 22 having a disposal cover 42 of flexible, fluid-impervious material 44, e.g. polyethylene, transversely folded along lines 46 and attached to the pad assembly remote from the area to be soiled, the cover being unfoldable to cover at least the usedpad soiled area. Side edges 50a, b of the sheet 44 are adjacent the side edges 34a, b of the pad assembly 22, the folds in each side region 52a, b of the sheet being secured to adjacent folds in the side region and retained on the pad back surface 26 by portions (56a, b) Fig. 2 (not shown) of tape strips 54a, b, adhesive portions 60a, b of the tape strips extending around the side edges 34a, b and onto release sheets 62a, b on front surface 30 of the pad assembly. An inner fold 66 of the sheet 44 may be secured to the back surface 26 by adhesive 70. After use, the other waistline portion is drawn towards the sheet 44 which is unfolded to cover the pad. The sheet may be placed at either waistline portion or adjacent a side edge of the pad assembly.

Description

The present invention relates to diapers, more particularly to disposable diapers. The term diapers ns used herein includes diapers for use on infants and also other absorbent articles having an absorbent pad . assembly, such as sanitary towels, but for convenience the invention will be described with particular reference to infants' disposable diapers.

During recent years diapers of the disposable type have come into widespread use. Such diapers generally have . a fluid-impervious backing sheet, a fluid-pervious top sheet and an absorbent pad between the top and backing sheets. Although disposable diapers have attained a high degree of popularity with parents since they are discarded after a single use. and need not be laundered, proper disposal . of the used diapers may present problems. At certain times, for example during travel, immediate disposal of the soiled diaper may not be possible. At other times, even at home, disposal of the diapers'may prove troublesome or insanitary. Moreover, many parents dislike handling soiled disposable . diapers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a ' disposable diaper of simple construction which may be handled and discarded after uie in a sanitary and convenient manner. ‘ · . According to the present invention a disposable diaper comprises an absorbent pad assembly and, attached to or integral with the pad assembly in a location of the diaper remote from the region likely to become soiled during use, a cover sheet of flexible material folded into a compact . configuration, and means securing the folds of the cover - 2 41965 sheet together at each side of the cover sheet and securing tlie folded cover sheet to the pad assembly while permitting sufficient unfolding of the cover sheet after use of the diaper to cover at least the soiled region.

. The absorbent pad assembly may have a fluid-iftpervious backing sheet at least partially defining a bacic surface of the pad assembly, a fluid-pervious front .surface, a ' pair of side edges, a pair of end edges and a pair of waistline portions adjacent the end edges, ap'd the folded cover . sheet may be disposed adjacent an edge of the pad assembly.

Thus, tho folded cover shoot is'a part of the diaper and can by unfolded and utilized &o cover portions of the pad assembly when soiled, without the person removing the diaper having to touch the spiled surface of the pad assembly.

. The covered soiled diapfer may be disposed of in a sanitary manner.

In some embodiments of the invention tape strips which are utilized to secure the diaper about an infant may also serve to Secure the folded cover sheet to a surface ' » of the pad assembly. In some such embodiments a surface s of the folded cover sheet is utilized as a release surface for securement portions of the tape strips.

In some embodiments the cover sheet is an integral extension of the backing sheet, whereas in other embodiments * the cover sheet is not Integral with the backing sheet but is secured to it. - 3 41965 The invention, may be performed in various ways, and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: . Figure 1 is a fragmentary Sectional view of a diaper embodying the invention?having a cover sheet in a partially folded configuration; Figure 2 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of Figure 1 showing the folded cover sheet secured . to the back sheet; Figure 3 is a fragmentary front plan view of the diaper of Figure 2; i Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; . Figure 5 is a view illustrating the cover sheet in the course of being unfolded to cover the diaper after use; Figure 6 is a view showing the soiled diaper covered by the unfolded cover sheet; . Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 of anotherembodiment; ; .

Figure 8 is a fragmentary front plan view of the diaper of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken . along the line 9-9 of Figure 8} Figure 10 is a back plan view of another embodiment; Figure 11 is a front plan view of the diaper of Figure 10 as folded into a box-pleat configuration; . Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 4. along the line 12-12 of Figure 10; Figure 13 is a fragmentary back plan view of another embodiment; Figure 14 is a fragmentary front plan view of the . diaper of Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of Figure 13Referring now to Figures 1-4, there is shown a disposable diaper 20 having an absorbent pad assembly 22.

. The pad assembly 22 has a fluid-impervious backing sheet defining at least a portion of the back surface 26 of the pad assembly, a fluid-pervious top sheet 28 defining at least a portion of a front surface 30 of the pad assembly, an absorbent pad 32 between the backing and top sheets 24 , and 28, respectively, a pair of side edges 34a and 34b, and a pair of end edges 36a and 36b. The pad assembly has a pair of waistline portions 38a and 38b adjacent the end edges, and a crotch portion intermediate .the waistline portions 38a and 38b.

. As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 20 has a disposal < cover 42 in the waistline portion 38a of the pad assembly, underlying the back surface 26 of the pad assembly. The cover 42 is preferably made from a sheet 44 of flexible fluidimpervious material, such as polyethylene. The sheet 44 is . transversely fan-or accordion-folded on a plurality of lateral fold lines 46 into a compact configuration and to position the outer fold 48 of the folded sheet 44 close to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the folded sheet 44 extends . substantially for the full width of the pad assembly 22, such - 5 41965 that side edges 50a and. 50b of the sheet 44 are located adjacent the side edges 54a and 34b of the pad assembly.

As illustrated in Figures 2-4, the folds of the cover sheet may be secured together in side regions 52a and 52_h and . secured to the hack surface 26 of the pad assembly by a pair of tape strips 54a and 54b. The tape strips 54a and. 54b have first portions 56a and 56b secured to an outer surface 58 of the side regions 52a and 52b, and second securement portions 60a and 60b extending past the side edges , 50a and 50b Of the sheet 44. The tape strips 54a and 54b are secured to the outer surface of the backing sheet 24 adjacent the side edges 34a and 34b of the pad assembly, and the securement portions 60a and 60b exteHd past the side edges 34a and 34b, adhesive on outer ends of the securement . portions 60a and 60b being releasably attached to a pair of release sheets 62a and 62b on the front surface of the pad assembly. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the securement portions 6Oa and 60b of the tape strips 54a' and 54b may have turned-over ends 64a and 64b to facilitate removal of the . securement portions from the release sheets 62a and 62b.

Thus, the tape strips 54a and 54b may be utilized not only to secure the side regions 52a and 52b of the folded sheet 44 together but also to secure the folded Sheet 44 to the back surface 26-of the pad assembly. However, if desired, the - inner fold 66 of the folded sheet 44 may he secured directly to the hack surface 26 of the pad assembly 22 by suitable means 68, such as a line of adhesive 70, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. 419 65 The folded cover sheet 44 is thus secured to the back surface of the pad assembly in a compact configuration. During placement of the diaper, the securement portions 60a and 60b of the tape strips 54a and . 54b are removed from the release sheets 62a and 62b and used for securement of the diaper about the infant in the conventional manner.

After use, the soiled diaper is removed from the infant and may be covered for disposal as follows.

As shown in Figure 5, the remover, such as the parent, . places one hand in the folded cover sheet 44 while drawing the other waistline portion 38b towards the folded Gover sheet 44. The remover then unfolds the sheet 44 and passes the sheet over remote regions of the diaper until the sheet encompasses and covers a . sufficient portion of the diaper to enclose and cover the soiled pad assembly, as shown in Figure 6.

The diaper with the covered pad assembly may then be discarded in a convenient and sanitary fashion with all the soiled portions of the diaper being covered, . and without the remover's hands having touched the soiled surface of the pad assembly.

Although the diaper has been described as having the folded sheet 44 located in the waistline portion 33a of the pad assembly, it will be understood that the . sheet may be located at other regions of the diaper : such as at the other waistline portion 38b, or adjacent the a side edge of the pad assembly,/unfolded cover sheet being brought around the opposing side edge of the pad assembly for disposal of the diaper in a manner . similar to that described above. 7.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Figures 7-9, in which the same reference numerals as in Figures 1-6 are used to designate like parts. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment the folded cover sheet 44 is an extension . of the backing sheet 24, a fold line 72 adjacent the end, edge 36a of the pad assembly defining the juncture between the inner layer 66 of the folded cover sheet 44 and the backing sheet 24.

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the backing sheet . 24 lias lateral side margins 74a and. 74b extending past tbe side edges 34a and 34b of the pad assembly 22 and secured to the front surface 30 of the pad assembly. Thus, the side regions 52a and 52b of the folded cover sheet 44 extend around the side edges 34a and 34b of the pad . assembly over the front surface 30 of the pad assembly, a substantial portion of the folded cover sheet underlying the back surface 26 of the pad assembly. The side regions 52a and 52b may be secured in place by suitable means, such as by heat sealing. If the folds of the folded cover sheet : . 44 are heat-sealed together in the side regions 52a and 52b, the surfaces 76a and 76b of the side regions of the outer fold provide a suitably smooth surface for release of the securement portions 60a and, 60b of the tape strips 54a and 54b, eliminating the necessity for separate release sheets.

- The securement portions 60a and 60b of the tape strips 54a and 54b are removed from the surface 76a and 76b for securement of the diaper about the infant during placement, · as previously described, and the cover sheet 44 is folded and utilized to cover the soiled diaper in a manner similar . to that described in connection with Figures 3-6. - 8 419 6 5 Another embodiment is illustrated in Figures 10-12, in which again like reference numerals designate like parts.

In this embodiment, the side regions 52a and 52b of the folded cover sheet 44 extend past the side edges 54a and 54b of . the pad assembly 22. the folds in the side regions 52a and 52b of the sheet 44 may be secured together by suitable means, such as by heat-sealing of the regions. The first portions 56a and 56b of the tape strips 54a and 54b may be secured to back surfaces 26a' and 26b' of the regions 52a . and 52b, and the securement portions 60a and 60b may extend around the side edges 50a and 50b of the folded cover sheet 44, the securement porticns being releasably attached to the front surfaces 76a and 76b of the regions 52a and 52b, eliminating the need for separate release sheets. The inner fold 66 of the folded cover sheet 44 may be secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly by suitable means 68, such as a line of adhesive 70. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the pad assembly 22 may be folded in the well known manner along a plurality of longitudinal fold lines 78a, . 78b, 78c and 78d to define a box-pleat configuration, the pleat having a longitudinally extending central panel C, a pair of first panels ΰ and D extending from and overlying the front surface of the central panel C, and. a pair of outermost panels A an,d E extending from and overlying the first panels - B and D. Of course, pad assemblies of other diapers embodying the invention may likewise be folded into a box-pleat configuration.

During use, the securement portions 60a_ and 60b of the tape strips 54a and 54b are removed from the front surfaces . 76a and 76b of the side regions 52a and 52b to secure the -9- 41965 diaper about the infant, as previously described. The coversheet 44 is unfolded and utilized in a manner as described above to cover the soiled diaper for disposal.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Figures 13-15, · in which again like reference numerals designate like parts.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the cover sheet is an extension of the backing sheet 24. The cover sheet 44 is folded with a plurality of overlapping folds 80, as shown, and an end flap 82 whioh is folded over the end edge . 36a and secured to the front surface 30 of the pad assembly 22. As shown in Figure 14, the side margins 74a and 74b of the backing sheet 24 and the side regions 52a and 52b of the folded Cover sheet 44 are folded around the side edges 34a and 34b of the pad assembly and Secured to the front · surface of the pad assembly by suitable means, such as adhesive or heat sealing. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first portions 56a and 56b of the tape strips 54a and 54b are secured to the back surface of the folded cover sheet 44 with the securement portions 60a and 60b of the strips . extending past the side edges 34a and 34b of the pad assembly. As shown in Figure 14, a pair of release sheets 62a· and 62br releasably cover adhesive on the securement portions 60a and 60b of the tape strips 54a and 54b. The release she et s_____. - 10 41965 62a' and 62b' are removed from the securement portions of the tape strips during placement of the diaper on an infant, and the securement poi-tions of the tape strips are utilized to secure the diaper about the . infant. After use, the diaper is removed from the infant and the cover sheet 44 is unfolded sufficiently to pass the sheet over remote regions of the diaper and cover the soiled diaper in a manner similar to that described in connection with the diapers of Figures . 1-12.

Claims

1. A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent pad assembly and, attached to or integral with the pad assembly in a location of the, diaper remote from the region likely 5 to become soiled during use, a cover sheet of flexible material transversely folded into a compact configuration, and means securing the folds of the cover sheet together at each side of the cover sheet and securing the folded cover sheet to the pad assembly while permitting sufficient 1q unfolding of the cover sheet after use of the diaper to cover at least the soiled region.

2. A disposable diaper as claimed in Claim 1 in which the absorbent pad assembly has a fluid-impervious backing sheet at least partially defining a back surface of the 15 pad assembly, a fluid-pervious front surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges and a pair of waistline portions adjacent the end edges, and in which the folded cover sheet is disposed adjacent an edge of the pad assembly. s' - .

3. · A'diaper as claimed .in Claim 2 wherein at least a 2o substantial portion of the folded cover sheet underlies the back surface of the pad assembly.

4. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 Wherein the folded cover sheet extends at least substantially from one edge to an opposite edge of the pad assembly. 25 5· A diaper as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the side edges of the cover sheet are located adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly. - 12 41965 6. A diaper as claimed in Claim 4 wherein side regions of the folded cover sheet extend around side edges of the pad assembly and are secured to the front surface of the pad assembly.

5. 7. A diaper as claimed in Claim 6 wherein a portion of the folded cover sheet extends between the side edges of the pad, and the outer surfaces of the said side regions overlying the front surface of the pad assembly comprise release surfaces for adhesive on a pair of tape strips. 10 8, A diaper as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the securing means comprise areas of the said side regions heat-sealed to the front surface of the pad assembly.

6. 9. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 wherein side regions of the folded cover sheet extend beyond the side edges of the 15 pad assembly.

7. 10. A diaper as claimed in Claim 9 vherein front surfaces of the said side regions comprise release .surfaces for adhesive on a pair of tape strips.

8. 11. A diaper as claimed in Claim 10 wherein each tape strip 20 has a first portion secured to a back surface of a side region of the folded cover sheet and a securement portion releasably attached to the front surface of the side region.

9. 12. A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the securing means comprise areas of the said side regions. 25 heat-sealed together.

10. 13· A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 12 wherein ' tho cover sheet is not integral with the backing sheet. - 13 41965

11. 14. A diaper as'Claimed in Claim 13 including means securing an inner fold of the folded cover sheet to the back surface of the pad assembly intermediate the means securing the folds of the folded cover sheet together. 5 15- A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 12 wherein the cover sheet is an integral extension of the backing sheet. I 16. A diaper as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the cover sheet joins the backing sheet adjacent an edge of the pad assembly. 10 17. A diaper as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein an end edge of the folded cover sheet Is secured to a surface of the pad assembly. 18. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a pair of tape strips each having a first

12. 15 portion secured to an outer surface of the folded cover •sheet adjacent side edges of the cover sheet and a second portion extending beyond the side edges of the cover sheet and secured to a surface of the pad assembly.

13. 19· A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 17 in which

14. 20 the.folded cover sheet is located in one waistline portion of the pad assembly, the cover sheet is folded laterally relative the diaper to the said compact configuration and, when unfolded, can pass over the other waistline portion of the pad assembly for covering the soiled pad assembly. 25 20. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the cover sheet comprises a sheet of fluid-impervious material. - 14 “41965

15. 21. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the folded cover sheet is fan-folded.

16. 22. A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 20 wherein the folded cover sheet is folded with a plurality of 5 overlapping folds.

17. 23- A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the pad assembly is longitudinally folded into a pleated configuration.

18. 24. A disposable diaper substantially as described with 10 reference to Figures 1 to 6, or Figures 7 to 9, or Figures 10 to 12, or Figures 13 to 15, of the accompanying drawings.