WO1989010705A1

WO1989010705A1 - Cloth diaper

Info

Publication number: WO1989010705A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dianne Kathryn Mcilveen
Original assignee: Dianne Kathryn Mcilveen
Priority date: 1988-05-10
Filing date: 1989-05-10
Publication date: 1989-11-16
Also published as: GB9022620D0; GB2237500A

Abstract

A cloth diaper for use with pilchers or the like has a structure having two layers of fabric (22 and 23) which are coterminus for at least a portion of their area, and are joined together at their respective edges for sufficient of their perimeter so as to provide a pocket (24) into which a portion (26) of both of the layers of fabric outside the area defined by the pocket (24) may be folded, thereby providing in the thus-folded state a diaper construction having more than two layers of fabric over a substantial area of the thus-folded diaper.

Description

CLOTH DIAPER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in infants' diapers. More particularly, the invention relates to the substitution of a shaped cloth diaper structure capable of being folded into a pocket formed therein, for a conventional cloth diaper square or the like. The diaper is worn in conjunction with suitable pilchers such as partially water-proof lined cloth pilchers. The invention is suitable for use by infants from birth to the age of toilet training and subsequent continency. Although the invention is particularly useful in infants' diapers it may equally well be used in older persons such as those suffering from incontinence. Any reference to diapers is intended to include all such absorbent products including diapers and incontinence pads.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional cloth diapers have been known for a long time and normally consist of a simple square of material, usually terry towelling. Depending on the size of the infant, the cloth square is folded to provide the right shape to fit the infant and provide as much bulk (ie absorbent material) where it is most needed. For overnight use with a larger infant such as a toddler, two diaper squares are often folded together.

The presently known arrangements have several drawbacks. The conventional reuseable cloth diaper squares are not particularly comfortable for the infant to wear and involve the parent in considerable time and effort in putting the diaper on and then later in laundering the diaper. They are relatively bulky, and absorbancy is low since much of the bulk is distributed to areas where there is less need.

SUBSTITUTE SWEET ith present cloth diapers there is the everpresent problem of pins and minor accidents which occur with their use. Furthermore the diapers are not readily and easily changed and this must be done while the infant is lying down. This process may be considerably difficult with a struggling toddler. In addition toilet training is difficult as the the conventional cloth diaper is not able to be quickly pulled down by either an adult or the infant and this aspect is often crucial to successful toilet training.

There is also considerable bulk to wash in a standard diaper. They require considerable washing line space and storage space. They require folding and considerable effort in getting the shape right to fit the infant.

An alternative to cloth diapers is provided by disposable diapers but these have the disadvantage of relatively high cost, their inability to breathe by virtue of their plastic backing sheet and their generally poor absorbency compared to cloth diapers.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a cloth diaper which overcomes several of these drawbacks or at the very least provides a useful alternative to presently known diaper squares and even disposable diapers.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a cloth diaper for use with pilchers or the like in which the diaper comprises a structure having two layers of fabric wherein the first and second layers of fabric are coterminus for at least a portion of their area, and are joined together at their respective edges for sufficient of their perimeter so as to provide a pocket into which a portion of one or both of the layers of fabric outside the area defined by the pocket may be folded, thereby providing in the thus-folded state a diaper construction having more than two layers of fabric over a substantial area of the thus-folded diaper.

SUBSTITUTE SHΣE¹ Preferably the shape of the unfolded diaper is T-shaped (i.e. having a cross-bar and leg), the pocket being formed in the cross-bar of the T-shape, whilst the leg of the T-shape is folded therein.

In this preferred structure, the first and second layers of fabric may be coterminus for their total area so that the leg portion comprises two layers of fabric. In this embodiment each layer of fabric outside the area defined by the pocket is folded into the pocket to produce a structure having four thicknesses of fabric in the folded state.

Alternatively the first and second layers may be coterminus for just the cross-bar portion, one layer only having a leg portion which is folded either singly or doubly (depending on its dimensions) into the pocket to provide three or four layers respectively of fabric in the. folded state.

Preferably the diaper is used with pilchers which are in the form of a pant like garment or pilchers which have a T shaped structure having a rear portion, crotch portion and front portion for fitting to the infant. In this latter form of pilchers, the rear portion has flaps adjacent the waistband region capable of being brought around the infant's waist to be suitably secured to the front portion which is drawn up between the infant's legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For illustrative purposes only an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an unfolded diaper according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross-section A-B of the diaper according to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross-section C-D of the diaper according to Figure 1,

SUBSTITUTE SHEΕT Figure 4 is a plan view of the diaper according to Figure 1 folded internally.

Figure 5 is a cross-section A-B of the folded diaper according to Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the diaper according to Figure 1 folded externally,

Figure 7 is a cross-section C-D of the folded diaper according to Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a plan view of an unfolded diaper according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 9 is a cross-section A-B of the diaper according to Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a cross-section C-D of the diaper according to Figure 8,

Figure 11 is a plan view of the diaper according to Figure 8 folded internally,

Figure 12 is a cross-section A-B of the folded diaper according to Figure 11,

Figure 13 is a plan view of the diaper according to Figure 8 folded externally,

Figure 14 is a cross-section C-D of the folded diaper according to Figure 13,

Figure 15 is a plan view of pilchers for use with a diaper of the present invention, showing the rear or external view thereof,

Figure 16 is a plan view of the pilchers according to Figure 15 showing the front or internal view thereof,

Figure 17 is a plan view of pilcher pants for use with a diaper of the present invention showing the front view.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the pilcher pants according to Figure 17 showing the rear view.

Figure 19 is a plan view of the pilcher pants according to Figure 17 showing the front view after turning the pilchers inside out, and

Figure 20 is a plan view of the pilcher pants according to Figure 17 showing the rear view after turning the pilchers inside out.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Specifically referring to the drawings it will be observed that the diaper according to the present invention has two basically similar styles, both being made from highly absorbant and washable material such as cotton towelling.

A diaper according to the first style is illustrated in Figures 1 to 7. This style of diaper 21 in its unfolded state (Figures 1 to 3) comprises a double sided T-shaped pocket defined by a cross-bar portion 25 and a leg portion 26, having front fabric face 22 and rear fabric face 23, each face being a single layer of fabric. The layers of fabric 22 and 23 are joined at their respective perimeters from E, through F and G to H, leaving an opening 24 along the base of the leg 26 of the T, corresponding to perimeter portion H-E.

A diaper according to the second style is illustrated in Figures 8 to 14. This second style of diaper 41 in its unfolded state (Figures 8 to 10) is also T-shaped but varies from the first diaper 21 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in that only the cross-bar portion 45 of the T is double sided with the leg 46 of the T being longer and of a single thickness. The pocket opening 44 in this style of diaper 41 is along the top of the leg portion 46 where it joins the cross-bar portion 45 of the T. Thus, the diaper 41 comprises a double sided T-shaped pocket, having front fabric face 42 and rear fabric face 43, each face being a single layer of fabric. The layers of fabric 42 and 43 are joined at their respective perimeters from J, through K and L to M, leaving an opening 44 along the side of the cross-bar portion of the T, corresponding to perimeter portion M-J.

SUBSTITUTE SH£ET Both diaper styles can be folded into two possible configurations each, to form a four layered rectangular pad with rounded ends as illustrated in Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 11 to 14 respectively. The same reference numerals indicate identical components as illustrated in the corresponding figures showing the diaper unfolded. This is done by either folding the leg of the T (26 or 46 as the case may be) internally into the cross-bar of the T (25 or 45) as shown in Figures 4 to 5 or Figures 11 to 12 respectively, or by simply overlapping the leg of the T (26 or 46) onto the cross-bar of the T (26 or 46) as shown in Figures 6 to 7 and 13 to 14 respectively. When folded internally the diapers have an integrity and will not dissassemble on handling. Both configurations result in the main bulk of the diaper being concentrated over the central area where absorbancy is most needed, with a slimming effect at either end.

Whilst folding internally fully utilises the structure of the diaper according to the invention it will nevertheless be apparent that the diaper may be utilised in several different ways providing extreme flexibility. For example a further piece of material may be used in conjunction with the diaper to further improve absorptive capacity. This could be a further diaper according to^* the present invention, a conventional diaper square or even a face washer or the like.

A strip of Velcro (Registered trademark) tape (27 or 47 respectively) is stitched at one end of the cross-bar portion 25 or 45 of the T. This enables the folded diaper to be attached to a corresponding piece of tape located on suitable pilchers such as the second style exemplified below, and held in position therein.

Pilchers suitable for use with the invention are illustrated in Figures 15 to 19 and may be worn in conjunction with any of the folded diapers described above and are of two types (Figures 15 to 16 and 17 to 20 respectively) . Both types are made of cloth and are only water-proof lined in the area where the folded diaper makes contact with them.

The first type of pilcher 61 is designed to be worn by infants ranging in age from newborn until about twelve months or at the age of walking. These pilchers can be opened out flat and when so viewed as in Figures 15 and 16 are T-shaped with an internal section of water-proof lining 62 extending from the centre back waist area 63 of the pilchers 61, through the area of the crotch 64, to the centre front waist area 65 where there is a pocket 66. The folded rectangular diaper (not illustrated) covers the area of water-proof lining and is partially inserted into the pocket 66 formed at the centre front interior 65 of the pilcher 61 near the waist. In use, the pilcher 61 wraps around the infant and is secured by adjustable Velcro fastener strips 67 near the external waist front, thus giving the pilchers their pants-like form.

The second type of pilcher as illustrated in Figures ₁7 to 20 is designed to be worn by infants from twelve months until three years or up to the age of toilet training and night-time continency. These pilchers 81 have a conventional pants like shape, have elasticised legs 82 and waist 83 and are seamed at the sides 84. They are made of a stretch cloth 85 such as polyester/cotton terry towelling or other suitable fabric, and are lined internally with a water-proof material 86 in the area where the diaper makes contact with the pilcher pants. A piece of Velcro fastener tape 87 is stitched near the centre front interior of the pilchers near the waist 83. The diaper (not illustrated) is attached to the pilchers 81 by means of the Velcro tape ₈7. A protective washing tab or flap 88 is used to cover and adhere to the tape 87 during washing, to prevent the tape from snagging on other garments and from gathering lint. The advantages of the invention reside in that the diaper of the present invention is an improvement on the

SUBSTITUTE SHEZ' conventional reuseable cloth diaper squares by being more comfortable for the infant to wear and by saving time and effort for the parent. It does this in the following ways:

- It is lighter and less bulky

Absorbancy is high and is concentrated in the area where it is most needed

It is cooler in summer with breathing channels at the sides, thus reducing the risk of diaper rash

- It is warm in winter - wetness never completely surrounds the infant

It abolishes the need for pins or ties of any description

The diaper is quickly and easily changed and this can be done while the infant is either lying or standing, the latter possibility being particularly useful in avoiding the lifting of a struggling uncooperative child

The pilchers hold the diaper snuggly in position and there is no leakage, sagging or slipping down

- It makes toilet training easier as the pilcher pants (type 2) are able to be quickly pulled down by either adult or infant

- It is easily laundered either by machine or hand (ideal for holidaying) and dries quickly

Any soiling is confined to a relatively small area on one side of the diaper There is less bulk to wash

- It requires considerably less washing line space and storage space

It requires minimal folding and if the diaper has been folded internally it cannot unfold on handling

Special folding is eliminated

Conventional terry towelling may be used in its construction

- Economical being made so that one size fits all

- It maintains its shape whereas conventional diaper

SUBSTITUTE j i •.-___. k. • squares often distort

A good fit is automatically achieved. From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novelty of the present invention. It will be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

SUBSTITUTE

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A cloth diaper for use with pilchers or the like in which the diaper comprises a structure having two layers of fabric wherein the first and second layers of fabric are coterminus for at least a portion of their area, and are joined together at their respective edges for sufficient of their perimeter so as to provide a pocket into which a portion of one or both of the layers of fabric outside the area defined by the pocket may be folded, thereby providing in the thus-folded state a diaper construction having more than two layers of fabric over a substantial area of the thus-folded diaper.

2. A cloth diaper according to claim 1, in which the shape of the unfolded diaper is T-shaped (i.e. having a cross-bar and leg), the pocket being formed in the cross-bar of the T-shape, whilst the leg of the T-shape may be folded therein.

3. A cloth diaper according to claim 2, in which the first and second layers of fabric are coterminus for their total area so that the leg portion comprises two layers of fabric, so that each layer of fabric outside the area defined by the pocket is folded into the pocket to produce a structure having four thicknesses of fabric in the folded state.

4. A cloth diaper according to claim 2, in which the first and second layers are coterminus for just the cross-bar portion, one layer only having a leg portion which is folded either singly or doubly (depending on its dimensions) into the pocket to provide three or four layers respectively of fabric in the folded state.

5. A cloth diaper according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the diaper is used with pilchers which are in the form of a pant like garment or pilchers which have a T shaped structure having a rear portion, crotch portion and front portion for fitting to the infant, -li¬

the rear portion having flaps adjacent the waistband region capable of being brought around the infant's waist to be suitably secured to the front portion which is drawn up between the infant's legs.

6. A cloth diaper substantially as described herein in conjunction with either Figures 1 to 7 or Figures 8 to 14

SUBSTITUTE S*i