Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~0574SS
This application relates to improved diaper
assemblies, particularly diapers that permit selective posi-
tioning of absorbent material to the point of need depending
on the activity and/or sex of the infant.
Currently available diaper constructions generally
have a single pad area extending from the crotch area to the
waist of an infant. These diapers m~y be contoured for
better fit in the crotch area around the legs. ~lowever~
this results in the disadvantage of removing absorbent pad
from the point of greatest need. As a result, padding in ~ -~
that area may wad because of low strength under conditions ;
of excess wetness. Also, having a large volume of absorbent
pad in the waist area means that the wet area of the pad is
extended upward toward the waist~
There is therefore a substantial need for a universal
diaper that is simple to manufacture, and yet i9 completely
adaptable to sex and/or activity of the infant. There is also
a need for a diaper that provides additional absorbent padding
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at the point of need without the discomfort or malfit of a non-
contoured diaper.
This invention attempts to provide a universal diaper
with means for providing selectively added absorbent capacity
in relation to the age, sex and/or activity of the infant
Furthermore7 the improved diaper assembly has a
main pad and an auxiliary absorben~ pad selectively position-
` able to the point of need.
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1(31S74SS
According to one aspect, the improved diaper construc-
tion of the invention comprises in operative combination: a main
pad assembly having an absorbent pad and outer fluid impervious
backing sheet adapted to be removably secured to an infant, means
defining an auxiliary pad assembly movably secured in association
with said main pad assembly, said auxiliary pad means being selec-
tively positionable between a first, frontal position and a second,
rear position depending on one or more of the age, sex, activity
or health of the infant, to dispose at the point of need additional
absorbent material.
According to another aspect, the disposable diaper of the
invention comprises an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface
` and a back surface, auxiliary absorbent pad means having one end
secured adjacent the crotch region of the diaper on the front sur- -
face of said pad assembly and having a free second end, said pad
means being movable between positions on opposite sides of said
.
crotch region and overlying the front surface of said pad assembly.
The auxiliary pad results in reducing the amount of absor-
bent material in the main pad while placing the absorbent material
at the point of need. This permits a better fit in the main pad
with overall improved fluid retention capacity and no increase ;
in cost.
The auxiliary pad assembly may be positioned in the front ~ ~-
for a boy, for daytime activity of a young infant regardless of
sex, or for sleeping or napping regardless of the age or sex of
the infant ~where the infant sleeps on its stomach). Conversely,
the pad may be positioned in the rear for a girl, or for daytime
activity of an older infant regardless of sex. For certain ;~
conditions of incontinency or ;
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diarrhea the pad may be positioned as needed.
The auxiliary pad may be movably secured as by
adhesive to, or retained ~y, the main pad. The main pad may
be of any desired configuration, contoured or non-contoured,
rectangular, triangular, box pleat-type, and the like.
A particular embodiment of the present invention will
now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which: ; ~
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment `~ - -
of the diapers of this invention in a folded, as received
conditiGn; '`~
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the diaper of
Figure 1 showing the auxiliary pad in a first (boy/sleep-nap)
position, and a second position in phantom (girl/day), and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the diaper of ;~
Figure 2 in use.
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Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, diaper assembly 1,
comprises a main pad assembly 2, and an auxiliary pad
assembly 3. The diaper may be generally rectangular, with
a front (F) to back '(B) long axis as shown best in Fig. 2, ~'or any other convenient shape such as contoured, triangular
polygonal or having one or more'arcuate margins. The diaper
may be folded at generally righ~ angles to the long axis for
packaging, storing or shipping as best seen in FigO 1. The '~diaper embodiment of Figs. 1-3'is shown with side margin box
pleats 4f 5 formed by a Z-shaped fold along lines'6,7 and
'8,9 respectively spaced inwardly from, and generally paraliel ~'to side margins 10,11. '~ ~'
- ~ The box pleats'may be'sec'ured in one or more places,
preferably adjacent the transverse foId axis T-T', or'in '
the crotch region of the diaper. Fig. 2 shows adheslve areas ~ ~ ;
~ 12,13'disposed be~ween fold lines 6,7 and'8,9 respectively '-'~
' to secure the pleat in the crotch'area. This effectively
' contours the diaper, permitting good fit in the crotch area,
yet the unsecured box pleat ends 14, 15,16,17 can be sprea
to insure it around the circumferenae'of the infant's waist. -
This is best shown in Fig. 3.' Tape strips 18,19 axe adhesive
aced, and covered by release'sheets 20,2I. The release
sheèts are removed and the strips secured to the outer face
22 of the outer backing shee~ 23.
The main pad assemb~y comprises an outer backing
sheet 23 of a generaLly water repellant or impervious material,
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such as plastic, an absorbent pad material 24, and an inner
fluid pervious sheet 25. The'absorbent pad material may ''
be any suitable material, such as pulverized wood pulp, absor~
bent cellulose wadding, synthetic or natural, woven, non- '
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woven, felted-or intertangled fibers, non-fibrous (such as
open or closed cellular foam or sponge material, continuous
filament or chopped fibers, or the like.' The inner and outer
sheets 25,23'may be the same or different', and there may
be additional intennediate OI' external sheets. Preferably,
the innermost sheet is a woven or nonwoven fllamentous she t
~; that has good fluid permeability properties yet has a smooth,
soft feel or "hand" to protect the'infantis skin. The inner '.~ I
sheet may be'treated with medicaments,' chemical agentsr deodor- '~
ants, emollients, powders (e.g., baby powder), surfactants, - '~
wetting agents, salves, perfumes, bactericides, germicides, -'~'
and the like, as desired. The~'outer'sheet may be any thermoplas- '' '
tic or thermosetting plastic,~such as a polyolefin (polyethylene,^''- '~ -
polypropyIene~, a polystyrene,'~a polyvlnyl~plastic, such'
as polyvinylchloride,' and the like, or'may be any other ~luid ''~
~i~ 20 ~ imp~rvious material. Mixed polymers, laminates, co- and
~ ter-polymers may aiso be used. Thi's sheet- may be' made by
'~ ~ a continuous extrusion, casting, or other~operation, and
j~ is preferably a homogenous web. ~'
The auxiliary pad 3'comprises g~nerally an absorbent
pad 26 of the same or similar characteristics as pad 24 in '~
' the main assembly 2. One or both of these pads may be impreg~
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S7455
nated, saturated or loaded with'deodorants, medicaments and
the like as above described with respec~ to the inner sheet
25. The absorbent pad, in one'emhodiment may be disposed
within a fluid permeable'envel'ope'21 which'is-sealed at each
S end 28,29. As best.shown in Fig. 2.'corner areas 30,31 of
. the auxiliary pad assembly 3'are'movably .secured to the main
pad assembly 2,. in this embodiment by adhesive'l2,13; The'
securin~ means'may b~ of any suitable type, such'as adhesive, ~
heat or so1vent sealing-or'thb'like.' In production, both' . ~ '.
faces of the'corners 3~,31'may be''dipped into adhesive and
inserted into the'box-pleat along axis T-T ' ~, thereby simultan-
eously securing the auxiliary pad and box pleat. .
A~ shown in Fig.'2'and 3,' the auxiliary pad has a
: first position 32, and a second position 33'~in phantom in
: Fig. 2)'. The fir:st-position is general}y useful for a male
infant, when'the'diaper: is pIaced as shown in Fig. 3.' This
posltion~is also the preferred position for a napping or
sleeping~infant regardless of sex, or for a young or chron~
ically incontinent inant whose'activity is-primarily crawling '.
~`-20 . or lying on the'stomach. In the'flipped~ or second, position
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' 33,' the~auxiliary pad is generally preferred for female infants,
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or infants of upright activity, as for older, walking or feed- ~ :'.'
~ :~ ing activities. It likewise is useful for infants~ regardless . ; '' '
': of sex affliated with'diarrhea or other such bowel conditions.
~ 25 Thus, ~he auxiliary pad may be flip-flopped from one position
:'i to another depending on the infant:age, sex, activity or health
: condition.
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~os7455
The auxiliary pad is not restricted to being a separate envelope
as shown in Figs. 1-3, but may be any selectively positionable absorbent pad
means. For example, the auxiliary pad may be a looped or pleat-~ype
extension of the maln pad, an extension of the box pleat or the like. ~`
; It should be understood that various modifications within the ;~
scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the spirit thereof.
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