Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~633Vl
DIAPER INSERT
The present invention relates to diapers
and more par~icularly to disposable inserts for dis- ~ -
posable or non-disposable diapers which are adapted
to provide improved absorbency, and which can be used
once and thrown away. In a more speciic aspect, the
disposable diaper inser~s of the present invention
are utilized in conjunction with disposable or
non-disposable diapers whereby only the disposable
diaper insert is discarded after soilage, thereby
permitting future use of the diaper.
Disposable diapers have been known in the
art or a number o years, and are now gaining wide-
spread acceptance by consumers, both in private homes
and in hospitals and institutions. Their present success
is achieved in part by the elimination of the necessity of
storing, washing and folding the disposable diaper as
i8 the case with the conventional cotton woven diapers.
To compete with~the conventional product, the
cost of the disposable diaper must be relatively low and
it should be similar to a cloth diaper with regard to -
absorbency, softness, bulk and conformability. ii,
In both types of diapers, premature removal
rom the infant adds considerably to the consumer's problem
. , , ! , ,
as re1ected either by the increased labor effort required
to clean co~ventional diapers or by the expense of replac~
ing the disposable diaper. This premature removal can be `
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2. ~ ;
: . . .: ., .
:10633~
_
motivaited by a variety of factors but is mainly attribut-
able to the effect of partial saturation of the diaper.
Thus when an infant partially wets a diaper, the mother
or the consumer is prone to immiediately replace the :
diaper due to her associating wetness with "diaper rash",
odor, discomfort and other such characteristics.
Attempts to ameliorate the problems by utilizing
diaper aids, e.g., dlsposable absorbent diaper inserts, or `
"booster pads", have not been entirely satisfactory for a
variety of reasons. Merely as illustrative, the conven-
.
tional diaper aids suffer from one or more of the following
disadvantage~:
(a) They do not possess sufficient
absorptive capacity;
(b) They are uncomfortable to the user; and
(c) They suffer from poor liquid retention
properties after absorption.
It will of course be understood that the terms
"diaper aids","booster pads" and "diaper inserts" are
susceptible to various~interpretations and meanings. As
used herein, however, it is intended that these terms
designate absorbent material or products to be used in
conjunction with conventional diapers (as contrasted to
their being part of the structure of the diaper) in order
to provide additional advantages such as improved
absorbency and reduce~d leakage rom the diaper.
It is therefore an object of the present
. .
invention-to provide an insert or diapers which can be
utilized in conjunction with a conventional diaper so as ;~
to provide added absorbency and which can be easily
removed from the diaper, after soilage, and discarded
permitting future use of the diaper.
Another object of the presen~ invention is to
provide a diaper insert for disposable diapers which -~
enables the ~iiaper to be utilized for relatively longer
,. .
3.
:~L01~33(~1
periods of ~ime thereby providing increased economical operation.
Another object is to provide a diaper insert for
diapers which have a high degree of liquid retention.
A stlll urther object is to provide a diaper
insert for disposable diapers having a high degree of
initial absorption or wicking properties.
These and other objects will become apparent
from the description of the invention taken in con-
junction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the diaper
insert made in accordance with the present invention
with some portions opened up to reveal other portions
and certain details of construction.
Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of
Fig. 2 showing a section of the diaper insert during unsat-
uration.
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig 3 except that
the diaper insert is saturated with liquid.
Fig. 5 is a plan view, partially cut away
of~a diaper insert according to a further, but less pre-
ferred embodiment of the present invention.
~ Fig 6 is a plan view of a diaper insert wherein ``;
the absorbent material has a contoured coniguration.
Fig 7 is a plan view of a conventional diaper
showing the diaper insert in position on the diaper.
In its~broad aspect, the disposable diaper insert
of th~ present lnvention is comprised of, in combination, at
least one absorbent pad disposed between a liquid impermeable
topsheet and a liquid impermeable bottom sheet, each of said
sheets being formed from a hydrophobic material such as a
thermoplastic film and each of said films being characterized ;~
by a plurality of valw lar apertures or openings therein
and a system of dimples disposed across the~surface thereof. ~;
Referring in detail to Fig. 1 there is shown a
dlsposable diaper insert, generally designated 10,
1C~633~
. . `
comprising a rectangular absorbent pad 12 substantially
centrally located and sandwiched between a thin, flexible
bottom sheet 14 of liquid impermeable material, and a
thin flexible topsheet 16 also of a normally liquid
impermeable material. Bottom sheet 14 and topsheet 16
have a plurality of slits 18 and a system of dimples 22
therein which slits and dimples will be described in
greater detail hereinafter.
Bottom sheet 14 and topsheet 16 are of
approximately equal size and are of a length and width
slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of
absorbent pad 12. The edges of bottom sheet 14 and
topsheet 16 are sealed to each other around the entire
periphery of the insert 10 and just outside the outermost
edges of absorbent pad 12. The sealing can be accomplished
by any convenient means, such as the use of an adhesive,
but heat sealing is preferred and is indicated by heat
seal 20 around the periphery of the insert.
The absorbent pad 12 can be a plurality of layers
. . .
of absorbent tissue paper or wadding stacked to the
desired thickness. The wadding layers need not be
adhered to each other but, since it~has been common
practice to adhesively, mechanically, or otherwise
secure the layers to each other to maintain the
relative position of the layers and the shape of the
absorbent pad, such can also be done in` the insert of
the present invention. The wadding can be stacked to
form a pad~o~ any desired thickness and hence absorbency
can be controlled for any particular use.
Absorbent materials other than tissue and
wadding will of course be useful in the insert con-
struction of the present invention. For example,
; :`.
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106330~
absorbent non-woven pads can be fabricated to any desired
thickness and substituted for the absorbent pads described
above. One such absorbent pad which has been used
extensively in disposable diapers is a wood pulp product
commonly known as wood fluff and is prepared in the same
manner as a non-woven fabric. Thus such type absorbent
pad is also useful as the absorbent pads of the lnserts
of the present invention.
The only criteria for utility in the present
invention are that the material be absorbent, be capable
of being fabricated in the form of a pad, be compatible
with the waste products with which it will come in
contact and be non-irritating to the skin
Various natural and synthetic polymeric materials
are themselves absorbent or can be made absorbent and will
therefore be useful as, or in combination with, the
absorbent pad of the present invention. One group of
polymers which are paxticularly preferred are insoluble
hydrophi~lic homopolymers and copolymers which form a gel
upon absorption of water. These materials ofer the
obvious advantage of holding tenaciously to liquid
and preventing the release of liquid from the absorbent
article and leaking or wetting skin or clothing with
which t~ie absorbent article is in contact. `
. In practice, the materials which have been found
particularly useful are insoluble hydrophilic polymers
prepared from the following starting materials:
poly(alkylene oxides), e.g. poly(ethylene oxide), polyvinyl
alcohol, polyvinylmethyl ether, copolymers of maleic
anhydride and ethylene, copolymers of maLeic anhydride
and vinylmethyl ether, polyelectrolytes, etc. ;
~.', . . .
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6.
, : -
....
~ 1 0 6 33 0
Insoluble hydrophilic polymers, sometimesreferred to as "hydrogels", are especially useful in the
,present invention because they possess the ability to
consume very large amounts of water in the order of 25
to 100 times their dry weight.
The term "insoluble" or "insolubilization" as
employed in relation to these polymers is intended to
define the formation;of a gel which does not flow and
does not expel water under the pressures encountered in
the use of products described above.
The insolubilization can be effected by a wide
variety of methods and includes, but is not limited to, -
ionizing and nonionizing radiation and chemical cross-
linking th,rough covalent and ionic bonding. ,,
A particularly preferred hydxogel for use in the
articles of this invention is comprised of at least one , ,
hydrophilic polymer of the formula , ,
~ ~ R3 ~ R4
- Rl - 0 ~ C - C - 0 ) R~
~ Rs R6 ~ n
.
which has been cross-Iinked and wherein Rl and R2 are
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl
radicals and alkyl substituted aryl radicals, and
wherein R3-R6 are selected from ,the group consisting of
hydrogen, methyl, phenyl and vinyl radicals, and n is
greater than one. i
The hydrogels are polymeric compounds contain- ~ ;
ing at least o~e of the structural units shown below:
~ ~l0633~
.
Rl R2
_--C ~ C , O_ _
H
.
-- C --- - C. O ~ _
_ R3 R4 ~
' ' '' ,
Rl R2
. ,.' .. "~ .
---- C . f _ o ~
/ , :
. / ,:"' '
/ H .
--- C ---- C _ ~ ~','', ' '.
R3 R4 .;
_ ~ '".,:
,
wherein Rl-R4 are selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen, methyl, phenyl and vinyl radicals.
These hydrophilic polymers may include carbon-
to-carbon cross-linking between straight chain carbon : ;
atoms and the carbon atoms o~ branch c~ain methyl groups
and in addition a very minor ~nd insignificant number of
bonds may include two oxygen atoms linking the carbon atoms.
The polymeric gel compounds may contain cross-
linking bonds present as inter-molecular bonds (e.g.
between two different molecules) and intramolecular .:
bonds (e.g. be~ween carbon atoms of the same molecule),
and combinations of intra and intermolecular cross-linking
,
bonds.
~ '. "
8.
,
3L0633V:l
The hydrogeIs can be used in the diaper con-
structions of the present invention either Ln the form
of thin transparent sheets disposed between or in place
of wadding layers of the absorbent pad or can be embedded
in the fibers of the absorbent pad as a powder or in
shredded form.~ The manner in which the materials are
incorporated into the pad is not critical since it is
merely necessary to have the polymers c~me in contact
with the liquid which penetrates the topsheet of the
absorbent article.
The materials used in the fabrication of the
topsheet and bottom sheet of the diaper insert of the
present invention are also not limited to any particular
chemic~l composition since it ls their physical properties
rather than their chemical properties which are important
:
in the articles of the invention. These materials should,
of course, be thin, flexible, self-supporting, and sub-
stantially water impermeable sheets or films. Preferably
they are thermoplastic films which are capable of being
heat sealed to each other.
The bottom sheet and topsheet can be an olefinic
or vinyl film. Merely as illustrative, polyethylene of a
thickness of rom about 0,4 to about 1.5 mils can be
employed. This type of film has previously been used
extensively in disposable diapers and commonly has had an
embossed design in its surface to simulate the appearance
and hand of cloth. These manufacturing techniques will
also find use in the diaper inserts of the present invention.
Any film which is useful as a bottom sheet
will also be useful as a topsheet for the disposabIe
absorben~ insert of the invention. It is preferable,
however, to use a film for ~he bottom sheet and topshee~
.
.. . . . . . . .. . .
. . ~ ... ~. ..... . ..
3 3 ~1
which resembles cloth more closely in feel and appearance.
One ~ilm which has been found particularly useful is
ethylene-ethyl acrylate film. This copolymer is cloth-
like, softer and stronger after slitting than poly-
ethylene film. The ~ilm should have a thickness of
from about 0.4 to about 2.0 mils with about 1.0 to 1.5
mils being preferred.
As described above, the bottom sheet and top-
. . .
sheet are made from a substantially liquid impermeable mate-
rial and must be provided with valvular openings to be
effective as the diaper insert of the present invention.
The term "valvular" as used throughout the ~
specification and in the claims is intended to refer to -;
apertures in the bottom sheet and topsheet which are
capable of opening to permit passage of liquid under
certain circumstances and reclosing to retard passage
of liquid under certain other circumstances. When open,
the val w lar openings should have the ability to pass
at least 20 milliliters of liquid within 10 seconds when
an area of about 20 square inches is wet~ted. These openings
may be of two basic~types, substantially straight slits
and punctures.
The slits usefuI in the present in~ention must
be su~stantially straight since, if they are curved,
V-shaped or of~any other configuration, they will ~orm
flaps in the surface of the film which are too easily
opened and tend to remain open. Such slits, while
permLtting sufficient passage of liquid in the direction
of the absorbent pad, do not act to substantially reduce
backflow of liquid, which is the primary object of the
present lnvention. This disadvantage is also present if
holes are formed in the film by removing pieces of film
:
1 0 . ' ' ''
::
~,.. ,. . . . .. ., . . , . . , , . .. . . .. . . . .. , , ., . ,, . .. , , ., . - . - , .. ., .- .
~ Cl 63301
material as opposed to puncturing the film without
removal of film material. The film is ~hereby left
open to the uncontrolled passage of liqùid in both
directions.
Fig. 1 shows a preferred arrangement of slits
The slits 18 are arranged in longîtudinal rows in a
manner such that each row constitutes a longitudinal
array o~ substantially parallel straight slits each
angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the row. Adjacent rows are similarly disposed
except that the slits are arranged in a manner such that
the end points of each slit lie in a line su~stantially
between the end points of corresponding slits in the
ad~acent alternate rows. The slits should each ~e rom
about 0.030 to about 0.25 inch in length. Preferably
there are from about 30 to about 150 slits per square
inch, each of such slits being from about 0~07 to about
0.2 inch in length. The most preferred film contains
about 81 slits per square inch, each about 0.1 inch in
length. ~
~ The slits can be formed according to the methods
described in U.S. Patent 3,762,255 issued October 2, 1973
and entitled "Me~hod and Apparatus for Piercing Thln
Sheet Material". Briefly, there is disclosed ~herein a
. method and apparatus for piercing thin sheet material,
such as plastic film, wherein the sheet material is passed
between a piercing member having a plurality o independently
resilient protrusions extending therefrom and a backing
member having a retiform exterior surface. The piercing
. . .
member or backu~ member is moved relative to the other
member, thereby causing the resilient protrusions to
follow the retiform surface and selecti~ely pierce the film.
11.
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J ~63301
The piercing member can be a metal com~, a ~ire brush or
a metal strip having a plurality of substantially parallel
slits extending from one edge thereof in the direction
of the opposite edge defining the resilient protrusions.
The backing member can be a wire screen, a perforated
metal sheet, an engraved metal roll or an endless belt -~
which is driven longitudinally with respect to the
.
- piercing member.
The depressed areas 22 ~dimples) are d;stributed
across the surface of the topsheet and bottom sheet in
. . .
the manner shown in Figs. 1-4. Thus, it will be seen
..
tha~ the bottom sheet 14 and topsheet 16 contain a
plurality of dimples arranged in staggered parallel rows
along the surface of the bottom sheet and topsheet (Fig. 1)
and which extend beyond the plane o the bottom sheet and
topsheet (Figs. 2 and 3). The coniguration of these
dimples can be circular, eliptical, rectangular, diamond ;
shaped, and the like,~the important criteria being that
they be formed in a manner such that there is substantially
no breaking or cutting of the topsheet during or after
fabrication.
The full advantages of the present invention
are not achieved if, during fabrication of the
dimples, the bottom sheet or topsheet is broken,
cut, or melted to an extent which would hinder the controlled
passage of liquid to the absorbent pad ~which as explained
pre~iously, is the function of the valvular openings).
It will be ev~.dent that if cutting or breaking of either
,
sheet occurs during fabrication of the dimples, that the
liquid will pass through these cuts or breaks when the
absorbent pad is unsaturated and once the absorbent pad
12.
:1063301
is saturated or e~en partially sat~rated, that these
entry points will also serve'as poin~s or sites through
which the liquid exudes back through the topsheet in
contact with, for example, a baby's skin.
For these reasons and furthermore in view of the ''
ease and simplicity of fabrication, I have found that the
preferred form of the dimple is circular as shown in
Figs. 1-4.
The dimples can be formed in the bottom sheet
and topsheet in a variety of ways. The easiest and
therefore the most preferred method involves the use of
a roller equipped with heating means and hav~ing a number
of spikes or probes extending therefr~m across the width
of the roller and around its circumference. The spikes, ' '
pins, or probes, which have smooth, rounded end points, ~;
can be spaced as desired on the roller in order to provide i`
the desired number of dimples to the diaper insert~ The
dimples are provided on the diaper insert preferably
after the valvular openings, and this operation can be
effected by passing the diaper insert containing the
~valvular openings in contact with t~e heated roller.
In this technique, the diaper insert is supported on a
resilient back-up member, such as an endless conveyor
belt, or a resilient back-up roller. The depth o~ the
d-lmple ~an 'be controlled by limiting the depth to which
the'probes depress the film. If desired, portions of
the topshee~ and bottom sheet may be retained in their
untreated (~ithout the dimples) condition. This can be
accomplished, for example, along a strip about one inch
wide near the periphery of the bottom sheet and topsheet.
Since each ~heet or film is the'rmoplastic, the amount
13.
, . - . . - i . .
,"
:; , . . ..
33
of hea~ and pressure applied to the areas to be treated
should be strictly controlled in order to avoid substantially
puncturing the material. As a general rule, the amount of
heat required should be enough to so~ten the film, and the
amount of pressure should be sufficient to plastically
distort the film to the general contour o~ the probe. It -
will, of course, be understood that the correct heat and
pressure conditions will depend (among other variables)
- upon the residence time of the treated absorbent pad,
i.e., the length of time the sheet is in contact with the
roller; the thickness of the absorbent pad, etc. The
correct conditions, however, can be easily ascertained
by one skilled in the art and hence no further detailed
description of the conditions appears necessary.
Referring specifically to Figs. 3 and 4, it will
be seen that the dimples 22 extend beyond the plane of the
bottom sheet 14 and top sheet 16 a short distance, and
that the absorbent material 12a,immediately below (or above)
each dimple, i8 in a compressed state. At the site where
a dimple i8 formied ouer a portion of the slit 18l it ~ ;
will be seen that the slit is opened to a much greater degree
than corresponding slits situated remote ~rom the dimples 22. ~i
However, because of the placement of the dimples J the slits
disposed between corresponding dimples are opened to a
greater extent than would be the case if no dimples were
. .
present. This is attributed to the fact that the pressure
exerted on the surface of the topsheet and bottom sheet
by the dimples causes the slits to open slightly under the
influence of the stretching of the sheet, PortLons of
the compressed absorbent pad are associated with these
opened slits, and because of this association, wicking is
.,
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1063301
achieved at a degree never heretofore achieved. As a
matter of fact, in most cases, wicking is instantaneous.
As the liquid ;5 transferred to the absorbent pad 12,
the a~sor~ent pad absor~s the liquid throughout its entire
area until either partiaL or full saturation. As will be
seen in Fig. 4, (which depicts a saturated a~sor~ent pad),
the compressed material 12a has expanded and urges the
dimples 22 outward, closer to the plane of the bottom
sheet and topsheet respectively. This action serves
to close the previously opened slits, thereby trapping ~ ;
the bulk of the liquid in the absorbent pad. ;
Thus, ad~antageously, according to the present -
invention, maximum wicking and a~sorption is achieved
during t~e critical period when flooding, (such as by ~-
urination and the like~ is experienced, whereas transfer
of the liquid from the absorbent pad back through the same
slit opening is substantially reduced by virtue of the
com~ination of the val w lar action of the slit and the ^
dimple.
The dimpLes can be arranged on the absorbent ;
articLe in a vari~ty of patterns. Thus, the overall ~ ;
design effect can be diamond shaped, curvilinear,
herring~one and the Like. The preferred design con-
figuration is a system of substantially straight staggered,
parallel rows along the surface of the topsheet. The number ;~
of dimpLes per square inch of absorbent pad area can be
varied over a relatively wide range.
The advantages and wicking characteristics of
the dimpLe-alit combination are fully described in U.S.
Patent 3,814,101. The range of slit size, dimple size and
freque~cy of each are fully disclosed thereunder. The
1$
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1063301 ~
principa~ difference h~tw~een the a~s.~rb.ent article dis~
closed t~ereunder and tXe ins:tant di`aper ihserts is that in ;
the diaper ins.ert, ~.oth.s;ides:, i.e. top and bottom s.~eets, ; .
are s;litted and dïmpled therefiy permïtting rapid a~sorption ~:
on b.ot~ s;ides of the diaper insert. Thus, as disclosed ..
and demonstrated in s.aid patent, improvements have been ~ :
noted utilizing as little as one dimple (having a -.
diameter of .05 inch) per s.quare inch of absorbent pad. .`.
Good results are obtained when as many as 100 dimples :
1~ (.05 inch.diameter) per square inch of absorbent pad area .
are utilized. It will of course be understood that the
number of dimples per square inch of absorbent pad area :.:
depends on the dimpl~ s;ize. As a general rule, the total
area occupied by dimples should not exceed more than 20
per cen.t af the area of the abs.orbent material. Excellent
reaults: are achieved when.the total dimple area is from ! '`~
4 to ~2 per cent o the area of the absorbent material.
Preferab.ly there are from about 3 to about 25 dimples
~:.LQ inch diameter~per square inch of absorbent material .
area, and most pre~erably from about 6 to about 13 per
square inch of absorbent pad area.
As a general rule, dimple size can be in the
range of about 0.025 to about 0.250 inch diameter. From
. .
the.s:tandpoint of functional and aesthetic qua~ities, it is ..
pre.ferred that the dimple s.ize range from a~out 0.075 ~ :
to a~.~ut Q.15Q inch.d~.ameter.
In.s:tiLl another, ~.ut:les.s pre~erred embodiment,
the dimplesi are asso~cï~ated ~ith t~e diaper insert depicted ~ .
i~ Fig. 5 w~erein the slits 18 are s.hown as ~eing in ''r ~''
3Q straight parallel relation. ~: ........... :.
'.: :' -, -
- 16. -.~
~ ',.~'' ''~ '
1~)6330~
The fabrication o the diaper insert may be
accomplished by a variety of techniques. In a preferred
technique, a thin film of thermoplastic material such
as an ethylene ethyl acrylate film of the desired thickness
is slit according to the procedure described previously.
After the slitting operationJ the assembly of the diaper
insert, more or less, follows conventional methods of
fabrication. The topsheet and bottom sheet are cut to
approximately the same dimensions which are equal to the
desired siæe o~ the final diaper insert. The size can be varied
according to the desired use, for example, in rectangular
form the diaper insert can have a width of 4-6 inches
and a length of 10-18 inches
The topsheet and bottom sheet are juxtaposed
one on the other with the absorben~ pad sandwiched there-
between in approximately the center of the sheets. The
absorbent pad should be of a length and width slightly
smaller than the topsheet and bottom sheet to permit
sealing of the topsheet to the backing sheet around their
, .
periphery. An overhang of about 1/2 inch on each side
should be sufficient. Sealing can conveniently be
acaomplished by heat sealing the edges. The heat sealing
might also be used to simultaneously accompiish a cutting
of the edges to trim excess sheet material from the
diaper and yield a diaper structure which is neat in its
appearance.
If desired, the absorbent pad may be of
hour glass configuration (contoured). In this case, and
for ease of fabrication, only the absorbent pad is of
hourglass coniguration. The bbttom sheet and topsheet
can be rectangular so as to facilitate the heat sealing of
17.
.
33
the edges.
Thus, referring to Fig. 6, where like'parts
are designated by like reference numerals, it will be
seen that the absorbent pad 12 is of hourglass con-
figuration, and is sandwiched between botto~ sheet 14
and topsheet 16. It will be noted that the bottom
sheet and topsheet are substantially rectangular
whereas the absorbent pad 12 is of hourglass configura-
, tion. ThiR design is merely or ease of fabrication ~,
since it will be obvious that the topsheet and bottom
sheet can also be of substantially hourglass configuration,
corresponding to'the shape of absorbent pad 12.
The diaper insert of the'instant invention
can be utilized in conjunction with con~entional dlapers
of the disposable or non-disposable type. The insert
is normally positioned in the center of the diaper as
shown in Fig, t, the diaper insert 10 is positioned on
~iaper 24 on the side which would normally be
in contact wi~h a baby 7 S skin~ The diaper 24
shown in Fig. 7 is of the disposable type having a
"wing" fold design. This type o~ fold permits the
use of the diaper insert without any securing means
since the insert can be held in position by the edges '''
formed by the wing old. In other type designs, ,,
it may be necessary to include attachment means such ''
as tape fasteners and the like in order to prevent ',
migration of the insert during operation. These type ' ',of securement means are well known in the'art and hence
no detailed description appears necessary.
When in position on the'diaper, the structure ~ '~
of the insert permits the'rapid absorption of liquid ',~
'
~, 18. ;
~.
;~ - \
`` ~06330~ :
through the topsheet. However, when excessive flooding
occurs, some of the liquid may flow around the insert
between the bottom sheet of the insert and ~he absorb-
ing surface of the conventional diaper. Since the
bottom sheet of the insert i8 also capable of absorb-
ing liqu~d as explained previously, some of the liquid
will be absorbed into the insèrt via the bottom sh~et
thereby minimizing the flow of excess liquid in~o
the diaper.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the
combination of the diaper insert and the diaper results
in the diaper insert and diaper totally absorbing a
disproportionately higher urine load than if the
absorbent contained in the diaper insert were added
to the diaper absorbent and made an integral part of
the diaper. In other words, the degree of to~al
absorbing i8 greater when the diaper insert and
diaper are utilized as described herein as contrasted
to using the diaper without the diaper insert but
20; containing the combined amount of absorbent material
of the basic diaper and diaper insert.
The slit-dimple construction çauses the
liquid to be readily absorbed and retained by the
insert ln the manner previously set forth. Thus
when the insert becomes saturated or even partially
.
satu~ated,~the consumer need only replace the insert
leaving the basic~diaper rea~y for future use. This
of course represent~ a savings in time and labor
and is also highly desirable from a practical
economical standpoint.
.~ ' . .
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: 19.
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