Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
109185;~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles,
and more particularly to disposable diapers.
A various assortment of disposable diapers have been
proposed for use on infants, some of which have pleated configura-
tions. Parents have preferred that such diapers include pre-
attached tape strips for securing the diapers about the infant,
thus eliminating the necessity for keeping separate tape rolls at
hand when the diapers are placed. Such tape strips may have an
attachment end having an adhesive-bearing surface covered by a
release sheet. The release sheets are removed during placement
of the diaper, and the attachment ends are utilized to secure the
diaper on the infant.
It has been found that the provision of separate release
sheets for the tape strips has caused inconvenience for parents,
; since they must be discarded after removal. Additionally, it is
desirable to provide the diaper with tape units which facilitate
simple placement of the diaper, since the infant may be moving
constantly while the diaper is being placed. Accordingly, the
attachment ends of the strips should be capable of being brought
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into position for securing the diaper with minimal effort by the
`~ parent. Moreover, it is desirable that pleats in the aiaper be
retained in place until they are ready to be unfolded during
diaper placement.
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. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principle feature of the present invention is the
provision of a diaper having tape means of simplified construc-
tion to facilitate placement of the diaper on an infant.
The disposable diaper of the present invention com-
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prises, according to a first aspect, an absorbent pad assembly
having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a
longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying
the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides, said
panel means including a pair of longitudinally extending outer- ;
most panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly; a pair
of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion fixedly
secured to the back surface of said outermost panels adjacent
the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement por-
tion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent the
side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper
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-, about an infant during placement of the diaper; and release
s
;~.i. sheet means positioned on the pad assembly at a location on
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another panel to cover adhesive on the securement portions of
the strips, said securement portions of the strips being attached
to the release sheet means to retain the outermost pleats in
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~ their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaperO
.~ According to a further aspect of the invention, there
is provided a disposable diaper, comprising an absorbent pad
.: 20 assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side
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; edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining
. a box-pleat configuration of the diaper having a central panel,
a pair of first panels overlying and extending from the central
:
:~. panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from and over-
. lying the first panels; a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips
.. having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outer-
. .
.. most panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly, and a
-i securement portion extending from an end of the first portions
~i adjacent said side edges; and a pair of release sheets secured
to the back surface of the first panels and generally underlying
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1091853
the first portions of the tape strips, said securement portions
being folded back adJacent the side edges of the pad assembly
: and attached to the release sheets to retain the outermost
panels in the overlying relationship prior to placement of the
, diaperO
Thus, the securement portions of the tape strips and
the release sheet means retain the outermost pleats in their
overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaperO Addi- ~`
tionally, the securement portions of the tape strips may be -:
readily removed from the release sheet means for use in securing
~ the diaper about the infantO In some embodiments of the diaper
- the securement portions may automatically be removed from the
release sheet means when the pleat means is unfolded for place-
ment of the diaper about the infantO
;; Still another advantage of the above construction is
~ that the release sheet means is secured to the pad assembly,
thus eliminat-
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10918S3
ing the necessity for discarding release sheets.
Further features will become more fully apparent in
the following description of the embodiments of this invention
and from the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front plan view of one embodi-
ment of the diaper of the present invention prior to folding into
a pleated configuration;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of
Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the
diaper of Fig. 1 folded into a box-pleat configuration;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substanti-
ally as indicated along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
Fig. S is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a
~, securement portion of a tape strip being removed from a release
"~! sheet during placement of the diaper of Figs. 3 and 4;
,~ Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating
the tape strip in the diaper of Fig. 5 being folded into position
; for securement of the diaper about an infant;
` Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front plan view of another
embodiment of the diaper of the present invention prior to fold-
ing into a pleated configuration;
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view, ta~en from
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~091853
the back, of the diaper of ~ig. 9 as folded into a box-pleat
configuration;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substan-
tially as indicated along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating
a tape unit on the diaper of Figs. 9-11 being opened for secure-
ment of the diaper about the infant;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front plan view illustrating
another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
.
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substan-
tially as indicated along the line 14-14 of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front plan view showing another
embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substan-
; tially as indicated along the line 16-16 of Fig. 15; and
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the
diaper of the present invention.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ~-
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a dis-
posable diaper generally designated 20 having an absorbent pad
assembly 22. The pad assembly 22 has a fluid impervious backing
sheet 24 defining a back surface 26 of a diaper, a fluid pervious
top sheet 28 defining a substantial portion of a front surface 30
-~ of the pad assembly, and an absorbent pad 32 located intermediate
',^'! the backing and top sheets 24 and 28. The backing sheet 24 pref-
. ,1
erably has a greater width than the wid~h of the absorbent pad 32,
- such that lateral side margins 34 of the backing sheet 24 are
folded over and secured to the front surface of the pad assembly.
The pad assembly 22 also has a pair of longitudinally extending
side edges 36a and 36b, and a pair of end edges 38 connecting the
side edges 36a and b. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the pad assembly
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is folded into a box-pleat configuration along a plurality of
longitudinally extending fold lines 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d defin-
ing a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair of first
panels 44a and 44b extending from and overlying the front surface
30 of the central panel 42, and a pair of outermost panels 46a
and 46b extending from and overlying the first panels 44a and b.
Thus, the outermost panels 46a and b define the longitudinally
extending side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the diaper has a pair of
pressure-sensitive tape strips 48a and 48b having first portions
50a and 50b secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly
adjacent the side edges 36a and b. The tape strips 48a and b
also have securement portions 52a and 52b extending from an end
of the first portions 50a and b adjacent the side edges 36a and b
of the pad assembly 22. The securement portions 52a and b have
adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and 54b for securing the diaper
about an infant during placement of the diaper.
~ The diaper 20 also has a pair of release sheets 56a and
56b secured to the back surface 26 of the first pleats 44a and b,
such that the release sheets 56a and b underlie the outermost
pleats 46a and b and the first portions 50a and b of the tape
strips 48a and b when the diaper is folded into its box-pleat
' configuration, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The securement
portions 52a and b of the tape strips 48a and b are folded back
adjacent the side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly 22, and the
adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and b of the securement portions
52a and b are releasably attached to the back surface of the
release sheets 56a and b. Thus, the outermost pleats 46a and b
are retained in their overlying relationship with respect to the
first pleats 44a and b by the securement portions 52a and b of
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1(~91853
the tape strips and by the release sheets 56a and b.
As the diaper is unfolded from its boY.-pleat configura-
tion during placement on an infant, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the
outermost pleats 46a and b are pulled away from the first pleats
44a and b, thus removing the securement portions 52a and b of the
tape strips 48a and b from the release sheets 56a and b. Accord-
ingly, the tape strips are automatically removed from the release
sheets during diaper placement. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the
securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and b are
then folded outwardly into a position for securing the diaper
about the infant. Thus, the securement portions of the tape
strips are readily brought into proper position for securing the
diaper during placement. The release sheets 56a and b remain
secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22, eliminat-
ing the necessity to discard the release sheets iafter placement
of the diaper.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present
invention is illustrated in Fig. 7, in which like reference numer-
als designate like parts. In this embodiment, areas 56' of the
backing sheet 24 are heat treated to provide a smooth release sur-
.~ face for the adhesive on the securement portions 52a and b of the
. .,
tape strips 48a and b. The areas 56' are located in the same
~ . .
~ region as the release sheets 56a and b described in connection
- with the diaper of Figs. 1-6, i.e., on the back surface 26 of the
`-1 first panels 44a and b and generally underlying the first portions
50a and b of the tape strips 48a and b~ The securement portions
52a and ~ of the tape strips are releasably attached to the heat
treated areas 56', and are removed during diaper placement, as
previously described.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present
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invention is illustrated in Fig. 8, in which like reference
numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the release
fiheets 56a and b comprise an extension of the first portions 50a
and b of the tape strips 48a and b, the extension being secured
to the back surface 26 of the outermost pleats 46a and b and the
first pleats 44a and b. Thus, the adhesive bearing surfaces of
the securement portions 52a and b are secured to the back sur-
face of the tape strips 48a and b itself. The tape strips 48a
and b have a suitable backing, such as polyethylene, or paper
having a~ silicon release coating, to provide proper release for
the adhesive on the strips.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present
invention is illustrated in Figs. 9-12, in which like reference
numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the diaper
is folded into a box-pleat configuration along longitudinally
extending fold lines 40a, b, c, and d, as previously described.
; However, in this embodiment the securement portions 52a and b of
the tape strips 48a and b are folded around the fold lines 40b
and c and the back surace of the central panel 42. The release
sheets 56a and b have a first section 60a and 60b secured to the
back surface 26 of the central panel 42, and a second section 62a
and b releasably covering the adhesive surfaces 54a and b of the
securement portions 52a and b. ~hus, the securement portions 52a
; and b, as well as the outermost pleats 46a and b, are retained
in place by the release sheets 56a and b. As illustrated in Fig.
12, when it is desired to place the diaper 20 on an infant, the
, .; .
second sections 62a and b of the release sheets 56a and b are
removed from the adhesive surfaces 54a and b of the securement
portions 52a and b, and the securement portions 52a and b of the
tape strips 48a and b are pulled outwardly from the bac~ surface
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10918S`3
26 of the central panel 42 into position for securement of the
diaper about the infant.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present
invention is illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, in which like refer-
ence numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the
diaper 20 has a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair
of first panels 44a and b extending from and overlying the front
surface 30 of the central panel 42, a pair of second panels 45a
and 45b extending from and overlying the first panels 44a and b,
and a pair of outermost panels 46a and b extending from and over-
lying the second panels 45a and b. The diaper has a pair of
release sheets 56a and b secured to the front surface 30 of the
second panels 45a and b adjacent the side edges 36a and b of the
outermost panels 46a and b. The diaper also has a pair of tape
strips 48a and b having first portions 50a and b secured to the
back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22 adjacent the side edges
i;, .
- 36a and b, and having securement portions 52a and b extending
past the side edges 36a and b. The adhesive bearing surfaces 54a
and b of the securement portions 52a and b are releasably attached
to the release sheets 56a and b to retain the securement portions
: .
of the tape strips, as well as the outermost panels 46a and b in
place on top of the pleat means. The securement portions 52a and
~ b may have turned over ends 64a and b to facilitate removal of the
i~`'! securement portions 52a and b from the release sheets 56a and b
:i~
- during placement of the diaper. After removal from the release
sheets, the securement portions 52a and b of the tape strip~ 48a
and b are utilized to secure the diaper about the infant as pre-
viously described.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present
invention is illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, in which like refer-
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ence numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the pad
asscmbly 22 has a pair of outermost panels 46a and b extending
from and overlying the front surface 30 of a central panel 42.
The diaper also has a pair of tape strips 48a and b having first
portions 50a and b secured to the back surface 26 of the outer-
most panels 46a and b. The tape strips 48a and b also have
securement portions 52a and b extending from the first portions
50a and b past the side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly. A
- release sheet 56 is secured to the front surface 30 of the centralpanel 42, and the securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips
48a and b are releasably attached to the bacX surface of the
release sheet relative the central panel. It is apparent that a
pair o release sheets may be used in lieu of a single release
sheet, i desired. The securement portions 52a and b may have
turned over ends 64a and b to facilitate removal of the securement
portions from the release sheet 56, as previously described. The
securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 48a and b, in
conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the outermost panels
46a and b in place on top of the central panel 42. During place-
ment of the diaper, the securement portions 52a and b of the tapestrips are removed from the release sheet 56, and are brought
into proper position for securing the diaper about the infant.
Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present inven-
`, tion is illustrated in Fig. 17, in which like reference numerals
~, designate like parts. In this embodi~ent, the pad assembly 22
also has a pair of outermost panels 46a and b extending from and
overiying the front surface 30 of a central panel 42. The diaper
has a pair of tape strips 48a and b having first portions 50a and
b secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 46a and b
The tape strips 48a and b have securement portions 52a and b
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~091853
extending from the first portions 50a and b past the side edges
36a and b of the pad assembly. A release sheet 56 is secured to
the front surface 30 of the central panel 42 intermediate the
panels, and the securement portion 52a of the tape strip 48a is
releasably attached to the bac~ surface of the release sheet rela-
tive the central panel, while the securement portion 52b of the
tape strip 48b is releasably attached to the back surface of the
securement portion 52a of the other tape strip 48b. At least the
tape strip 48a has a suitable backing to provide proper release
for the adhesive on the sécurement portion 52b, as previously des-
cribed in connection with Fig. 8. The securement portions 52a and
b may have turned over ends 64a and b to facilitate removal of the
securement portions from the release sheet 56, as previously des-
cribed. The securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 48a
and b, in conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the outer-
most panels 46a and b in place on top of the central panel 42.
, . . .
l During placement of the diaper, the securement portion 52b of the
- tape strip 48b is removed from the securement portion 52a of thei
.~j .
tape strip 48a, and the securement portion 52a of the tape strip
48a is removed from the release sheet 56, after which the secure-
- ment portions are brought into proper position for securing the
., , ~ diaper about the infant.
-~ Thus, there has been described a diaper having tape
;Aji securing means which retain pleat means in proper position on thediaper prior to placement. Additionally, securement portions of
the tape means are readily brought into position for use in secur-
ing the diaper about an infant. Release sheets, which initially
. "
cover the securement portions of the tape means, remain anchored
to the diaper after placement, thus eliminating the necessity to
discard the release sheets.
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1091853
The foregoing detailed description is given for clear-
ness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should
be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to
those skilled in the art.
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