CA2021538A1 - Reusable diaper with separate fastener - Google Patents

Reusable diaper with separate fastener

Info

Publication number
CA2021538A1
CA2021538A1 CA002021538A CA2021538A CA2021538A1 CA 2021538 A1 CA2021538 A1 CA 2021538A1 CA 002021538 A CA002021538 A CA 002021538A CA 2021538 A CA2021538 A CA 2021538A CA 2021538 A1 CA2021538 A1 CA 2021538A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
diaper
loop
opposed
tabs
hook
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002021538A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joseph Elchakieh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002021538A priority Critical patent/CA2021538A1/en
Publication of CA2021538A1 publication Critical patent/CA2021538A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An adjustable and reusable diaper having an absorbent material with opposed sides and ends with inner and outer surfaces. The ends include loop material with one end having tabs and the other, a strip of loop material.
The material is folded and the ends joined by separate removable hook tabs interposed between the two arrangements of loop material.

Description

~,~2~ ~3$

REUSA L _ IAPER WITII SEPARATE FASTENER

The presen-t invention relates to an adjustable and reusable diaper with separate and removable hook material joining loop material on opposed ends and surfaces of a material adapted to form a diaper when folded.

In the prior art, reusable and adjustable diapers are well known. These diapers generally include saEety pins for joining the ends of the diaper or an adhesive tape arrangement for the same. These fastening methods have disadvanta~es, particularl~ if used for incontinent adults.
lo The tape fasteners are susceptible to failure after prolonged use, i.e., several washings, and the safety pinned fastened arrangement does not allow for much adjustment by a user.

Further fastening means, including Velcro ~
material as applied for use in diapers, is also well known as is illustrated in U.S. Patents 4,259,957, 4,410,327, 3,943,930, 4,773,906, 4,680,030 and 3,653,381. None of these references discloses a separate tab interposed between two Velcro ~ surfaces as in the present invention.

Further prior art known in the domain o~ the invention includes U.S. Patent ~,402,690. This patent discloses hooked sections of material stitched to one end of the diaper with complementary loop sections stitched to the other end and other side. The diaper is situated about a user's torso and the hook and loop sections fastened.
Although this diaper is effective, it uses a supsrfluous amount of Velcro ~ material, which results in a costlv product.

3 ~

In another U.S. Patent issued to Coates~ No.
4,680,030, a diaper having a band of loop material situated on one side of the diaper at one end with winged sections at the opposed end having hook material is discussed. In addition, the patentee includes a self-closing correspondiny winged section having loop material sewn thereon. The self-closing wing covers the hook material of the winged portion, thereby preventing lint accumulation on ~he hook material, and thus prolonging its use. The disadvantage of this arrangement occurs when the diaper is in use. The self-closing wing is placed between the diaper and the infant's skin, which results in the possibility of the infant's skin becoming irritated and further, alters the fit of the diaper.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,70~,117, an adjustable diaper is disclosed further employing a band of loop material with cooperating tabs at an end opposite to the band of material.
The -tabs are located on winged portions and are adapted for adjustably fitting the diaper on a user, and include the mating tabs to cover the material. A similar disadvantage as mentioned in the '030 patent exists with this arrangement, however, to an even greater extent. The mating tabs have no excess material surrounding them and, after progressively more washings, the tab becomes weakened and loose, causing skin irritation when the diaper is worn.
Additionally, all prior art diapers using Velcro ~ are susceptible to damage when they are cleaned. The chemicals used by cleaning services are known to destroy the hook material of the diaper, therefore limiting the useful life of the diaper and hook material affixed thereto.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reusable diaper having adjustability.

In ~nother aspect of the invention, there is provided a diaper which i5 tanyle-p~oof with itself and other such diapers.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, a separate and removahle fastening means is provided.

A further aspect of the invention provides a diaper having a highly absorbent material therein, as well as a supplementary absorbent material insert for overnight and travel use.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a diaper comprising: a length of reusable material having opposed inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being adapted for contact with the skin of a user, the length of material having a pair of opposed ends and a pair of opposed sides; first cooperating means attached to the inner surface at least at opposed sides of one of the ends; first cooperating means extending on the outer surface of the length of material at the other end; and at least one double-faced tab of second cooperating means adapted to join the first cooperating means of the inner surface with the first cooperating means of the outer surface when the diaper is folded for use about a torso.

SUMMARY

The diaper of the present invention provides a reusable, adjustable garment including moisture absorbing material therein. The diaper preferably comprises internal and external surfaces and opposed ends, each of which has winged portions to which, on an inner surface, a loop ?~ 2~ 33'~`~

material is affixed ~nd, on an outer surface, to which there is affixed a similar element. The loop material areas of the diaper, when the diaper is placed about the torso of a user, join by means of separate double-faced hook tabs which are placed between loop material of the outer and inner surfaces thereby joining the two opposed ends. The separate tab permits maxim~lm adjus-tabilit.y, thereby obviating the need for diapers which are categorized by weight and age of an infant. Having a separate hook material prevents the diaper from becoming entangled, i.e., with the hook and loop material of the diaper or these materials of other diapers during a washing operation. The unentangled diaper will result in greater exposure of the material to cleansers.

In another embodiment of the present invention, ~5 there is provided an adjustable garment useful for newborns to toddlers, as well as for adult usage, e.g., for incontinency. The winged portions of one snd of the diaper can be folded inwardly onto the band of loop material with the loop material of the winged portions in facing relation;
each winged portion is releasably fastened to the band of loop material. These surfaces are each joined with a hook tab placed therebetween. The other ends, having winged portions, are folded inwardly to join the loop material at a third hook tab placed between the two winged portions, when the diaper is folded. The use of winged portions also permits adjustment of sizing for the diaper when in use, and thus provides additional comfort.

The diaper of the present invention, in terms of its structure for absorbing fluids, can be one of ~ various number of constructions. In the case of reusable diapers, preferred constructions are cloth or other fabric materials 3 ~

which may include additional absorbent portions within the str~cture. Typically, in the case of a reusable diaper, two layers of material are employed to form the inner and outer surfaces. In general, the structure of the present invention in terms of its shape may also vary from, e.g., a rectangular shape to an hourglass shape.

In the present invention, a preferred closure means comprises the type of material known as "Velcro", which forms the preferred hook and loop material for use with the diapers of the present invention. There are also other forms of hook a~d loop material which may be used.

The diaper can also be constructed in various sizes to meet the needs of different people, ranging in size from infant to toddler and larger as desired, e.g., for adults.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodimentsl and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic view o~ the diaper f showing the inner surface having the loop material in one embodiment;
Fiy. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the diaper, with the opposed ends joined by the separate hook tabs shown in dashed line; and Fig. 3 illustrates an outer plan view of the diaper having a third hook tab for joining the winged portion.
Fig. 4 illustrates a plan view of a supplemental absorbent insert for use with the diaper.

DESCRIPTIOM OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Eigure 1, there is shown a diagrammatic view of the diaper 10 of the invention. The diaper can be made of any suitable absorbent makerial 38 which will be sufficient in lenqth and width for use with infants, although slight dimensional modifications can easily be made to accommodate aclults. At one of the opposed ends 16, there are opposed winged sections 34 which inc].ude astening means in the preferred form of loop tabs 2~
affixed to the inner surface 12 of the diaper 10. The siæe of the loop tabs 24 may vary considerably but preferably, in the case of an infant's or toddler's diaper, they will range from, e.g., 1/4" to 1" or more. Such tabs 24 may be affixed to the sections 34 by suitable means such as sewing, adhesives or the like. Located at the opposite end 18, the preferred form of the fasteniny means is shown in dotted lines indicating the positioning on the outer surface 14.
The fastening means, in a preferred form, transversely extends between the opposed sides 20 and 22 of the diaper 10, to the winged portions 36. The fastening means, also in the form of a loop type material, can extend across the complete end or alternately, be located in spaced apart positions. If provided in the form of spaced apart positions, the tabs may be affixed to the end of the diaper as described above with respect to tabs 24. Spaced between the opposed ends 16 and 18 of the diaper 10, a provision ensuring proper fit of the garment is made in the form of elastic means 32 on each of the opposed sides 20 and 22 surrounding the legs, and further elastic means 27, surrounding the ends 16 and 18 to be placed about the torso of a user.

3 ~

In accordance with the present invention, and as shown in Figure ~, the fastening of the upwardly folded opposed ends 16 and 18 is achieved by the interposition of a separate fastening member 28 between the inner and outer surfaces 12 and 14 of the opposed sides. These separate fastening members 28 are adapted to be placed in juxtaposition between the opposed mating or coacting members fixed to the diaper when in use. Thus, they may have a size similar to, buk preferably generally the same as, the tabs 24. It will be understood that the tabs 28 may be mounted on a separate length of material as opposed to being merely made of the hook type material.

Although the tabs 24, band 26 and separate tabs 28 are indicated as comprising loop and hoo~ material respectively, it will be understood that the tabs 24 and band 26 can comprise hook material with a separate tab 28 comprising loop material.

Referring to Figure 2, shown is a perspective view of the diaper 10, having opposed ends 16 and 18 which are folded upwardly, wheraby inner surface 12 having winged portions 34 with loop tabs 24 is juxtaposed to meet with the loop material 26 of the winged portions 36 of outer surface 14. The two portions are releasably fastened with a double-faced separate hook tab 28 on each side.

Referring to Figure 3, a diagrammatic view of the diaper is shown in a further embodiment.

Similar numerals represent similar components from previous Figures. This diagram shows the outer surface 14 facing up with the band of loop material 26 at end 18 preferably including three separate hook tabs 28 engaged therewith. This arrangement allows the diaper to be use~ul for srnaller infants since the waist size is decreased. It is preferred that the size reduction be carried out by inwardly Eolding winged portions 36 of sides 20 and 22 so that the loop material of these wings contact tabs 28A and 28C. The opposed end 16 is folded towards the other end and winged portions 34 oE each of the opposed sides 20 and 22 are folded inwardly, exposing the loop material 24 for contact with hook tab 28B. The absorbent material 3B is preferably comprised oE super-absorbent cotton material which can be supplemented with an insert oE a similar material, as shown in Figure 4, providing extra protection and convenience during travel or overnight use. The elastic ends 16 and 18 and sides 20 and 22 will ensure a perfect ~it for the in~ant.

The diaper of the present invention supersedes known diapers due to the fact that it incorporates separate and removable hook tabs to cooperate with the loop material.
Since the hook material is damaged in washing by various solvents, it is particularly advantageous to remove such material from the diaper entirely. This circumvents the limitations of the known fastening arrangements.
Additionally, when the hook material is removed for the diaper to be washed~ the diaper only has loop material exposed, thereby preventing the diaper from becoming entangled with itself or with other such diapers or from picking up lint which would render it useless. This arrangement also results in a cleaner diaper.
It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the above-described preferred embodiments, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A diaper comprising:
a length of reusable material having opposed inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface being adapted for contact with the skin of a user, said length of material having a pair of opposed ends and a pair of opposed sides, first cooperating means attached to said inner surface at least at opposed sides of one of said ends;
first cooperating means extending on said outer surface of the length of material at the other of said ends, and at least one double-faced tab of second cooperating means adapted to join said first cooperating means of said inner surface with said first cooperating means of said outer surface when said diaper is folded for use about a torso.
2. The diaper as defined in Claim 1, wherein said first cooperating means comprises loop material.
3. The diaper of Claim 1, wherein said second cooperating means comprises hook material.
4. The diaper as defined in Claim 2, wherein said loop material at said opposed sides of one said ends comprises tabs of loop material.
5. The diaper as defined in Claims 2 and 4, wherein said loop tabs are attached to winged portions at one of said ends of said length of material at each of said opposed sides.
6. The diaper as defined in Claim 1, wherein said other end of said material includes winged portions at each of said opposed sides.
7. The diaper as defined in Claims 1 and 4, wherein said loop material of said outer surface transversely extends the opposed sides of said outer surface.
8. The diaper as defined in Claims 1 and 2, wherein said hook material comprises separate and removable tabs adapted for interposition between said loop material of said inner surface and said loop material of said outer surface when said diaper is folded for use about the torso of a user.
9. The diaper of Claim 1, wherein said ends include elastic means.
10. A diaper comprising a length of reusable material having opposed inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface being adapted for contact with the skin of a user, said length of material having a pair of opposed ends and a pair of opposed sides;
hook material attached to said inner surface at least at opposed sides of one of said ends;
hook material extending on said outer surface: and at least two double-faced tabs of loop material adapted to join said hook material of said inner surface with said hook material of said outer surface when said diaper is folded for use about a torso.
11 11. The diaper of Claim 1, wherein said diaper includes a portion of absorbent material therein.
12. The diaper of Claim 1, wherein said diaper includes an absorbent insert for placement therein.
CA002021538A 1990-07-19 1990-07-19 Reusable diaper with separate fastener Abandoned CA2021538A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002021538A CA2021538A1 (en) 1990-07-19 1990-07-19 Reusable diaper with separate fastener

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002021538A CA2021538A1 (en) 1990-07-19 1990-07-19 Reusable diaper with separate fastener

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2021538A1 true CA2021538A1 (en) 1992-01-20

Family

ID=4145522

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002021538A Abandoned CA2021538A1 (en) 1990-07-19 1990-07-19 Reusable diaper with separate fastener

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2021538A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998053783A1 (en) * 1997-05-30 1998-12-03 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Three-piece tape landing zone for diapers
US5906604A (en) * 1993-05-12 1999-05-25 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Attachment means for a belt and an absorbent article
US6419668B2 (en) 1996-09-30 2002-07-16 Ykk Corporation Surface fastener and paper diaper using the surface fastener

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5906604A (en) * 1993-05-12 1999-05-25 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Attachment means for a belt and an absorbent article
US6419668B2 (en) 1996-09-30 2002-07-16 Ykk Corporation Surface fastener and paper diaper using the surface fastener
WO1998053783A1 (en) * 1997-05-30 1998-12-03 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Three-piece tape landing zone for diapers
US6235011B1 (en) 1997-05-30 2001-05-22 Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. Three-piece tape landing zone for diapers

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 19950119