CA2024375A1

CA2024375A1 - Fitted diapers

Info

Publication number: CA2024375A1
Application number: CA 2024375
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kathryn G. Leduc
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-31
Filing date: 1990-08-31
Publication date: 1992-03-01

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The diaper described herein facilitates the diapering of infants and small children. The hourglass shape of the diaper conforms to the shape of the child. Elasticized leg openings enhance fit and reduce leakage/soiling problems. The thickness of the diaper is reduced by having a separate panel attached to the interior of the diaper. This reduces drying time for a cloth diaper. The panel may be placed forward or down the center of the diaper, providing extra layers of absorbant material in the front half of the diaper for a male infant or extra layers of absorbant material down the center of the diaper for a female infant. The diaper is designed in such a way that it will fit an average size child from birth up until normal toilet training age.

Description

2 ~

SPECIFICATION
This invention relates to cloth diapers.
It is common when using cloth diapers to use a square or rectangular cloth and to fold it into a shape which may be secured around the child. As the child moves, this frequently allows for gaping and subsequent soiling and wetting of clothing. As well, if the cloth is folded to provide the necessary thickness for absorbancy or if the child is 'double-diapered' the child's rnovement is restricted by the bulkiness of the diaper. Conversely, if this thickness is not provided, the child will wet throu~h the diaper A
cloth diaper which is made up o~ numerous absorbant layers will require an excessive amount of drying time. Existing cloth diapers do not make provision for the necessity of diapering both male ancl fernale children which require absorbant layers in different areas of the diaper.
These difficulties may be overcome by making the cloth diaper a unique shape which conforrns to the shape of the child. The sides and edges of the diaper do not require bulky absorbant layers as ~hey serve only to attach the diaper to the child. The diaper has an interior panel of absorbant material. A separate flap sewn across the center of the diaper provides additional absorbant material Thls flap may be folded towards the front of the diaper to accommodaie a male child, or be folded under and down the center of the diaper to accommodate a female child. Having this flap separate, rather than sewn into the diaper reduces drying time for the diaper.
Elasticized leg openings provide a comfortable fit for the infant as well as helping to reduce leakage and soiling. Elastic is set in from the leg edges of the diaper by 25 mm to provide a decorative frill around the baby's leg and help reduce soiling.
Chlorine treated elastic is used so that frequent washing and drying will not reduce the life of the elastic and hence the life of the diaper. The elastic is on the exterior layer of the diaper so as not to irritate the infants legs. The diaper may be secured to the infant with diaper pins, velcro attachments or a diaper cover which holds the diaper in place. The diaper is made in such a way that it may be used to diaper an average size child from birth until normal toilet-~2~ 7~

trainin~ age. A younger (smaller) child wears the diaper with theback edge folded downwards to the outside of the diaper.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the inside of the diaper showing th~
location of the interior panel.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the outside of the diaper showing the placement of the leg elastic.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the diaper showing the exterior panel folded to accommodate a male infant.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the diaper showing the exterior panel folded to accommodate a female infant.
Figure 5 is a perspective side view of the diaper as it would appear when worn by an infant.
The infan~ is placed in the center of the diaper with the wider end across the center of his/her back. For a smaller infant, the back of the diaper is folded down to the outside of the diaper. For a male infant both pieces of the flap are folded to the front of the diaper as indicated in Figure 3. For a female infant, both pieces of the flap are folded under and lain flat along the middle of the diaper as indicated in Figure 4. Ths front of the diaper is drawn up between the baby's legs as shown in figure 5 and secured using diaper pins, velcro attachments or a diaper cover.
The inventive idea may also be used for larger diapers, for older children or adults. As well, the use of a separate flap may be incorporated into a disposable diaper allowing an adjustment for use with a male or female child or adult.

Claims

1. A cloth diaper having an approximate "hourglass" shape with a pair of end edges comprising the front and back waist portions of the diaper where the back waist portion is wider than the front waist portion a pair of side edges with chlorine-treated-elastic attached to the outside layer of the diaper an inner absorbant panel.

2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the said diaper has a separate flap attached to the diaper such that it may be folded to the front of the diaper to accommodate a male child or down the center of the diaper to accommodate a female child.

3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said diaper is a disposable diaper incorporating the extra absorbant flap which may be adjusted for a male or female child.

4. The diaper of Claim 1 wherein the diaper is of a size to be used for older children or adults.

5. A separate flap that may be attached to a diaper of any shape in such a way that it may be placed towards the front of the diaper in order to accommodate a male child or placed down the center of the diaper for a female child.