US2657689A - Baby garment - Google Patents

Description

L A. KAY

BABY GARMENT Nov. 3, 1953 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l 422K fat/4; :/j 5/ INVENTOR. Zea/7 -/I. Kay mz ATTORNEY L. A. KAY

BABY GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 3, 1953 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 INVENTOR. Zeah ,4. Kay

BY gl/w M ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in baby garments, and more particularly is concerned with a lower garment for infants which shall serve the purposes of the usual childs diaper or breech-cloth and, because of its adjustability and other novel features, may also be used as a training pant or the like for infants beyond the usual diaper wearing ages.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a garment of the character described which is designed for more emcient absorption of moisture obtained by virtue of exact and secure placement of absorbent material in the garment, and more particularly by virtue of the improved means and manner in which the garment is supported closely but comfortably to the childs excretory organs to overcome the not uncommon tendency of the usual diaper to fail to function by allowing the urinary and fecal excreta to escape from the confines of the diaper.

A particularly important object of the invention is to provide a garment of the character described which is formed with a plurality of layers of thicknesses of absorbent material in the portion of the garment where they are needed, said multiple layers of absorbent material being so incorporated in the garment that the garment is entirely reversible, whereby the garment may be more easily applied to the infant and the wear life of the garment is substantially lengthened or prolonged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the character described which is readily and quickly foldable into position for use and which may be freely and easily opened or unfolded for laundering, thus facilitating both the application and the cleaning and drying of the garment.

An important advantage of the invention is the provision in the garment for the installation of additional thicknesses of absorbent material in a section of the garment in which such material is needed, whereby frequency of change is reduced for night wear, travel, and the like.

It is also an object of the invention to provide, in a garment of the character described means for utilizing a disposable absorbent and waste containing material whereby the excreta may be disposed of with such disposable absorbent material to reduce the need for frequent changes of the garment under certain conditions of use, such as when travelling and the like.

A particularly important object of the invention is to provide a garment of the character described which fits neatly and closely around the 2 childs legs and abdomen for improved appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the character described having adjustable fastening means holding the garment in place on the child, whereby the garment may be readily adapted to fit children of different sizes and degrees of plumpness.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in garments of the character described novel simplified means for positively holding supplemental absorbent pads or fillers in place in the garments.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting harness for comfortably retaining the garment in proper functional position on the infant.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a childs garment having adjustable abdominal straps which draw the seat of the garment clese around the childs legs, said straps providing for angular adjustment of the garment to accommodate substantial movements and to permit a more perfect fit on children of various sizes and degrees of plumpness.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will readily be apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view, in elevation, of a garment constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the same adjusted in substantially the position in which it is worn by the infant,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the garment showing the flaps or additional layers of absorbent material infolded in position for use,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing the additional layers of absorbent material unfolded for laundering and drying,

Figure 4: is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the waist band portion of one end of the garment,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of the garment of the invention,

Figure 6 is an enlarged isometric view, in elevation, of the garment of Figure 5 showing the same partially assembled in position for use, and

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view of abdominal fastening straps of the garment of Figure 5 showing the straps in fastened position.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 i! designates generally the body portion of an infants garment, which is preferably formed of two layers H and I2 of a suitable fabric material, such as diaper cloth or birds-eye fabric. The two layers of fabric are identical in configuration, each being cut in a form substantially resembling that of an hourglass having ends It and symmetrically formed concave longitudinal side edges [3. The adjacent longitudinal concave side edges of the two layers are joined together by means of a sewn seam id at each side of the body It] of the garment. An end seam it extends inwardly from each corner of the garment to a point spaced from the center of the ends of the body, whereby a central gap or opening H is left between the two layers of fabric at each end of the body. These central end openings H provide means for access to the space between the layers H and 12 forming the body of the garment and permit the installation of pads 58 of absorbent material between the two layers, in a manner and for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Sewn to the concave edge is at each side of the body it is a laterally extending absorbent flap !9, preferably formed of multiple layers of gauze having highly absorbent knitted or woven material 2i! interposed therebet een and held in place by means of stay stitching 2i spaced inwardly from the edges of the flaps. Obviously, the absorbent material as may also be cross-sewn or quilted in place between the gauze layers of the flaps, if desired. The configuration of the outer edges of the flaps is preferably substantially circular. as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, and the flaps are so cut and sewn to the concave side edges of the body that they may be infolded to overlie each other in the central part of the narrow crotch portion of the body of the garment, in the manner shown in Figure 2. A substantial number of thicknesses of material is thus positioned centrally of the crotch portion of the garment, such material comprising the two overlapping edge portions cf the flaps and the central portion of the body with the absorbent pad is contained therein. The number of thicknesses of material at the outer edge portion of the con cave sides of the body is reduced to the thickness of a single flap and the two layers of fabric forming the body, and at each end of the garment, forming the waist portion thereof when in use, the material constitutes only the two layers of material forming the body of the garment.

A tape strip 22 is sewn to the body layer H at one end of said body and a similar tape strip 23 is sewn to the other body layer l 2 at the same end of the body, so as to be parallel to and coextensive with each other and to form a waist band at that end of the body. The tape strips are sewn to the body only on each side of the central opening ll, whereby the unsewn central portion of the tape strip 22 forms a loose central loop 24 corresponding in length to the width of the opening I1, and the loose central portion of the tape strip 23 forms a similar loose central loop 25, for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. A tape strip 26 is also sewn to the opposite end of the body layer H, and a similar tape strip 21 is sewn to the same end of the body layer !2, in such a manner as to form central loop portions 28 and 29 respectively at such end of the body corresponding to the loops 24 and 25 at the opposite end thereof.

A plurality of spaced fastener members, preferably snap fastener halves 3B, are secured at spaced intervals on each end of the tape strip 22, and complementary fastener members or snap fastener halves 3| are secured at spaced intervals on each end of the tape strip 2'! at the opposite end and side of the body, whereby the body portion of the garment may be folded in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 and the snap fastener halves may be fastened together to secure the garment in place on an infant. The tape strips at each end of the body thus form a waist band for the garment, and the plurality of fastener members provided on the strips permit adjustments in waist size of the garment to it the abdomen of the infant.

The concave longitudinal side portions l3 of the body provide openings 32 for the legs of the infant, and the narrow central crotch portion of the garment is disposed between the legs and adiacent the excretory organs of the infant, whereby the mass of absorbent material formed by the overlapping flaps l9 and the central por tion of the body is disposed for proper absorptive functioning.

The absorbent pad 58, which may be a catamenial bandage or may be a rectangular piece of diaper material folded diagonally into an elongate substantially rectangular form or any other suitable material, is interposed between the two layers ii and I2 of fabric forming the body it, said pad being inserted between the layers through the central end openings I! in the body. The projecting ends of the absorbent pad are turned downwardly and each end is inserted between one of the loops 2d and 28 and the layer ii forming the inner face of the body, whereby the ends of the pad will be held securely in place and the pad will be secured in absorbent position in between the two layers of fabric forming the body of the garment. Obviously, if desired, the ends of the pad may be folded in the opposite di rection and interposed between the layer i2 and the loops 25 and 29 on the opposite side of the garment.

Supporting loops 33 of tape material or the like are sewn between the layers H and 12 of fabric forming the body at each end of the garment, one loop being positioned at each side of the central opening H at each end of the garment, as clearly shown in Figures 1 through 3. The loops 33 provide for attaching a shoulder supporting harness or suspender to the waist band of the garment for holding the same in place on the infant. While the garment will remain in place on the infant in the same manner as the usual diaper after the garment has been fastened in place in the manner already described, it is preferable that the supporting harness be utilized for positively holding the garment in proper position and in close proximity to the excretory organs.

The harness or suspender 35 comprises a pair of elongate shoulder straps 38 having their front ends connected to hook-like catch members 3? which are adapted to fit and catch in the loops 33 at the front of the body of the garment. Spaced substantially above the hook catches 3'! is a transverse tie strap 33 for holding the front portions of the shoulder straps against lateral displacement or separation. The opposite or back ends of the shoulder strap are crossed, and are provided at their ends with hook catches or fasteners 39, similar to the hook catches 31 at the front ends of the straps, and these rear hook fasteners are arranged to hook in the loops 33 at the rear of the garment. A snap fastener 46 secures the two shoulder straps together at the point of crossing in the back and permits pivotal movement of the straps at that point. Length adjusting slides 4| are provided in the shoulder straps at a point spaced slightly above the cross tie strap 38 in the front of the harness or at any other desired location in the shoulder straps, to provide for adjusting the length of the shoulder straps. It is also preferable that a short length of elastic material 43 be sewn into and form a part of each of the shoulder straps, at a point near their rear ends and below the pivot fastener 46, to permit stretching of the shoulder straps under stress of movement of the body of the infant.

Laterally extending underarm straps it are connected by means of snap fasteners 45 at their rear ends to the shoulder straps 36 at points spaced above the pivot fastener id, and said underarm straps are arranged to extend under the arms around the chest portion of the infant and to be connected at their front ends, by means of an adjustable sliding fastener 45, with rings 4? positioned in the front ends of the shoulder straps just below the cross tie strap 38. The length of the underarm straps may be adjusted by sliding the same in the fasteners 56 to permit the harness or suspenders to be readily adjusted to fit the infant on which they are used.

I will be seen that the rear ends of the underarm straps are attached to the rear ends of the shoulder straps at a higher elevation on the harness than the front ends of such underarm straps are connected with the front ends of the shoulder straps. Thus, the underarm straps extend upwardly at an angle from the front to the rear of the harness. Therefore, due to such angular disposition of these lateral underarm straps i l, they serve to more positively maintain the garment in proper functioning position on the infant, since any tendency of the forepart of the garment to drop down from the proper Waist position is resisted by the upward pull on the rear end 'of the underarm straps caused by upward movement of the rear portion of the shoulder straps 36 as said shoulder straps are pulled forwardly over the shoulders of the infant. The upward rearward pul1 on the lateral underarm straps draws such straps toward the rear and resists downward movement of the front end of the shoulder straps and therefore serves to limit or restrain downward movement of the front part of the garment. Obviously, the harness may be omitted, if desired, or the harness may be used with other garments than the one just described.

It will be seen, therefore, that the garment provides for close fitting of the body portion around the lower portion of the trunk of the infant, that there are multiple thicknesses of absorbent material disposed in proper position for absorbing excreta in the crotch portion of the garment, that the layers of material in the waist portion of the garment are reduced to a minimum in number to provide a more trim appearance, that the garment may be readily adjusted to fit children of various sizes and degrees of plumpness, and that the harness or suspender provides for positively holding the garment in position for proper functioning at maximum efiiciency.

It will particularly be noted that the mass of absorbent material of the garment formed by the infolded overlapping flaps i9 and by the absorbent pad [8 interposed between the layers l l and H of the body portion of the garment provides ample material for absorbing the excreta. It will further be noted that the flaps It may be unfolded to substantially the position shown in Figure 3 when the garment is to be laundered, and that the absorbent pad I8 may be removed for separate laundering, whereby a more satisfactory cleansing of the absorbent portions of the garment may be obtained. Furthermore, this arrangement of the absorbent portions of the garment provides for a quicker drying of the garment after it has been laundered.

It is believed to be readily apparent that the flaps is may be infolded over either the layer H or the layer ii of the body portion of the garment, so that either side of the flaps may be positioned adjacent the body of the infant on which the garment is fastened. Furthermore, either end of the body portion of the garment may form the front or the seat of the garment, whereby the Wear upon the seat portion of the garment, in use, may be spread over four sections of the garment. This result is obtained by alternating the position of the ends of each side or layer of the body portion of the garment for use as the seat portion.

The flaps l will almost automatically infold into the overlapping position shown in Figure 2, wherein they are quickly ready for use. While the flaps are shown as infolded over the layer of diaper material i i, it is believed readily apparent that the flaps may be infolded in the other direction so as to overlie the other layer of fabric material if, whereby the flaps and the body portion of the garment are completely reversible, as desired. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 58 may by replaced with pads of different thicknesses to accommodate different conditions of use, a thick er pad providing for a longer period of use than a thinner pad or no pad at all. Thus, the serment may be utilized over longer periods of time than would be possible with a garment not having the additional absorbent material provided therein, whereby the frequency of need for change is reduced, as for night wear, travel, or the like.

Furthermore, a layer of disposable cellulose or similar absorbent material may be positioned to overlie the infolded flaps If! and be secured in place within the garment next to the excretory organs of the infant, said disposable absorbent material being held in place by tucking the ends of the material through the loops at the ends of the body portion of the garment in a manner similar to that in which the absorbent pad i3 is secured in place. This permits disposal of excreta with the disposable absorbent material, to simplify and reduce the need for laundering of the garment under certain conditions of use.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 5 through 7, wherein the body portion 58 is provided at one end with elongate abdominal tie straps 5i forming extensions of the waist band portion at such end of the body of the garment. One of the tie straps is provided with an eyelet opening 52 through which the other strap is arranged to be threaded, whereupon the ends of the straps may be adjustably secured in fastened position around the waist of the infant as by inserting such ends of the strap through pairs of fastening rings 53 secured in tape loops 5% on the waist band of the garment at points near the ends of the tape strips 22 and 23 at such end of the garment. When the abdominal straps are so secured in the fastening rings, the rear portion of the body of the garment is secured in place on the waist of the infant, and the front portion may then be drawn upwardly between the legs of the infant to permit the snap fasteners halves 3i and 7 39. to be snapped together to secure the front portion of the body of the garment in place.

The body Ell of the garment is formed substantially identical to the body ll! of the form first described, with the exception of the addition of the abdominal straps and the tie rings 53. The body portion is also provided with the absorbent flaps l9 and all other parts identical in form and function to those of the form previously described, and bearing the same identifying numerals. The only difference between this modified form of the invention and the form first described is the addition of the abdominal straps 5| and the fastening rings 53 which provide for angular adjustment of the seat portion of the garment to cause the same to fit more snugly and comfortably around the seat and thighs of the infant on whichit is secured or fitted. This form of the garment, however, is not readily reversible unless the rings 53 are so secured to the waist band of the garment as to permit such rings to be positioned on opposite sides or faces of the body of the garment. Obviously, such reversibility of the positions of the rings 53 may be obtained by releasably securing the tape loops 54 to the waist band, as by means of snap fasteners.

An external waterproof cover 69 is shown to be fastened by means of snap fastener members 6| at its opposite ends to complementary fastener members 62 provided in the tape strips forming the waist band section of the garment. The waterproof cover is shaped to correspond substantially to the hourglass shape of the body 50 of the garment and extends between the legs of the infant and covers the exterior of the body portion of the garment to prevent fluids from escaping therefrom. Furthermore, while the water proof cover 50 is illustrated as fastened to the exterior of the body portion 59 of the modified form of the invention, it is believed readily apparent that the cover may be likewise fastened to the exterior of the body portion l 9 of the garment first described, and that it will function in the same manner on either form. Also, the external waterproof cover may be omitted, if desired.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A garment for infants including, a body formed of two layers of fabric having waist band forming end portions and. leg encircling side edges, means joining the adjacent side edges of the layers of the body, means joining the adjacent end portions of the body leaving an unjoined central opening between the layers at each end of the body, an infoldable flap carried by each side edge of the body and arranged to be infolded over the body to overlap in the central portion of said body, and a plurality of fasteners on the waistband end portions of the body and adjustably joining opposite ends of said waistband portions about the waist of an infant.

2. A garment for infants including, a body formed of two layers of fabric having waist band forming end portions and concave leg encircling side edges, the adjacent concave side edges of the layers being sewn together and the adjacent end portions of said layers also being sewn together on each side of a central unjoined opening between the layers at each end of said body, a laterally disposed infoldable absorbent flap sewn to each concave side edge of the body and arranged to be infolded over and to overlap at the narrow central portion of the body, tape strips sewn to each layer of fabric adjacent and parallel to the end portions thereof and having a central loop not sewn to said layers substantially coextensive with central unjoined opening at the ends of the body, and releasable fastener means carried by the tape strips for detachably joining the sides of the waist band end portions of the body to secure the garment in place on an infant.

3. A garment of the character set forth in claim 2 including, separable absorbent means disposed through the end openings between the layers of the body to extend longitudinally therebetween, the ends of said absorbent means being threadable through the central loop of the tape strips at the respective ends of said body for holding said absorbent means in place.

4. A garment for infants including, a body formed of two layers of fabric having waist band forming end portions and concave leg encircling side edges, a plurality of fastener means on each waistband forming end portion for adjustably connecting opposite ends of the body about the waist of an infant, the adjacent concave side edges of the layers being sewn together and the adjacent end portions of said layers also being sewn together on each side of a central unjoined opening between the layers at each end of said body, and a laterally disposed infoldable absorbent flap sewn to each concave side edge of the body and arranged to be infolded over and to overlap at the narrow central portion of the body.

5. A garment for infants including, a body portion formed of two layers of fabric having waist band forming end portions and leg encircling side edges, a plurality of fastener means on each waistband forming end portion for adjustably connecting opposite ends of the body about the waist of an infant, means joining the adjacent side edges of the layers of the body, means joining the adjacent end portions of the body leaving an unjoined central opening between layers at each end of the body and extending between said layers adapted to receive separable absorbent means between the two layers, and infoldable flaps carried by the side edges of the body portion and arranged to overlap in the central portion of the body portion.

6. A garment for infants of the character set forth in claim 5 wherein, separable means in the form of tape strips on opposite sides of the waistband portion at each end of the body is provided at each end of the body portion for releasably holding in place absorbent means interposed between the two layers of the body portion.

7. A garment for infants including, a body formed of two layers of fabric having waistband forming end portions and leg encircling side edges, means joining the adjacent side edges of the layers of the body, means joining the adjacent end portions of the body leaving an unjoined central opening between the layers at each end of the body, an infoldable flap carried by each side edge of the body and arranged to be infolded over the body to overlap in the central portion of said body, and separable absorbent means disposed through the end openings of the body to extend longitudinally of said body between the layers thereof, and means for holding the end of said absorbent means at each end of the body.

9 formed of two layers of fabric having waistband forming end portions and leg encircling side edges, means joining the adjacent side edges of the layers of the body, means joining the adjacent end portions of the body leaving an unjoined central opening between the layers at each end of the body, an infoldable flap carried by each side edge of the body and arranged to be infolded over the body to overlap in the central portion of said body, and tape strips at each end of each layer of fabric forming the body of the garment having an unjoined loop centrally of each strip substantially coextensive with the width of the central opening at such end of the body of the garment.

LEAH A. KAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Marsh Sept. 29, 1925 Fridolph July 5, 1938 Webb Aug. 2, 1949 Niolon Jan. 10, 1950 Bellum July 4, 1950 Brink Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Australia Dec. 15, 1939

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