CA1052052A - Fastening means for diapers - Google Patents

Abstract

IMPROVED FASTENING MEANS FOR DIAPERS

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Improved fastener devices are provided for diapers of the disposable or non-disposable type. The diaper comprises a body of fluid-absorbent material defined by opposed lateral and longitudinal edges, the junctures of said edges defining four corner portions. The diaper has an inner surface for direction toward the body of an infant and an outer surface facing away from the infant. Each of the corner portions of a first lateral edge is provided with first cooperative fastener means comprising a first strip material detachably mounted on the outer surface of the diaper, the strip having opposed outer and inner surfaces.
The inner surface is provided at a first portion with a hook, clamp or snap device for detachably mounting in a complementary member provided in the diaper and at a second portion with a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks,the second portion extending substantially outwardly of the longitudi-nal edge of the diaper. Each of the corner portions of a second lateral edge is provided with second cooperative fastener means comprising a second strip material having an inner surface attach-ed to the outer surface of the diaper and an outer surface compri-sing a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks for detachably engaging the filaments of said first cooper-ative fastener means.

Description

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The invention relates to improved fastener means for diapers of - the disposable type and more particularly to improved fastener means enabling the diaper to be adjustably fitted about the trunk of an infant.
Conventional diapers of the permanent or non-disposable type generally comprise an essentially rectangular, absorbent sheet material, such as cloth, defined by opposed lateral and longitutinal edges, the juncture of the edges defining four corner portions.
Various types of fastener devices enabling closure of the diaper about the trunk of an infant clad therewith are known in the art. These include pins or equivalent means having pointed portions which may present a definite safety risk to the infant not to mention the inherent discomfort. ;
Similar problems are encountered with diapers of the disposable ; type which generally comprise a multilayer or laminate material having in - order, a hydrophobic outer sheet, an absorbent core sheet and a fluid pervious facing sheet, the various sheets being bonded into a unitary laminate structure by suitable adhesive means for example.
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In addition to the aforementioned pin type fasteners, other types of closure devices heretofore recommented for either disposable or non-disposable diapers include various types of adhesive strips which are detachably secured to predetermined are as of the diaper, closure of the diaper being effected by contacting mating surfaces of the strips having sufficient tack to enable secured closure about the infant.
~ However, fasteners of the foregoing typos are found to have t;, certain disadvantages. Thus, those types of fastenersdesignet for permanent attachment to the diaper often become deteriorated or other-wise impaired due to the often destructive effects of laundering, i.e.
temperature, alkalinity etc. Moreover, metallic parts are subject to corrosion, rusting and the like. In adtition, as a practical matter fastener devices of the safety pin type are often difficult to manipu-::
- late and may become easily lost under the conditions of use as by slid-ing down a sink drain. By contrast, those typcs of fasteners designed for tomporary attachment to the diaper, as by adhesive bonding, have a tondency to chafe the infant causing severe skin irritation when the j diaper, through movement of the infant, slips down the body. Prcssure `
sensitive adhesive tape fastener tabs are described, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,776,234 issued December 4, 1973 to Colgate-Palmolive Co~pany. S

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105;~0~2 ; A primary object of the invention is to provide improved fastener means for diapers of the disposable type wherein the foregoing disadvantages are eliminated or at least mitigated to a substantial extent.
i A further object of the invention is to provide fastener means for diapers which can be easily and efficiently manipulated to obtain a close, comfortable fit about the trunk of an infant.
A still further object of the invention is to provide fastener means for diapers wherein the risk of skin chafing or other form of dis-comfort to the infant is greatly reduced.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved fastener means for diapers wherein essential cooperating fastener components can be removed from or attached to the diaper as desired by the user, e.g., prior to laundering.
- Other features and advantages will become more apparent herein-:~ .
; after as the description proceeds.

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The foregoing objects are attained in accordance with the inven-tion which in its broader aspects provides a disposable diaper comprising a body of absorbent material defined by opposed lateral and longitudinal edges, ~ the junctures of said edges defining four corner portions, said diaper having ; an inner surface for direction toward the body of an infant and an outer sur-face facing away from said infant, each of the corner portions of a first t lateral edge having first cooperative fastener means comprising a first strip material detachably mounted on the outer surface of said diaper, said strip t ~ material having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion comprising means for detachably securing said strip material to said diaper and a second portion comprising a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks, said second portion extending substantially out-wardly of the longitudinal edge of said diaper, each of the corner portions of a second lateral edge having secured cooperative fastener means comprising a second strip material having an inner surface detachably attached to the outer surface of said diaper and an outer surface comprising a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks for detachably engaging the fila-ments of said first cooperative fastener means, said inner surface of said first and second strip materials being provided with and having permanently attached thereto a hook, clamp, or snap device for detachably engaging a complementary member attached to the corner portions of said diaper, said `:
hook, clamp, or snap device being fabricated from a hard-tooling polymeric resinous material attached to said inner surface of said first and second strip materials by riveting, heat sealing, or adhesive bonding, said diaper comprising a multilayer material having a water impervious hydrophobic outer layer, an absorbent core layer, and a water pervious inner layer.
The invention is described in the following disclosure con-sidered with the accompany drawings wherein:

~KIEF DESCRI~'TI~N OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view, shown partly broken away of a diaper in accordance with the concept of the present invention.
Fig 2 is a perspective view illustrating diagramaticall the manner in which a diaper in accordance with the invention is closed;
Fig. 3 i9 a plan view illustrating diagrammatically positioning of the fastener elements just prior to closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

; ~0 With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numeraLs designate similar parts throughout the several views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a diaper in accordance with the invention. The diaper, shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, has opposed longitudinal edges 12 and 14 and opposed lateral edges 16 and 18, the juncture of these edges forming corner portions 20,22,24 and 26. The diaper has an inner surface 28 for direction toward the body of an infant and an outer surface 30 for direction away from the infant.
For purposes of clarity, the fastene~ means are illustrated in ~D Fig. 1 in a position just prior to mounting on the diapex. First cooperative fastener means generally descignated 32 comprises a strip or base material having an outer surface 40 and an inner ., .

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surface 42. The latter comprises a first segmen~ or area 38 havin male snap fas~ener 36 which may be in the form of a rounded head p~rtion or pr~tuberance which i~ attached to strip 32 in a manner to be described and a second segment or area 34 comprising a myria of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks. Thus, stri 32 can be formed of a suitable film forming p~lymeric,reslnous material including for example resins derived from the polymeriza-tion of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsat~rated hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene and the like. The finely woven filaments can /0 be formed from a nylon polymer, this type of material being commer cially available under the trademark VELCR0. The filamen~s can be bonded to the inner surface 42 of strip 32 by procedures well known in the art such as heat or fusion bonding, adheslve bonding and the like, Alternatively, strip 32 including the Velcro type surface can be fabricated solely from Nylon, Materials of this type are described for example in U.S, Patent 2,717,437 of Sept. 1 1955.
Male snap fastener 36 is preferably formed from a hard-tooling resin such as reinforced acetal, nylon etc. Such resins are well known in the art and preferably have sufficient hardness, impact resistance etc. to withstand the continued stress incident to the repetitive fastening and unfastening operations. Male member 36 can be permanently attached to inner surface 42 of strip 32 by procedures well known in the art including riveting, heat .~

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Corn~r portions 20 atld 22 are provided with means for detachably receiving member 36 of strip 32, said means being in the form of a groove, slot, aperature etc. as is known in the art.
~` In the embodiment illustrated such means comprise a base material 48 such as cloth, plastic material etc., which may be of any desired shape, illustrated here as being essentially circular, hav ing a central opening or slot 50 for receiving member 36 which may be snap fitted thereinto. Base material 48 may be attached to the /0 outer surface 30 of diaper 10 by adhesive bonding, sewing and the like. The central opening 50 defined by base material 48 is preferably fabricated from a hard tooling resin similar to that used in preparing member 36.
Fastener receiving means 48 are positioned closely adjacent longitudinal edges, 12 and 14 and lateral edge 16 in corner portions 20 and 22. The extcnt of the displacement from th longitudinal edges is such that Velcro segments 34 of inner sur-faces 42 extend substantially completely outwardly of longitudina edges 12 and 14 when strips 32 are attached to outer surface 30 of d diaper 10 by virtue of member 36 detachably engaging complementary member 50. In mounted condition, strips 32 extend partially outwardly of longitudinal edges 12 and 14, as described, in a dir-ection 8ubstantially parallel to lateral edge 16.

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Second cooperative astener means adapted to be detachably mounted in corner portions 24 and 26 comprise a strip material 44 llaving an outer surface 34a and an inner surface 52 ~he latter including 8 substantially centrally located rounded head portion or protuberance 46. Strip material 44 is prepared from the same materials as used for strip 32. Moreover, head por-tion 46 is prepared from the hard tooling resinous materials previously described and is permanently secured to inner surface 52 by riveting, heat sealing or adhesive bonding. Corner portions /0 24 and 26 of diaper 10 are provided with means for detachably receiving member 46 of strip 44. Such means may comprise a strip material 48a of cloth, plastic or the like of any desired shape having a central opening or slot 50 a for receiving member 46 which may be snap fitted thereinto. Strip 48a can be permanently secured to the outer surface 30 of diaper 10 by _~e~ing, adhesive bonding or the like. The central opening 50a defined by base material 44 is preferably made from a hard tooling resin similar to that used in preparing member 46.
The outer surface 34a of strip 44 is provided with a ~0 myriad of finely woven filaments which may be formed into permanen t hook-like portions or alternatively, loops prepared from a relati~ e-ly soft re~lnous substance e.g., soft nylon. The woven filaments cover substantially the entire extent of outer surface 34a.
Materials of this type are also described in the aforementioned ~ lO~i~Q5Z

U.S, patent , 17,437. Strips 44 are attached to outer surface 30¦
of diaper 10 by virtue of member 46 detachably engaging complement ary member 50a. In mounted condition, the lateral edges 44a of ~trip 44 are substantially parallel to lateral edges 18 of diaper 10. i~
As will be noted from Fig. 1 in particular,strips 44 are disposed on the outer surface 30 of diaper 10 in such manner that outwardly facing longitudinal e~ge~44b flrèpositioned inwardly of longitudinal edges 12 and 14.
The dimensions of strips 32 and 44 may be varied within relatively wide limits. With respect to strip 32, Velcro surface 34 should extend at least about 1/2 inch beyond longitudinal edges 12 and 14. Velcro surface 34a of strip 44 can be of a width, as taken along lateral edge 44a, approximating at least about one-half the width of Velcro surface 34. Strips 44 can be positioned on diaper 10 so that the outward longitudinal edge 44b is disposed at least about 1/2 inch inwardly of longitudinal edges 12 and 14.
Moreover, it is emphasized that the dimensions as well as shape of ~- strips 32 and 44 are strictly a matter of choice and may be select ~o ed ln accordance with particular design requirements.
Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which the diaper 10 is closed about the trunk of an infant, the latter being diagramatica _ ly illustrated at 54. Thus, lateral edges 16 and 18 of diaper 10 are folded upon each other in such manner that lateral edge 16 overlaps lateral edge `18 as illustrated. Velcro surfaces 34 and 11 10~05Z
34a are thus positioned to de~achably engage each other this being accomplished by merely contacting such surfaces with slight finger pressure being applied. The "fit" can be adjusted by varying the degree of overlap of Velcro surfaces 34 and 34a.
It ~ 11 be understood that Velcro surfaces 34 and 34a may each comprise a myriad of finely woven filaments, as described ~ each being in the form of hooks or alternatively, one such surface ! comprising hooks and the other comprising relatively soft filament formed into loops. Strips 44, in accordance with preferred practi e o are provided with the soft nylon loop type Velcro surface. In any event, closure ~f the diaper is effected by virtue ~ the respect-ive filament surfaces detachabl~ engaging each other, ~heir separ~ _ tion being effected by simply peeling them apartO
; According to a further embodiment of the invention, strip 44 can be permanently attached to diaper 10 by suitable mear s ~: ~ such as sewing. This embodiment obviates the necessity for faste _ i er receiver elements 48a and correspondingly, male fastener mem-ber 46 of strip 44. Thus, in this embodiment, inner surface 52 of strip 44.would be substantially flat or planar.
It will be further understood that mating elements 36 and 50 and 46 and 50a respectively may be varied as to orientatio i.e., members 50 and 50a may comprise the male member and members ; 36 and 46 may comprise the female member. In addition, these members may be provided in the form of hooks, clamps etc. as is known in the art for engaging the cooperative member having a complementary fitting.

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F~ convenience to the user, mating ~trips 32 and 44 may be provided in different colors to facilitate dlstinguishing there between on the part of the user. In addition,members 48 and 48a of diaper 10 may be provided in the color corresponding to the strip to be accomodated thereby.
The instant fastener devices can be used with both disposable and non-disposable diapers. Example of the former type are described in numerous publications and comprise in general-a multilayer laminate structure having an outer, water impervious layer prepared from a suitable waterproof, non-absorbent resinous polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and the like, an absorbent core layer comprising an enve lope type construction including absorbent sheets or layers fille for example with a fiber fluff such as wood fluff, cotton fluff and the like and a water pervious inner layer generally in the form of a soft, non-woven tissue which may be perforated.
A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corre _ pondLng use f other features.

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Claims (3)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A disposable diaper comprising a body of absorbent material defined by opposed lateral and longitudinal edges, the junctures of said edges defining four corner portions, said diaper having an inner surface for direction toward the body of an infant and an outer surface facing away from said infant, each of the corner portions of a first lateral edge having first cooperative fastener means comprising a first strip material detach-ably mounted on the outer surface of said diaper, said strip material having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface having a first portion com-prising means for detachably securing said strip material to said diaper and a second portion comprising a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks, said second portion extending substantially outwardly of the longitudinal edge of said diaper, each of the corner portions of a second lateral edge having secured cooperative fastener means comprising a second strip material having an inner surface detachably attached to the outer surface of said diaper and an outer surface comprising a myriad of finely woven filaments formed into permanent hooks for detachably engaging the filaments of said first cooperative fastener means, said inner surface of said first and second strip materials being provided with and having permanently attached thereto a hook, clamp, or snap device for detachably engaging a complementary member attached to the corner portions of said diaper, said hook, clamp, or snap device being fabricated from a hard-tooling polymeric resinous material attached to said inner surface of said first and second strip materials by riveting, heat sealing, or adhesive bonding, said diaper comprising a multilayer material having a water impervious hydrophobic outer layer, an absorbent core layer, and a water pervious inner layer.

2. A diaper according to claim 1 wherein said first and second strip materials comprise a film-forming polymeric material.

3. A diaper according to claim 2 wherein said strip materials com-prise polyethylene or polypropylene.