CA1110007A - Diaper with elastic waist means - Google Patents
Diaper with elastic waist meansInfo
- Publication number
- CA1110007A CA1110007A CA353,918A CA353918A CA1110007A CA 1110007 A CA1110007 A CA 1110007A CA 353918 A CA353918 A CA 353918A CA 1110007 A CA1110007 A CA 1110007A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- diaper
- pad assembly
- elastic
- pleat
- pair
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
DIAPER WITH ELASTIC WAIST MEANS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having front and back waistline portions, and pleat means being laterally expand-able in at least one waistline portion. The diaper has elastic means in the one waistline portion laterally constraining the one waistline portion when expanded to provide a snug fit of the diaper around the waistline of an infant.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having front and back waistline portions, and pleat means being laterally expand-able in at least one waistline portion. The diaper has elastic means in the one waistline portion laterally constraining the one waistline portion when expanded to provide a snug fit of the diaper around the waistline of an infant.
Description
`"` 1~10007 ~ACKGROUND OF THE I~VENTIO~
The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more psr-ticularly to dispo~able diapers.
During recent year~ diapers of the disposable type have come into widespread use. Although digposable diapers have attained popularity with parents due to convenience, unfavorable comments hsve been made about leak-age from the diapers during use snd their fit on the infant. In particular, the ends of the diaper are normslly susceptible to leakage due, in psrt, to a loose fit Or the diaper about the infant.
Many of the present disposable diapers have tape strips located adJacent one end of the diapers. The diapers are normally placed on the in-fant by laying the infant on the diaper with the strip besring psrt o~ the diaper being located beneath the bsck waistline o~ the infant. After re-mo~al of release sheets from the tape strips, attachment portions of the strips are brought around the infant's legs, and anch~red to the front por-tion of the diaper. However, in order to obtain a tight fit of the diaper and prevent leakage about the infant's legs, the attachment portions of the strips are frequently secured at a location on the front portion of the dia-per which is spaced somewhat from the front end edge or waistline of the diaper.
Since the permanently anchored portions of the strips are usually located ad~acent the back end edge of the diaper, after placement of the dia-per the tape strips apply tension to the back waistline of the diaper and thus may maintain a relatively close fit of the diaper against the back waistline of the infant. In contrast, the attachment portions of the strips are often spaced from the front waistline of the diaper~ and signi~icant tension i5 not applied by the strips against the diaper front waistline.
The front waistline of the diaper is thus permitted to gap away from the in-. ,,::. ~ .,.' .
`` :1110007 fant, increasing the possibility of urine leakage in this area of the diaper,in spite that the front waistline of the diaper is normally more susceptible to urine leakage than the back waistline, since it is closer to the site of urine deposition on the diaper. Also, infants are generally inclined to spend more time on their stomachs than their backs, causing gravity to drive urine in the diaper with greater frequency toward the front waistline. Thus, the diaper ends are normally susceptible to leakage where it should most be prevented.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waist-line portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips in said at least one waistline portion adjacent said side edges; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means located in said one waistline portion, retained by said tape strips and extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end 1~10Q417 edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges con-necting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means comprising an invert-ed pleat configuration of the pad assembly adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat configuration having a longitudinally extending central panel and a doubled pair of back panels extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from the back panels and overlying the front surface of the central panel, said outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline por-tion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally con-straining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant~
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodi-l~Q0~7 ments of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a front plan view of a flat disposable diaper;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the diaper of Figure 1 after having been folded into a box-pleat configuration and partislly folded at the waistline, and illustrating/ elastic means in a waistline por-tion of the diaper;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of diaper in psrtislly folded condition;
Figure 5 i8 a frsgmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the diaper of the pre~e~t invention;
Figure 6 is a frag~entary per~pective view, taken from the front, of the diaper of Figure 5 a8 unfolded preparatory to placement on sn infant;
Figure 7 i6 a frsgmentary back plan view of another embodiment of the diaper of the pre~ent invention;
Figure 8 is a fragmentary front plan view of the diaper of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary back plan view of another embodiment of ? the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of Figure 9 as unfolded preparatory to placement on an infant;
Figure 11 iB a fragment~ry perspective view of a partially folded diaper in another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 12 i8 a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaper in another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 13 is a ~ectional view Or another embodiment of a diaper of the present in~ention;
_ ~ _ .
1~100~7 Figure 14 i8 a fra gentary back plan view Or tbe diaper Or Figure 13 after being laterally un~olded;
Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view Or another embodiment o~
the preæent invention;
Figure 16 is a frag~ent~ry 6ectional view Or another embodiment Or the present invention;
Figure 17 i8 8 sectional view ~f another embodiment of a diaper Or the present lnvention;
Figure lô is a sectional view of another embodiment Or a diaper o~
the present invention;
Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view Or another embodiment Or the present invention;
Figure 20 is a sectional view Or another embodiment of a diaper of the present invention; and Figure 21 is a fra6~entary ~ectional view of another embodiment o~
the present invention.
DEæCRIPTIO~ OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENTS
Referring now to Flgures 1 and 2, there is shown a flat diaper designated generally 26 ha~ing an absorbent pad assembly 27. The pad assem~
bly 27 has a n uid impervious bac~ing sheet 28 defining a back surrace 30 of the pad assembly, a fluid pervious cover or top sheet 32 defining a substan-tial portion of a front surface 34 of the pad assembly, an ab~orbent pad 36 positioned intermedi~te the backing sheet 28 and a cover sheet 32, ~ront and back waistline portions 33a and 33b, snd a crotch portion 35 intermediate the waiætline portions 33a and b. The diaper or pad assembly has a pair of side edges 38a and 38b, and a pair of end edges 40a and 40b connecting the side edges 38a and b. The diaper 26 may also have a palr of conventional tape fasteners 42 adjacent one end edge 40b of the diaper for securing the diaper ,. ~ .
1~100~7 about an infant during placement, with securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 extending past the siae edges 38a and b of the pad assembly. As best shown in Figure 2, the top and backing sheets 32 and 28, respectively, may extend to the end edges of the diaper.
The flat diaper 26 of Figure 1 has a pluralit~ of longitudinally extending folds about fold lines 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d, defining a box-pleat configuration of the diaper, as shown in Figure 3. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has a longitudinally extending cen-tral panel C, a pair of first panels B and D extending fro~ and overlying the central panel C, and a pair of outermost panels A and E extending from and overlying the first panels B and D. The pleat means 46 of the box-pleat diaper may be spaced apart in a lateral central portion of the diaper, as shown in Figure 3, for a purpose which will be described below. As is ap-parent, the outermost panels A and E may be moved laterally in the waistline portions 33a and b of the pad assembly to laterally expand the pleat means.
As i8 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has an end section or flap 48 ad~acent the end edge 40a, which may be folded about a lateral fold line 50 over the front surface 34 of the diaper, such that the front surface 34 of the end section or flap means 48 engages against the front surface 34 of the diaper ad~acent the end section 48. Preferably, the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36 most adjacent tbe end edge 40a of the diaper is spaced from the end edge 40a, and the fold line 50 of the end sec-tion 48 is located ad~acent the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36, in order that the backing sheet 28 in the end section 48 overlies an end por-tion of the absorbent pad when the end section is folded into place on top of the diaper.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the diaper 26 has laterally extending elastic band means 53 in the form of an elastic strip 57. The elastic strip 1~100~7 57 extends across the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and E
ad~acent the fold line 50 and has end portions 59 which are secured to adhe-~ive on the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42, in order to ret&in the elastic strip 57 in place. The diaper also has securing means 54, such as adhesive, to retain a portion of the front surface 34 of the end section 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the box-pleat diaper. Although for convenience the securing means 54 is~described in connection with the use of adhesive, it will be understood that other suitable securing means may be utilized to retain the front surface of the end section to the under-lying front surface of the diaper, such as by heat sealing.
In this em~odiment, the securing means 54 comprises a spot of ad-hesive 56 intermediate the spaced pleat mRans 46 on the front sur~ace 34 of the central panel C adjacent the fold line 50. The adhesive spot 56 retains the front surface 3~ of the central panel C in the end section 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the central panel C of the diaper.
After the end section 48 has been folded o~er the top of the dia-per, the end section 48 may be pressed against the underlying portion of the diaper to obtain a good set of the adhesive and retain the end section 48 in place.
In use, as the end of the box-pleat diaper 26 ad~acent the end section 48 is unfolded during placement of the diaper on an infant, the se-curing means 54 maintains front surface portions of the end section ~8 against the underlying front surface 3~ of the diaper, and retains the center section of elastic strip 57 in place beneath the end section ~8.
Thus, as the outermo6t panels A and E of the diaper are spread outwardly, the outermost panels of the end section 48 are unfolded from under the cen-trPl panel C of the end section, and the elastic strip 57 is expanded by separation of its end portions 59 adhered to the tape fasteners 42. When ` 11i00~7 the end of the diaper is completely unfolded, the securing meP-ns 5~ retains the entire length of the end section 48 in an overlying relationship with the portion of the diaper ad~acent the end section 48. Additionally, the captured elastic strip 57 is expanded and actuated responsive to lateral expansion of the pleat means, and causes a gathering of the pad assembly in the waistline portion 33a. Thus, the elastic strip laterally constrains the waistline portion of the pad assembly, and when the diaper is placed on an infant after securement by the tape fasteners the waistline portion is brought into close contact by the elastic loop to obtain a snug fit about the waistline of the infant. As shown, the end section 48 substantially covers the ela~tic band means 53 to prevent contact of the bana means against the skin of the infant.
Accordingly, when the box-pleat diaper is completely unfolded, the folded over portion of the fluid impervious backing sheet 28 serves to form a waterproof sealing barrier to prevent leakage at the end of the diaper.
Since the folded over backing sheet in the end section preferably overlies an end portion of the absorbent pad, the backing sheet forms a waterproof pocket to capture urine which may wick from the end edge of the absorbent pad, and thus prevents leakage. It is noted that the securing means 54 of the unfolded diaper will retain only a central area of the end section against the diaper. Thus, the regions of the backing sheet in the end sec-tion ~8 to either side of the adhesive spots 56 and 58 are permitted to gap away from the underlying front surface of the diaper. The elastic band means 53 brings the waistline portion of the diaper into close contact with the infant's skin, and these free regions of the end section serve to form a gasket against the infant's skin and aid in preventing leakage of urine from the diaper. Additionally, the elastic means assists in retaining the diaper about the infant, and permits the use of tape fasteners of reduced strength, thus reducing the cost of the fasteners and diaper to the consumer.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 4 in which like reference numerals designate like parts.
In this embodiment, the elastic ba~d means is an elastic loop 55 that ex-tends around the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42, and the tape fasteners retain the elastic loop in its proper position when the pleat means in the diaper is expanded for placement of the diaper on the infant.
The end section 48 may be retained iD place by securing means 54, as pre-viously described.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic band means 53 comprises a strip of elastic foam 61. The foam strip 61 has end portions 63 retained by the adhesive on the securing portions 43 of the tape fssteners 42, and the strip 61 passes over the back surface 30 of the end section 48. When the waist-line portion of the pad assembly is laterally expanded, as shown in Figure 6, the foam strip 61 covers a substantial portion Or the folded over end sec-tion 48, and provides a particularly soft surface over the end section for the infant's skin.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in which like reference numerals designate like partæ. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the se-curing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42 and passes around the back sur-face 30 of the central pa~el C in the pad assembly. An intermediate portion of the elastic loop 55 may be secured to the back surface 30 of the central panel C by suitable means, such as a tape strip 65. The elastic loop 55 in the diaper of Figures 17 and 18 operates to laterally constrain the waist-line portion of the diaper, as previously described, when the pleat means in _ 9 _ the diaper is laterally expanded during placement of the diaper on the in-fant, with the securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 retaining the loop in position in con~unction ~ith the tape strip 65.
A somewhat similar embodiment of the diaper of the present inven-tion is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 also extends around the securing portions 43 of the thpe fasteners 42 and the back sur-face 30 of the central panel C in the pad assembly. Xowever, in this embodi-ment, the back surface of the central panel in an end section 48' is folded against the back surface 30 of the central panel C, as shown, and securing means 54', such as an adhesive spot 56', retains the central panel of the end section 48' against the back surface of the central panel C. The courses of the elastic loop 55 pass between the adhesive spot 56' and a fold line 50' defining the folded over end section 4O~. When the pleat means in the diaper is laterally expanded, as shown in Figure 10, the entire end section 48', including the first panels B and D and outermost panels A and E, as well as the central panel C, is folded over the back surface 30 of the diaper and covers a substantial portion of the elastic loop 55. The elastic loop 55 operates to laterally constrain the laterally expanded diaper and provide a good fit of the diaper around the waistline of an infant, as previously de-scribed.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 11, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends co~pletely around the outer surface of the pleated diaper, and operates as previously de-scribed to laterally constrain the diaper when it iæ unfolded. The loop 55 may be retained in place by the end section ~8 which is secured to the un-derlying ~ront surface of the diaper by securing means 54 in the form of two ~lQ0~7 lines of adhesive 58 securing the end section to the front face 34 of re-spective outermost panels A and E. In combination with the end section 48, the tape fasteners 42 are utilized to prevent slippage of the loop 55 toward the crotch region of the diaper, thus retaining the loop at its desired lo-cation.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 12, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the outer sur-face o~ the pleated diaper, with the loop passing around the side edge 38a intermediate one tape fastener 42a and the end edge 40b, and passing around the other side edge 38b ad~acent a side of the other tape fa6tener 42b re-mote the end edge 40b. It is apparent that t~le fasteners 42a and b alone will retain the loop 55 in place when the aiaper is laterally unfolded, but the end section 48 may be folded over and secured to the underlying front surface of the diaper by securing means 54 in order to cover the loop, if deæired.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention i9 il-lustrated in ~igures 13 and 14, in which like reference numerals desi6nate like parts. As shown in Figure 23, a plurality of elastic strips 70, 72, 74, and 76 have opposed ends 70a and 70b, 72a and 72b, 74a and 74b, and 76a and 76b, respectively, secured to expo~ed surfaces of ad~acent panels in the pad assembly, such that the distance along the surfaces of the ad~acent panels intermediate the opposed ends of each strip is preferably greater than the length between the opposed ends in each strip itself. Alternatively, the central portion of the strip may be plsced under tension prior to unfolding the diaper. As illustrated in ~igure 14, when the diaper is laterally un-folded, the central portions of the strips assume a position ad~acent the surface of the diaper under tension, ~nd the strips thus laterally constrain iO007 the diaper. The strips 70 and 72 are shown as extending between the back surface 30 of the outermost panels A and E and the back surrace 30 of the first panels B and D, respectively, while the strips 74 and 76 are shown a6 extending between the front surface 34 of the rirst panel6 B and D and the front surrace 34 or the central panel C~ It will be understood that the psd assembly 27 may have any suitable arrangement o~ the 6trips, such as the strips 70 and 72 or the strips 74 and 76,alone, and that the strips may be located at any desired longitudinal position in the diaper to produce the de-sired effect when the pad assembly is unfolded.
Thus, in Figure 15, the box-pleat diaper has an elastic strip 78 ha~ing opposed ends 78a and b secured to the front sur~w e 34 of the outer-most panel A and the back surface 30 of the central panel C, as shown in solid lines, or the end 78b may be secured to the back surface 30 of the rirst panel B, as shown in dotted lines, with the central portion of the strip extending bet~een the ends 78a and b. Tn Figure 16, the strip 78 has its end~ 78a and b secured to the ~ront surfw e 34 of the outermost panel A
and the front surface 34 of the central panel C, and may be u~ed in lieu Or the adhesive spots used to retain the pleats in place over the central panel, if desired.
Ihe elastic ~trips may be utilized to laterally constrain an in-verted pleat diaper, aæ described in connection with Figures 17-21 below. As shown in Figure 17, the inverted pleat d~aper 26 has a longitudinally ex-tending centr~1 panel C, a pair of doubled back panels F and G extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel C, and a pair of outer-most panels A and E extending from the back panels F and G and o~erlying the front ~urface of the central panel C. The elastic strip 78 has its opposed ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the back panels F and G, such th~t the strip 78 laterally constrains the pad assembly when the diaper 1~1001:)7 is unfolded.
The inverted pleat diaper of Figure 18 includes a pair of elastic strips 78 and 78' having opposed ends 78a and b and 78a and b', respective-ly, secured to the back surface 30 of the back panels F an~ G and the back surface 30 of the central panel C. In Figure 19, the opposed ends 78a and b of the elastic strip 78 are secured to the back surface 30 of the outer-most panel A and the front surface 34 of the central panel C. As shown in Figure 20, the elastic strip 78 may have its ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the outermost panels A and E. As illustrated in Fi~ure 21, the diaper 26 may include an elastic strip 78 having its ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the central panel C and the back surface 30 of a first section X in the back panel F, and/or an elastic strip 78' hav-ing its ends 78a' and 78b' secured to the front surfaces 34 of contiguous first and second sections H and I in the back panel F. In each case, the elastic strips are under tension, such as by expanding the strips from a relaxed state, when the pad assembly is unfolded to laterally constrain the diaper. As previously discussed, the elastic strips may be under some ini-tial tension prior to unfolding the diaper, if desirea.
The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more psr-ticularly to dispo~able diapers.
During recent year~ diapers of the disposable type have come into widespread use. Although digposable diapers have attained popularity with parents due to convenience, unfavorable comments hsve been made about leak-age from the diapers during use snd their fit on the infant. In particular, the ends of the diaper are normslly susceptible to leakage due, in psrt, to a loose fit Or the diaper about the infant.
Many of the present disposable diapers have tape strips located adJacent one end of the diapers. The diapers are normally placed on the in-fant by laying the infant on the diaper with the strip besring psrt o~ the diaper being located beneath the bsck waistline o~ the infant. After re-mo~al of release sheets from the tape strips, attachment portions of the strips are brought around the infant's legs, and anch~red to the front por-tion of the diaper. However, in order to obtain a tight fit of the diaper and prevent leakage about the infant's legs, the attachment portions of the strips are frequently secured at a location on the front portion of the dia-per which is spaced somewhat from the front end edge or waistline of the diaper.
Since the permanently anchored portions of the strips are usually located ad~acent the back end edge of the diaper, after placement of the dia-per the tape strips apply tension to the back waistline of the diaper and thus may maintain a relatively close fit of the diaper against the back waistline of the infant. In contrast, the attachment portions of the strips are often spaced from the front waistline of the diaper~ and signi~icant tension i5 not applied by the strips against the diaper front waistline.
The front waistline of the diaper is thus permitted to gap away from the in-. ,,::. ~ .,.' .
`` :1110007 fant, increasing the possibility of urine leakage in this area of the diaper,in spite that the front waistline of the diaper is normally more susceptible to urine leakage than the back waistline, since it is closer to the site of urine deposition on the diaper. Also, infants are generally inclined to spend more time on their stomachs than their backs, causing gravity to drive urine in the diaper with greater frequency toward the front waistline. Thus, the diaper ends are normally susceptible to leakage where it should most be prevented.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waist-line portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips in said at least one waistline portion adjacent said side edges; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means located in said one waistline portion, retained by said tape strips and extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end 1~10Q417 edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is pro-vided a disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges con-necting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means comprising an invert-ed pleat configuration of the pad assembly adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat configuration having a longitudinally extending central panel and a doubled pair of back panels extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from the back panels and overlying the front surface of the central panel, said outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline por-tion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally con-straining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant~
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodi-l~Q0~7 ments of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a front plan view of a flat disposable diaper;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the diaper of Figure 1 after having been folded into a box-pleat configuration and partislly folded at the waistline, and illustrating/ elastic means in a waistline por-tion of the diaper;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of diaper in psrtislly folded condition;
Figure 5 i8 a frsgmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the diaper of the pre~e~t invention;
Figure 6 is a frag~entary per~pective view, taken from the front, of the diaper of Figure 5 a8 unfolded preparatory to placement on sn infant;
Figure 7 i6 a frsgmentary back plan view of another embodiment of the diaper of the pre~ent invention;
Figure 8 is a fragmentary front plan view of the diaper of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary back plan view of another embodiment of ? the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of Figure 9 as unfolded preparatory to placement on an infant;
Figure 11 iB a fragment~ry perspective view of a partially folded diaper in another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 12 i8 a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaper in another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;
Figure 13 is a ~ectional view Or another embodiment of a diaper of the present in~ention;
_ ~ _ .
1~100~7 Figure 14 i8 a fra gentary back plan view Or tbe diaper Or Figure 13 after being laterally un~olded;
Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view Or another embodiment o~
the preæent invention;
Figure 16 is a frag~ent~ry 6ectional view Or another embodiment Or the present invention;
Figure 17 i8 8 sectional view ~f another embodiment of a diaper Or the present lnvention;
Figure lô is a sectional view of another embodiment Or a diaper o~
the present invention;
Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view Or another embodiment Or the present invention;
Figure 20 is a sectional view Or another embodiment of a diaper of the present invention; and Figure 21 is a fra6~entary ~ectional view of another embodiment o~
the present invention.
DEæCRIPTIO~ OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENTS
Referring now to Flgures 1 and 2, there is shown a flat diaper designated generally 26 ha~ing an absorbent pad assembly 27. The pad assem~
bly 27 has a n uid impervious bac~ing sheet 28 defining a back surrace 30 of the pad assembly, a fluid pervious cover or top sheet 32 defining a substan-tial portion of a front surface 34 of the pad assembly, an ab~orbent pad 36 positioned intermedi~te the backing sheet 28 and a cover sheet 32, ~ront and back waistline portions 33a and 33b, snd a crotch portion 35 intermediate the waiætline portions 33a and b. The diaper or pad assembly has a pair of side edges 38a and 38b, and a pair of end edges 40a and 40b connecting the side edges 38a and b. The diaper 26 may also have a palr of conventional tape fasteners 42 adjacent one end edge 40b of the diaper for securing the diaper ,. ~ .
1~100~7 about an infant during placement, with securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 extending past the siae edges 38a and b of the pad assembly. As best shown in Figure 2, the top and backing sheets 32 and 28, respectively, may extend to the end edges of the diaper.
The flat diaper 26 of Figure 1 has a pluralit~ of longitudinally extending folds about fold lines 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d, defining a box-pleat configuration of the diaper, as shown in Figure 3. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has a longitudinally extending cen-tral panel C, a pair of first panels B and D extending fro~ and overlying the central panel C, and a pair of outermost panels A and E extending from and overlying the first panels B and D. The pleat means 46 of the box-pleat diaper may be spaced apart in a lateral central portion of the diaper, as shown in Figure 3, for a purpose which will be described below. As is ap-parent, the outermost panels A and E may be moved laterally in the waistline portions 33a and b of the pad assembly to laterally expand the pleat means.
As i8 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has an end section or flap 48 ad~acent the end edge 40a, which may be folded about a lateral fold line 50 over the front surface 34 of the diaper, such that the front surface 34 of the end section or flap means 48 engages against the front surface 34 of the diaper ad~acent the end section 48. Preferably, the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36 most adjacent tbe end edge 40a of the diaper is spaced from the end edge 40a, and the fold line 50 of the end sec-tion 48 is located ad~acent the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36, in order that the backing sheet 28 in the end section 48 overlies an end por-tion of the absorbent pad when the end section is folded into place on top of the diaper.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the diaper 26 has laterally extending elastic band means 53 in the form of an elastic strip 57. The elastic strip 1~100~7 57 extends across the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and E
ad~acent the fold line 50 and has end portions 59 which are secured to adhe-~ive on the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42, in order to ret&in the elastic strip 57 in place. The diaper also has securing means 54, such as adhesive, to retain a portion of the front surface 34 of the end section 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the box-pleat diaper. Although for convenience the securing means 54 is~described in connection with the use of adhesive, it will be understood that other suitable securing means may be utilized to retain the front surface of the end section to the under-lying front surface of the diaper, such as by heat sealing.
In this em~odiment, the securing means 54 comprises a spot of ad-hesive 56 intermediate the spaced pleat mRans 46 on the front sur~ace 34 of the central panel C adjacent the fold line 50. The adhesive spot 56 retains the front surface 3~ of the central panel C in the end section 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the central panel C of the diaper.
After the end section 48 has been folded o~er the top of the dia-per, the end section 48 may be pressed against the underlying portion of the diaper to obtain a good set of the adhesive and retain the end section 48 in place.
In use, as the end of the box-pleat diaper 26 ad~acent the end section 48 is unfolded during placement of the diaper on an infant, the se-curing means 54 maintains front surface portions of the end section ~8 against the underlying front surface 3~ of the diaper, and retains the center section of elastic strip 57 in place beneath the end section ~8.
Thus, as the outermo6t panels A and E of the diaper are spread outwardly, the outermost panels of the end section 48 are unfolded from under the cen-trPl panel C of the end section, and the elastic strip 57 is expanded by separation of its end portions 59 adhered to the tape fasteners 42. When ` 11i00~7 the end of the diaper is completely unfolded, the securing meP-ns 5~ retains the entire length of the end section 48 in an overlying relationship with the portion of the diaper ad~acent the end section 48. Additionally, the captured elastic strip 57 is expanded and actuated responsive to lateral expansion of the pleat means, and causes a gathering of the pad assembly in the waistline portion 33a. Thus, the elastic strip laterally constrains the waistline portion of the pad assembly, and when the diaper is placed on an infant after securement by the tape fasteners the waistline portion is brought into close contact by the elastic loop to obtain a snug fit about the waistline of the infant. As shown, the end section 48 substantially covers the ela~tic band means 53 to prevent contact of the bana means against the skin of the infant.
Accordingly, when the box-pleat diaper is completely unfolded, the folded over portion of the fluid impervious backing sheet 28 serves to form a waterproof sealing barrier to prevent leakage at the end of the diaper.
Since the folded over backing sheet in the end section preferably overlies an end portion of the absorbent pad, the backing sheet forms a waterproof pocket to capture urine which may wick from the end edge of the absorbent pad, and thus prevents leakage. It is noted that the securing means 54 of the unfolded diaper will retain only a central area of the end section against the diaper. Thus, the regions of the backing sheet in the end sec-tion ~8 to either side of the adhesive spots 56 and 58 are permitted to gap away from the underlying front surface of the diaper. The elastic band means 53 brings the waistline portion of the diaper into close contact with the infant's skin, and these free regions of the end section serve to form a gasket against the infant's skin and aid in preventing leakage of urine from the diaper. Additionally, the elastic means assists in retaining the diaper about the infant, and permits the use of tape fasteners of reduced strength, thus reducing the cost of the fasteners and diaper to the consumer.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 4 in which like reference numerals designate like parts.
In this embodiment, the elastic ba~d means is an elastic loop 55 that ex-tends around the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42, and the tape fasteners retain the elastic loop in its proper position when the pleat means in the diaper is expanded for placement of the diaper on the infant.
The end section 48 may be retained iD place by securing means 54, as pre-viously described.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic band means 53 comprises a strip of elastic foam 61. The foam strip 61 has end portions 63 retained by the adhesive on the securing portions 43 of the tape fssteners 42, and the strip 61 passes over the back surface 30 of the end section 48. When the waist-line portion of the pad assembly is laterally expanded, as shown in Figure 6, the foam strip 61 covers a substantial portion Or the folded over end sec-tion 48, and provides a particularly soft surface over the end section for the infant's skin.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in which like reference numerals designate like partæ. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the se-curing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42 and passes around the back sur-face 30 of the central pa~el C in the pad assembly. An intermediate portion of the elastic loop 55 may be secured to the back surface 30 of the central panel C by suitable means, such as a tape strip 65. The elastic loop 55 in the diaper of Figures 17 and 18 operates to laterally constrain the waist-line portion of the diaper, as previously described, when the pleat means in _ 9 _ the diaper is laterally expanded during placement of the diaper on the in-fant, with the securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 retaining the loop in position in con~unction ~ith the tape strip 65.
A somewhat similar embodiment of the diaper of the present inven-tion is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 also extends around the securing portions 43 of the thpe fasteners 42 and the back sur-face 30 of the central panel C in the pad assembly. Xowever, in this embodi-ment, the back surface of the central panel in an end section 48' is folded against the back surface 30 of the central panel C, as shown, and securing means 54', such as an adhesive spot 56', retains the central panel of the end section 48' against the back surface of the central panel C. The courses of the elastic loop 55 pass between the adhesive spot 56' and a fold line 50' defining the folded over end section 4O~. When the pleat means in the diaper is laterally expanded, as shown in Figure 10, the entire end section 48', including the first panels B and D and outermost panels A and E, as well as the central panel C, is folded over the back surface 30 of the diaper and covers a substantial portion of the elastic loop 55. The elastic loop 55 operates to laterally constrain the laterally expanded diaper and provide a good fit of the diaper around the waistline of an infant, as previously de-scribed.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 11, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends co~pletely around the outer surface of the pleated diaper, and operates as previously de-scribed to laterally constrain the diaper when it iæ unfolded. The loop 55 may be retained in place by the end section ~8 which is secured to the un-derlying ~ront surface of the diaper by securing means 54 in the form of two ~lQ0~7 lines of adhesive 58 securing the end section to the front face 34 of re-spective outermost panels A and E. In combination with the end section 48, the tape fasteners 42 are utilized to prevent slippage of the loop 55 toward the crotch region of the diaper, thus retaining the loop at its desired lo-cation.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is il-lustrated in Figure 12, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the outer sur-face o~ the pleated diaper, with the loop passing around the side edge 38a intermediate one tape fastener 42a and the end edge 40b, and passing around the other side edge 38b ad~acent a side of the other tape fa6tener 42b re-mote the end edge 40b. It is apparent that t~le fasteners 42a and b alone will retain the loop 55 in place when the aiaper is laterally unfolded, but the end section 48 may be folded over and secured to the underlying front surface of the diaper by securing means 54 in order to cover the loop, if deæired.
Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention i9 il-lustrated in ~igures 13 and 14, in which like reference numerals desi6nate like parts. As shown in Figure 23, a plurality of elastic strips 70, 72, 74, and 76 have opposed ends 70a and 70b, 72a and 72b, 74a and 74b, and 76a and 76b, respectively, secured to expo~ed surfaces of ad~acent panels in the pad assembly, such that the distance along the surfaces of the ad~acent panels intermediate the opposed ends of each strip is preferably greater than the length between the opposed ends in each strip itself. Alternatively, the central portion of the strip may be plsced under tension prior to unfolding the diaper. As illustrated in ~igure 14, when the diaper is laterally un-folded, the central portions of the strips assume a position ad~acent the surface of the diaper under tension, ~nd the strips thus laterally constrain iO007 the diaper. The strips 70 and 72 are shown as extending between the back surface 30 of the outermost panels A and E and the back surrace 30 of the first panels B and D, respectively, while the strips 74 and 76 are shown a6 extending between the front surface 34 of the rirst panel6 B and D and the front surrace 34 or the central panel C~ It will be understood that the psd assembly 27 may have any suitable arrangement o~ the 6trips, such as the strips 70 and 72 or the strips 74 and 76,alone, and that the strips may be located at any desired longitudinal position in the diaper to produce the de-sired effect when the pad assembly is unfolded.
Thus, in Figure 15, the box-pleat diaper has an elastic strip 78 ha~ing opposed ends 78a and b secured to the front sur~w e 34 of the outer-most panel A and the back surface 30 of the central panel C, as shown in solid lines, or the end 78b may be secured to the back surface 30 of the rirst panel B, as shown in dotted lines, with the central portion of the strip extending bet~een the ends 78a and b. Tn Figure 16, the strip 78 has its end~ 78a and b secured to the ~ront surfw e 34 of the outermost panel A
and the front surface 34 of the central panel C, and may be u~ed in lieu Or the adhesive spots used to retain the pleats in place over the central panel, if desired.
Ihe elastic ~trips may be utilized to laterally constrain an in-verted pleat diaper, aæ described in connection with Figures 17-21 below. As shown in Figure 17, the inverted pleat d~aper 26 has a longitudinally ex-tending centr~1 panel C, a pair of doubled back panels F and G extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel C, and a pair of outer-most panels A and E extending from the back panels F and G and o~erlying the front ~urface of the central panel C. The elastic strip 78 has its opposed ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the back panels F and G, such th~t the strip 78 laterally constrains the pad assembly when the diaper 1~1001:)7 is unfolded.
The inverted pleat diaper of Figure 18 includes a pair of elastic strips 78 and 78' having opposed ends 78a and b and 78a and b', respective-ly, secured to the back surface 30 of the back panels F an~ G and the back surface 30 of the central panel C. In Figure 19, the opposed ends 78a and b of the elastic strip 78 are secured to the back surface 30 of the outer-most panel A and the front surface 34 of the central panel C. As shown in Figure 20, the elastic strip 78 may have its ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the outermost panels A and E. As illustrated in Fi~ure 21, the diaper 26 may include an elastic strip 78 having its ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the central panel C and the back surface 30 of a first section X in the back panel F, and/or an elastic strip 78' hav-ing its ends 78a' and 78b' secured to the front surfaces 34 of contiguous first and second sections H and I in the back panel F. In each case, the elastic strips are under tension, such as by expanding the strips from a relaxed state, when the pad assembly is unfolded to laterally constrain the diaper. As previously discussed, the elastic strips may be under some ini-tial tension prior to unfolding the diaper, if desirea.
Claims (21)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A disposable diaper, comprising:
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means;
a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips in said at least one waistline portion adjacent said side edges; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly com-prising, elastic means located in said one waistline portion retained by said tape strips and extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waistline portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means;
a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips in said at least one waistline portion adjacent said side edges; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly com-prising, elastic means located in said one waistline portion retained by said tape strips and extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending folds define a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly having a pair of first panels extending from and overlying the front surface of the central panel, and the outermost panels extending from and overlying the first pan-els.
3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the elastic means is selected from the group consisting of elastic bands, elastic strips and elastic foams.
4. The diaper of claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic means extends around the back surface of the pad assembly, and the elastic means comprises an elastic loop passing around said tape strips.
5. The diaper of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said elastic means extends around the back surface of the pad assembly, and including means for secur-ing the elastic means to the back surface of the central panel.
6. The diaper of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said elastic means extends around the back surface of the pad assembly, the pad assembly includes an end section of the central panel adjacent the end edge in said one waistline portion, said end section being folded against a back surface of the central panel, and including means for securing the end section to the back surface of the central panel with the end section covering at least a portion of the elastic means when the pleat means is expanded.
7. The diaper of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the elastic means extends across the front surface of the outermost panels, and the elastic means is attached to adhesive on the tape strips.
8. The diaper of claim 1 or 2 wherein the elastic means extends across the front surface of the outermost panels, and the elastic means com-prises an elastic loop extending around the tape strips.
9. The diaper of claim 1 or 2 wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic loop extending around the outer surface of the pad assembly, said loop passing adjacent sides of said strips.
10. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly includes a pleated end section adjacent an end edge in said one waistline portion, said pleated end section being folded against the front surface of the pad assembly, and including means for retaining a portion of the end section against the under-ling front surface of the pad assembly.
11. The diaper of claim 10 wherein the elastic means comprises a strip of elastic foam extending around a back surface of said end section.
12. The diaper of claim 10 wherein the end section covers at least a portion of the elastic means, the retaining means retains portions of the outermost panels in said end section to the underlying front surface of the outermost panels, and the retaining means retains the elastic means inter-mediate the end section and the underlying pad assembly.
13. A disposable diaper, comprising:
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waist-line portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waist-line portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means comprising an inverted pleat configuration of the pad assembly adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat configuration having a longitudinally extending central panel, and a doubled pair of back panels extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from the back panels and overlying the front surface of the central panel, said outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waist-line portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waist-line portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means comprising an inverted pleat configuration of the pad assembly adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat configuration having a longitudinally extending central panel, and a doubled pair of back panels extending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from the back panels and overlying the front surface of the central panel, said outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
14. The diaper of claim 13 wherein the elastic means extends between the back panels.
15. The diaper of claim 13 wherein the elastic means comprises lateral-ly extending elastic band means constraining the outermost panels.
16. The diaper of claim 15 wherein the band means extends across the front surface of the outermost panels.
17. The diaper of claim 15 wherein opposed ends of the band means are secured to the outermost panels.
18. The diaper of claim 15 wherein the band means extends between the outermost panels and the central panel.
19. The diaper of claim 15 wherein the band means extends between adjacent panels of the pad assembly.
20. The diaper of claim 15 wherein said band means extends across the back surface of the pad assembly.
21. A disposable diaper, comprising:
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waist-line portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting the side edges, a pair of waist-line portions adjacent said end edges, a crotch portion intermediate the waistline portions, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fold lines defining pleat means adjacent opposed sides of the pad assembly, said pleat means having a longitudinally extending central panel and a pair of outermost panels being laterally movable in at least one waistline portion for lateral expansion of the pleat means; and means for resisting lateral unfolding of the pad assembly comprising, elastic means extending generally laterally across the location of at least one fold line in said pleat means of the unfolded pad assembly, said elastic means laterally constraining expansion of the pleat means during placement of the diaper to provide a snug fit of the diaper about the infant.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA353,918A CA1110007A (en) | 1974-10-31 | 1980-06-12 | Diaper with elastic waist means |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/519,493 US3951150A (en) | 1974-10-31 | 1974-10-31 | Diaper with elastic waist means |
| US519,493 | 1974-10-31 | ||
| CA238,586A CA1091854A (en) | 1974-10-31 | 1975-10-29 | Diaper with elastic waist means |
| CA353,918A CA1110007A (en) | 1974-10-31 | 1980-06-12 | Diaper with elastic waist means |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1110007A true CA1110007A (en) | 1981-10-06 |
Family
ID=27164171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA353,918A Expired CA1110007A (en) | 1974-10-31 | 1980-06-12 | Diaper with elastic waist means |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1110007A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5509915A (en) | 1991-09-11 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid |
-
1980
- 1980-06-12 CA CA353,918A patent/CA1110007A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5509915A (en) | 1991-09-11 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |