GB2595505A

GB2595505A - A disposable nappy

Info

Publication number: GB2595505A
Application number: GB2008047.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brookes Diana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-28
Filing date: 2020-05-28
Publication date: 2021-12-01
Also published as: GB202008047D0

Abstract

A disposable nappy (diaper) comprises a pocket 10 with an opening 11, the pocket configured such that it can be turned inside out by pushing the nappy through the opening so that it is received within the inverted pocket for disposal. Preferably, the pocket is made from an elastic material, to allow the pocket opening 11 to be stretched back and over the used nappy. The nappy preferably has front and rear waistbands 15, 14 and a middle section 16. The pocket opening 11 may be provided across the middle section 16 of the nappy or in reverse orientation with the opening 11 near the rear waistband 15. The pocket opening 11 may initially be sealed by perforations or a tear tape. The tear tape may be provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive or a restick adhesive that remains on the nappy to facilitate closing of the pocket with the soiled nappy within. In other embodiments, a tab (21, fig.7) is provided for closing the pocket.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G1320080479 RTM Date:5 May 2021 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo -1 -

A Disposable Nappy Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a disposable nappy and a method of preparing the nappy for disposal.

Background to the invention

Nappies are primarily worn by infants and toddlers, and typically require changing multiple times a day. A normal nappy changing routine would see the used nappy io placed in a nappy disposal bag. These bags can present a choke risk to an infant and can be damaging to the environment as they take a long time to biodegrade. The present invention seeks to remove the need for nappy disposal bags.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a disposable nappy comprising a pocket with an opening, the pocket being configured so that the pocket can be turned inside out by pushing a portion of the nappy through the opening so that said portion is received within the pocket for disposal.

The opening of the pocket may be disposed on an outer surface of the nappy.

The nappy may comprise front and rear waistbands disposed at opposite ends of a middle section of the nappy, the front and rear waistbands being configured for attachment to each other to secure the nappy to the wearer.

The opening of the pocket may be disposed across the middle section, substantially parallel to said waistbands.

The pocket may occupy substantially the full space between the opening of the pocket and one of said waistbands.

The opening of the pocket may extend substantially across the full width of the nappy. The opening of the pocket may be sealed prior to use.

The seal may comprises a tear tape releasably attached across the opening.

The tear tape may be releasably attached across the opening by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

The pressure sensitive adhesive may be configured to remain attached to the nappy 5 following removal of the tear tape, so that, when the pocket is turned inside out, said adhesive, now being disposed around the inside of the opening of the pocket, can be used to seal the nappy within the pocket.

A tab may be disposed on an inside surface of the pocket, so that, when the pocket is /0 turned inside out, the tab is accessible for closing the opening of the pocket.

Said portion may be rolled up for easier insertion into the pocket and wherein ends of the or each waistband may be provided with securing strips configured for attaching to the outer surface of the nappy following rolling to prevent said portion from unravelling.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of disposing of a nappy, the nappy comprising a pocket, wherein the method comprises turning the pocket inside out so that a portion of the nappy is received within the pocket for disposal.

The method may further comprise the step of rolling up said portion of the nappy to reduce the length of said portion for insertion into the pocket.

or Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an infant wearing a nappy according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows an isometric view a nappy according to an embodiment; Figure 3 shows a detailed isometric view of a nappy according to an embodiment; Figure 4 shows a schematic in plan view of a nappy according to an embodiment; and Figures 5 to 7 show a nappy according to an embodiment in preparation for disposal. -3 -

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures a disposable nappy 1 is shown according to embodiments of the invention. The disposable nappy 1 comprises a pocket 10 with an opening ii, the pocket 10 being configured so that the pocket 10 can be turned inside out by pushing a portion of the nappy through the opening so that said portion is received within the pocket 10 for disposal. This is explained further below with particular reference to figure 4. The present invention provides an easy and hygienic disposal solution for the nappy 1 without the need for separate nappy disposal bags.

/o Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the nappy 1. The nappy 1 comprises a middle section 16 and front and rear waistbands 15, 14 disposed at opposite ends of middle section 16. The front and rear waistbands 15, 14 are configured for attachment to each other to secure the nappy ito an infant in the usual way. For example, in use, the middle section 16 is wrapped between an infant's legs and the waistbands 15, 14 attached to each other by respective securing tabs 6,4 which extend from ends of the waistbands 15, 14.

The nappy 1 comprises an impermeable outer layer 2 covering at least the middle section. Preferably, the outer layer 2 extends over the waistbands 15, 14 to attach the waistbands 15, 14 to the middle section 16 as shown. An absorbent insert 5 lines an inner surface of the middle section 16 for direct contact with the infant. The nappy 1 may further comprise any or all features common to disposable nappies. For example, the nappy of the illustrated embodiment is shown with elasticated cuffs 3 that extend along longitudinal edges of the middle section 16. The elasticated cuffs 3 provide stretch or so that the nappy 1 may fit comfortably but tightly between the legs of an infant and prevent leakage from the nappy, regardless of the infant's size or age. Similarly, the waistbands 15, 14 may be elasticated to fit comfortably around the waist of an infant.

Figure 4 schematically shows an outline of the nappy in plan view, with the waistbands 15, 14 separated so that the nappy 1 is laid out flat. The nappy 1 is shown with the absorbent insert 5 face down so that the pocket 10 is visible. The pocket 10 comprises a layer of impermeable material 40 that is permanently attached to the outer layer 2 of the nappy 1 along each side of the material but one; said unattached side providing the opening ii for access to the pocket 10. In the illustrated embodiments, the pocket 10 is rectangular. A rear edge 41 of the pocket 10 extends adjacent the rear waistband 14.

Side edges 42 of the pocket extend adjacent respective longitudinal edges 43 of the -4 -middle section 16. Preferably, the side edges 42 of the pocket 10 are attached to the elasticated cuffs or are themselves elasticated to allow the pocket 10 to stretch. The opening n extends across the middle section 16, substantially parallel to the front and rear waistbands 15, 14 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 43 of the middle section 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the open edge of the pocket in is straight. It shall be appreciated that this edge may be curved or any suitable shape and the opening n still be considered -for the purposes of this description -to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 43 of the middle section 16, so long as the opening 11 extends generally transversely across the middle section 16.

To dispose of a soiled nappy, the nappy us first folded, bringing one waistband toward the other, so that the contents of the soiled nappy are enclosed between two sides 51, 52 of the fold, as shown in Fig. 5. A portion of the folded nappy 1 is then rolled along its length until a manageable size and shape for being pushed into the pocket 10. The securing strips 4, 6 on the waistbands 15, 14 are provided with re-stick adhesive so that they may be reused and adhered to an outer surface 60 of the nappy ito prevent it from unravelling, as shown in figure 6. If the nappy 1 is folded and rolled in the way described, the opening IA of the pocket 10 will be accessible on the outside of a rolled nappy 1, as shown. The pocket 10 may then be turned inside out by pushing the rolled nappy u through the opening n of the pocket 10. To do this, a person disposing of the nappy 1 can insert their thumbs 61 into corners of the opening 11 to stretch the opening IA around the rolled nappy 1, at the same time pushing the rolled nappy 1 through the opening n with their index fingers. By turning the pocket 10 inside out in this way, the pocket 10 covers the rolled nappy 1, enclosing the soiled contents for hygienic disposal.

or It is therefore preferable that the pocket 10 is made from an elastic material to allow the pocket 10 to stretch as it is turned inside out.

Preferably the pocket 10 is provided with a tab 21 for closing the opening, as shown in figures 7 and 8. The tab 21 may be provided with re-stick adhesive or other equivalent releasable closure mechanisms such as Velcro. The tab 21 can be used to dose the opening 11 once the rolled nappy and its soiled contents are enclosed within the pocket 10 for disposal. The tab 21 is initially inside the pocket 10 and is made accessible when the pocket lo is turned inside out, as shown in figure 7. Therefore the tab 21 is out of reach of prying fingers when the nappy is being worn. The tab 21 is preferably the same width as the pocket 10 to completely cover the opening IA of the pocket 10 when the nappy and its soiled contents are enclosed within the pocket 10 for disposal. -5 -

Additionally the opening 11 of the pocket 10 may be provided with a child-proof closure. For example, the opening ii may be initially closed by a tear tape that extends across the opening. In an alternative, the opening 11 may comprises a perforated opening 11. The tear tape may be provided with re-stick adhesive or other equivalent releasable closure mechanisms such as Velcro.

Once the pocket 10 has been turned inside out with the soiled portion of the nappy received within the pocket 10, the tab 21 may be adhered over the opening for a complete seal. Alternatively, where the pocket 10 is initially provided with a child proof jo closure comprising atear tape provided with re-stick adhesive, as described above, adhesive left behind when the tear tape is removed may be used to seal the pocket 10. For example, the tear tape may be provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive configured to remain attached to the nappy following removal of the tear tape, so that, when the pocket 10 is turned inside out, said adhesive, now being disposed around the inside of the opening of the pocket 10, can be used to seal the pocket opening 11.

It shall be appreciated that the position of the pocket and the opening discussed with reference to figure 4 represents a preferred arrangement only. For example, the pocket 10 and the opening 11 may be arranged differently without departing from the scope of the invention. Figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment in which the opening 11 of the pocket is aligned with an edge of the rear waistband 14. In this embodiment, the rear edge 41 of the pocket 10 extends across the middle section 16 so that the orientation of the pocket lo is reversed relative to the embodiment of figure 4. However, the nappy may be disposed of in substantially the same way as described or above. Advantageously, the arrangement of figure 3 makes it harder for prying fingers to access the pocket during use of the nappy.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, a soiled nappy 1, once covered by the pocket 10, may be disposed of in the usual way. Therefore, the invention provides an easy and hygienic disposal solution for the nappy 1 without the need for separate nappy disposal bags, which may present a hazard to infants and can be damaging to the environment.

As used herein, the term infant is meant to encompass both babies and toddlers of typical nappy wearing age. However, it will be appreciated that features of the present invention may apply equally well to nappies configured to be worn by adults or people -6 -of any age suffering from incontinence. As such, the present invention is not limited to nappies for infants per se, but may apply to any nappy for any age. -7 -

Claims

Claims 1. A disposable nappy comprising a pocket with an opening, the pocket being configured so that the pocket can be turned inside out by pushing a portion of the 5 nappy through the opening so that said portion is received within the pocket for disposal.
2. A nappy according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the pocket is disposed on an outer surface of the nappy.
3. A nappy according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nappy comprises front and rear waistbands disposed at opposite ends of a middle section of the nappy, the front and rear waistbands being configured for attachment to each other to secure the nappy to the wearer.
4. A nappy according to claim 3, wherein the opening of the pocket is disposed across the middle section, substantially parallel to said waistbands.
5. A nappy according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the pocket occupies substantially the full space between the opening of the pocket and one of said waistbands.
6. A nappy according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening of the pocket extends substantially across the full width of the nappy.
7. A nappy according to any preceding claim, wherein, prior to use, the opening of the pocket is sealed.
8. A nappy according to claim 7, wherein the seal comprises a tear tape releasably attached across the opening.
9. A nappy according to claim 8, wherein the tear tape is releasably attached across the opening by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
10. A nappy according to claim 9, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is configured to remain attached to the nappy following removal of the tear tape, so that, -8 -when the pocket is turned inside out, said adhesive, now being disposed around the inside of the opening of the pocket, can be used to seal the nappy within the pocket.
A nappy according to any of Sims ito 9, wherein a tab is disposed on an inside 5 surface of the pocket, so that, when the pocket is turned inside out, the tab is accessible for closing the opening of the pocket.
12. A nappy according to any of claims 3 to ii, wherein said portion may be rolled up for easier insertion into the pocket and wherein ends of the or each waistband are /o provided with securing strips configured for attaching to the outer surface of the nappy following rolling to prevent said portion from unravelling.
13. A method of disposing of a nappy, the nappy comprising a pocket, wherein the method comprises turning the pocket inside out so that a portion of the nappy is received within the pocket for disposal.
14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of rolling up said portion of the nappy to reduce the length of said portion for insertion into the pocket.