Belted Diapers

Abstract

A belted diaper comprising a washable fabric of desired shape with an elongated strip of loop type fastening means secured thereto; a removable belt passed through folds of said fabric includes hook type fastening means which are adjustably secured to said loop type fastening means to provide a snug and comfortable fit.

Description

This invention relates to fitted, washable diapers and more particularly to such fitted diapers including fastening means of the hook and loop type.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a pre-folded, fitted diaper which eliminates the need for safety pins and which will fit infants from birth through the training pants stage.

Another object is the provision of such a diaper which will provide a snug and comfortable fit.

A still further object is to provide such a fitted diaper including fastening means which cannot rub or scratch any part of the skin of the infant.

A final object is to provide a fitted diaper including fastening means of the hook and loop type wherein means are provided to eliminate damage by such hook type fastening means during washing.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away and partly in section, of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view showing the diaper of FIG. 1 in folded and fastened condition.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of belt utilized in the subject invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, plan view of another belt of the subject invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevational view showing the manner of securing the ends of the belt of the subject invention when such belts are washed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, in extended condition, of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the embodiment of FIG. 6 in folded condition.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5 a preferred embodiment of the fitted, belted diaper 10 of the subject invention. More specifically, diaper 10 comprises one or more sheets or plies 11-12 of absorbent, washable fabric, preferably of the woven type. Sheets 11, 12 are folded along the medial, transverse plane to form panels 13-14 of approximately equal shape and size.

As best seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the intermediate portion of each such panel is generally concavo-concave in plan and terminates at each end in laterally extending portions 15-16; portions 16 desirably terminate laterally of the corresponding edges of portions 15. Longitudinally extending stitching, indicated by reference numeral 17, is provided, prior to folding, through the several sheets comprising portions 15.

Henceforth throughout the specification and claims the fastening means comprises two mating strips, preferably of the hook and loop type, wherein the hook side of one tape engages the loop side of another tape and is disengaged therefrom by peeling. Such material is commercially available under the trademark "Velcro" and is manufactured by the Velcro Corporation of New York, N.Y.

A transversely extending, outwardly facing loop tape 18 is provided on panel 14 intermediate portions 16, said tape preferably is slightly spaced from and parallels the ends of the respective sheets. Continuous stitching 19 through the marginal portions of tape 18 and panels 13, 14 forms a prefolded, multi-ply diaper.

It is understood that an absorbent pad (not shown) consisting of a plurality of layers or plies of a washable, woven fabric of desired shape may be provided between panels, 13, 14 or the several sheets 11, 12 comprising a single panel.

Belt 20 of washable fabric or plastic terminates laterally in hook tapes 21, said tapes are secured thereto as by stitching 22 or other conventional means with such hooks extending in the same direction. As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, loop tapes 23 are spaced inwardly of hook tapes 21 and conventionally secured to belt 20 to permit engagement of such members. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a single elongated loop tape 24 is secured medially tapes 21 as by stitching or the like.

Prior to use belt 20 is passed between panels 13-14 with the hook tapes extending upwardly. If required, diaper 10 may be folded downwardly upon itself, from the belt, two or any even number of times, to provide any desirable usable length. The infant is placed upon diaper 10 with loop tape 18 extending downwardly and in proximity to the infant's waist. The front of the diaper is passed upwardly between the infant's legs after which portion 15 on one side of the diaper is lapped over portion 16 on the corresponding side of the diaper and hook tape 21 is pressed firmly into loop tape 18. The diaper may then be adjusted after which portion 15 on the opposite side of the diaper is passed rearwardly, overlaps the corresponding portion 16, and hook tape 21 secured, thus insuring a snug and comfortable fit. The diaper may conveniently be removed by grasping the edge of hook tape 21 and exerting a force thereon whereby said hook tape is disengaged from loop tape 18.

Belt 20 is to removed prior to storage or washing to prevent damage thereto or to other clothing. As shown in FIG. 5, at such time hook tape 21 is pressed into loop tape 23 of FIG. 3 or into loop tape 24 of FIG. 4 of the drawings.

There is shown in FIGs. 6 and 7 a fitted, belted diaper 25 comprising one or more sheets of washable fabric of corresponding shape and size. As viewed in FIG. 6, diaper 25 comprises a generally rectangular portion 26, outwardly extending portions 27 in the approximate medial portion, and concavo-concave portion 28 terminating downwardly in laterally extending portions 29 which extend laterally of the corresponding edges of portions 27. An elongated loop tape 30 intermediate portions 29 and paralleling the ends of such sheets is secured to one side as by stitching with such loops extending outwardly; the opposite side of such diaper is provided with an upwardly opening pocket 32 of desired width intermediate portions 29 as by through stitching 33.

Preferably, continuous stitching 34 is provided along the upper, transverse edge of portion 26 as well as longitudinally extending stitching 35 through the sheets comprising portions 27.

As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, rectangular portion 26 is folded over portion 28 and the free end thereof inserted into pocket 32. An absorbent pad (not shown) of desired width and thickness may be provided between portions 26 and 28. Belt 20 of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be passed between portions 26 and 28 either before or after folding and the diaper 25 thus formed fitted to the infant in the manner heretofore described.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there is shown a fitted, belted diaper 36 comprising one or more plies of washable fabric; the medial portion of such diaper is generally concavo-concave in plan, indicated by reference numeral 37. Upwardly, the said diaper includes laterally extending portions 38 and the inner side provided with an downwardly opening pocket 39 formed by such material turned backwardly upon itself. Stitching 40 is provided along the lower marginal edges of such pocket. In like manner, laterally extending portions 41 which terminate outwardly of the corresponding edges of portions 38 are provided at the opposite end of such diaper. A transversely extending and outwardly facing loop tape 42 of the type heretofore described is secured to the opposite side of such diaper intermediate portions 41 as by stitching 43; an upwardly opening pocket 44 is provided by turning the material comprising such diaper backwardly upon itself with stitching 45 through the upper marginal edges of said pocket.

Still referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, outwardly extending tabs 46 including male fasteners 47 such as are well known in the art are secured to portions 38. Belts 20 of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings are provided with coacting female fasteners 48 inwardly of each hook tape 21 whereby either of the said belts may be detachably secured to such diaper. An absorbent pad (not shown) may be secured at each end in pockets 39, 44.

The plastic pants 49 of FIG. 9 are similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 8 heretofore described in detail; the said plastic pants are composed of plastic or other water-impenetrable composition with an absorbent pad 50 secured at each end in pockets 39, 44.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A diaper comprising a fabric terminating in first and second transversely extending ends, said fabric folded upon itself along the medial transverse plane to form a loop between first and second overlying panels, loop type fastening means on said first panel in proximity to said first transversely extending end, a removable belt passed through said loop formed between said first and second panels, and hook type fastening means on said belt adapted to engage selected portions of said loop type fastening means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fabric comprises a plurality of plies of absorbent composition.

3. The invention of claim 1 including a line of stitching extending through the marginal portions of said loop type fastening means and said first and second panels, said stitching securing said first and second transversely extending ends.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said belt includes at least one segment of loop type fastening means intermediate said hook type fastening means.

5. A diaper comprising fabric folded upon itself to form first and second overlying panels terminating in transversely extending ends, loop type fastening means on said first panel in proximity to said transversely extending end, a pocket on said first panel in proximity to said transversely extending end, said second panel at least partially inserted into said pocket, a belt passed between said first and second panels, and hook type fastening means on said belt adapted to engage selected portions of said loop type fastening means.

6. Infant's wear comprising a shaped member generally concavo-concave in plan and terminating in first and second transversely extending ends, a transversely extending opening through said shaped member in proximity to said first transversely extending end, a downwardly opening pocket in proximity to said first transversely extending end, an upwardly opening pocket in proximity to said second transversely extending end, a removable belt passed through said opening, loop type fastening means secured to said shaped member in proximity to said first transversely extending end, hook type fastening means in proximity to each end of said belt adapted to engage selected portions of said loop type fastening means, outwardly extending members secured to said shaped member in proximity to said first transversely extending end, fastening means on said members, coacting fastening means on said belt inwardly of said hook type fastening means whereby said belt is detachably secured to said shaped member.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein an absorbent pad is secured at each end in said pockets.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein said shaped member is of water-impenetrable composition.