U.S. patent number 3,658,064 [Application Number 05/108,560] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-25 for disposable diapers and supporting garment therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Scott Paper Company. Invention is credited to Alexander Pociluyko.
United States Patent |
3,658,064 |
Pociluyko |
April 25, 1972 |
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS AND SUPPORTING GARMENT THEREFOR
Abstract
A baby diaper retaining garment and disposable flushable pads
for use therewith, the pad having exposed at least the central
portion of one face of the layer of absorbent material to render it
readily flushable upon exposure to a liquid, and the garment having
spaced pockets for retaining ends of such a pad therein and
elasticized edge portions forming a waterproof pouch or channel for
holding the pad adjacent the perineal region of a wearer.
Inventors: |
Pociluyko; Alexander (Glen
Mills, PA) |
Assignee: |
Scott Paper Company
(Philadelphia, PA)
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Family
ID: |
22322890 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/108,560 |
Filed: |
January 21, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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548513 |
May 9, 1966 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/360;
604/385.24; 604/364; 604/375; 604/374; 604/398 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/15211 (20130101); A41B 13/04 (20130101); A61F
13/76 (20130101); A61F 13/505 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41B
13/00 (20060101); A41B 13/04 (20060101); A61F
13/15 (20060101); A61F 13/56 (20060101); A61F
13/76 (20060101); A61f 013/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/284,286,287,288,290,296 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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223,779 |
|
Sep 1959 |
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AU |
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924,793 |
|
May 1963 |
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GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Rosenbaum; Charles F.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a streamlined continuation application of Ser.
No. 548,513, filed May 9, 1966, and now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combined disposable diaper and retaining garment comprising an
elongate body of sheet material having its longitudinal edges
recessed centrally of their ends, the portions of the body between
its ends and the recesses forming apron portions arranged to
encircle the waist of a wearer, the portion of the body between
said apron portions forming a crotch and arranged to surround the
perineal part of the wearer, means disposed on each of said apron
portions for detachably connecting the respective apron portions
along each longitudinal side edge of the body together with each
other, at least a portion of each of the end edges and longitudinal
side edges of said body between respective apron portions being
gathered and elasticized so as to form an elongate flexible channel
in said crotch, said channel having spaced inwardly opening end
pockets and being open between them in the area adjacent
substantially the entire perineal region of a wearer, at least a
portion of the edge of the open side of one of said end pockets
being gathered and elasticized for flexibly retaining one end of a
disposable diaper pad, a disposable flushable absorbent pad, said
pad having at least one elongate body of fluff, at least one layer
of crepe wadding surrounding said body of fluff, and a facing layer
of at least one ply of porous nonwoven fabric, said facing layer
having elongate side margins extending around the sides and
overturned upon and bonded to the bottom side margins of the bottom
layer of said crepe wadding so as to leave the central portion of
said bottom layer open and exposed, said channel being adapted to
removably receive said pad and retain it adjacent to, and
substantially in contact with, said perineal region.
2. A combined disposable diaper and retaining garment comprising an
elongate body of sheet material having its longitudinal edges
recessed centrally of their ends, the portions of the body between
its ends and the recesses forming apron portions arranged to
encircle the waist of a wearer, the portion of the body between
said apron portions forming a crotch and arranged to surround the
perineal part of the wearer, means disposed on each of said apron
portions for detachably connecting the respective apron portions
along each longitudinal side edge of the body together with each
other, at least a portion of each of the end edges and longitudinal
side edges of said body between respective apron portions being
gathered and elasticized so as to form an elongate flexible channel
in said crotch, said channel having spaced inwardly opening end
pockets and being open between them in the area adjacent
substantially the entire perineal region of a wearer, a disposable
flushable absorbent pad, said pad comprising at least one elongate
composite absorbent layer superimposed upon at least one facing ply
of a porous nonwoven fabric, said facing ply having elongate side
margins extending around the elongate sides of said layer and
overturned upon and bonded to the bottom elongate side margins of
the bottom composite absorbent layer, said composite absorbent
layer comprising a layer of flocky absorbent material covered with
a facing sheet and a backing sheet, each of said sheets comprising
at least one layer of crepe wadding, said absorbent material being
retained in position between said sheets of crepe wadding by a
plurality of spaced embossed areas pressed into said composite
layer from at least one side, the side margins and ends of said
sheets being physically bonded together, and at least the central
portion of said bottom layer being exposed.
3. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad for use as an insert in a
diaper retaining garment, comprising at least one elongate
composite absorbent layer superimposed upon at least one facing ply
of a porous nonwoven fabric, said facing ply having elongate side
margins extending around the elongate sides of said layer and
overturned upon and bonded to the bottom elongate side margins of
the bottom composite absorbent layer, said composite absorbent
layer comprising a layer of flocky absorbent material covered with
a facing sheet and a backing sheet, each of said sheets comprising
at least one layer of crepe wadding, said absorbent material being
retained in position between said sheets of crepe wadding by a
plurality of spaced embossed areas pressed into said composite
layer from at least one side, the side margins and ends of said
sheets being physically bonded together, and at least the central
portion of said bottom layer being exposed.
4. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 3,
wherein said flocky absorbent material comprises fluffed wood
pulp.
5. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 3,
wherein said porous nonwoven fabric contains a bacteriostat.
6. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 3,
wherein said plurality of spaced embossed areas are in the form of
longitudinal channels recessed into at least one surface of each
said composite layer to a substantially equal depth.
7. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 3,
wherein said longitudinal channels are recessed into each surface
of each said composite layer to a depth less than 50 percent of the
thickness of each composite layer.
8. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 3,
wherein each end margin of each composite layer is embossed to
ensure containment of said flocky absorbent material within said
layer.
9. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad for use as an insert in a
diaper retaining garment, comprising at least one elongate
composite absorbent layer superimposed upon at least one facing ply
of a porous nonwoven fabric, said facing ply having elongate side
margins extending around the elongate sides of said layer and
overturned upon and bonded to the bottom elongate side margins of
the bottom composite absorbent layer, said composite absorbent
layer comprising a layer of flocky absorbent material covered with
a facing sheet and a backing sheet, each of said sheets comprising
at least one layer of cellulosic wadding, said absorbent material
being retained in position between said sheets of cellulosic
wadding by a plurality of spaced embossed areas pressed into said
composite layer from at least one side, the ends of said sheets
being physically bonded together, and at least the central portion
of the bottom sheet of cellulosic wadding of said bottom layer
being exposed.
10. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein said flocky absorbent material comprises fluffed wood
pulp.
11. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein said porous nonwoven fabric contains a bacteriostat.
12. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein said plurality of spaced embossed areas are in the form of
longitudinal channels recessed into at least one surface of each
said composite layer to a substantially equal depth.
13. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein said longitudinal channels are recessed into each surface
of each said composite layer to a depth less than 50 percent of the
thickness of each composite layer.
14. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein each end margin of each composite layer is embossed to
ensure containment of said flocky absorbent material within said
layer.
15. The disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein a plurality of elongate composite layers are superimposed
upon said at least one facing ply of said porous nonwoven
fabric.
16. A disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 9,
wherein each of said facing and backing sheets are comprised of a
plurality of layers of cellulosic wadding.
17. The disposable, flushable, absorbent pad according to claim 16,
wherein said layers of cellulosic wadding are all substantially the
same width.
Description
This invention relates generally to diapers and, more particularly,
to a new and improved disposable absorbent diaper pad and a diaper
garment construction providing a moistureproof pouch into which
such a pad may be interchangeably inserted and supported in the
proper position on a wearer.
In the past, much effort has been spent in attempting to simplify
the procedure of changing soiled diapers of infants and installing
fresh, clean diapers. In accordance with this effort, there have
evolved a large variety of so-called "disposable" diapers, the
majority of which have been designed as an integral construction
embodying absorbent material and waterproof material bonded or
otherwise secured to each other. This inherently means that the
structure must be torn apart to separate nondisposable portions
from the disposable portions, necessitating undesirable handling of
the soiled diaper. Previous attempts to provide a completely
disposable diaper pad, and especially one that is "flushable," have
been largely unsuccessful.
The term "flushable" as used herein, is intended to describe the
ability of a diaper pad structure to physically deteriorate and
structurally break down into small clumps of loose fibers by the
normal action of the stream of water in an ordinary toilet bowl.
All portions of this product should be capable of safely and
harmlessly passing through a normal household sewage system without
danger of clogging the system.
Many people have found that creped cellulosic wadding or tissue or
bats of fluffed wood pulp disintegrate quickly in the presence of
body excretions. They, therefore, employed various means to
strengthen the pad structure so that it would not fall apart during
use of during removal after use. This was done largely by wrapping
the absorbent materials in sheet materials such as fibrous webs
strengthened by different chemical binders, resins, plastics or
fibers. This not only increased the cost of such a product, but
also resulted in several disadvantages. The chief disadvantage
which has held back widespread use of such pads has been that they
not only would not disintegrate so readily but also generally lost
their disposability in that they were no longer flushable unless
painstakingly disassembled manually by the user. Thus, by covering
the crepe wadding or absorbent material to support it during use,
the advantages to be derived from a disposable diaper pad were
largely lost.
In view of the disadvantages and shortcomings of previous diaper
constructions, it is an advantage of the present invention to
provide a new and improved disposable, flushable, diaper pad which
includes layers of soft fibrous materials, one of which is openly
exposed on at least part of one face thereof for direct contact
with fluids and to facilitate ready disintegration. In addition,
the present invention provides a novel diaper retaining garment
which, when used in combination with the disposable pad of the
invention, serves to confortably retain such a pad within a
waterproof pouch or channel adjacent the perineal region of a
wearer, so that the readily disposable pad retains its functional
configuration during use.
Thus, one object of the invention is to provide a disposable,
flushable, absorbent diaper pad which physically disintegrates and
generally breaks down very rapidly into small clumps of fibers when
dropped into the vortex of a flushed toilet.
Another object of the invention is to provide a garment for
retaining a disposable diaper pad within a moisture proof pouch,
which garment can be easily cleaned and reused and which provides a
snug fit around the hips of a wearer.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel type of
combination disposable diaper pad and diaper supporting and
retaining garment construction which provides a moistureproof pouch
for containing the flushable disposable diaper pad.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
disposable absorbent pad for use as a diaper insert in the
moistureproof pouch of a diaper retaining garment, which pad is
easily and readily flushable.
These and additional objects and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description thereof, when
read with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
by way of example a presently preferred form of the invention and
certain modifications thereof and in which:
FIG. 1 is an inner plan view of a supporting garment of the
invention,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of an elasticized portion of
the fabric portion shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2--2,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled pad and supporting
garment combination of the invention,
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pad and garment
combination taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG.
4,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a disposable pad of the invention,
showing sectional views of portions thereof, and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified disposable pad of the
invention, showing sectional views of portions thereof.
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is
shown a stretched-out diapering garment having an elongate body 10
of a waterproofed sheet material having its longitudinal side 11,
11 recessed centrally of their ends leaving ears or apron portions
12, 13, 14, and 15 extending laterally outward from each side of
each end. Each end 16 and 17 of the elongate body portion 10 has an
inwardly opening pocket 38 and 39 formed therein by a portion of
the material forming the elongate body 10 being folded back over
the body portion at each end and sewn only along each side. Thus,
the inwardly facing edge of the pocket flap remains free forming
the opening into the pocket. In a somewhat similar manner, each of
the ears or apron portions 12, 13, 14, and 15 are constructed of
multiple thicknesses of sheet material formed by several flaps cut
into the original blank of sheet material which flaps are folded
over in superimposing relationship and stitched together along
lines 18, 19, 20, and 21, respectively. This multiple thickness
serves to strengthen this portion of the garment where the greatest
stress is applied during use. Each of the ears or apron portions,
12, 13, 14, and 15 have a plurality of fastener elements 22 secured
thereto, the apron portions 12 and 13 at end 16 of the elongate
body 10 having a male type of fastener element 22 while the apron
portions 14 and 15 at end 17 of the elongate body 10 have a
cooperating female portion of fastener element 22. Several fastener
elements 22 are provided at each apron portion at each end 16 and
17 to allow adjustment and positioning of the garment onto infants
of varying size. Any type of fastener element may be employed such
as buttons, hooks, or snaps, but snaps are preferred and
illustrated in FIG. 1.
The inwardly recessed portions of the elongate sides 11, 11 are
elasticized for at least a portion of their length. As shown in
FIG. 1, an elastic band 24 is stitched at point 25 and point 26
between apron portion 12 and apron portion 14. It should be noted
that the sheet material forming the elongate body 10 is gathered
prior to stitching the elastic strip 24 along the inwardly recessed
portion of each side 11. The elastic strip 24 is similarly covered
by an enclosing cloth strip 27 in a manner illustrated in detail in
FIG. 2. It can be seen while both longitudinal edges of the cloth
strip are stitched to opposite sides of the sheet forming elongate
body 10, only one elongate edge of the elastic strip 27 is stitched
to the gathered edge of elongate body 10. The inwardly recessed
portion of the opposite longitudinal side 11 of the body 10 is
similarly gathered and elasticized between point 28 of apron
portion 13 and point 29 of apron portion 15. The above elasticized
portions serve to hold the body portion 10 into contact with the
through extending limbs of a wearer and yet allow the flexibility
required to prevent movement during use of the garment.
In a somewhat similar manner, each of the ends 16 and 17 of the
elongate body portion 10 are gathered and elasticized between the
respective apron portions. A strip 32 of elastic material, which
may be rubber or may be a composite material formed of strands of
rubber woven into a cloth mesh, is sewn between point 30 adjacent
apron portion 12 and point 31 adjacent apron portion 13 to the
gathered and elasticized end edge 16 of the sheet forming elongate
body 10. These gathered and elasticized end portions 16 and 17
provide for flexibility of the garment around the waist of a wearer
and allow for some variation in size while providing a snug
fit.
Referring now to the spaced end pockets 38 and 39 formed by the
overturned end portions or flaps of body 10, the flap 42 adjacent
strip 32 of elastic material at end 16 is of greater width than the
flap 43 at the opposite end 17 of the garment. That is, it extends
inwardly toward the center of the garment for a greater distance
and the inwardly opening edge of the flap 42 forming the open
pocket 38 is not elasticized but is merely terminated by
overturning a small end margin of the fabric and stitching it onto
itself. The pocket 39 formed by the overturned flap 43 at the
opposite end 17 of the elongate body 10 adjacent strip 33 of
flexible material has a lesser depth. That is, it does not extend
inwardly toward the center of the garment as far as the flap 42 and
its inner edge forming the open end of the pocket 39 is elasticized
in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 and used on the
inwardly recessed side portions 11, 11.
This has been found desirable since after a disposable diaper pad
is inserted into the garment for retention by the end pockets 38
and 39, during wearing the pad tends to slide forwardly into open
pocket 38 at the front end of the garment and therefore does not
require an elasticized edge adjacent the opening to the pocket 38
to aid in retaining it therein. However, at the opposite end of the
garment, the tendency is for the pad to slide out of the pocket 39
during wearing and, therefore, the free edge of this pocket 39 is
elasticized to aid in applying pressure to the end of the diaper
pad. However, the depth of the pocket 39 formed by flap 41 is less
than that of the front pocket 38. This area of the diaper tends to
become more soiled during use due to the position on the wearer and
more pad must be exposed at this end.
A preferred embodiment of the garment has a body 10 comprised of a
waterproof sheet material formed from a layer of woven nylon fabric
coated on its inner surface with vinyl. The manner in which the
garment is constructed ensures that the portions of the garment
contacting the wearer are primarily uncoated with vinyl. Thus, the
tops or flaps 42 and 43 of the spaced end pockets 38 and 39,
respectively, are uncoated and the vinyl coated inner surface of
body 10 is covered by a disposable diaper pad during use. This
prevents irritation of the skin due to moisture retention on the
skin by the vinyl and sticking of the vinyl to a wearer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combination disposable diaper pad
and supporting garment and illustrates the garment shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 in the assembled condition for use on a wearer and, in
addition, shows one embodiment of a disposable diaper pad for use
with the diapering garment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along
4--4 of FIG. 3 and illustrates more clearly the manner of
construction of the diaper garment of FIG. 1 with regard to the
elasticized portions of the pocket edges and the ends 16 and 17 of
the elongate body 10.
The pad illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 comprises a plurality of
superimposed, overlying layers 45 of crepe wadding partially
wrapped by a facing ply 46 of a porous nonwoven fabric having
elongate side margins extending around the elongate sides of layers
45 and overturned upon and bonded to the top side margins of the
top inner layer 45 of crepe wadding as shown in FIG. 5. As can be
seen, this leaves the central portion 47 of the top inner layer 45
of crepe wadding open and exposed. This layer 45 is preferably
placed against the body portion 10 so that only the ply 46 contacts
the wearer as shown in FIG. 3. The number of layers 45 of crepe
wadding employed is preferably about 30 although good results have
been obtained with varying numbers of layers ranging from 15 to 40
depending upon the size of the particular wearer and the absorbency
characteristics of the crepe wadding used.
The nonwoven facing fabric 46 is preferably treated with a
bacteriostat, i.e., a substance which will inhibit the growth of
bacteria without destroying them. Although many types of
bacteriostats are known and may be successfully employed in the
invention, the preferred type is G-11 Hexachlorophene USP dissolved
in Deltyl. The amount of such bacteriostat employed was
approximately 25 percent of the fiber weight and was incorporated
in the nonwoven bonding agent.
Many different methods can be used to bond the overlying extended
side margins of the facing nonwoven sheet 46 to the top layer 45 of
the crepe wadding, such as by embossing techniques, stitching, or
fasteners. However, it is preferably done by employing a hot melt
adhesive in a very thin longitudinal strip 48 adjacent each of the
side margins. One adhesive which produces good results was UPACO,
H-3525-X-1, blue, supplied by Union Paste Company of
Massachusetts.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate additional embodiments of disposable,
flushable pads which may be employed with even better results in
accordance with the invention. Referring to FIG. 6, three mats or
composite layers 50 are superimposed on each other and enclosed by
a facing sheet 51 of nonwoven fabric which, again, has extended
side margins overturned and bonded to the top surface adjacent the
side margins thereof. Each mat or layer 50 includes a layer 52 of
fluff material enclosed between two layers 53 of two-ply crepe
wadding. In addition, each mat 50 is embossed longitudinally so as
to create deep channels or pressed portions 54 spaced apart so as
to maintain the fluff material 52 in position during use of the
pad. The ends 55 and side margins of each mat are secured together
by crimping or deep embossing so as to retain the fluff material 52
within.
Referring to FIG. 7, the structure of the pad shown is generally
similar to the pad shown in FIG. 6. However, in this instance, the
spaced-apart pressed portions 54, shown in FIG. 6, are in the form
of small circular areas 54, shown in FIG. 7, having a diameter of
from about one-fourth inch to about 1 inch. These depressions also
hold the fluff material 52 in position in the pad and provide for
even greater flexibility in the pad which is desirable.
The fluff material comprises an inexpensive flocky material of high
absorptive rate and capacity, and of which there are many types.
Varieties of fluffed wood pulp are preferred because of their low
cost and relatively high absorptive capacity. It also provides the
desired bulk while additionally providing a soft structure free
from stiffness and readily conformable to the body contours. Since
tissue is often employed in disposable pads, as described above,
the use of wood pulp which is the raw material from which paper
tissue is made provides obvious economic savings.
Good results have been achieved with a mixture of about 35 percent
pine and about 65 percent gum paper pulp. A fluff of 100 percent
pine paper pulp has also been successfully employed. It will be
readily apparent that many different types and forms of fluffed
paper pulp, or other fluff material, may be employed with equal
success without departing from the scope of the invention.
The size of each of the above described pads and garments is not
critical, it being only required that they be large enough to
perform their intended function for the individual person involved.
For infants, the length of the pads has varied from about 10 to 14
inches, and the width from about 4 to 5 inches. The thickness of
the pads has ranged from about one-fourth to one-half inch.
However, it will be recognized that this is dependent on the
absorption capacity desired as well as the length of time between
pad changes.
One feature of the garment of the invention is the relatively
reduced length of the front body portion extending from the
perineal region of a wearer to the front end of the garment. This
ensures that the garment will be retained on a wearer at a point
below the stomach which generally protrudes. In the past, garments
having longer front body portions have slipped and sagged during
wearing due to this protrusion. The garment of the invention is
designed for application to a wearer in a form and position which
it will maintain during use.
The above described combination supporting garment and disposable
pad of the invention provides several advantages over the
previously known types. The nature of the garment is such that by
employing a moistureproof pouch to enclose the perineal region of a
wearer, such a pouch having end pockets 28 and 39 and upturned
sides 11, 11 to form a channel, a pad can be employed which has
greatly improved disposability characteristics. That is, use of the
truly flushable pad of the invention is made practicable without
the difficulties previously encountered.
The pads of the invention are constructed so as to place a surface
of soft crepe wadding directly into a position of exposure to
fluids upon removal from the garment without requiring manual
disassembly of the pad. Thus, the pad is only supported by a
partially encircling backing sheet of nonwoven material which
itself is non-bulky, flexible, and therefore disposable. This
construction permits the crepe wadding to contact moisture
instantly and to immediately fall apart structurally when held
within the vortex of a flushed toilet or other stream of water.
However, the relatively unsupported pads of the invention are
firmly supported during use when employed in combination with the
garment of the invention and particularly in a moistureproof pouch
as described above. This ensures that the pads will be comfortably
yet firmly retained in place adjacent to and substantially in
contact with the perineal region of a wearer.
From the above description of the invention, it will be apparent
that various modifications of the principle involved and the manner
in which it is carried out can be practiced without departing from
its spirit and scope, as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *