IE41966B1 - Diapers - Google Patents

Abstract

1518540 Absorbent pad assembly with disposal bag COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CO 28 Nov 1975 [12 Dec 1974] 49034/75 Heading ASR An absorbent pad assembly is fitted with a rolled-up bag in which the pad can be disposed after use. The pad assembly may comprise an impermeable back sheet, an intermediate absorbent layer and a fluid pervious top sheet. The rolled bag 53. may be attached by one of its edges adjacent one end of the assembly and protected during use by folding over that end onto, e.g. adhesive patches 54. The assembly may have a box pleat, flat or inverted pleat configuration. After use the pleats and end flap 48 are unfolded at the bag end, Fig. 7, and the bag is detached. The bag may have adhesive closure strips.

Description

” The present invention relates to diapers, more particularly to disposable diapers of the kind having at each end a waistline portion which, when the diaper is in use, encircle the waist of the wearer.

. For convenience, the invention will be described with particular reference to infant's disposable diapers» During recent years diapers of the disposable type have come into widespread use. Such diapers . generally have a fluid-impervious backing sheet, a fluid-pervious top sheet and an absorbent pad between the top and backing sheets. Although disposable diapers have attained a high degree of popularity with parents since they are discarded after a single use · and need not be laundered, proper disposal of the used diapers may present problems. At certain times, for example, during travel, immediate disposal of the soiled diapers may not be possible. At other times even at home, disposal of the diapers may prove . troublesome or insanitary. Moreover, many parents dislike handling soiled disposable diapers.

An object of the invention is to provide a disposable diaper of simple construction which may be handled and discarded after use in a sanitary and · convenient manner.

According to the present invention a disposable diaper comprises an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of waistline portions, a front surface and a back surface, and a disposal bag having a cavity and . a mouth communicating with the cavity, the bag being formed into a configuration of reduced dimensions and located in one of the waistline portions of the pad assembly, the arrangement being such that the bag can be opened out after use of the diaper to receive the soiled pad assembly.

The bag containing the soiled pad assembly can be discarded for disposal in a sanitary manner.

Preferably the arrangement is such that the user’s hand can be placed in the cavity of the bag to grasp 10 the soiled pad assembly through a wall of the bag, after which the bag is turned inside out to draw the soiled pad assembly into the bag without the user touching the soiled surface of the pad assembly. Securing means may be provided in the bag cavity for closing the mouth of the bag, the securing means being exposed for use when the bag is turned inside out.

The diaper may have an end flap which covers the bag in its configuration of reduced dimensions while the diaper is being worn. 2o The invention also embraces the disposal bag per se.

In this form of the invention a disposal bag has flexible walls joined along a portion of the edges 3. thereof and defining a cavity and a mouth opening into the cavity, and securing means attached.to at least one of the walls within the cavity adjacent the mouth, the bag being adapted to receive the hand of a user in . the cavity through the mouth for grasping an article for disposal with one of the said walls and to be turned inside out to receive the article in the inside-out bag and to expose the securing means for use in closing the mouth of the bag.

. The invention may be performed in various ways, and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawingsf in which: Figure 1 is a front plan view of a flat disposable . diaper; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the diaper of Figure 1 after having been folded into a box20. pleat configuration, and showing a disposal bag in a waistline portion of the diaper; Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating further folding of the diaper of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary front plan view of an . embodiment of the diaper of Figures 3 and 4 after the further folding; Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary plan views illustrating configurations of the diaper of Figure 5 as the diaper is unfolded for placement on an infant; . Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating 4. an end flap of the diaper of Figures 5 to 7 being unfolded for access to the disposal bag; Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view, a modified embodiment showing the bag unfolded preparatory to . placement of the soiled diaper in the bag; Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment showing the bag unfolded preparatory to placement of the soiled diaper in the bag; Figure 11 is a plan view of the diaper of Figure . 10 showing the hand of a user inserted into the bag preparatory to turning the bag inside out to enclose the soiled diaper; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the diaper of Figure 11 after the bag has been turned inside out to . enclose the soiled diaper; Figure 13 is a plan view of the diaper of Figure after placement of the soiled diaper in the bag, showing the mouth of the bag being closed by securing means; and . Figure 14 is a perspective view of a disposal bag in a partially folded state for placement in the diaper.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a flat diaper 26 having an absorbent pad assembly 27.

. The pad assembly 27 has a fluid-impervious backing sheet 28 defining a back surface 30 of the pad assembly, a fluid-pervious top sheet 32 defining a substantial portion of a front surface 34 of the pad assembly, an absorbent pad 36 between the backing sheet 28 and the . top sheet 32, front and back waistline portions 33a . and 33b, respectively, and a crotch portion 35 intermediate the waistline portions 33a and 33b. The 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 38b* The diaper may also have a pair of conventional tape fasteners 42 adjacent one end edge 40b of the pad assembly, with securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 extending beyond the side edges 38a and 38b of the pad assembly for securing the diaper . about an infant. 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 of Figure 1 may have a plurality of longitudinal folds about fold lines 44a, 44b, 44o . and 44d defining a box-pleat configuration as shown in Figure 3. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has a longitudinally extending central panel C, a pair of first panels B and D extending from 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 pleats 46 of the box-pleat diaper may be spaced apart in the longitudinal central portion of the diaper, as shown in Figure 3, for a purpose whioh will be described below.

. The outermost panels A and E can be drawn apart laterally in the waistline portions 33a and 33b of the pad assembly to open out the pleats 46 when the diaper is being placed upon an infant.

As illustrated in Figures 2-4, the box-pleat . diaper 26 has an end flap 48 adjacent the end edge 40a, 6. which flap 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 flap 48 lies against the front surface 34 of the diaper adjacent the flap 48.

. Preferably, the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36 nearest the end edge 40a of the diaper is spaced from the end edge 40a, and the fold line 50 of the flap 48 is located adjacent the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36, in order that the backing sheet 28 in the flap . 48 overlies an end portion of the absorbent pad when the flap is folded into place on top of the diaper.

As illustrated in Figure 3» the diaper has a disposal bag 53 located on the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and E adjacent the fold line 50 in . the waistline portion 33a. As shown in Figure 14, the bag 53 has a pair of flexible walls 55a and 55b joined together along three edges 57a, 57b and 57c, and defining a cavity 59 between the walls 55a and 55b. The bag 53 has at the fourth edge 62 an opening or . mouth 61 giving access to the cavity 59. Longitudinal side portions 63a and 63b of the bag may be folded about longitudinally extending fold lines.65a and 65b against a surface of a central portion 67 to reduce the width of the bag. The dimensions of the hag may be . further reduced by rolling the folded bag into the configuration shown in Figure 3, although the longitudinal dimension of the bag may be reduced in any other suitable manner, such as by folding about laterally extending fold lines, if desired. The bag 53 of . reduced dimensions is placed on the outermost panels 7.

A and E adjacent the fold line 50, preferably with the mouth 61 of the bag facing towards the end edge 40a, as shown.

The diaper also has securing means 54, such as 5. adhesive, to retain a portion of the front surface 34 of the flap 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the box-pleat diaper. Although for convenience the securing means 54 as being an adhesive, other suitable securing means such as heat sealing may be utilized . to retain the front surface of the flap to the underlying front surface of the diaper. The securing means 54 may comprise a spot of adhesive 56 between the spaced pleats 46 on the front surface 34 of the central panel C, and a pair of adhesive lines or . spots 58 on the front surface of the outermost panels A and E, such that the bag 53 is located between the securing means 54 and the fold line 50. The adhesive spot 56 retains the front surface 34 of the central panel C in the flap 48 against the underlying front . surface 34 of the central panel C of the diaper.

Similarly,, the adhesive lines 58 retain the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and E in the flap 48 against the front surface 34 of the underlying portions of the outermost panels in the diaper.

. After the flap 48 has been folded over the bag and top of the diaper, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4, the flap 48 may be pressed against the underlying portion of the diaper to obtain a good set of the adhesive and retain the flap 48 in place. Thus, . as shown in Figure 5» when the flap 43 is attached to 8. •the underlying front surface of the diaper, the disposal bag 53 of reduced configuration is captured beneath tho flap 48 by the securing means 54. Although, for convenience, the bag 53 is des5. cribed as placed in the front waistline portion 33a of the diaper, it may be placed in the back waistline portion 33b, if desired.

The disposal bag 53 is used as follows. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, as the end of the box-pleat diaper . 26 adjacent the flap 4a is unfolded during placement of the diaper on an infant, the spot and lines of adhesive 56 and 58 constituting the securing means 54 maintain front surface portions of the flap 43 against the underlying front surface 34 of the diaper, . and retain the bag 53 in place beneath the flap 48.

Thus, as the outermost panels A and E are opened out, the outermost panels of the flap 43 are unfolded from under the central panel C of the flap, and the outermost panels of the underlying diaper are unfolded . from beneath the bag 53, the spot of adhesive 56 retaining the bag in place beneath the flap 48, as shown in Figure 7. When the end of the diaper is completely unfolded, the securing means 54 retain the entire length of the flap 48 m an overlying relation25. ship with the portion of the diaper adjacent the flap 48. In this configuration of the diaper, the adhesive spot 56 retains the central panel C of the flap 48 against the underlying portion of the diaper central panel, as well as the bag 53 in place beneath the flap . 48, while the adhesive lines 58 retain the outermost 9. 419 6 6 panels of the flap 48 against the underlying outermost panels of the pad assembly. The flap 48 thus covers the disposal bag 53 to prevent contact to the bag with the skin of the infant during use of the diaper.

. As shown in Figure 8, after use of the diaper and its removal from the infant, the flap 48 may be broken away from the adhesive spot 56 to expose the disposal bag 53. The bag 53 is shown in this Figure as having its mouth 61 facing away from the fold line 50 to , demonstrate that the mouth may face either way. The bag 53 may be removed from the diaper, after which it may be unrolled and unfolded to its full dimensions.

The soiled diaper, may then be inserted directly through the mouth 61 into the cavity 59 of the bag, if desired.

. Alternatively, the user may place his hand in the cavity 59 of the unfolded bag to grasp the soiled diaper through the bag, after which the bag is turned inside out to enclose the soiled diaper, as described below.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9,. a . portion of the bag wall 55b adjacent the mouth 61 is secured to the front surface of the pad assembly by the adhesive spot 56 to retain the end of the bag in place on the pad assembly. The bag 53 is shown after it has been unrolled and unfolded about the longi25. tudinal fold lines 65a and 65b. In this embodiment the bag has its mouth 61 facing towards the other waistline portion 33b of the diaper.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the mouth 61 may face away from the other waistline portion 33b . of the diaper. Further, the bag 53 may be secured.to . the front surface of the pad assembly by additional securing means 69, such as adhesive spots 71, to secure the end of the bag adjacent the mouth b1 firmly to the pad assembly, as shown. Securing means 73 are provided . in the cavity 59 of the bag 53 to close the bag it has been turned inside out to enclose the soiled diaper.

The securing means 73 may comprise a tape strip 75 having a first portion 77 secured to one of the walls of the bag adjacent the mouth 61, such as the wall 55a, and a . second securement portion 79 having adhesive releasably covered by a release sheet 81.

The bag in the diaper of Figure 10 is used to cover the soiled diaper by turning the bag inside out as described in connection with Figures 11-13, and it will be under15. stood that any of the diapers previously described may be covered in a similar manner. As shown in Figure 11, the user inserts her hand through the mouth 61 into the cavity 59 of the bag 53, which overlies the front surface of the pad assembly, and grasps a lower portion . of the sailed diaper through a wall of the bag near the bottom, the wall serving as a protective member for the hand, similar to a glove, to prevent soiling of the user's hand when contacting the diaper. Next, the user withdraws her hand from the cavity 59 . through the mouth 61, still grasping the diaper through the wall of the bag, thus turning the bag inside out with the soiled diaper enclosed in the cavity 59', of the inside-out bag as shown in Figure 12, with the soiled diaper covered by the bag. Finally, as shown . in Figure 13, the release sheet 81 is removed from the 11. 4196θ securement portion 79 of the tape strip 75, and the securement portion 79 of the tape strip 75 is utilized to close the mouLh U1 of Lhe bag, providing a closed cover for the soiled diaper and facilitating . sanitary disposal of the diaper.

While turning inside out the bag 53 of the diaper of Figure 9, the bag overlies the back surface 30 of the pad assembly.

Various modifications may be made without depart10. ing from the invention. For example, the bag may be utilized to cover absorbent articles other than infants' diapers, such as sanitary towels. Additionally, the bag may be located against the back surface of the diaper waistline portion, or may be positioned adjacent . side edges of the pad assembly. The bag may be utilized with almost any configuration of a diaper, such as a flat or inverted pleat diaper, as well as a box-pleat diaper. The bag may be secured to the pad assembly by means adjacent the edge 57b of the bag, such that . the mouth 61 of the bag is located remote from the securing means when the bag is unfolded.

Claims (15)

1. A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent pad assembly having a pair of waistline portions, a front surface and a back surface, and a disposal bag 5 having a cavity and a mouth communicating with the cavity, the bag being formed into a configuration of reduced dimensions and located in one of the waistline portions of the pad assembly, and the arrangement being such that the bag can be opened out after use 10 of the diaper to receive the soiled pad assembly.

2. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the bag is located on the front surface of the pad assembly.

3. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 15 wherein the mouth of the bag is located at one end of the bag.

4. A diaper as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the mouth is accessible in the reduced configuration of the bag. 20 5. A diaper as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the bag is secured to the said one waistline portion adjacent the said one end of the bag, and its mouth faces towards the other waistline portion. 6. A diaper as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 25 wherein the bag is secured to the said one waistline 13. portion adjacent the said one end of the bag, and its mouth faces away from the other waistline portion. 7. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the bag is rolled into its reduced

5. Configuration. : S. A diaper as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the bag has at least one longitudinal fold prior to being rolled into its reduced configuration.

6. 9. A diaper as claimed in any -of the preceding 10 Claims the bag can be turned inside out during placement of the soiled diaper into the bag.

7. 10. A diaper as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the bag includes means for closing the mouth, secured to a wall 15 of the bag within the said cavity.

8. 11. A diaper as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the closing means is located near the mouth of the bag.

9. 12. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1Q or Claim 11 wherein the closing means comprises a tape strip having 2o a first portion secured to the wall of the bag and a second securement portion for closing the mouth of the bag.

10. 13. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the bag comprises a pair of walls

11. 14. joined around three edges and defining the mouth at a fourth edge. 14. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the pad assembly has an end flap in the said one waistline portion, which flap is folded over and covers at least a substantial portion of the bag of reduced configuration.

12. 15· A diaper as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the flap is folded over the front surface of the pad assembly and Including means for securing the flap to the underlying surface of the pad assembly.

13. 16. A diaper as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the bag is located between the securing means and a fold line defining the flap.

14. 17. A diaper as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the securing means attaches a portion of the bag to the said one waistline portion of the pad assembly.

15. 18. A disposable diaper substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 to 8, Figure 9 or Figures 10 to 13, of the accompanying drawings.