NZ200464A - Box-pleated diaper with cushioned elastic members - Google Patents

Description

# Priority Date(s): ..

Complete Specsfscation Filed: 4^. Ciass: Publican ul:... 19 OCT.«??...

P.O. Journal No: .. .

Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Box-Pleated Diaper with Cushioned Elastic Members //We COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY of 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, United States of America, a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which //we pray that a Patent may be granted to kk/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (Followed by page la) 2 004 64' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to disposable diapers and more particularly to an elasticized box-pleated diaper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the past elasticized diapers have been developed for use only «*• with contoured shaped configurations such as an hour-glass shape, such as that disclosed in the United States Patent to Buell, No. 3,860,003, issued January 1^, 1975, for "Contractable Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" wherein elastic strips are secured to the crotch portions of the diaper and spaced at least 3A inch from the absorbent pad to form elasticized crotch seals for securement over the legs of the infant to prevent loss of fluid from the interior of the diaper along the legs of the infant. The elasticized strips were placed more than 3A inch from the absorbent pad in order to prevent pleats forming transversely of the crotch area of the diaper.

Another contoured diaper is presently in production in which the elasticized strips are less than 3A inch from the absorbent pad for the production of the transverse pleats in the crotch area of the diaper for the purpose of increasing the absorbent capacity at the crotch area of the diaper. This diaper is disclosed in United States Patent No. U,050,1+62. However, it has been found that these pleats may act as a channel resulting in excessive diaper leakage and the pleats in the crotch area make the infant's bottom uncomfortable when sitting, especially while the diaper is not saturated. - la - 2 0 0 4 6 4 The elasticized construction in both the previous contoured diapers as disclosed in the aforesaid patents cause marks and indents to be formed in the skin of the infant on which these types of diapers are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of both of the prior art contoured diapers. The elastic members are placed according to the present invention in a box-pleated diaper between the absorbent pad and the backing sheet cushioning the elastic action and preventing marks and indents being formed in the skin of-the infant while providing unexpectedly better protection against excessive leakage through leg hold edges.

The concept of the present invention features a box-pleated disposable diaper and having an absorbent body between a top sheet and a backing sheet with elastic members secured between the backing sheet and the absorbent pad. 2 004 64 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE DRAWING Fig. I is a plan view of a box-pleated diaper constructed in accordance with the.concepts of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 2-2 in Fig. I of the diaper in an unfolded state; Fig. 3 is a section detail view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the diaper in a box-pleated folded configuration; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view showing in particular v the locus of an elastic member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates an elasticized disposable diaper constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention.

The box-pleated diaper 10 has a backing sheet 12 of an impervious material. A top sheet 24 of typically non-woven fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene fibers is provided and the backing sheet 12 has portions 16 and 18 folded over and sealed to edges of the top sheet. An absorbent pad 26 of wood fluff or the like is disposed between the top sheet 24 and the backing sheet 12. A pair of elasticiezed strips 34 and 36 are disposed between the backing sheet 12 and the pad 2 tender lying portions 16 and 18 of the diaper. The diaper is folded in a box-pleated configuration having a central portion 40, two inwardly extending panels 42 and 44, and two outwardly extending panels 46 and 48. Adhesive spots 47 may be used to hold the pleats in place. 200464 The eLastic members 34 and 36 may be secured by spots or lines of adhesive aLong preferably part of its Length in the crotch area of the diaper 10 or alternatively along its entire length. A further alternative is to use the same means sealing the top sheet'to the backing sheet to seal the ends of the elasticized strips 34 and 36 to the backing sheet 22 and may be adhesive or hot melt lines.

The elastic strips 34 and 36 may be of any suitable construction and materials such as the conventional rubberized (or otherwise elastomer-ized) fibers or may be simply a strip of elastomeric resin or foamed resin which may or may not be provided with adhesive. Such strips are generally available as double-sided transfer tapes (e.g. 3M Co., St. Paul, Minnesota, tape No. 465 high tack pressure-sensitive tape). In addition one may apply the elastic material, e.g. rubber band, and secure same with a suitable adhesive (hot melt or pressure sensitive type). The adhesive may be a continuous line or may be a series of adhesive spots which may be applied on one or both sides of the elastic material. In use, the diaper is positioned on the infant in a conventional manner with the conventional waist tape fastener placing tension on the elastic members 34 and 36 thus forming crotch seals. However, the pad 26 is between the elastic members 16 and 18 and the infant and serves to prevent lin es or marks being formed on the infant increasing comfort while increasing fluid tightness. ') - u -

Claims (8)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A disposable diaper comprising a backing sheet, an absorbent pad on said backing sheet, a top sheet overlying said absorbent pad, means securing said backing sheet to said top sheet with said pad therebetween, a pair of spaced elasticized members disposed between said backing sheet and said pad, so that said pad cushions the effect of the elastic members, said diaper being folded into and secured in a box-pleat configuration.

2. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, including means securing the central portions of said elastic members to said backing sheet.

3. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said diaper is of a substantially rectangular shape.

4. A disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said box-pleat configuration includes a main body portion, an inwardly extending pair of panels, and an outwardly extending pair of panels, said elastic members being disposed in outer portions of said outwardly extending panels.

5. A disposable diaper according to claim 4, where said means securing said backing sheet to said top sheet with said pad therebetween comprises marginal edges of said backing sheet folded over said top sheet and bonded thereto, said marginal edges having said elastic members lying there-below.

6. A disposable diaper according to claim 5, wherein said top sheet is bonded to said backing sheet by hot melt, or heat sealing techniques .

7. A disposable diaper according to claim 5, wherein said diaper is substantially rectangular in shape.

8. A disposable diaper substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. WEST-WALKER, McCABE per: vrjp'' ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT — f'ri ■*->«*» •! ft 'J- y ■ '.