US3921638A

US3921638A - Diaper with pleat securing tape means

Info

Publication number: US3921638A
Application number: US519494A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Schaar
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1974-10-31
Filing date: 1974-10-31
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25
Also published as: NL7512577A; PH12604A; ES228957U; AT363417B; JPS6342001B2; GB1527735A; JPS5924202B2; NL181074B; IE41871B1; ES228957Y; FR2289132B1; SE7510640L; GR58266B; BE835097A; IT1047721B; FR2289132A1; DE2547451A1; BR7507056A; DK146672B; AU504934B2

Abstract

A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides. The panel means includes a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly. The diaper has a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper. The diaper has release sheet means secured to the pad assembly at a location underlying both of the outermost panels to cover adhesive on the securement portions of the strips. The securement portions of the strips are attached to the release sheet means to retain the outermost pleats in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Schaar 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 DIAPER WITH PLEAT SECURING TAPE MEANS [75] Inventor: Charles H. Schaar, Lake Zurich, 111.

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New

York, NY,

[22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 519,494

[52] US. Cl 128/287; 128/284 [51] Int. Cl. A61F 13/16; A4113 13/02 [58] Field 01' Search 128/155, 284, 287, 286, 128/290 R; 24/67 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,642,001 2/1972 Sabee 128/287 3,646,937 3/1972 Gellert i 128/287 3,731,688 5/1973 Litt i i 128/287 3,800,796 4/1974 Jacob l 128/284 3,810,472 5/1974 Aldinger i i 128/287 3,862,634 1/1975 Small i l i i 128/284 3,875,621 4/1975 Karami 128/287 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Powell L. Sprunger [57] ABSTRACT A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides. The panel means includes a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly. The diaper has a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement portion ex tending from an end of the first portions adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper, The diaper has release sheet means secured to the pad assembly at a location underlying both of the outermost panels to cover adhesive on the securement portions of the strips. The securement portions of the strips are attached to the release sheet means to retain the outermost pleats in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

14 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,921,638

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,921,638

S iawawaa aszw DIAPER WITH PLEAT SECURING TAPE MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to disposable diapers.

A various assortment of disposable diapers have been proposed for use on infants, some of which have pleated configurations. Parents have preferred that such diapers include preattached tape strips for securing the diapers about the infant, thus eliminating the necessity for keeping separate tape rolls at hand when the diapers are placed. Such tape strips may have an attachment end having an adhesive-bearing surface covered by a release sheet. The release sheets are removed during placement of the diaper, and the attachment ends are utilized to secure the diaperon the infant.

It has been found that the provision of separate release sheets for the tape strips has caused inconvenience for parents, since they must be discarded after removal. Additionally, it is desirable to provide the dia per with tape units which facilitate simple placement of the diaper, since the infant may be moving constantly while the diaper is being placed. Accordingly, the attachment ends of the strips should be capable of being brought into position for securing the diaper with minimal effort by the parent. Moreover, it is desirable that pleats in the diaper be retained in place until they are ready to be unfolded during diaper placement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principle feature of the present invention is the provision of a diaper having tape means of simplified construction to facilitate placement of the diaper on an infant.

The disposable diaper of the present invention comprises, an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface. a pair of side edges, a longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides. The panel means includes a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly. The diaper has a pair of pressuresensitive tape strips having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper. The diaper also has release sheet means secured to the pad assembly at a location underlying both of the outermost panels to cover adhesive on the securement portions of the strips, with the securement portions of the strips being attached to the release sheet means.

Thus, a feature of the present invention is that the securement portions of the tap strips and the release sheet means retain the outermost pleats in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

Another feature of the invention is that the securement portions of the tape strips may be readily removed from the release sheet means for use in securing the diaper about the infant.

A further feature of the invention is that in some embodiments of the diaper the securement portions are automatically removed from the release sheet means when the pleat means is unfolded for placement of the diaper about the infant.

Still another feature of the invention is that the release sheet means is secured to the pad assembly, thus eliminating the necessity for discarding release sheets.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the following description of the embodiments of this invention and from the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary front plan view of one embodiment of the diaper of the present invention prior to folding into a pleated configuration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the diaper of FIG. 1 folded into a box-pleat configuration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a securement portion of a tape strip being removed from a release sheet during placement of the diaper of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the tape strip in the diaper of FIG. 5 being folded into position for securement of the diaper about an infant;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front plan view of another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention prior to folding into a pleated configuration;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken from the back, of the diaper of FIG. 9 as folded into a box-pleat configuration;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line llll of FIG. I0;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a tape unit on the diaper of FIGS. 9-ll being opened for securement of the diaper about the infant;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front plan view illustrating another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 14-14 of FIG. I3;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front plan view showing another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line l6l6 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. I7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a disposable diaper generally designated 20 having an absorbent pad assembly 22. The pad assembly 22 has a fluid impervious backing sheet 24 defining a back surface 26 of a diaper, a fluid pervious top sheet 28 defining a substantial portion of a front surface 30 of the pad assembly, and an absorbent pad 32 located intermediate the backing and

top sheets

24 and 28. The backing sheet 24 preferably has a greater width than the width of the absorbent pad 32, such that lateral side margins 34 of the backing sheet 24 are folded over and secured to the front surface of the pad assembly. The pad assembly 22 also has a pair of longitudinally extending

side edges

36a and 36b, and a pair of end edges 38 connecting the side edges 36a and b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pad assembly is folded into a box-pleat configuration along a plurality of longitudinally extending

fold lines

40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d defining a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair of first panels 440 and 44b extending from and overlying the front surface 30 of the central panel 42, and a pair of

outermost panels

46a and 46b extending from and overlying the first panels 440 and b. Thus, the outermost panels 460 and b define the longitudinally extending side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaper has a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips 480 and 48b having first portions 500 and 50b and secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly adjacent the side edges 36a and b. The tape strips 480 and b also have securement

portions

52a and 52b extending from an end of the first portions 50a and b adjacent the side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly 22. The securement portions 52a and b have adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and 54b for securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper.

The diaper also has a pair of

release sheets

56a and 56b secured to the back surface 26 of the first pleats 44a and b, such that the release sheets 56a b underlie the outermost pleats 46a and b and the first portions 50a and b of the tape strips 48a and b when the diaper is folded into its box-pleat configuration, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips 480 and b are folded back adjacent the side edges 360 and b of the pad assembly 22, and the adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and b of the securement portions 52a and b are releasably attached to the back surface of the release sheets 56a and b. Thus, the outermost pleats 46a and b are retained in their overlying relationship with respect to the first pleats 44a and b by the securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips and by the release sheets 56a and b.

As the diaper is unfolded from its box-pleat configuration during placement on an infant, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the outermost pleats 46a and b are pulled away from the first pleats 44a and b, thus removing the securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 48a and b from the release sheets 56a and b. Accordingly, the tape strips are automatically removed from the release sheets during diaper placement. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the securement portions 520 and 52b of the tape strips 48a and b are then folded outwardly into a position for securing the diaper about the infant. Thus, the securement portions of the tape strips are readily brought into proper position for securing the diaper during placement. The release sheets 56a and b remain secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22, eliminating the necessity to discard the release sheets after placement of the diaper.

Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, areas 56' of the backing sheet 24 are heat treated to provide a smooth release surface for the adhesive on the securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips 480 and b. The areas 56 are located in the same region as the release sheets 56a and b described in connection with the diaper of FIGS. l6, i.e., on the back surface 26 of the first panels 440 and b and generally underlying the first portions 50a and b of the tape strips 48a and b. The securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips are releasably attached to the heat treated areas 56', and are removed during diaper placement, as previously described.

Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the release sheets 56a and b comprise an extension of the first portions a and b of the tape strips 48a and b, the extension being secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost pleats 46a and b and the first pleats 44a and b. Thus, the adhesive bearing surfaces of the securement portions 520 and b are secured to the back surface of the tape strips 480 and b itself. The tape strips 480 and b have a suitable backing, such as polyethylene, or paper having a silicon release coating, to provide proper release for the adhesive on the strips.

Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the diaper is folded into a box-pleat configuration along longitudinally extending fold lines 40a, b, c, and d, as previously described. However, in this embodiment the securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips 48a and b are folded around the fold lines 40b and c and the back surface of the central panel 42. The release sheets 56a and b have a first section 60a and 60b secured to the back surface 26 of the central panel 42, and a second section 620 and b releasably covering the adhesive surfaces 540 and b of the securement portions 52a and b. Thus, the securement portions 52a and b, as well as the outermost pleats 46a and b, are retained in place by the release sheets 56a and b. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when it is desired to place the diaper 20 on an infant, the second sections 62a and b of the release sheets 56a and b are removed from the adhesive surfaces 54a and b of the securement portions 520 and b, and the securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 480 and b are pulled outwardly from the back surface 26 of the central panel 42 into position for securement of the diaper about the infant.

Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the diaper 20 has a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair of first panels 440 and b extending from and overlying the front surface 30 of the central panel 42, a pair of

second panels

45a and 45b extending from and overlying the first panels 44a and b, and a pair of outermost panels 46a and b extending from and overlying the second panels 450 and b. The diaper has a pair of release sheets 56a and b secured to the front surface 30 of the second panels 450 and b adjacent the side edges 36:: and b of the outermost panels 460 and b. The diaper also has a pair of tape strips 480 and b having first portions 500 and b secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22 adjacent the side edges 36a and b, and having securement portions 520 and b extending past the side edges 36a and b. The adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and b of the securement portions 52a and b are releasably attached to the release sheets 56a and b to retain the securement portions of the tape strips, as well as the outermost panels 460 and b in place on top of the pleat means. The securement por tions 52:! and b may have turned over ends 640 and b to facilitate removal of the securement portions 520 and b from the release sheets 56a and b during placement of the diaper. After removal from the release sheets. the

securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 480 and b are utilized to secure the diaper about the infant as previously described.

Another embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 16, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. in this embodiment, the pad assembly 22 has a pair of outermost panels 46a and b extending from and overlying the front surface 30 of a central panel 42. The diaper also has a pair of tape strips 480 and b having first portions 50a and b secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 46:: and b. The tape strips 48a and b also have securement portions 520 and b extending from the first portions 50a and b past the side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly. A release sheet 56 is secured to the front surface 30 of the central panel 42, and the securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips 480 and b are releasably attached to the back surface of the release sheet relative the central panel. it is apparent that a pair of release sheets may be used in lieu of a single release sheet, if desired. The securement portions 52a and b may have turned over ends 640 and b to facilitate removal of the securement portions from the release sheet 56, as previously described. The securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips 48a and b, in conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the outermost panels 460 and b in place on top of the central panel 42. During placement of the diaper, the securement portions 52a and b of the tape strips are removed from the release sheet 56, and are brought into proper position for securing the diaper about the infant.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 17, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In this embodiment, the pad assembly 22 also has a pair of outermost panels 460 and b extending from and overlying the front surface of a central panel 42. The diaper has a pair of tape strips 480 and b having first portions 500 and b secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 460 and b. The tape strips 480 and b have securement portions 52a and b extending from the first portions 500 and b past the side edges 36a and b of the pad assembly. A release sheet 56 is secured to the front surface 30 of the central panel 42 intermediate the panels, and the securement portion 52a of the tape strip 480 is releasably attached to the back surface of the release sheet relative the central panel, while the securement portion 52b of the tape strip 48b is releasably attached to the back surface of the securement portion 520 of the other tap strip 48b. At least the tape strip 480 has a suitable backing to provide proper release for the adhesive on the securement portion 52b, as previously described in connection with FIG. 8. The securement portions 52a and b may have turned over ends 640 and b to facilitate removal of the securement portions from the release sheet 56, as previously described. The securement portions 520 and b of the tape strips 48a and b, in conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the outermost panels 46a and b in place on top of the central panel 42. During placement of the diaper, the securement portion 52b of the tape strip 48b is removed from the securement portion 52a of the tape strip 480, and the securement portion 52a of the tape strip 48a is removed from the release sheet 56, after which the securement portions are brought into proper position for securing the diaper about the infant.

Thus, there has been described a diaper having tape securing means which retain pleat means in proper position on the diaper prior to placement. Additionally, securement portions of the tape means are readily brought into position for use in securing the diaper about an infant. Release sheets, which initially cover the securement portions of the tape means, remain anchored to the diaper after placement, thus eliminating the necessity to discard the release sheets.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A disposable diaper, comprising:

an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides, said panel means including a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly;

a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion fixedly secured to the back surface of said outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper; and

release sheet means positioned on the pad assembly at a location on another panel to cover adhesive on the securement portions of the strips, said securement portions of the strips being attached to the release sheet means to retain the outermost pleats in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

2. The diaper of claim I wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining the central panel, a pair of first panels extending from and overlying the front surface of the central panel, and the outermost panels extending from and overlying the first panels.

3. The diaper of claim 2 wherein the release sheet means comprises a pair of release sheets secured to the back surface of the first panels and generally underlying the first portions of the tape strips, said securement portions of the strips being folded back and attached to the release sheets.

4. The diaper of claim 2 wherein the release sheet means comprises an extension of the first portions of the strips remote said securement portions, said extensions being secured to the back surface of the outermost and first panels and having release portions generally underlying the first portions of the strips, said securement portions of the strips being folded back and attached to a back surface of said release portions.

5. The diaper of claim 2 wherein the securement portions of the tape strips are folded around the back surface of the central panel, and said release sheet means has a first section secured to the back surface of the central panel and a pair of second sections releasably covering at least a substantial portion of the adhesive on the securement portions of the strips.

6. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining the central panel, a pair of first panels overlying the central panel, a pair of second panels extending from and overlying the first panels, and the outermost panels extending from and overlying a portion of the second panels, and said release sheet means comprises, a pair of release sheets secured to the front surface of the second panels adjacent the side edges of the outermost panels, said securement portions of the tape strips being releasably attached to the release sheets.

7. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of folds defining the outermost panels overlying the front surface of the central panel, and said release sheet means comprises at least one release sheet secured to the front surface of the central panel adjacent the side edges of the outermost panels, the securement portion of at least one tape strip being releasably attached to the release sheet.

8. The diaper of claim 7 wherein the securement portions of both tape strips are releasably attached to the release sheet.

9. The diaper of claim 7 wherein the securement portion of one tape strip is releasably attached to the release sheet. and the securement portion of the other tape strip is releasably attached to the backing of the securement portion of said one tape strip.

10. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly includes a fluid impervious backing sheet defining the back surface of the pad assembly, and said release sheet means comprises heat treated areas of the backing sheet.

11. A disposable diaper, comprising:

an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a

back surface, a pair of side edges, a plurality of Iongitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat.

configuration of the diaper having a central panel, a pair of first panels overlying and extending from the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from and overlying the first panels;

a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly, and a securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent said side edges; and

a pair of release sheets secured to the back surface of the first panels and generally underlying the first portions of the tape strips, said securement portions being folded back adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and attached to the release sheets to retain the outermost panels in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

12. The diaper of claim 11 wherein said release sheets comprise an extension of the first portions of the tape strips being secured to the back surfaces of the outermost and first panels.

13. The diaper of claim 12 wherein said tape strips include a paper backing having a silicon release coat- 14. The diaper of claim [2 wherein said tape strips include a polyethylene backing.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 99,332, involving Patent No. 3,921,638, C. H. Schaar, DIAPER WITH PLEAT SECURING TAPE MEANS, final judgment ad verse to the patentee was rendered Feb. 17, 1977, as to

claims

1, 2, 3 and 11.

[Oficz'al Gazette July 5, 1.977.]

Claims

1. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a longitudinally extending central panel, and panel means overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent its sides, said panel means including a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly; a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion fixedly secured to the back surface of said outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and a second securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper; and release sheet means positioned on the pad assembly at a location on another panel to cover adhesive on the securement portions of the strips, said securement portions of the strips being attached to the release sheet means to retain the outermost pleats in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining the central panel, a pair of first panels extending from and overlying the front surface of the central panel, and the outermost panels extending from and overlying the first panels.

9. The diaper of claim 7 wherein the securement portion of one tape strip is releasably attached to the release sheet, and the securement portion of the other tape strip is releasably attached to the backing of the securement portion of said one tape strip.

11. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the diaper having a central panel, a pair of first panels overlying and extending from the central panel, and a pair of outermost panels extending from and overlying the first panels; a pair of pressure-sensitive tape strips having a first portion secured to the back surface of the outermost panels adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly, and a securement portion extending from an end of the first portions adjacent said side edges; and a pair of release sheets secured to the back surface of the first panels and generally underlying the first portions of the tape strips, said securement portions being folded back adjacent the side edges of the pad assembly and attached to the release sheets to retain the outermost panels in their overlying relationship prior to placement of the diaper.

13. The diaper of claim 12 wherein said tape strips include a paper backing having a silicon release coating.

14. The diaper of claim 12 wherein said tape strips include a polyethylene backing.