WO1996031177A1

WO1996031177A1 - Front and rear fastening diaper

Info

Publication number: WO1996031177A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/004298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert P. Nyberg; Rebecca L. Nyberg
Original assignee: Nyberg Robert P; Nyberg Rebecca L
Priority date: 1995-04-06
Filing date: 1996-04-02
Publication date: 1996-10-10

Abstract

This invention is a disposable diaper (10) having a generally rectangular multiple layer body member having a fluid impermeable outer layer (12), a fluid permeable inner layer (14) for contacting the wearer in use, an absorbent batt (16) positioned between the outer layer (12) and the inner layer (14), the diaper having opposite front and rear end portions (20, 22), and a crotch portion (18) of narrower width extending between the first and second end portions (20, 22). The rear end portion (22) has a securing system (30) for securing the rear end portion (22) to the front end portion (20). The front end portion (20) has a securing system (32) for securing the front end portion (20) to the rear end portion (22), so that the second system (32) is secured after the first securing system (30) and covering the first securing system (30).

Description

FRONT AND REAR FASTENING DIAPER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an adhesive closure for disposable diapers and more particularly to a diaper front and rear adhesive closure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable diapers for both infants and incontinent adults are well known. Conventional diaper systems use a multilayered diaper comprising an outer liquid impervious shell, an inner liquid permeable liner and an absorbent batt between the outer and inner layers. The diaper is fitted with elastic bands and contoured to comfortably fit the wearer while maintaining an adequately snug fit to prevent leakage.

A conventional closure system will use a side attachment mechanism comprising adhesive tapes at the outer edges of rear panel corners. The adhesive tapes attach to the front panel corners overlapping the rear corners over the front corners resulting in a side closure. This side closure system has a disadvantage in having the adhesive strips in a location accessible to the prying hands of a user, such as an infant or an adult of diminished mental faculty, resulting in the inadvertent loosening or removal of the diaper before its intended removal by a responsible attendant in controlled circumstances. U.S. Patent No. 4,988,346 issued to Pfefferkorn discloses a modified closure system using side adhesive tapes in a way that two of the tapes attach at the back of the diaper away from prying hands. The Pfefferkorn arrangement permanently affixes adhesive tapes to just three of the four outer corners. The first step in applying the diaper brings the rear comers forward, but only one rear corner has an adhesive tape so only one rear corner is attached and overlaps the front corner. The Pfefferkorn method then calls for turning over the infant and attaching the front corner adhesives to the back of the diaper. This arrangement has the disadvantage that one side attachment is still within reach of prying hands and can result in the substantial loosening or removal of the diaper. Additionally, there is the disadvantage of only securing one corner of the diaper before turning the infant over, this movement can dislodge the diaper sufficiently to cause misalignment and interfere with a good closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a disposable diaper is provided having a generally rectangular multiple layer body member having a fluid impermeable outer layer, a fluid permeable inner layer for contacting the wearer in use and an absorbent batt positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, the body member having opposite first and second end portions and a crotch portion of narrower width extending between the first and second end portions, each end portion having a central area aligned with the crotch portion and outwardly projecting opposite corner portions, the first and second end portions comprising the front and rear portions of the diaper when in use, a first securing means for securing the opposite corner portions of the rear end portion to the opposite corner portions of the front end portion, and a second securing means for securing the central area of the front end portion to the central area of the rear end portion so that the second securing means is secured after the first securing means is secured, covering and protecting the first securing means. The present invention provides for a disposable diaper that is easy to apply, requiring minimal manipulation of the user in securing the diaper, and by covering the side closure means attaching to the front end portion, the diaper is substantial secure from inadvertent loosening or removal.

In a preferred embodiment the first securing means comprises adhesive tape strips permanently attached to the outwardly extending corners of the rear end portion and intended for adhesively attaching the rear end portion to the outer layer of the outwardly extending corners of the front end portion. The second securing means preferably comprises an adhesive strip adapted to secure the front end portion to the rear end portion and simultaneously cover the adhesive tapes securing the rear outward corners to the front outward corners. The adhesive strip configuration of the present invention provides for the complete covering of the front outwardly extending corners, covering the adhesive tapes securing the rear outwardly extending corners, and placing final securing attachment of the diaper at the back of the user substantially protecting the user from inadvertent loosening or removal of the diaper before its intended removal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an open unfolded disposable diaper from the outer layer side in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2 — 2 of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the diaper of Figure 1 as it would appear in use;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the diaper of Figure 1 as it would appear in use; Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the diaper of the present invention as it would appear in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present invention is depicted as a disposable diaper 10 comprising a moisture impermeable outer layer 12, a moisture permeable inner layer 14 and a moisture retaining absorbent batt 16 enclosed between the outer layer 12 and inner layer

14. Outer layer 12 is formed of a suitable polymer, preferably of a polyethylene.

Inner layer 14 is formed of a suitable non-woven fibrous or filamentous material . preferably of bonded polypropylene fibers but may include natural fibers such as cellulose or other synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyethylene or a combination thereof. The outer and inner layers 12 and 14 are generally coextensive one to the other and somewhat larger than absorbent batt 16. The larger size provides a border around which outer layer 12 is bonded to inner layer 14, preferably by heat bonding or other convenient bonding methods. Diaper 10 is shaped to provide a narrower crotch region 18 extending between a front end portion 20 and a rear end portion 22. The shape is further augmented by elastic fibers 24 provided at the adjacent sides of crotch region 18 for gathering the diaper in this region and forming a moisture seal when in use around the user's legs. Elastic fibers 24 are formed of natural rubber or other suitable elastomeric material. Additional elastic fibers 24 are optionally provided adjacent to the opposite ends of front and rear end portions 20, 22 for additional moisture sealing at the user's waist.

Front end portion 20 includes outwardly extending opposite corner portions 26. Corner portions 26 extend laterally from the central region of front end portion 20 beyond the width of the narrower crotch region 18. Rear end portion 22 includes outwardly extending opposite corner portions 28 which extend laterally from the central region of rear end portion 22 beyond the width of the narrower crotch region 18. Corner portions 28 include fastening tapes 30 generally permanently fixed to corner portions 28. Fastening tapes 30 are preferably adhesively attached using pressure sensitive adhesives. However, fastening tapes 30 can be attached using hot melt adhesive or other suitable heat sealing method. The opposite ends of fastening tapes 30 are preferably provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface and are releasably attached to release strips (not shown) prior to use and extended outwardly for attachment at time of use. The release treatment can be by any conventional composition suitable for this purpose. Additionally, release strips (not shown) may also be used on outer surface 12 at opposite corner portions 26 to releasably attach fastening tapes 30 to opposite corner portions 26 during use.

A front to rear securing tape 32 is depicted as initially attached to front portion 20 of outer layer 12 at attachment site 34. Rear securing tape 32 is preferably a pressure adhesive tape strip that is folded for ease of packaging and held upon itself using segments of pressure sensitive adhesive over releasable segments. Rear securing tape 32 is readily extended for use. Alternatively, a roll of pressure sensitive adhesive tape is also useful. The present invention anticipates the use of alternative means of tapes for attachment as depicted in Figure 5 as a diaper 38, including mechanical means 42, such as hooks and loops, snaps, and the like positioned on a securing tape 40 with the opposite mechanical member 44 fixedly attached to rear end portion 46.

The present invention anticipates that rear securing tape 32 may be releasably attached at attachment site 34 using a suitable release treatment or release strip at attachment site 34. Furthermore, rear securing tape 32 may include at least two lines of perforations (not shown) across the width of rear securing tape 32, positioned at a non-securing segment providing convenient and easy separation of rear securing tape 32 during the removal of diaper 10. Rear end portion 22 includes an optional release strip 36 fixedly attached to outer layer 12 of rear end portion 22. Greater security of the present invention is attainable without release strip 36 using instead a pressure sensitive adhesive on rear securing tape 32 chosen for optimal adhesion directly to the selected polymer used in outer layer 12.

Referring to Figure 3 and 4, diaper 10 is depicted in use, the user is not shown for ease of illustration. Application of diaper 10 begins with the user being placed on its back with inner layer 14 against the user's skin and rear end portion 22 adjacent the user's lumbo-sacral area. Front end portion 20 is carried up between the user's legs and positioned over the user's abdomen. Crotch portion 18 is now between the user's thighs.

Opposite end portions 26 are placed around to either side of the user's abdomen. Opposite end portions 28 are brought up and over opposite end portions 26 such that inner layer 14 of opposite end portions 28 overlap outer layer 12 of opposite end portions 26. Fastening tapes 30 are secured to the outer layer 12 (or release strips if supplied) of opposite end portions 26. Rear securing tape 32 is attached at site 34 and unfolded laterally to each side of the user and the ends are extended around to rear end portion 22 and secured to release strip 36. Rear securing tape 32, in use, overlaps fastening tapes 30 covering fastening tapes 30. Because the attachment of rear securing tape 32 is around back of the user and the front placed fasten tapes 30 are securely covered, diaper 10 provides substantial protection against the user inadvertently releasing the diaper before its intended release.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described herein, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A disposable diaper comprising: a generally rectangular multiple layer body member having a fluid impermeable outer layer, a fluid permeable inner layer for contacting a wearer in use and an absorbent batt positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, said body member having opposite first and second end portions and a crotch portion of narrower width extending between the first and second end portions, each end portion having a central area aligned with said crotch portion and outwardly projecting opposite corner portions, said first and second end portions comprising the respective front and rear end portions of the diaper when in use; first securing means fixedly attached to each said opposite corner portions of said rear end portion, for securing said opposite corner portions of said rear end portion to said opposite corner portions of said front end portion after said diaper has been positioned on the wearer with said opposite corner portions of said front end closest to the wearer; and second securing means, attachably engagable to the central area of said front end portion, for securing from the front end portion central area to the central area of said rear end portion and said second securing means is secured after said first securing means is secured so that said second securing means is covering said first securing means.

2. The diaper of claim 1 in which said second securing means comprises an adhesive tape.

3. The diaper of claim 2 in which the adhesive tape uses a pressure sensitive adhesive.

4. The diaper of claim 1 in which said second securing means comprises mechanical securing means for securing the central area of said front end portion to the central area of said rear end portion.

5. The diaper of claim 4 in which said mechanical securing means comprises a first part and a second part, the first part having at least two free ends projecting outwardly from the central area of said front end portion, the second part projecting from the central area of said rear end portion for mechanically securing the at least two free ends to the central area of said rear end portion.

6. The diaper of claim 5 in which the first part comprises a tape having a plurality of hooks positioned at the at least two free ends of the tape and the second part comprises at least one loop suitable for mechanically engaging the plurality of hooks.

7. A disposable diaper for use by a human having a generally rectangular multiple layer body member including a fluid impermeable outer layer, a fluid permeable inner layer for contacting the human in use and an absorbent batt positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, said body member having opposite first and second end portions and a crotch portion of narrower width extending between the first and second end portions, each end portion having a central area aligned with said crotch portion and outwardly projecting opposite corner portions with side edges, said first and second end portions comprising the respective front and rear portions of the diaper when in use, said rear end portion having a side attachment adhesive tape projecting outwardly from each of the side edges of the opposite corner portions of the rear end portion for attaching to the fluid impermeable outer layer of said opposite corner portions of said front end portion after positioning the diaper on the human, the improvement comprising: a rearwardly securing tape attached to the central area of said front end portion and having two ends extending from the central area of said front end portion for securing to the central area of said rear end portion and covering the side attachment adhesive tapes such that said rearwardly securing tape is placed after the side attachment adhesive tapes substantially protecting the side attachment tapes.

8. A securing device for use on a disposable diaper, the diaper adapted for use on a human and having a generally rectangular multiple layer body member having a top, a bottom and two side edges and including a fluid impermeable outer layer, a fluid permeable inner layer for contacting the human in use and an absorbent batt positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, said body member having opposite first and second end portions and a crotch portion of narrower width extending between the first and second end portions, each end portion having a central area aligned with said crotch portion and outwardly projecting opposite corner portions at the side edges of the respective first and second end portions, said first and second end portions comprising the respective front and rear end portions of the diaper when in use, said rear end portion having side attachment adhesive tapes projecting outwardly from the side edges of the opposite corner portions for attaching said opposite corner portions of said rear end portion to said opposite corner portions of said front end portion after positioning the diaper on the human, the securing device comprising: a securing tape having two ends and a middle portion therebetween and substantially circumferentially positionable from the central area of said front end portion to the central area of said rear end portion for securing the central area of said front end portion to the central area of said rear end portion and covering the side attachment adhesive tapes such that the securing tape middle portion is centered over the front end central area and the two ends of the securing tape attach to the central area of said rear end portion and said securing tape is placed after the side attachment adhesive tapes substantially covering and protecting the side attachment tapes.

9. The diaper of claim 7 in which the rearwardly securing tape comprises an adhesive tape using pressure sensitive adhesive.

10. The diaper of claim 7 in which the rearwardly securing tape comprises a first part and a second part, the first part having the two ends of the rearwardly securing tape, the second part being attached to and projecting from the central area of said rear end portion for mechanically securing the at least two free ends to the central area of said rear end portion.

11. The diaper of claim 10 in which the first part comprises a plurality of hooks positioned at the two ends and the second part comprises at least one loop suitable for mechanically engaging the plurality of hooks.

12. The diaper of claim 8 in which the securing tape comprises an adhesive tape using pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The diaper of claim 8 in which the securing tape comprises a first part and a second part, the first part having the two ends of the securing tape, the second part being attached to and projecting from the central area of said rear end portion for mechanically securing the two ends to the central area of said rear end portion.

14. The diaper of claim 13 in which the first part comprises a plurality of hooks positioned at the two ends and the second part comprises at least one loop suitable for mechanically engaging the plurality of hooks.