IE41871B1

IE41871B1 - Diapers

Info

Publication number: IE41871B1
Application number: IE2362/75A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1974-10-31
Filing date: 1975-10-30
Publication date: 1980-04-09
Also published as: IE41871L; DE2547451A1; ES228957Y; BR7507056A; IT1047721B; NL181074B; FR2289132B1; JPS5168344A; NL7512577A; GR58266B; CA1091853A; DK146672B; PH12604A; US3921638A; JPS6342001B2; ATA818775A; ES228957U; CH593030A5; ES227224Y; NL181074C

Abstract

1527735 Diapers COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO 27 Oct 1975 [31 Oct 1974] 44116/75 Heading A3V In Figures 1-6 (only Figure 6 shown) a disposable diaper 20 has an absorbent pad assembly 22 comprising a fluid-impervious backing sheet 24, a fluid-pervious front sheet (28) defining a front surface (30) and an absorbent pad (32). Tape strip 48a is attached to back surface 26 of outermost panel 46a and releasably attached to release sheet 56a itself attached to back surface 26 of first panel 44a thus holding together panels 44a, 46a prior to use. In Figure 7 (not shown) area (56') of backing sheet 24 is heat treated to form a release sheet. In Figure 8 (not shown) securement portion 52a of tape strip 48a is releasably attached to the polyethylene or silicone coated paper backing of the strip itself. In Figures 9-12 (only Figure 12 shown), tape strip 48b is folded around fold 40c and release sheet 56b is secured to back surface 26 of central panel 42. In Figures 13, 14 (not shown) tape strip 48a is attached to back surface 26 of outermost panel 46a and release sheet 56a is attached to surface (30) of panel (45a). In Figures 15, 16 (not shown) tape strips 48a, b are attached to back surface 26 of panels 46a, b and one or two release sheets attached to front surface (30) of central panel 42. In Figure 17 (not shown) tape strips 48a, b are attached to back surface 26 of panels 46a, b. Tape strip 48b is releasably attached to the back of strip 48a whose front is releasably attached to release sheet (56) attached to front surface (30) of central panel 42.

Description

The present invention relates to disposable diapers. ' .

Various disposable diapers have been proposed for use on infants, some of which have pleated con5. figurations. Parents have preferred that such diapers include pre-attached tape units 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 units 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, ahd the attachment ends are utilized to secure the diaper on the infant.

, I . It has been found that the provision of separate release sheets for the tape units has caused inconvenience for parents, since they must be discarded after removal.' Additionally, it is desirable to provide the diaper 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 tape units 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.

The present invention provides a disposable diaper having tape units of simplified construction . to facilitate placement of the diaper on an infant. - 2 41871 According to the invention a disposable diaper comprises: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of 3ide edges of the pad assembly, a longitudinally extending central panel , and panels overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent the side edges of the central panel, the panels comprising a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly; a pair of tape strips each having . a first portion secured to the back surface of an outermost panel adjacent a side edge of the pad assembly and a second, securement, portion bearing pressure sensitive adhesive and extending from an end of the first portion adjacent the said side edge of the pad , assembly, for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper; and release sheet means on the pad assembly underlying the outermost panels to cover the adhesive on the securement portions of the strips, the securement portions of the . strips being releasably attached to the release sheet means·to retain the outermost panels overlying the front surface of the central panel prior to placement of the diaper.

The securement portions of the tape strips may be . readily detached from the release sheet means for use in securing the diaper about the infant. In some embodiments of the invention the securement portions are automatically detached from the release sheet means when the panels are unfolded for placement of the . diaper about the infant.

As the release sheet means are secured to, or part of, the pad assembly, there is no necessity for discarding release sheets during placement of the diaper.

The invention may be performed in various ways, · and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with.reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a fragmentary front (top) plan view of a diaper embodying the invention, prior to folding . into a pleated configuration; Figure 2 is a fragmentary back (underneath) plan view of the diaper of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view show‘ 1 1 , ing the diaper of Figure 1 folded into a box-pleated · configuration; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a securement portion of a tape strip . being removed from a release sheet during placement of the said diaper; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the tape strip in the diaper of Figure 5 being unfolded into position for securement of the · diaper about an infant; Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second diaper embodying the present invention; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third diaper embodying the present invention; . Figure 9 is a fragmentary front plan view of a - 4 41871 fourth diaper embodying the present invention, prior to folding into a pleated configuration; Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken from the back, of the diaper of Figure 9 as folded . into a box-pleated configuration; Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a tape strip of tho diaper of Figures . 9-11 being opened for securement of the diaper about the infant; Figure 13 is a fragmentary front plan view of a fifth diaper embodying the present invention, prior to folding into a box-pleated configuration; . Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 13, with the diaper folded into a pleated configuration; Figure 15 is a fragmentary front plan view of a sixth diaper embodying the present invention, prior . to folding into a box-pleat configuration; Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of Figure 15, with the diaper folded into a pleated configuration; and Figure 17 is a sectional view of a seventh diaper . embodying the present invention, folded into a pleated configuration.

In the illustrations of the several embodiments like reference numerals are used to designate equivalent parts.

. Referring to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a - 5 41871 disposable diaper 20 comprising an absorbent pad assembly 22. The pad assembly 22 has a fluidimpervious backing sheet 24 defining a back or bottom surface 26 of a diaper, a fluid-pervious · front or top sheet 28 defining a substantial portion of a front or top surface 30 of the pad assembly, and an absorbent pad 32 located between 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 30 of the pad assembly. The pad assembly 22 also has a pair of longitudinal side edges 36a and 36b, and a pair of end edges 38 . connecting the side edges 36a and 36b. As illustrated in Figure 3, the pad assembly is folded into a boxpleated configuration along a plurality of longitudinal fold lines 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d defining a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair of . first panels 44a 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 44a and 44b. Thus, the lateral extremities of the outermost panels 46a . and 46b define the longitudinal side edges 36a and 36b Of the pad assembly.

The diaper has a pair of tape strips 48a and 48b having first portions 50a and 50b secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly adjacent the side . edges 36a and 36b. The tape strips 48a and 48b also - 6 41871 . second, have/securcment,portions 52a and 52b extending from an respectively, end of the first portions 50a and 50b/adjacent the side edges 26a and 36b of the pad assembly 22. The securement portions 52a and 52b have pressure-sensitive adhesive . bearing surfaces 54a and 54b for securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper.

The diaper 20 also has a pair of release sheets 56a and 56b secured to the back surface 26 of the first panels 44a and 44b, so disposed that the release sheets . 56a and 56b underlie the outermost panels 46a and 46b and the first portions 50a and 50b of the tape strips 48a and 48b when the diaper is folded into its boxpleat configuration, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips . 48a and 48b are folded back adjacent the side edges 36a and 36b of the pad assembly 22, and the adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and 54b of the securement portions 52a and 52b are releasably attached to the release sheets 56a and 56b. Thus, the outermost panels 46a . and 46b are retained in their overlying relationship with respect to the first panels 44a and 44b by the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips and by the release sheets 56a and 56b.

As the diaper is unfolded-from its box-pleated . configuration during placement on an infant, as illustrated in Figure 5, the outermost panels 46a and 46b are pulled away from the first panels 44a and 44b, thus detaching the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b from the . release sheets 56a and 56b accordingly, the tape strips are automatically detached from the - 7 41871 release sheets during diaper placement.. As illustrated in Figure 6, the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b are then unfolded 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 qnd 56b remain secured to the hack surface 26 of the pad assembly 22, eliminating the . necessity to discard the release sheets after placement of the diaper.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, areas 56' of the backing sheet 24 are heat treated to provide a smooth release surface for the . pressure-sensitive adhesive on the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b. The areas 56’ are located in the same region as the release sheets 56a and 56b described in connection with the diaper of Figures 1-6, i.e. on the hack . surface 26 of the first panels 44a and 44b and generally underlying the first portions 50a and 50b of the tape strips 48a and 48b. The securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips are releasahly attached to the heat treated areas 56', and are . detached therefrom during diaper placement, as previously described.

In the third embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, each of the release sheets 56a and 56b comprises an extension of the first portion 50a and 50b of the . tape strip 48a and 48b, respectively, the extensions - 8 41871 being secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 46a and 46b and of the first panels 44a and 44b. Thus, the adhesive bearing surfaces of the securement portions 52a and 52b are attached to . the back surfaces of the tape strips 48a and 48b.

The tape strips 48a and 48b have a suitable backing, such as polyethylene, or paper having a silicone release coating, to provide proper release for the adhesive on the strips.

. In the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 9-12, the diaper is folded into a box-pleated configuration along longitudinal fold lines 40a, 40b, 40£ and 40d, as previously described. However, in this embodiment the securement portions 52a and 52b of . the tape strips 48a and 48b are folded around the fold lines 40b and 40c and the back surface of the central panel 42. The release sheets 56a and 56b have a first section 60a and 60b secured to the back surface 26 of the central panel 42, and a second . section 62a and 62b releasably covering the adhesive surfaces 54a and 54b of the securement portions 52a and 52b. Thus, the securement portions 52a and 52b, as well as the outermost panels 46a and 46b, are retained in place by the release sheets 56a and 56b.

. As illustrated in Figure 12, when it is desired to place the diaper 20 on an infant, the second sections 62a and 62b of the release sheets 56a and 56b are detached from the adhesive surfaces 54a and 54b of the securement portions 52a and 52b, and the securement . portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b - 9 41871 are pulled outwardly from the back surface 26 of the central panel 42 into position for securement of the diaper about the infant.

In the fifth embodiment illustrated in Figures · 13 and 14, the diaper 20 has a longitudinally extending central panel 42, a pair of first panels 44a and 44b 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 44b, and a pair of outermost panels 46a. and 46b extending from and overlying the second panels 45a and 45b. The diaper has a pair of release sheets 56a ahd 56b secured to the front surface 30 of the second panels 45a and 45b adjacent · the side edges 36a and 36b of the outermost panels 46a and 46b. The diaper also has a pair of tape strips 48a and 48b having first portions 50a and 50b secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22 adjacent the side edges 36a and 36b, . and having securement portions 52a and 52b extending past the side edges 36a and 36b. The adhesive bearing surfaces 54a and 54b of the securement portions 52a and 52b are releasably attached to the release sheets 56a and 56b to retain the securement . portions of the tape strips, as well as the outermost panels 46a and 46b, in place on top of the pleats. The securement portions 52a and 52b may have turned over ends 64a and 64b to facilitate detaching the securement portions 52a and 52b from . the release sheets 56a and 56b during placement of - 10 41871 the diaper. After removal from the release sheets, t the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 4Gb are utilized to secure the diaper about the infant as previously described.

. In the sixth embodiment illustrated in Figures and 16, the pad assembly 22 has a pair of outermost panels 46a and 46b extending from and overlying the front surface 30 of the central panel 42. The diaper also has a pair of tape strips 48a and 48b . having first portions 50a and 50b secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 46a and 46b. The tape strips 48a and 48b also have securement portions 52a and 52b extending from the first portions 50a and 50b past the side edges 36a and 36b of . the pad assembly. A release sheet 56 is secured to the front surface 30 of the central panel 42, and the securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b are releasably attached to the back surface of the release sheet on the central . panel. A pair of release sheets may be used in lieu of a single release sheet 56, if desired. The securement portions 52a and 52b may have turned over ends 64a and 64b to facilitate removal of the securement portions from the release sheet 56, as previously · described. The securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b, in conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the outermost panels 46a and 46b in place on top of the central panel 42. During placement of the diaper, the securement . portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips are detached - 11 41871 from the release sheet 56 and are brought into proper position for securing the diaper about the infant.

In the seventh embodiment illustrated in Figure 17, the pad assembly 22 has a pair of outermost · panels 46a and 46b extending from and overlying the front surface 30 of a central panel 42. The diaper has a pair of tape strips 48a and 48b having first portions 50a and 50b secured to the back surface 26 of the outermost panels 46a and 46b. The tape strips . 48a and 48b have securement portions 52a and 52b extending from the first portions 50a and 50b past the side edges 36a and 36b of the pad assembly. A release sheet 56 is secured to the front surface 30 of the central panel 42 between the panels. The . securement portion 52a of the tape strip 48a is releasably attached to the back surface of the release sheet 56 while the securement portion 52b of the tape strip 48b is releasably attached to the back surface of the securement portion 52a of the' . other tape strip 48a. At least the tape strip 48a has a suitable backing to provide proper release for the adhesive on the securement portion 52b, as previously described in connection with Figure 8.

The securement portions 52a and 52b may have turned . over ends 64a and 64b to facilitate detachment of or back surface of the securement portion 52a the securement portions from the release sheet 56'» as previously described. The securement portions 52a and 52b of the tape strips 48a and 48b, in conjunction with the release sheet 56, retain the . outermost panels 46a and 46b in place on top of the - 12 41871 central panel 42. During placement of the diaper, the securement portion 52b of the tape strip 48b is detached from the securement portion 52a of the tape strip 48a, and the securement portion 52a of · the tape strip 48a is then detached from the release sheet 56, after which the securement portions are brought into proper position for securing the diaper about the infant.

Claims

1. WHAT WE Claim ls:1. A disposable diaper comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges of the pad assembly, a longitudi5 nally extending central panel, and panels overlying the front surface of the central panel adjacent the side edges of the central panel, the panels comprising a pair of longitudinally extending outermost panels defining the side edges of the pad assembly; a pair* of

2. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the 25 pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinal 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. - 14 41871

3. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the release sheet means comprises a pair of release sheets secured to the back surface of the first panels and underlying the first portions of the tape strips, the securement portions of the strips being folded over the respective attached portions and releasably attached to the release sheets.

4. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the release sheet means comprises extensions of the first portions of the strips remote from tbe securement portions, these extensions being secured to the back surface of the outermost and first panels and having release portions underlying the first portions of the strips, the securement portions of the strips being folded over the respective attached portions and releasably attached to a back surface of the release portions. 5. Areas of the backing sheet. 5 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 β» panels, the securement portions of the tape strips being releasably attached to the release sheets.

5. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the securement portions of the tape strips are folded around the back surface of the central panel, and the release sheet means has a first section secured to the back surface of the central panel and a second section releasably covering at least a substantial portion of the adhesive on the securement portions of the strips.

6. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of longitudinal folds defining the central panel, a pair of first panels - 15 41871 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 wherein the

7. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pad assembly has a plurality of folds defining the outermost panels overlying the front surface of the central panel, and the release sheet means comprises at least one release sheet secured to the front sur15 face 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. A diaper as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the 2q securement portions of both tape strips are releasably attached to the release sheet.

9. 'A diaper as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the securement portion of one tape strip is releasably attached to the release sheet, and the securement 25 portion of the other tape strip is releasably attached to the back of the securement portion of the said one tape strip. - 16 41871

10. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pad assembly includes a fluid-impervious backing sheet defining the back surface of the pad assembly and the release sheet means comprises heat treated 10 . 10 tape strips each having a first portion secured to the back surface of an outermost panel adjacent a side edge of the pad assembly and a second, securement, portion bearing pressure-sensitive adhesive and extending from an end of the first portion adjacent the said side edge 15 of the pad assembly, for use in securing the diaper about an infant during placement of the diaper; and release sheet means on the pad assembly underlying the outermost panels to cover the adhesive on the securement portions of the strips, the securement portions 20 of the strips being releasably attached to the release sheet means to retain the outermost panels overlying the front surface of the central panel prior to placement of the diaper.

11. A diaper as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the release sheet means comprises extensions of the f'irsl. portions of the tape strips, the first portion and extension of each tape strip being secured to the back θ surfaces of an outermost and a first panel.

12. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the tape strips have a paper backing having a silicone release coating.

13. A diaper as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11 5 wherein the tape strips have a polyethylene backing.

14. A disposable diaper substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, or Figure 7, or Figure 8, or Figures 9 to 12, or Figures 13 and 14, or Figures 15 and 16, or Figure 17 of the accompanying drawings.