PH26704A - Box pleated diaper with cushioned elastic members - Google Patents

Description

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 de- veloped for use only with contoured shaped confi gura- tions such as an hour-glass shape, such as that dis- closed in the United States Patent to Buell, Noo 3,860,003, issued January 14, 1975, for "Contractable

Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" wherein elastic strips are secured to the crotch portions of the diaper and spaced at least 3/4 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 3/4 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 pro=- duction in which the elasticized strips are less than 2/4 inch from the absorbent pad for the production of the transverse pleats in the crotch area of the diaper - Ow for the purpose of increasing the absorbent caps- city at the crotch area of the diaper. This diaper is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,050,462.

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.

The elasticized construction in both the pre- vious contoured diapers as disclosed in the afore- said patents cause marks and indents to be formed in the skin of the infant on which these types of diepers are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disddvant- ages 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 ab= sorbent pad and the backing sheet cushioning the elastic action and preventing marks and indents be- ing 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 ab- sorbent body between a top sheet and a backing sheet with elastic members secured between the back- ing sheet and the absorbent pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 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 2-7? in Fig. 1 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 the locus of an elastic mem- ber. :

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 dis- posable diaper constructed in accordance with the / - bh -

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 elas- ticized strips 34 and 36 are disposed between the backing sheet 12 and the pad 26 and underlying pore tions 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 U4, and two out- wardly extending panels 46 and 48. Adhesive spots 47 may be used to hold the pleats in place.

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 pro- vided 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 mate- rial. In use, the diaper is positioned on the in- fant in a conventional manner with the conventional wrist 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 lines or marks being formed on the infant increasing comfort while increasing fluid tightness.

Claims (7)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A disposable diaper comprising a back- ing 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 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 sheeto

2. A disposable diaper according to Claim 1, wherein said diaper is of a generally 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 panelseo

S. A disposable diaper according to Claim 4, where said backing sheet has marginal edges folded over said top sheet and bonded thereto, said marginal edges having said elastic members lying therebelowo

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. MA disposable diaper according to Claim 5, wherein said diaper is generally rectangular in shape. HAMZEH KARAMI Inventor