GB1573364A

GB1573364A - Protective pants particularly for young children

Info

Publication number: GB1573364A
Application number: GB2982977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-07-15
Filing date: 1977-07-15
Publication date: 1980-08-20

Description

(54) PROTECTIVE PANTS PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (71) I, RENE MATHIEU, a French citlzen, of rue Georges Clémenceau, 37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire, France do hereby, declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to protective pants for babies providing a better security and comfort for the baby and whose fastening is extremely simple. The invention represents in fact a new method of swaddling.

Protective pants for babies are known formed from an outer covering and an impermeable internal sheet cut out in the form of a trapezium and whose sides have been conveniently indented to free a rectangular rear part large enough so that its sides, in front, cover the hips of the child. The front of these pants constitutes a bridge or tail intended to be applied against the stomach, and to be fastened by its two vertical edges, to the flaps of the rear part, as described in American patent No. 3 025 856 (E.B.

BURWELL). This fastening is generally achieved by means of press-studs. Furthermore, elastic bands are sewn along the back and at the position of the thighs to maintain in place on the body of the baby a diaper made of an absorbent material.

Such a vertical fastening of these pants which, moreover, are tight around the thighs, is not satisfactory for the child is constantly hindered in his movements.

There is also known from American patent No. 3 077 193 (B.J. MANN) pants cut out in the form of an hour-glass, which do not completely envelop the hips of the child. There is also known from American patent No. 2 817 338 (SLUSSER) pants with double vertical/horizontal fastening, whose cut out shape is trapezoidal with the side edges of the trapezium having their concavity turned inwards. These pants do not offer the required tightness. Swiss patent No. 497 859 (A. SOLE ALEMANY) divulges a pair of pants without elasticity in the back and whose fastening is achieved by a hook and eye system, each flap having a hook which cooperates with eyes provided in a ribbon sewn along a very small part of the stomach bridge. American Patent No. 2 575 054 (ARCHER RUBBER COMPANY) divulges a pair of pants in which the thighs are very much imprisoned.

It is an object of the present invention, that it is possible to provide in a very simple way a pair of pants fulfilling the role of complete protection without however harming the delicate flesh of babies.

A pair of protective pants according to the invention comprises a cut-out shape of basically trapezoidal form but with the sloping sides of the trapezium curved in towards each other, the longer parallel side of the trapezium bounding a first waistband region the two end sections of which are provided by two flap parts arranged to fold over the abdomen, the shorter parallel side of the trapezium bounding a second waistband region of a third part also arranged to fold over the abdomen, and the third and flap parts being fastened together in use, only by fastening means wholly confined to said two end sections and said second waistband region, said pants being tightened by a band of elastic material mounted on the middle section of the first waistband region and by a band of elastic material mounted on the curved sloping sides of the trapezium at the position of the thighs.

Conveniently, the pants comprise an outer covering and an impermeable sheet placed on what will be the inside surface of the covering when the pants are in use.

Thus, the most efficient protection is obtained since the pants, which are worn low on the waist, although covering the stomach, fit perfectly the body of the child without gaping.

The pair of pants of the invention is in fact hermetic since the elastic band of the back ensures its maintenance and proper stability, the elastic band at the thighs guarantees the retention of urine, and the horizontal mode of fastening of the stomach bridge on the flaps of the rear part, lets the pants be adjusted to the desired waist size. According to a preferred embodiment, this fastening can be selected adhesive. Furthermore, this possibility of adjusting the waist size allows the pants to be used for children of many different sizes.

Moreover, the comfort - an important aspect particularly for sick children - is preserved for the following reasons: -the waistband of the pants in place on the baby is flat, at least at the front and on the sides; -the horizontal fastening of the pants on the waistband provides a slit for the thighs of the baby; -the trapezoidal shaped cut out is such that the narrowest part of the pants is situated at the thighs and the groin of the baby.

Furthermore, according to a particularly interesting characteristic of the pants of the invention, the elastic bands are always maintained flat, whether they are stretched or unstretched by means of a special gathered seam which is described in French Patent No.

75.03278 (Publication No. 2039165) in the name of Claudine MATHIEU.

It can be emphasized, in addition to the practical and economic character of the pants, that they have a particularly aesthetical style.

There will be described herebelow in detail, by way of non limiting example, a pair of protecting pants according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows said pair of pants on what in use will be the inside surface of the pants and with the elastic bands stretched; Fig. 2 shows the pants flat on what in use will be the outside surface of the pants, the elastic bands of the back and of the thighs being released; Fig. 3 is an elevational view of said pants such as placed on the baby, a corner of the stomach bridge being fastened to the waistband of the corresponding rear flap and the other corner of the bridge being unfolded, to show the fastening means provided at the position of the waistband of the other flap.

The pants thus shown comprise an outer covering 1 on which is applied an impermeable sheet 2. Said covering 1 and said sheet 2, sewn by their edges, have a cut out shape in the form of a trapezium with sides curved towards each other, as can be seen in Fig. 1.

For a pair of pants designed as a single size from 3 to 4 months up to 2 years, the dimensions of this trapezium are, for example, approximately to following: large base, 50 cm; small base, 22 cm; the width of the narrowest zone, 15 cm and height, 47 cm. A pair of pants can also be provided of smaller dimensions as a single size going from birth up to 3 to 4 months.

Rear part 3 forms laterally two pointed fraps 3a, capable of being folded forwards around the hips of the child, and the front part 4 constitutes a stomach bridge whose waistband is intended to be fastened flat on the waistband of the flaps 3a of rear part 3.

For this purpose, a brushed stitch ribbon 5, so-called fastening ribbon, is fastened on what in use will be the inside of the waistband of bridge 4 (see Fig. 1) and, complementarily, an adhesive hooking strip 6 is fastened on the right side of the waistband of each flap 3a (see Fig. 2). When placing the pants on the baby, fastening ribbon 5 is applied to the adhesive strips 6 which are located at a variable distance according to the waist size of the baby.

It is preferable to use an adhesive fastener of the type sold under the trademark "CRIC" whose brushed stitch ribbon 5 is made from polyamide (100%) and the adhesive hooking strips 6 from polyamide (89%) and polypropylene (11 %).

An elastic band 7 is provided on the waistband of rear part 3, between the two hooking strips 6, and elastic bands 8 tighten the pants, around the thighs only (see Fig. 1). These elastic bands are advantageously sewn according to the particular seam mentioned earlier, maintaining them constantly flat and so improving the comfort of the child and facilitating the swaddling.

It goes without saying that numerous modifcations can be made to the embodiment which has just been described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Thus in particular, the adhesive fastener, allowing the pants to be adapted to the waist of the child, could be of another type; the brushed stitch ribbon and the adhesive strips could be replaced by a series of press fasteners or by a system of hooks and eyes provided on the waistband of the bridge and of the side flaps. The flaps 3a could also be applied and fastened to bridge 4. Moreover, instead of fastening ribbon 5 on the internal waistband of bridge 4, the outer covering 1 of the pants can be itself formed of brushed stitches to provide a waistband coming back to the wrong side while forming the equivalent of a ribbon 5 which is then able to be hooked to the strips 6 of flaps 3a.

Furthermore the present invention is not limited to pants for infants. In fact the pants of the invention could be provided in larger sizes for incontinent children and for sick adults.

There can be provided also, besides the outer covering and the impermeable sheet or protection film a permeable sheet which forms a gusset with the protection film and which is mounted for example in accordance with the indications given in French Patent No. 75 03278 in the name of Claudine MATHIEU.

The outer covering will be chosen for example from cotton or a polyester fibre material such as "TERGAL" (Trade Mark) fibre or from a "NYLON" material or from a "JERSEY POLYESTER" type material.

The impermeable sheet will be made from polyvinyl chloride, or from any other impermeable material such as, for example, polyethylene or from a plastified or coated fabric.

The permeable sheet will for example be 100% polyvinyl, such as RHOVYL" (Trade Mark) fibre or from a mixed polyvinyl such as "ISOVYL-CLEVYL" (Trade Mark) or from a fibre of the "MERAKLON" (Trade Mark) type.

It is also possible to provide pants formed from material having only a single thickness.

The approximative dimensions of the pants of the invention designed especially for sick children in clinics and hospitals are the following: large base of the trapezium - 43 cm; small base - 20 cm; width of narrowest zone - 12 cm and height - 42 cm.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A pair of protective pants comprising a cut-out shape of basically trapezoidal form but with the sloping sides of the trapezium curved in towards each other, the longer parallel side of the trapezium bounding a first waistband region the two end sections of which are provided by two flap parts arranged to fold over the abdomen, the shorter parallel side of the trapezium bounding a second waistband region of a third part also arranged to fold over the abdomen, and the third and flap parts being fastened together in use, only by fastening means wholly confined to said two end section and said second waistband region, said pants being tightened by a band of elastic material mounted on the middle section of the first waistband region and by a band of elastic material mounted on the curved sloping sides of the trapezium at the position of the thighs.

2. A pair of protective pants according to Claim 1 in which a brushed stitched ribbon is sewn on what in use of the pants will be the inside of the second waistband region and the fastening means is provided by an adhesive hooking strip attached to what in use of the pants will be the outside surface of each flap part, said ribbon cooperating with said hooking strips of said flap parts which, when the pants are placed on the baby, are situated at a distance apart varying with the waist size of the baby.

3. A pair of protective pants according to Claim 2 in which said brushed stitch ribbon is made of polyamide and said adhesive strips are made of polyamide and polypropylene.

4. Apair of protective pants according to Claim 3 in which the polyamide and polypropylene are in the ratio 89 : 11.

5. A pair of protective pants according to any preceding Claim comprising an outer covering and an impermeable sheet placed on what will be the inside surface of the covering when the pants are in use.

6. A pair of protective pants according to Claim 5 in which the outer covering is formed from a brushed stitch material and forms a ribbon on what in use of the pants will be the inside of the second waistband region and adhesive hooking strips are fixed on what in use of the pants will be the outside surfaces of the two end sections of the first waistband region, said ribbon being arranged to cooperate with said hooking strips which, when the pants are placed on the baby, are situated at a distance apart varying with the waist size of the baby.

7. A pair of protective pants according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 and comprising a permeable sheet forming a gusset with said impermeable sheet.

8. A pair of protective pants according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 comprising only a single covering.

9. A pair of protective pants according to any preceding Claim in which the fastening means are of the press fastener type.

10. A pair of protective pants according to any of Claims 1 to 8 in which the fastening means are of the hook and eye type.

11. A pair of protective pants according to any preceding Claim in which the bands of elastic material are sewn with a gathered seam which keeps them constantly flat, whether they are stretched or unstretched.

12. A pair of protective pants according to any preceding Claim designed for sick or incontinent children and sick adults.

13. A pair of protective pants substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. There can be provided also, besides the outer covering and the impermeable sheet or protection film a permeable sheet which forms a gusset with the protection film and which is mounted for example in accordance with the indications given in French Patent No. 75 03278 in the name of Claudine MATHIEU. The outer covering will be chosen for example from cotton or a polyester fibre material such as "TERGAL" (Trade Mark) fibre or from a "NYLON" material or from a "JERSEY POLYESTER" type material. The impermeable sheet will be made from polyvinyl chloride, or from any other impermeable material such as, for example, polyethylene or from a plastified or coated fabric. The permeable sheet will for example be 100% polyvinyl, such as RHOVYL" (Trade Mark) fibre or from a mixed polyvinyl such as "ISOVYL-CLEVYL" (Trade Mark) or from a fibre of the "MERAKLON" (Trade Mark) type. It is also possible to provide pants formed from material having only a single thickness. The approximative dimensions of the pants of the invention designed especially for sick children in clinics and hospitals are the following: large base of the trapezium - 43 cm; small base - 20 cm; width of narrowest zone - 12 cm and height - 42 cm. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A pair of protective pants comprising a cut-out shape of basically trapezoidal form but with the sloping sides of the trapezium curved in towards each other, the longer parallel side of the trapezium bounding a first waistband region the two end sections of which are provided by two flap parts arranged to fold over the abdomen, the shorter parallel side of the trapezium bounding a second waistband region of a third part also arranged to fold over the abdomen, and the third and flap parts being fastened together in use, only by fastening means wholly confined to said two end section and said second waistband region, said pants being tightened by a band of elastic material mounted on the middle section of the first waistband region and by a band of elastic material mounted on the curved sloping sides of the trapezium at the position of the thighs.