GB2375946A

GB2375946A - Single layer nappy

Info

Publication number: GB2375946A
Application number: GB0113224A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Deidre Margaret Johnson; Margaret Louise King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-01
Also published as: GB0113224D0; GB2375946B

Abstract

A nappy 1 unfolds to a single layer of material. This enables a non-disposable nappy to be easy to fit and quick to dry. As shown, the nappy 1, which may be of towelling material, comprises a seat 2, a waistband 4,5 with fasteners 12, additional padding 9 and flaps 6,7,8 which in use fold into a pocket 8. A water resistant surface may be provided over the outer surface.

Description

Nappy The present invention relates to a shaped nappy for infants which unfolds to a substantially single layer of material and a method for production of the nappy.

Within the context of this specification the word"comprises"is taken to mean "includes, among other things". It is not intended to be construed as"consists of only".

Nappies are alternatively referred to a diapers. Within the context of this specification they will be referred to a nappies throughout.

Historically, non-disposable washable nappies were superceded by disposable nappies which were suitable for being worn once in view of the fact that they introduced a measure of convenience and cleanliness. They apparently removed the need for washing used nappies and ensured that when a new nappy was provided it was clean and free of germs.

In view of the fact that disposable nappies are sometimes bulky, their use has been found to suffer from the problem that they can produce a large amount of waste. In addition, they have been found to suffer from the problem that a large amount of storage space is needed to keep disposable nappies. Furthermore, it is now considered

that more resources are used in production of disposable nappies than in production of non-disposable nappies and the total use of disposable nappies has been found to be more expensive than the use of non-disposable nappies in the period from birth of an infant to the time it uses a potty. In view of this there is now pressure to return to use of non-disposable nappies.

However, non-disposable nappies fall into two categories and there are problems associated with each of these categories.

Firstly,"flat nappies"have been provided which comprise a square of towelling or flat cotton. These must be folded to achieve a reasonable fit on an infant and to provide bulk for absorbency In addition, they have generally included a closure means comprising pins for securing the nappy in place These nappies suffer from the problem that they are difficult to fold correctly Furthermore, they suffer from the problem that they require pins which can become detached and lost and/or they can cause injury if they are not used correctly.

Secondly,"shaped nappies"have been provided which include a plurality of layers of fabric fully sewn together. These nappies do not require folding and so they generally have the advantage of being easier to fit to an mfant. These nappies may include a flap attached to or loosely positioned in the seat of the nappy to increase absorbency and a closure means including complimentary hook and loops, snaps or pins for

securing the nappy in place. In order to achieve maximum absorbency these nappies are bulky, however it has been found that their bulk gives rise to the problem that they hold moisture do not dry quickly after being washed.

Therefore, a need exists for a new non-disposable nappy which is easy to fit to an infant and which is quick drying. The present invention addresses the problems set out above.

Remarkably, it has now been found that a shaped nappy can be provided which can be entirely unfolded to substantially a single layer of material. Surprisingly, a nappy has now been found wherein each of its faces of material can be easily separated and all material surfaces are externally accessible. This provides the advantages of being easy to fit to an infant and additionally being quick to dry after washing in view of the fact that in an unfolded configuration the nappy comprises a single layer of material and does not hold excess moisture.

Consequently, in a first aspect the present invention provides a shaped nappy which unfolds to a substantially single layer of material.

Preferably, the nappy comprises a seat and a waist band. Preferably the waist band comprises a front section and a rear section.

Preferably, a lateral flap adjoins the seat on each side of an embodiment of the nappy.

In an unfolded configuration of an embodiment of the nappy each lateral flap extends away from the seat. In a folded configuration of an embodiment of the nappy each lateral flap abuts the inside of the seat of the nappy and extends from one side of the seat to the opposing-side thereby preferably overlapping. The lateral flaps provide the advantage of increasing the padding and absorbency of the nappy in the folded configuration, whereas after the nappy is washed they can be folded out and dry easily.

Preferably, a front longitudinal flap adjoins the inside of the front section of the waistband. In an unfolded configuration of the nappy the front longitudinal flap extends away from the seat. In a folded configuration of the nappy the front longitudinal flap abuts the inside of the seat of the nappy and extends from the front of the nappy towards the rear of the nappy. The longitudinal flap provides the advantage of increasing the padding and absorbency of the nappy in the folded configuration, whereas after the nappy is washed it can be folded out and dries easily Preferably, the front longitudinal flap is of sufficient length to enable it to be folded on itself inside the nappy. This provides the advantage ofincreashg flexibility of the positioning of the area and/or volume of absorbent material in order to maximise absorbence depending on the sex of the infant.

Preferably, the rear of an embodiment of the nappy includes a pocket which receives the front longitudinal flap. More preferably the pocket also receives the lateral flaps.

Preferably the pocket is loose fitting which provides the advantage that it can be opened so that after the nappy is washed it can be folded out and dries easily.

Preferably the edge of the pocket overlaps the rear of each lateral flap. This provides the advantage that the method for folding the nappy from the unfolded configuration to a folded configuration is obvious. Advantageously, the flaps almost fall into place.

Preferably an embodiment of the nappy comprises additional padding which can optionally be used by positioning the additional padding inside the pocket and/or under the lateral and/or front longitudinal flap. This provides the advantage of increasing the absorbency of the nappy if needed, but the additional padding can be removed for washing and drying of the nappy.

Preferably an embodiment of the nappy includes a closure means. More preferably the closure means includes snaps, pins or complimentary hook and loops, for example VELCRO t. Even more preferably the outside of the front section of the waistband comprises a strip of material comprising loops or hooks and each end inside the rear section of the waist band comprises first short strips of complimentary hooks or loops.

Most preferably, the outside of the front section of the waistband comprises a strip of material comprising loops and each end inside the rear section of the waist band

comprises first short strips of complimentary hooks. This provides the advantage of providing easy and convenient closing which is also adjustable.

Preferably, the first short strips of material comprising hooks or loops positioned at each end inside the rear section of the waist band are positioned adjacent flaps of second short strips of material comprising complimentary hooks or loops More preferably, the first short strips of material comprise hooks and the second short strips of material comprise complimentary loops. These second short strips are capable of being fixed over the first short strips when the nappy is being washed and provide the advantage that the first short strips do not fix to the nappy or other material.

Preferably, one end of the outside of the rear section of the waist band comprises a strip of material comprising loops or hooks. More preferably, the rear section of the waist band comprises a strip of material comprising loops. This provides the advantage that the nappy can be adjusted to fit smaller infants because one of the first short strips of material comprising complimentary hooks or loops positioned mside the opposing end of the rear section of the waist band is capable of being fixed thereto.

Preferably, the rear section of the waist band is elasticated. Preferably, thus is achieved by attaching, for example by sewing, an elastic material mto or adjacent the waist band or by encasing an elastic material in a strip of material positioned adjacent

the inside of the waist band. Preferably, the strip of material is rectangular and is stitched adjacent the inside of the rear of the waist band. This provides the advantage that the nappy stays on an infant without falling down and provides a snug, but gentle fit allowing freedom of movement for the infant.

Preferably, each side of the seat of an embodiment of the nappy adjacent the join between the seat and the lateral flaps is elasticated In a folded configuration this has the effect of elasticatmg opemngs for the legs of an infant. Preferably, this is achieved by attaching, for example by sewing, an elastic material into the join between the seat and the lateral flaps. This provides the advantage that the absorbent material is kept in the correct position and reduces the possibility of the nappy leaking.

Preferably, the edges of material of each part of a nappy according to an embodunent of the invention are overlocked. This well known form of stitching provides the advantages of preventing the edges of material from fraying, prevents the edges holding moisture and encourages correct folding of the nappy in its folded configuration. In an alternative embodiment the edges of material are stitched with a zig zag stitching or the material used is a non-fraying material. In the case of a nonfraying material the edges are preferably stitched with a standard stitch.

In a preferred embodiment of a nappy of the invention a water resistant or waterproof panel is provided at the rear of the nappy. Preferably this is achieved by attaching, for example by sewing, a layer of water resistant or waterproof material to the rear of the outside of the nappy. This provides the advantage of ensuring that the nappy does not leak.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of a nappy of the invention a water resistant or waterproof surface is provided over the entire outer surface of the nappy and faces outwardly when the nappy is in use. In contrast, the inwardly facing surface of the nappy, in contact with an infant's skin, is produced of absorbent material. Preferably this is achieved by attaching, for example by sewmg, a layer of water resistant or waterproof material to the outer surface of the outside of the nappy. This provides the advantage of ensuring that the nappy does not leak.

r) Preferably an embodiment of the nappy is produced of terylene or other woven or

knitted material. More preferably it is produced of towelling material which comprises loops. Even more preferably the loops are longer on the inside of the nappy than on the outside of the nappy. This provides the advantage of ensuring maximum absorbency.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method for production of a nappy according to a first aspect of the invention which comprises the steps of joining material together as described.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a nappy according to the invention in an unfolded configuration ; Figure 2 shows a nappy according to the invention in a partly folded configuration ; Figure 3 shows a nappy according to the invention in a folded configuration.

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

As seen in Figures 1 to 3 an embodiment of the invention provides a shaped nappy 1

r which unfolds to a substantially single layer of material produced of terylene which A

comprises loops longer on the inside than on the outside. The nappy 1 comprises a seat 2 and a waist band 3 which comprises a front section 4 and a rear section 5.

A lateral flap 6 adjoins the seat 2 on each side of the nappy 1. In an unfolded configuration of the nappy 1 each lateral flap 6 extends away from the seat 2. In a folded configuration of the nappy 1 each lateral flap 6 abuts the inside of the seat 2 of the nappy 1 and extends from one side of the seat 2 to the opposing side thereby overlapping.

A front longitudinal flap 7 adjoins the inside of the front section 4 of the waistband 3 In an unfolded configuration of the nappy 1 the front longitudinal flap 7 extends away from the seat 2. In a folded configuration of the nappy 1 the front longitudinal flap 7 abuts the inside of the seat 2 of the nappy 1 and extends from the front of the nappy towards the rear of the nappy 1.

The front longitudinal flap 7 is of sufficient length to enable it to be folded on itself inside the nappy 1.

The rear of the nappy 1 includes a loose fitting pocket 8 which receives the front longitudinal flap 7. The pocket 8 also receives the lateral flaps 6.

The edge of the pocket 8 overlaps the rear of each lateral flap 6. This ensures that the method for folding the nappy 1 from the unfolded configuration to a folded configuration is obvious.

The nappy 1 comprises additional padding 9 which can optionally be used by positioning the additional padding 9 inside the pocket 8 and/or under the lateral flaps 6 and/or front longitudinal flap 7.

The nappy includes a closure means 10 which includes complimentary hook and loops, for example VELCRO (g. The outside of the front section 4 of the waistband 3 comprises a strip of material 11 comprising loops and each end inside the rear section of the waist band comprises first short strips 12 of complimentary hooks. This provides an easy and convenient closure means 10 which is also adjustable.

The first short strips of material 12 comprising hooks are positioned at each end of the inside of the rear section 5 of the waist band 3 adjacent flaps 13 of second short strips of material comprising complimentary loops.

One end 14 of the outside of the rear section 3 of the waist band 5 comprises a strip of material 15 comprising loops. This provides the advantage that the nappy 1 can be adjusted to fit smaller infants because one of the first short strips 12 of material

comprising hooks positioned inside of the opposing end of the rear section 5 of the waist band 3 is capable of being fixed thereto The rear section 5 of the waist band 3 is elasticated. This is achieved by sewing an elastic material into-the waist band or by encasing an elastic material in a rectangular strip of material positioned adjacent the inside of the waist band.

Each side of the seat 2 of the nappy 1 adjacent the join between the seat 2 and the lateral flaps 6 is elasticated. In a folded configuration this has the effect of elasticating openings for the legs of an infant. This is achieved by sewing an elastic material into the join between the seat 2 and the lateral flaps 6.

The strips of material comprising complimentary hooks or loops are fixed to an embodiment of a nappy of the invention by straight stitching and the edges of material of each part of the nappy are overlocked This is a well known form of stitching In an alternative embodiment the edges of material are stitched with a zig zag stitching or the material used is a non-fraying material and the edges are stitched with a standard stitch.

In one embodiment of a nappy of the invention a water resistant or waterproof panel is provided at the rear of the nappy which ensures that the nappy does not leak.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spmt and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A shaped nappy which unfolds to a substantially single layer of material
2. A nappy according to claim 1 which comprises a seat and a waist band and the waist band includes a front section and a rear section
3 A nappy according to claim 2 havmg a lateral flap which adjoins the seat on each side of the nappy wherein, in an unfolded configuration of the nappy, each lateral flap extends away from the seat and, in a folded configuration of the nappy, each lateral flap abuts the inside of the seat of the nappy and extends from one side of the seat to the opposing side thereby overlapping.
4. A nappy according to claim 2 or 3 havmg a front longitudinal flap which adjoins the inside of the front section of the waistband wherein, in an unfolded configuration of the nappy, the front longitudinal flap extends away from the seat and, in a folded configuration of the nappy, the front longitudinal flap abuts the inside of the seat of the nappy and extends from the front of the nappy towards the rear of the nappy
5 A nappy according to claim 4 wherein the front longitudinal flap is of sufficient length to enable it to be folded on itself inside the nappy.

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6. A nappy according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the rear of the nappy includes a pocket which receives the front longitudinal flap and/or the lateral flaps.
7. A nappy according to claim 6 wherein the edge of the pocket overlaps the edge of each lateral flap.
8. A nappy according to claim 6 or 7 which comprises additional padding which can optionally be used by positioning the additional padding inside the pocket and/or under the lateral and/or front longitudinal flap.
9. A nappy according to any preceding claim which includes a closure means.
10. A nappy according to claim 9 wherein the closure means includes snaps, pins or complimentary hook and loops, for example VELCRO < S).
11. A nappy according to claim 10 wherein the outside of the front section of the waistband comprises a strip of material comprising loops and each end inside the rear section of the waist band comprises first short strips of complimentary hooks.
12. A nappy according to claim 11 wherein the first short strips of material comprising hooks are positioned adjacent flaps of second short strips of material

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comprising complimentary loops wherein the second short strips are capable of being fixed over the first short strips when the nappy is being washed.
13. A nappy according to claim 11 or 12 wherein one end of the outside of the rear section of the waist band comprises a strip of material comprising loops.
14. A nappy according to any one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the rear section of the waist band is elasticated.
15. A nappy according to any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein each side of the seat of an embodiment of the nappy adjacent the join between the seat and the lateral flaps is elasticated.
16. A nappy according to any preceding claim wherein edges of material of each part of the nappy are overlocked.
17. A nappy according to any preceding claim having a water resistant or waterproof panel is provided at the rear of the nappy.

(kan)
18. A nappy according to any preceding claim which is produced of terylene or other A

woven or knitted material having the loops that are longer on the inside of the nappy than on the outside of the nappy.

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19. A nappy according to any preceding claim which comprises a water resistant or waterproof surface provided over the outer surface of the nappy facing outwardly when the nappy is in use.
20. A method for production of a nappy according to a first aspect of the invention which comprises the steps of joining material together to form a seat, a waist band, two lateral flaps and a longitudinal flap.
21. A nappy substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.