Reusable Diaper and the Like

This invention relates to diapers, diaper covers and pants-like garments for infants. More particularly the present invention relates to reusable such diapers, diaper covers, garments and the like.

Reusable diapers and the like have been made with integral hook and loop members, e.g. the VELCRO.TM. for securably closing the diaper about an infant.

When the garment is removed from the infant and laundered, in the process of laundering the hook member readily links to other garments being laundered, causing these garments to be damaged and accumulating lint and rovings on the hook and agglomerating the laundered articles into a difficult to separate mass.

Commercially, when washing and/or drying hundreds of pounds of diapers or the like, the agglomeration can result in a "snow balling" effect in which one or more large "balls" of diapers, etc. are created. Such "balls" preclude the proper washing and/or drying and generate excessive vibratory motion which can lead to damaging the washing and/or drying machines.

The present invention relates to a reusable diaper, diaper cover or infant garment which comprises a cover member which includes a front portion which will, in use, be next to the front of the infant, and a rear portion. Tabs are provided on the sides of the rear portion which will overlie the front portion when the diaper or the like is worn by an infant. The outer surface of the front portion and the outer surfaces of the tabs are provided with loop means, e.g. of the VELCRO.TM. type, and separate hook means are completely detachable from the garment and are removed completely from the diaper or the like when it is to be washed, thus avoiding the above-noted problems of lint gathering damage and agglomeration of articles during washing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reusable diaper or the like in accordance with the present invention:

FIGS. 1(A)-1(D) show individual elements of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 when arranged for wear on an infant;

FIGS. 2(A)-2(F) show individual elements of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) show a holder element for closure members of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1 a garment or reusable diaper in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10 having a cover member 20 which includes a rear portion 30 with an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 33 and a front portion 40 with an outer surface 41 and an inner surface 43. Rear portion 30 has tabs 50, 52 extending laterally away therefrom, to which are affixed at their end portions respective loop means 60, 62 suitably of the VELCRO.TM.type shown also in FIGS. 1(A) 1(B). In FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) the loop means 60, 62 are shown each having a loop upper portion 66 and a plain lower surface 68, i.e. having neither loops or hooks. The loop portions 69, 62 can be cut from a commercially available strip shown in FIG. 1(C) at 59. The loop portions 60, 62 can be suitably affixed to the tabs 50, 52 by stitching indicated at 70 or other suitable means or techniques such as adhesives, etc. Front cover portion 40 has across its front peripheral edge 72, spaced away from rear portion 30, a band of loop means 74 of similar material to loop portions 60, 62 shown also in FIG. 1(D). Diaper 10 is suitably configured in a general L-shape 90 and held in this shape by gussets 95 joining and pulling together rear portion 30 and front portion 40 and forming a partial fold 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, additional absorbent means, such as panel 80 (shown in phantom) may be suitably secured in place within the diaper 10. Elastic edge trim 101 on the free edge of gussets 95 wrap securely and tightly about the infant's legs so as to preclude leakage. Preferably such trim 101 is of greater elasticity than the elastic edge trim 130.

In use, with reference to FIG. 2 the garment or diaper 10, e.g. a reusable diaper is wrapped around infant 15 so that rear portion tabs 50, 52 and loop portions 60, 62 are contiguous to loop portion 74 of front portion 40. Hook portions 102, 104 having hooks 110 shown also in the bottom views of FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), suitably of the VELCRO.TM. type can be cut from a strip of the type shown at 99 in FIG. 2(C) having a surface with hooks 110 and a plain opposite surface 68 with loop portions 60, 62 of rear portion 30 overlying loop portion 74 of front portion 30, the hook surfaces 110 of hook means 102, 104 are pressed onto loop means 74 to secure the garment 10 to the infant. When removal for washing is required, the hook means 102, 104 are completely separated from the diaper and its completely hook-free periphery 120 can be washed without risk of lint gathering and agglomeration with other garments and damage to other garments or to the washing and/or drying machines. A single strip of hook means 125 as shown in FIG. 2(C) affixed to the outer surface 41 of front portion 40 can be utilized instead of a pair of hook means 60, 62, to join loop means 60 and 62 to loop means 74 as shown in FIG. 2(D). The garment, e.g. a reusable diaper and the like in accordance with the present invention is made of one or more layers of conventional materials such as a soft absorbent material like cotton absorbent flock or velvet, flannel, etc. for the cover means 20, and the outer surface 41 which may be a separate layer of a different material such as an impervious material like rubber or a soft pliable plastic material, etc. In one embodiment a single layer may comprise an absorbent inner side and an impervious outer side. Further in a diaper cover, one impervious layer may be utilized. Suitably stitched substantially about the periphery of the diaper gusset at 130 as shown in FIG. 1 is an elastic edge trim which serves to form fit the garment to the body. As best shown in FIG. 1, the gussets 95 are stitched together with the elastic edge trim 130 to the portions of the diaper structure which form leg openings when in use.

The present invention further includes, in combination, a strip of loop material shown at 200 in FIG. 3(A) with loops indicated at 205, the opposite surface of the strip 200 indicated at 210 is plain except for an end band portion 220 which has hook material 225 affixed to the strip 200 on the side opposite the loop material. The strip 200 is suitably wrapped around a member 230, which can be part of a baby changing table, crib, chair or other household item, so that the end band portion 220 overlies loop material of strip 200 as shown in FIG. 31(B). In this position strip 200 wraps around and engages member 230 tightly so as to remain stationary and in place so that same can be used as a convenient holder for a plurality of hook means 102, 104, which are used in securing the reusable diaper or other garment as shown in FIG. 2. Optionally, the loop material 200 may have an adhesive backing for convenient mounting and securement. In this connection in the loop material 200 can be secured to the member 230 by any suitable means, such as nails, staples, tacks, screws adhesives or cement, etc.

While the invention is disclosed and more particularly described with the presently preferred embodiment, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the described embodiment. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus it is intended that the appended claims cover all equivalent variations as may be subsequently contemplated.