Patent Application
20080200889
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to diapers and incontinent pads and more particularly to a pair of detachedly connected diapers and a incontinent pad which can be converted to the diaper.
2. General Background
Parents now have the option of using a variety of diapers for their child, ranging from the conventional cloth diaper washed at home or provided by a laundry service, disposable diapers, or a combination of these types in an all-in-one diaper. Arguments are made on all sides regarding the health and sanitation issues, the energy and environmental cost, as well as the economics involved in using each type. However, case studies have clearly indicated that it all comes down to a personal choice based on the life style and economic advantages of the parent.
An issue focuses on the comfort of the baby with respect to the diaper applied. It is essential that the diaper be snug to insure retention and prevent leakage but not so tight as to be uncomfortable or hamper blood circulation in the child's legs due to elastic leg openings and not so tight as to create high humidity within the diaper.
Some studies even suggest the use of two diapers per changing to help insure dryness. Therefore, elastic covers or diapers with hook and loop fasteners that can cut and abrade the child and the addition of disposable multi-layers of absorbent material is clearly not the answer.
Further, hook and loop fasteners generally only allow for waist adjustment and do nothing for the leg openings. Therefore, elastic is often used around the leg openings. This arrangement assumes that the waist and leg size are relative which is certainly not the case.
Obviously the key issues are to insure that the baby stays as dry as possible for as long as possible with the least bulk possible. The baby's comfort should be paramount and not dependent on convenience for the diaper changer.
Furthermore, when traveling away from home, carrying spare diapers is a major concern. An additional concern especially when the caregiver only has a small pocketbook is where to place the spare diaper.
Furthermore, incontinence pads are generally larger than diapers and are used frequently for bed patients. However, when these patients get up, they frequently require a diaper. In some cases, the incontinence pads are clean but thrown out unused. This can cause a large and wasteful expense.
An incontinence pad for user includes a first moisture impenetrable exterior liner on a first side of the incontinence pad, a second moisture impenetrable exterior liner on the first side of the incontinence pad, a first flexible portion to connect the first moisture impenetrable exterior liner to the second moisture impenetrable exterior liner, a moisture punishable interior liner to form a continuous sealed edge with the first moisture impenetrable exterior liner and the second moisture impenetrable exterior liner. The incontinence pad includes a weakened area to convert the incontinence pad to a diaper.
The continuous seal is maintained after the incontinence pad is converted to the diaper.
The incontinence pad includes a first centrally located absorbent porous fibrous core of the first thickness, and the incontinence pad includes a second absorbent porous fibrous core of the second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
A diaper assembly for a user includes a first disposable diaper, and a second disposable diaper detachably connected to the first disposable diaper. The second disposable diaper remains connected to the first disposable diaper as the first disposable diaper is being used by the user.
The diaper assembly includes a first fastening device to fasten to the user and the diaper assembly includes a second fastening device to detachedly connect the first disposable diaper and the second disposable diaper.
The second fastening device includes Velcro and detachable adhesive.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
The first moisture impermeable exterior liner 102 may include a fastening device 118 such as velco, a releasable adhesive, buttons or any other suitable device.
The first moisture impermeable exterior liner 102, the second moisture impermeable exterior liner 103 and the first flexible portion 106 form a continuous sealed edge 110 with the moisture permeable interior liner 104 which is positioned on the second side of the incontinence pad to help prevent any liquid from escaping.
In addition, the disposable garment includes an interior sealed edge 112 and a weakened area 114 to remove a portion of the second moisture impermeable exterior liner 103 in order to convert the incontinent garment such as bedpan to a diaper.
The gathered material 530 may be an elastic-like stretchable material to give the diaper a comfortable fit and shape and to prevent leakage.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
