Patent Application
20060135925
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system that includes diapers, and in particular to a system that includes an appliqué which may be detachably adhered to diapers in the system.
A typical caregiver performs several diaper changes per day. It is usually easier to change diapers when a child is able to interact with the diapers as part of the diaper changing process.
One known method of facilitating interaction between a child and diapers is to place graphics on the diapers that serve to stimulate the child. The graphics often enhance dialog between the caregiver and the child during diaper changes.
One drawback with placing graphics on diapers is that the graphics are typically of low quality due to the constraints which are associated with economically manufacturing diapers. As an example, it is often difficult to place high quality graphics and/or certain types of graphics on diapers because diapers are typically manufactured at extremely high speeds using materials that readily absorb the inks, dyes and other materials which form the graphics.
Another drawback with placing graphics on diapers is that a child is typically unable to translate any interaction from one diaper to another during diaper changes. There is little or no interaction between diapers because the used diapers get discarded as part of the diaper changing process.
The present invention relates to a system that aids care providers when they need to perform multiple diaper changes per day. The system makes the diaper changing process more interactive between children and diapers, especially from one diaper change to another.
In one aspect, the system includes a package and a plurality of diapers that are within the package. The system further includes an appliqué that is within the package and is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers in the system. The appliqué may be placed on one of the diapers in the system which is initially worn by a child. When the original diaper is changed and then discarded, the appliqué may then be transferred to another newly worn diaper thereby facilitating interaction between the child and the diapers in the system from one diaper change to another.
In some embodiments, the appliqué may be formed of several decorative colors and/or may include a textured surface to provide aesthetic and/or tactile stimulation. The appliqué may also have a geometric shape (e.g., circle, square, triangle, and hexagon) or an animal shape (e.g., lion, elephant and human).
In another aspect, the appliqué may include a first graphic and at least one of the diapers in the system may include a second graphic. The first graphic and the second graphic may form a third graphic when the appliqué is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on the diapers that include the second graphic. In some embodiments, each of the diapers in the system may include a unique second graphic such that the first graphic and each unique second graphic form a distinctive third graphic when the appliqué is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on each of the diapers.
In another aspect, the system may include a plurality of appliqués that are adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers. In some embodiments, each appliqué is different from at least one of the other appliqués in the system in at least one feature (i.e., color, shape, texture). In addition, the first and second graphics may be designed such that the first graphic covers a portion of the second graphic to form the third graphic.
The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of the invention may be realized and attained by the product and processes particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention.
The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes made, such that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The system 100 may be used by a care giver to perform multiple diaper changes. Since the appliqué 14 can be detachably adhered to each of the diapers 12 in the system 100, the appliqué may be placed onto one of the diapers 12 that is initially being worn a child in order to provide interaction between the child and the diaper 12.
As shown in
Any type of package 10 may be used in system 100. Some example packages 10 include containers, holders, cans, jars, racks, bags, pouches, cubbies, dispensers, spindles, cores, cupboards, closets, clips, cabinets, crates, trunks, totes and/or tubs (among others).
The package 10 may be disposable or reusable and may be plain or decorated in some manner. In addition, the package 10 may be used as a shipping container or to perform some other function.
Any type of diaper 12 may be used in system 100 or any of the systems described herein. Some example diapers include newborn diapers, premature baby diapers, overnight diapers, diapers for adults and diapers of various other sizes. Other example diapers include specialized diapers, such as diapers for urine absorption, feces absorption, blood absorption, sweat absorption, menses absorption and diapers that include a lotion or medication. The diapers may also be swim pants, training pants, diaper pants and absorbent underpants (among others).
As used herein, an appliqué 14 is something that may be detachably adhered to each of the diapers 12. The appliqué 14 may be any type of appliqué 14 that is known now or discovered in the future.
In some embodiments, the appliqué 14 may be a geometric shape such as a circle, square and triangle.
As shown in
It should be noted that any type of alphanumeric information 17 may be included on appliqué 14. As an example, the alphanumeric information 117 may identify the day of the week (e.g., Monday, Tuesday, etc.) when a particular diaper is to be used.
The appliqué 14 may be detachably adhered to the diapers 12 through any method that is known now or discovered in future as long as the appliqué 14 may be transferred from one diaper 12 to another. As an example, the appliqué 14 and the plurality of diapers 12 may form a hook-and-loop type fastener when the appliqué 14 is detachably adhered to one of the plurality of diapers 12. Some of the other example methods that may be used to detachably adhere the appliqué 14 to the diapers 12 include using magnets, snaps and adhesives.
In the example embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
The first graphic 118 and the second graphic 119 may be any type of graphic that is known now or discovered in the future. It should be noted that the first graphic 118 may be the same as the second graphic 119 or different than the second graphic 119. In addition, the first graphic 118 may form part of, or all, of the appliqué 114 depending on the design considerations that are associated with the system 200.
In the example embodiment illustrated in
In the example embodiment illustrated in
The system described herein may facilitate multiple diaper changes per day by promoting interaction between a child and the diapers that are used during multiple diaper changes. The system also allows a child to translate interaction from one diaper to another during diaper changes.
While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.
