BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a garment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exterior, garment-facing surface of the garment shown in FIG. 1 with a portion broken away for the purpose of illustration.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a strap member of the garment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the strap member shown in FIG. 3 depicting the looped portion and the non-looped portion.
FIG. 5 is a back view of the strap member shown in FIG. 3 with the attachment mechanism depicted in an unattached and separated position.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a garment having strap members that are removeably attached to loops permanently secured to the garment.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the interior, body-facing surface of the garment shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a portion of a strap member having a hook fastener secured to an end thereof.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the strap member shown in FIG. 8 with the hook fastener engaging an exterior surface of a garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a garment 10 is shown. The garment 10 can be any type of garment worn by a human being. Desirably, the garment 10 is a disposable absorbent garment for absorbing human discharge. A “disposable absorbent garment” as used herein is an absorbent garment that is intended to be worn by humans, including infants, toddlers or adults, which is designed for single or temporary use and is meant to be disposed of after being used once instead of being laundered or dry cleaned for re-use. The disposable absorbent garment is designed to absorb and/or retain one or more bodily discharges of waste material such as urine, perspiration, excrement, feces, menses, menstrual fluid, as well as other liquid and/or solid waste. Some examples of disposable absorbent garments include infant diapers, child training pants, menstrual pants worn by females during their menstrual cycle, adult incontinent briefs, adult incontinent guards, adult incontinent underwear, etc.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment 10 is depicted as an adult incontinent brief solely for purposes of discussion. The garment 10 includes a liquid-permeable liner 12, a liquid-impermeable outer cover 14 and an absorbent 16 enclosed therebetween, see FIG. 2. The liquid-permeable liner 12, also commonly referred to as a bodyside liner, faces and contacts the body of the wearer during use. The bodyside liner 12 can be formed from a woven or non-woven material that will readily allow liquid or fluids to pass therethrough. The bodyside liner 12 is normally a very thin web that can be formed from natural or synthetic fibers, with or without apertures formed therein. A spunbond and a bonded carded web are two materials that work well as a bodyside liner 12. “Spunbond” is manufactured and sold commercially by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, having an office at 401 North Lake Street, Neenah, Wis. 54956.
The liquid-impermeable outer cover 14 is located on the exterior of the garment 10, away from the wearer's skin. The liquid-impermeable outer cover 14 is formed from a material which will restrict or prevent fluid from penetrating and passing therethrough so as to prevent the outer clothing of the wearer from becoming soiled. Desirably, the outer cover 14 has a soft feel so as not to chafe the inner thighs of the wearer. The outer cover 14 can also be formed from natural or synthetic fibers. The outer cover 14 can be formed from a material that is not noisy when squeezed or wrinkled so that the garment 10 remains discreet. The outer cover 14 can also be formed from a breathable material. The outer cover 14 can further be formed from a laminate where one layer of the laminate is liquid-impervious. Examples of various materials that can be used as the outer cover 14 include a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene; a thermoplastic film, a liquid-impervious layer bonded to a nonwoven such as spunbond; a thermoplastic material bonded to spunbond, etc. Other materials known to those skilled in the art can also be utilized.
The absorbent 16 can be formed from natural or synthetic materials. The absorbent 16 can be made from cellulosic fibers, wood pulp, textile fibers or other absorbent materials known to those skilled in the art. Superabsorbent, in solid form and in the shape of small particles, granules, flakes, etc. can be mixed in with the absorbent material to increase the absorbent capacity of the absorbent 16.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment 10 has a front portion 18, a crotch portion 20 and a back portion 22. The crotch portion 20 is located between the front and back portions, 18 and 22 respectively, and covers the perineal area of the wearer when the garment 10 is fitted about the wearer's torso. When worn, the garment 10 will have a waist opening 24 located at the upper edge of the front and back portions, 18 and 22 respectively, and a pair of leg openings 26, one of which is depicted in FIG. 1.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a plan view of the exterior surface of the garment 10 is shown. The garment 10 has a longitudinal central axis X—X and a transverse central axis Y—Y. In FIG. 2, one can see three spaced apart elastic strands 28 positioned laterally outward of the absorbent 16, along the transverse central axis Y—Y. The elastic strands 28 are secured between the liquid-permeable liner 12 and the liquid-impermeable outer cover 14. The three elastic strands 28 are depicted on the right side of the absorbent 16 in FIG. 2. An additional three elastic strands, not shown, are also present on the left side of the absorbent 16.
It should be noted that a fewer or a greater number of elastic strands 28 can be utilized. The elastic strands 28 can be formed from LYCRA or from another material known to those skilled in the art. LYCRA is a registered trademark of E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Co., having an office at 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del. 19898.
The diameter and/or cross sectional configuration of the elastic strands 28, the decitex (weight in grams per 10,000 meters) of each elastic strand 28, and the tension imparted into each of the elastic strands 28 can all be varied to suit one's particular product needs. The elastic strands 28 function to hold the crotch portion 20 of the garment 10 close to the perineal area of the wearer during use. In addition, the elastic strands 28 can extend around at least a portion of each of the leg openings 26 and form a gasket with the thighs and assist in preventing body fluid, such as urine which is discharged by the wearer, from leaking out.
Returning again to FIG. 1, a strap member 30 is shown. In FIG. 1, two strap members 30 are depicted joining the front portion 18 of the garment 10 to the back portion 22 of the garment 10 approximate the waist opening 24. The two strap members 30 function to hold and secure the garment 10 snugly about the torso of the wearer so that the garment 10 can absorb and retain body fluid, such as urine, discharged by the wearer. It should be noted that a single strap member 30 can also be utilized. When only one strap member 30 is present, the design of the garment 10 can be modified to include a passageway, sleeve, cuff, channel, tunnel, loop(s) or some other type of retention mechanism known to those skilled in the art, for holding the strap member 30 in place. For example, the garment 10 could contain a lateral passageway formed by folding the upper edge of the front and back portions, 18 and 22 respectively, upon themselves. The passageway could be located adjacent to the waist opening 24 and would be of sufficient size to allow the strap member 30 to slide or pass therethrough.
The strap member 30 can be formed from a variety of natural or synthetic materials. The strap member 30 can be a woven material, a nonwoven material, a film, a laminate, etc. The strap member 30 will be formed from an elastic material or a non-elastic material. Desirably, the strap member 30 is formed from an elastic material since the elastic provides an extra amount of stretch. When the strap member 30 is formed from an elastic material, it should be capable of stretching approximately 1.1 to 10 times its relaxed length. Desirably, the strap member 30 formed from an elastic material should be capable of stretching approximately 1.5 to 5 times its relaxed length. More desirably, the strap member 30 formed from an elastic material should be capable of stretching approximately 2 to 3 times its relaxed length.
Turning now to FIGS. 3-4, the strap member 30 is shown having a length l1, a width w1 and a thickness t1, see FIG. 4. The strap member 30 is constructed such that its overall length l1 can vary. The length l1 of the strap member 30 can be adjusted to extend from a couple of inches to a few feet. When two strap members 30 are used for a garment 10, the length l1 of each of the strap members 30 can range from between about 4 inches (about 10 cm (centimeters)) to about 24 inches (about 61 cm). Desirably, when two strap members 30 are used, each will have the length l1 of each can be adjusted from between about 4 inches (about 10 cm) to about 18 inches (about 46 cm). It should be noted that each of the two strap members 30 do not have to have the same length, although this is desirable.
If only one strap member 30 is used, it should be constructed such that the length l1 can vary to be able to encircle the waist of a small adult to a large adult. In this case, the length l1 of the strap member 30 could be adjusted to range from between a few inches to several feet. For example, the length l1 of a single strap member 30 could range from between about 18 inches (about 46 cm) to about 5 feet (about 152 cm). It should be noted that the length l1 of a strap member 30 could be made to be larger, if desired.
The width w1 of the strap member 30 can also vary and can range from between about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm) to about 2 inches (about 50 mm). Desirably, the width w1 of the strap member 30 will range from about 0.25 inches (about 6.4) to about 1.5 inches (about 38 mm). More desirably, the width w1 of the strap member 30 will range from about 0.5 inches (about 12.7 mm) to about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm). Even more desirably, the width w1 of the strap member 30 will be less than about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm). A width w1 of less than about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm) is desirable for it will reduce the overall cost of manufacturing each strap member 30.
The thickness t1 of the strap member 30 can also vary but desirably it is relatively thin. The thickness t1 of the strap member 30 can range from between about 1 mm to about 10 mm. Desirably, thickness t1 of the strap member 30 can range from between about 2 mm to about 5 mm. More desirably, the thickness t1 of the strap member 30 will be less than about 4 mm.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the strap member 30 includes a looped portion 32 and a non-looped portion 34. The length of each portion 32 and 34 can vary to fit one's particular needs. The looped portion 32 can be sized to be smaller, larger or be equal in initial length to the initial length of the non-looped portion 34. The looped portion 32 is designed to increase or decrease in length so as to allow the strap member 30 to become shorter or longer in overall length l1. The looped and non-looped portions, 32 and 34 respectively, should have a relatively uniform width w1. Desirably, the looped and non-looped portions, 32 and 34 respectively, will have a constant width w1. One or more sections of the non-looped portion 34 can be present. For example, in FIGS. 3-5, two non-looped portions 34 are depicted.
The strap member 30 also has a first attachment means 36 and a second attachment means 38. The first and second attachment means, 36 and 38 respectively, include various types of attachment mechanisms, such as buttons as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. However, the first and second attachment means, 36 and 38 respectively, can be hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO fasteners, a plurality of micro hooks that can attach to themselves or to a loop material, a mechanical attachment such as a pair of snaps, a hook and loop, or any other kind of removable fastener known to those skilled in the art which will provide a secure attachment when connected. The first and second attachment means, 36 and 38 respectively, permit the ends of each of the strap members 30 to be removeably or releasably attached or secured to the front and back portions, 18 and 22 respectively, of the garment 10. The first attachment means 36 is located on the non-looped portion 34 of the strap member 30. The first attachment means 36 is directly attached to the strap member 30, such as by a thread or by a mechanical fastener. The distance that the first attachment means 36 is located from the adjacent end of the strap member 30 can vary to suit one's particular needs. The second attachment means 38 is located on the looped portion 32 of the strap member 30. The second attachment means 38 is secured to a collar or band 39, such as by a thread or by a mechanical fastener. The collar or band 39 is sized so that it can easily slide on or along the looped portion 32 of the strap member 30. The collar or band 39 desirably is a closed loop that completely encircles a portion of the looped portion 32 of the strap member 30. However, the collar or band 39 can be formed as a “C” shaped member that does not completely encircle a portion of the loop portion 32 of the strap member 30.
Still referring to FIGS. 3-5, the strap member 30 further includes an adjustment mechanism 40 located at a point where the looped portion 32 joins the non-looped portion 34. The adjustment mechanism 40, allows the strap member 30 to be adjusted in length such that the strap member 30 can be shortened or lengthened. This is very different from most straps currently utilized in securing a garment, especially disposable absorbent undergarments, about a wearer's torso. Essentially all such straps used today to support a garment on a wearer's torso can be lengthened to a limited degree, such as by stretching an elastic material, but they do not have the ability to be made shorter than their initial relaxed length.
The adjustment mechanism 40 can be formed from plastic, metal, wood or any other material known to one skilled in the art. Plastic is desirable since it is very inexpensive and can be easily molded or formed. The adjustment mechanism 40 can vary in physical appearance. The adjustment mechanism shown in FIGS. 3-5 includes a pair of rings 42 and 44 separated by a divider 46. The adjustment mechanism 40 has a thickness t2, see FIG. 4, which is relatively thin. For example, the thickness t2 of the adjustment mechanism 40 should be less than about 6 mm, desirably less than about 3 mm, and even more desirably, less than about 2 mm.
Referring back to FIG. 3, each of the pair of rings 42 and 44 contains an opening or aperture that has an inner height h1 that is slightly larger than the width w1 of the strap member 30. The reason for so sizing the inner heights h1 of the openings formed in the rings 42 and 44 is to allow the strap member 30 to easily engage or pass through the openings. The inner height h1 of each of the openings formed in the pair of rings 42 and 44 can be of equal size or they can be unequal in size relative to one another. Desirably, the inner height h1 of each of the openings formed in the pair of rings 42 and 44 are of the same size. The shape of the opening or aperture formed in each of the pair of rings 42 and 44 can also vary. The shape of each of the openings formed in the pair of rings 42 and 44 can be a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a rectangle, a square or any other geometrical shape or configuration known to one skilled in the art. For ease of manufacture, it is desirable to form the openings in the pair of rings 42 and 44 such that they are of the same size and shape.
The divider 46 of the adjustment mechanism 40 can be separately or integrally formed with the pair of rings 42 and 44. Desirably, the divider 46 is integrally formed with the pair of rings 42 and 44. The divider 46 separates the two openings formed in the pair of rings 42 and 44. Therefore, the divider 46 forms a portion of the outer periphery of each of the openings present in the pair of rings 42 and 44. The divider 46 has a height h2, which is slightly greater than the width w1 of the strap member 30. This size difference allows the strap member 30 to be easily guided through the openings formed in the pair of rings 42 and 44. This size difference further allows the strap member 30 to arc or loop around a portion of the divider 46.
It should be noted that the size and shape of the pair of rings 42 and 44 and the dimension of the divider 46 can be varied to suit one's particular needs and accommodate the material from which the strap member 30 is constructed.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the adjustment member 40 also has a first surface 48 and an oppositely aligned second surface 50. An end of the strap member 30 can be routed through the opening formed in the ring 44 and be advanced from the first surface 48 to the second surface 50. The end of the strap member 30 can then pass over the divider 46 and be advanced from the second surface 50 to the first surface 48. This same end of the strap member can then be routed under itself and through the opening formed in the ring 42. The strap member 30 is again passed around the divider 46 and is routed back through the opening formed in the ring 44. This end of the strap member 30 is then sealed or bonded to itself to form the looped portion 32 which is secured about the divider 46. The end of the strap member 30 can be bonded to itself by ultrasonics, adhesives, a mechanical fastener or other suitable means known to those skilled in the art.
Still referring to FIGS. 3-5, the strap member 30 further includes an attachment mechanism 52 located on the non-looped portion 34 which allows the strap member 30 to be opened and closed quietly and discreetly. The attachment mechanism 52 can be formed from plastic, metal, wood or any other material known to one skilled in the art. Plastic is desirable since it is very inexpensive and can be easily molded or formed.
The attachment mechanism 52 can vary in physical makeup. One skilled in the art can select an attachment mechanism 52 that best suits the individual disposable absorbent garment. Various types of attachment mechanisms are currently commercially available from different manufacturers. One manufacturer, the Prym-Dritz Corporation of Spartanburg, S.C. 29304, sells a number of clasps, clips, binder clips, suspender clips, swivel hooks and hook and eye devices that can be utilized as the attachment mechanism 52. Code numbers for some of the above-identified attachment mechanisms include number 10, 476, 3159 and 97-65. A second manufacturer is Blumenthal Lansing Company of Lansing, Iowa 52151, who sells a number of different attachment mechanisms under the “Le Bouton” name. Code number 622 is one type of clasp, sold under the Le Bouton name, which can be used as the attachment mechanism 52. A third kind of attachment mechanism 52 that can be used is the kind commonly used on some women bra straps. These bra-type fasteners employ two members which are designed and sized to slide together and then are rotated to provide a secure attachment.
In FIG. 3, the attachment mechanism 52 is shown as a pair of clasps 54 and 56 which are capable of interlocking one with the other to form a closed attachment. The pair of clasps 54 and 56 can be rotated, twisted, unscrewed or somehow manipulated relative to each other such that they can be separated from one another. When the pair of clasps 54 and 56 is not interlocked, there is no attachment and one portion of the strap member 30 is separated from the remaining portion of the strap member 30. With the two strap members 30 being opened, the garment 10 can be removed from the wearer's torso without the need for the wearer to remove any other piece of clothing. This feature is very useful for it allows the wearer of the garment 10 to remove and change to a new garment 10 quickly, easily and most importantly discreetly.
Still referring to FIG. 3, each of the pair of clasps 54 and 56 are depicted as being of equal or identical size. If desired, each of the pair of clasps 54 and 56 can be of a different size. For example, the clasp 54 can be constructed to be larger than the clasp 56. Desirably, the pair of clasps 54 and 56 will be of the same size. More desirably, each of the pair of clasps 54 and 56 and the adjustment mechanism 40 are of the same size.
The clasp 54 includes a hook 58 and a ring 60 and the clasp 56 includes a hook 60 and a ring 64. The hooks 58 and 60 can have any desired shape or configuration and should be sized and configured to easily engage the other hook. The rings 60 and 64 contain an opening or aperture formed therein similar to what was described above relative to the pair of rings 42 and 44. The opening in the ring 60 has an inner height h3 that is slightly larger than the width w1 of the strap member 30. Likewise, the opening in the ring 64 has an inner height h4 that is slightly larger than the width w1 of the strap member 30. The reason for so sizing the inner heights h3 and h4 of the openings formed in the rings 60 and 64 is to allow the strap member 30 to easily engage or pass through the openings. The inner heights h3 and h4 of the openings formed in the rings 60 and 64 can be of equal size or they can be unequal in size relative to one another. Desirably, the inner height h3 and h4 of the openings formed in the rings 60 and 64 are of the same size. The shape of the opening or aperture formed in the rings 60 and 64 can also vary. The shape of the openings formed in the rings 60 and 64 can be a circle, an oval, an ellipse, a rectangle, a square or any other geometrical shape or configuration known to one skilled in the art. For ease of manufacture, it is desirable to form the openings in the rings 60 and 64 such that they are of the same size and shape.
Referring again to FIG. 4, one can clearly see that an end of the strap member 30 passes through the opening formed in the ring 60 and is sealed or bonded to itself by ultrasonics, adhesives, a mechanical fastener or other suitable means known to those skilled in the art. Likewise, another end of the strap member 30 passes through the opening formed in the ring 64 and is sealed or bonded to itself as explained above. This means that when the pair of clasps 54 and 56 are opened, see FIG. 5, the strap member 30 will be separated from itself and the front portion 18 of the garment 10 can be separated from the back portion 22 of the garment 10. This feature allows the garment 10 to be easily and discreetly removed from the wearer's torso.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of a garment 10′ is shown having a liquid-permeable bodyside liner 12′, a liquid-impermeable outer cover 14′ and an absorbent 16′ enclosed therebetween. The garment 10′ also includes a front portion 18′, a crotch portion 20′ and a back portion 22′. The front portion 18′ has a pair of securement mechanisms 66 and 68, each secured approximate an upper corner or side edge thereof. Likewise, the back portion 22′ has a pair of securement mechanisms 70 and 72 each secured approximate an upper corner or side edge thereof. The securement mechanisms 66, 68, 70 and 72 can be closed loops, releasable hooks or some other type of securement device known to those skilled in the art. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the securement mechanisms 66, 68, 70 and 72 are depicted as loops.
In FIG. 6, two strap members 74, each containing an adjustment mechanism 40′ and a pair of attachment mechanisms 76, are removeably attached to the securement mechanisms 66 and 70, and 68 and 72 respectively. Each strap member 74 has a looped portion 32′ and a non-looped portion 34′. Each adjustment mechanism 40′ functions in an identical fashion to the adjustment mechanism 40 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Each of the pair of attachment mechanisms 76 is spaced apart from the adjustment mechanism 40′. Each of the pair of attachment mechanisms 76 includes a clasp 78 and each clasp 78 includes a hook 80 and a ring 82. Each of the hooks 80 function in an identical fashion as the hooks 58 and 62 described above. Each of the hooks 80 are sized and configured to engage with one of the securement mechanisms 66, 68, 70 and 72. Each of the hooks 80 is removeably and releasably secure to one of the securement mechanisms 66, 68, 70 and 72. Each of the hooks 80 is also securely fastened or attached to a ring 82. Each of the rings 82 is sized and configured to allow the strap member 74 to pass therethrough. In turn, a portion or end of each of the strap members 74 is routed or passed through each of the rings 82 and can be overlapped upon itself. The strap member 74 can then be bonded or sealed to itself at bond area 84.
Each of the strap members 74, when the hooks 80 are attached to the securement mechanisms 66, 68, 70 and 72, extend from the front portion 18′ to the back portion 22′ of the garment 10′. The strap members 74 function to snugly hold and retain the garment 10‘securely about the wearer’s torso. When the wearer decides that it is time to inspect the garment 10′ or to remove the garment 10′, he or she simply has to undo a hook 80 on each strap member 74 and the garment 10′ can be removed without the necessity of removing any other piece of clothing. Since the two hooks 80, which engage with the securement mechanisms 66 and 68, are more toward the front of the garment 10′ than the attachment mechanisms 52 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, it will be easier for the wearer of the garment 10′ to undo the hooks 80. This is very beneficial for older adults who may have limited hand and arm mobility.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a portion of a strap member 86 is shown having a hook fastener 88 secured to an end thereof. The hook fastener 88 can contain a plurality of hooks 90 arranged in rows or in a predetermined pattern. The hook fastener 88 can also be a standard VELCRO hook. In addition, the hook fastener 88 can contain a plurality of micro hooks. “Micro hooks”, as defined herein, is meant to mean a hook fastener having a plurality of very small or abnormally small hooks. Micro hooks are less than half the size of the VELCRO hooks commercially used on some current disposable absorbent articles, such as infant diapers. A micro hook can have a height of less than about 2 millimeters (mm). Desirably, a micro hook has a height of less than about 1 mm. More desirably, a micro hook has a height of less than about 0.5 mm. Even more desirably, a micro hook has a height of less than about 0.1 mm.
Referring to FIG. 9, the strap member 86 is shown being removeably attached to a portion of a garment 10″. The material from which the garment 10″ is constructed essentially serves as the loop material into which the hooks 90 penetrate and/or engage. The hook fastener 88 can be substituted for the buttons, depicted in FIG. 1, or for the hooks 80, depicted in FIG. 6. Other attachment mechanisms known to those skilled in the art can also be utilized.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080052806
