Title:
EDGE CONTOURABLE DIAPER
United States Patent 3776233
Abstract:
A contourable diaper including, a pleated fluid pervious cover sheet and a pleated fluid impervious back sheet secured to each other adjacent the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper. An absorbent pad is positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets and extends at least throughout the crotch region of the diaper. The diaper is transformed from a generally planar and rectangular shape to an arcuate configuration responsive to longitudinal expansion of the cover and back sheets, and the longitudinal edges of the sheets bow inwardly in at least the central region of the diaper to generally conform to the contour of an infant's body.
US Patent References:
Expansible contour diaper
Woodward - November 1959 - 2910982
Method of making a diaper
Nichols - April 1962 - 3030956
Cellulosic product
Voigtman et al. - May 1962 - 3036573
Disposable diaper
Marder et al. - February 1967 - 3306293
Diaper with pleat for forming a feces bag
Daniel - May 1967 - 3322122
Expansible contour diaper
Woodward - November 1959 - 2910982
Method of making a diaper
Nichols - April 1962 - 3030956
Cellulosic product
Voigtman et al. - May 1962 - 3036573
Disposable diaper
Marder et al. - February 1967 - 3306293
Diaper with pleat for forming a feces bag
Daniel - May 1967 - 3322122
Application Number:
05/144032
Publication Date:
12/04/1973
Filing Date:
05/17/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Colgate-Palmolive Company (New York, NY)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
604/375, 604/365, 604/374
International Classes:
A61F13/15; A61F13/16
Field of Search:
128/284,286,287,288
US Patent References:
| 3599640 | DISPOSABLE UNDERGARMENT WITH ABSORPTION PAD | August 1971 | Larson | |
| 3636952 | DISPOSABLE COMBINATION FLUSHABLE DIAPER AND PROTECTIVE COVER | January 1972 | George | |
| 3196874 | Disposable prefolded diaper | July 1965 | Hrubecky | |
| 3572342 | March 1971 | Lindquist | ||
| 3610244 | INTEGRAL DIAPER WAISTBAND FASTENERS | October 1971 | Jones | |
| 2788786 | Disposable diaper | April 1957 | Dexter |
Primary Examiner:
Rosenbaum, Charles F.
Claims:
I claim
1. A contourable diaper comprising:
2. The contourable diaper of claim 1 wherein said absorbent pad is generally rectangular and extends substantially between the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper.
3. The contourable diaper of claim 1 wherein said absorbent pad is elongated longitudinally along said diaper, said pad having an enlarged central portion in the crotch region of the diaper and a pair of tapered end portions extending longitudinally from said central portion toward the lateral edges of the diaper.
4. In an expandable diaper having an expandable back sheet, an expandable cover sheet, and expandable pad means positioned between said sheets, including a plurality of absorbent pads having staggered portions in the central region of the diaper, with said staggered portions being secured together in at least a pair of spaced positions laterally across the diaper, said diaper having a pair of longitudinal flaps adhered to said cover sheet in the central region of the diaper, the improvement in which comprises, said flaps having arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper, with said flaps narrowing in the central region of the diaper, whereby said flap edges generally conform to the contour of an infant's body after expansion of said diaper.
5. In a longitudinally expandable diaper having an absorbent pad, a cover sheet, a back sheet secured to said cover sheet with said pad being positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets, and a pair of longitudinal flaps at least partially overlying and secured to said cover sheet, the improvement in which comprises, said flaps having arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper, with said flaps narrowing in the central region of the diaper, whereby said flap edges generally conform to the contour of an infant's body.
6. The diaper of claim 5 wherein said absorbent pad is overlapped at the margin of its longitudinal edges to obtain said arcuate shaped edges in the diaper flaps.
1. A contourable diaper comprising:
2. The contourable diaper of claim 1 wherein said absorbent pad is generally rectangular and extends substantially between the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper.
3. The contourable diaper of claim 1 wherein said absorbent pad is elongated longitudinally along said diaper, said pad having an enlarged central portion in the crotch region of the diaper and a pair of tapered end portions extending longitudinally from said central portion toward the lateral edges of the diaper.
4. In an expandable diaper having an expandable back sheet, an expandable cover sheet, and expandable pad means positioned between said sheets, including a plurality of absorbent pads having staggered portions in the central region of the diaper, with said staggered portions being secured together in at least a pair of spaced positions laterally across the diaper, said diaper having a pair of longitudinal flaps adhered to said cover sheet in the central region of the diaper, the improvement in which comprises, said flaps having arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper, with said flaps narrowing in the central region of the diaper, whereby said flap edges generally conform to the contour of an infant's body after expansion of said diaper.
5. In a longitudinally expandable diaper having an absorbent pad, a cover sheet, a back sheet secured to said cover sheet with said pad being positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets, and a pair of longitudinal flaps at least partially overlying and secured to said cover sheet, the improvement in which comprises, said flaps having arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper, with said flaps narrowing in the central region of the diaper, whereby said flap edges generally conform to the contour of an infant's body.
6. The diaper of claim 5 wherein said absorbent pad is overlapped at the margin of its longitudinal edges to obtain said arcuate shaped edges in the diaper flaps.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to diapers.
Although an assortment of disposable diapers have been proposed for infants, it has been difficult to obtain a close fit of the diaper due to the narrowing contour of the body in the crotch region and about the infant's legs. This problem has been more pronounced in disposable diapers than in conventional cloth diapers, since the former are less pliable and do not as readily adapt to the shape of the body. Accordingly, when the standard flat rectangular disposable diapers are placed on the infant, they assume a bulky configuration in the crotch region of the baby, resulting in irritation and discomfort. Additionally, the longitudinal edges of such diapers do not readily seal against the baby's body in the crotch region and about the legs, and gaps develop through which fluid may escape.
To alleviate this problem, an expandable diaper is disclosed in my copending application "Expandable Article" Ser. No. 128,267, filed Mar. 26, 1971, continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 41,377, filed May 28, 1970 and now abandoned. However, it is desirable to obtain an improved fit in such diapers about the contour of the infant's body, and provide a flat diaper which readily conforms to the body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a diaper of simplified construction which closely conforms to the contour of an infant's body.
The diaper of the invention has a pleated fluid pervious cover sheet, and a pleated fluid impervious back sheet which is secured to the cover sheet adjacent the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper, with the secured sheets having a generally rectangular shape. An absorbent pad is positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets and extends at least throughout the crotch region of the diaper.
A feature of the invention is that the diaper is transformed from a generally planar to an arcuate shape responsive to longitudinal expansion of the back and cover sheets.
Another feature of the invention is that the longitudinal edges of the sheets bow inwardly in at least the central region of the diaper for conformation of the edges to the body's contour.
In one embodiment of the invention the diaper has expandable pad means positioned between the sheets, and includes a pair of longitudinal flaps adhered to the cover sheet in the central region of the diaper.
A further feature is that the flaps have arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper for improved conformation of the expandable diaper to the body contour.
Further features will become more fully apparent in the following description of the embodiments of this invention and from the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view partly broken away of the contourable diaper of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view from the backside of the diaper of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 1 with the cover and back sheets in an expanded configuration;
FIG. 5 is a plan view partly broken away of another embodiment of the present invention having an elongated absorbent pad;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 5 with the cover and back sheets in an expanded configuration;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 9--9 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the diaper of FIG. 7 in a partly expanded configuration; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 7 in an expanded configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a diaper designated generally 20 is shown having a fluid pervious cover sheet 22, such as a nonwoven material, a fluid impervious back sheet 24, and an absorbent pad 26 positioned intermediate the sheets 22 and 24. The back sheet 24 is secured to the cover sheet 22 adjacent the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper 28 and 30, respectively, to form an envelope for retaining the pad 26 in position, and provide the diaper 20 with a generally planar and rectangular shape.
The back sheet 24 has a plurality of pleats 32 extending laterally across the diapers 20 in its central region, or the region substantially midway between the lateral edges 28, and the pleats 32 are tacked, such as by heat seals or adhesive spots 34, adjacent the longitudinal edges 30 of the diaper 20. Similarly, the cover sheet 22 has a laterally extending pleat 36 in the central region of the diaper 20. The absorbent pad 26 has a generally rectangular shape and extends substantially between the lateral and longitudinal edges 28 and 30 of the diaper 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, prior to application of the diaper 20 to an infant, the cover and back sheets 22 and 24 are longitudinally stretched by grasping and pulling the diaper adjacent the lateral edges 28. If the absorbent pad 26 is made from a relatively strong material, such as cellulose wadding, then the lateral edges of the pad 26 are preferably spaced slightly from the edges of diaper 28, as shown in FIG. 3, in order that the lateral edge of the diaper may readily be grasped without grasping the lateral edges of the pad for stretching the diaper. However, if the pad 26 is made from a relatively soft material, such as wood fluff, the lateral edges of the pad may extend to the lateral edges of the diaper, since such pads may be ruptured during expansion of the diaper without affecting its absorptive capacity.
Since the cover and back sheet pleats 36 and 32 are secured at the longitudinal edges 30 of the diaper 20, the longitudinal edges 30 remain a fixed length during stretching of the sheets. However, the cover and back sheet pleats 36 and 32 unfold intermediate the longitudinal edges 30 responsive to expansion of the diaper, and the longitudinal distance between the diaper lateral edges 28 through the center of the diaper increases relative to the length of the longitudinal edges 30 after the diaper is expanded. Accordingly, the generally planar diaper, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, is transformed to an arcuate configuration, and the longitudinal diaper edges 30 bow inwardly in the central region of the diaper adjacent the back sheet seals 34. Thus, the lateral diaper edges 28 remain of constant length during expansion of the diaper for securing the diaper about the waistline of the infant, while the distance laterally across the diaper in the central region reduces, in order that the edges 30 have a contour which generally conforms to the contour of the infant's body about the legs from the crotch region to the baby's waistline. Accordingly, when the expanded diaper is placed on the infant, the longitudinal diaper edges 30 form a close sealing contact with the baby's body to prevent the escape of fluids. Moreover, the back sheet 24 of the expanded diaper assumes a pouch-like configuration to prevent interference of bulk in the diaper with movement of the infant's legs and to provide a fluid-retention chamber for body wastes.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which similar reference numerals are increased by 100 from those in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the absorbent pad 126 has an elongated shape longitudinally along the diaper. The pad 126 has an enlarged central portion 160 in the crotch region of the diaper, and a pair of tapered end portions 162 which extend longitudinally from the central portion 160 toward the lateral diaper edges 128. The pad 162 is secured to the back sheet 124 by means 161, such as adhesive, to prevent the pad from sliding within the cover and back sheets 122 and 124. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover and back sheets of the diaper 120 expand in a similar fashion to those in the diaper 20 of FIGS. 1-4, and the diaper is transformed from a generally planar to arcuate configuration, with the longitudinal diaper edges 130 bowing inwardly in the central region of the diaper. However, the elongated and tapered shape of the absorbent pad 126 additionally causes the back sheet 124 to assume a tray-like shape, such that the pad 126 is nested between longitudinally extending folds 163 in the back sheet 124. Thus the expanded back sheet 124 forms a pair of upraised side portions 164 which remain relatively closely spaced to the cover sheet 122, while the pad 126 is positioned in a central recessed portion of the back sheet which extends longitudinally in the diaper between the folds 163. Since the pad 126 does not extend the full lateral distance of the diaper 120 between the edges 130, the folds 163 of the back sheet 124 partially overlie the pad 126, and the longitudinal diaper edges 130 are permitted to move closely together in the crotch region of the diaper. Additionally, the tray-like shape formed by the back sheet due to the shape of the pad 126 forms a convenient pouch for the collection of waste from the body.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, and as shown in FIGS. 7-9 the diaper 220 has a fluid impervious back sheet 224 secured to a fluid impervious cover sheet 222 adjacent the lateral edges 228 of the diaper. The back sheet 224 has a plurality of laterally extending pleats 232 in the central region of the diaper, and the cover sheet 222 has a laterally extending pleat 236, as previously described. The diaper 220 has expandable pad means, generally designated 280, positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets 222 and 224. The pad means 280 has a plurality of absorbent pads 282 which have staggered portions 284 in the central region of the diaper. The staggered portions 284 are secured together in the central region of the diaper, such as by adhesive, at a pair of laterally spaced positions 286.
The diaper 220 has a pair of longitudinally extending flaps 290 which partially overlie lateral portions of the cover sheet 222, and the flaps 290 are adhered to the cover sheet 222 at a pair of laterally spaced positions 292 in the central region of the diaper to retain the flaps 290 in position. The flaps 290 have arcuate edges extending longitudinally between the lateral edges 228 of the diaper 220, such that the flaps are more narrow in the central region of the diaper than at the diaper lateral edges 228.
One manner in which the arcuate shaped edges may be formed is described as follows. First, a lateral cut is made on each longitudinal side of the pad means 180 adjacent the center of the diaper, with the cut on each side entending inwardly for some distance from the longitudinal edge of the pad means. Next, the sides of the pad means are overlapped at the margin of its longitudinal edges, such that a pair of flaps is folded over on each side of the pad means along fold lines extending from the inner edge of the cut to adjacent the corners of the pad means. Finally, the cover sheet 222, and then the back sheet, are folded over the fold lines in the pad means and secured in place. Accordingly, the fold lines in the pad means primarily define the arcuate shape of the flap edges 294.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the diaper 220 is expanded by grasping the lateral edges 228, including the edges of the cover sheet 222, the back sheet 224 and the pad means 280, and by stretching the diaper longitudinally, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing. During expansion the pleats of the cover and back sheets 236 and 232 unfold, and the pad means 280 forms a bulked configuration, as described in my copending application "Expandable Article," which has been previously referred to in the specification. As shown in FIG. 11, when the diaper 220 is expanded the arcuate shape of the flap edges 294 is further enhanced, and the flap edges 294 flare outwardly from the central region of the diaper to the lateral diaper edges 228. The flap edges 294 remain relatively closely spaced in the diaper crotch region, while they become widely spaced along the lateral diaper edges 228. Thus, the flap edges 294 in the expanded diaper generally conform to the contour of the infant's body to provide a close sealing contact of the diaper with the body and prevent the escape of fluids.
The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
This invention relates to diapers.
Although an assortment of disposable diapers have been proposed for infants, it has been difficult to obtain a close fit of the diaper due to the narrowing contour of the body in the crotch region and about the infant's legs. This problem has been more pronounced in disposable diapers than in conventional cloth diapers, since the former are less pliable and do not as readily adapt to the shape of the body. Accordingly, when the standard flat rectangular disposable diapers are placed on the infant, they assume a bulky configuration in the crotch region of the baby, resulting in irritation and discomfort. Additionally, the longitudinal edges of such diapers do not readily seal against the baby's body in the crotch region and about the legs, and gaps develop through which fluid may escape.
To alleviate this problem, an expandable diaper is disclosed in my copending application "Expandable Article" Ser. No. 128,267, filed Mar. 26, 1971, continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 41,377, filed May 28, 1970 and now abandoned. However, it is desirable to obtain an improved fit in such diapers about the contour of the infant's body, and provide a flat diaper which readily conforms to the body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a diaper of simplified construction which closely conforms to the contour of an infant's body.
The diaper of the invention has a pleated fluid pervious cover sheet, and a pleated fluid impervious back sheet which is secured to the cover sheet adjacent the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper, with the secured sheets having a generally rectangular shape. An absorbent pad is positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets and extends at least throughout the crotch region of the diaper.
A feature of the invention is that the diaper is transformed from a generally planar to an arcuate shape responsive to longitudinal expansion of the back and cover sheets.
Another feature of the invention is that the longitudinal edges of the sheets bow inwardly in at least the central region of the diaper for conformation of the edges to the body's contour.
In one embodiment of the invention the diaper has expandable pad means positioned between the sheets, and includes a pair of longitudinal flaps adhered to the cover sheet in the central region of the diaper.
A further feature is that the flaps have arcuate edges extending longitudinally along the diaper for improved conformation of the expandable diaper to the body contour.
Further features will become more fully apparent in the following description of the embodiments of this invention and from the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view partly broken away of the contourable diaper of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view from the backside of the diaper of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 1 with the cover and back sheets in an expanded configuration;
FIG. 5 is a plan view partly broken away of another embodiment of the present invention having an elongated absorbent pad;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 5 with the cover and back sheets in an expanded configuration;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially as indicated along the line 9--9 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the diaper of FIG. 7 in a partly expanded configuration; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective view partly broken away of the diaper of FIG. 7 in an expanded configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a diaper designated generally 20 is shown having a fluid pervious cover sheet 22, such as a nonwoven material, a fluid impervious back sheet 24, and an absorbent pad 26 positioned intermediate the sheets 22 and 24. The back sheet 24 is secured to the cover sheet 22 adjacent the lateral and longitudinal edges of the diaper 28 and 30, respectively, to form an envelope for retaining the pad 26 in position, and provide the diaper 20 with a generally planar and rectangular shape.
The back sheet 24 has a plurality of pleats 32 extending laterally across the diapers 20 in its central region, or the region substantially midway between the lateral edges 28, and the pleats 32 are tacked, such as by heat seals or adhesive spots 34, adjacent the longitudinal edges 30 of the diaper 20. Similarly, the cover sheet 22 has a laterally extending pleat 36 in the central region of the diaper 20. The absorbent pad 26 has a generally rectangular shape and extends substantially between the lateral and longitudinal edges 28 and 30 of the diaper 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, prior to application of the diaper 20 to an infant, the cover and back sheets 22 and 24 are longitudinally stretched by grasping and pulling the diaper adjacent the lateral edges 28. If the absorbent pad 26 is made from a relatively strong material, such as cellulose wadding, then the lateral edges of the pad 26 are preferably spaced slightly from the edges of diaper 28, as shown in FIG. 3, in order that the lateral edge of the diaper may readily be grasped without grasping the lateral edges of the pad for stretching the diaper. However, if the pad 26 is made from a relatively soft material, such as wood fluff, the lateral edges of the pad may extend to the lateral edges of the diaper, since such pads may be ruptured during expansion of the diaper without affecting its absorptive capacity.
Since the cover and back sheet pleats 36 and 32 are secured at the longitudinal edges 30 of the diaper 20, the longitudinal edges 30 remain a fixed length during stretching of the sheets. However, the cover and back sheet pleats 36 and 32 unfold intermediate the longitudinal edges 30 responsive to expansion of the diaper, and the longitudinal distance between the diaper lateral edges 28 through the center of the diaper increases relative to the length of the longitudinal edges 30 after the diaper is expanded. Accordingly, the generally planar diaper, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, is transformed to an arcuate configuration, and the longitudinal diaper edges 30 bow inwardly in the central region of the diaper adjacent the back sheet seals 34. Thus, the lateral diaper edges 28 remain of constant length during expansion of the diaper for securing the diaper about the waistline of the infant, while the distance laterally across the diaper in the central region reduces, in order that the edges 30 have a contour which generally conforms to the contour of the infant's body about the legs from the crotch region to the baby's waistline. Accordingly, when the expanded diaper is placed on the infant, the longitudinal diaper edges 30 form a close sealing contact with the baby's body to prevent the escape of fluids. Moreover, the back sheet 24 of the expanded diaper assumes a pouch-like configuration to prevent interference of bulk in the diaper with movement of the infant's legs and to provide a fluid-retention chamber for body wastes.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which similar reference numerals are increased by 100 from those in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the absorbent pad 126 has an elongated shape longitudinally along the diaper. The pad 126 has an enlarged central portion 160 in the crotch region of the diaper, and a pair of tapered end portions 162 which extend longitudinally from the central portion 160 toward the lateral diaper edges 128. The pad 162 is secured to the back sheet 124 by means 161, such as adhesive, to prevent the pad from sliding within the cover and back sheets 122 and 124. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover and back sheets of the diaper 120 expand in a similar fashion to those in the diaper 20 of FIGS. 1-4, and the diaper is transformed from a generally planar to arcuate configuration, with the longitudinal diaper edges 130 bowing inwardly in the central region of the diaper. However, the elongated and tapered shape of the absorbent pad 126 additionally causes the back sheet 124 to assume a tray-like shape, such that the pad 126 is nested between longitudinally extending folds 163 in the back sheet 124. Thus the expanded back sheet 124 forms a pair of upraised side portions 164 which remain relatively closely spaced to the cover sheet 122, while the pad 126 is positioned in a central recessed portion of the back sheet which extends longitudinally in the diaper between the folds 163. Since the pad 126 does not extend the full lateral distance of the diaper 120 between the edges 130, the folds 163 of the back sheet 124 partially overlie the pad 126, and the longitudinal diaper edges 130 are permitted to move closely together in the crotch region of the diaper. Additionally, the tray-like shape formed by the back sheet due to the shape of the pad 126 forms a convenient pouch for the collection of waste from the body.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, and as shown in FIGS. 7-9 the diaper 220 has a fluid impervious back sheet 224 secured to a fluid impervious cover sheet 222 adjacent the lateral edges 228 of the diaper. The back sheet 224 has a plurality of laterally extending pleats 232 in the central region of the diaper, and the cover sheet 222 has a laterally extending pleat 236, as previously described. The diaper 220 has expandable pad means, generally designated 280, positioned intermediate the cover and back sheets 222 and 224. The pad means 280 has a plurality of absorbent pads 282 which have staggered portions 284 in the central region of the diaper. The staggered portions 284 are secured together in the central region of the diaper, such as by adhesive, at a pair of laterally spaced positions 286.
The diaper 220 has a pair of longitudinally extending flaps 290 which partially overlie lateral portions of the cover sheet 222, and the flaps 290 are adhered to the cover sheet 222 at a pair of laterally spaced positions 292 in the central region of the diaper to retain the flaps 290 in position. The flaps 290 have arcuate edges extending longitudinally between the lateral edges 228 of the diaper 220, such that the flaps are more narrow in the central region of the diaper than at the diaper lateral edges 228.
One manner in which the arcuate shaped edges may be formed is described as follows. First, a lateral cut is made on each longitudinal side of the pad means 180 adjacent the center of the diaper, with the cut on each side entending inwardly for some distance from the longitudinal edge of the pad means. Next, the sides of the pad means are overlapped at the margin of its longitudinal edges, such that a pair of flaps is folded over on each side of the pad means along fold lines extending from the inner edge of the cut to adjacent the corners of the pad means. Finally, the cover sheet 222, and then the back sheet, are folded over the fold lines in the pad means and secured in place. Accordingly, the fold lines in the pad means primarily define the arcuate shape of the flap edges 294.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the diaper 220 is expanded by grasping the lateral edges 228, including the edges of the cover sheet 222, the back sheet 224 and the pad means 280, and by stretching the diaper longitudinally, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing. During expansion the pleats of the cover and back sheets 236 and 232 unfold, and the pad means 280 forms a bulked configuration, as described in my copending application "Expandable Article," which has been previously referred to in the specification. As shown in FIG. 11, when the diaper 220 is expanded the arcuate shape of the flap edges 294 is further enhanced, and the flap edges 294 flare outwardly from the central region of the diaper to the lateral diaper edges 228. The flap edges 294 remain relatively closely spaced in the diaper crotch region, while they become widely spaced along the lateral diaper edges 228. Thus, the flap edges 294 in the expanded diaper generally conform to the contour of the infant's body to provide a close sealing contact of the diaper with the body and prevent the escape of fluids.
The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.