Title:
FASTENING TAB ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
United States Patent 3810472
Abstract:
Pressure-sensitive fastening tabs for disposable diapers in which the free end of each tab is folded back transversely on itself with the pressure sensitive adhesive surface on the inside. Disposed between the thus juxtaposed adhesive surfaces is a release sheet having multiple folds at one end adjacent the transverse fold of the tab. The release sheet permits the tab to be unfolded for use when applying the diaper, and the folds in the release sheet provide a handle for removing the release sheet completely from the tab.
US Patent References:
Diaper
Chambers - August 1955 - 2714889
INTEGRAL DIAPER WAISTBAND FASTENERS
Jones - October 1971 - 3610244
FASTENING ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
Endres - December 1971 - 3630201
Diaper
Chambers - August 1955 - 2714889
INTEGRAL DIAPER WAISTBAND FASTENERS
Jones - October 1971 - 3610244
FASTENING ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
Endres - December 1971 - 3630201
Inventors:
Aldinger, Karl E. (Neenah, WI)
Pennau, Karl L. (Neenah, WI)
Frick, Richard H. (Neenah, WI)
Pennau, Karl L. (Neenah, WI)
Frick, Richard H. (Neenah, WI)
Application Number:
05/296250
Publication Date:
05/14/1974
Filing Date:
10/10/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Neenah, WI)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
428/41.800
International Classes:
A61F13/58; A61F13/56; A41B13/02
Field of Search:
128/284-287
Primary Examiner:
Rosenbaum, Charles F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Hanlon Jr., Daniel Herrick William Miller Raymond J. D. J.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. In a disposable diaper construction in which diaper mounting tabs having an adhesive coating on one side are attached to corners of the diaper with one end portion of the tab attached to the diaper and the opposite free end portion extending beyond the diaper edge, the improvement wherein said free end portion is transversely folded on itself with the adhesive coated side innermost, said folded tab being provided with a release sheet interposed between the folded portions of said tab and extending from said transverse fold to at least the free end of said tab to maintain the adhesive coating on the folded portions of said tab out of contact, said release sheet being flat and unfolded except for short multiple transverse folds at one end, said multiple folded end being disposed adjacent said transverse tab fold and each of the adhesive coated sides of said folded free end portion of said tab being releasably adhered to the respective side of the unfolded area of said release strip which is interposed therebetween.
2. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the end of said release sheet disposed opposite from said transverse fold extends beyond the free end of said tab.
3. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 2 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a convolute fold.
4. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a Z-fold.
5. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a multiple accordion pleat.
1. In a disposable diaper construction in which diaper mounting tabs having an adhesive coating on one side are attached to corners of the diaper with one end portion of the tab attached to the diaper and the opposite free end portion extending beyond the diaper edge, the improvement wherein said free end portion is transversely folded on itself with the adhesive coated side innermost, said folded tab being provided with a release sheet interposed between the folded portions of said tab and extending from said transverse fold to at least the free end of said tab to maintain the adhesive coating on the folded portions of said tab out of contact, said release sheet being flat and unfolded except for short multiple transverse folds at one end, said multiple folded end being disposed adjacent said transverse tab fold and each of the adhesive coated sides of said folded free end portion of said tab being releasably adhered to the respective side of the unfolded area of said release strip which is interposed therebetween.
2. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the end of said release sheet disposed opposite from said transverse fold extends beyond the free end of said tab.
3. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 2 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a convolute fold.
4. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a Z-fold.
5. The improvement in diaper mounting tabs of claim 1 wherein the multiple fold of said release strip is a multiple accordion pleat.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Disposable diapers which comprise an absorbent pad with a fluid-previous cover and a fluid-impervious backing of plastic film are now commonly provided with pressure-sensitive tape in the form of tabs for fastening the edges of the diaper together when the diaper is put on the child. All of these tabs require a release sheet to protect the pressure-sensitive adhesive and to keep the tabs from inadvertently adhering to adjacent parts of the diaper before use.
In the prior art some of these tabs extend for at least half their length beyond the edge of the diaper and are free to flap around, whereby they may get caught during packaging or might be easily torn.
The present invention is an improvement over this type of tab arrangement, providing a firmer tab-to-diaper attachment while utilizing smaller amounts of release paper and thus providing a more economical structure as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this invention, one end of the pressure-sensitive tape forming a fastening tab for disposable diapers is attached to the film backing sheet of the diaper adjacent the diaper edge and near one end of the diaper. The free end of the tab which extends beyond the diaper edge is folded back on itself over the diaper cover with the pressure-sensitive surface of the tab disposed on the inside. A release sheet is interposed between the folded tab to keep the pressure-sensitive surfaces out of contact. The end of the release sheet adjacent the tab fold is provided with multiple folds which act as a handle to aid in completely stripping the release sheet from the tab after it is unfolded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back side of a diaper employing the fastening tab of this invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial plan view of the front side of one corner of the diaper showing a fastening tab of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tab of FIG. 3 after it has been unfolded.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of other embodiments of folds for the release sheet used in this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the plan view of FIG. 1 there is shown the back side of a dispoable diaper 10 having a plastic film backing 12 and two fastening tabs 14. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one corner of the face or front side of the diaper showing the fluid permeable cover sheet 16, fastening tab 14, and a release sheet 18.
In FIG. 3, which is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, details of the diaper and tab structure are illustrated in exaggerated detail. As can be seen here, the diaper is comprised of an absorbent pad 20 enclosed in a plastic film backing sheet 12 and a fluid-permeable cover sheet 16. This is one of a number of conventional disposable diaper structures and no novelty is ascribed to it. Other disposable diaper structures are equally adaptable for use with the improved fastening tab arrangement of this invention.
In the improved tab arrangement, tab 14 comprises a substrate 22, which may be a saturated paper base sheet or plastic, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface 24. One end 26 of tab 14 is attached to the surface of the diaper backing sheet 12 by pressure-sensitive adhesive 24. The free end 28 of tab 14 is folded back on itself over the surface of cover sheet 16 at fold 23. Interposed between the surfaces of pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 is release sheet 18 having a multiplicity of folds 19 adjacent fold 23. Release sheets per se are well known and may comprise silicon-coated paper, release-treated film or the like. Multifold 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a double convolution. Thus when the user grasps the free end 28 of the tab 14 or release sheet 18, and opens it out as shown in FIG. 4, fold 19 will stand up from the pressure-sensitive surface and provide a convenient handle which the user may grasp to easily strip the release sheet from the adhesive surface in preparation for applying the fastening tab to the proper area of the opposite end of the diaper when it is wrapped around the child.
As shown, release sheet 18 extends slightly past the free end 28 of the tape primarily to identify its presence there. However, the release sheet may also end flush with end 28 of the tab 14 and still perform its function without difficulty. In fact this might be preferred because of the economics involved.
In FIG. 5, the folded end 19a of release strip 18a is shown as a Z-fold.
In FIG. 6, the folded end 19b of release strip 18b is shown as a multiple bleat or accordion fold.
Various other folds which will automatically project outward from the adhesive surface after the tab is unfolded can readily be devised.
It will also be noted that in the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 is adhered to both sides of the release sheet 18 near the edge of the diaper, thus providing a much stronger resistance to edge tear during packaging and handling.
Disposable diapers which comprise an absorbent pad with a fluid-previous cover and a fluid-impervious backing of plastic film are now commonly provided with pressure-sensitive tape in the form of tabs for fastening the edges of the diaper together when the diaper is put on the child. All of these tabs require a release sheet to protect the pressure-sensitive adhesive and to keep the tabs from inadvertently adhering to adjacent parts of the diaper before use.
In the prior art some of these tabs extend for at least half their length beyond the edge of the diaper and are free to flap around, whereby they may get caught during packaging or might be easily torn.
The present invention is an improvement over this type of tab arrangement, providing a firmer tab-to-diaper attachment while utilizing smaller amounts of release paper and thus providing a more economical structure as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this invention, one end of the pressure-sensitive tape forming a fastening tab for disposable diapers is attached to the film backing sheet of the diaper adjacent the diaper edge and near one end of the diaper. The free end of the tab which extends beyond the diaper edge is folded back on itself over the diaper cover with the pressure-sensitive surface of the tab disposed on the inside. A release sheet is interposed between the folded tab to keep the pressure-sensitive surfaces out of contact. The end of the release sheet adjacent the tab fold is provided with multiple folds which act as a handle to aid in completely stripping the release sheet from the tab after it is unfolded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back side of a diaper employing the fastening tab of this invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial plan view of the front side of one corner of the diaper showing a fastening tab of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tab of FIG. 3 after it has been unfolded.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of other embodiments of folds for the release sheet used in this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the plan view of FIG. 1 there is shown the back side of a dispoable diaper 10 having a plastic film backing 12 and two fastening tabs 14. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one corner of the face or front side of the diaper showing the fluid permeable cover sheet 16, fastening tab 14, and a release sheet 18.
In FIG. 3, which is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, details of the diaper and tab structure are illustrated in exaggerated detail. As can be seen here, the diaper is comprised of an absorbent pad 20 enclosed in a plastic film backing sheet 12 and a fluid-permeable cover sheet 16. This is one of a number of conventional disposable diaper structures and no novelty is ascribed to it. Other disposable diaper structures are equally adaptable for use with the improved fastening tab arrangement of this invention.
In the improved tab arrangement, tab 14 comprises a substrate 22, which may be a saturated paper base sheet or plastic, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface 24. One end 26 of tab 14 is attached to the surface of the diaper backing sheet 12 by pressure-sensitive adhesive 24. The free end 28 of tab 14 is folded back on itself over the surface of cover sheet 16 at fold 23. Interposed between the surfaces of pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 is release sheet 18 having a multiplicity of folds 19 adjacent fold 23. Release sheets per se are well known and may comprise silicon-coated paper, release-treated film or the like. Multifold 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a double convolution. Thus when the user grasps the free end 28 of the tab 14 or release sheet 18, and opens it out as shown in FIG. 4, fold 19 will stand up from the pressure-sensitive surface and provide a convenient handle which the user may grasp to easily strip the release sheet from the adhesive surface in preparation for applying the fastening tab to the proper area of the opposite end of the diaper when it is wrapped around the child.
As shown, release sheet 18 extends slightly past the free end 28 of the tape primarily to identify its presence there. However, the release sheet may also end flush with end 28 of the tab 14 and still perform its function without difficulty. In fact this might be preferred because of the economics involved.
In FIG. 5, the folded end 19a of release strip 18a is shown as a Z-fold.
In FIG. 6, the folded end 19b of release strip 18b is shown as a multiple bleat or accordion fold.
Various other folds which will automatically project outward from the adhesive surface after the tab is unfolded can readily be devised.
It will also be noted that in the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 is adhered to both sides of the release sheet 18 near the edge of the diaper, thus providing a much stronger resistance to edge tear during packaging and handling.