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(11) | EP 0 013 463 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Diaper cover |
| (57) A diaper cover to be secured about an infant has a rear and hip covering portion
(2) with a pair of extensions (5,6) to be secured at the front by interengaging fastening
members (7,8). A groin covering portion (4) and an abdomen covering portion (3) are
integral, and can be secured by means of extensions (9,10) on the abdomen covering
portion extending around the infantto be secured to the rear covering portion (2)
by further interengaging fastening members (11,13 and 12,14). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a diaper cover comprising a rear and hip covering portion, a groin covering portion and an abdomen covering portion for securing a diaper about an infant.
[0002] Known diaper covers, for instance those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 37(1952) - 26,764 are fitted as follows:
the rear and hip covering portion is put under the infant when lying down, and extensions around the hips are interconnected to secure the hip covering portion in position; thereafter, the abdomen and groin covering portions are wrapped round the infant and the abdomen covering portion is connected to the hip covering portion extensions.
[0003] One disadvantage of this diaper cover is that it is apt to cause a pain or discomfort to an infant by compression of the delicate abdomen upon connection of the abdomen covering portion. Another disadvantage is that it should be provided with an elastic cord, at the upper edge of the hip cover, so that the hip cover is complicated to manufacture. Finally, an active infant is rather likely to disengage the connection of the abdomen covering portion.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a diaper cover comprising a rear and hip covering portion having a pair of extension with interengageable fastening members at their ends, and an abdomen covering portion and a groin covering portion integral with the rear and hip covering portion, and being characterised by a pair of extensions, with second fastening members, extending from both sides of said abdomer, covering portion, and by fastening means provided on said rear and hip covering porticn to engage with said second fastening members.
[0006] With this invention, the abdomen covering portion is connected at thE- back of an infant, in order to reduce discomfort upon connecticn and to be more secure; no elastic being required. Adjustment is possible to allow secure, but not uncomfortable fixing, while much of the protection afforded by the cover is of double thickness.
[0007] The diaper cover of this invention is of simple construction, and can be readily fitted in an appropriately adjusted condition.
[0008] The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of diaper cover according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a developed plan view of the diaper cover of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the diaper cover of Figure 1 when assembled as if around an infant;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of diaper cover according to the invention; and
Figure 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of diaper cover according to the invention.
[0009] Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, a diaper cover 1 for securing a diaper about an infant generally comprises rear and hip covering portion 2, an abdomen covering portion 3 and a groin covering portion 4. The groin covering portion 4 integrally connect-, the rear and hip portion 2 to the abdomen porticn 3.
[0010] The diaper cover may be made from webs or woven fabrics of various materials, e.g. wool or artificial fibres, and may be lined with water proofing materials or may consist solely of waterproofing materials, in particular plastics.
[0011] A pair of integral extensions 5,6 of substantially triangular shape, are provided on the sides of the rear and hip portion 2. In Figure 2, the border between the extensions 5,6 and portion 2 is indicated by a chain line. The extensions 5,6 may however be formed separately and sewn on the portion 2. The extensions 5,6 are of a length so as to be capable of being interconnected at the front. of the infant.
[0012] Fastening members 7,8 are provided on opposite surfaces of the extensions 5,6 to inter-engage one another. As shown in Figure 2, the fastening member 7 is inclined upwards to the left and is on the outer (lower as shown) surface of the extension 5 adjacent the free end thereof. The fastening member 8 is inclined upwards to the right and on the inner surface of the extension 6 adjacent the outer end thereof. The fastening n'embers 7,8 can be interengaged to keep the hip cover 2 in position on an infant. As shown in Figure 2, the fastening member 7 is of elongate rectangular shape in order to allow adjustment of the tension obtained on securing about an infant.
[0013] A pair of similar extensions 9,10 of substantially triangular shape are also provided on both sides of the abdomen covering portion 3 and these are provided with fastening members 11, 12 on their inner surfaces near their outer ends. The fastening members 11, 12 are inclined up towards the outer ends of the extensions 9, 10.
[0014] The rear and hip covering portion 2 is also provided with a pair of fastening members 13, 14 on the outer surface thereof, to be engaged with respective fastening members 11, 12 in order to connect the abdomen portion 3 onto the rear and hip portion 2.
[0015] In practice, the fastening members can be in the form of buttons and button holes or snap fasteners or equivalent. However they preferably comprise opposing mating patches of fabric or thin flexible plastic plate with interengageable hook and loop pile as sold under the Trademark "Velcro". These can be readily fastened and unfastened, and provide for any reasonable adjustment as might be required in order to tightly secure the diaper cover about an infant.
[0016] For securing the diaper cover 1 about an infant, the rear and hip covering porticn 2 is put behind the infant, the extensions 5, 6 are fitted around and the fastening members 7,8 are interengaged. Then, the abdomen covering portion 3 is applied, and the extensions 9,10 are fitted around the hips and connected with the rear portion 2 by suitably adjusted engagement of the respective pairs of fastening members 11, 13 and 12, 14.
[0017] Since in the preferred embodiment one of each pair of the fastening members 7, 8, 11, 13 and 12, 14 is elongate and inclined, the tension of securing about the infant can be adjusted in order to adapt to the waist size. Also as the engagement of the fastening members 11, 13 and 12, 14 is performed at the back of the infant, it can reduce or eliminate discomfort for the infant by reason of compression. Further, the back side engagement is more secure, and makes application to a standing infant easier.
[0018] In the modification of Figure 4, a fastening member 15 is provided in a broad elongate shape in place.of the two members 13 and 14, and both extensions 11, 12 are engaged with the one fastening member 15. In the modification of Figure 5, the fastening members 16, 17 on the rear covering portion are of regular rectangular, nearly square shape, and the fastening members 18, 19 on the extensions 9, 10 are of elongated rectangular shape. These fastening members function similarly to those of the first embodiment.
1. A diaper cover comprising a rear and hip covering portion (2) having a pair of
extensions (5,6) with interengageable fastening members (7,8) at their ends, and an
abdomen covering portion (3) and a groin covering portion (4) integral with the rear
and hip covering portion (2), aid being characterised by a pair of extensions (9,10),
with second fastening members (11,12) extending from both sides of said abdomen covering
portion (3), and by fastening means (13,14,15) provided on said rear and hip covering
portion (2) to engage with said second fastening members (11,12).
2. A diaper cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein both said pairs of extensions (5,6
and 9,10) are of substantially triangular shape.
3. A diaper cover, as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each interengageable pair of
fastening members allows adjustment of the fastening position.
4. A diaper cover as claimed in claim 3, one member (7,13,14) of each interengageable
pair of fastening members is inclined upwardly.
5. A diaper cover, as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said fastening members
(7,8,11,13,12,14) comprise opposing mating patches of fabric and thin flexible plastics
with interengageable hooks and loop piles.
6. A diaper cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein one (7,13,14) of each interegageable
pair of fastening members if of elongate rectangular shape.