Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a fluid-impermeable bag attached to or integral with a disposable diaper, the bag having closure elements on the outside of the front and back panels of the uninverted bag. After use, the bag is inverted over the soiled diaper and the closure elements interact, thereby closing and sealing the soiled diaper inside the bag. In some embodiments the bag is covered by a removable fabric element, such as a gauze panel, which may be decorated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE(S)  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable. cl REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
         [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR 1.97AND 37 CFR 1.98  
     BACKGROUND  
       [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,110 discloses a disposable diaper with a removably attached bag. In use, one end of the bag is detached from the diaper, the soiled diaper is folded, and the bag is inverted over to enclose the soiled diaper.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,432 discloses a disposable diaper with associated disposal bag formed of two sheets of attached fluid-impervious back sheet. The used diaper is enclosed in the disposal bag by turning the back sheet inside out.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,087 discloses a disposable diaper with a folded bag attached at one end between the absorbent pad and backing. The bag is inverted over the soiled diaper. The bag containing the soiled diaper is sealed with an adhesive tab before disposal.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,455 discloses a disposable diaper with an integral envelope into which the soiled diaper is placed. The envelope is sealed with a resealable adhesive.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,859 discloses a disposable diaper with a folded integral changing pad. The pad has a drawstring which is used to close the pad as a bag about the soiled diaper.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,713 discloses disposable diaper with a detachable bag. The soiled diaper is placed in the bag which is sealed with a fastening strip.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,414 discloses a disposable diaper with an extra layer to the backing layer which forms a pocket at one end. In use, the soiled diaper is rolled up to the end with the pocket, ears on the sides of the diaper are extended over the roll and secured by adhesive strips, and the pocket is inverted over the rolled diaper, enclosing it.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,158 discloses a disposable diaper with an attached pouch containing a changing pad. The soiled diaper is wrapped in the pad which is placed in the pouch.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,748 discloses a diaper with a pocket. The pocket contains baby-changing related objects. The pocket has adhesive or other closure devices on the interior surface of the external layer for closing the pocket after the soiled diaper is rolled up and turned into the pocket.  
         [0013]     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0014]     Embodiments include disposable diapers comprised of a fluid impervious backing sheet, fluid absorbent material, and a bag for enclosing the diaper for disposal, wherein the improvement comprises attachment of the bag to the impervious backing sheet with the bag opening adjacent to one end of the diaper, the bag capable of inversion with enclosure of the diaper, and a two element interactive closure on the outside of the uninverted bag,  
         [0015]     Embodiments include a removable fabric cover panel which covers the attached bag. In embodiments the fabric cover, bag, and fluid impervious sheet is decorated with designs and indicia which may be personalized. In embodiments the bag is scented to mask offensive odors. In embodiments the bag contains a hand sanitizer or wipe for use in hand cleaning.  
         [0016]     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.  
         [0017]     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the back of a first embodiment diaper.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view of a first embodiment diaper taken at arrow  2  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the back of a second embodiment diaper.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a second embodiment diaper taken at arrow  3  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with projecting ridge closure elements.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with projecting ridge and slider closure elements.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with male and female closure elements.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with hook and loop closure elements.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with adhesive closure elements.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a closed bag with self adhesive closure elements.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart of the process of bagging a first embodiment diaper.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart of the process of bagging a second embodiment diaper. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the back of a first embodiment diaper  100 . A fluid impermeable backing sheet  110  has a top end  104  and a bottom end  102 . A left tab  106  and right tab  108  are adhesive coated tabs which are used to fasten the top end  104  to the bottom end  102  when the diaper is in use. A graphic  111  comprising a design or personalized indicia may appear on the backing sheet  110 . A bag  120  is folded and attached near the top end  104  of the backing sheet  110 . The bag opening  130  is near the top end  104 . Visible in  FIG. 1  are the front panel  122  of the bag and the back panel  126  of the bag. The front panel closure element  124  is visible in  FIG. 1 . A graphic  111  comprising a design or personalized indicia may appear on the front panel  124 . The backing sheet  110  is overlaid by a cover  118  depicted by diagonal lines in  FIG. 1 . A U-shaped weakened area  114  of the cover  118 , such as cuts in a dashed line, allows tearing of the cover from the bag when it is desired to bag the diaper. A graphic  112  comprising a design or personalized indicia may appear on the cover  118 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view of a first embodiment diaper  100  taken at arrow  2  of  FIG. 1 . Visible in  FIG. 2  is a fluid impermeable sheet  110  with the diaper top  104  and bottom  102 . Absorbent material  119  which absorbs body wastes is attached to the sheet  110 . The bag  120  is comprised of outer panel  122  and inner panel  126  which are joined at the bag bottom  129  and an opening  130  at the top of the bag. Outer panel  122  has an exterior side  121  and an interior side  123 . Inner panel  126  has an exterior side  125  and an interior side  127 . An outer panel connector element  124  is located at the exterior side  121  of the outer panel  122 . An inner panel connector element  131  is located at the exterior side  125  of the inner panel  126 . When the bag  120  is inverted the outer panel connector element  124  interacts with the inner panel connector element  131  and secures the inverted bag in a closed condition. The inner panel  126  is connected and secured to the fluid impermeable sheet  110  at connection site  103  which secures the bag  120  to the sheet  110  near the diaper top  104 . In the first embodiment diaper  100  the bag  120  is folded at least once. The fluid impermeable sheet  110  and the bag  120  is enclosed by a cover  118 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the back of a second embodiment diaper  200 . A fluid impermeable backing sheet  210  has a top end  204  and a bottom end  202 . A left tab  206  and right tab  208  are adhesive coated tabs which are used to fasten the top end  204  to the bottom end  202  when the diaper is in use. A bag  220  is comprised of a bag front panel  222  and the fluid impermeable backing sheet  210  which plays the role of the back bag panel of the first embodiment diaper. The front panel  222  is connected to the backing sheet  210  at the left side  232 , right side  234 , and bottom  229 . The bag opening  230  is near the top end  204 . The front panel closure element  224  is visible in  FIG. 3 . A graphic  212  comprising a design or personalized indicia may appear on the front panel  222 . The front panel  222  is overlaid by a cover  228 , depicted by diagonal lines in  FIG. 3 . A weakened area  214  of the cover material, such as cuts in a dashed line, allows tearing of the cover and allows access to the opening  230  of the bag when it is desired to bag the diaper. A graphic  227  comprising a design or personalized indicia may appear on the cover  228 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the second embodiment diaper  200  taken at arrows  3  of  FIG. 3 . Visible in  FIG. 4  is a fluid impermeable sheet  210  (also bag inner panel) with the diaper top  204  and bottom  202 . Absorbent material  219  which absorbs body wastes is attached to the exterior side  212  of the fluid impermeable sheet  210 . The bag  220  is comprised of outer panel  222  and inner panel  210  (also fluid impermeable sheet) which are joined at the bag bottom  229  and an opening  330  at the top of the bag. In the second embodiment the fluid impermeable sheet  210  is also the bag inner panel  210 . Outer panel  222  has an exterior side  221  and an interior side  223 . Inner panel or fluid impermeable sheet  210  has an exterior side  212  and an interior side  211 . An outer panel connector element  224  is located at the exterior side  221  of the outer panel  222 . An inner panel connector element  231  is located at the exterior side  212  of the inner panel or fluid impermeable sheet  210 . When the bag  220  is inverted the outer panel connector element  224  interacts with the inner panel connector element  231  and secures the inverted bag in a closed condition. In the second embodiment diaper  200  the bag  220  is unfolded and extends approximately from the top  204  to the bottom  202  of the diaper. The fluid impermeable sheet  210  and the bag  220  is enclosed by a cover  218 .  
         [0034]     Any diaper having a fluid-impermeable backing sheet can be used with this invention. Suitable diapers include HUGGIES. HUGGIES is a trademark for diapers owned by Kimberly-Clark, Dallas Tex. Suitable diapers also include PAMPERS. PAMPERS is a trademark for diapers owned by The Procter &amp; Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio.  
         [0035]     Any suitable fabric material capable of concealing the bag yet allowing easy removal may be used for the cover. Suitable materials include woven or unwoven plastic, gauze, paper, and cotton fabric.  
         [0036]     Any suitable two element closure system which provides for secure closure of an inverted bag containing a soiled diaper may be used. The following embodiments illustrate a variety of suitable closures. These elements are illustrated with the bag elements of the first embodiment, but they can be used with any embodiment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of an embodiment with an inverted bag closed with parallel projecting ridge closure. Visible in  FIG. 5  is the outer panel  122  of the bag  120  with the interior side  123  and exterior side  121 . Also visible is the inner panel  126  with the interior side  127  and exterior side  125 . Two or more parallel projecting ridges  140  are spaced apart and arrayed near the bag top  130  attached to the exterior side  121  of the outer panel  120  and the exterior side  125  of the inner panel  126 . Each ridge  140  is comprised of an elongated web  142  and an expanded head  144 . In use the ridges are pressed together and the expanded heads  144  interact and hold the closure elements in a closed position. Suitable bags include ZIPLOC brand bags. ZIPLOC is a trademark for bags owned by S.C. Johnson &amp; Son, Inc., Racine, Wis.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment in which the closed lo  0  inverted bag with parallel projecting ridge closure elements are urged together by a slider  148  which is manually drawn along the fasteners from one end to another. The other elements of  FIG. 6  are the same as in  FIG. 5 . The parallel projecting ridge closure elements are attached about the circumference of the outside of the uninverted bag with the slider  148  at one intersection between the front and back panels of the bag. Suitable bags include HEFTY bags with ONEZIP sliders, also termed EASY GRIP sliders. HEFTY, ONEZIP, and EASY GRIP are trademarks owned by Pactiv Corporation, Lake Forest, Ill. for sliders sold as a component part of multi-purpose household bags, plastic bags for multipurpose household use, namely, closeable storage and freezer bags, and a ribbed slider sold as a component of plastic bags for food storage and general purpose use, respectively.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment in which the bag is closed using male and female element fasteners which interact to close the opening of the bag. Visible in  FIG. 7  is the outer panel  122  of the bag  120  with the interior side  123  and exterior side  121 . Also visible is the inner panel  126  with the interior side  127  and exterior side  125 . The male closure element is an elongated ridge  170  comprising a web  172  and an expanded head  174 . The female closure element  178  is comprised of an elongated groove  176  with adjoining lips  173  and  175 . The fastener elements are attached about the circumference of the outside of the uninverted bag at the top  130  of the bag. The inverted bag is closed by pressing together the male  170  and female  178  elements of the fasteners. In the closed orientation, the expanded head  174  is retained in the groove  176  by the lips  173  and  175 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is an embodiment in which the bag is closed using hook and loop fasteners elements attached to the circumference of the outside of the uninverted bag. Visible in  FIG. 8  is the outer panel  122  of the bag  120  with the interior side  123  and exterior side  121 . Also visible is the inner panel  126  with the interior side  127  and exterior side  125 . The loop element  180  of the fastener is comprised of a attachment strip  182  to which a multiplicity of loops  183  is connected. The hook element  186  is comprised of an attachment strip  188  to which a multiplicity of loops  187  is connected. The fastener elements are attached about the circumference of the outside of the uninverted bag at the top of the bag  130 . Suitable fasteners include VELCRO hook and loop fasteners. VELCRO is a trademark for hook and loop fasteners owned by Velcro Industries B.V., a Dutch Company, and may be obtained from Velcro USA Inc., Manchester, N.H.  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is another embodiment in which a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to both the front and rear panels of the uninverted bag. Visible in  FIG. 9  is the outer panel  122  of the bag  120  with the interior side  123  and exterior side  121 . Also visible is the inner panel  126  with the interior side  127  and exterior side  125 . A strip of pressure sensitive adhesive  190  is spread on the exterior side  121  of the outer panel  122  and another strip of pressure sensitive adhesive  192  is spread on the exterior side  125  of the inner panel  126  near the top  130  of the bag  120 . These adhesives use polymers, such as acrylics, rubbers, and polyurethanes, together with plasticizers and tackifying resins to form a permanently tacky or sticky adhesive. A separate release strip of paper or plastic covers the adhesive strips and protects the strips until the release strip is removed before the bag is inverted. The strips of pressure sensitive adhesive on the front and rear panels of the inverted bag is then pressed together, thereby sealing the bag. Suitable materials include pressure sensitive adhesives obtainable from Adchem Manufacturing, Riverhead, N.Y.  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is an embodiment in which the bag is manufactured of a plastic film having one surface which is adhesive when pressed against a similar surface. Visible in  FIG. 10  is the outer panel  122  of the bag  120  with the interior side  123  and exterior side  121 . Also visible is the inner panel  126  with the interior side  127  and exterior side  125 . The self adhesive surface is on the exterior side  123  of the outer panel  122  and on the exterior side  121  of the inner panel  127  of the uninverted bag near the top  130  of the bag  120 . One element of the closure of this embodiment is the exterior surface of the outer panel of the bag and the other element is the exterior side of the inner panel of the bag. When inverted over the soiled diaper, the self adhesive surfaces about the circumference of the inverted bag are manually pressed together, thereby sealing the soiled diaper into the bag for disposal. Any suitable strong film material having at lease one surface self adhesive can be used in this embodiment diaper. Suitable materials include films obtainable from The Glad Products Company, Oakland Calif. using the trademarks PRESS&#39;N SEAL, PRESS&#39;N SEAL FREEZER, and GRIPTEX. PRESS&#39;N SEAL and PRESS&#39;N SEAL FREEZER are trademarks for plastic wrap; plastic bags owned by The Glad Products Company, Oakland Calif. GRIPTEX is a trademark for general purpose plastic bags and plastic wrap owned by Procter &amp; Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio and licensed to The Glad Products Company, Oakland, Calif.  
         [0043]     Although the closure elements illustrated in  FIGS. 5-10  are illustrated in connection with the first embodiment diaper, the closure elements may be used with the second and any other embodiment.  
         [0044]     The interior surfaces of the bag of embodiments are scented to eliminate or suppress unpleasant odors associated with soiled diapers.  
         [0045]     The bags of embodiments contain moistened tissues for use in sanitizing and cleaning associated with the changing of a diaper. The used wipes are placed in the inverted bag for disposal after use.  
         [0046]     Diapers of embodiments may be used by infants, babies, toddlers, or adults.  
         [0047]     The material of the bag in embodiments is opaque thereby concealing the contents when the bag contains a soiled diaper.  
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart of the process of bagging a first embodiment diaper. The first step  150  is to remove the bag cover by tearing at the weakened areas. The next step is unfolding the bag  152 . The user inserts one hand into the bag  154 , with the palm toward the back side of the diaper. The user then grasps the diaper  156  with the inserted hand and, optionally, folds the diaper by closing the fingers. The user the inverts the bag over the diaper  158  with the user&#39;s other hand. The user then seals the bag  160  using the closure elements of the now inverted bag.  
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart of the process of bagging a second embodiment diaper. The first step  250  is to open the bag cover at the weakened area. The user inserts one hand into the bag  252 , with the palm toward the back side of the diaper. The user then grasps the diaper  254  with the inserted hand and, optionally, folds the diaper by closing the fingers. The user the inverts the bag over the diaper  256  with the user&#39;s other hand. The user then seals the bag  258  using the closure elements of the now inverted bag.  
         [0050]     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.