Abstract:
One embodiment relates to a diaper. The diaper includes a main body and an opening in the main body. The periphery of the opening is surrounded by the main body. The main body comprises two inwardly curved lateral edges. The opening is located centrally between the inwardly curved lateral edges. A flexible material is provided around the periphery of the opening. The opening is sized to leave the anus and genitals of the wearer exposed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/385,887, filed Sep. 23, 2010 (Atty. Dkt. No. 079514-0105) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to the field of baby products. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the field of diapers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The standard pull-on diaper can be difficult for young children to remove to sit on the toilet before they have already soiled their diaper. In addition, during toilet-training, young children sometimes have small wastes, which dirty only a small portion of the diaper but require replacement or cleaning of the entire diaper. 
         [0004]    It would be advantageous to provide an improved diaper with an open portion and an optional cover over the open portion. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One embodiment relates to a diaper. The diaper includes a main body and an opening in the main body. The periphery of the opening is surrounded by the main body. The main body comprises two inwardly curved lateral edges. The opening is located centrally between the inwardly curved lateral edges. A flexible material is provided around the periphery of the opening. The opening is sized to leave the anus and genitals of the wearer exposed. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment relates to a diaper assembly. The diaper assembly includes a diaper with a main body and an opening in the main body and an attached flap that covers the opening. The flap may be opened to allow a wearer to use a toilet without removing the diaper. 
         [0007]    Still another embodiment relates to a diaper assembly. The diaper assembly includes a diaper with a main body and an opening in the main body and a removable flap that covers the opening. The flap may be removed to allow a wearer to use a toilet without removing the diaper. The flap further includes an absorbent portion to collect waste. A soiled flap may be replaced without needing to replace the diaper. 
         [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a pull-on diaper according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a pull-on diaper of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a pull-on diaper of  FIG. 1 , laid flat with the sides opened. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a pull-on diaper of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a pull-on diaper, according to another exemplary embodiment, with rear-affixed flap closed in front. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a pull-on diaper of  FIG. 5 , with flap open and affixed to the rear. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a pull-on diaper according to another exemplary embodiment, when the cover is removed for replacement. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the cover from the pull-on diaper of  FIG. 7 , when the cover is removed for replacement. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the cover of  FIG. 8  affixed to the inside of a pull-on diaper of  FIG. 7 , laid flat with the sides opened. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    In China, toddlers have worn “kaidangku” (literally, “open-crotch pants”) for decades (http://spankingartwiki.animeotk.com/wiki/Slit_pants). Recently, the Chinese government and urban culture have discouraged use of open-crotch pants in favor of diapers, due to concerns for public health (children squat and defecate wherever they are) and appearance in modern urban society. (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-07/16/content — 349150.htm) 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,733 (Casale, Jul. 31, 1990) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,065 (Wyant, Dec. 1, 1998) describe diapers with front openings, however, these work only for males and can be difficult in practice for young boys to operate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,447 (Gagnon, Jun. 8, 1993) describes a diaper system with detachable linings, however, the system requires an overgarment whose removal can be time-consuming when the wearer needs to relieve themselves. 
         [0021]    According to an exemplary embodiment, an undergarment such as a diaper  10  includes an opening  12 . The opening  12  (e.g., open portion, open section, etc.) is located along the centerline of diaper  10  between the leg openings  16 . In various embodiments, opening  12  may be covered by a removable flap, panel, or other body. The removable body may therefore be replaced when soiled, reducing the need for the entire diaper to be removed. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the invention in its first embodiment, in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  there is shown a pull-on diaper  10 .  FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of the invention,  FIG. 2  shows a top view and  FIG. 4  a rear perspective view.  FIG. 3  shows a top view of the pull-on diaper, with the sides pulled opened and diaper laid flat. The diaper  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  may be made of cloth, plastic, or similar flexible fabric. The diaper  10  may be made of breathable materials to facilitate extended wear of the diaper  10 . 
         [0023]    Referring especially to  FIG. 3 , the diaper  10  includes an open section  12  in the crotch area located between two leg openings  16  formed by inwardly curved sides of the diaper. The opening  12  is sufficiently large to allow the wearer to sit on and use a training toilet without removing the pull-on diaper  10  and without soiling the material of the diaper  10 . 
         [0024]    A flexible material  14  (e.g., elastic, etc) lines the periphery of the open section  12 . The flexible material  14  provides a snug fit to the wearer and to provide a feeling of comfort as if wearing a standard pull-on diaper. 
         [0025]    In further detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the size and dimensions of the pull-on diaper  10  and opening  12  will vary depending on the size of the intended wearer, from infant to adult. The most common application, however, is expected to be young children of toilet-training age and size. The diaper  10  allows a young child to become accustomed to using a toilet while still maintaining the familiar feel of a traditional pull-on diaper. The opening  12  allows the toilet to be used even if the diaper  10  is not removed without soiling the diaper  10  and requiring the diaper  10  to be replaced. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 6 , according to another exemplary embodiment, a pull-on diaper  60  includes an opening  62  in the crotch area and a flap  64  attached to the rear  66  of the opening  62 . The flap  64  is lined on the inside with an absorbent material  68 . The pull-on diaper  60  may be made of cloth, plastic, or similar flexible fabric. The diaper may be intended for disposal or wash and re-use. The diaper  60  may be made of breathable materials to facilitate extended wear of the diaper  60 . 
         [0027]    The opening  62  is sufficiently large to allow the wearer to sit on and use a training toilet without removing or soiling the pull-on diaper  60  when the flap  64  is open and affixed to the rear  66  of the pull-on diaper  60 . Both the opening  62  and the flap  64  are lined with flexible material  70 . The flexible material  70  provides a snug fit to the wearer and provides a feeling of comfort as if wearing a standard pull-on diaper. The flap  64  is configured to be relatively snug at the opening  62  and full in the middle to accumulate waste away from both the wearer and the diaper  60 . 
         [0028]    The flap  64  is moveable between an open position, wherein the opening  62  is unobstructed, and a closed position, wherein the flap  64  generally covers the opening  62 . The flap  64  may include a tab  72  that is provided to affix the flap  64  to the diaper  60  in both the open position and the closed position. The flap design may also allow for sufficient adhesion without a tab  72  or strip of adhesive material on the flexible lining  70  along the openings. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in a closed position, the tab  72  is affixed to the front of the diaper  60 . When the flap  64  is in the closed position, the tab  72  is affixed to the front of the pull-on diaper  60  via a temporary closure (e.g., buttons, snaps, a hook and loop fastener, “loopless” technology, etc.). The flap  64  may also be affixed to the diaper  60  about the periphery of the opening  62 . In a closed position, the flap  64  is sufficiently snug so as to prevent most liquid and solid waste from escaping the diaper  60 . 
         [0030]    The size and dimensions of the pull-on diaper  60 , opening  62 , and flap  64  will vary depending on the size of the intended wearer, from infant to adult. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 8 , according to another exemplary embodiment, a pull-on diaper  110  includes an opening  112  in the crotch area and a removable cover  150 . The removable cover  150  is affixed to at least a portion of the periphery of the opening  112  with a temporary adhesive material  114 . The opening  112  is sufficiently large to allow the wearer to sit on and use a training toilet without removing the pull-on diaper  110  when the cover  150  is either removed or open without getting the diaper  110  dirty. The pull-on diaper  110  may be made of cloth, plastic, or similar flexible fabric. Both or either of the diaper and removable cover may be intended for disposal or wash and re-use. The diaper  110  and the cover  150  may be made of breathable materials to facilitate extended wear of the diaper  110 . The diaper and cover design may also allow for sufficient adhesion without a separate strip of adhesive material  114 , for example, using “loopless” or other technology. The cover  150  may be designed to affix to either the inside or outside of the diaper opening  112 . 
         [0032]    Shown in  FIG. 8 , the cover  150  is lined on the inside with an absorbent material  152 , on the sides with a flexible material  154 , and on the perimeter with a temporary adhesive material  156 . Both the opening  112  and the cover  150  are lined with flexible material  154 . Flexible material  154  provides a snug fit to the wearer and to provide a feeling of comfort as if wearing a standard pull-on diaper. 
         [0033]    When the cover  150  is affixed over the opening  112 , it is affixed to the front, sides, and rear via a temporary affixation method, and it is sufficiently snug so as to prevent most liquid and solid waste from escaping the diaper. The cover  150  can be removed completely and replaced, for example, when dirty. Or the cover  150  can be detached from the front and sides, but left attached to the rear, and folded back upon itself so that both ends of the cover  150  are affixed to the rear, for example, during toilet-training. 
         [0034]    In one exemplary embodiment, cover  150  may be affixed to the outside of the diaper  110 . In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , cover  150  may be affixed to the inner surface  116  of the diaper  110 . 
         [0035]    According to one exemplary embodiment, the temporary adhesive material  156  coupling the cover  150  to the diaper  150  is a hook and loop fastener. According to other exemplary embodiments, the cover  150  may be coupled to the diaper  150  with any other suitable temporary coupling method, such as “loopless” technology, an adhesive, buttons, snaps, etc. 
         [0036]    The absorbency and size of the cover  150  is designed to be sufficient to catch most liquid and small solid wastes, thus allowing the cover  150  to be replaced without replacing the entire diaper  110  on the wearer. The cover is configured to be relatively snug at the opening  112  and full in the middle to accumulate waste away from both the wearer and the diaper  110 . Large solid wastes are expected to require replacement of both the cover  150  and pull-on diaper  110 . The size and dimensions of the pull-on diaper  110 , opening  112 , and cover  150  will vary depending on the size of the intended wearer, from infant to adult. 
         [0037]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the diaper (e.g., diaper  10 , diaper  60 , or diaper  110 , etc.) may be formed of a hydrophobic (water-repellant) material and the replaceable portion (e.g., flap  64  or cover  150 ) may be formed of a hydrophilic (water-loving) material. In use, the diaper may be worn for hours with only replacement of the flap or cover; thus, for comfort of the wearer, the diaper material may be a breathable fabric that reduces skin irritation and prevents accumulation of sweat within the diaper. The material choice and shape of the replaceable portion is intended to reduce diaper waste by keeping the diaper clean and dry, and concentrating all liquid and small solid waste into the replaceable portion. 
         [0038]    The advantages of the diaper with an opening and an optional cover as described in several exemplary embodiments above include, without limitation, the ability to toilet-train the wearer by providing the feeling of comfort of wearing a pull-on diaper, while being able to quickly sit the wearer on a toilet when they need to use it. In the second and third embodiment, the wearer or care-giver can simply open the flap or cover when the wearer needs to use the toilet, without having to pull the diaper down. In the third embodiment, the cover may be removed and replaced without replacing the pull-on diaper, if the wearer has a small waste prior to being able to sit on a toilet, so that only the cover is dirty. If the diaper is made of disposable materials, then this option allows for significantly less material disposed compared to replacing the entire pull-on diaper. Providing a removable, disposable cover may reduce the number of changes required for the entire diaper assembly will be required, which may reduce the lower total daily cost of use to the wearer or their caregiver. 
         [0039]    In broad embodiment, the present invention is an improved pull-on diaper that has a variety of opening options to allow easier access to the wearer&#39;s bottom, for toilet-training or general care. Although the most common application is expected to be young children of toilet-training age, the invention may also apply to infants or adults, or to other animals such as dogs and cats. The size, dimensions, and other modifications will adjust depending on the wearer, for example, the rear of the pull-on diaper may have an additional hole for a tail when used for certain animals. 
         [0040]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted a single particular element may also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0041]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a certain number of embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. 
         [0042]    Further, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the assemblies may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment or attachment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter.