Reusable diapers

• US 7,629,501 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Andrew Labit, Jennifer Lynn Labit
• Original Assignee: James Andrew Labit, Jennifer Lynn Labit
• Inventors: Labit, Jennifer Lynn, Labit, James Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichle; Karin M
• Application Number:
  US11/518,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 604/367, 604/370, 604/372, 604377- 78, 604/373, 604/384, 604/385.01, 604/385.03, 604/385.06, 60438514-38515, 604/385.19, 60438523-3853, 604/386, 604389-402
• US Class Current: 604/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49004 with fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/493 adjustable by adding or removing material, e.g. umbilical cord arrangements adjustable by the fastening A61F13/5638, A61F13/5655
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/505 with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts, A61F13/20, A61F13/49003 take precedence; supporting or fastening means A61F13/56; belts or the like A61F13/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5633 open type diaper

Abstract

A reusable diaper generally includes an inner layer configured to wick moisture from a diaper wearer'"'"'s body and an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious. At least one pocket is defined generally by a space between the inner and outer layers. The at least one pocket is configured to receive at least one liquid-absorbent insert therein. The diaper also includes at least one slit in the inner layer that provides access into the space between the inner and outer layers defining the at least one pocket. At least one flap is provided that is positionable in an open configuration in which the at least one slit is exposed and allows access into the at least one pocket, and a closed configuration in which the at least one flap substantially covers the at least one slit.

Claims

1. A reusable diaper comprising an inner layer configured to wick moisture from a diaper wearer'"'"'s body, an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious, at least one liquid-absorbent insert, a forward portion, a rearward portion, a crotch portion, and at least a three-by-three array of snap members along the forward portion that allows selective adjustment to a functional rise of the reusable diaper so as to define different functional rises of the reusable diaper, the array including at least a first row of at least three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array, at least one pocket defined generally by a space between the inner and outer layers and configured to receive the at least one liquid-absorbent insert therein, at least one slit in the inner layer that provides access into the space between the inner and outer layers defining the at least one pocket, and at least one flap attached to the inner layer and positionable in an open configuration in which the at least one slit is exposed and allows access into the at least one pocket, and a closed configuration in which the at least one flap substantially covers the at least one slit and inhibits contact between a diaper wearer and the at least one liquid-absorbent insert positioned within the at least one pocket, and wherein the at least one liquid-absorbent insert is configured to be removably positioned through the at least one slit into the at least one pocket, the at least one liquid-absorbent insert having a fastening system operable to adjust a continuous length of the at least one liquid-absorbent insert for more precisely fitting the liquid-absorbent insert within the at least one pocket at the different functional rises of the reusable diaper.

2. The reusable diaper of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit extends transversely along the inner layer at a location toward the rearward portion of the reusable diaper, and wherein the at least one flap is attached to the inner layer transversely along the rearward portion.

3. The reusable diaper of claim 2, wherein the at least one flap includes a free lower edge portion, and an upper edge portion stitched to the inner layer along the rearward portion.

4. The reusable diaper of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed of polyester, and wherein the inner layer and the at least one flap are formed of suede cloth.

5. A reusable diaper comprising an inner layer configured to wick moisture from a diaper wearer'"'"'s body, an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious, at least one liquid-absorbent insert, a forward portion, a rearward portion, a crotch portion, and at least a three-by-three array of snap members along the forward portion that allows selective adjustment to a functional rise of the reusable diaper so as to define different functional rises of the reusable diaper, the array including at least a first row of at least three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array, at least one pocket defined generally by a space between the inner and outer layers and configured to receive the at least one liquid-absorbent insert therein, at least one slit in the inner layer that provides access into the space between the inner and outer layers defining the at least one pocket, and wherein the at least one liquid-absorbent insert is configured to be removably positioned through the at least one slit into the at least one pocket, the at least one liquid-absorbent insert having a fastening system operable to adjust a continuous length of the at least one liquid-absorbent insert for more precisely fitting the liquid-absorbent insert within the at least one pocket at the different functional rises of the reusable diaper.

6. The reusable diaper of claim 5, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions being resiliently stretchable to permit at least some adjustability to a functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the first waist portion is releasably attached to the second waist portion.

7. The reusable diaper of claim 5, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions with tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion, at least one or more of the corner regions and tabs being resiliently stretchable to permit at least some adjustability to a functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the first waist portion is releasably attached to the second waist portion.

8. The reusable diaper of claim 7, further comprising hook-and-loop fasteners for releasably attaching the tabs to the second waist portion.

9. The reusable diaper of claim 8, wherein the hook-and-loop fasteners include corresponding hook portions and loop portions, wherein the second waist portion includes at least one elongate strip with at least one hook portion and/or at least one loop portion extending at least partially along a length thereof, and wherein the tabs include at least one corresponding loop portion and/or hook portion releasably attachable at different locations along the at least one corresponding hook portion and/or the at least one corresponding loop portion of the at least one elongate strip, thereby allowing selective adjustment to the functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the tabs are releasably attached to the at least one elongate strip.

10. The reusable diaper of claim 7, wherein the tabs are resiliently stretchable to thereby permit adjustability to the functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the tabs of the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions are releasably attached to the second waist portion.

11. The reusable diaper of claim 7, wherein the corner regions of the first waist portion are formed of polyester and spandex.

12. The reusable diaper of claim 7, wherein the corner regions of the first waist portion are formed of polyester and spandex, wherein the outer layer is formed of polyester, and wherein the inner layer is formed of suede cloth.

13. The reusable diaper of claim 5, further comprising first and second waist portions releasably attachable to each other to permit at least some adjustability to a functional waist size of the reusable diaper as defined by the first and second waist portions when the first waist portion is releasably attached to the second waist portion.

14. The reusable diaper of claim 5, wherein the first row of snap members includes a first snap member located generally centrally across a width of the diaper, a second snap member located toward one lateral side of the diaper, and a third snap member located toward another lateral side of the diaper.