Reusable diapers

• US 8,518,007 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): SU, SUSAN SHAN
• Application Number:
  US12/632,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20100087794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 604/372, 604/378, 604/385.04
• US Class Current: 604/385.15
• 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

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of reusable diapers. In an exemplary embodiment, a reusable diaper may generally include a forward portion, a rearward portion, a crotch portion, and first and second waist portions. At least a three-by-three array of snap members may be along the forward portion that allows selective adjustment to a functional rise of the reusable diaper. The array may include 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. The first waist portion may have corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion. The corner regions may be 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.

Claims

1. A reusable diaper comprising:

a forward portion;

a rearward portion;

a crotch portion;

an inner layer configured to wick moisture from the diaper wearer'"'"'s body; and

an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious; 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, the array including at least a first row of three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array;

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; and

wherein the outer layer is formed of polyester, and wherein the inner layer is formed of suede cloth.

2. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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, and wherein the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion.

3. The reusable diaper of claim 2, wherein the tabs are resiliently stretchable to thereby permit further 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.

4. The reusable diaper of claim 2, further comprising hook-and-loop fasteners for releasably attaching the tabs to the second waist portion.

5. The reusable diaper of claim 2, wherein the second waist portion includes at least one elongate strip with at least one hook-and-loop portion extending at least partially along a length thereof, and wherein the tabs include corresponding hook-and-loop portions releasably attachable at different locations along the at least one hook-and-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.

6. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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, and wherein the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include elastic tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion.

7. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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, and wherein the corner regions of the first waist portion are formed of polyester and spandex.

8. The reusable diaper of claim 1, 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 and to permit at least some adjustability to a functional size of leg openings of the reusable diaper when the first waist portion is releasably attached to the second waist portion.

9. The reusable diaper of claim 8, wherein the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion, and wherein the tabs are resiliently stretchable to thereby permit further adjustability to a 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.

10. The reusable diaper of claim 8, wherein the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion, and further comprising hook-and-loop fasteners for releasably attaching the tabs to the second waist portion.

11. The reusable diaper of claim 8, wherein the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion, and wherein the second waist portion includes at least one elongate strip with at least one hook-and-loop portion extending at least partially along a length thereof, and wherein the tabs include corresponding hook-and-loop portions releasably attachable at different locations along the at least one hook-and-loop portion of the at least one elongate strip, thereby allowing selective adjustment to a 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.

12. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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.

13. The reusable diaper of claim 1, wherein the first row of snap members is selectively engagable to corresponding snap members in the at least two other rows of the array to thereby allow selective adjustment to the functional rise of the reusable diaper.

14. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions that include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion.

15. The reusable diaper of claim 14, wherein the tabs are resiliently stretchable to thereby permit further adjustability to a 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.

16. The reusable diaper of claim 14, further comprising hook-and-loop fasteners for releasably attaching the tabs to the second waist portion.

17. The reusable diaper of claim 14, wherein the second waist portion includes at least one elongate strip with at least one hook-and-loop portion extending at least partially along a length thereof, and wherein the tabs include corresponding hook-and-loop portions releasably attachable at different locations along the at least one hook-and-loop portion of the at least one elongate strip, thereby allowing selective adjustment to a 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.

18. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions that include elastic tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion.

19. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions of the first waist portion are formed of polyester and spandex.

20. The reusable diaper of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one inner layer configured to wick moisture;

at least one outer layer configured to be substantially impervious to liquids;

at least one pocket defined generally by a space between the at least one inner layer and the at least one outer layer, and configured to receive at least one liquid-absorbent insert therein; and

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.

21. The reusable diaper of claim 20, further comprising at least one liquid-absorbent insert configured to be removably positioned through the at least one slit into the at least one pocket.

22. The reusable diaper of claim 20, further comprising 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 a liquid-absorbent insert when positioned within the at least one pocket.

23. The reusable diaper of claim 22, further comprising first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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, and wherein:

the first waist portion'"'"'s corner regions include tabs releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the tab including hook-and-loop portions;

the flap includes hook-and-loop portions releasably attachable to the hook-and-loop portions of the flap;

the flap, the tabs, and the corner regions are within an interior of the reusable diaper when the hook-and-loop portions of the tabs are releasably attached to the hook-and-loop portions of the flap.

24. The reusable diaper of claim 23, wherein:

the flap and the inner layer are formed from the same material; and

the flap is attached to the inner layer by stitching or sewing.

25. A reusable diaper comprising:

a forward portion;

a rearward portion;

a crotch portion; and

first and second waist portions, the first waist portion having corner regions releasably attachable to the second waist portion, the corner regions 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; 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, the array including at least a first row of three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array;

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; and

wherein the corner regions are formed of about 95% polyester and about 5% spandex.

26. The reusable diaper of claim 25, further comprising an inner layer configured to wick moisture from the diaper wearer'"'"'s body and an outer layer configured to be substantially liquid-impervious.

27. A reusable diaper comprising:

a forward portion;

a rearward portion;

a crotch portion;

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, the array including at least a first row of three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array;

the first row of snap members including 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;

at least one inner layer configured to wick moisture;

at least one outer layer configured to be substantially impervious to liquids;

at least one liquid-absorbent insert;

at least one pocket defined generally by a space between the at least one inner layer and the at least one outer layer, 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 when positioned within the at least one pocket;

whereby 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.

28. A reusable diaper comprising:

a forward portion;

a rearward portion;

a crotch portion;

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, the array including at least a first row of three spaced-apart snap members vertically spaced from and aligned with corresponding snap members in at least two other rows of the array;

the first row of snap members including 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;

at least one inner layer configured to wick moisture;

at least one outer layer configured to be substantially impervious to liquids;

at least one pocket defined generally by a space between the at least one inner layer and the at least one outer layer, and configured to receive 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 a liquid-absorbent insert when positioned within the at least one pocket.

29. The reusable diaper of claim 28, further comprising at least one liquid-absorbent insert configured to be removably positioned through the at least one slit into the at least one pocket.