FR2810537A1 - Disposable diaper has fastener usable again when used diaper folded onto itself and production of adhesive tabs forming one part of fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable diaper has a fastener that can be used again after the used diaper has been folded onto itself. The fastener has tab(s) in one part of the diaper co-operating with retainer(s) in another part. An Independent claim is included for the following: (a) Formation of an adhesive tab for a diaper as above includes applying an elastic strip continuously along a line on one face of an unrolled adhesive strip. The strip has circular cut outs whose canters lie along this line. The ribbon is then folded along this line. The tabs are cut from the strip by making a transverse cuts. Each cut is equidistant between adjacent cutouts. Preferred Features: The fold line is not the centerline of the strip. The diaper has two tabs on opposite sides engaging retainers on the front of the diaper. The strip in each tab engages a notch of the retainer.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene articles. The present invention relates to the field of hygiene articles. The invention relates to the field of hygiene articles and comprises a fastening system provided with at least one link and a means for retaining said fastener and method for producing a lateral fastener strap. , including diapers equipped with a fastening system for closing the diaper around the wearer's waist and / or a fastening system for closing the diaper. , after folding on itself, when scrapping.

Conventionally, a diaper comprises an impermeable outer sheet, a permeable inner sheet and an absorbent pad disposed between the two said sheets. For the establishment of such an article on the user, it also comprises a fastening system which allows the rear and front parts of the layer to be placed one to the other once the latter has been placed. around the size of the user. For a very long time, an adhesive fastening system has been used; more particularly it had two adhesive side attachment tabs, fixed along the edges of the rear portion of the layer and optionally a transverse reinforcing strip on the front portion of the layer. For closure of the layer around the waist, it was sufficient to apply each lateral adhesive fastening tab on the front front part or on the transverse reinforcing strip. After the use of the diaper, it was possible to fold the diaper on itself so that the impermeable foil barrier on the outside would not come into contact with the permeable inner sheet, the closure after this folding and for the scrapping, was done using the adhesive fasteners, remained available, by applying it to impermeable outer sheet so as to lock in position the layer in folded state on itself.

Another fastening system has come to replace, at least in part, the adhesive fastening system namely a mechanical fastening system of the self-gripping type, which hook-type elements cooperate with elements of the loop type. More particularly, such a system is composed of two lateral lugs fixed along the edges of the rear part of the layer and provided with elements of the hook type and at least one front band, provided with loop-type elements, which is fixed on the front part of the waterproof sheet. The closure of the layer around the size of the user is performed the same conditions as above, the hooks coming into interlocking loops so as to secure the side tabs and the front band. However new fastening system of the self-gripping type does not, under usual conditions, to obtain the closure of the layer, folded on itself, its disposal. Various solutions have been made to overcome this disadvantage. For example in the document EP.0.529.681, it is provided either to integrate on each self-gripping side fastening tab an adhesive zone or to equip the layer of other adhesive side tabs serving during closing of the layer after use.

The aim that the applicant has set is to propose a closure system for diapers, which is not of the adhesive or self-gripping type and which may possibly be used with the aforementioned fastening systems. diaper either around the waist of the user or after use, after folding the diaper on itself.

This object is perfectly achieved by the diaper of the invention, the fastening system of which comprises at least one integral connection of a first zone and at least one means for retaining said integral link of a second zone of the layer, the respective location of the first and second zones being determined to obtain at least partial closure of the layer when the link cooperates the corresponding retaining means.

In the present text, the term "link" designates a longiform element, can be a ribbon or a strip of narrow width, a wire, a braid ... as will be seen below, this link may be elastic or not.

Regarding the closure of the layer around the user's waist, the fastening system comprises two links each ensuring the closure of one side of the layer. Preferably, the two links are fixed, possibly via two lateral tabs, to the two lateral edges of the rear part of the layer, while the one or more retaining means, able to cooperate with the two said links, are disposed frontally on the front portion of said layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the diaper comprises a frontal band which is fixed, in particular by gluing, solely according to its central portion on the front part and the retaining means are constituted by the two free ends of said strip, not fixed. on said front part. The advantage of this particular arrangement is to obtain fixing in one operation of the two retaining means intended to cooperate with the two links fixed to the two side edges of the rear part of the layer, possibly via two legs side.

Preferably, each retaining means is a semi-rigid strip section secured to the outer sheet of the layer, said section comprising at least one and preferably two transverse notches in which the connection passes to obtain the closure at least partial of the layer.

 It may be a single notch when the link has in particular an excess thickness abutting against the strip section, on either side of the notch. It is preferably two transverse notches when the link is formed in loop with two anchor points in the first zone of the layer. In this case, the blocking position of the link on the section of the strip is achieved by passing the link successively in the two notches.

Each notch may be a straight cut and oblique cut. The two notches may also consist of two recesses formed transversely in the strip section and delimiting a winding head of the link, with two projecting transverse portions.

The link can advantageously be elastic.

According to a particular embodiment, the link is by a single anchor point in the first zone of the layer and has, along its length, successively a first portion provided with self-gripping loop elements and a second portion provided with hook-and-loop hook-and-loop elements capable of cooperating with the self-gripping loop elements of the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, it is an elastic, supported by a side tab fixed on the first zone of the diaper, the two ends of the tie being anchored along the two opposite edges of the leg so that said link, in its inactive position, has a direction transverse to said tab and is located towards the free end thereof. In these conditions, the link occupies only the width of the side tab and is very easily gripped by the user. Preferably, the end of the side tab has a concave cut between two anchoring parts of the link. This arrangement makes it even easier for the user to grip the link.

It is another object of the invention to protect a method of manufacturing a lateral leg, of width H, as described last with an elastic link which extends transversely along the end of said leg of on both sides of a concave cut, substantially semicircular, of diameter h. This method consists of a) continuously unwinding a tape of width D, adhesive on a first face and having a succession of substantially circular cuts aligned along a longitudinal ribbon, located at a distance d from a first longitudinal edge of the ribbon, b ) to be applied continuously to the first adhesive side of the elastic tie tape, according to the alignment of the longitudinal axis 0, c) to fold the tape along the longitudinal axis 0 by folding the ribbon portion disposed along the first edge longitudinally on the adhesive side, d) cutting the ribbon by successive transverse cuts in a pitch H, each transverse cut being made substantially median between two substantially circular cuts of the ribbon.

Preferably, the width D of the ribbon is greater than 2 times so that there remains, after folding an adhesive side portion, which after cutting constitutes an attachment zone on the rear lateral edge of the diaper for the leg of the diaper. 'attached.

 The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which will be made of several embodiments of diapers whose attachment system comprises at least one link in one zone and a retaining means for said link in another zone. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a diaper whose closure is of hook-and-loop self-gripping type and which comprises an elastic link for the closure. of the layer on itself after folding for disposal, Figure 2 is a front view of the layer of Figure 1 closed after use with the elastic link, Figure 3 is a schematic representation in plan of a strip intended to constitute the two elastic tie tabs of the layer of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation in plan of two fastening tabs with elastic link 5 is a diagrammatic representation in plan of a strip for the manufacture of the fastening tabs of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second example of a diaper; pants with a fastening system with elastic links and means for retaining the closure of the layer around the size of the user, Figures 7 to 10 illustrate the steps of the method of manufacturing a fastening tab Figure 11 is a partial plan view of a single face band, the two free ends of which are shaped as a means of retaining the elastic links of the lateral attachment tabs according to the invention. Figure 6.

According to a first example, the diaper 1 has an hourglass shape with front portion 2 and a rear portion 3 having a width greater than the intermediate portion 4 of the crotch. It consists of an outer sheet 5, impermeable to liquids, an inner sheet 6 permeable to liquids and to an absorbent pad 7 which is disposed between the two sheets 5, 6.

The closure around the body of the baby of this diaper 1 is achieved through a mechanical fastening system which is composed of one side of two lateral attachment tabs 8 provided with elements 9 of the hook type and other from at least one strip 10 provided with elements of the loop type 11. The two attachment tabs 8 are mounted along the edges 12 of the rear part 3 of the layer 1 while the strip 10 provided with loops 11 is mounted on the outer sheet 5 of the front portion 2 of the diaper 1. To close the diaper 1 on the baby, the front portions 2 and rear 3 are brought together, a lateral tab 8 is grasped and the hooks 9 are applied to the loops 11 of the strip 10, this for each side of the layer 1 ..

According to the principle which is the basis of the invention, a link and a means of retaining said link for the at least partial closure of the layer are used. In this first example, it is the closure of the layer after use and after folding on itself. According to this first example, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, at least one tab 8a (left in the figures) comprises an elastic link 13 which extends transversely between two anchoring zones 14. The other bracket 8b is formed a front end projecting from an anterior zone 16 of reduced width. It is this end 15 which acts as a means of retaining the link 13.

When closing after use of the layer 1, as illustrated in Figure 2, the user has folded said layer 1 on itself starting from the front portion 2 so that the impermeable sheet 5 remains on the outside. In doing so, the two lateral tabs 8_a and 8b remained available. It suffices for the user to fold these two tabs 8a, 8b towards one another to seize the elastic link 13 of the first tab 8a, to stretch it until it is passed over the end 15 protruding from the second leg 8b. The two wings 15a and 15b of the end 15 prevent the elastic link 13 from returning to its initial position on the first leg 8a. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the closure on itself of the layer 1 is obtained without using adhesive or the mechanical fastening elements themselves. In the illustrated example, although this is not necessary, the two fastening lugs 8a, 8b have exactly the same configuration and both have an elastic link 13. The user can therefore indifferently implement or the other of the two links.

The production of such fastening lugs 8a, 8b can be obtained, as illustrated in FIG. 3, from a continuous strip 17, presenting on its outer face two longitudinal zones 18, 19 provided with hooks, said zones being arranged in the immediate vicinity and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis DD the band 17. The inner face of the band 17 is coated with an adhesive in two longitudinal zones close to the two opposite edges 20, 21 of the band 17, this adhesive permitting fixing the fastening tabs along the edge 12 of the layer 1.

Two elastic links 13, fed continuously, are fixed by anchoring zones 14 on the outer face of the strip 17 along two longitudinal lines delimiting the strip 17 in three zones of substantially the same width. The strip 17 thus structured is subjected to two types of cuts, one having longitudinal direction and the other a transverse direction.

 The longitudinal cutout 22 is made in the central zone between the two elastic links 13. It comprises rectilinear portions 23, in the immediate vicinity of the elastic links 13, but alternately on one side and the other and the connected sinusoidal portions 24. with two rectilinear portions 23, which gives it the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4.

 The transverse cuts 25 are partial cuts which start from a given edge 20, 21 of the strip to a rectilinear portion 23 of the blank 22 passing through an anchoring zone 14. The anchoring zone 14 must be carried out over a sufficient length so that, once the transverse cut 25 has been made, the elastic link 13 remains anchored on the two sections separated by said cut-out 25. Thus, the fastening tabs 8a and 8b are affixed to the ribs, right and left of the rear part 3 of layer 1, terminated by a mushroom-shaped outgrowth.

According to a second variant embodiment, also implementing an elastic link 26, the two attachment tabs 27a, 27b, have a rectangular shape; the retaining means of the elastic link 26 carried by the first 27a is constituted by two slots 28 made obliquely in the second tab 27b, as shown in Figure 4. When closing the layer 1 after use, and after positioning of the legs 27a and 27b attachment opposite each other, the user seizes the elastic link 26 carried by the first leg 27a_ and tends to penetrate into the two slots 28 of the second leg 27b .

In Figure 5, there is shown the continuous band 29 for making the fastening tabs 27 of the second variant above. We find, as previously, the longitudinal zone 30 provided with hooks and the elastic link 26 fixed periodically on the outer face of the strip 29 in the anchoring zones 31 and the transverse cuts 32 passing through the anchoring zones 31. The formation of the notches 28 is obtained by V-shaped point cutouts 33 whose point is located on each transverse cutout 32 and whose oblique branches extend symmetrically on either side of this cutout 32.

Fixing the elastic link on the inner or possibly outer face of the strip, as illustrated in the two examples above, can be obtained by any suitable means, ultrasound, gluing, sewing. The elastic link 13, 26 is placed in the substantially untensioned or slightly tensioned state so as to give it the desirable elasticity to achieve the joining of the two legs as explained above. In the above example, the link and its associated retaining means are intended for closing the diaper, folded on itself, after use. In the example which will be described below and which is illustrated in Figures 6 to 11, the link and its associated retaining means are intended for at least partial closure of the diaper around the size of the baby.

In other words, the link and its associated retaining means replace the conventional closure system, using either an adhesive or mechanical attachment elements of the self-gripping type.

According to the second example, the diaper 34 which is illustrated in FIG. 6 has the general shape of the diaper 1 of FIG. 1, but it comprises, along the two edges 35 of its rear part 36, two lateral tabs 37, each being provided with an elastic link 38 adapted to cooperate with a retaining means 39 fixed the outer sheet 40 of the front portion 41 of the layer 34.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 6, the retaining means is a semi-rigid which has a configuration identical to that of the attachment tabs 8 of the layer 1 illustrated in FIG. - gripping and elastic tie. This piece 39 can be made from a single band, with a longitudinal cut and transverse partial cutouts as shown in Figure 3. This piece 39 is fixed by a first end 39a on the outer sheet 40 of the front portion 41 of the layer 34. Its other end 39b is projecting with respect to an anterior zone 42 of reduced width. It is this end 39b, having a mushroom shape, which acts as a means of retaining the link 38.

 The fastening tab 37 is fixed by an adhesive zone 37a along an edge 35 of the rear portion 36 of the layer 34. The front end 37b of the fastening tab 37 has a concave recess 43, substantially semicircular by above which extends, transversely and diametrically, the link 38.

For the partial closure, on one side, of the layer 34 around the size of the baby, the user applies the front portion 41 of the layer 34 around said size, folds the rear portion 36 so that it comes laterally over said front portion 40, then seizes, for each bracket 37, the elastic link 38 and passes over the end 39b projecting from the retaining piece 39. The two wings 39c, 39d of this end 39b_ prevent the elastic link 38 from returning to the initial position.

 The production of the fastening tabs 37 can be obtained, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, from a continuous strip 44, one of whose faces (visible in FIG. 7) comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating. This strip has a succession of cutouts 45, for example circular, which are arranged in a regular manner on said strip 44. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, these are circular cutouts having a diameter h, the centers of which are aligned along a longitudinal axis A, said axis being distant from a longitudinal edge 46 the band 44 by a distance d. The width D of the ribbon 44 is such that it is greater than twice the distance d. The circular cutouts 45 are made regularly, with a spacing H between the centers of two adjacent circles.

While the band 44 moves continuously, a link 48 is applied to the adhesive side of said band 44, along the longitudinal axis A. The link unrolled in an almost untended state, even very little tension, just enough for It has a rectilinear general direction, as illustrated in FIG. During the displacement of the strip 44, partial folding of said strip 44 along the longitudinal axis A is effected, the zone 47 lying between the longitudinal edge 46 and the link 38 being folded down. over said link 38 and being applied against the adhesive side of the strip 44. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a succession of semicircular concave recesses 43 are formed between which the link 38 extends diametrically. and on the other side a longitudinal portion 48 adhesive.

To obtain a bracket 37, it is sufficient to perform, in accordance with an H, a succession of transverse cuts 49, each cut being made at equal distance between two semi-circular concave recesses 43. The adhesive-coated longitudinal portion 48 allows the fixing the tab 37 along the edge 35 of the rear portion 36 of the layer 34.

 The circular shape of the cuts 45 is not exclusive. The purpose of the recess is to allow easy gripping of the elastic link 38, while providing special operation of the anchoring zones 50a, 50b_ of said link 38, thanks to the adhesive which is coated on one side of the strip 44. On may in particular find it advantageous to make cuts that are not perfectly symmetrical so as to provide in the immediate vicinity of the recess 43 a small adhesive-coated portion which will make it possible to temporarily secure the fastening tab 37 when it has folded on the inner permeable sheet of the layer 34 during its manufacture. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, it would be sufficient for this purpose that in zone 47 the cutout 45 is not a semicircle, a rectangle having as a long side h and as a small side h / 2.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 6, there are two retainers 39, each part being adapted to cooperate with the elastic link 38 of a bracket 37. However, it may be advantageous to have on the outer sheet 40 of the front portion 41 of the layer 34 a single front band, fixed centrally on said outer sheet 40 and whose two free ends, not fixed, constitute the retaining means for the two links 38. front band 51, such 11, can be affixed in a single operation during the manufacture of the diaper 34. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 11, the front band 51 has its projecting free ends 52, not fixed on the 40, which differs in their configuration of the projecting ends 39b the example shown in Figure 6. The end 52 has a generally mushroom shape but the smaller width area has two decrochemen ts 54, each forming an angle α, of the order of 90, and penetrate into the projecting end 52. The purpose of this particular configuration is to improve the attachment between the elastic link 38 and the retaining means, and in particular to prevent the link can be detached from the protruding end 52 during the movements of the baby or by a mishandling of the user, the inner edges 55 of the projecting end 52 being inclined so as to bring back the elastic link 38 to the interior of the zone 53 of reduced width in case of displacement of said link.

In the examples which have just been described, an elastic link has been used, which has the particular advantage of obtaining permanent tensioning of the diaper around the size of the user. This embodiment is however not exclusive to the invention, other types of links, non-elastic, which can be implemented with possibly the same retaining means as described above or other means of retaining .

As it is a non-elastic link, there will normally be only one anchor point at one of its ends at the lateral edge of the rear part of the layer, the other free end being blocked at the retaining means. For example, the other end may comprise an extra thickness, in particular a node or a double node, which acts as a locking means in cooperation with the retaining means, the latter having for example one or more slots for the passage of the link, the extra thickness being prevented from sliding through the said slot or slots.

One could implement substantially the same retaining means as those described in the examples illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 11 by implementing a non-elastic link, fixed on the rear part by a single anchor point, possibly supported by a lateral fastening tab, said link successively presenting on length hook-and-loop fastening elements and loop-type self-gripping elements. These elements are distributed over the link so that it is possible to encircle the protruding end of the retaining means at the level of the anterior zone of smaller width and to block the link at this zone to the cooperation of the loop elements and hook elements.

In the first example, the link and its associated retaining means was intended for closing the folded layer on itself after use; in the second example, the two links their associated retaining means were intended for closing the diaper around the baby's waist. Of course, it is possible to implement, in the context of the present invention, one or more links and its or its associated retaining means which ensure both the closure of the layer around the size of the baby and closure of the layer once folded back on itself after use. With regard in particular to the second example, illustrated in FIG. 6, it suffices for one of the two attachment tabs 37 to be provided with two slots made obliquely along two opposite sides, like the slots 28 of the tabs 27a and 27b illustrated in Figure 4. These two slots are adapted to serve as retaining means for the link of the other bracket when closing the folded layer on itself after use, for disposal.

Moreover, in any description that has just been made, the link is supported by a lateral fastening tab which is itself fixed along one of the lateral edges of the rear part of the layer. This embodiment is of course not exclusive to the invention.

 The link could be supported by a tab attached to the front portion of the diaper or "anchored directly to the outer or even inner sheet of the rear layer or on the outer sheet of the front portion of the diaper. this change in the location of the link will also result in the change of the average holding location associated with the link so as to achieve, at the time of the cooperation of these two elements, the at least partial closure of the layer.

Claims (11)

1. Diaper characterized in that it comprises, for the closure of the diaper either around the user or after use, after folding of the diaper on itself, less a link solidarity (13, 38 ) a first zone of the layer and at least one retaining means (15, 39) of said link secured to a second zone of the layer, the respective location of the first and second zones being determined to obtain the closure at least partial of the layer (1, 34) when the link (13, 38) cooperates with the corresponding retaining means (15, 39). 2. Diaper (34) according to claim 1 equipped with a fastening system for closing the layer around the size of the user, characterized in that said fastening system comprises two links (38) each ensuring the closure of one side of the layer. 3. The diaper according to claim 2, characterized in that the two links (38) are fixed, preferably via two lateral tabs (37), to both side edges (35) of the rear part (36). of the layer (34), and in that the one or more retaining means (39) capable of cooperating with the said two links (38) are arranged frontally on the front part (41) of the said layer (34). 4. The diaper according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises a front band (51) which is fixed, in particular by gluing, only according to its central portion on the front portion of the layer (34) and the retaining means are constituted by the two free ends (52) of said strip (51), not fixed on said front portion. 5. The diaper according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that each retaining means is a portion (39) semi-rigid strip integral with the outer sheet (40) of the layer, said section (39) comprising at least one and preferably two transverse notches (42) in which the link (38) passes to obtain at least partial closure of the layer (34). 6. Diaper according to claim 5 characterized in that the section comprises two notches consisting of two recesses (52) made transversely and delimiting a head (39h) winding of the link, with two transverse portions (39c, 39d) in projection. 7. The diaper according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the link (13, 38) is elastic, with two anchoring points (14, 50). 8. The diaper according to claim 7 characterized in that the elastic (38) is supported by a side tab (37) fixed on the first zone of the diaper, the two ends of the tie being anchored along the two opposite edges (50a, 50b) of the tab so that said link, in its inactive position, has a direction transverse to said tab (37) and is located towards the free end thereof. 9. The diaper according to claim 8 characterized in that the end of the side tab has a concave cutout (43) between the two anchoring parts (50a, 50 <B> 12) </ B> of the link ( 38). 10. A method of manufacturing a side flap (37) for equipped a diaper (34) according to claim 9, of width H and having a concave cut (43), substantially semicircular, of diameter h, characterized in that it consists of a) continuously unwinding a tape (44) of width D, adhesive-coated on a face prèere and having a succession of substantially circular cuts (45) aligned along a longitudinal axis 0 of the ribbon (44), located at a distance d from a first longitudinal edge (46) of the ribbon (44), b) to be applied continuously to the first adhesive side of the ribbon (44) an elastic link (38), according to the alignment of the longitudinal axis 0, c) folding the ribbon (44) along the longitudinal axis 0 by folding the ribbon portion (47) arranged along the first longitudinal edge (46) on the adhesive side, d) cutting the ribbon by cutting transverse (49) successive in a H step, each transverse cut (49) etan is made substantially medially between two substantially circular cuts (45) of the ribbon (44). 11. The method of claim 10 characterized in that the width D of the ribbon is greater than 2 times so that there remains, after folding an adhesive side portion (48), which after cutting constitutes an attachment zone on the edge rear side of the diaper (34) for the bracket (37).