Self-disintegrating diaper liner and retainer

Claim 2

A self-disintegrating liner for use with a liner retainer, said liner comprising: a top layer of wet-strength material of a size that permits ready flushing of the layer through a common household drainage system as an integral sheet, an intermediate layer of absorbent material positioned adjacent said top layer, a bottom layer of wet-strength material substantially coextensive with said top and intermediate layers and positioned adjacent said intermediate layer, said bottom layer being formed with a pattern of perforations therethrough arranged to allow said bottom layer to separate into pieces bounding on said pattern of perforations, and means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition to provide a multi-layered absorbent liner that will expand upon immersion in a body of water to so stress and weaken said bottom layer at said pattern of perforations that said bottom layer will experience self-segmentation at least upon movement of the water in which the liner is immersed to thereupon permit separation of each of said layers from the other and to permit disintegration of said absorbent material.

Claim 3

The liner of claim 1 wherein each of said layers is of generally rectangular configuration, and wherein said means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition comprises a pattern of embossing extending along at least portions of the periphery of the liner whereby the embossing temporarily retains and secures the top and bottom layers to each other to retain the intermediate layer therebetween.

Claim 4

The liner of claim 2 wherein one dimension of said intermediate layer is slightly less than a corresponding dimension of said top and bottom layers, and wherein said pattern of embossing extends only through said top and bottom layers, but not through said intermediate layer.

Claim 5

The liner of claim 1 wherein said pattern of perforations comprises a line of perforations centrally positioned and fully traversing said bottom layer.

Claim 6

The liner of claim 4 wherein said pattern of perforations also includes a second line of perforations extending entirely across said bottom layer.

Claim 7

The liner of claim 1 wherein said pattern of perforations comprises a substantially continuous line of perforations each spaced from an adjacent perforation, said line extending continuously from one edge of said bottom layer to a second edge of said bottom layer.

Claim 8

The liner of claim 1 wherein said pattern of perforations comprises a plurality of mutually spaced lines of perforations, each said line extending entirely across the width of said bottom layer.

Claim 9

The liner of claim 7 wherein said means for retaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition comprises a first pattern of embossing extending substantially entirely across said layers adjacent one edge thereof, and a second pattern of embossing extending substantially across said layers adjacent an opposing edge thereof.

Claim 10

The liner of claim 8 wherein said top layer comprises at least two plies of wet-strength material, wherein said bottom layer also comprises at least two plies of wet-strength material, both such plies of said bottom layer being perforated in said pattern, and wherein said intermediate layer comprises a plurality of plies of creped absorbent wadding.

Claim 11

The liner of claim 1 wherein each said top and bottom layer comprises a central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size sufficiently large to form an effective diaper for a baby, and sufficiently small to enable an individual one of such layers when substantially severed from other portions of the liner to readily flow through a common household drainage system, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second inner fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said central panel, first and second protective panels integrally formed with said barrier panels and adjoined thereto along first and second outer fold lines, whereby said protective panels may be reversely folded outwardly to overlie said barrier panels, each said barrier and protective panels being of substantially equal width to each other panel, and each extending for substantially the entire length of said central panel, said top and bottom layers each having a line of perforations extending substantially along said first and second inner fold lines, the perforations of each of said lines of perforations being spaced from each other by distances great enough to retain in said top and bottom layers strength sufficient only to withstand stresses and strains due to normal handling such as is involved in removing the liner from a package of liners or inserting the Liner in a holder, said perforations being of sufficient size and mutual proximity to allow said central panels of said layers to be severed from said barrier panel thereof after the liner has been wholly immersed in a body of water, and the absorbent layer has become fully saturated to expand and strain portions of the wet-strength material between adjacent perforations, and after the liner panels are allowed a freedom of relative motion.

Claim 12

The liner of claim 1 wherein each said top and bottom layers comprises a central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size sufficiently large to form an effective diaper for a baby, and sufficiently small to enable an individual one of such layers when substantially severed from other portions of the liner to readily flow through a common household drainage system, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second innter fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said central panel, said top and bottom layers each having a line of perforations extending substantially along said first and second inner fold lines, the perforations of each of said lines of perforations being spaced from each other by distances great enough to retain in said top and bottom layers strength sufficient only to withstand stresses and strains due to normal handling such as is involved in removing the liner from a package of liners or inserting the liner in a retainer, said perforations being of sufficient size and mutual proximity to allow said central panels of said layers to be severed from said barrier and protective panels thereof after the liner has been wholly immersed in a body of water, and the absorbent layer has become fully saturated to expand and strain portions of the wet-strength material between adjacent perforations, and after the liner panels are allowed a freedom of relative motion.

Claim 13

A self-disintegrating liner for use with a liner restraining and holding retainer, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each being formed with an elongated central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size that permits ready flushing of the layer central panel through a common household drainage system as an integral sheet, first and second barrier panels integrally secured to the side edges of the central panel, each barrier panel being adapted to be folded with respect to the central panel along a longitudinally extending line joining the central panel to the barrier panel, said bottom layer central panel being formed with a pattern of perforations therethrough arranged to allow said bottom layer central panel to be separated into pieces bounding on such perforations, first and second lines of perforations substantially coincident with respective ones of said longitudinally extending lines, said first and second lines of perforations each comprising a plurality of mutually spaced perforations extending entirely through both said top and bottom layers, a plurality of intermediate layers of absorbent material having relatively little or no wet-strength interposed between said top and bottom layers, means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition to provide a unitary multi-layered absorbent pad that will expand upon immersion in a body of water to so stress and weaken said top and bottom layers in the vicinity of said perforations that the central panels thereof will separate from said barrier panels and the central panel of said bottom layer will fragmentize upon movement of the water in which the liner is immersed to thereupon permit separation of each of said layers from the other and to permit disintegration of said absorbent material.

Claim 14

A self-disintegrating liner for use with a liner restraining and holding retainer, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each being formed with an elongated central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size that permits ready flushing of the layer central panel through a common household drainage system as an integral sheet, first and second barrier panels integrally secured to the side edges of the central panel, each barrier panel being adapted to be folded with respect to the central panel along a longitudinally extending line joining the central panel to the barrier panel, said bottom layer central panel being formed with a pattern of perforations therethrough arranged to allow said bottom layer central panel to be separated into pieces bounding on such perforations, first and second lines of perforations substantially coincident with respective ones of said longitudinally extending lines, said first and second lines of perforations each comprising a plurality of mutually spaced perforations extending entirely through both said top and bottom layers, a plurality of intermediate layers of absorbent material having relatively little or no wet-strength interposed between said top and bottom layers, means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition to provide a unitary multi-layered absorbent pad that will expand upon immersion in a body of water to so stress and weaken said top and bottom layers in the vicinity of said perforations that the central panels thereof will separate from said barrier panels and the central panel of said bottom layer will fragmentize upon movement of the water in which the liner is immersed to thereupon permit separation of each of said layers from the other and to permit disintegration of said absorbent material.

Claim 15

The liner of claim 12 wherein said intermediate layers each has a length substantially equal to the length of said top and bottom layers and each has a width substantially eQual to but slightly less than the width of said top and bottom layers between said first and second lines of perforations.

Claim 16

The liner of claim 12 wherein said means for retaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition as a unitary multi-layered absorbent pad comprises a liner retainer, said retainer comprising a central panel substantially co-extensive with the central panel of said liner, first and second side flaps secured and sealed to said retainer central panel along the respective side edges thereof and adapted to overlie portions of said liner central panel, first and second end flaps secured to respectively opposite end edges of said retainer central panel and adapted to overlie end portions of said side flaps and said retainer central panel, whereby said retainer will hold said liner inserted therein with said bottom layer positioned against said retainer central panel, with said side flaps overlying respective barrier panels of said liner, with said end flaps overlying both said side flaps and respective end portions of said liner, and with said first and second lines of perforations of said top and bottom layers being positioned substantially at and protected by the junction of said retainer side flaps with said retainer central panel.

Claim 17

A diaper liner for use with a diaper retainer, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each layer having a central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size sufficiently large to form an effective diaper for a baby, and sufficiently small to enable an individual one of such layers when substantially severed from other portions of the liner to readily flow through a common household drainage system, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second inner fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said central panel, first and second protective panels integrally formed with said barrier panels and adjoined thereto along first and second outer fold lines, whereby said protective panels may be reversely folded outwardly to overlie said barrier panels, a layer of absorbent material of relatively low-strength interposed between said top and bottom layers and having a width at least nearly equal to the width of said central panels and a length substantially equal to the length of said central panels, said top and bottom layers each having a line of perforations extending substantially along said first and second inner fold lines, the perforations of each of said lines of perforations being spaced from each other by distances great enough to retain in said top and bottom layers strength sufficient only to withstand stresses and strains due to normal handling such as is involved in removing the liner from a package of liners or inserting the liner in a holder, said perforations being of sufficient size and mutual proximity to allow said central panels of said layers to be self-severed from said barrier and protective panels thereof after the liner has been wholly immersed in a body of water, and after the absorbent layer has become fully saturated to expand and strain portions of the wet-strength material between adjacent perforations, whereby the liner panels are allowed a freedom of relative motion.

Claim 18

A diaper liner for use with a diaper retainer, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each layer having a central panel of generally rectangular configuration and of a size sufficiently large to form an effective diaper for a baby, and sufficiently small to enable an individual one of such layers when substantially severed from other portions of the liner to readily flow through a common household drainage system, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second inner fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said central panel, first and second protective panels integrally formed with said barrier panels and adjoined thereto along first and second outer fold lines, whereby said protective panels may be reversely folded outwardly to overlie said barrier panels, a layer of absorbent material of relatively low-strength interposed between said top and bottom layers and having a width at least nearly equal to the width of said central panels and a length substantially equal to the length of said central panels, said top and bottom layers each having a line of perforations extending substantially along said first and second inner fold lines, the perforations of each of said lines of perforations being spaced from each other by distances great enough to retain in said top and bottom layers strength sufficient only to withstand stresses and strains due to normal handling such as is involved in removing the liner from a package of liners or inserting the liner in a holder, said perforations being of sufficient size and mutual proximity to allow said central panels of said layers to be self-severed from said barrier and protective panels thereof after the liner has been wholly immersed in a body of water, and after the absorbent layer has become fully saturated to expand and strain portions of the wet-strength material between adjacent perforations, whereby the liner panels are allowed a freedom of relative motion.

Claim 19

The liner of claim 15 wherein said bottom layer has an additional set of perforations extending therethrough in a pattern that traverses said central panel thereof from one of said inner fold lines to the other of said inner fold lines.

Claim 20

The liner of claim 16 wherein said additional set of perforations also extend through said intermediate layer of absorbent material, but does not extend through said top layer.

Claim 21

For use with the liner set forth in claim 15, a liner retainer comprising a main body panel substantially congruent with but slightly larger than the central panel of said liner, First and second side flaps respectively secured to opposite side edges of said body panel and extending inwardly thereof to overlie edge portions of said body panel, first and second end flaps respectively secured to first and second end edges of said body panel and extending inwardly thereof to overlie end edges of said side flaps and of said body panel, said retainer being constructed and arranged to receive said liner with said central panel of said liner bottom layer adjacent the body panel of said retainer, and with said retainer side flaps being received between respective pairs of protective and barrier panels, whereby the side flaps retain the barrier and central panels in position with the first and second inner fold lines and perforations thereof received within and protected by the adjoining fold of the side flaps to the body panel of the retainer, with said protective panels overlying the side flaps, and with end portions of the protective panels interposed between end portions of the side flaps and the end flaps of the retainer, whereby substantially the entire area of the side flaps and body panel of the retainer is covered by said liner and only the liner is in contact with sensitive parts of the body of a baby wearing the diaper.

Claim 22

The retainer of claim 18 wherein said end flaps are rebated for a distance extending substantially across a mid-section of said body panel.

Claim 23

The retainer of claim 18 wherein each of said end flaps includes portions thereof projecting laterally outwardly from said body panel, each projecting portion of an end flap at one end of the body panel having a number of fastening elements, and wherein each projecting portion at the other end of the body panel has a larger number of fastening elements of which each is selectively cooperable with any one of the fastening elements on the projecting portions of the end flaps at the other end of the body panel, whereby either thigh size or girth size of the retainer may be independently or conjointly adjusted.

Claim 24

The retainer of claim 21 wherein each said end flap is significantly narrowed at a central portion thereof extending between said projecting portions to overlie a minimum area of the associated side flaps and facilitate insertion of the liner into the retainer between said body panel and side flaps.

Claim 27

The method of claim 22 wherein said perforating step comprises forming said perforations in a pattern that extends substantially entirely across said first layer.

Claim 28

The method of claim 23 including the step of perforating at least both said first and third layers of wet-strength material along first and second lines extending entirely across said pad in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extent of said pattern of perforations of said first layer.

Claim 29

A self-segmenting absorbent liner for a diaper garment, said liner comprising a top layer of relatively high-strength material of a size that permits ready passage of the layer through a common household drainage system as an integral sheet, said top layer having a substantially continuous and wholly unbroken body contacting surface that extends throughout at least a central portion of the top layer, an intermediate layer of absorbent material positioned adjacent said top layer and substantially coextensive therewith, a bottom layer of high-strength material substantially co-extensive with said top and intermediate layers and positioned adjacent said intermediate layer, said bottom layer having a pattern of perforations completely piercing said bottom layer, perforations of said pattern being closely adjacent to, but spaced from adjacent perforations, said pattern of perforations being arranged to allow said bottom layer to experience self-segmentation into pieces bounding on said perforations when said liner is immersed in a body of water and said intermediate absorbent layer expands to stress and weaken said bottom layer in the vicinity of said perforations, to thereupon permit separation of each of said layers from the other and permit disintegration of said absorbent layers, and means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition.

Claim 30

A self-segmenting absorbent liner for a diaper garment, said liner comprising a top layer of relatively high-strength material of a size that permits ready passage of the layer through a common household drainage system as an integral sheet, said top layer having a substantially continuous and wholly unbroken body contacting surface that extends throughout at least a central portion of the top layer, an intermediate layer of absorbent material positioned adjacent said top layer and substantially coextensive therewith, a bottom layer of high-strength material substantially co-extensive with said top and intermediate layers and positioned adjacent said intermediate layer, said bottom layer having a pattern of perforations completely piercing said bottom layer, perforations of said pattern being closely adjacent to, but spaced from adjacent perforations, said pattern of perforations being arranged to allow said bottom layer to experience self-segmentation into pieces bounding on said perforations when said liner is immersed in a body of water and said intermediate absorbent layer expands to stress and weaken said bottom layer in the vicinity of said perforations, to thereupon permit separation of each of said layers from the other and permit disintegration of said absorbent layers, and means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition.

Claim 31

The liner of claim 25 wherein each of said layers is of generally rectangular configuration, and wherein said means for maintaining said layers in mutual juxtaposition comprises a pattern of embossing extending along at least portions of the periphery of the liner whereby the embossing temporarily retains and secures the said top and bottom layers to each other to thereby retain said intermediate layer therebetween.

Claim 32

The liner of claim 25 wherein at least some of said perforations also pierce said intermediate layer.

Claim 33

The liner of claim 27 wherein none of said perforations pierce the outermost surface of said top layer.

Claim 34

The liner of claim 25 wherein said pattern of perforations comprises a plurality of lines of perforations, each said line extending entirely across the said bottom layer from one edge thereof to an opposite edge thereof.

Claim 35

A diaper liner for use with a diaper retainer, said retainer comprising a moisture impervious main body panel and inwardly folded side and end flaps secured and sealed to respective edges thereof, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each layer having a central panel of generally rectangular configuration, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second inner fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said top layer, and whereby said liner may be readily inserted into and removed from the retainer with said central panel in full surface to surface contact with said body panel of said retainer, and with said first and second barrier panels respectively underlying said retainer side flaps, first and second protective panels integrally formed with said barrier panels and adjoined thereto along first and second outerfold lines, said protective panels having a width at least substantially equal to the width of said retainer side flaps, whereby said protective panels may be reversely folded outwardly to overlie said barrier panels, and when inserted in said retainer said protective panels overlie respective side flaps of said retainer, whereby the entire liner is held in said retainer by the interleaving of said retainer side flaps between respective pairs of barrier and protective panels of the liner, a layer of absorbent material interposed between said top and bottom layers and extending coextensively with the length of said central panel and having a width at least nearly equal to the width of the central liner panel, a pattern of embossing extending along at least portions of the periphery of the liner to secure said top and bottom layers to each other with said absorbent layer retained therebetween; and a pattern of perforations piercing at least some of said layers, and arranged to effect self-segmentation of the liner after a period of total immersion in a body of water.

Claim 36

A diaper liner for use with a diaper retainer, said retainer comprising a moisture impervious main body panel and inwardly folded side and end flaps secured and sealed to respective edges thereof, said liner comprising: top and bottom layers of wet-strength material, each layer having a central panel of generally rectangular configuration, first and second barrier panels integrally formed with said central panel and adjoining said central panel along first and second inner fold lines, whereby said barrier panels may be inwardly folded to overlie said top layer, and whereby said liner may be readily inserted into and removed from the retainer with said central panel in full surface to surface contact with said body panel of said retainer, and with said first and second barrier panels respectively underlying said retainer side flaps, first and second protective panels integrally formed with said barrier panels and adjoined thereto along first and second outerfold lines, said protective panels having a width at least substantially equal to the width of said retainer side flaps, whereby said protective panels may be reversely folded outwardly to overlie said barrier panels, and when inserted in said retainer said protective panels overlie respective side flaps of said retainer, whereby the entire liner is held in said retainer by the interleaving of said retainer side flaps between respective pairs of barrier and protective panels of the liner, a layer of absorbent material interposed between said top and bottom layers and extending coextensively with the length of said central panel and having a width at least nearly equal to the width of the central liner panel, a pattern of embossing extending along at least portions of the periphery of the liner to secure said top and bottom layers to each other with said absorbent layer retained therebetween; and a pattern of perforations piercing at least some of said layers, and arranged to effect self-segmentation of the liner after a period of total immersion in a body of water.

Claim 37

The liner of claim 30 wherein at least said top and bottom layers are provided with pattern of perforations that pierce both said top and bottom layers in an arrangement that will effect substantial self-segmentation of said top and bottom layers into pieces bounding upon the lines of folding of said barrier panels relative to said central panel, upon total immersion in a body of water.

Claim 38

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad comprising: top and bottom layers of relatively high wet-strength, absorbent material; an intermediate layer of absorbent material sandwiched between said top and bottom layers, said intermediate layer being composed of material having relatively low wet strength so as to be self-disintegrating when wet and unsupported; means retaining said layers assembled in a multi-layered pad; and perforation means weakening said bottom layer to open said pad and release said intermediate layer for disintegration in response to relatively low tensile stresses across said perforation means, said top layer having at least a central portion for engagement with a wearer, and which is unperforated to avoid separation even when wet and subjected to stresses.

Claim 39

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad comprising: top and bottom layers of relatively high wet-strength, absorbent material; an intermediate layer of absorbent material sandwiched between said top and bottom layers, said intermediate layer being composed of material having relatively low wet strength so as to be self-disintegrating when wet and unsupported; means retaining said layers assembled in a multi-layered pad; and perforation means weakening said bottom layer to open said pad and release said intermediate layer for disintegration in response to relatively low tensile stresses across said perforation means, said top layer having at least a central portion for engagement with a wearer, and which is unperforated to avoid separation even when wet and subjected to stresses.

Claim 40

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 32 wherein said retaining means include: a retainer having a main body portion in surface contiguity with said bottom layer and having side flaps overlying side edges of said multi-layered pad, whereby said perforation means are protected by said retainer.

Claim 41

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 32 in which said perforation means comprise a plurality of intersecting lines of perforations dividing said bottom layer into a plurality of separable pieces.

Claim 42

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 34 in which the material of said intermediate layer is of a type which expands when saturated with liquid, and thereby tends to separate said bottom layer along said perforations.

Claim 43

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 32 further including second perforation means dividing said intermediate layer into a plurality of separable pieces, thereby to enhance the self-disintegrating action of said intermediate layer.

Claim 44

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 32 in which said unperforated central portion is generally rectangular, and said top layer also has elongated side panels extending along opposite sides of said central portion and joined thereto by lines of separable perforations.

Claim 45

A self-segmenting disposable multi-layered absorbent pad as defined in claim 32 in which said retaining means include embossed joints between said top and bottom layers along the sides of said intermediate layer.