US2545674A - Diaper garment for infants - Google Patents

Description

H. J. RALPH DIAPER GARMENT FOR INFANTS March 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 2l, 1948 IN VEN TOR. HAROL d. LPH

March 20, 1951 l H. J. RALPH 2,545,574

DIAPER GARMENT FOR INFANTS l Filed Sept. 2l, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD J. RAL PH TTOR/VEY Patented Mar. 2o, 1951 4 UNITED STATE s Vrxrlazrzr OFFICEv nrAPsR GARMENT' FOR INFANTS Harold J. Ralph, San Francisco, Calif.

i a IApplication September 21,1948,l Serial No. 50,335

-f y 10 Claims; (01.128-287) l--'i This invention relates to diaper garments for fiin'fants'and more particularly relates to diaper fgarments comprising a holder having a 'pocket Lnix/Which an absorbent"'pad may be changeably finserted. y, j

` The employment of the diaper as a garment for linfants isi an 'extremely old art and practice, i

v`usually comprising an absorbent textile hfolded breech cloth requiring' laundering. Inmore' recent years liquid impervious covering garments have been employed to vcover the folded textile diaper, and still more'recently an absorbent destructible 'diaper fora Single use Without launder- 'a 'pocket impervious to leakage at its connected edges, in which a removable absorbent diaper may be' changeably held.

" A further object is to provide a moisture impervious diaperf'holder which may be formed Without stitching or seams.

A still further object is to provide a liquid impervious diaper holder which may be formed yfrom an integral blank of sheet material.

Yet another object is to provide a diaper holder fhaving 4a pocket-'for receiving therein a destruct- -`ible diaper and'prviding -iins or-aps overlying edges of a diaper Ibody to v'prevent seepage "from the pocket." f 1' "Mft-' f u'rftherfobject is to provide a holder for de'- fstu'ctible diapers, vsimple in 'construct-ion, economical in manufacture, and'efcie'n't in opera- -ti'om and generallyto improve pon the -devices o'fthe characterdescribed. Y'

With the foregoing v'and other objects in view, v vvhich Will be apparent from or further set forth in this` specification, one form in which thein- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectiononline 3-3'of Fig. 1. A .Y

' Fig. 4 isa plan view of a blank from which the diaper holder garment is formed, reduced in size 'as compared to Fig.1 and showing in broken Ylines the'fold lines, and in dotted lines the posi:-

tion of the diaper member when the holderis folded. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of :a

portion of diaper member.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line`6-6` of Fig. 1.` f v Fig. 7 Yis aperspectve view of holder and diaper in garment-forming relation.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of blankffo'r forming a modified form of the invention.

Fig.' 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of the modified form of the 'garment incorporating the blank of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10'is an enlarged fragmentary section'on line IU-IU of Fig. 9.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters indicate corre'- 'sp'onding parts'in the several views, I0 indicates generally in Fig.-4 a blank from which a diaper holder is formed. If the garment is formed from van integral sheet the blank Il) is of substantially equal overall length and width prior to 1preferably parallel on straight lines Whereas the relatively opposite side edges are cut irregularly, -providing at the central portion of each side edge van arcuate cut-out' or indent I3, and at the op'- ffposite ends of the side edges are angular cut- 'outs or indents I4. The centralportion'of the blank which becomes a backing sheet for a diaper is indicated I5, and foldable transverse end flaps are indicated I6 and I1. Thus far, the blank has been described by its conguration in a at integral sheet.

' To provide a longitudinal pocket from the blank to form a diaper holder, a pair of relatively spaced longitudinal fins are provided, freely overlying the back sheet and having one longitudinal edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and having the other longitudinal edge free so that the ns yfreely overlie the back sheetlvvith the free edges relatively opposed. In forming the pocket from an integral blank, the blank is creased upon defined longitudinal lines, and end flaps are folded upon transverse lines, the fold lines being indicated by broken lines in the acu companying drawing. Since the material is moisture impervious exible sheet material, it is unnecessary to provide scoring on the lines of folding, though scoring may be resorted to if desired and convenient.

In forming the elongated pocket from an inF tegral sheet to receive a diaper member, the blank is first bent by creasing longitudinally the full length of the blank on the lines I9 and 20 which are relatively spaced on opposite sides .of,`and substantially parallel to, the longitudinal center line of the blank, the material between other adjacent parallel lines 2|, 22 and ,23, 2:4, :respectively, being then taken up from both sides of the lines I9 and 20, thereby providing 'iins in the form of pleats 25, 26 longitudinally of the garment and Arelatively spaced on opposite `sides of the longitudinal centerline thereof. 'The fins :or pleats .thus :formed are :pressed .downwardly f tnward reach other to substantially kcontact and ffreely overlie `the -plane ofthe back sheet tS-:of -theblank so that their free edges ll 9, il) are irelatively .opposed. WVhere ithe fins :are `.formed as pleats from an integral sheet, the tvvo overlying llayers .of sheet :material 'forming the pleats .have

their opposed faces sealed Itoeachtherortheir .l

entire length .adjacent `.the `vconnection of the formed iin to the plane of the back sheet of nthe 'blank as represented by the lines 12|, 22 fior :one pleat, and 23, 24 for :theopposite ipl'eat. .Since the fold lines land 24 are spaced :from the adjacent erelatively -opposite 'longitudinal Aedges :of 'the sheetand connect rthe respective or pleats :to fthe :back sheet, the connected vlorrg'itudina1 edge of each fin .is .thus spaced from the adjacent longitudinal 'edge lof Avthe garment, and this is important especially at the opposite end portions nf the hns, since it provides a pocket of lesser width than ithe entire vwidth at the Vend Vportions pf :the :garment kand thus saves diaper material. Aillie Vaneas of sealing between the layers `of the ins is `'indicated by stippling 2.1, Y28. Since the sheet fis integral and moisture-impervious, the opposite longitudinal edges of the pocket at the ffold lines i22 :and '.23 :have a fleak-proof vconnection with the :back sheet; if )the Jns are iforrned -of .separateist-rips theyishould likewise be connected by Ya leak-proof seal at :the longitudinal connected ledge ef the pocket.

in elongated :enlarged soft :elastic edge v'is provided fait @the longitudinal ,-free edge v-of the :fins .and :of ygreater thickness than the Aremainder of iin. Where the fin is formed :as :a plea-t by folding ,an integral v'sheet blank :upon itself, the layers of material :forming `the pleats are llett .nnsealed 'relatively :adjacent the .free Yfolded edges .t9 and 2li, thereby providing in 4each 4Pleat ,at :said ,folded vedge portions -I9 and 20., a relatively narrowelongated or y'tubular :envelope .2 9 13 which serves the purpose .of maintaining .the folded edges 1,9, 20 of lthe respective pleats :slightly Tplxfedtand thereby .slightly spaced Vfrom .the plane of the backsheet. To more positively maintain the open or .pulled 4condition Kof the tubular venvelopes -29-30 there may, if desired, be inserted therein `a flexible member, such -as va soft elastic hand .or a soft vflexible tube b3|. When the garment is being Worn by ,an .infant .the tube venlvelopes 29 .30 .or-elastic ,member 3l if the vlatter be employed, also .serves to hold the iree edge of the pleat in contact .with the legs .of the infant and prevents uncomfortable binding on the legs. The tubular envelopes 29,-30 and the tubes 3l are of a length to extend between thefree edges of downfolded end aps I6 and I1 when the latter are folded and seals are made in said end flaps, as will be further described. It is to be understood that the sealing of the opposed faces of the layers of sheet material forming the pleats leaves the plane of the pleats freely overlying the back sheet il Stof `the blank andmot adhered thereto, so tha't when the end `flaps IB, l1 are folded upon lines 36 and 31, an elongated body is formed 7having longitudinal, pockets 32, 33 which extend ' rhetween'thetend fold lines 36 and 31.

After the elongated ns or pleats are folded :longitudinally `linto the blank, as thus far described, therelatively opposite end strip portions or flaps I 6, I1 are folded on the lines 36, 31 so that Athe Yterminal end `edges Il Yand l2 and the included portion of longitudinal pleats 25, 26 :overlie the jportion of the plane Vof the blank comprising the back :sheet I5. The -end aps it, 1I1 extend tat least .between 'the vfree yends o'f thefspaced v'opposite -nsfor -pleats vrand are iconnected thereto. When the end flaps are thus `lfolded rit .will be observed that Athe angular edges ,of the angular lindents |14 register relatively, and fa suitable seal -as hereafter described may be employed nto secure said end flaps in such-'overlying relation. .Prior to :such usealing, fhowever, it lis preferred to insert reinforcing .member-s 3:8 Abetween the `opposed faces ylof `the sopposite end xporti-.ons :of each fof `the fend naps. 'These 12einorcing members :are preferably :two thicknesses 'of y.the same material: of which vthe lblankis made. In shape lthey'haveoppositeparallel edges which respectively parallel closely -the lfold =lines 3.6, 31 and the -downfolded :edges ALI :and .l2 of vthe ,-end naps. .Oneof the `ether pairrofedges of each sof the reinforcing members registers with the angu- `larly inclined terminal ,ledge :at theopposite lend vof each of the end flaps, and the @opposite edge iof 4'the lreinforcing member -closely parallels the sealed edges .ofthe respective ,pleats 25, v26 whic connects to the back sheet.

The end ilaps being thus folded te :overlying .ielationand the reinforcing :members being thus positioned therebetvveemall of the overlying v.lay-- ers, .and including the back .sheet layer, :a1-resecured together .byaseal 39 therethrough `substantially of the shape of 'three vsides .of '.a1rhomboid, vfollowing and closely adjacent to .the free kedge .lines of the .infolded .end vflaps A-and diagonally across v,the portion of 'the ,pleat which is Vincluded ,in thelayers ofthe infolded.endiiap. Experience has demonstrated that when the end -aps are integral with the tback sheet :it is mot necessary, .nor even desirable, to lhave the :seal include the .folded edges l:36 and 731 which become the Yend 4edges after the .end aps :are vfolded down, since the fold is inherently impervious; yet if the end naps-.are formed of separate .sheets ,of material sealed .atan -edge 4to `the back sheet, :such seal .is also preferably leak-proof. It will :be noted .that the inner=diagonal portion 39aof 4the seals 39 .is .diagonally transverse across `the portion of the end flaps Which-are included inthe pleats, whereby all overlying layers -of ,the .material includ#- ing the back sheet, ,are :thus :secured together. The Adiagonal kseals V39o', at `the same end of the holder are relatively converginglyinclined rtoward the end of the holder lto .provide substantially trapezoidal end portions of .the -diaper receiving pocket, which, cooperating with theelongated pleats, provides an elongated `octiatgonal ,pocket for receiving the diaper`-member-` Such Vdiagonal sealing would normally leave a triangular. portion V4I! in which the edges of the layers of material comprising the pleats 25, 26 and rthe inturned end flaps I6, I1, are unsealed relatively, possibly causing crevices difficult to clean and in which unsanitary matter might accumulate. Further, 'since it is desirable to provide a pocket into which an elongated `generally octagonal diaper 4Imay be removably inserted, this triangular portion 40 should not be closed by a sealing of the overlying sheets to the backing sheet I5 of the blank. Therefore, the overlying layers of.v the pleats and end flaps within .this triangular area 46 are relatively sealedto. each other on the base line and vertical side line oflth'e triangle by a separate seal 39h which Afastens together the. overlying sheets only and eliminates the back sheet I5 from such relative sealing of s'uch triangular area. By such sealing, it will be noted that the infolded end flaps freely overlie the transverse central portion of the back sheet infthe area between the diagonal seals 39a, and that the infolded free end edges` I I, I2, arefree between the opposed edges 29, 30/of the ns, to complete `the opposite end ,portions ofthe pocket. :-"=;'Ihe seals referred to may be of any suitable type and are shown by varying arbitrary symbols in'the drawing to distinguishthem from other lines and from each other. Since the material off the holder is preferably moisture impervious thin flexible plastic sheet material which is well known to be scalable by application of heat, the sealing maybe by a well-known heat process, but if the holder be of oiled silk or a rubberized sheet product, it may be stitched or sealedin any suitable manner.

v Suitable fastening means for securing the holding garment about the girth of an infant are employed at the opposite ends of the downfolded end flaps I6, I'I. comprise snap fasteners 42 secured through the downfolded end aps, the portion of the backsheet-which the end flaps overlie and also the reinforcing member 38 therebetween, thus providing a band at each opposite end' of the holder garment for cooperating relatively to encircle the girth of the infant. Any suitable number and type vofffasteners may be employed, foul` being shown at opposite ends of each of the end band portions, these numbers of fastenings serving the purpose of reasonable adjustability to infants of varying girth measurements.

Suitable binding edges or piping such as indicated `43 may be employed on free edges of the sheet material of the holder to both reinforce the edgefgive it flexible body substance for convenientinanipulation, and to prevent a very thin edge from chai-lng the limbs of aninfant. The piping may be folded from an integral edge of the material as indicated at 43, and sealed in the mannerabove described, or maybe a separate strip 44-sea1ed or stitched to the free edge of the Such fastening means may,

6` ing layers lof soft crushable sheets of absorbent papersecured together relatively by Yembossing adjacent the peripheral edge.` The form of octagonal pocket and corresponding octagonal diaper. member dispenses withrthe right-angled or acute angled corners to the pocket and thus eliminates sharp angles into which it would be diiiicult to smoothly insert sharp angles of a diaper member, and which would be diillcult to maintain clean and sanitary.

Having folded Vand sealed or stitched the holder garment inthe manner above described, it is manifest that the only operation necessary to bring the holder and diaper into operative relationship is to lift the free edges of the ns or pleats and the downfolded end flaps forming the pocket, and insert thereunder the diaper member. When the diaper member is soiled, it may be likewise readily replaced. Obviously, thearcuate cutout indentg i3 are to t about -an infants legs, and the opposite end portions considered as a unit provide a band to encircle the infants girth.v When the garment is in usev and being worn by an infant the central portion of the garment or diaper will be adjacent the buttocks and therefore will receive the greatest wear. When a deposit of either. liquid or solid is made uponthe diaper member it may be of greater quantity of flush liquid than the capacity of the diaper member: to absorb instantly at a single spot portion,v and the liquid may. thus spread vto the edges of the diaper member. But due to the peripheral edgeportion of the diaper being opposed free folded edge of the pleats 25, 26 'inv close contact relation with the legs of the infant, and yet holds said pleat edges slightly spaced from the diaper member so there will be no leakage over the edge of the thickened or folded edge of the n. In the use therefore the impervious seal of the ns tothe back sheet should extend at least the longitudinal central portion of the fin which will be positioned adjacent the fbuttocks of the infant, and preferably such impervious seal should extend completely around the pocket.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 there is disclosed a modification of the form of the invention in vwhich a portion of the blank 90a is provided with a portion of the material cut out in the end flaps I6 and I1. The purpose of the cut out is not to save material, but rather to vequalize thenum.- berofl layers of the material through which aI seal may be made by heat. Thus it will befnoted that the portions 45 may be removed at the opposite end portions of each of the end flaps I6 and I'I vin the area which would otherwise be folded into the pleats. Such a cut out eliminates one vcomplete thickness and a portion of another thickness of the material folded into the pleats flaps inthe garment shown in Figs. 1 to 6. yBut a tongue 46 of the pleatfold remains in the end flap portion of the blank. When the blankbis folded to form the pleats the edge portion I6d Aadjacent each end of end flap I6 (and similar portions in end flap Il) .willoverlie the tongue 46 so that when the seals 25and26 arelmade the entire length Aofthe pleat prior ito .fold-ing ydown the end flaps, that :same =sea1 'will include the sealingoffthe portions Y-Ilafto .the tongue AHi and no .further seal will be V'required .at Vthat seam. But I.when the end .flaps 'i6 and I1 fare folded lon lines 36 and '31 to overlie the back sheet, it will he noted that in this modification, `the end portions of the end flaps have four llayers of material, and the portion Within the pleat has four layers of material through which the seal `39 is made, thus Yequalizing 'the number lof layers to be sealed. -The lseal 39a'oftriang1ef40 is preferably a separate Voperationin whicha .plate is inserted between the back sheet l and the three overlying layers rof sheet material constituting two layers .inthe pleats and one layer in the downiolded end flap.

,l However, :inquantity production it is Centern-- plated that by providing a heating iron having several sections of different temperatures to be applied to theseveral seals in accordancewith .the number of 'layers ci material to be sealed, assingle sealing operation maybe employed for all of the sealing, inwhich oper-ation the cut outs 45 would beef :little consequence in the sealing operation.

-Sinceno Vsingle term seems available and apt t0 .describe both an arcuate anda straight line at the diagonal seal 39a, it is to be 4understood that the .term diagonal includes either a straight o1' .an areuateseal at 39a; and for 'the same reason vthe diaper has been .described as generally octagonal, meaningthat ithas .opposite side edge portions to insert under the elongated iinsgor pleats, opposite end edge lportions to :insert under theend :flaps and Adiagonal ledge portions connecting the side edge portions Aand end edge portions, whetherthe diagonal edge `portions be Yarcuate or on a straight line; Vthe arcuate Vdiagonal seal and arcuate diagonal diaper'edge being shown in Figs. 9 and l0.

Having ydescribed Athe invention, I claim:

'1. -A Vdiaper holding garment having la exible elongated'body of moisture impervious sheet material including aback sheet and a pocket overlying the back sheet, said pocket comprising relatively spaced opposed `longitudinal flexible `ns ireely overlying the plane of the back sheet and each. having one `longitudinal edge connected t0 the'back sheetand the opposite edge free, at least 'the opposite end portions of 'the connected edges :of ,the respective fins having the connection to the back sheet in spaced relation to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the garment, each of the opposite ends of said garment having a portion for cooperating relatively for encircling an infants girth, 'andeach of saidends including a ilexible end sheet member connected to the back sheet and having a-portion vfreely overlying the transverse central portion of an end portion of the back'sheet, onev edge portion of-each ci said end sheet vmembers being connected to an end portion of the back'sheet vmember and the opposite edgeof theend sheet member being free between saidiree edges of the fins. y'2. A ygarment of the character described, hav ling a flexible elongated body of moisture impervious sheet material including an elongated back sheet and anelongated poclzetoverlying the back Sheet, said pocket comprising relatively spaced opposedrjlongitudinal flexible fins freely overlying the planeoi the back sheet and each .having one longitudinal edge connected to thelback sheet and vthe oppositeedge freefeach of the opposite ends of said garment having a portion for cooperating relatively "for, encircling an infants girth, and nachotsaid ends; including. a Yflexible end sheet 8 memberrconnected @to the backesheet and :hav-ingeportion .freely l'overlying the transverse central portion of an end portionfof the rback sheet, one edge portion of each .oi .said end sheet members being connected lto an end ,portion Vof the fback sheet member and the :opposite edge vof the :endsheet memberbeing free between 'said free :edges of the iins, and each of the Y.opposite Kend portions of said back'sheet being-also connected .tozat least one Vof said overlying members by relatively spaced .connections which are diagonal tothe. length vof .the ns and converse .toward .the ad-l jacent end'ofdzhe-back sheet.

' 3. A diaper holding garment having a flexible elongated'bodyof moisture impervious sheet :ma: terial including :a '..backsheet and a pocket-oven lyingv the .back sheet, .said pocket comprising relatively spaced opposed longitudinal flexible hns-freely overlying the plane of. the back-sheet and each having lat vleast the longitudinal .central portion aof 'one edge imperviouslyconnected to the back sheet and the fopposite yedge vfree, each ci the opposite ends of said garment having 'a portion; for relatively cooperating forencircling the girth of an infant, :and each of .said ends includnga` flexible end 'sheet member, connected :to lthe 'back sheet and having -a portion freely overlying 'the transverse central portion of an end portion ofthe back, each of said end sheet members being corr-V nected to an end portion of the Aback sheet mem-, ber and theopposite edge :of 4the end sheetmemeiber being 'free between said vfree -e'dgesof the ns, the ireeedge of .said fins .being exible andzbeing" of greater'thickness than at Aotherportions ofthe fin body.

4. A Adiaper garment having ya flexible clon-- gated body of moisture impervious sheet `material including a backxsheetand a pocket overlying the back sheet, said .pocket lcomprising relatively spaced opposed longitudinal lflexible Inns Efreely overlying the kplane vof the back sheet and hav'- ing atleast the longitudinal central portion of oneedge imperviously connected to thebacksheet and `theopposite edge free, each of the opposite end .portions of said garment having a .band Afor cooperating relatively 'for encircling the Vgirth of an infant, and each Vof said ends having a nexiible end sheetmember 'freely overlying the `trans-- verse central portion of an end portion ofthe back sheet, one edge portion of each of said'end sheet members rbeing connected to Aan end portion -of the back sheet member and the opposite edge of the end sheet member 'being free between sa'idfreeedges o'f the fins, 'said end sheet' members having la seal'to the back sheet vdiagonally to the nmembers, the free edge of said fins bef ing flexible and being of greater 'thickness bei tween Ithe opposed free edges of the end sheet' members than at other portions of the nn body;

5. in' a diaper holding garment, the combina` tionof a flexible elongated'body of moisture im'l pervious vsheet material including a lback sheet and anelo'ngated pocket overlying the `back sheet, said pocket comprising relatively spaced opposed longitudinal fexible hns freely'overlying the plane of the back sheet and having at least the 'long'fii tudinal'central portion of vone edge imperviously connected to the backsheet and the opposite edge free, each Aoffthe'opposite endy portions of said garment .having a band for cooperating-relatively for .encircling the girth-of an infant, andeafcli of said ends having a flexible end sheet member freely overlying the transverse central portion ofV theback sheetgone edge portionof. each oit-said. endsheet members being connected" to 'entend portion of the back sheet member and the opposite edge of the end sheet member beingfree between the said free edges of the fins, saidend sheet members having a seal to the back sheet diagonally to the fins, and an absorbent elongated destructible diaper having diagonally cut corners adapted and arranged to lit removably in said pocket.

6. A garment of the character described, having a flexible elongated body of moisture impervious integral sheet material including a back sheet and a pocket overlying the back sheet, said pocket comprising relatively spaced opposed longitudinal flexible ns freely overlying the plane` of the back sheet and having at least the longitudinal central portion of one edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and the opposite edge free, said fins comprising pleats folded upon themselves from said integral sheet, each of the portion for cooperating relatively for encircling the girth of an infant, and each of said ends having a flexible end sheet member freely overlying the transverse central portion of the back sheet, one edge portion of each of said end sheet members being connected to an end portion of the back sheet member and of the opposite edge of the end sheet member being free between the free edges of the n pleats.

7. A diaper holding garment comprising a fiexible elongated body of moisture impervious sheet material including an elongated back sheet and a pocket overlying the back sheet, said `pocket comprising relatively spaced opposed longitudinal flexible ns freely overlying theplane of the back sheet and having at least the longitudinal central portion of one edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and the opposite edge free, each of said ns having at the free edge portion an elongated integral flexible tube which thickens the edge of the fin, each of the opposite end portions of said garment having a portion for cooperating relatively for encircling the girth of an infant, and each of said ends having a flexible end sheet member freely overlying the transverse central portion of the back sheet, one edge portion of each of said end sheet members being connected to an end portion of the back sheet member and the opposite edge of the end sheet member being free between the free edges of the fins.

8. A garment of the character described having a flexible elongated body of/moisture impervious integral sheet material including a back sheet and a pocket overlying the back sheet, said pocket having relatively spaced opposed longitudinal flexible iins comprising pleats folded upon themselves from said integral sheet, said fins freely overlying the plane of the back sheet and having at least the longitudinal central portion of one edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and the opposite edge free, each of the opposite end portions of said garment having a portion for cooperating relatively for encircling an infants girth, and each of said opposite ends havlng a flexible end sheet member freely overlying the transverse central portion of the back sheet, one edge portion of each of said end sheet members being connected to an end portion of the back sheet and the opposite edge of the end sheet member being free between the free edges of the fin pleats, said end sheet members having a seal to the back sheet diagonally to the pleats.

9. A diaper holding garment comprising a flexible elongated body of moisture impervious sheet material including an elongated back sheet and a pocket overlying the back sheet, said pocket having relatively spaced opposed longitudinal flexible ns comprising pleats folded upon themselves, said pleats freely overlying the plane of the back sheet and each having at least the longitudinal central portion of one edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and having the opposite edge free, said pleats having the layers thereof relatively sealed adjacent the connection to the back sheet and having at the free edge portion an elongated tubular envelope, an elongated flexible member in said envelope, each of the opposite end portions of said garment having opposite end portions of said garment having a w, a portion for cooperating relatively fOr encircling an infants girth, and each of said ends having a flexible sheet member provided with a portion freely overlying the transverse central portion of the back sheet, one edge portion of each of said end sheet members being connected to an end portion of the back sheet and the opposite edge of the end sheet member being free between the free edges of the iin pleats, said end sheet members having a seal to the back sheet diagonally to the n pleats.

10. In a diaper holding garment, the combination of a flexible elongated body of moisture impervious integral sheet material including a back sheet, an elongated pocket overlying the back sheet, said pocket having relatively spaced opposed longitudinal exible fins comprising pleats folded upon themselves from said integral sheet, said ns freely overlying the plane of the back sheet and each having one longitudinal edge imperviously connected to the back sheet and the opposite edge free, each of the opposite end portions of said garment having a portion for cooperating relatively for encircling an infants girth, and each of said opposite ends having a flexible end sheet member provided with a portion freely overlying the transverse central portion of the back sheet, one edge portion of each of said end sheet members being connected to an end portion of the back sheet member and the opposite edge of the end sheet member being free between free edges of the fins, said end sheet members having a seal to the back sheet diagonally to the pleats; and an absorbent elongated destructible diaper having diagonally cut corners adapted and arranged to t removably in said pocket.

HAROLD J. RALPH.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

Images