US3938523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prefolded and packaged disposable diaper
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Tissue Co
•
Filing: 1974-10-17
•
Granted: 1976-02-17
•
Expires: 1994-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A substantially rectangular disposable diaper having a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins is prefolded and packaged in a unique configuration including a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper. Each double-pleat fold includes an inner panel overlying a central section of the diaper and an outer panel overlying the inner panel. Each outer panel includes two wing sections; one on each side of a transversely extending medial line of the diaper. Therefore, the four wing sections of both outer panels are disposed in pairs of two; one pair being on each side of the transversely extending medial line. The two wing sections which are on the same side of the medial line diverge from each other in a direction from the medial line to an end margin of the diaper. The double-pleat folded diaper is folded along the transversely extending medial line to complete the prefolded configuration in which the diaper is packaged.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara Faye Gilliland
- 👤 Christine Arentzen Henisee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/494; A61F13/49406; A61F13/49413; A61F13/49001; A61F13/551
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A prefolded and packaged disposable diaper which, in an unfolded condition, has a substantially rectangular configuration including a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins, said prefolded and packaged diaper including: A. a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper; each double-pleat fold including an inner panel overlying a central section of the diaper and an outer panel overlying said inner panel, each outer panel including two wing sections extending outwardly beyond its underlying inner panel, one of said wing sections being disposed on each side of a transversely extending medial line of the diaper; the wing sections of both outer panels which are disposed on the same side of the transversely extending medial line diverging from each other in a direction from the transversely extending medial line to an end margin of said diaper; and B. said disposable diaper being folded upon itself along the transversely extending medial line to dispose the wing sections of each outer panel in engagement with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A prefolded and packaged disposable diaper which, in an unfolded condition, has a substantially rectangular configuration including a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins, said prefolded and packaged diaper including: A. a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper; each double-pleat fold including an inner panel overlying a central section of the diaper and an outer panel overlying said inner panel, each outer panel including two wing sections extending outwardly beyond its underlying inner panel, one of said wing sections being disposed on each side of a transversely extending medial line of the diaper; the wing sections of both outer panels which are disposed on the same side of the transversely extending medial line diverging from each other in a direction from the transversely extending medial line to an end margin of said diaper; and B. said disposable diaper being folded upon itself along the transversely extending medial line to dispose the wing sections of each outer panel in engagement with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The prefolded and packaged disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein the inner panels of both double-pleat folds extend for substantially the full longitudinal extent of the diaper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prefolded and packaged disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein each inner panel is adhesively tacked to the central section of the diaper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
205 words
A prefolded and packaged disposable diaper which, in an unfolded condition, has a substantially rectangular configuration including a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins, said prefolded and packaged diaper including: A. a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper; each double-pleat fold including an inner panel and an outer panel overlying the inner panel, each inner panel extending for the full longitudinal extent of the diaper and having a transverse dimension defined between an outer longitudinally extending fold line which is substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the diaper and a pair of inner angled fold lines, each of said angled fold lines diverging away from the longitudinal axis of the diaper in a direction from the center of the diaper to an end margin of said diaper, each outer panel including two wing sections extending outwardly beyond its underlying inner panel, each wing section having a transverse dimension defined between one of said angled fold lines and a side margin of the diaper; and B. said disposable diaper being folded upon itself along a transversely extending medial line for disposing the wing sections of each outer panel in engagement with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
205 words
A prefolded and packaged disposable diaper which, in an unfolded condition, has a substantially rectangular configuration including a longitudinal dimension defined between end margins and a shorter transverse dimension defined between side margins, said prefolded and packaged diaper including: A. a double-pleat fold on each side of the diaper; each double-pleat fold including an inner panel and an outer panel overlying the inner panel, each inner panel extending for the full longitudinal extent of the diaper and having a transverse dimension defined between an outer longitudinally extending fold line which is substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending axis of the diaper and a pair of inner angled fold lines, each of said angled fold lines diverging away from the longitudinal axis of the diaper in a direction from the center of the diaper to an end margin of said diaper, each outer panel including two wing sections extending outwardly beyond its underlying inner panel, each wing section having a transverse dimension defined between one of said angled fold lines and a side margin of the diaper; and B. said disposable diaper being folded upon itself along a transversely extending medial line for disposing the wing sections of each outer panel in engagement with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prefolded and packaged disposable diaper according to claim 4, wherein each inner panel overlies a central section of the diaper and is adhesively tacked thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1994135A
Cited
US2494933A
Cited
US3605746A
Cited
US3710797A
Cited
US3776233A
Cited
US3794033A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-16 | 1979-08-18 | 1980-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-16 | 1983-08-18 | 1984-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-16 | 1987-08-18 | 1988-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |