The term"dressing"is used herein and in the claims in its broad sense that encompasses both diapers and other dressings such as bandages, sanitary pads, gauze pads, and other medical items which may be used to cover or "dress"a wound, incision, or the like. Nonetheless, for expository purposes, the dressing will be illustrated and described herein as a diaper. Further, while such a diaper may be used on infants or incontinent adults, it will be described herein particularly in the sense of a diaper for a baby, although clearly other types of diapers are encompassed by the term.

Caring for a baby outside of the home requires many different articles to accompany the baby. In particular, one needs to be able to change the diaper of the baby in a convenient, hygienic and economical manner. Thus, typically the care giver must transport a first bag for carrying unsoiled fresh diapers, a second bag in which soiled used diapers may be hygienically disposed of, and a third bag for various baby care products including diaper changing supplies such as a changing mat, wet wipes, creams, powders, and the like. This is clearly an arduous and inconvenient task as the three bags are cumulatively bulky, as well as costly if the contents of the bags are separately manufactured and purchased.

While many public facilities offer a ledge or the like on which a baby may be rested during diaper changing, the responsible caregiver prefers to apply a changing mat on top of the ledge so that the baby rests on a clean sanitary surface, both so that the baby is protected from any bacteria, germs or the like which happen to be on the ledge and so that the next baby placed on the ledge is protected from any germs, bacteria or the like from the baby presently being

changed. Typically the baby-supporting body of a changing mat includes, at least as one layer thereof, a liquid impermeable layer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved disposable diaper changing kit which in a preferred embodiment includes a fresh diaper, may be used for the sanitary disposal of a used diaper, and optionally additionally contains diaper changing supplies, all of the former in a single, easily transportable and relatively compact kit.

Another object is to provide such a kit wherein in a preferred embodiment the diaper and the changing mat are formed as separable extensions of one another in order to reduce the cost of manufacture of the kit.

A further object is to provide such a kit wherein in a preferred embodiment folding and unfolding of the changing mat also folds and unfolds the diaper.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a kit wherein the changing mat defines a pocket for the storage of selected diaper changing supplies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the above and related objects of the present invention are obtained in a disposable diaper changing kit including a fresh diaper. The kit comprises a body defining a liquid impermeable outer body layer and a liquid absorbent inner body layer, the body being movable between at least three configurations including (i) an initial package configuration wherein the body defines a package containing a fresh diaper, (ii) an intermediate changing mat configuration wherein the body defines a changing mat, and (iii) a final disposal configuration wherein the body defines a unit for the sanitary disposal of a used diaper therein. Diaper changing supplies, including the fresh diaper, are disposed within the body at least when the body is in the package configuration, the diaper having a liquid impermeable outer diaper layer and a liquid absorbent inner diaper layer.

In one preferred embodiment the inner and outer diaper layers are extensions of the inner and outer body layers, respectively, with the inner and outer diaper layers being connected to the inner and outer body layers by respective lines of weakness. Preferably the body and the diaper are together of unitary, integral, one-piece construction formed in a single operation.

In another preferred embodiment the diaper is releasably secured to the outer body layer. Preferably the diaper is releasably secured to the outer body layer such that movement of the body from the package configuration to the changing mat configuration causes movement of the diaper from a folded configuration to a substantially unfolded configuration.

In a further preferred embodiment the inner and outer body layers define therebetween a pocket for storage of selected ones of the diaper changing supplies, the pocket being manually accessible when the body is in the changing mat configuration and not being manually accessible when the body is in the package and disposal configurations. Alternately, one of the inner and outer body layers or the outer body layer alone defines the storage pocket.

The kit additionally includes resealable sealing means, secured to the outer body layer for releasably maintaining the body in the package and disposal configurations and handle means secured to the body for carrying of the kit.

More broadly, the present invention encompasses a disposable dressing <BR> <BR> changing kit including a fresh dressing and dressing changing supplies-e. g. , a topical antibiotic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the life cycle of a preferred embodiment of a kit according to the present invention, wherein

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the kit prior to use; FIG. 1B is a top planar view of the kit after it has been opened and unfolded; FIG. 1C is a top planar view of the kit after removal of the fresh diaper from a pocket of the changing mat, removal of the soiled diaper from the baby, and placement of the baby (shown in phantom line) on the changing mat for application thereto of the fresh diaper; FIG. 1D is a top planar view of the soiled diaper being inserted into the pocket of the changing mat after the diaper change is completed; and FIG. 1E is an isometric view of the kit folded up (with the soiled diaper therein), ready for disposal; FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the kit wherein the changing mat and diaper are extensions of one another, and wherein FIG. 2A is an isometric schematic view of the manufacture thereof; and FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the diaper and the changing mat being separated along a line of weakness ; and FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the kit wherein the diaper folds and unfolds with folding and unfolding of the changing mat, and wherein FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the open kit prior to folding; FIG. 3B-3D are isometric views of the kit in progressive stages of folding to form the closed kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 consisting of FIGS. 1A through 1E, therein illustrated is the"life cycle"of a preferred embodiment of a kit according to the present invention, general designated by the reference numeral 10. The kit 10 is a disposable diaper changing kit which, as best seen in FIG. 1C, includes a fresh diaper 12. While the diaper 12 is illustrated in an extended and substantially unfolded orientation in FIG. 1B, it will be appreciated that the diaper 12 may alternatively be in a folded orientation more suitable for

transport. As best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the kit 10 preferably includes securing means 14 for releasably maintaining the kit 10 in its folded configuration and a handle 16 or pair of handles 16 extending outwardly from the main portion of the kit 10 in its folded configuration. The releasable folding means 14 releasably secures the kit 10 in its folded orientation, while the handle 16 or pair of handles 16 facilitates the carrying of the kit 10 from one location to another.

Referring now to FIG. 1B in particular, therein illustrated is the kit 10 in its open orientation (that is, after it has been opened). The kit 10 includes a body, generally designated 20, defining a liquid impermeable outer body layer 22 and a liquid absorbent inner body layer 24. The outer body layer 22 may be a nonwoven or a laminate of a plurality of nonwovens. Alternatively, the outer body layer 22 may formed of a cloth-like woven material. In any case, the outer body layer 22 must, as a whole, be liquid impermeable. This insures maintenance of the fresh diaper 12 in a dry condition prior to use and sanitary disposal of the soiled diaper after use. The outer body layer 22 may have its outer surface coated or covered with another material to provide a more acceptable hand or texture (that is, perceptible feel), abrasion resistance, tear resistance, or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the liquid absorbent inner body layer 24 is smaller than the outer body layer 22 and preferably secured to the inner surface of the outer body layer 22 only along three peripheral edges, so that there is defined therebetween a pocket 30 defining at one end an opening 32 through which the fresh diaper 12 may be removed for use or a used diaper 12'may be inserted for disposal. The opening 32 of the pocket 30 may be provided with releasable sealing means, such as an adhesive patch or strip or a minihook-and- miniloop fastener system. In any case, preferably the pocket 30 is manually accessible when the body 20 is in the changing mat configuration, but not manually accessible when the body 20 is in the initial package and final disposal configurations.

225583. 1

The body 20 is movable between at least three configurations as follows: (i) FIG. 1A illustrates the body 20 in an initial package configuration, wherein the body 20 defines a sealed package containing the fresh diaper 12 (the latter being best seen in FIG. 1B); (ii) FIG. 1C illustrates the body 20 in an intermediate changing mat configuration, wherein the body defines or serves as a changing mat on which the baby (illustrated in phantom line) may be safely and sanitarily rested during removal of the soiled diaper 12'therefrom and during placement of the fresh diaper 12 thereon; and (iii) FIG. 1D illustrates the body 20 in a final disposal configuration with the soiled diaper 12'rolled up and stuffed therein so that the kit generally appears as shown in FIG. 1A, but now functions as a unit for the sanitary disposal of the used diaper.

The convenient carrying handle or handles 16 are preferably fixed to one end of the outer body layer 22 by appropriate means taking into consideration the nature of the fabric of the handles 16 and the outer body layer 20-for example, stitching, heat sealing, or the like. Alternatively, the handles 16 may simply be extensions of the outer body layer 22.

The sealing means 14 is preferably permanently secured at one end on a surface of the outer body layer 22, although it too may be alternatively formed as an extension of the outer body layer 22. The inner surface of the free end of the sealing means 14 is adapted for releasably sealing to the outer surface of the outer body layer 22 for releasably maintaining the body 20 in both the initial package and final disposal configurations thereof. By way of example only, the exposed inner surface of the sealing means 14 may have thereon a pressure sensitive adhesive adapted to releasably seal either with the outer surface of the outer body layer 22 when the body 20 is in the initial package or final disposal configurations or with an appropriately placed patch on the body 20 (so that the initial opening of the releasable end of the sealing means to enable movement of the body 20 from the initial package configuration to the intermediate

changing mat configuration does not disrupt the leakproof integrity of the outer body layer 22). Alternatively, the free end of the sealing means 14 may contain a hook segment of the well known VELCRO material (wherein a multitude of minihook portions releasably engage a multitude of miniloop portions). Where the outer surface of the outer body layer 22 does not itself provide a miniloop segment, a patch or strip of appropriate miniloop material may be permanently affixed thereto to provide a surface with which the minihooks on the free end of the sealing means 14 may engage. Alternatively, a variety of other well known sealing means may be employed for the same purpose.

In the intermediate mat configuration (shown in FIG. 1C) the body 20 both provides a sanitary and hygienic changing surface on which the baby B may be placed (i. e. , the inner body layer 24) and insures that the surface supporting the changing mat does not become soiled during the diaper changing operation (due to the outer body layer 22). If desired, the back surface of the inner body layer 24 may be provided with a liquid impermeable coating or layer so that the pocket 30 formed between the outer body layer 22 and the inner body layer 24 is liquid impermeable on both sides, thereby to better isolate the used or soiled diaper which is eventually placed within the pocket 30 through opening 32 (as illustrated in FIG. 1D).

While FIG. 1C shows the inner body layer 24 being sized to accommodate the full extent of the outstretched baby B, in fact it is only a relatively small portion of the body 20 which is likely to become wet or soiled.

Accordingly, the inner body layer 24 may be further reduced in size.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, typically the soiled diaper 12'is wrapped within itself and then placed within the pocket 30 through opening 32.. After the body 20 is put into its final disposal configuration, the sealing means 14 is then used to maintain the configuration, as shown in FIG. 1E.

At least in the initial package configuration, the kit 10 can additionally include diaper changing supplies, including the fresh diaper 12, disposed within the body 20. The diaper 12 typically includes a plurality of layers including a

liquid impermeable outer diaper layer 40 (see FIG. 1C) and a liquid absorbent inner diaper layer 42 (see FIG. 1B). Of course, there may be additional diaper layers intermediate the outer diaper layer 40 and the inner diaper layer 42, and the inner surface of the inner diaper layer 42 and the outer surface of the outer diaper layer 40 may be coated or covered by one or more additional layers.

As used herein and in the claims, the word"inner"and"outer, "as used in the terms"inner body layer"and"outer body layer"and in the terms"inner <BR> <BR> diaper layer"and"outer diaper layer, "are relative words reflecting the relative disposition of one layer to the other, rather than absolute words.

The inner surface of the outer body layer 22 preferably defines at least one small compartment 50 (and preferably a plurality thereof) adapted to contain other diaper changing supplies such as baby wipes, creams, powders and even food or a toy to facilitate the diaper changing process. The compartments 50 may be pockets defined by and intermediate the inner and outer body layers 24,22 or by one of the inner and outer body layers 24,22 alone, preferably by the outer body layer 22 alone. While the compartments 50 are preferably formed exclusively from the material of the outer body layer 22, they may incorporate additional materials applied to the outer body layer 22, whether liquidproof or not. Preferably means (not shown) are provided for independently opening and closing each of the compartments 50--for example, a releasable adhesive layer along one edge or a releasable minihook-and-miniloop fastener system. In a preferred embodiment, the compartments 50 are manually accessible only when the body 20 is in the changing mat configuration and are not manually accessible when the body 20 is in the initial package and final disposal configurations. Pre-made sachets, whether loose or secured to one or more body layers 22,24, may be disposed in or even replace the compartments 50.

Referring now to FIG. 2 consisting of FIGS. 2A and 2B, therein illustrated is a preferred kit according to the present invention, generally designated 10' and characterized by an economy of manufacture. It has already been noted

that the body 20 is comprised of a liquid impermeable outer body layer 22 and a liquid absorbent inner layer 24, and that the diaper 12 is comprised of a liquid impermeable outer diaper layer 40 and a liquid absorbent inner diaper layer 42.

It has now been found that economies of manufacture are achieved by making the inner and outer diaper layers 40,42 extensions of the inner and outer body layers 24,22, respectively. Thus, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2A, the composite, generally designated 60, of the liquid impermeable layers 22,42 and the liquid absorbent layers 24,40 may be manufactured as a unitary, integral, one-piece construction formed in a single manufacturing operation. While the manufacturing process is illustrated as roll fed (where the raw materials come off rolls), alternatively it may be sheet fed (where the raw materials come as precut sheets). Appropriate releasable kit sealing means 14 (illustrated as the tab on the free side of the body 20) and appropriate diaper tabs 64 (two being illustrated on either lateral side of the diaper 12) may be added during an appropriate stage of the manufacturing process.

After such manufacture, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the manufacturer may die cut the construction to form a separate body 20 and, after optional removal of the two side indentations 62, a separate hourglass-shaped diaper 12.

Alternatively and preferably, the manufacturer may simply die cut a line of weakness (e. g. , a line of perforations as opposed to a line of separation) between the body 20 and the diaper 12 of composite 60 and leave it to the consumer to perform the actual separation of the two articles 12,20 after the kit 10'has been opened. Clearly this process facilitates the manufacturing operation, as both the body 20 and diaper 12 are formed as a unitary, integral, one-piece construction, formed in a single operation, and the manufacturer has only one article 60, rather than two (the body 20 and the diaper 12), to create and handle. If desired, compartments (not shown) may be added to the article for the transport of additional baby supplies--e. g. , on removable side indentations 62 of the diaper 12.

225583.1

It will be appreciated that while the pocket 30 is no longer necessary in this embodiment 10'for storage of the fresh diaper 12, it is still useful to maintain the pocket 30 so that the user has an opportunity to place the soiled <BR> <BR> diaper 12'in a sanitary"pocket, "thereby ensuring its sanitary disposal even if the kit 10'should accidentally fail to maintain its final disposal configuration and partially open.

Referring now to FIG. 3 consisting of FIGS. 3A-3D, therein illustrated is a preferred embodiment 10"of the present invention wherein the fresh diaper 12 is releasably secured to the body 20 and is folded and unfolded therewith. The longitudinal axis of the diaper 12 and body 20 are aligned. The diaper 12 and body 20 may be separately formed, as in kit 10, or formed initially as a unitary, one-piece integral construction, as in kit 10'.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, therein illustrated is a just manufactured, open kit 10"prior to folding. The kit 10"comprises a body 20, including a liquid impermeable outer body layer 22 and optionally a liquid absorbent inner body layer 24. Secured atop the inner surface of the body 20 is a fresh diaper 12.

The fresh diaper 12 includes a liquid impermeable outer diaper layer 40 and a liquid absorbent inner diaper layer 42, as well as the conventional diaper tabs 64. The diaper 12 is held in place on the body 20, in an essentially unfolded orientation, by diaper tabs 64 releasably secured to the inner surface of the body 20, preferably one tab at each diaper corner.

Referring now to FIG. 3B and 3C, the diaper is then folded one or more times longitudinally and then transversely (see arrows 70) such that the attached diaper 12 folds with the body 20, the body 20 and diaper 12 eventually reaching the folded configuration of FIG. 3D, at which time the sealing means 14 is used to maintain the kit 10"in its compact initial package configuration, ready for sale to a consumer. Clearly the sequence of folding steps indicated by the arrows 70 on FIGS. 3B and 3C is illustrative only, and different folds and different sequences of folding may be used, with appropriate relocation of the sealing means 14 as necessary.

The kit 10", when opened and unfolded by the caregiver, presents a fresh unfolded diaper 12, ready for use, disposed atop a fresh unfolded changing mat body 20. The diaper tabs 64, after release from the body 20, are available for use in fastening of the diaper 12 onto the baby B, although, if preferred, different diaper tabs may be used for each of these functions.

To summarize, the present invention provides an improved disposable diaper changing kit which includes a fresh diaper, may be used for sanitary disposal of a used diaper, and optionally additionally contains diaper changing supplies, all of the former in a single, easily transportable and relatively compact kit. The diaper and the changing mat may be formed of separable removable extensions of one another in order to reduce the cost of manufacture of the kit. The folding and unfolding of the changing mat may also conveniently fold and unfold the diaper. Preferably the changing mat defines a pocket for storage of selected diaper changing supplies.

Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.