FIELD Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system that includes diapers, and in particular to a system that includes an applique which may be detachably adhered to diapers in the system.

BACKGROUND

A typical caregiver performs several diaper changes per day. It is usually easier to change diapers when a child is able to interact with the diapers as part of the diaper changing process.

One known method of facilitating interaction between a child and diapers is to place graphics on the diapers that serve to stimulate the child. The graphics often enhance dialog between the caregiver and the child during diaper changes. One drawback with placing graphics on diapers is that the graphics are typically of low quality due to the constraints which are associated with economically manufacturing diapers. As an example, it is often difficult to place high quality graphics and/or certain types of graphics on diapers because diapers are typically manufactured at extremely high speeds using materials that readily absorb the inks, dyes and other materials which form the graphics.

Another drawback with placing graphics on diapers is that a child is typically unable to translate any interaction from one diaper to another during diaper changes. There is little or no interaction between diapers because the used diapers get discarded as part of the diaper changing process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system that aids care providers when they need to perform multiple diaper changes per day. The system makes the diaper changing process more interactive between children and diapers, especially from one diaper change to another. In one aspect, the system includes a package and a plurality of diapers that are within the package. The system further includes an applique that is within the package and is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers in

the system. The applique may be placed on one of the diapers in the system which is initially worn by a child. When the original diaper is changed and then discarded, the applique may then be transferred to another newly worn diaper thereby facilitating interaction between the child and the diapers in the system from one diaper change to another. hi some embodiments, the applique may be formed of several decorative colors and/or may include a textured surface to provide aesthetic and/or tactile stimulation. The applique may also have a geometric shape (e.g., circle, square, triangle, and hexagon) or an animal shape (e.g., lion, elephant and human). hi another aspect, the applique may include a first graphic and at least one of the diapers in the system may include a second graphic. The first graphic and the second graphic may form a third graphic when the applique is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on the diapers that include the second graphic. In some embodiments, each of the diapers in the system may include a unique second graphic such that the first graphic and each unique second graphic form a distinctive third graphic when the applique is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on each of the diapers. hi another aspect, the system may include a plurality of appliques that are adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers, hi some embodiments, each applique is different from at least one of the other appliques in the system in at least one feature (i.e., color, shape, texture), hi addition, the first and second graphics may be designed such that the first graphic covers a portion of the second graphic to form the third graphic.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of the invention may be realized and attained by the product and processes particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example system of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates part of the system shown in Figure 1 where the applique in the system is transferred between diapers in the system.

Figures 3-10 are schematic perspective views illustrating example appliques that may be used in any of the example systems described herein.

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another example system of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates part of the system shown in Figure 11 where the applique in the system is transferred between diapers in the system.

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating still another example system of the present invention. Figure 14 illustrates part of the system shown in Figure 13 where the applique in the system is transferred between diapers in the system.

Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating yet another example system of the present invention.

Figure 16 illustrates part of the system shown in Figure 15 where the appliques in the system are transferred between diapers in the system.

Figure 17 illustrates some example appliques that may be used in any of the example systems described herein where the appliques are mounted onto a diaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other

embodiments may be utilized and structural changes made, such that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 that includes a package 10 and a plurality of diapers 12 that are within the package 10. The system 100 further includes an applique 14 that is within the package 10. The applique 14 is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers 12. It should be noted that the system 100 may be provided to a care giver such that the applique 14 is detachably adhered to one of the diapers 12 within the package 10 or loosely held within the package 10. The system 100 may be used by a care giver to perform multiple diaper changes. Since the applique 14 can be detachably adhered to each of the diapers 12 in the system 100, the applique may be placed onto one of the diapers 12 that is initially being worn a child in order to provide interaction between the child and the diaper 12. As shown in Figure 2, when the original diaper 12 is changed and then discarded, the applique 14 may then be transferred by the care giver and/or the child to another newly worn diaper 12. The interaction between the child and the applique 14 that results from transferring the applique 14 may facilitate bonding between the child and the diapers 12. If a child feels a bond with the diapers 12, it may become easier for a care giver to gain the child's cooperation during diaper changes.

Any type of package 10 may be used in system 100. Some example packages 10 include containers, holders, cans, jars, racks, bags, pouches, cubbies, dispensers, spindles, cores, cupboards, closets, clips, cabinets, crates, trunks, totes and/or tubs (among others). The package 10 may be disposable or reusable and may be plain or decorated in some manner. In addition, the package 10 may be used as a shipping container or to perform some other function.

Any type of diaper 12 maybe used in system 100 or any of the systems described herein. Some example diapers include newborn diapers, premature baby diapers, overnight diapers, diapers for adults and diapers of various other sizes. Other example diapers include specialized diapers, such as diapers for urine absorption, feces absorption, blood absorption, sweat absorption, menses absorption

and diapers that include a lotion or medication. The diapers may also be swim pants, training pants, diaper pants and absorbent underpants (among others).

As used herein, an applique 14 is something that maybe detachably adhered to each of the diapers 12. The applique 14 may be any type of applique 14 that is known now or discovered in the future. Figure 3 shows that the applique 14 may be one color and Figure 4 shows that the applique 14 may be formed of two or more decorative colors.

Figure 6 is a section view of Figure 5 taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5. As shown most clearly in Figure 6, the applique 14 may include a textured surface 22 that provides aesthetic and/or tactile stimulation between the child and the applique 14. In some embodiments, the applique 14 may include simulated stones, jewels or gems to provide additional aesthetic and/or tactile stimulation. In addition, the applique 14 may emit a fragrance or aroma (e.g., lilac, strawberry, chocolate).

In some embodiments, the applique 14 maybe a geometric shape such as a circle, square and triangle. Figure 7 shows an example hexagon shape for applique 14.

Figure 8 shows an example applique 14 that includes a hologram 15 which appears to change image depending on the orientation of how the hologram 15 is viewed by someone examining the applique 14. The hologram 15 is one example of a graphic that is difficult to place directly on a diaper because of the constraints that are associated with manufacturing diapers. The hologram 15 is more readily formed on the applique 14.

As shown in Figure 9, the applique 14 may include a reflective section 16. It should be noted that the reflective section 16 may be any shape and size. In some embodiments, the entire applique 14 may be formed of a reflective material.

Figure 10 illustrates that the applique 14 may include one or more graphics that contain alphanumeric information 17. In some embodiments, the alphanumeric information 17 may include identification information related to a child that is to wear the diapers 12 and/or the parents of the child that is to wear the diapers 12 (e.g., parent's and/or child's names), hi addition, the alphanumeric information 17 may include instructions to a care giver as to how to change a diaper.

It should be noted that any type of alphanumeric information 17 may be included on applique 14. As an example, the alphanumeric information 117 may identify the day of the week (e.g., Monday, Tuesday, etc.) when a particular diaper is to be used. The applique 14 may be detachably adhered to the diapers 12 through any method that is known now or discovered in future as long as the applique 14 may be transferred from one diaper 12 to another. As an example, the applique 14 and the plurality of diapers 12 may form a hook-and-loop type fastener when the applique 14 is detachably adhered to one of the plurality of diapers 12. Some of the other example methods that may be used to detachably adhere the applique 14 to the diapers 12 include using magnets, snaps and adhesives.

Figure 11 illustrates another example system 200 of the present invention. The system 200 includes a package 110 and a plurality of diapers 112 that are within the package 110. The system 200 further includes an applique 114 that is within the package 110 and is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers 112 within the system 200.

In the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the applique 114 includes a first graphic 118 and at least one of the diapers 112 in the system 200 includes a second graphic 119. It should be noted that one, some or all of the diapers 112 in the system 200 may include the second graphic 119.

As shown in Figure 12, the first graphic 118 and the second graphic 119 may form a third graphic 120 when the applique 114 is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on the diapers 112 that include the second graphic 119. Figure 12 also shows the applique 114 as the applique 114 is transferred from one diaper 112 in the system 200 to another diaper 112 in the system 200.

The first graphic 118 and the second graphic 119 may be any type of graphic that is known now or discovered in the future. It should be noted that the first graphic 118 may be the same as the second graphic 119 or different than the second graphic 119. In addition, the first graphic 118 may form part of, or all, of the applique 114 depending on the design considerations that are associated with the system 200.

Figure 13 illustrates another example system 300 that includes a package 210 and a plurality of diapers 212 that are within the package 210. The system 300 further includes an applique 214 that is within the package 210. The applique 214 is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers 212 in the system 300.

In the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, the applique 214 includes a first graphic 218 and each of the diapers 212 includes a second graphic 219. As shown in FIG. 14, the second graphic 219 on each diaper 212 is different from the second graphic 219 on each of the other diapers 212 in the system 300. Therefore, the first graphic 218 and each unique second graphic 219 form a distinctive third graphic 220 when the applique 214 is detachably adhered to an appropriate location on each of the diapers 212. Figure 14 also shows the applique 214 as the applique 214 is transferred from one diaper 212 in the system 300 to another diaper 212 in the system 300. Figure 15 illustrates another example system 400 that includes a package 310 and a plurality of diapers 312 that are within the package 310. The system 400 further includes a plurality of appliques 314 that are within the package 310 (three appliques 314 are shown in Figure 15). Each of the appliques 314 is adapted to be detachably adhered to each of the plurality of diapers 312 in the system 400. In the example embodiment illustrated in Figure 15, each of the appliques 314 is different from at least one of the other appliques 314 in the system 400. Figure 16 shows the appliques 314 as the appliques 314 are transferred from one diaper 312 to another diaper 312 in order to facilitate interaction between the child and each diaper 312 in the system 400. Figure 17 illustrates some example additional appliques 414, 415 that may be used in any of the example systems described herein. The appliques 414, 415 are mounted onto a diaper 412. One the appliques 414 includes a mechanism 416 that produces sound and the other applique 415 includes a mechanism 417 that produces light. It should be noted that appliques are contemplated which include one or more mechanisms that produce light and/or sound. The ability of an applique to produce light and/or sound may further facilitate interaction between a child, the applique and each diaper in the system.

The system described herein may facilitate multiple diaper changes per day by promoting interaction between a child and the diapers that are used during multiple diaper changes. The system also allows a child to translate interaction from one diaper to another during diaper changes. Figures 1-17 are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.