PANTS FOR CHILDREN WEARING DIAPERS

Abstract

A child's legged garment for use with cloth diapers, the garment having a discontinuous waist portion having at least one fastening portion with a plurality of free fastening ends that at least partially define a slit, and having an open position and a closed position, the discontinuous waist portion operably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners positioned on the at least one fastening portion. The garment also includes a crotch portion, two leg portions, and two side portions interposed between the waist portion and the crotch portion, the slit separating the plurality of free fastening ends, extending substantially from a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion to the upper edge of the waist portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/674,113 filed Jul. 20, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pant-like garments, and, more particularly, relates to pant-like garments for children wearing diapers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that most young children wear diapers. Some children wear cloth diapers, which enable a parent to reuse a diaper after washing it. In order to maintain the cloth diaper's integrity and durability, the exterior of the cloth diaper is generally rough, while the interior of the cloth diaper is soft. The rough exterior of the cloth diaper is problematic for many parents as it bunches up with typical pants or shorts designed for children. In some instances the entire diaper is removed when the pants are removed, which is extremely problematic for diapers that are soiled. As such, the friction between the diaper and the pants makes it significantly difficult to place and remove a pair of pants over the diaper. While this problem is more prevalent in the use of cloth diapers, the above disadvantages are also found in the use of typical diapers.

To loosen the size of the waist, most known pants generally open from the front, using buttons, zippers, or a combination of the above. Opening from the front of pants provides some disadvantages, however, to a user with children. Principally, the user is limited to the size in which the waist can open. For cloth diapers, the waist of the pants needs to open sufficiently to allow the user to remove and place the pants on the child. Considering children's proclivities to play with their clothing, the pants should also provide enough resistance when opened to prevent a child's pants from falling down from the waist. Furthermore, utilizing buttons and zippers that are found on most pants do not effectuate a quick and easy removal, which removal is desirous for many parents with children wearing diapers. Additionally, the use of zippers can also pose a safety risk for children.

To also loosen the size of the waist, some known pants employ elastic bands in the waist portion of the garment. To remove or place the pants on a child, the waist is then deformed. These pants are also disadvantageous for many users as elastic bands are limited in size before they either become too loose to effectively be retained while in use or too tight, thereby creating discomfort for the child. Moreover, these elastic bands also often become plastically deformed after minimal use, rendering them ineffective for their intended purpose.

Some other known pants loosen or open the waist from one or more sides of the pants using fasteners. These pants, however, do not provide the necessary resistance to inhibit the pants from falling down if the fasteners are inadvertently released and no downward force is applied to the pants. Moreover, these pants still inhibit the removal and placement on a child, i.e., user. The above disadvantages are chiefly a result of the pants having slits—defined by the waist opening—which originate from the crotch portion of the pants, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,419 or Design U.S. Pat. No. 622,935. Said another way, those known pants, especially those for children, do not provide the user ease of removal and placement and enough resistance at the user's waist area—i.e., from the stomach to the upper thighs, to prevent inadvertent removal should a child release the fasteners him or herself.

Some known pants also have side slits defined by the garment, but these slits are invariably separated by additional and excess material that inhibits removal and placement on a child. The removal and placement often displaces the child's diaper, and in some instances, removes it entirely. Again, this can be extremely problematic when the diaper is soiled, as it then requires the parents to partake in the arduous task of cleaning the child, his or her clothes, and nearby objects that may be contaminated. Many known children pants are also disadvantageous because they have fastening connections that do not facilitate a quick release of fasteners on the waist and they do not resemble the look of typical denim jeans with the functionality required for children clothes.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a garment that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that effectuates the quick and effective removal and placement of pants worn by children wearing diapers. Moreover, the present invention provides pants that open around the waist section of the garment to facilitate a parent, or other person, in removing the pants from a child with a cloth diaper and placing the pants onto a child with a cloth diaper. Although the pants may be used in connection with a child wearing a cloth diaper, the application of the present invention should not necessarily be so limited. Additionally, the word “pants” is defined as a garment having two portions where a user's legs are placed. As such, for the purposes of the instant application, “pants” may also be used interchangeably with shorts, jeans, trousers, boxers, and the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a child's legged garment for use with cloth diapers with the garment having a discontinuous waist portion, a crotch portion, a first side portion, a second side portion located opposite to the first side portion, and two leg portions extending away from an upper edge of the waist portion. The first and second side portions are interposed between the waist portion and the crotch portion. The discontinuous waist portions defines a waist cavity for placement of a user's waist, has at least one fastening portion with a plurality of free fastening ends that at least partially define a slit, has an open position, and has a closed position. The discontinuous waist portion is operably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners positioned on the at least one fastening portion. The slit separates the plurality of free fastening ends, extends substantially from a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion to the upper edge of the waist portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the slit is continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

In accordance with another further feature of the present invention, the slit is void of any garment material. If there are more than one fastening portions, one or both of them may be void of any garment material.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the closed position of the discontinuous waist portion forms an outward appearance of a pocket-like opening. If there are two fastening portions, the discontinuous waist portion may form an outward appearance of two pocket-like openings.

In accordance with yet another further feature of the present invention, the slit originates from a location on the at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the discontinuous waist portion including a plurality of fastening portions, each located at the at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the slit is defined by and separates the plurality of free fastening ends on each of the plurality of fastening portions is continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the slit forms a portion of the waist cavity.

In accordance with the present invention, a child's legged garment has a discontinuous waist portion, a crotch portion, two leg portions extending from a lower extent of the garment, through the crotch portion of the garment, and to an upper edge of the discontinuous waist portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, located opposite to the first side portion. The first and second side portions are interposed between the crotch portion and the waist portion to provide the unique connecting means. The waist portion includes a rear waist portion with a plurality of rear waist fasteners, a front waist portion with a plurality of front waist fasteners, the front waist portion including a plurality of side edges extending from the upper edge of the waist portion to a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion, and an open position and a closed position. The discontinuous waist portion is operably placed in the closed position by the plurality of rear waist fasteners and the plurality of front waist fasteners and at least partially defines a plurality of slits separating the rear waist portion and front waist portion, the plurality of slits forming a portion of a cavity defined by the discontinuous waist portion.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in pants for children wearing diapers, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). Unless otherwise stated herein, the use of “approximately” or “about” refers to a range of about +/−10-15% of the numerical value. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the pants from the distal end of the leg portions to the upper edge of the waist portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a child's legged garment in an open position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the garment of FIG. 1 in a closed position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the garment of FIG. 1 placed on a child, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational close-up side view of the garment of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational rear view of the garment of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel garment that facilitates a parent in removing and placing pants over a child wearing diapers, specifically cloth diapers. The present invention also inhibits the child's pants from falling down should they become inadvertently loosened or unfastened by the child.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective views. Specifically, a garment 100 is depicted as it is modified from an open position—shown in FIGS. 1-3—to a closed position—shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 1-4 show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a child's legged garment 100 includes a discontinuous waist portion 102, a crotch portion 104, and a first side portion 200, a second side portion 202, and two leg portions 106a, 106b. The waist portion 102 can be generally said to be the portion of the garment 100 that lies adjacent to the user's waist section when worn. The term “discontinuous waist” is defined as having gaps or spatial intervals in the material making up the waist portion of the garment 100. For example, FIG. 2 clearly depicts an exemplary discontinuity 204 in the waist portion 102.

The side portions 200, 202 include respective side seams 500a, 500b (shown in FIG. 5) where portions of the pants 100 are joined together. The side portions 200, 202 are opposite to one another and are interposed between the waist portion 102 and the crotch portion 104. Said another way, the side portions 200, 202 are on opposite sides of the pants 100 and are disposed between the crotch 104 and waist 102. The crotch portion 104 of the pants 100 is the portion of the garment 100 that lies adjacent to the crotch of a user, i.e. the baby. Typically, the pants 100 are also joined together on the inside of the pants on what is generally known in the art as an inseam. The inseam spans from the crotch portion 104 to a lower extent 108 of the garment 100, e.g., a point on one or more of the leg portions 106a-b. Constructing pants in this manner is generally known by those skilled in the art, but the pants 100 may be constructed in other known methods.

In one embodiment, the waist portion 102 has at least one fastening portion 400 (labeled in FIG. 4) with a plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112. The plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112 are said to be “free” in that they are not fastened or restricted from movement by each other. Said another way, one of the plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112 is capable of moving to some degree without moving the other end. Each one of the fastening ends 110, 112 is located on either the rear waist portion 114 or the front waist portion 116. In other embodiments, the waist portion 102 may have a plurality of fastening portions 400, 402 (shown in FIG. 4), each located at or originated from the at least one of the first and second side portions 200, 202.

With reference to FIG. 2, the front waist portion 116 includes a plurality of side edges 206, 208 extending from an upper edge 210 of the waist portion 102 to at least one of the first or second side portions 200, 202. As illustrated, the side edges 206, 208 advantageously terminate at a location on one of side portions 200, 202 to provide restricted movement of the front waist portion 116. As such, the side edges 206, 208 provide parents the ability to loosen the waist of the garment 100 to remove and place it on a child wearing diapers, yet provides enough frictional or compressive force to retain the garment to the child should the child inadvertently loosen it while in use. In one embodiment, the terminating location of the side edges 206, 208 is at one of the side seams 500a-b (shown in FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the side edges 206, 208 may terminate at a location proximal (about 1-2″) to one of the side seams 500a-b. As the front waist portion 116 is constrained about a location above the crotch portion 104 of the garment 100, an adjustable waist portion 102 is created that effectively carries out the intended purpose of the present invention. Therefore, in another embodiment, the side edges 206, 208 advantageously terminate no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion 104.

With reference to FIG. 6, the garment 100 can be seen defining a slit 600 that separates the plurality of free fastening ends 110, 112. “Slit” is herein defined as an opening or narrow cut. The slit 600 can also be seen advantageously extending substantially from either the first or second side portions, e.g., the side seam 500a, to the upper edge 210 of the waist portion 102 when the waist portion 102 is in the open position. When in the closed position, the slit 600 will extend to one or more fasteners 404, 406. As the slit 600 may correlate to one or both of the side edges 206, 208, the slit 600 may also originate (used interchangeably with the word “terminate,” depending on the perspective) from a location on the first or second side portions 200, 202 that is no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion 104.

As shown in FIG. 6, the slit 600 also forms a portion of a waist cavity 602 defined by the waist portion 102. The waist cavity 602 serves as the space where the user's waist is placed when the garment 100 is in use, as depicted in FIG. 5. The configuration of the one or more fastening portions 400, 402, and the slit 600 that separates the same or the rear and front waist portions 114, 116, enable parents to effectively and efficiently remove and place the garment 100 on or off a child. In one embodiment, the slit 600 is continuous when the waist portion 102 is in the open position. The open position may correspond to one or both of the fastening portions 400, 402 uncoupled with one another at their free ends 110, 112. Said another way, the slit 600 may span uninterrupted from the origination location, e.g., the side seam 500a, to the upper edge 210, as depicted in FIG. 6.

In other embodiments, the slit 600 may span a length with intervals of garment material separating the same. In further embodiments, the slit 600 is also void of any garment material as it spans continually from its origination location to the upper edge 210, as depicted in FIG. 6. Said another way, the entire slit 600 at least partially forms a portion of the waist cavity 602. This is contrary to those known garments that have excess material causing bunching and creating friction with the child's diaper. As such, the above-described slit configurations beneficially facilitate the user in removing or placing the garment 100 off or on the child without risking the simultaneous removal or displacement of the child's diaper.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the discontinuous waist portion 102 can be seen operably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners 404, 406 positioned on the at least one fastening portion 400. More specifically, one or more fasteners, e.g., 406, are located on the front waist portion 116, i.e., front waist fasteners, and one or more fasteners, e.g., 404, are located on the rear waist portion 114, i.e., rear waist fasteners. In one embodiment, only one of the fastening portions 400, 402 opens. In other embodiments, both fastening portions 400, 402 open and are retained with a plurality of fasteners 404, 406. The fasteners 404, 406 used to couple the waist portions together may include snaps, hooks, buttons, hook-and-loop, or the like. Moreover, fasteners 404, 406 may be any object that facilitates in the coupling of said object with another object. For example, a button may be a fastener and the hole in which the button is placed may also be considered a fastener. Both snaps and hook-and-loop, however, are preferable and advantageous in order to provide the quick removal and placement desirous for garments used on children.

As depicted in FIG. 4, when the garment is in the closed position, the discontinuous waist portion 102 forms an outward appearance of a pocket-like opening. The outward appearance of one or more pockets is advantageous as many users are desirous to have their child wear clothes resembling those typically worn by adults, yet still have the advantages of a quick and effective removal and placement accomplished by the present invention.

The two leg portions 106a, 106b of the garment 100 extend away from the upper edge 210 of the waist portion 102 to the lower extent 108 of the garment 100. Alternatively, it could also be said that the leg portions 106a, 106b span from the lower extent 108 of the garment 100, through the crotch portion 104, and to the upper edge 210 of the waist portion 102. The leg portions 106a, 106b are said to span the entire length of the garment 100 because, as a practical matter, one or more portions of the user's leg(s) are placed through the cavity 602 and out through the lower extent 108. The above-described garment may be made from a variety of fabrics that include, but are not necessarily limited to, polyester, nylon, cotton, denim, corduroy, wool, or any other material or combination of materials.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevational rear view of the garment 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the discontinuous waist 102 may have one or more portions 700 with an elastic material to effectuate a secure and comfortable fit when the garment 100 is in the closed position. In one embodiment, one or more elastic portions 700 are sewn into the garment 100 and may consist of a polymeric material with elastomeric qualities. In other embodiments, the elastic portions 700 are not sewn into the garment 100, but rather separate and connect with other non-elastic fabric portions to define the discontinuous waist portion 102.

A child's legged garment has been disclosed that facilitates parents in removing and placing pants over a child wearing diapers, specifically cloth diapers. Specifically, the placement of slits in the pants, and the termination location of side edges at least partially defining those slits, aid the user in removal, yet also inhibits the child's pants from falling down should they become inadvertently loosened or unfastened. Moreover, the garment 100 provides a beneficial appearance and operation desired by many parents.

Claims

1. A child's legged garment for use with cloth diapers, the garment comprising:

a discontinuous waist portion: defining a waist cavity for placement of a user's waist; having at least one fastening portion with a plurality of free fastening ends that at least partially define a slit; having an open position; and having a closed position, the discontinuous waist portion operably placed in the closed position by a plurality of fasteners positioned on the at least one fastening portion;

a crotch portion;

a first side portion and a second side portion, located opposite to the first side portion, the first and second side portions interposed between the waist portion and the crotch portion; and

two leg portions extending away from an upper edge of the waist portion,

the slit separating the plurality of free fastening ends, extending substantially from a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion to the upper edge of the waist portion.

2. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the slit is continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

3. The child's legged garment according to claim 2, wherein:

the slit is void of any garment material.

4. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the closed position of the discontinuous waist portion forms an outward appearance of a pocket-like opening.

5. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the slit originates from a location on the at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion.

6. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein the discontinuous waist portion further comprises:

a plurality of fastening portions, each located at the at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

7. The child's legged garment according to claim 6, wherein:

the slit defined by and separating the plurality of free fastening ends on each of the plurality of fastening portions is continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

8. The child's legged garment according to claim 7, wherein:

the slit is void of any garment material.

9. The child's legged garment according to claim 6, wherein:

the closed position of the discontinuous waist portion forms an outward appearance of two pocket-like openings.

10. The child's legged garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the slit forms a portion of the waist cavity.

11. A child's legged garment comprising:

a discontinuous waist portion;

a crotch portion;

two leg portions extending from a lower extent of the garment, through the crotch portion of the garment, and to an upper edge of the discontinuous waist portion;

a first side portion and a second side portion, located opposite to the first side portion, the first and second side portions interposed between the crotch portion and the waist portion, the waist portion: having a rear waist portion with a plurality of rear waist fasteners; having a front waist portion with a plurality of front waist fasteners, the front waist portion including a plurality of side edges extending from the upper edge of the waist portion to a point between the crotch portion and the upper edge of the waist portion on at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion; having an open position and a closed position, the discontinuous waist portion operably placed in the closed position by the plurality of rear waist fasteners and the plurality of front waist fasteners; and at least partially defining a plurality of slits separating the rear waist portion and front waist portion, the plurality of slits forming a portion of a cavity defined by the discontinuous waist portion.

12. The child's legged garment according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of slits are continuous when the waist portion is in the open position.

13. The child's legged garment according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of slits are void of any garment material.

14. The child's legged garment according to claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of slits originate from a location on the at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion no less than approximately 1 inch above the crotch portion.