Ecofriendly Diaper System

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ecofriendly diaper system for children and adults. The core components that together make up the architecture of the system are: water-soluble diaper bag, washable diaper, optional moisture-resistant container and a heat-sealing element. Generally speaking, these components are structured such that the water-soluble diaper bags are stored in the moisture-resistant container, and dispensed when needed; a soiled washable diaper is placed in the water-soluble bag and sealed by a knot or by the heat-sealing element. The sealed water-soluble diaper bag containing the soiled diaper is stored. At the desired time, the stored water-soluble diaper bags are washed using a conventional household washer/dryer. The washed diapers are subsequently dried and stored at home. The water-soluble diaper bag is preferably made with polyvinyl alcohol film, where the film is optionally soluble at a temperature higher than the normal human body temperature, and made with an opaque color. The washable diaper is a conventional cloth diaper, and optionally externally coated with a thin film of moisture-proof material.

Claims

1. An ecofriendly diaper system comprising: a water-soluble diaper bag, having one open end, and sized to contain a soiled diaper.

2. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag is made with polyvinyl alcohol film.

3. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 2, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag has an opaque color.

4. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 3, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag is long, suitable for accommodating a knot close to the open end to seal the bag.

5. An ecofriendly diaper system comprising: a diaper container; a storage space within the diaper container, with one open, suitable for storing unused ecofriendly diaper bags; a moisture-proof lid pivotally attached to a surface of the diaper container with a lid hinge, wherein the moisture-proof lid covers the storage space; a moisture-proof seal along the gap between the storage space and the moisture-proof lid, wherein the moisture-proof seal seals the content of the storage space; and a water-soluble diaper bag, having one open end, and sized to contain a soiled diaper.

6. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 5, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag is made with polyvinyl alcohol film.

7. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 6, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag has an opaque color.

8. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 7, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag is short, suitable for heat sealing.

9. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 8, wherein the water-soluble diaper bag has a heat-sealing zone close to the opening of the bag.

10. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 6, wherein a heating element lid is attached to a surface of the diaper container.

11. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 10, wherein the heating element lid is pivotally attached to the diaper container with a heating element lid hinge.

12. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 11, wherein a pair of heating elements are attached to a surface of the diaper container and a surface of the heating element lit in a mating manner, suitable for sealing the water-soluble diaper bag along the heat-sealing zone.

13. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 12, wherein an ON/Off switch activates the pair of heating elements.

14. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 13, wherein the ON/Off switch is positioned to be activated for a limited period of time when the heating element lid is closed.

15. The ecofriendly diaper system according to claim 14, wherein the diaper container has a thermal insulator between the pair of heating elements and the storage space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The features and advantages of the invention, as well as additional features and advantages thereof, will be more clearly understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic forms of a water-soluble diaper bag

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the sealed forms of water-soluble diapers bags

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates the diaper container, optional lid, and heat-sealing element

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates the overall system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of an ecofriendly diaper system. Although one or more of these embodiments may be discussed in detail, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including any claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad applications, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0020] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified using similar digits. For example, 145 may reference element “45” in FIG. 1, and a similar element may be referenced as 245 in FIG. 2. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide a number of additional examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a water-soluble diaper bag 100, having one open end, used for storing soiled diapers. In the present invention, conventional and commercially available washable or cloth diapers are used. The water-soluble diaper bag 100 is manufactured either as a long water-soluble diaper bag 105, or a short water-soluble diaper bag 110 with a heat-sealing zone 115. In the preferred embodiment, the water-soluble diaper bag 100, 105, and 110 is preferably manufactured with polyvinyl alcohol film, which has excellent film forming, emulsifying and adhesive properties. Polyvinyl alcohol is also resistant to oil, grease and solvents. It is odorless and nontoxic and has high tensile strength and flexibility, as well as high oxygen and aroma barrier properties. However, these properties are dependent on humidity, in other words, with higher humidity more water is absorbed. The water, which acts as a plasticizer, will then reduce its tensile strength, but increases its elongation and tear strength. Polyvinyl alcohol is fully degradable and dissolves quickly in water at a pre-determined temperature.

[0022] FIG. 2 presents two methods for sealing a water-soluble diaper bag 100 containing a soiled diaper. The long water-soluble diaper bag 205 is sealed with a tight knot 220. The short water-soluble diaper bag 210 is sealed at the heat-sealing zone 215 with a heating element. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a variety of suitable heating elements are available for this purpose, and often comprise two heating elements heated by an electric current, and brought together in contact with a bag between them to seal the bag.

[0023] FIG. 3 presents an optional diaper container 300 for the storage of unused water-soluble diaper bags in a storage space 305. Due to the moisture reactiveness of the water-soluble diaper bag 100, the diaper container 300 comprises a storage area 305, a moisture-proof lid 310 and a moisture-proof-seal 315. Unused water-soluble diaper bags are stored in the storage space 305, and accessed via the moisture-proof lid 310, and then the lid is closed to protect the remaining bags in the storage space 305 from moisture. The moisture-proof lid 310 is configured to mate with the moisture-proof-seal 315 to seal the content of the storage area 305 when the lid is closed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moisture-proof lid 310 is pivotally attached to the diaper container 300 via a lid hinge 320, and snaps shut.

[0024] The diaper container 300 optionally provides a pair of heat-sealing elements 340 for sealing a water-soluble diaper bag containing a soiled diaper along the heat-sealing zone 115. The heat-sealing elements 340 are mounted on the diaper container 305 and against the inside surface of a heating element lid 325 in a mating manner when the heating element lid 325 is closed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating element lid 325 is pivotally attached to a surface of the diaper container 300 via heating element lid hinge 330 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] The heat-sealing elements 340 are electrically powered to heat the elements and seal the water-soluble diaper bags containing diapers, using batteries or household electricity. In the presence of such heat-sealing feature, appropriate electrical safety measures are employed in compliance with the relevant safety and regulatory requirements. An ON/Off switch 335 activates the heating-sealing elements 340 long enough to seal a bag but not to overheat.

[0026] A thermal insulator 345 is positioned inside the diaper container 300 in between the heating sealing elements 340 and the storage space 305 to protect any unused diaper bags stored in the storage space. The thermal insulator is made of a commercially available thermal insulation material such as silicone, melamine Foam, polyimide foam, fiberglass, mineral wool, or polystyrene.

[0027] In its most complete version, the ecofriendly diaper system is made of the components illustrated in FIG. 4. Where, a soiled washable or cloth diaper 400 is placed inside the long water-soluble diaper bag 405 and sealed via knot 420, or a soiled washable or cloth diaper 400 is placed in the short water-soluble diaper bag 410 and sealed with the heat sealing elements 440, along the heat-sealing zone 415, provided in the diaper container 403. The unused water-soluble diaper bag 405 is stored in the diaper container 403. The sealed water-soluble diaper bags 406 and 411 are subsequently stored in a conventional household hamper 450. When desired, the water-soluble diaper bags containing soiled diapers may be cleaned in conventional household washer 455 and dryer 460. During the wash cycle of washer 455, the water-soluble diaper bags dissolve in the washer upon contact with warm water, the soiled diapers are washed in a conventional manner, providing clean diapers 465. The clean diapers 465 are stored at home until needed by a user 470. This process is repeated on a regular basis, as needed.

[0028] In a different embodiment of the present invention, the outer surfaces of the conventional washable or cloth diaper 400 are externally coated by a thin film of moisture-proof material, such as a thin film of plastic, to prevent leakage of the content through the walls of the diaper.

[0029] While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.