US20050242257A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050242257A1
Application number: US10/836,610
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Mosbacher; Charles Keuhn
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 2004-04-30
Filing date: 2004-04-30
Publication date: 2005-11-03
Also published as: WO2005110323A1; US20050241985A1

Abstract

A system and method for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system includes a holder and a diaper that is secured to the holder. In some embodiments, the system further includes a pair of gloves and a wipe that are secured to the holder. In other embodiments, the system further includes a pair of shoe covers and a wipe that are secured to the holder. The method includes securing a diaper to a holder and securing a wipe to the holder. In some embodiments, the method further includes securing a pair of gloves to the holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider. In other embodiments, the method further includes securing a pair of shoe covers to the holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider.

Description

FIELD

Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for supplying day care providers with products, and in particular to a system and method that includes supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing.

BACKGROUND

Day care providers have unique needs when it comes to the products they use to change diapers. One of the reasons day care providers have unique needs is that they are subject to hygiene standards which are established by various government agencies. As an example, employees of day care providers are often required to sanitize their hands before and/or after every diaper change. Day care providers are also typically required to clean and sanitize the surfaces of the diaper changing area before and/or after every diaper change.

In addition, day care providers are also commonly required to change diapers at least once per period of time without regard to how much waste is actually contained within the diapers. The high number of diaper changes per day requires day care providers to stock high quantities of diaper changing materials. Stocking high quantities of diaper changing materials takes up significant space such that day care providers often struggle to find an adequate place to store the diaper changing materials.

Day care providers are also typically unable to efficiently access the appropriate products during diapers changes because of the way that the products are delivered. As an example, diapers may be supplied in one package, wipes in another package and sanitizers in yet another package. The inefficiency associated with accessing so many different diaper changing products from separate packages is problematic for day care providers because so many diapers are changed every day. In addition, since diaper changing products are typically delivered to day care providers in multiple different packages of assorted sizes and quantities, it is difficult for day care providers to maintain an accurate inventory of diaper changing supplies.

There is a need for systems and methods that are able to address the particular needs of day care providers for products related to diaper changing. The systems and methods should also be able to supply day care providers with products related to diaper changing in a manner that facilitates multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The system and method may supply day care providers with products such that day care providers are able to conveniently perform multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions and in compliance with government regulations. The system and method may also reduce the need to purchase and store excessive inventories of products that are used to change diapers.

In addition, the system and method may allow day care providers to turn diaper changing into a profit center by allowing day care providers to readily pass along charges to their clients for the products that are used to change diapers. Many of a day care provider's clients would gladly pay a premium not to have to continually bring diaper changing supplies to the day care provider.

In one aspect, the system includes a holder and a diaper that is secured to the holder. The system further includes a sanitizer and a wipe that are secured to the holder. Supplying a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe all in one holder allows day care providers to more conveniently perform each diaper change.

In another aspect, the system includes a holder and a plurality of diapers that are secured to the holder. The system further includes a plurality of sanitizers (i.e., a plurality of individual supplies of sanitizer) and a plurality of wipes that are secured to the holder. The system allows day care providers to conveniently perform multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions because there is an ample supply of each diaper changing product in the holder.

In still another aspect, the system includes a holder, a plurality of diapers, a plurality of sanitizers, a plurality of wipes and a plurality of receptacles. Each receptacle is secured to the holder and includes a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe. Since each receptacle includes everything that may be needed for at least one diaper change, the system makes it easier for day care providers to inventory the products that are used to change diapers.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of supplying day care providers with products. The method includes securing a diaper, a sanitizer and a wipe to a holder. The method further includes delivering the holder to a day care provider such that the day care provider can readily use the products in the system to perform a diaper change under sanitized conditions.

In yet another aspect, the method includes securing a plurality of diapers, a plurality of pairs of gloves and a plurality of wipes to a holder. The method further includes delivering the holder to a day care provider such that the day care provider can efficiently use the products in the holder to perform multiple diaper changes per day.

In still another aspect, the method includes securing a plurality of diapers, a plurality of wipes and a plurality of sanitizers to a plurality of receptacles such that there is a diaper, wipe and sanitizer secured to each of the receptacles. The method further includes securing the plurality of receptacles to a holder and delivering the holder to a day care provider. The individual receptacles within the holder may make it easier for day care providers to inventory an appropriate amount of products that relate to diaper changing since one receptacle can be used for each diaper change. In addition, the cost for each receptacle may be readily passed along to clients of the day care provider.

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.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of still another example system and method for supplying day care providers with products.

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.

FIG. 1 illustrates asystem100 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. Thesystem100 includes aholder10 and adiaper12 that is secured to theholder10. Thesystem100 further includes asanitizer14 and awipe16 that are secured to theholder10. As used herein, “secured” means containing, constraining, enclosing, holding, compressing, contacting or supporting within, upon and/or against the holder by any method.

AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates that a box may be used asholder10, it should be noted that any type of container or storage device may used insystem100. Some other example containers, or holders, include cans, jars, racks, bags, pouches, cubbies, shelves, drawers, dispensers, spindles, cores, cupboards, closets, clips, cabinets, crates, trunks, totes and/or tubs (among others).

Theholder10 may be disposable or reusable and may be plain or decorated in some manner. In addition, theholder10 may be used as a shipping container or to perform some other function.

Any type ofdiaper12 may be used insystem100 or any of the systems described herein. Some example diapers include newborn diapers, premature baby diapers, overnight diapers and diapers of various other sizes. Other examples diapers include specialized diapers, such as diapers for urine absorption, feces absorption, blood absorption, sweat absorption, menses absorption and diapers that apply a lotion or medication. The diapers may also be swim pants, training pants, diaper pants (PULLUPS®, EASY UPS®, GOODNIGHTS®) and absorbent underpants (among others).

In some example embodiments,diaper12 may be a low absorbency diaper that can be used instead of a thicker more absorbent diaper. The low absorbency diaper may be used in part because day care providers are required to change diapers every so often without regard to how much waste is actually contained within the diapers. In addition, using a thinner low absorbency diaper insystem100 may be desirable in order to minimize the space that is necessary to store the large quantity of diapers which are typically used by day care providers.

As used herein, a sanitizer is something that sterilizes or cleans and sterilizes. Thesanitizer14 may be any type of sanitizer (e.g., alcohol) known now or discovered in the future. In addition, thesanitizer14 may include an individual packet, bag or container of sanitizer. Some example sanitizers include sanitizers that are for changing surfaces (hard and soft) and/or human hands. Other example sanitizers include sprays, soaps, aerosols, pumps, dispensers (e.g. non-contact dispensers). Thesanitizer14 may be used to sterilize, or clean and sterilize, an individual that performs a diaper change and/or changing surfaces within a diaper changing area (e.g., surfaces on a changing pad) before and/or after a diaper change.

It should be noted that thewipes16 may be any type of wipes. Some example wipes include wet wipes, pre-moistened wipes, dry wipes, tissues, hand towels, paper towels, toilet paper, and wipes on a roll. In some forms of thesystem100, the wipe16 may be stored in an individual packet, or container, in order to avoid cross contamination when multiple diaper changes are performed by the day care.

Thesystem100 may further include a changingpad18, adisposal bag20, a pair ofshoe coverings22, alotion24 and/or a pair ofgloves26. It should be noted any combination or sub-combination of adiaper12, sanitizer14, wipe16, changingpad18,disposal bag20, pair ofshoe coverings22,lotion24 and pair ofgloves26 may be included insystem100.

In the example embodiment shown inFIG. 1,diaper12, sanitizer14, wipe16, changingpad18,disposal bag20, pair ofshoe coverings22,lotion24 and pair ofgloves26 are shown schematically as various different shapes (i.e., square, oval circle, rectangle, triangle, star, ellipse and thinner rectangle respectively). It should be noted that these items may take any actual form. In addition, one or more of the items may be placed within a packet, bag, container and/or box (among other storage devices) before being secured toholder10.

Changingpad18 may be of any size, shape or material. In addition, changingpad18 may be rolled, folded or secured in any manner toholder10. The changingpad18 may be single or multi-layer. In some example embodiments, the changingpad18 may include a hydrophobic layer to resist liquid strikethrough and/or a hydrophillic layer that is capable of absorbing fluids (e.g., body fluids). In addition, the changingpad18 may include a high friction surface that is placed away from the baby to maintain the changingpad18 in position on a changing table. The changingpad18 may also be dispensed from a roll and/or a perforated web for easy individualized dispensing.

Disposal bag

20 may be any type, size, shape or material. Some example disposal bags include plastic disposal bags made from thin flexible materials. In some embodiments, the disposal bag may be designed to neutralize, destroy, trap and/or contain odors. In some forms of thesystem100,disposal bag20 may be sized so that every item insystem100 can be stored indisposal bag20 for discarding once a diaper change has been completed usingsystem100. Thedisposal bag20 may also be used to store one or more of the items in thesystem100 before thesystem100 is used to change a diaper.

Any type of shoe covering22 may be used insystem10, or any of the systems described herein. Some example shoe coverings include any shoe covering that is typically used in a sanitary environment. Theshoe coverings22 may be for single use or durable use. Theshoe coverings22 may be made from one or materials such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides and polyolefin). Theshoe coverings22 may also be made from natural fibers such as cellulose, cotton, rayon, wool and the like. The type ofshoe coverings22 will depend in part on the application where thesystem100 is used.

In one example embodiment, thelotion24 may include an individual packet, bag or container of lotion. Some example lotions include ointments, moisturizers, emollients and lubricants that may adapted for use on a care giver or a child. In addition, the pair ofgloves26 may include any type of glove. The pair ofgloves26 may be made for single use or durable use. Some example types ofgloves26 include latex, rubber, neoprene, moistened gloves and medicated gloves.

FIG. 1 shows that theholder10 may includeindicia28 that provide information to the day care provider. As an example,indicia28 may indicate a size of thediaper12 that is secured to theholder10 and/or may provide instructions as to the procedures to be used to change a diaper (among other pieces of information).

Anotherexample system200 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing is shown inFIG. 2. Thesystem200 includes aholder50 and a plurality ofdiapers12 that are secured to theholder50. Thesystem200 further includes a plurality ofsanitizers14 and a plurality ofwipes16 that are secured to theholder50.

AlthoughFIG. 2 illustrates a box being used asholder50, it should be noted that any type of container or storage device may used insystem200. Some other example containers, or holders, include cans, jars, racks, bags and/or pouches (among other storage devices).

In the example embodiment shown inFIG. 2, there are an equal number ofdiapers12, sanitizers14 and wipes16 that are secured to theholder50. The number ofdiapers12, sanitizers14 and wipes16 will depend on the application where thesystem200 is used. As an example, mores wipes16 may be secured to theholder50 to account for some diaper changes being especially messy and requiring more than one wipe16.

Thesystem200 may further include a plurality of changingpads18, a plurality ofdisposal bags20 and a plurality of pairs ofshoe coverings22 that are each secured to theholder50. In addition, thesystem200 may further include a plurality of supplies oflotion24 and/or a plurality of pairs ofgloves26 that are secured to theholder50.

In some embodiments, there are an equal number ofdiapers12, changingpads18,disposal bags20 and pairs ofshoe coverings22 within theholder50. The number ofdiapers12, changingpads18,disposal bags20 and pairs ofshoe coverings22 will depend on the application where thesystem200 is used. It should noted any combination or sub-combination ofdiapers12, pairs ofgloves14, wipes16, changingpads18,disposal bags20, pairs ofshoe coverings22, supplies oflotion24 and pairs ofgloves26 may be included insystem200.

Although thediapers12, pairs ofgloves14, wipes16, changingpads18,disposal bags20, pairs ofshoe coverings22, supplies oflotion24 and pairs ofgloves26 are shown schematically as various different shapes inFIG. 2, it should be noted that each of these items may take any actual form. In addition, any of the items may be placed into any type of storage device before being secured to theholder50.

In some example embodiments, the plurality ofdiapers12 may be stored in afirst dispenser51 that is able to distribute individual diapers and the plurality ofsanitizers14 may stored in asecond dispenser52 that is able to distribute individual sanitizers. In addition, the plurality ofwipes16 may be stored in athird dispenser53 that is able to distribute individual wipes. It should be noted that any of the changingpads18,disposal bags20, pairs ofshoe coverings22, supplies oflotion24 and pairs ofgloves26 may be stored in a dispenser that distributes individual quantities of each item.

As shown inFIG. 2, theholder50 may includeindicia28 that provide information. As an example, theindicia28 may indicate the sizes of thediapers12 that are secured to theholder50 and/or provide instructions to an individual as to how to change a diaper (among other pieces of information).

FIG. 3 shows anotherexample system300 for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. Thesystem300 includes aholder90, a plurality ofdiapers12, a plurality ofsanitizers14 and a plurality ofwipes16.

Thesystem300 further includes a plurality ofreceptacles92. Eachreceptacle92 is secured to theholder90 and includes adiaper12, asanitizer14 and a wipe16 such that thereceptacle92 may be similar to theholder10 shown inFIG. 1.

In some embodiments, a changingpad18, adisposal bag20, a pair ofshoe coverings22, alotion24 and/or a pair ofgloves26 may be individually, or in any combination or sub-combination, placed within eachreceptacle92. As discussed above eachdiaper12, sanitizer14, wipe16, changingpad18,disposal bag20, pair ofshoe coverings22, supply oflotion24 and pair ofgloves26 may be placed within any type of box, container, holder or other storage device before being placed within one of thereceptacles92.

In some example embodiments, theholder90 and/or thereceptacles92 may includeindicia28 that provide information. As an example, theindicia28 may indicate the sizes of thediapers12 that are secured to theholder90 and/or eachreceptacle92.

A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing is described herein with reference toFIG. 1. The method includes securing adiaper12 and asanitizer14 to aholder10. The method further includes securing a wipe16 to theholder10 and delivering theholder10 to a day care provider.

It should be noted that the method may further include placingindicia28 on theholder10 that provide one or more pieces of information. In some example embodiments, securing adiaper12, asanitizer14 and a wipe16 to aholder10 may include placing thediaper12, sanitizer14 and wipe16 within a container, or box (see, e.g.,FIG. 1).

The method may further include securing one or more of adiaper12, sanitizer14, wipe16, changingpad18,disposal bag20, pair ofshoe coverings22,lotion24 and pair ofgloves26 to theholder10. The type of items that are secured to theholder10 will depend on the application where the method is used (i.e., the needs of a particular daycare).

FIG. 2 shows another method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The method includes securing a plurality ofdiapers12 and a plurality ofsanitizers14 to aholder50. The method further includes securing a plurality ofwipes16 to theholder50 and delivering theholder50 to a day care provider. In some embodiments, there may be an equal number ofdiapers12, sanitizers14 and wipes16 secured to theholder50.

The method may further include securing one or more of a (i) a plurality of changingpads18 to theholder50; (ii) a plurality of pairs ofshoe coverings22 to theholder50; (iii) a plurality ofdisposal bags20 to theholder50; (iv) a plurality of pairs ofgloves26 to theholder50; and/or (v) a plurality of supplies oflotion24 to theholder50. It should be noted that securing one or more of a plurality of changingpads18, pairs ofshoe coverings22,disposal bags20, pairs ofgloves26 and supplies oflotion24 to theholder50 may include securing an equal number of one or more of these items to theholder50.

FIG. 2 shows that securing a plurality ofdiapers12, sanitizers14 and wipes16 to theholder10 may include placing thediapers12, sanitizers14 and wipes16 within a container, or box. In addition, securing one or more of a plurality of changingpads18, pairs ofshoe coverings22,disposal bags20, pairs ofgloves26 and supplies oflotion24 to theholder50 may include placing one or more of these items within the container, or box. It should be noted any of the items described above as possibly being placed within theholder50 may be placed into at least one other storage device before being placed within theholder50.

FIG. 3 illustrates another method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing. The method includes securing a plurality ofdiapers12 and a plurality ofwipes16 to a plurality ofreceptacles92. The method further includes securing a plurality ofsanitizers14 to the plurality ofreceptacles92 such that there is adiaper12, a wipe16 and asanitizer14 secured to eachreceptacle92.

The method further includes securing the plurality ofreceptacles92 to aholder90 and delivering theholder90 to a day care provider. It should be noted that with adiaper12, wipe16 andsanitizer14 secured to eachreceptacle92, thereceptacles92 may become similar to theholder10 shown inFIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the method may further include securing individually, or in any combination or sub-combination, a changingpad18, pair ofshoe coverings22,disposal bag20,lotion24 and/or pair ofgloves26 to eachreceptacle92.Indicia28 may be placed on eachreceptacle92 and/orholder90 to indicate a size of thediaper12 that is in eachreceptacle92 and/or to indicate the contents of each receptacle92 (among other pieces of information).

The operations discussed above with respect to the described methods may be performed in a different order from those described herein. It should be noted that the number and type of products within the system and method may vary as long as needs of day care providers are considered. It should be noted that delivering a holder to a day care provider includes (i) delivering a holder directly to a day care provider; and/or (ii) delivering a holder to a day care provider through a distribution chain.

FIGS. 1-3 are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

The systems and methods described herein may supply day care providers with diaper changing products in a manner that facilitates multiple diaper changes per day under sanitized conditions. The systems and methods may also make it easier for day care providers to inventory an appropriate amount of diaper changing products. In addition, the system and method may allow day care providers to readily turn diaper changing into a profit center by charging their clients for the products that are used during diaper changing.

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.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising:

a holder;

a diaper secured to the holder;

a pair of gloves secured to the holder; and

a wipe secured to the holder.

35. The system ofclaim 34 further comprising a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder.

36. The system ofclaim 34 further comprising a sanitizer secured to the holder.

37. The system ofclaim 34 further comprising a lotion secured to the holder.

38. The system ofclaim 34 wherein the holder is a container.

39. The system ofclaim 34 wherein the container is a box.

40. The system ofclaim 34 wherein the diaper is a low absorbency diaper.

41. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising:

a holder;

a diaper secured to the holder;

a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder; and

a wipe secured to the holder.

42. The system ofclaim 41 further comprising a pair of gloves secured to the holder.

43. The system ofclaim 41 further comprising a sanitizer secured to the holder.

44. The system ofclaim 41 further comprising a lotion secured to the holder.

45. The system ofclaim 41 wherein the holder is a container.

46. The system ofclaim 45 wherein the container is a box.

47. A system for supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the system comprising:

a holder;

a diaper secured to the holder;

a pair of shoe coverings secured to the holder;

a pair of gloves secured to the holder;

a sanitizer secured to the holder;

a lotion secured to the holder;

a changing pad secured to the holder;

a disposal bag secured to the holder; and

a wipe secured to the holder.

48. The system ofclaim 47 wherein the holder is a container.

49. The system ofclaim 47 wherein the container is a box.

50. The system ofclaim 47 wherein the diaper is a low absorbency diaper.

51. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising:

securing a diaper to a holder;

securing a pair of gloves to the holder;

securing a wipe to the holder; and

delivering the holder to a day care provider.

52. The method ofclaim 51 further comprising:

securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder; and

securing a disposal bag to the holder.

53. The method ofclaim 51 further comprising:

securing a changing pad to the holder; and

securing a sanitizer to the holder.

54. The method ofclaim 51 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of gloves and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of gloves and wipe within a container.

55. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising:

securing a diaper to a holder;

securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder;

securing a wipe to the holder; and

delivering the holder to a day care provider.

56. The method ofclaim 55 further comprising:

securing a pair of gloves to the holder; and

securing a disposal bag to the holder.

57. The method ofclaim 55 further comprising:

securing a changing pad to the holder; and

securing a sanitizer to the holder.

58. The method ofclaim 55 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of shoe coverings and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of shoe coverings and wipe within a container.

59. A method of supplying day care providers with products related to diaper changing, the method comprising:

securing a diaper to a holder;

securing a pair of gloves to the holder;

securing a pair of shoe coverings to the holder;

securing a disposal bag to the holder;

securing a wipe to the holder; and

delivering the holder to a day care provider.

60. The method ofclaim 59 further comprising:

securing a changing pad to the holder; and

securing a sanitizer to the holder.

61. The method ofclaim 59 wherein securing a diaper, a pair of gloves, a pair of shoe coverings, a disposal bag and a wipe to a holder includes placing the diaper, pair of gloves, pair of shoe coverings, disposal bag and wipe within a container.