System and method for unfolding and dispensing diapers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for unfolding and dispensing diapers. The system includes a dispenser and a folded diaper that is within the dispenser. The dispenser engages the diaper to unfold the diaper as the diaper is removed from the dispenser. The method includes grasping a folded diaper that is at least partially within a dispenser and removing the folded diaper from the dispenser such that the dispenser unfolds the diaper. The system and method may make it easier for care givers to perform multiple diaper changes per day.

1 . A system for unfolding and dispensing diapers, the system comprising: 
 a dispenser; and    a folded diaper within the dispenser, the folded diaper including a longitudinal fold that is unfolded as the diaper is removed from the dispenser due to the dispenser engaging the diaper to unfold the diaper as the diaper is removed from the dispenser.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is a disposable package.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is a reusable container.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the folded diaper includes a lateral fold that is unfolded as the diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the folded diaper includes a plurality of longitudinal folds that are each unfolded as the diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of folded diapers within the dispenser, the dispenser engaging each of the diapers to unfold the longitudinal fold in each of the diapers as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       9 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of folded diapers is part of a roll of folded diapers.  
   
   
       13 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the folded diaper includes a first section and a second section with a lateral fold between the first section and the second section.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the dispenser engages one of the first and second sections to unfold the lateral fold as the diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the folded diaper includes a main portion that is between a first side portion and a second side portion.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the folded diaper includes a first longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and the first side portion and a second longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and the second side portion.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the dispenser includes a first projection that unfolds the first longitudinal fold as the diaper is removed from the dispenser and a second projection that unfolds the second longitudinal fold as the diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       21 . A method of unfolding and dispensing diapers, the method comprising: 
 grasping a folded diaper that is at least partially within a dispenser; and    removing the folded diaper from the dispenser such that the dispenser unfolds the diaper, wherein the folded diaper includes a first longitudinal fold that is between a main portion and a first side portion and a second longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and a second side portion such that grasping the folded diaper includes grasping the main portion of the folded diaper.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein grasping a folded diaper that is at least partially within a dispenser includes grasping the folded diaper when the folded diaper is entirely within the dispenser.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein grasping the folded diaper includes grasping the folded diaper with a hand.  
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes removing the folded diaper from a roll of folded diapers within the dispenser.  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the folded diaper includes a first section and a second section with a lateral fold between the first section and the second section, and wherein grasping the folded diaper includes grasping one of the first and second sections.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes unfolding the lateral fold by engaging the dispenser with the other of the first and second sections.  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes engaging a first projection on the dispenser with the folded diaper to unfold the first longitudinal fold and engaging a second projection on the dispenser with the folded diaper to unfold the second longitudinal fold.  
   
   
       31 . A system for unfolding and dispensing diapers, the system comprising: 
 a dispenser; and    a plurality of folded diapers within the dispenser, the plurality of folded diapers being stacked one on top of another within the dispenser such that the dispenser engages each diaper to unfold each diaper as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.    
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein each folded diaper is connected to another folded diaper by a perforated section that is torn as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of folded diapers are interfolded.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31  wherein each folded diaper includes a first section and a second section with a lateral fold between the first section and the second section.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the dispenser engages one of the first and second sections to unfold the lateral fold as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein each folded diaper includes a main portion that is between a first side portion and a second side portion.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein each folded diaper includes a first longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and the first side portion and a second longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and the second side portion.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the dispenser includes a first projection that unfolds the first longitudinal fold as each diaper is removed from the dispenser and a second projection that unfolds the second longitudinal fold as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.  
   
   
       39 . A method of unfolding and dispensing diapers, the method comprising: 
 grasping a folded diaper that is at least partially within a dispenser; and    removing the folded diaper from a stack of folded diapers within the dispenser such that the dispenser unfolds each diaper as each diaper is removed from the dispenser.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes tearing a perforated section that connects the folded diaper to at least one other folded diaper that is within the dispenser.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the folded diaper includes a first section and a second section with a lateral fold between the first section and the second section, and wherein grasping the folded diaper includes grasping one of the first and second sections such that removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes unfolding the lateral fold by engaging the dispenser with the other of the first and second sections; and wherein the folded diaper includes a first longitudinal fold that is between a main portion and a first side portion and a second longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and a second side portion, and wherein grasping the folded diaper includes grasping the main portion of the folded diaper such that removing the folded diaper from the dispenser includes engaging a first projection on the dispenser with the folded diaper to unfold the first longitudinal fold and engaging a second projection on the dispenser with the folded diaper to unfold the second longitudinal fold.