This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Katelynn O'Brien, 9, hit upon a novel idea for her fourth-grade invention fair: What if diapers and wipes came together so you never were without one or the other? Now, she and her mother, Aimee, are patenting their idea — Ready Bottoms, a diaper with a pocket full of wipes.
The O'Briens, who live in Sandy, have begun marketing the product online and at the Wasatch Front Farmers Market at Wheeler Farm on Sundays. The diapers range in size to fit an 8- to 35-pound infant or toddler. A sealed packet of two or three wipes is attached to the back of each diaper inside a clear plastic pocket. The wipes are used before putting on the clean diaper. The pocket seals shut and almost disappears.
Aimee O'Brien sees the diapers, which are priced at $3 or $3.50 each, as a convenience item for occasional use rather than for every diaper change. She envisions the diapers in restroom vending machines, or stashed in the car, mom's purse or Grandma's house for those moments when diaper change is needed but the diaper bag has been left at home or is inadequately stocked.
"It's like an emergency kit,"says Aimee, who has three kids. "It's so you don't have to carry a large diaper bag just for short outings."
Katelynn hit on the idea when she and her mother were brainstorming ideas for her April invention fair at Saint John the Baptist Elementary in Draper. Katelynn's dad was changing a diaper on Jonathan, her 18-year-old brother, who is disabled, and realized he was out of wipes. He called out to Aimee and Katelynn for assistance.
"I said, 'Wouldn't it be nice if diapers and wipes were together so you didn't have to run out?'" recalls Katelynn.
The two realized Katelynn had found an idea for her school fair. They made prototypes using hot glue and a plastic business card holder. Now, Aimee has the plastic pockets custom-made with adhesive.
The diapers were a hit at the school fair and many teachers and parents encouraged Katelynn to start a business.
"I knew that [the invention] would help people a lot, especially moms," Katelynn says.
Aimee likes that assembling and marketing the diapers is something she can do with Katelynn. And Jonathan helps by placing the diapers in bags. Aimee hopes that if the business takes off, the work could provide employment for the teen.
Salt Lake City resident Portia Jaros thinks Ready Bottoms could catch on. Jaros, a friend of Aimee's, took a sample diaper for her 2-year-old son Ryder. She left it in the glove box of her car and forgot about it. But she remembered it recently when a quick trip to the park turned into a longer stay and a soiled diaper.
"I can't tell you the countless times I've walked out of my house and forgotten my wipes or my diapers — or both," Jaros says. "I'm so concentrated on not forgetting [Ryder] that I forget his other stuff."
She has bought another Ready Bottom to place in her glove box.
"It's like a spare tire," she says.
About Ready Bottoms
What • A diaper with a built-in packet of wipes.
Price • $3 to $3.50 per diaper.
Where to buy • Wasatch Front Farmers Market, Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wheeler Farm, 6351 S. 900 East, Murray; or online at http://www.readybottoms.com.