Fredrica Vaughan Coates (born 1 June 1948) is an American businesswoman, sculptor and philanthropist.[1] She is best known for inventing the first Velcro cloth diaper marketed in the United States. She is also the inventor of many ‘first to market of their kind products’ which are covered by USA patents & foreign countries.[2][3]
Fredrica Vaughan Coates | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 June 1948 |
| Citizenship | English Australian |
| Education | B.A., M.Ed. |
| Alma mater | Westhampton College - University of Richmond, Pennsylvania State University |
| Known for | First Velcro Cloth Diaper |
Early life and education
editFredrica Vaughan Coates completed her B.A. from Westhampton College - University of Richmond in 1970 and M.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University in 1971.[4]
Career
editInventions and patents
editFredrica has been awarded 48 USA patents, and another 28 issued patents in foreign countries.[5][6][7]
Fredrica is recognized as the inventor of the first Velcro cloth diaper marketed in the United States. She is also recognized as the inventor of many ‘first to market of their kind products’. These products are covered by one or more of the USA patents& foreign countries.[8][9]
While expecting their first child, a girl, in 1984, Fredrica V. Coates and her husband Michael L. Coates invented various designs of cloth diapers. In 2015 the product was first launched following a 12-year period of research and enhancement. According to feedback from the consumer testing group, the production was halted for a period of eighteen months.[10] With the development of new cloth and improved cutting methods, Green Beginnings® returned in 2016 with their all-new line of cloth diapers.[11]
In 2012, Fredrica and Dr. Michael Coates founded and established and their own company, Tailored Technologies, Inc. for licensing the patents and trademarks the company owns.[10][12]
Philanthropy
editFredrica Vaughan Coates always supported and helped Handicapped children. Fredrica, as an Art Education teacher, was awarded a grant by the National Committee of Arts for the Handicapped, which selected her as the Director of the CHARLESTON COMMITTEE, first of its kind.[10]
As the Chairperson for the Very Special Arts for South Carolina, she fundraised for her disabled students (wheelchair bound) to fly to Washington DC for the performance. The students received much praise for this DC trip. Later that same year the many more students preformed again at PICCOLO SPOLETTO 1977. Fredrica organized all including performances by children with varies disabilities, including blind and hearing-impaired children.[13]
Fredrica, as an Art Education teacher, was awarded a grant by the National Committee of Arts for the Handicapped, which selected her as the Director of the CHARLESTON COMMITTEE. With this grant, Fredrica took children of all disabilities to travel to Washington, DC to perform puppetry at the John F. Kennedy Center and this group also performed in the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC.[14]
References
edit- ^ Murphy, Mary Jo (1983-03-04). "Sculptor enjoys interaction with subjects". The New York Times.
- ^ "Protective Undergarment Using Improved Hook and Loop Fasteners:". Nonwovens Industry.
- ^ "Divorce". The Pittsburgh Post. 6 September 1908. p. 17.
- ^ "Planning to attend". alumni.vt.edu.
- ^ "Fredrica V. Coates Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com.
- ^ "EUROPÄISCHE PATENTANMELDUNG" (PDF). Patentimages.
- ^ Coates, Fredrica Vaughan (9 May 1984). "ADJUSTABLE DIAPER WITH BACK STRAP AND MEANS TO PROTECT THE FASTENING".
- ^ Rolfe/Journal, David (6 March 2015). "Longtime inventor's latest patent is for baby swadling wrap". Winston-Salem Journal.
- ^ "Fredrica+V.+Coates"&source=bl&ots=9eCOsOH5Fj&sig=ACfU3U236e4GIaWL13eBRf_IYVu8BQyIVw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirio7LxceFAxUrBNsEHXJnDj44FBDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q="Fredrica%20V.%20Coates"&f=false "Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Patents". U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office. 1998.
- ^ a b c "Fredrica Vaughan Coates- Inventor of First Velcro Cloth Diaper". Bru Times News.
- ^ "About Us". Green Beginnings. 10 November 2021.
- ^ Giametta, Charles (1983-04-10). "Diaper Invention by Local Woman Going National". Diapers.
- ^ "Comfort Diaper Assembly". Nonwovens Industry.
- ^ Harvin, Stephanie (1982-05-04). "Children To Give D.C. Performance". The Washington Post.