Having Discontinuous Areas Of Compression Patents (Class 604/380)
  • Patent number: 11642255
    Abstract: A composite includes a first substrate and a second substrate joined in a bonding region, wherein the first substrate comprises a first Peak Force Tensile Strength and the second Peak Force Tensile Strength. The first Peak Force Tensile Strength is greater than or equal to the second Peak Force Tensile Strength. The bonding region has a Bond Density of about 10% to about 22%; and a Composite Tensile Strength at Peak Force that is within about 15% of the second Peak Force Tensile Strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Ray Dennis Dria, Michael Joseph Page, Joseph Leslie Grolmes, Scott Alan King, Matthew Steven Ritter, Christopher Colin Arp
  • Patent number: 11510828
    Abstract: (Object) To prevent a high compression portion from being defectively formed and also a top sheet from being torn. (Means of Achieving the Object) A sanitary napkin (1) in which a low compression portion (15) and a high compression portion (16, 17, 18) are formed on a bottom surface of a compressed groove (10) that is recessed from a skin contact surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoko Konawa, Yoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11452643
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable, apertured topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition material disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisition material has a caliper in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, according to the Caliper Test, and an Air Permeability in the range of about 5,000 l/m2/s to about 11,000 l/m2/s, according to the Air Permeability Test. The acquisition material has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional features extending outwardly from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Cornelia B. Martynus, Donald C. Roe, Nathan R. Whitely
  • Patent number: 11285054
    Abstract: (Object) To prevent leakage of body fluids and to readily transmit pressure from both sides to a center portion in a width direction by bringing an absorbent article into close contact with a crotch area extending from a body fluid discharge portion to a start position of the intergluteal cleft. (Means of Achieving the Object) A pair of right and left compressed grooves (8, 8) that extend in an approximately longitudinal direction is formed on a surface of a liquid permeable top sheet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11173075
    Abstract: On a skin-contact surface on a front-surface side of a sanitary napkin 1, in a plan view, a concave low compression part 10 obtained by denting, from a skin-contact surface side, a closed region part partitioned by an inside curve 12 formed of a curved line swelling on a front end side of the sanitary napkin 1, and an outside curve 13 that is located on a front end side than the inside curve 12, is formed of a curved line swelling on a front end side of the sanitary napkin 1 and has both ends that are connected respectively to the both ends of the inside curve 12 is formed. In the low compression part 10, a plurality of high compression parts 11 formed discretely respectively along the inside curve 12 and outside curve 13 is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoko Konawa
  • Patent number: 11141323
    Abstract: A disposable hygiene article having an absorbent core with a first region which has its narrowest width (M) in the transverse direction (x) in a front portion or at a location of a transition between the front portion and a crotch portion of the article. The absorbent core comprises a high-density first region and a low density second region. The absorbent core in the crotch region has first and second rear compression lines. The compression lines mutually diverge in a direction towards the core front edge. Each line has a diverging angle (?2; ?3) of from 15-60° with respect to a centre line (A). The second region has an average density which is at least 20% lower than the average density of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Viktoria Radne, Josefin Sohl, Anna Bagger-Sjöbäck, Sofia Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 11123238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable hygiene article having a core with a first area which has its narrowest width (M) in the transverse direction (x) in a front portion or at a location of a transition between the front portion and a crotch portion of the article. Further, the absorbent core in the crotch portion has at least one front compression line forming an essentially upside down turned V comprising a first leg, a second leg and a common front tip with a V-shaped second compression line in the front portion having a third leg and a fourth leg. Each of the legs extends and diverges at a mutual angle (?4) of from 30-120° in the respective mirror-imaged portions (I) and (II). The common front tip is located in contact with or at a distance from an imaginary transverse line indicating the narrowest width M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Caj Hanson, Hanna Svensson, Anna Bagger-Sjöbäck, Sofia Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 11090201
    Abstract: An absorbent article that prevents back flow and that uses cotton fibers in the surface sheet. The absorbent article is an incontinence pad having at least a medium volume for absorbing at least 20 cc of urine. A surface sheet is formed by coating, with a water-repellent, a spunlace non-woven fabric comprising 100 wt % of cotton fibers. The skin-facing surface side is provided with: a plurality of protrusions that extend along the longitudinal direction of the incontinence pad and are formed with gaps therebetween in the widthwise direction; and a plurality of recesses that extend along the longitudinal direction of the incontinence pad and are formed between adjacent protrusions. The recesses are formed thinner than the protrusions. A plurality of openings, which penetrate the incontinence pad from the front to the rear thereof, is formed along the recesses in at least a section (H) corresponding to an excretory opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoko Kurihara, Junta Tagomori, Mariko Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10881556
    Abstract: In an absorbent article (200), a pair of slits (40) each extending in a front and rear direction with a predetermined width is formed in an absorbent body (23) at a front and rear direction region at least at a crotch portion (C2) such that to section a first portion (11) at middle, and a second portion (12) and a third portion (12) at both sides of the first portion in a width direction, respectively, projection portions (23P) projected toward both sides in the width direction at middle in the front and rear direction of the first portion (11) are included in the absorbent body, and cavity portions (23D) in which the projection portions (23P) fit outwardly in the width direction are formed at a front and rear direction position corresponding to the projection portions (23P) in the second portion (12) and the third portion (12), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Aya Oshima
  • Patent number: 10858768
    Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric. The fabric has a first surface and a second surface and at least a first and second visually discernible zone on at least one of the first and second surface, each of the first and second zones having a pattern of three-dimensional features, each of the three-dimensional features defining a microzone. Each microzone has a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein the difference in values for an intensive property for at least one of the microzones in the first zone is different from the difference in values for the intensive property for at least one of the microzones in the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Paul Thomas Weisman
  • Patent number: 10667960
    Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent system positioned between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The absorbent system can have at least a fluid intake layer, an absorbent core, and a distribution layer. The fluid intake layer and the absorbent core can define an aligned annular opening in the absorbent system and can maintain the topsheet layer in a spaced apart relationship from the distribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: SungSu A Kim, HyungWoo Park, Moonyoung Cho, JuHyung Lee, SeoYeon Son, SeongDae Roh, Sara L Rosack
  • Patent number: 10632021
    Abstract: A disposable nursing pad has one embodiment with three layers which before use are flat, and in use become cup-shaped. The first layer is an outermost layer, the second layer is a middle layer, and the third layer is an innermost layer. The outermost layer and the innermost layer are disk-shaped. The middle layer has a central body portion and a plurality of arms extending outwardly in a generally spiral pattern. Regions of the first and third layers between the spiral arms can be folded to allow contouring of the liner to the body of a nursing mother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Kathleen A. D. Madden
  • Patent number: 10555843
    Abstract: An absorbent article in which an absorbent body is provided between a liquid permeable topsheet and a backsheet, includes an absorbent body emboss provided from a front surface side of the absorbent body before stacking the liquid permeable topsheet to surround an area corresponding to a body fluid expelling portion; and a front surface emboss, formed separately from the absorbent body emboss and not to overlap the absorbent body emboss, provided from a front surface side of the liquid permeable topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10342718
    Abstract: An incontinence pad (1) includes a permeable front-side sheet (3), a back-side sheet (2), an absorber (4) enveloped by an enveloping sheet (5) and disposed between the permeable front-side sheet and the back-side sheet, and an embossment (10) formed in a front surface of the permeable front-side sheet (3). An overlapped portion (9) is formed on a front side of the absorber (4) along a longitudinal direction by overlapping the side portions of the enveloping sheet (5), and at least a part of the embossment (10) overlaps the overlapped portion (9). An adhesive for bonding the side portions of the enveloping sheet (5) is not applied to a longitudinal area of the overlapped portion (9) where the embossment (10) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yurie Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10307304
    Abstract: An absorbent article (1) includes a permeable front-side sheet (3), a back-side sheet (2), an absorber (4) disposed between the permeable front-side sheet and the back-side sheet, and an embossment (10) formed in the front surface of the permeable front-side sheet (3). The embossment (10) includes bent parts (30) at which an embossment direction abruptly changes. An outer edge of each of the bent parts (30) is an angled part (31), and an inner edge of each of the bent parts (30) is a curved part (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoko Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10195090
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent body provided between a liquid permeable topsheet and a backsheet; and embosses formed at both sides of the liquid permeable topsheet, wherein each of the embosses includes a body fluid expelling part emboss formed at an area corresponding to a body fluid expelling part along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and is constituted of a shaped line protruding outward in a width direction of the absorbent article, longitudinal direction embosses formed at front and rear of the body fluid expelling part emboss along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, respectively, and inclined embosses extending from outer end portions of the longitudinal direction embosses, respectively, and being inclined toward a center side in the width direction of the absorbent article, and wherein end portions of the right and left inclined embosses are spaced apart from each other in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoko Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10123920
    Abstract: An absorbent article for wearing about the lower torso of a wearer includes a topsheet, a backsheet joined to at least a portion of the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is disposed in fluid communication with the second layer. The first layer has a first shape and the second layer has a second shape. The first shape is different from the second shape. Each of the first layer and second layer comprise less than about 20 percent airfelt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Peter Lankhof, Yukio Heki, Masahiro Kondo, Niels Hollenberg, Steven Stuart Bullock, Toshiyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 10039676
    Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region, a chassis, and an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly may comprise an absorbent core. A first layer may be joined to a second layer at areas of attachment, the areas of attachment may extend longitudinally. Pockets may be formed between the areas of attachment, the pockets may comprise superabsorbent polymer. The article may further comprise first and second barrier cuffs, wherein the first and second barrier cuffs are longitudinally extending. laterally opposed, and vapor permeable, and comprise longitudinally extending elastic elements. At least a portion of the first and second barrier cuff may be folded over to form at least two layers. First and second ears may be disposed in the back waist region. And, the first layer may comprise alternating ridges and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gary Dean LaVon
  • Patent number: 9999554
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to a absorbent articles demonstrating controlled deformation and enhanced fluid wicking in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Livea Fujita Barbosa, Felipe Boni Rezende, Leonard Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9968496
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to a absorbent articles demonstrating controlled deformation and enhanced fluid wicking in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Livea Fujita Barbosa, Felipe Boni Rezende, Leonard Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 9925094
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The absorbent article has a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, a pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels formed at least in the central region. The traversal distance of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels decreases towards both ends of the channels to define a central closed area. The absorbent article has a rear channel defining a rear closed area in the rear end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoko Munakata, Kiyoe Ohba
  • Patent number: 9629758
    Abstract: An absorber of a disposable diaper includes a first region arranged partially in the crotch region; a second region arranged adjacent to the first region and having a lower bending rigidity than that of the first region; and a third region arranged adjacent to the second region and having a higher bending rigidity than that of the second region. A boundary between the first and second regions is arranged in a narrow region. A boundary between the second and third regions is arranged at the side of the crotch region from an end at the crotch region side of a waistline retaining unit in the front waistline region. An end at the front waistline region side of the third region is arranged at the side of the front waistline region from the end at the crotch region side of the waistline retaining unit in the front waistline region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9433542
    Abstract: The absorbent article of the present invention comprises: a liquid-pervious surface sheet, a liquid-impervious backside sheet provided at the position opposing said surface sheet, and an absorption body provided between said surface sheet and said backside sheet, wherein the absorbent article comprises an endless compressed groove, surrounding a central part of said absorbent article, which is formed in said surface sheet and said absorption body in the thickness direction, and a plurality of concave parts, provided inside and outside said compressed groove, which are formed in said surface sheet and said absorption body in the thickness direction, and an uncompressed region bordering inner and outer edges of the compressed groove, wherein the closest distance between said compressed groove and the nearest concave parts is greater than the distance between adjacent ones of those same concave parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kato, Tatsuya Tamura, Toshihisa Hayashi, Masashi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9375361
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a belt portion extending from the chassis. The belt portion comprises a first substrate, a second substrate joined to the first substrate, and a plurality of elongate elastic elements disposed at least partially intermediate the first substrate and the second substrate. The belt portion comprises a texture zone having a texture ratio of greater than about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ronald Joseph Zink, Farihah Ibrahim, Sarah Marie Wade, Gary Dean LaVon, Tina Marie Glahn, Kaoru Ishihara, Diana Juratovac
  • Patent number: 9216118
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core enclosing an absorbent material comprising superabsorbent polymers. The absorbent core comprises a first channel and a second channel, both of which are substantially free of the superabsorbent polymers and are at least partially oriented in a longitudinal direction of the article. The first and second channels each have lateral widths taken parallel to a lateral axis. The absorbent core comprises a pocket that is substantially free of the superabsorbent polymers and that has a portion on a longitudinal axis of the article. The pocket has lateral widths taken parallel to the lateral axis. A profile of the sum of the lateral widths of the first and second channels and the lateral widths of the pocket over a longitudinal length of at least 50 mm taken along the longitudinal axis has two separate substantially constant portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Carsten Heinrich Kreuzer, Maja Wciorka
  • Patent number: 9173782
    Abstract: A topsheet layer material for use on an absorbent article includes a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a depth direction and comprises a planar sheet. The topsheet layer material includes visually and spatially coordinated embossed channels and apertures. The embossed channels are curvilinear indentations configured along either the longitudinal, the transverse direction, or a combination of longitudinal and transverse directions. The apertures are positioned along the topsheet layer material laterally adjacent to the channels such that at least a portion of the apertures have an overall shape configuration that is substantially similar or the same as at least a portion of the shape of the embossed channel. Such coordinated aperture configuration may also be generally concentric with or generally parallel to the embossed channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy M. Takken, Hue Scott Snowden, Adrienne R. Loyd, Heidi B. Hopkins, Ramona Zenkich, Katie A. Boland
  • Patent number: 9144521
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has a central slit formed along the lengthwise direction L so that the absorber can be curved to be convex in the inward direction, and a pair of side slits formed along the lengthwise direction L so that the absorber can be curved to be convex in the outward direction. An average total weight of a water absorbent polymer at the central portion CT and the side edge portion SL, SR is smaller than an average total weight of the water absorbent polymer at the middle portion ML, MR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaya Arayama, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Publication number: 20150148765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a body-facing surface and a transverse centerline, comprising; a hydrophilic topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a lateral topsheet on each longitudinal side of the body-facing surface of the absorbent article so that at least a part thereof covers the topsheet where the topsheet covers the absorbent core, wherein the lateral topsheet comprises an embedded zone along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article comprising a plurality of compressed areas where the lateral topsheet and the topsheet are jointly compressed so that the lateral topsheet is embedded into the topsheet, and wherein the lateral topsheet in the compressed areas is one layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fancheng Wang, Tianjun Niu, Wolfgang Werner Hans Domeier
  • Patent number: 9040769
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin and the like, constituted of an absorbing body between permeable (skin contact surface) and impermeable (skin non-contact surface) sheets, is provided with intermittent recess grooves formed in a longitudinal direction on the absorbent article on the skin non-contact surface side of the absorbing body, a plurality of laterally elongated peripheral embosses formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article on absorbent body areas located peripherally to the recess grooves, and an absorbing body deficit portion formed at least between the recess grooves. Thus achieved are close contact with buttock cleavage and prevention of leakage to the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DAIO Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoko Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9035125
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a disposable wearing article improved so that front and rear waist regions may assure desired fitness without adversely affecting an absorption capacity of a bodily fluid-absorbent core assembly. At least one of front and rear waist regions includes an inner sheet lying on a skin-facing side and having stretch properties and an outer sheet lying on a non-skin-facing side and having a low elastic contractile force. In a section of this one waist region occupied by a liquid-absorbent core assembly including a bodily fluid-absorbent core, the inner sheet is partially cut to define a perforated region. Adhesive used to bond the liquid-absorbent core assembly to the inner sheet and adhesive used to bond the inner sheet to the outer sheet are put in contact with and joined to each other through openings developed by partially cutting the inner sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Mariko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9029626
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion formed on the surface of a topsheet along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The first curved portion is arranged in one pair to be symmetrical to a centerline of the absorbent article in a region in which the contact region is included, the region being an inside region more than each side part in a widthwise direction of the absorbent article, and is formed along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The second curved portion is arranged in one pair in a region in which the contact region is included, the region being an inside region in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article more than the first curved portion, and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The first curved portion and the second curved portion has a convex shape outward in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article, in the region in which the contact region is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishitani, Toshihisa Hayashi, Minako Sagisaka
  • Patent number: 9018436
    Abstract: An absorbent structure that includes a first region, a second region and a central region extending between the first and second regions, the first region and part of the central region are formed with a thick segment. The second region is formed with a thin segment having a thickness dimension smaller than that of the thick segment. Between the thick segment and the thin segment, a thickness-sloped segment having a thickness dimension gradually reduced from the side of the first region toward the second region and the thin segment and at least a region of the thickness-sloped segment being adjacent to the thin segment are debossed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Kyo Kikuchi, Kei Wakasugi, Naoto Ohashi, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8993832
    Abstract: Described is an absorbent article that includes at least a liquid-permeable sheet, a liquid-impermeable sheet, and an absorption body sandwiched between the liquid-permeable sheet and the liquid-impermeable sheet. A pair of right and left compressed grooves are formed along the longitudinal direction. Each compressed groove is separated into a right or left compressed groove located in the longitudinal side edge part at least in the center region of the absorption body, a front-side compressed groove located in the longitudinal front part of the side edge part, and a rear-side compressed groove located in the longitudinal rear part of the side edge part and out of these compressed grooves. The compressed groove located on the widthwise innermost side is formed to allow its end part in the separation portion to run in parallel with the longitudinal centerline or face outwardly in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kuroda, Yuki Noda, Shinpei Komatsu, Osamu Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20150088084
    Abstract: A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography includes placing at least a portion of the absorbent structure between opposed mold surfaces. At least one of the mold surfaces has a three-dimensional topography. The three-dimensional topography of the mold surface is imparted onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Theresa Michelle McCoy, Stephen Avedis Baratian, Charles Wilson Colman
  • Patent number: 8981178
    Abstract: Unitary films and laminates thereof are provided having at least first and second film segments which extend adjacent one another and are permanently joined together. The multi-segment films include a pattern of surface embossments on a surface of the first film segment and a pattern of apertures extending through the second film segment. The first and second segments have different compositions whereby the unitary film includes distinct segments having varied physical properties such as, for example, varied levels of breathability and/or elasticity. The unitary films and laminates thereof are well suited, for example, for use as outer covers in personal care articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Wing-Chak Ng, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira
  • Patent number: 8975466
    Abstract: An absorbent article including a first end region, a second end region and a central region, a plurality of channels arranged in each of the first and second end regions, at least one channel arranged in the central region and extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, the at least one channel being connected at each end thereof to the plurality of channels in the first end region and the plurality of channels in the second end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ana Maria Elena R. Marcelo, Fernanda Wiermann Paques, Steven H. White
  • Publication number: 20150038932
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueminami, Maki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8927803
    Abstract: To provide an absorbent article capable of sufficiently fulfilling a function of preventing lateral leakage even when a force is applied in the width direction (transverse direction) during wearing. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-pervious surface sheet, a liquid-impervious leakage-preventive sheet, and a liquid-retentive absorption body disposed between the surface sheet and the leakage-preventive sheet, wherein the absorption body comprises at least two layers, at least one of the layers is a first absorption body layer composed of a hydrophilic sheet and a super-absorbent polymer, and in the longitudinal middle area of the absorbent article, the width of the first absorption body layer is larger than the width of other absorption body layer(s). In the first absorption body layer, a plurality of hydrophilic sheets are stacked, the super-absorbent polymer is disposed between hydrophilic sheets, and the hydrophilic sheets are joined in a region where the super-absorbent polymer is not spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akane Sakai, Yusuke Kawakami, Ayako Akahira
  • Patent number: 8920398
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article has a topsheet, backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region. The continuous support layer includes a continuous material having a shear rigidity value of at least 3.0 gf/cm·degree in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Tsunetoshi Miura, Yoko Munakata
  • Patent number: 8912384
    Abstract: A compressed portion is formed in the absorbent article by compressing the absorber through a compression process. The compressed portion has a top-surface groove formed on the skin-contact-surface side, and a back-surface groove formed on the clothing-contact-surface side. A bottom portion of the top-surface groove is flat. Since the recessed portions are formed in the bottom portion of the back-surface groove through the compression process, a compression part where the density of the absorber is increased more than in an uncompressed portion and high compression parts where the density of the absorber is increased more than in the compression part are formed in the bottom portion. Thus, the absorbent article can be permeate into by a thick liquid, and is more likely to absorb liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Nahomi Suzuki, Tatsuya Tamura, Nobuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 8878000
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueminami, Maki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8864732
    Abstract: A tampon suitable for feminine hygiene and/or medical purposes having a longitudinal body provided with a dome-shaped insertion end and a withdrawal end, from which a withdrawal cord extends is disclosed. The tampon is made of compressed absorbent fibrous material and has an outer circumferential surface which is at least partially provided with longitudinal grooves that are separated from each other by longitudinal ribs. The path of the grooves and the ribs in the longitudinal direction of the tampon correspond to a continuous curved line that has only one point of inflection defining one convex part and one concave part, and that preferably does not show a maximum and/or a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ontex Hygieneartikel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Van Ingelgem, Annick De Poorter, Steven Smet
  • Patent number: 8865965
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable topsheet (10), a liquid impermeable or water repellent backsheet, and an absorbent member interposed between these sheets. The topsheet (10) is formed of a nonwoven sheet having high density portions (13A) and low density portions (14A). Each high density portion (13A) and each low density portion (14A) are different in density from each other. The high density portions (13A) and the low density portions (14A) are arranged in planar directions of the topsheet (10). The low density portions (14A) have a larger amount of a skin care agent (5) applied thereto than the high density portions (13A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuya Sato, Mina Tomita
  • Patent number: 8859842
    Abstract: An absorbent article with topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core having an embossment region on the body facing side thereof and two spaced apart, longitudinally extending depression regions on the garment facing side thereof, including an adhesive pattern applied by a spray method directly onto the backsheet that intersects the depression regions and a release paper operatively attached to the adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Wilson, Rong Deng, Steve J. Waas
  • Patent number: 8847002
    Abstract: An absorbent article that contains a topsheet having embossed regions is provided. The embossed regions propagate in a longitudinal direction of the article in the form of a wave having one or more alternating crests (peaks) and troughs (valleys). Such a wave pattern helps slow down the flow of bodily fluid by directing it along a tortuous path defined by the densified edges rather than in a straight line. Among other things, this reduction in flow rate can help provide sufficient time for the absorbent core to absorb the fluid, which is particularly helpful when it is already partially filled with fluid. Nevertheless, bodily fluids can still sometimes pool near the crests and/or troughs and result in leakage. To help counteract this tendency, the present inventors have discovered that a plurality of apertures can be employed in the topsheet that are arranged in a column that generally extends in a longitudinal direction of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Priscilla Goh Eng Goh, YeinSze Ong, Meijia Ng, SangWook Lee, DooHong Kim, Franz Aschenbrenner
  • Patent number: 8841507
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 ?m; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ronald Kanya, W. Andrew Coslett, John C. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8834441
    Abstract: An undergarment, such as a diaper, includes a hidden central core pocket for receipt of an absorbent pad. The pocket is formed between an inner, fluid permeable layer and a fluid isolation layer. The fluid isolation layer is attached to the inner or anchor layer and is located between the inner layer and an outer layer to which the inner layer is attached. The pocket is narrower than the outer to isolate fluids from edges of the outer layer and from diaper leg openings. Both the fluid isolation layer and the outer layer may be fluid resistant to provide additional protection against leakage. Adjustment fasteners on the outside of the outer shell permit size adjustment for the diaper and the adjustment fasteners are positioned within the periphery of the pocket so that presence of the absorbent pad will enhance comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Fredrica V. Coates
  • Publication number: 20140249497
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to an absorbent article including a liquid permeable cover layer, a liquid impermeable barrier layer, an absorbent core arranged adjacent to the cover layer, a transfer layer arranged between the core and the barrier layer, the absorbent core including an upper surface and a lower surface and a material-free zone extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kofi Bissah, Paul Davies, Francisco J.V. Hernandez, Fernanda Wiermann Paques
  • Patent number: 8785715
    Abstract: The invention relates to slit absorbent articles and the use of slits in absorbent materials to provide improved liquid intake rate, flexibility and softness compared to the unmodified material. The absorbent material, including superabsorbent materials, are particularly useful as absorbent cores in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent products, sanitary napkins and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Wright, Patrick King Yu Tsang
  • Patent number: 8772570
    Abstract: A liquid-absorbent structure configured to prevent a liquid-absorbent core material from being unevenly distributed and thereby to assure that bodily fluids can be smoothly absorbed by the liquid-absorbent structure. According to one embodiment the present invention provides a panty liner that includes a topsheet lying on a side facing the wearer's body, a backsheet facing the wearer's garment and a liquid-absorbent structure sandwiched between these sheets. A first inner surface of a first sheet forming the liquid-absorbent structure is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of first bonding regions and a second inner surface of a second sheet is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of second bonding regions. Each of the first non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the first bonding regions, and each of the second non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the second bonding regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuke Kawakami, Akane Sakai, Ayako Akahira