Foldable Patents (Class 604/385.201)
  • Patent number: 11399985
    Abstract: An absorbent article for animals that includes a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are mutually orthogonal to each other. The absorbent article includes: a first nonwoven fabric that forms a first surface in the thickness direction; a second nonwoven fabric that forms a second surface in the thickness direction that is on an opposite side of the first surface, and that is attached to an animal such that the longitudinal direction is disposed along a waist of the animal; in a plan view, between a first side edge and a second side edge of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction, a first region, a center region, and a second region that divide the absorbent article into three equal portions in the longitudinal direction; and an engagement portion that extends in the width direction in the first surface of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Daisuke Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 10792197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical sponge which includes multiple plies of gauze and stitches. The multiple plies of gauze has one or more open sides. The stitches are adapted to fasten or close the open sides. The stitches are made with one or more contrasting threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Ben Chen
  • Patent number: 10603226
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis that includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and a leg gasketing system. The leg gasketing system may include an inner cuff and an outer cuff; the inner cuff may include an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge and the outer cuff may include an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge such that the web of material is folded laterally inward to form the outer cuff folded edge and folded laterally outward to form the inner cuff folded edge. The leg gasketing system may also include a leg gasketing system pocket with an opening on an inboard longitudinal edge of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Abhishek Prakash Surushe, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Cornelia Beate Martynus, Andrew James Sauer, Aaron Duane Seitz
  • Patent number: 9724251
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that comprises a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region, a front waist end edge, a back waist end edge, a longitudinal axis extending from a mid-point of the front waist end edge to a mid-point of the back waist end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A portion of the front waist region and a portion of the back waist region are joined in a surface to surface relationship to form a pant comprising a first permanent side edge seam and a laterally opposed second permanent side edge seam. The first and second permanent side edge seams define an initial waist opening circumference and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck, Thomas Henrich, Aaron Joseph Meirose, Aaron Duane Seitz, Bret Darren Seitz, Bryan Keith Waye, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 9439397
    Abstract: An absorbent article for pets which includes: a liquid permeable top surface layer; a liquid impermeable back surface layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the top and back surface layers, the absorbent article for pets being configured in a rectangular shape with a pair of end portions facing each other and a pair of side portions facing each other orthogonal to the pair of end portions, the absorbent article for pets being configured to be worn in a state of being wrapped around a waist of a pet, the absorbent article for pets further including first and second solid gather portions that are respectively disposed on the top surface layer side of the pair of side portions and rises up from the top surface layer, in which the first solid gather portion is configured to be easier to lie outward in the width direction of the absorbent article for pets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Komatsubara, Takeshi Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20150126957
    Abstract: The absorbent elongated pledget (1) includes two opposite width ends, the pledget being made from a flexible, hydrophilic material, and having a portion that can be detected from outside the body (3). The pledget is characterized in that at least one of the two width ends of same is folded on itself, the fold of the width end being held by a fastening element (2) in a fold forming a cylindrical shape of the pledget and allowing insertion into and removal from a trocar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LABORATOIRE TETRA MEDICAL
    Inventors: François Marchal, Denis Artus, Thierry Bouet
  • Publication number: 20150119842
    Abstract: An absorptive article configured so that wrinkles in the absorptive article occurring when the absorptive article is worn by a wearer are reduced. This absorptive article is configured in such a manner that a surface sheet and a highly absorptive polymer sheet are joined together, a pair of wing sections respectively have ends in the longitudinal direction, longitudinal edges of the highly absorptive polymer sheet are located on the outside longitudinally of wing section action lines connecting the ends located side by side in the width direction, and the wing section action lines are located at the same positions as, or on the outside longitudinally of, folding positions at which the absorptive article is folded twice in the longitudinal direction in order to individually package the absorptive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Shoshi Kosaka, Kaiyo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8998873
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that comprises a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region, a front waist end edge, a back waist end edge, a longitudinal axis extending from a mid-point of the front waist end edge to a mid-point of the back waist end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A portion of the front waist region and a portion of the back waist region are joined in a surface to surface relationship to form a pant comprising a first permanent side edge seam and a laterally opposed second permanent side edge seam. The first and second permanent side edge seams define an initial waist opening circumference and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck, Thomas Henrich, Aaron Joseph Meirose, Kevin Michael Smith, Aaron Duane Seitz, Bret Darren Seitz, Bryan Keith Waye
  • Patent number: 8998871
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that improves adhesion to the skin and reduces leaks of bodily fluids by ensuring stable deformation thereof. The absorbent article has a liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on body-facing side of the absorbent article; a liquid-impermeable back sheet disposed on a clothing-facing side of the absorbent article; and a liquid-retainable absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent body has a compressed channel formed into a concave shape in the body-facing side; and a space formed into a convex shape in the clothing-facing side toward the body-facing. The space is formed on both sides or on one side of a channel backside located on an opposing side of the compressed channel portion in the clothing-facing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kuroda, Yuki Noda
  • Patent number: 8968264
    Abstract: A diaper assembly 2 includes a diaper garment 10 and a fluid absorbent pad 60. The diaper garment 10 has an outer shell 12 from which a sling 20 is suspended. The sling 20 is fluid resistant and has front and rear pockets 34, 36 into which opposite ends of the fluid absorbent pad 60 can be inserted. The front pocket 34 is formed by fluid resistant shield 50 that is surrounded on three sides by gussets 40, 42 that are more skin friendly than the shield 50. Multilayer pads 60 can be carried by the sling 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tailored Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrica V. Coates
  • Patent number: 8968263
    Abstract: An absorbent article according to the present invention includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorber. The absorber has a body unit having a foreside constricted portion and a backside constricted portion, and a pair of extension units extending outside in the widthwise direction of the absorber from the body unit. An outer region is folded toward an inner region at the side of the topsheet, and the maximum length of the inner region along the longitudinal direction of the absorber is shorter than the maximum length of the outer region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Watabe, Hirotomo Mukai, Natsuko Takahashi, Tomoko Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8961488
    Abstract: A wearing article has a chassis and leg elastic members of a flat band shape that are attached to the chassis along leg side edges thereof. The chassis has regions each of which overlaps one of the leg elastic members and includes at least one series of depressions extending along the respective leg side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Mariko Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150045762
    Abstract: An absorbent article and a package thereof are provided for a pet animal without a possibility that a fastener might be exposed on the outer side of the article. The absorbent article includes an absorbent panel and a fastener for fastening the absorbent panel. The absorbent panel has an absorbent region in which an absorbent body is disposed, a first non-absorbent region extending from the absorbent region to a first end edge and a second non-absorbent region extending from the absorbent region to a second end edge. The fastener is allocated on an exterior surface in the first non-absorbent region and releasably grabbed by the exterior surface of the absorbent panel except the first non-absorbent region to maintain such folded state when the absorbent panel is folded until the interior surface of the first non-absorbent region faces the interior surface of the second non-absorbent region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Daisuke Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 8945078
    Abstract: A wearing article having a chassis bent in a crotch region. A diaper is folded along an imaginary lateral center line so that front and rear waist regions are in contact with each other and so that front and rear upper end edges in the regions substantially have the same level with each other. In such a folded state, first folds extending in the longitudinal direction are defined in portions of gasket cuffs which are biased toward the front waist region relative to the imaginary lateral center line. The first folds are defined along lateral edges of core of a liquid absorbent structure, and the gasket cuffs being located outboard of the lateral edges are folded along the first folds onto a garment-facing side of an outer sheet. Second folds which extend in the longitudinal direction are formed in containment cuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventor: Shunsuke Takino
  • Publication number: 20140350508
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The absorbent article can include a first and a second folding line for packaging each being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second containment flaps can be positioned in the absorbent article such that the distal end of the outer flap projections can be positioned laterally inside of each folding line, the distal ends of the inner flap projections can be positioned laterally outside of each folding line, or such that the first fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the first containment flap and the second fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the second containment flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Julie Ann Paveletzke, Michael John Faulks
  • Publication number: 20140332436
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article adapted to restrict a possibility that the article might become locally bulky and a packaged assembly of such disposable wearing articles. A diaper (1) has front and rear waist panels (20, 30) defining front and rear waist regions (2, 3), respectively, and an intermediate panel (40) defining parts of the front and rear waist regions and a crotch region (4). The diaper (1) is folded on itself substantially in a flat condition so that inner sheets (24, 34) of the front and rear waist panels (20, 30) may face each other, respectively, and an inner sheet of the intermediate panel (40) may face itself. Specifically, the diaper (1) is folded on itself along a first fold line (81) at least partially corresponding to an imaginary transverse center line (Q-Q).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Kenichi Sasayama, Makoto Ichikawa, Kunihiko Katsuragawa, Kazuo Ukegawa
  • Patent number: 8864733
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent open-type incontinence article with attached ears, wherein the rear ears have closure elements in the peripheral region, and to the folding of the ears at high production speeds without the functionality of the closure elements being impaired and with the simultaneously use-friendly arrangement of the closure elements in the folded absorbent incontinence article. The invention also relates to a method of producing this absorbent incontinence article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Michael Koenig, Hansgeorg Gunesch, Benjamin Wenzel, Ruediger Kesselmeier, Christian Koch
  • Publication number: 20140296819
    Abstract: An array of personal care absorbent articles includes a menstrual absorbent article having a perimeter, a first transverse midline, a first minimum width line, and a menstrual absorbent layer having a menstrual absorbent shape, the perimeter defining a first article shape and a first article size. The array also includes an incontinence absorbent article having a perimeter, a second transverse midline a second minimum width line, and an incontinence absorbent layer having an incontinence absorbent shape, the perimeter defining a second article shape and a second article size, wherein the first article shape is substantially the same as the second article shape, and wherein the first article size is substantially the same as the second article size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc
    Inventor: Cheri Lee Schultz
  • Publication number: 20140296820
    Abstract: A cloth diaper includes a size adjustable impermeable outer layer, and an elongated absorbent insert permanently attached only at one end to the inside of said outer layer, near the upper edge of the outer layer. The absorbent insert extends a substantial distance beyond the opposite upper edge of said outer layer. Preferably, there is an absorbent layer attached to the outer layer, between the outer layer and the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Christina L. Malone
  • Publication number: 20140296813
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids, comprising at least one first fluid-absorbing structure (1; 10; 36), which is surrounded by a liquid-permeable, first enclosure (2), and a liquid-permeable, second enclosure (3) comprising two enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2). The wound care article is thus characterized in that the first enclosure (2) is covered or supported on at least one of its flat sides (4.1, 4.2) by at least one fluid-absorbing material layer (6.1, 6.2; 6.3), which is arranged (FIG. 1a) between the first enclosure (2) and one of the enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2) of the second enclosure (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Birgit Riesinger
  • Patent number: 8784397
    Abstract: A leg wrap structure is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The leg wrap structure has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a region of inelasticity. The leg wrap structure provides for the efficient formation of a reservoir and a plurality of fluid dams each capable of capturing a quantity of fluid to minimize the occurrence of fluid leaks from the absorbent article. Methods of forming such absorbent articles are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Shu Edward Chang, Anne Smid, Patrick King Yu Tsang, Ian Walker, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 8764720
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body including a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent laminate disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein: the absorbent body has a longitudinal direction and a width direction; the absorbent laminate comprises a fiber assembly layer containing pulp fibers, and a sheet-shaped absorbent layer containing an absorbent polymer but not containing a pulp fiber between nonwoven fabric sheets; the absorbent article is folded at a fold line extending in the width direction; and the fiber assembly layer has an opening on the fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventor: Makiko Urushihara
  • Patent number: 8764718
    Abstract: An absorbent article, especially an incontinence pad, having a length and a width extension, the length being greater than the width, and having absorbent core material, wherein the outer longitudinal edges of the absorbent material form three convex lobes (2, 3, 4), wherein a pair of folding lines (5) extend between the longitudinal ends of the middle one (3) of the three lobes (2, 3, 4), so as to divide the absorbent core material into a central portion (6) and a pair of longitudinal side portions (7), such that, when the article (1) is in use, the folding lines (5) are generally positioned so as to extend along the crotch area of the user, starting from the gracilis tendons and ending in the region of the perineum, whereby the side portions (7) may extend from the central portion (6) towards the user so as to form an arc shape as seen in a transversal direction of the article (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Carin Håkansson, Anna Klinte Olsson, Kent Hermansson, Elisabeth Boissier, Maria Härsjö, Lennart Hjalmarsson
  • Patent number: 8754286
    Abstract: An absorbent core for an absorbent article includes an upper absorbent core and a lower absorbent core. An acquisition layer is located between the upper and said lower absorbent cores in the thickness (Z) direction of the core. The upper absorbent core includes an opening and fold indications. The relative dimensions and positioning of the core components allows it to adopt a double-bowl shape. Further, an absorbent article includes the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Maria Gustin Bergström, Carin Håkansson, Paulina Halleröd
  • Patent number: 8734416
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a front portion, a rear portion, and a crotch portion located between the front portion and the rear portion. The article includes an absorption member having an upper side intended to face a wearer during use of the article and a lower side intended to face away from the wearer during use of the article, and a stiffening element that, at least during use of the article, provides the article with a predetermined shape that enhances the fit of the article to the wearer's body. The stiffening element is secured to the lower side of the absorption member such that an outer side of the stiffening element faces away from the absorption member. The stiffening element includes a material exhibiting mechanical fastening properties at least on a part of the outer side of the stiffening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Patent number: 8734417
    Abstract: A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Richard Worthington Lodge, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 8728050
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an absorbent article with a barrier sheet preventing body waste from coming in contact with a wearer's skin and thereby to alleviate skin trouble such as eczema the wearer might suffer from. The article includes an absorbent chassis, a barrier sheet and a leak-barrier cuffs. An absorbent panel is disposed on the inner surface of the chassis, the barrier sheet is disposed above the absorbent panel and the leak-barrier cuffs are disposed along a lateral side of the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet has lateral zones a middle zone connecting the lateral zones, and front and rear through-holes defined by the lateral zones and the middle zone. Barrier sheet elastic members are provided along the lateral zones. Folds are formed so as to cross the middle zone in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Reiko Nitta, Kaiyo Nakajima, Hironao Minato
  • Publication number: 20140128830
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Steven Veith, Paul T. VanGompel
  • Patent number: 8715261
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. The absorbent structure has end portions and a middle portion located between the end portions. The absorbent structure has at least one line of weakness disposed in one of the end portions and configured to facilitate folding of the absorbent structure in a longitudinal direction in response to a lateral compressive force. The absorbent structure has a relief for inhibiting the longitudinal folding of the absorbent structure facilitated by the at least one line of weakness from extending beyond the middle portion of the absorbent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 8715260
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion located between the front portion and the rear portion. The article includes an absorption member having an upper side intended to face a wearer during use of the article and a lower side intended to face away from the wearer during use of the article, and a stiffening element that, at least during use of the article, provides the article with a predetermined shape that enhances the fit of the article to the wearer's body. The stiffening element is secured to the upper side of the absorption member such that an outer side of the stiffening element faces away from the absorption member. The stiffening element includes a material exhibiting mechanical fastening properties on its outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Patent number: 8679848
    Abstract: A collection device for use in connection with off-device testing of collected samples. The device includes a first panel having one or more apertures for receiving samples, a second panel opposite the first panel, and a removable tab having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is aligned with at least one of apertures on the first panel and constructed such that depositing the sample through the at least one aperture causes the sample to be directly deposited on the first portion of the tab, and the second portion includes a sample-free grasping area accessible from an exterior of the device for removing the tab. A method of obtaining a sample is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Immunostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent P. LaStella
  • Patent number: 8672914
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis which includes a front region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a back region having two opposing longitudinal edges; a crotch region having two longitudinal edges wherein said crotch region is disposed between said front and back regions; and at least two side panels extending outwardly from the two opposing longitudinal edges of one or both of the front or back regions and interconnecting said front and the back regions to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings; wherein the article exhibits a pre-application side panel length, Li, and a post-application side panel length, Lf, such that Li is less than Lf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Eric Patton Weinberger, Daniel Clark Buchner
  • Patent number: 8652116
    Abstract: A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may include at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Mark James Kline, Bruce William Lavash
  • Publication number: 20140039442
    Abstract: A folded disposable absorbent garment has an absorbent chassis, a pair of front side panels extending from a front region of the absorbent chassis, and a pair of back side panels extending from a back region of the absorbent chassis. Each of the front side panels has a first fastening component and each of the back side panels has a second fastening component. Each of the second fastening components is releasably attached to a respective one of the first fastening components to define a pair of refastenable seams. The front side panels and the back side panels are folded such that each of the refastenable seams overlies an outer surface of one of the front region and the back region of the absorbent chassis in a plane generally parallel to the front and back regions of the absorbent chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Bennett
  • Patent number: 8632733
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a device and a kit for collecting body fluids. The device includes a body fluid collection portion comprising a body fluid absorbing material. The body fluid connecting portion has a free edge and is hingedly connected at the edge opposite to the free edge to a first support panel and a second support panel. A base panel is hingedly connected to the first support panel or the second support panel. In a first folded condition the body fluid collection portion is sandwiched between the first support panel and the second support panel in a substantially face contacting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Labor Diagnostika Nord GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Manz, Matthias Kuper
  • Patent number: 8591488
    Abstract: Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Butterfly Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Blasius Brezoczky, Karl Patrick Ronn, Kelly Lewis Brezoczky, Elizabeth Hodge Ronn, Steven B. Gold
  • Patent number: 8558054
    Abstract: An absorbent body material article includes an absorbent article main unit, an absorbent body material included in the absorbent article main unit and including absorbent fibers and a super absorbent resin, and interspersed sections in the absorbent body material and having a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction. A densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers in each of the interspersed sections is less dense than a densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers around each of the interspersed sections. An occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin in the interspersed sections is greater than an occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin around the interspersed sections. At least one of the interspersed sections overlaps a fold line and the longitudinal direction of the at least one of the interspersed sections is aligned with the fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda, Kumiko Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8551063
    Abstract: The backsheet of an absorbent body is used as a wrapper. The backsheet includes a fastening device intended for use in an undergarment. The absorbent article is folded into a packet in such a way that the fastening device on the backsheet becomes hidden within the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Chatrine Stridfeldt, Magnus Melander
  • Publication number: 20130211356
    Abstract: In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Publication number: 20130211357
    Abstract: In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130197459
    Abstract: Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: BUTTERFLY HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Butterfly Health, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8496636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for unfolding and dispensing diapers. The system includes a dispenser and a folded diaper that is within the dispenser. 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. 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. The system may make it easier for care givers to perform multiple diaper changes per day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan K. Rice, Walter C. Reade, Daniel L. Ellingson, Rhonda K. Joch, Brenda M. Nelson, Denise J. Nelson, Jaime M. Vitense, Timothy P. Clare, Connie J. Warshall, John P. Vukos
  • Patent number: 8496637
    Abstract: A tri-folded disposable absorbent article comprising a substantially cellulose free absorbent core located in a chassis between a topsheet and a backsheet and comprising absorbent particulate polymer material. An array of absorbent article packages comprising disposable absorbent articles comprising a substantially cellulose free absorbent core is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Harald Hermann Hundorf, Holger Beruda, Horst Blessing, Peter Dziezok, Axel Krause, Mattias Schmidt, Lutz Stelzig, Martin Werner Frank
  • Patent number: 8491553
    Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article 1 comprising an absorbent article 2 and a wrapping sheet 3, said absorbent article having a shape being relatively long in a longitudinal direction having a liquid-pervious top-sheet, a liquid-impervious back-sheet and a liquid-retentive absorbent core, on one hand, and said wrapping sheet 3 having a shape being also relatively long in the longitudinal direction arranged to cover the back-sheet of the absorbent article 2, on the other hand, so as to be folded back in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 2 by a predetermined fold length dimension L1, respectively, with the top-sheet inside. The wrapping sheet 3 is provided with a first display region 33 having a predetermined length dimension L3 as measured from one end of the wrapping sheet 3 in the longitudinal direction and the length dimension L3 of the first display region 33 is set to be smaller than the fold length dimension L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nomoto, Masashi Uda, Hideaki Morita
  • Publication number: 20130165896
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent product extends along a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The product has a topsheet, and a backsheet overlaying the topsheet, with the topsheet and backsheet jointly defining first and second side edges of the product on respective sides of the longitudinal axis. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet for storing fluid secreted by the wearer of the product. The absorbent core has first and second lateral edges respectively inboard of the first and second side edges of the product so as to define respective first and second lateral portions of the product that are free of the absorbent core. The product also has a plurality of folds parallel to the transverse axis, and a plurality of bonds in at least one of the first or second lateral portions that secure the plurality of folds in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Raquel CARBONARI
  • Patent number: 8460260
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article assembly including a tri-folded absorbent article having two end portions and an intermediate portion, and a pouch containing the tri-folded absorbent article, the pouch being structured and arranged to enable a user to selectively open the pouch to thereby expose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the absorbent article prior to exposing a garment-facing surface of either of the end portions of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Y. Fung, Paul J. Serbiak
  • Publication number: 20130102988
    Abstract: An outer covering sheet (4) of a pants-type disposable diaper (1) has a front part and a back part (403) to be positioned on a front side and a back side of a wearer, and a middle part lying between the both. An absorbent body (20) is attached on the outer covering sheet (4), to absorb excrement from the wearer. In the absorbent body (20), both end portions positioned in the front part and the back part (403) are folded toward the inner surface (40) of the outer covering sheet (4) to be bonded on the inner surface (40). It is therefore possible to prevent skin of the wearer from being irritated by edges (241) of the both end portions of the absorbent body (20) when the disposable diaper (1) is worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Yuki Takahashi, Emi Amano
  • Publication number: 20130060222
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of absorbent cores, and embossing at least one fold line into each core, each fold line defining a fold region. The process further includes folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments, and placing the plurality of folded absorbent garments into a container. In particular embodiments, each core can include two transversely opposed absorbent ears. The process can include folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to move each ear closer to a longitudinal centerline of the core to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments. A package of folded absorbent articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Gerstle, Russell P. George, David J. Krysiak, Katie A. Boland, Adrienne R. Loyd, Ruth A. McVettie, Steven J. Shimon, Brian L. Alberts
  • Patent number: 8388587
    Abstract: A disposable urine collection pouch made from diaper-like material formed in the shape of an elongated tube having an open top end and a closed bottom end. The open top end includes a funnel that leads from the opening down into the elongated tube. The elongated tube includes a superabsorbent layer to lock in and retain moisture introduced into the pouch. The funnel is made from a resilient material that flexes between a default closed position and an open position upon the exertion of sufficient and appropriate pressure by a user. After use, the pouch may be folded and disposed of in a plastic bag or otherwise deposited in a trash receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Gerard Gmuer, Toni Gmuer, Amy Koval
  • Patent number: 8366696
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprises an absorbent interposed between a liquid-permeable surface sheet and a back sheet. The absorbent is constituted of a set of left and right absorbent elements arranged substantially along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The absorbent element of one side is formed as a dogleg to the right in a top plan view whereas the absorbent element of the other side is formed as a dogleg to the left in a top plan view, so that the absorbent elements have an intersecting portion intersecting in at least the region containing the portion corresponding to the blood discharge opening of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: DAIO Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Satoko Konawa