Foldable Patents (Class 604/385.201)
  • Patent number: 6613175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying a hot melt adhesive to an absorbent article, such that the article has low autoadhesion, yet maintains excellent attachment properties during use in a consumer's undergarments. This is achieved by selecting the rheological properties of the adhesive and the mechanical properties of the substrate being coated. The adhesive is directly applied to a backsheet layer outer surface, wherein the adhesive has a viscosity of less than about 10,000 centipoise at a temperature of about 130 to about 177 degrees Celsius. The backsheet layer has a tensile strength of at least 5 Newtons per 25 millimeter width of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Moscherosch, Joseph Michael Luizzi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6596113
    Abstract: A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Gene Csida, Lloyd Carl Hietpas, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic, Brian Robert Vogt
  • Publication number: 20030114823
    Abstract: A combination for managing the involuntary loss of bladder control is disclosed along with a method of using and manufacturing the combination. The combination includes an anti-incontinent agent capable of reducing urinary loss and an absorbent article capable of absorbing urine that is lost from the body. The anti-incontinent agent is enclosed in a first wrapper and the absorbent article is positioned adjacent to the wrapped anti-incontinent agent. A pouch encloses the wrapped anti-incontinent agent and the absorbent article to keep both items sanitary. A combination of a disposable absorbent article and information related to an anti-incontinent agent is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Cornelis Jacobus Bosselaar, John Anthony Rooyakkers, Jeremy Thaddeus Gauger
  • Patent number: 6558472
    Abstract: A cleaning device for the anus including a cylindrical portion comprised of a flexible material. The cylindrical portion has an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The closed lower end is concave defining a central alignment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Tung
  • Publication number: 20030083637
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin adapted to be worn in a thong undergarment, the sanitary napkin having a central absorbent pad including a liquid pervious cover layer, a liquid impervious barrier layer and an absorbent core between the cover layer and barrier layer and a pair of flaps extending laterally outward from each longitudinal side edge including a first flap being substantially adjacent the lateral centerline, the first flap being adapted to fold over a crotch portion of the thong undergarment in use along a first preferential bending axis and to contact the garment faceable surface of the thong undergarment, and a second flap being intermediate the first flap and the first distal end, the second flap being adapted to fold over the posterior portion of the thong undergarment in use along a second preferential bending axis and to contact the garment faceable surface of the thong undergarment The first flap is separated from the second flap by a flange portion, the flange portion having a lateral dimension that is i
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Kristy M. Killeen, Pramod S. Mavinkurve, Melinda G. Cettina, Antonio Carlos Ribeiro Carvalho, Marcia Helena Teixeira Fajolli, Flavia Guimaraes Guaragna
  • Patent number: 6547772
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin with a pair of wings includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, the wings including a portion of the backsheet extending bilaterally of the napkin and a breathable sheet material bonded to the portion by means of bonding lines extending in a transversely direction of the napkin and arranged intermittently in a longitudinal direction of the napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Suekane, Tatsuya Tamura, Kazuya Nishitani
  • Publication number: 20030069556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an individually folded and wrapped product, comprising and absorbent article and an enveloping sheet. The absorbent article is provided with side flaps and adhesive regions that aid in fixing it to a wearer's panties, keeping it in the correct position and avoiding the occurrence of leakage. The enveloping sheet totally encloses the absorbent article when the absorbent article is transversely folded over itself with the flaps in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Rogerio Costa
  • Publication number: 20030065302
    Abstract: An individual package of an absorbent article permits a base end of a tape to be bonded with sufficiently large bonding strength without complicating packaging process and increasing manufacturing cost. The absorbent article is wrapped by a package sheet having side edge portions and end edges, and one end edge is overlapped over the other end edge. The package sheet is sealed along the side edge portions, a base end of a tape is fixed on the surface of the package sheet located outside in an overlapping portion, and a free end of the tape extends across one end edge and is releasably adhered on the outer surface of the package sheet adjacent one end edge. The package sheet has a surface, on which the base end of the tape is fixed, the surface being smoothed by a smoothing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kuroda, Wataru Yoshimasa, Satoshi Nozaki, Masahiro Kashiwagi, Noritatsu Tamagawa
  • Publication number: 20030014032
    Abstract: A napkin package is difficult to form permanent folding, twisting or corrugation in a leakage preventing wall as folded and wrapped by a packaging sheet, to ensure raising of the leakage preventing wall from a surface of a sanitary napkin after opening the package for achieving satisfactory side leakage preventing effect. A sanitary napkin has longitudinally extending leakage preventing walls on both sides of a liquid absorbing portion. A reinforcement sheet is provided on a surface side of a folded sanitary napkin with covering a portion of the folding line, the reinforcement sheet is bent at a position corresponding to the folding line without forming crease, and portions of the leakage preventing walls located corresponding to the portion across which the folding line extends, are urged onto an outer surface of the bent portion of the reinforcement sheet by the elastic tension force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Kashiwagi, Tatsuya Tamura, Shinnpei Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20020183709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for producing hygiene products, in particular multi-layered sanitary towels each having an absorbent-material core and cover layers on both sides, the hygiene products first of all being produced just as initial products and then being provided with adhesive with the aid of a sheet material having at least one silicone separating layer, whereupon the hygiene products are packed individually with the aid of the same sheet material and/or are first of all folded, interconnected by virtue of the sheet material being stamped, and packed individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Klaus Munsch
  • Publication number: 20020173763
    Abstract: A disposable liquid-absorbent pad includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these two sheets. The pad is folded inwardly in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges with the topsheet inside in a rear region, and folded outwardly in a transverse direction along folding lines extending in a longitudinal direction and joined together along the folding lines so that in the rear region of the pad defines an excretion receiving space extending up- and rearward to a rear end defining an apex and a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the respective folding lines to the side edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Tomoko Tsuji, Takako Uosawa
  • Publication number: 20020156448
    Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a sanitary napkin, having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, a length, a width, and two longitudinal side margins. The sanitary napkin comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and said backsheet. A pair of flaps are provided, each flap extending from a longitudinal side margin and each of the flaps are folded over the topsheet in a topsheet facing relationship. Means for maintaining the flaps in the topsheet facing relationship have a wipe article associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment the means for maintaining the flaps in the topsheet facing relationship comprises a release strip and the wipe article comprises a wet wipe. In a further embodiment, the absorbent article is an individually packaged sanitary napkin having a releasable wrapper affixed to the backsheet adhesive, and provided in a tri-folded package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Christine Gail Steger, Dennis Allen Darby
  • Patent number: 6451429
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process of making N-isopropyl acrylamide (NiPAm) polymers based upon the reaction of poly(acrylic acid) and N-isopropylamine. The disclosed method of the present invention uses polyacrylic acid as a starting material to synthesize NiPAm polymers. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a condensation reaction of an intermediate salt to form homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NiPAm) with acrylic acid and/or alkyl acrylates in a molten state, which is adaptable to a continuous reactive extrusion process. Binder compositions, water-dispersible products and thermoformable articles containing the NiPAm polymers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavneet Singh Mumick, Yihua Chang, James Hongxue Wang
  • Publication number: 20020128625
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquidpermeable top layer, a liquidimpermeable back layer, and a liquidretentive absorbent member interposed between the top layer and the back layer, wherein the absorbent member is arranged such that a pair of absorbent barrier cuffs having a prescribed width are each formed at left and right opposing side portions of the top layer in the widthwise direction thereof and liquidshrinkable members, which can elastically shrink upon absorption of liquid, are disposed within said barrier cuffs and extend in the longitudinal direction of said barrier cuffs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: MASAHITO TANAKA, MAYUMI KIMURA, HIRONORI KAWASAKI, MITSUGU HAMAJIMA, MINORU NAKANISHI, JINKO NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20020128622
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a central absorbent pad a flap extending laterally outward from each longitudinal side edge and two preferential bending axes, each axis being inward from and adjacent to a respective longitudinal side edge and extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal centerline, the axes converging towards the longitudinal centerline in a distal end of the central absorbent pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Antonio Carlos Ribeiro Carvalho, Marcia Helena Teixeira Fajolli, Flavia Guimaraes Guaragna
  • Patent number: 6432243
    Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction or a machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams is a dual side seam that includes a front lap seam and a back lap seam. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment on either a left side or a right side of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson, David Arthur Kuen, Shawn A. Quereshi
  • Patent number: 6409715
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a liquid-permeable topsheet, which is provided at a desired location of upper and lower surfaces with a stretchable region adapted to be stretchable up- and downward with respect to the upper and lower surface, the region being formed by a plurality of pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanji
  • Publication number: 20020077618
    Abstract: There is provided a pantiliner which has a periphery and at least one fold line. The fold line allows the pantiliner to be adjusted in size by folding the pantiliner along the fold line(s). The product is thus convertible and may be used with conventional “hourglass” shaped panties or folded along the fold lines to fit thong panties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Horacio Jorge Molas
  • Patent number: 6394989
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as sanitary napkin having an absorbent laminate is provided on a skin-noncontactable side of the laminate with deformation inducing means. The deformation inducing means include a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member adapted to pull the panel member toward its middle under contractile force of the elastically stretchable member and thereby to convexly deform the panel member toward a skin-contactable side of the laminate. Convex deformation of the panel member by the deformation inducing means allows the laminate to be convexly deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6391011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having flaps folded over the topsheet. This arrangement helps to maintain the topsheet in a sanitary condition and is more convenient for the wearer than a configuration having the flaps folded over the backsheet. The flaps may be maintained in this folded arrangement by a unitary release strip which bridges the flaps and covers any adhesive used to attach the flaps to the undergarment. If desired, the release paper may further wrap the longitudinal side margins of the sanitary napkin to additionally cover adhesive disposed on the central portion of the backsheet. If desired, the flaps may be folded over the topsheet, overlap each other and be adhesively joined to the other flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Jean Davis, Thomas Ward Osborn, III
  • Publication number: 20020058921
    Abstract: Absorbent articles and methods for use. The articles are used in the vestibule of a female wearer, and comprise a baffle, an absorbent, a retainer flap extending over the baffle, and optionally a liquid permeable cover. The absorbent article and retainer flap have first and second perimeters. A first portion of the second outer perimeter is positioned and attached proximate the first outer perimeter. The second portion of the second outer perimeter extends across an outer surface of the baffle. The first and second portions of the second perimeter can be sectioned. For disposal, the absorbent article is folded with first and second portions of the edge of the absorbent article in facing relationship. The retainer flap is folded over the edge portions to open the first cavity and define a second cavity receiving the facing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Clement Sigl
  • Patent number: 6375645
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article having a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps with fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners thereon, is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps joined to the main body portion apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the first and second flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastener respectively. The first and second flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners. A wrapper for the absorbed article comprises a main wrapper sheet, a first flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover. The main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing the main body portion and an outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Naofumi Nishida, Maki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6350258
    Abstract: A sanitary pad including a wide portion, a narrow portion connected to the wide portion, defining two lateral notches dividing between the wide portion and the narrow portion. At least two fold lines are preformed on the narrow portion and inwardly emanate from the two lateral notches and curve downwardly away from the wide portion toward the longitudinal median of the narrow portion. In a preferable embodiment the at least two fold lines include a lower pair of fold lines preformed on the lower surface of the narrow portion and an upper pair of fold lines preformed on the upper surface of the narrow portion. The pad may also feature a traverse fold line preformed across the wide portion between the notches. In another preferable embodiment the upper part of the sides of the narrow portion overlap under the lower part of the sides of the wide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Nora Markowiecki
  • Patent number: 6328724
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part and also an absorbent body enclosed between the outer liquid-impermeable casing sheet and an inner liquid-permeable casing sheet, and longitudinal flaps located on respective sides of the longitudinal symmetry axis of the article and that extend transversely in towards the axis, and further including longitudinal elastic elements which extend along those edges of the flaps that face toward the longitudinal symmetry axis. The absorbent body is divided into a central part and two side parts at least in the crotch part by folding indications which are located on respective sides of the longitudinal symmetry axis in front and rear sections and which diverge relative to one another up to the side edges of the absorbent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Molnlycke AB
    Inventors: Peter Ronnberg, Eva Fransson, Anders Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6210385
    Abstract: A absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin includes an absorbent means and deformation inducing means underlying the absorbent means, and is provided in a direction of its longitudinal center line with deformation guiding means serving for the absorbent means and the deformation inducing means, and thereby improves fitting to a wearer's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani