Leg Opening Patents (Class 604/385.25)
  • Patent number: 7410479
    Abstract: An absorbent article body part includes a liquid permeable surface side sheet, a liquid impermeable back face side sheet, and an absorbent body, positioned between the sheets, and having flap parts, extending outward to the respective sides of the absorbent body, and is formed by layering an outer layer sheet onto the back face side of the main absorbent article body part. At the outer layer sheet, first and second leg part elastic bodies are positioned with sides at one end being set along leg parts from parts of a dorsal waist part at one side and the other side, intermediate parts crossing a crotch part obliquely, and the sides at the other end being set along the leg parts at parts of a ventral waist part at the other side and the one side. Third leg part elastic bodies are positioned along the longitudinal direction at the flap parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hakujuji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Fumiko Aoki
  • Publication number: 20080188822
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems. In an embodiment, a disposable wearable absorbent article includes an absorbent core, an outer cover, and an anchoring system configured to anchor the absorbent core to a wearer, wherein at least part of the anchoring system is structurally associated with the outer cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Worthington Lodge, Fred Naval Desai, Donald Carroll Roe, Frederick Michael Langdon, Luke Robinson Magee
  • Publication number: 20080161767
    Abstract: A pant shaped garment having a rear portion, a front portion, and a crotch portion, a waist opening with a waist edge and two leg openings bordered by a leg edge having a front part located generally on the front portion and a rear part located generally on the rear portion and on the crotch portion. Front and rear portions are mutually connected in two side joins which run from the waist opening to each leg opening. An elongated elastic element is pre-stretched along the rear part of the leg edge of each leg opening. The front portion comprises an elastically extensible material and the elongated elastic element constricts the rear part of the leg edge, thereby stretching the elastic material along the front part of the leg edge. The side joins exhibit a curvature in a direction towards the rear portion that increases in a direction from the waist opening towards the leg opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Cecile Sandin, Katarina Eriksson, Sofia Hermansson, Catarina Linner
  • Publication number: 20080147036
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The absorbent articles include a thermoplastic elastomer joined to or disposed in a stretch zone on at least one component or region of the absorbent article to impart an elastic resistance that provides sizing or shaping capabilities to the article. The absorbent article can be in the form of diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, wipes, bibs, incontinence briefs or inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Fred Naval Desai
  • Publication number: 20080140042
    Abstract: The absorbent article includes a chassis, a crotch region, an absorbent body, and an elastic member arranged along a side edge in width direction of the crotch region. The oblong absorbent body arranged in the crotch region includes a first narrow width section, a second narrow width section, a center low rigidity section formed along a center line that halves the absorbent article in the width direction and a pair of lateral low rigidity sections provided at both sides of the center low rigidity section in the width direction with a substantially equal interval. Skin contacting face-side sheets and non-skin contacting face-side sheets 6 and 10 are arranged in the crotch region. The initial tensile strength of the skin contacting face-side sheets is lower than that of the non-skin contacting face-side sheets or that of the chassis 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotomo Mukai, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Tomoko Tsuji, Norihiko Ishikawa, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7381203
    Abstract: A disposable diaper (1) comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (2), a liquid impermeable backsheet (3), and liquid retentive absorbent members (41), (42), and (43) interposed between the two sheets, wherein the absorbent members (41) (42), and (43) are disposed in series in the direction of from the rear portion (B), through the crotch portion (A), to the front portion (C), an elastic member is disposed in its stretched state on both sides of the series of the absorbent members, and the absorbent members (41), (42), and (43) are arranged such that a gap is produced between any adjacent two of them when the diaper is stretched flat and that any adjacent two of the absorbent members come into close contact when the diaper is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Kasai
  • Publication number: 20080114326
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a disposable absorbent article configured to be placed on the body of a wearer to mimic swaddling characteristics. The disposable absorbent article may include a chassis having a tuck flap and two ears or side panels. The two ears extend in opposing lateral directions from a first waist region, and the tuck flap extends in a longitudinal direction from a second waist region. Other chassis embodiments may include two additional ears extending in opposing lateral directions from the second waist region. The chassis is adapted to fit a wearer by wrapping the two ears around a wearer's waist, passing the second waist region between a wearer's legs, and folding and/or tucking the tuck flap over the ears. Embodiments of the chassis may be constructed with manually formed or pre-formed tuck flaps that may also be stretchable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Carl Louis Bergman, Kimberly Ann Dreier, Constance Lee Fisher, Barry Robert Feist, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 7364572
    Abstract: A pant shaped garment having a rear portion, a front portion, and a crotch portion, a waist opening with a waist edge and two leg openings bordered by a leg edge having a front part located generally on the front portion and a rear part located generally on the rear portion and on the crotch portion. Front and rear portions are mutually connected in two side joins which run from the waist opening to each leg opening. An elongated elastic element is pre-stretched along the rear part of the leg edge of each leg opening. The front portion comprises an elastically extensible material and the elongated elastic element constricts the rear part of the leg edge, thereby stretching the elastic material along the front part of the leg edge. The side joins exhibit a curvature in a direction towards the rear portion that increases in a direction from the waist opening towards the leg opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Cecile Sandin, Katarina Eriksson, Sofia Hermansson, Catarina Linner
  • Patent number: 7344524
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The absorbent article has first, second and third pairs of leg elastics secured between an outer cover and an inner liner. The first, second and third leg elastics are arranged around each of the pair of leg openings with each of the third pair of leg elastics being positioned intermediate one of each of the first and second pairs of leg elastics. Each of the third pair of leg elastics is also separated from one of the first pair of leg elastics by a first gap and from one of the second pair of leg elastics by a second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Richard Cazzato, Paul Joseph Datta, Jacqueline Ann Gross, Michael Barth Venturino, Steven Lambert Weyenberg, Michael Scott Brunner
  • Publication number: 20080051747
    Abstract: Manufacturers of disposable absorbent articles may produce a wide range of sizes of articles. The design of these articles has generally remained the same as the product increases in size to fit larger and larger users. Generally speaking, the proportions of the articles remain the same in smaller and larger sizes. For example, the longitudinal length of the absorbent core as a percentage of the total longitudinal length of the article may be approximately the same for small, medium, and large sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Jason C. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7329245
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent, a waist opening and right and left leg openings which are formed when the diaper is in use, and many stretchable members which are provided along the peripheral direction of the diaper at least in a girth area having a lengthwise range extending from said waist opening's edge to said leg openings' start ends and which are spaced at intervals in the lengthwise direction of the diaper. In at least a front body, said stretchable members are provided discontinuously in part of or in the whole of a lengthwise range where said absorbent is located, in an area extending from a joint on one side to a joint on the other side of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Daio Paper Corporation, Daio Paper Converting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Torigoshi, Sadanao Manabe, Yosuke Mori
  • Patent number: 7329244
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper has a body fluid absorbing component folded inward in a transverse direction of the diaper so that a width of the body fluid absorbing component may be reduced in a crotch covering region. In vicinities of leg-holes, elastic members intersect transversely opposite side edges of the body fluid absorbing component above points X, Y at which the side edges of the body fluid absorbing component intersect folding guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Nariaki Shimoe
  • Patent number: 7318820
    Abstract: A simple disposable absorbent article including an absorbent assembly attached to a chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to an interior surface of the absorbent assembly adjacent to its end edges. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form breathable side barriers. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern such that portions of the chassis that lie outside the attachment pattern are not restrained by attachment to the absorbent assembly and therefore remain extensible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Pankaj Nigam
  • Patent number: 7316675
    Abstract: A disposable pants-type wearing article includes an inner sheet, an outer sheet and an intermediate sheet having two or more plastic film strips sandwiched between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. The film strips are overlapped one another to define an overlapped region dimensioned to be 10 to 100 mm in a longitudinal direction of the wearing article and extend in a transverse direction to the vicinity of leg-surrounding elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Soga, Satoru Tange, Yuko Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7316674
    Abstract: An incontinence article having a bumper is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article having a bumper positioned along a top edge thereof. The bumper prevents waste from leaking out of the article. The bumper could optionally be used in conjunction with a front guard and/or a back guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Stacey A. Infantino, Tara J. Valentin
  • Patent number: 7314967
    Abstract: Moisture responsive members are disposed outboard of the absorbent core within disposable absorbent articles. The moisture responsive members expand in response to moisture from the wearer of the absorbent article thereby creating a seal between the moisture responsive member and the wearer of the absorbent article. The moisture responsive members can be disposed along the longitudinal sides of the disposable absorbent article or along the waist edges, both front and rear, of the disposable absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Donald Louis Zgoda
  • Patent number: 7309332
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a wearing article made of an elastically stretchable chassis defining a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region. This sheet is composed of a first elastic segment extending, substantially in parallel to peripheral portions destined to form leg-holes, from a transversely middle zone of the crotch region to lateral portions of the front and rear waist regions, and a second elastic segment defined by the remaining portion except for the first elastic segment wherein the first elastic segment has a stretch stress higher than that of the second elastic segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugito, Yoshitaka Mishima, Kaiyo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7300427
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes connector sheet strips used to connect front and rear waist regions of the article which respectively includes proximal sections and flap-like sections. The proximal sections are fixed to the rear waist region on its inner surface along zones immediately adjacent to transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region and the flap-like sections extend from the respective zones to the inside of the article in a circumferential direction. The flap-like sections are formed with folding guide means facilitating the flap-like sections to be folded so that these flap-like sections may extend from the inside toward the outside of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugito, Yoshio Ono
  • Patent number: 7294121
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a pad being relatively large in its longitudinal direction and comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these top- and backsheets and an cover sheet lying outside the backsheet and extending from an intermediate region to a rear region of the pad. The cover sheet has fixed side edge portions fixed to transversely opposite side edges of the pad, a fixed end portion fixed to a rear end portion of the pad and a free portion extending between the fixed side edge portions and the fixed end portion and let free from the pad so that a pocket opening from the side of the front region toward the side of the rear region is defined between the backsheet and the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hikari Kawata, Masashi Nakashita, Kaori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7291138
    Abstract: A rear elastic area formed by a rear waist region with rear waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the rear waist region. A front elastic area formed by a front waist region with front waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the front waist region. The rear waist region and the front waist region are capable of stretching or contracting in unison. A greater number of rear waist elastic members than front waist elastic members are provided. The rear elastic area is broader than the front elastic area with respect to the longitudinal direction of the diaper body. The body-hugging capability of the diaper body at the rear waist side of the wearer is increased so that the diaper body is prevented from slipping down. This configuration reduces constructive feeling by ensuring that the diaper body is not excessively tight at the front waist side of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hakujuji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Fumiko Aoki, Terumasa Kondo
  • Publication number: 20070239129
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on type diaper has a separator interposed between an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and the wearer's skin so as to protect the diaper wearer's skin from being soiled with feces. The separator is formed by a piece of sheet extending from a bottom of a crotch region of the diaper toward a front waist region and a rear waist region and fixed to lateral edges of the crotch region. The piece of sheet has a front end and a rear end both extending in a transverse direction of the crotch region. These front end and rear end are free along middle segments thereof as viewed in the transverse direction of the crotch region from an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and inseparably integrated with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20070239128
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region. The crotch region is divided by a front folding guide and a rear folding guide extending in parallel to each other in a transverse direction of the diaper into a front section, a rear section and an intermediate section. The crotch region is provided on the side of its inner surface with a pair of contracting means extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction and spaced from each other. Front portions of the respective contracting means are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions anterior to a line bisecting a longitudinal dimension of the intermediate section while rear portions of the respective contracting means are fixed to the inner surface of the diaper in positions posterior to the intermediate section so that intermediate portions of the respective contracting means may be spaced from the inner surface of the diaper and elastically contractible in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoko TAKADA, Hironao MINATO, Yuko MATSUDA, Yoshitaka MISHIMA
  • Patent number: 7255688
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable wearing article has a first waist region and a second waist region. The first waist region is elastically stretch- and contractible in the transverse direction. The second waist region is formed with a pair of finger-grip zones which are non-stretchable in the transverse direction and an elastically stretch- and contractible middle zone. The finger-grip zones respectively have a dimension in a range of 10 to 100 mm as measured in the transverse direction and extend from a peripheral edge of the waist-hole to peripheral edges of the respective leg-holes, along a pair of bonded zones where transversely opposite side edges of the waist regions are bonded together. The middle zone extends between the finger-grip zones is elastically stretch- and contractible in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Sasaki, Yoshio Ono, Satoru Sakaguchi, Tomoko Sugito
  • Patent number: 7226438
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a backsheet which is composed of inner and outer sheets and a light transmission in a region of the backsheet in which the inner and outer sheets are placed upon each other is in a range of 20 to 50%. First and second elastic members constituting leg elastic members are colored in substantially the same white or milky white as that of the inner and outer sheets and respective intermediate segments of these elastic members are sandwiched between a liquid-absorbent layer and the inner sheet. The inner and outer sheets conceal the respective intermediate segments of these elastic members so that the respective intermediate segments of the elastic members are not highly visible and the article is protected from any deterioration of its appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Soga, Satoru Tange, Yuko Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7195621
    Abstract: A disposable garment includes a nonwoven backsheet formed by melt-blowing. The melt-blown nonwoven web has a basis weight of from about 3 g/m2 to about 60 g/m2 and an air permeability value of at least about 15 cm3/cm2/sec. The melt-blowing web is made by fine fibers having an average fiber diameter of from about 3 ?m to about 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ohnishi, Hiroyuki Ohgata
  • Patent number: 7179248
    Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The topsheet and backsheet define a periphery and longitudinal edges, portions of the longitudinal edges define leg openings when the diaper is worn. The diaper has a discrete edge seal folded about and joined to the longitudinal edges at least at the portions defining leg openings when the diaper is worn. An apparatus for affixing a discrete edge seal onto a portion of a longitudinal edge of a continuous web and methods for affixing a discrete edge seal onto a predetermined portion of a longitudinal edge of a continuous web are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Christoph Johann Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7160282
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent base panel interposed between these two sheets, a pair of side flaps lying outside transversely opposite side edges of the base panel so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, a pair of leak-barrier cuffs attached to the respective side flaps, elastic members secured to distal side edge portions of the cuffs. The article further includes a pair of liquid-absorbent side panels attached to opposed surfaces of the leak-barrier cuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 7156828
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides means for extending a chafing barrier through a leg opening down the upper inner thigh of the wearer of an absorbent device. The chafing barrier comprises a layer of soft padded material, such as foam plastic, wadding, elastic gel, or a similar material. In one embodiment of the present invention, the chafing barrier is attached to a disposable pad. In another embodiment of the present invention, the chafing barrier is attached to the inside of an undergarment that surrounds or is integrated with an absorbent device. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the chafing barrier further comprises a top surface of absorbent material having a dermatological agent disposed thereon. Optionally, the dermatological agent comprises a moisturizing lotion, a drying agent, an antibiotic, a fungicide, or a topical steroid to aid in healing and/or soothing chafed skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Carol Ostrow
  • Patent number: 7156831
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on undergarment includes a pair of leg-openings provided with elastic members. Each of the elastic members extends along a peripheral edge of the leg-openings and is spaced outward from each of transversely opposite side edges of the core by a distance which is larger in any one of the front and rear waist regions than the other of them as measured in a substantially middle zone of a crotch region. Along a folding line Y extending in the transverse direction to divide the undergarment in upper and lower halves, the undergarment is folded toward any one of the front and rear waist regions in which the distance is relatively large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7150729
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article wherein: a body fluid absorbent assembly of a disposable pull-on wearing article is formed in a crotch region with a pair of inwardly folded portions on both sides of a longitudinal center line. The body fluid absorbent assembly comprises an hourglass-shaped core and a cover sheet used to cover this core. The core is formed its both side edges with notches and respective regions of the cover sheet lying in these notches are provided with a pair of crotch region elastic members extending in a back-and-forth direction and intersecting folding guide lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Naoko Takada
  • Patent number: 7150731
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The absorbent article has first, second and third pairs of leg elastics secured between an outer cover and an inner liner. The first, second and third leg elastics are arranged around each of the pair of leg openings with each of the third pair of leg elastics being positioned intermediate one of each of the first and second pairs of leg elastics. Each of the third pair of leg elastics is also separated from one of the first pair of leg elastics by a first gap and from one of the second pair of leg elastics by a second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Richard Cazzato, Paul Joseph Datta, Jacqueline Ann Gross, Michael Barth Venturino, Steven Lambert Weyenberg, Michael Scott Brunner
  • Patent number: 7128733
    Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventors: Tara J. Valentin, Stacey A. Infantino
  • Patent number: 7122024
    Abstract: An open-type disposable wearing article composed of a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region. These regions are all elastically stretchable. The article includes first and second stretchable zones respectively bifurcated at a transverse middle of the crotch region so as to extend to lateral zones of the front and rear waist regions, respectively, and third stretchable zones defined by zones other than the first and second stretchable zones. The first and second stretchable zones exhibit a stretch stress higher than a stretch stress of the third stretchable zones. Loop members are provided to the second stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the rear waist region and hook members are provided to the first stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the front waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Yoshitaka Mishima, Tomoko Sugito
  • Patent number: 7112193
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a backsheet comprising an elastic inner layer and an inelastic outer layer. The elastic inner layer, in a transversely stretched state, is joined to the inelastic outer layer at a plurality of intermittently disposed spots. The spots are lined up to form a series of imaginary lines disposed on a bias between the longitudinal and transverse directions of the disposable diaper. In each of areas between the spots, defined by a plurality of intersecting imaginary lines that pass through a plurality of the spots that are closely arranged in succession, the inelastic outer layer is free to separate from the elastic inner layer upon contraction (relaxation) of the elastic inner layer, and thereupon the outer layer forms a plurality of longitudinal pleats. The pleats, formed by relaxing the transversely stretched inner layer, are disposed in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7094227
    Abstract: The present invention has a configuration such that a plurality of leg portion elastic members are arranged around the respective leg openings of a disposable diaper so that the respective leg portion elastic members are not connected or cross each other in a crotch portion, the minimum width of an absorbent article body at the crotch portion is within the range of from 250 to 350 mm, and the opposite side edges in the width direction of the absorbent article body in the crotch portion bend towards the external surface of the diaper, when worn. As a result, the ability for absorbing a large amount of body waste can be easily ensured, and the performance of preventing leakage from the crotch portion can be easily improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Ishiguro, Hidekazu Ito, Takao Koyama
  • Patent number: 7060058
    Abstract: A disposable pants-type diaper includes a front waist region sheet, a rear waist region sheet and a body fluid absorbent pad. The front and rear waist region sheets are bonded together in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges thereof and the pad is curved in a U-shape and has longitudinally opposite ends bonded to the inner side of the front and rear waist region sheets. Periphery of a lower edge of the front waist region sheet draws a curve which is convex upward and this-lower edge intersects transversely opposite side edges of the pad to define tops of a pair of leg-holes. A first elastic member extending along the lower edge of the front waist region sheet intersects third elastic members of the pad in the vicinity of the tops and then descend rearward of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6969378
    Abstract: A biaxial stretch, form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment has a stretchable outer cover, a stretchable body side liner, and a stretchable absorbent assembly. The outer cover and the body side liner are desirably biaxially stretchable. The absorbent assembly can either be biaxially stretchable or segmented with longitudinal stretch. The absorbent garment is easy to apply, has a self-adjusting feature, and delivers enhanced fit and comfort during use without restricting a wearer's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Richard Warren Tanzer, Nancy E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6962578
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to an exterior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each backsheet strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly includes laterally opposing side flaps which may be formed by folding portions of the absorbent assembly laterally inward. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the backsheet strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gary Dean LaVon
  • Patent number: 6939334
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film formed from an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive, with at least two different dimensions in the Z axis resulting in areas of differential tension when the film is stretched. The elastomeric and adhesive film further forms a liquid barrier. The elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive film with differential tension is particularly suitable for making a disposable absorbent garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Odorzynski, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 6881207
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having a front section, rear section, crotch portion, and a waist band. A soft padding is provided on the waist band. Padding is also provided on the edge portions surrounding the leg holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Rhonda Tracy
  • Patent number: 6837879
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for personal wear has an inner layer, an outer layer and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. Containment flaps are secured to the inner layer of the article, with each flap having a first layer extending outward from the inner layer of the article to a distal end of the flap. A generally liquid permeable second layer of the flap extends in opposed relation with a medial surface of the flap first layer of the flap and is free from fixed engagement therewith along at least a portion thereof whereby the flap second layer and the portion of the medial surface of the flap first layer define a surge chamber therebetween for receiving liquid body waste. The inner layer of the disposable article is interposed between the surge chamber and the absorbent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Kuen, Sherry A. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 6822134
    Abstract: The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a backsheet and a fecal management member joined to the backsheet. The fecal management member includes a backing and a sheet of fibers. The sheet of fibers have anchor portions in the backing at spaced bonding locations and have arcuate portions of the sheet projecting from the backing between bonding locations. The sheet of fibers includes additional fibers which are joined to at least some of the arcuate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gabriele Stiehl, Ludwig Busam, Jorg Muller
  • Patent number: 6808516
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has a pad member provided a pair of elastic thigh-tightening bands lying on transversely opposite side edges thereof. Front ends of first free zones and rear ends of second free zones of the respective elastic thigh-tightening bands are connected to the transversely opposite side edges in the vicinity of a waist-hole of pant member so that middle zones and first and second free zones of these thigh-tightening bands extend generally parallel to the respective leg-holes so as to substantially form loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Tsuji, Takako Uosawa
  • Patent number: 6767343
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper that includes elastic members attached under tension to peripheral edge portions of leg-openings and a pair of leak-barrier cuffs provided in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges of a core. The elastic members associated with the leg-openings include first elastic members extending along front peripheral edge portions of the leg-openings and second elastic members extending along rear peripheral edge portions of the leg-openings and, in a crotch region, the free side edge portions of the leak-barrier cuffs extend inward beyond the side edges of said core and are folded back along substantially middle folding zones thereof outward beyond the side edges of the core and wherein the free side edge portions are bonded, in the vicinity of the folding zones, to the outer surface of the topsheet in the upper zone of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Kenji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6767344
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article that includes a substantially liquid-impervious leak-barrier cuff associated with a waist-opening, which has a fixed end portion lying on a side of one longitudinal end portion of an article, a free end portion extending from the fixed end portion toward a crotch region and fixed side portions lying on the transversely opposite side edge portions of the article. A rising fulcrum zone of the leak-barrier cuff lies in a substantially non-contractible region of the article extending between the elastic member associated with the waist-opening and elastic members associated with leg-openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6764478
    Abstract: Absorbent article having a containment assembly and highly extensible leg openings. The leg opening margins may have portions having differential properties, such as differential elastic extensibility. The absorbent article may also have highly extensible outer leg cuffs. Additionally, the absorbent article may have a narrow crotch region. The absorbent article may thus provide ease of application and removal, sustained dynamic fit, prevention of leakage, sustained wearer comfort, and desirable appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Frederick Michael Langdon
  • Publication number: 20040133180
    Abstract: A disposable diaper in which a waist opening portion and right-and-left leg opening portions are formed in a use state having: an elastic portion where a plurality of elastic members is provided along a width direction with an interval of not more than 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicants: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION, DAIO PAPER CONVERTING CO., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Mori, Keiji Torigoshi, Hideki Saiga
  • Patent number: 6716205
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having a combined leg elastic and leak guard flap feature. A chassis of the absorbent garment includes an outer cover and a body side liner with at least one elastomeric member folded within the body side liner around each of two leg openings defined by the chassis to form a finished edge around each leg opening. The folded edge of the body side liner is then folded again to create a fully functional flap with the appearance of a leg elastic in the crotch area. The resulting absorbent garment has a three-dimensional leg elastic assembly that creates a bucket for containing body fluids, and furthermore, creates a tailored, soft, comfortable leg and side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6682514
    Abstract: A garment is provided with an elastomeric element having first and second elastic segments made of different elastomeric polymers and connected in series. The first elastic segment can be made from a relatively higher performance, more expensive polymer. The second elastic segment can be made from a relatively less expensive elastic polymer having moderate performance characteristics. The hybrid elastic band provides durable high elastic performance in regions of the garment where these properties are needed, while minimizing the total cost of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Scott Brunner
  • Patent number: 6676648
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment has a front region, a back region, and a central region, each region having a length along a longitudinal axis of one third of the length of the absorbent garment. An absorbent pad positioned within the regions has a length of absorbent pad in the back region divided by a length of absorbent pad in the front region and central region less than 0.10, and the length in the front region is greater than the length in the back region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Anne Bruemmer Prestley, Marianne Keevill Leick, Gregory James Hess, David Arthur Fell, Sarah Jane Marie Freiburger, Amy Lynn Fletcher, Cornelis Jacobus Bosselaar, Joseph Patrick Fell, Jacqueline Ann Gross, John Anthony Rooyakkers, Kenneth Raymond Schueler, Jr.