Gathered Portion Patents (Class 604/385.26)
  • Patent number: 11964455
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a breathable elastic laminate includes aperturing an elastic film to create an apertured elastic film with a pattern. The pattern includes a plurality of first lanes extending in a machine direction, each of the plurality of first lanes having a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of second lanes extending in the machine direction. Each of the plurality of second lanes is devoid of apertures and has a width of at least twice the width of one of the apertures in the first lanes. The plurality of second lanes alternate with the plurality of first lanes in a cross direction substantially orthogonal to the machine direction. The method includes stretching the apertured elastic film in the machine direction to activate the apertured elastic film and bonding a first side of the activated apertured elastic film to a nonwoven web to create a breathable elastic laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: FITESA FILM PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Amir Moshe, David L Godshall
  • Patent number: 11911252
    Abstract: An elastic panel for use in an absorbent article including a first nonwoven web layer, a second nonwoven web layer and an elastomeric film layer disposed between the first and second nonwoven layers. At least one of the first and second nonwoven web layers includes at least one group of folded portions. Each folded portion includes a first fold line and a second fold line so that the folded portion is divided into a proximal section, a distal section and a medial section disposed between the proximal and distal sections. The proximal section is directly attached to the elastomeric film layer and the medial and distal sections are not directly attached to the elastomeric film layer so that the folded portions extend to allow the web panel to stretch elastically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Cappellini
  • Patent number: 11529266
    Abstract: An elastic sheet stretchable structure in which a first sheet layer and a second sheet layer are bonded through joint holes penetrating an elastic film at a plurality of sheet joined portions arranged at intervals is included. Joined portion groups in the stretchable region are in a relationship of intersecting a stretchable direction line at respective positions in an orthogonal direction or in a relationship of not intersecting the stretchable direction line at a separation width of 0.5 mm or less in the orthogonal direction of the stretchable direction line. The joined portion groups are in a relationship of not intersecting an oblique line at a predetermined separation width in the orthogonal direction in an oblique line group of oblique lines q in the orthogonal direction intersecting the stretchable direction line within an angle range ? of 45 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Arika Tsunoda, Syunsuke Sakai
  • Patent number: 11529265
    Abstract: A disposable wearable article includes an elastic film stretchable structure in which an elastic film is laminated between a first sheet layer and a second sheet layer. The first sheet layer and the second sheet layer are bonded to each other through holes passing through the elastic film with many bonded portions arranged at intervals. A region having the elastic film stretchable structure includes a stretchable region that elastically stretches and contracts together with the elastic film. The stretchable region includes a plurality of elastic films disposed so as to have an overlapping portion. The number of laminated layers of the elastic film in a region located in an intermediate portion of the stretchable region in an orthogonal direction (XD) orthogonal to a stretchable direction (ED) is different from that in each of second regions adjacent to both sides of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Arika Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 11439544
    Abstract: A package comprising a stack of absorbent articles which are bi- or tri-folded, and each article comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent layer comprising a central portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, a first folding guide between the central portion and the first side portion, and a second folding guide between the central portion and the second side portion. Each side portion comprises a plurality of winglets, each winglet having a proximal side relative to a folding guide and extending outward from this proximal side. Neighboring winglets are separated by a gap between their neighboring sides. When the absorbent core is folded along the folding guides, the central portion and the side portions form a three-dimensional basin and the gaps between the winglets decrease, the neighboring sides optionally coming into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Hans Adolf Jackels, Claus Peter Stoelzel, Christine Elisabeth Zipf, Roland Engel
  • Patent number: 11330847
    Abstract: A crotch panel system is disclosed. The crotch panel system comprises a bottom crotch panel, a unitary top layer crotch panel defining a shaped hole in the center, and an additional crotch panel layer attached to the bottom crotch panel. The shaped hole defined in the unitary top layer crotch panel defines a perimeter. An elastic border extends around the perimeter of the shaped hole, and the elastic border is configured to stretch to facilitate insertion of an object. The additional crotch panel layer is attached to the bottom crotch panel to provide stability of the object placed within the crotch panel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Crystal Bobby Etienne
  • Patent number: 11083637
    Abstract: A first sheet layer made of a nonwoven fabric; a second sheet layer made of a nonwoven fabric opposed to one side of the first sheet layer; and a plurality of elongated elastically stretchable members provided along the stretchable direction at intervals from each other between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer are provided. At least a part of each end of the elastically stretchable member is fixed to at least one of the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer only via a first hot melt adhesive. The first sheet layer and the second sheet layer are bonded via a second hot melt adhesive in a range in the stretchable direction corresponding to a space between the both ends of the elastically stretchable member. The holding power of the first hot melt adhesive is higher than the second hot meld adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuko Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10973709
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an array of packages may comprise three or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles. The Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of a second absorbent article may be equal to or less than a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of a first absorbent article. And the Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of a third absorbent article may be equal to or less than a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of a second absorbent article. And, an Array Average Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette of first and second packages of the array may be from about 1.1 to about 0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bret Darren Seitz, Gary Dean LaVon, Jill Trygier, Vanessa Melendez
  • Patent number: 10932961
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction, and is provided at least with an absorbent body including water-absorbent fibers. The absorbent body includes deformation-guiding portions which extend in a predetermined direction, and base portions provided on both sides of each deformation-guiding portion. The deformation-guiding portions are provided with compressed regions which extend in said predetermined direction and in which the absorbent body has been compacted in the thickness direction, and protruding portions which extend in the predetermined direction on both sides of each compressed region and which protrude from the base portion toward the skin surface. The configuration is such that the fiber density of the protruding portions is less than the fiber density of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Goda, Masashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10918535
    Abstract: An absorbent article can include a chassis including an absorbent body. The chassis can include a body facing surface. The absorbent article can also include a pair of body exudate containment flaps attached to the body facing surface of the chassis. The containment flaps can include a first portion located in the front portion of the absorbent article and chassis, and a second portion located in the rear portion of the absorbent article and chassis. The second portion of the containment flaps can have one or more properties that are different than one or more properties of the first portion of the containment flaps to reduce the lateral flow of body exudates out the sides of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Roldan-Posada, Andrea F. Orifici, Juliana Restrepo
  • Patent number: 10893984
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper comprises a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. The absorbent layer comprises at least a longitudinally-extending central portion, and a first and second side portions disposed transversally outward of the central portion. The absorbent core further comprises first and second folding guides between the central portion and the side portions. Each side portion comprises a plurality of winglets, each winglet having a proximal side relative to a folding guide and extending outward from this proximal side, and wherein neighboring winglets are separated by a gap between their neighboring sides. The central portion and the side portions form a three-dimensional basin when the absorbent core is folded along the folding guides. The article further may comprise at least one liquid management layer substantially free of superabsorbent polymer between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The absorbent core may be substantially free of cellulose fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Hans Adolf Jackels, Claus Peter Stoelzel, Sr., Christine Elisabeth Zipf
  • Patent number: 10278874
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a front waistline region, a rear waistline region and a fastening tape, as the waistline retaining unit extending along the product widthwise direction and holding the disposable diaper onto a body of a wearer. Furthermore, the disposable diaper includes a crotch stretch unit that is formed in the crotch region and can expand and contract in the product longitudinal direction, and leg gathers. The leg gathers are longer than the crotch stretch unit in the product longitudinal direction L, and are provided at an outer side from the crotch stretch unit in the product widthwise direction. A low stretch region having a lower ratio of expansion and contraction than the crotch stretch unit is formed between the leg gathers and the crotch stretch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 10258515
    Abstract: An absorbent pant article in the form of boxer shorts includes a garment shell including a front body panel, a back body panel and a crotch panel made of elastic web material. The pant also includes an absorbent core, side seams connecting the front body panel to the back body panel, a pair of leg openings and hanging legs. The leg openings are located in the crotch panel and do not extend into the front and back body panels, and side seams extend into the crotch panel. The width of the crotch panel in a relaxed condition of the elastic web material, as measured between the side seams of the article, is at least 7% larger than the width of any of the front and back body panels in a relaxed condition of the respective elastic web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Lucas Bäck, Tony Karlsson, Lennart Nilsson
  • Patent number: 10123917
    Abstract: An absorber 40 of a disposable diaper 10 includes a first region extending from an end at the side of the front waistline region of the absorber towards the side of the crotch region, and a second region arranged adjacent to the first region at the side of the crotch region from the first region, and having a lower bending rigidity than the first region. A boundary between the first region and the second region is arranged at the side of the front waistline region from the end at the side of the front waistline region of the leg stretch units, and is arranged at the side of the crotch region from the end at the side of the crotch region of the target unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Sakaguchi, Kana Sawa
  • Patent number: 10092457
    Abstract: In an underpants-type disposable diaper including a waist edge portion in which pleats extend straight and which has excellent fit, the inner layer and the outer layer at the waist edge portion of an outer body are joined by an adhesive arranged intermittently or a welding process performed intermittently in the width direction and continuously in a direction crossing the width direction, thereby forming sheet joined sections, waist edge portion resilient and elastic members are sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer and fixed to at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer at positions intersecting with the sheet joined sections, and the diaper includes an area not being joined and not having resilient and elastic member at an end portion of the outer body on the waist opening side in the waist edge portion, the area not having sheet joined sections nor the waist edge portion resilient and elastic members, and a vertical range being wider than spacing between the waist edge portion res
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuko Ishikawa, Shunji Seno
  • Patent number: 9821542
    Abstract: Elastic laminates and methods of making same are provided, wherein the laminate includes an elastic film laminated to at least one substrate web, and wherein the elastic film has been stretched at least twice prior to bonding the film to the substrate layer. Such laminates possess improved bond strength between the film and the substrate web and have greater elongation versus laminates made with a film that has been stretched only once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TREDGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bruce, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Patent number: 9592164
    Abstract: An open-type disposable diaper includes a crotch stretch unit formed in an absorber arrangement region where an absorber is arranged in a crotch region and being stretchable in a product longitudinal direction; a pair of leg stretch units formed along a leg hole openings and being stretchable in at least the product longitudinal direction; and a waist stretch unit formed in a back waistline region and being stretchable in a product widthwise direction; the absorber core arrangement region enclosed by the crotch stretch unit, the leg stretch units, and the waist stretch unit and configuring the absorber is formed so as not to be stretched. The length of the absorber core arrangement region in the product longitudinal direction is configured to be longer than half the length of the crotch stretch unit in the product longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Sakaguchi, Kana Sawa
  • Patent number: 9475250
    Abstract: A method including folding incontinence pads which have a substantially rectangular shape, elongate according to a longitudinal axis, and including a central absorbent pad and a perimetric edge. The method includes folding parts of the edge onto a central portion of the absorbent pad, folding a first end portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line onto the central portion and a subsequent step of folding, about a second fold line a second end portion onto the first portion. The fold lines which are transversal to the longitudinal axis and define the central portion are spaced by a stretch which is greater than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the first end portion. The folding step is preceded by a step of folding down inwards onto the central portion segments of the edge which lie between the first and second fold lines, and a step of retaining said segments of the edge on the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Gabriele Pastrello, Marco Rosani, Matteo Piantoni, Luca Bugini
  • Patent number: 9452091
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotomo Mukai, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Tomoko Tsuji, Norihiko Ishikawa, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9289333
    Abstract: A disposable diaper using elastic sheet materials so that a contact surface pressure may be locally enhanced and thereby the diaper may be prevented from being noticeably displaced on the wearer's body during used thereof is provided. Of first and second waist regions at least the first waist region is contractible. The first waist region includes waist auxiliary elastic sheets extending in a direction of a transverse axis between opposite side edges of the first waist region and leg auxiliary elastic sheets extending along front peripheral edges of leg-openings. The waist auxiliary elastic sheets and the leg auxiliary elastic sheets overlap one another in areas of the opposite side edges of the first waist region adjacent to the leg-openings respectively. With the diaper put on the wearer's body, these areas come in contact with upper lateral regions of the wearer's iliac bones inclusive of the vicinity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Toshimitsu Baba, Ryuichi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 9259362
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first containment flap and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The stems of the first and the second containment flaps can be positioned laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent article. The stem can extend away from the body facing liner when the absorbent article is in a relaxed condition. The inner flap projection can extend laterally from the stem towards a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article and the outer flap projection can extend laterally from the stem away from the longitudinal axis and the inner flap projection when the article is in a relaxed condition. The outer flap projection can be bonded to the stem in at least a portion of one of the front waist region and the rear waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Scott Simon Craig Kirby, Rodney Allan Butler, Kylie Brooke Bridger, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Fleger Bishop, Michael John Faulks
  • Patent number: 9192526
    Abstract: A discrete absorbent insert for use in a containment system includes an absorbent core positioned between a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet extend beyond the core and are joined together to form a seal. The absorbent core has at least 40% superabsorbent. The absorbent insert has an intake layer of at least 100 gsm between the first sheet and the absorbent core. The first sheet and the second sheet are fluid permeable, spunbond webs of synthetic polymer filaments. The absorbent insert has an absorbent capacity of at least 600 g. The discrete absorbent insert may have an intake rate for a first insult through the first sheet having a first value and an intake rate for a first insult through the second sheet having a second value, wherein a difference between the first value and the second value is less than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paula Kathleen De Bruin, Alissa Frances Stein, Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Connie May McMorrow, Kyle Mark Barriger, Angela Ann Johnston, Katherine Carol Shaw
  • Patent number: 9084699
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that includes a first and second substrate, a portion of which is joined together with a hot-melt adhesive applied at a temperature of less than 130° C. At least one of the first second substrates has a basis weight of less than 15 grams per square meter. The adhesive provides suitable bond strength on low basis weight substrates and allows for flexible processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Shunketsu Sue, Ebrahim Rezai
  • Patent number: 9028632
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, diaper pants, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. As discussed in more detail below, opposing end regions of the chassis are connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. As discussed in more detail below, an elastic laminate may be formed by continuously bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. The elastic strands are then intermittently severed in light-bond regions of the elastic laminate. Adhesive on the laminate causes the severed elastic ends to retract or snap back from the light-bond regions at a relatively slower and/or controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Gary Dean LaVon
  • Publication number: 20150126952
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liner/composite web for use in an absorbent article includes joining a leg elastic member to a web moving in a machine direction and joining a flap elastic member to the web. The flap elastic member is spaced from the leg elastic member. The web is folded to form a leg and flap elastics composite including an outer side edge. The web is joined to a substrate to form the liner/composite web. The liner/composite web is joined to a web of material such that the outer side edge of the leg and flap elastics composite is coterminous with one of a pair of laterally opposing side edges of the web of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Luis Alberto Tenorio, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Kyle Stankewicz, Darin Allen Engelhart, James Richard Schermerhorn, Michael Donald Sperl, Daniel Mark Duhm, Michael Lee Lohoff, Anita Marie-Nanette Gilgenbach, Kenneth James Quella
  • Publication number: 20150112295
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a topsheet, a backsheet, 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 material edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Lisa Jane Goodlander, Lisa Maria Grinkemeyer, Jessica Lee Mosman, Jason Edward Naylor, LeAnn Nichole Phillips
  • Patent number: 9011404
    Abstract: A pull-on absorbent article including a front outer cover to be worn around a wearer's front side, a rear outer cover to be worn around the wearer's rear side, and an absorbent assembly fixed to the front and the rear outer cover so as to bridge them and having a pair of side seals. The length of each of the front and the outer cover in the longitudinal direction of the article is uniform in the lateral direction and larger than that of the side seals so that the front and the outer cover have extension portions that extend downward from the side seals. The extension portions of the front and/or the rear outer cover have an elasticized region extensible in the lateral direction in a region located laterally outward of each side edge of the absorbent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Ryoichi Yamamoto, Kenji Ando, Takuo Yanashima, Akio Morita
  • Patent number: 8998872
    Abstract: In a crotch region in the disclosed absorbent article, a waist elastic member provided in a front waist region, and waist elastic members provided in a rear waist region are arranged so as to not come into contact with each other, and a linear identification part is provided in either the front waist region or the rear waist region, in a manner such that in a first region wherein an absorbent main body is provided the identification part is only visible from the side of the absorbent article which is not in contact with the skin, and in a second region wherein the absorbent main body is not provided the identification part is visible from both the side of the absorbent article which is in contact with the skin and that which is not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotomo Mukai, Yoshihisa Watabe
  • Patent number: 8986276
    Abstract: In a disposable wearing article, front and rear waist elastics are attached between respective outer and inner sheets. An absorbent structure and leg-cuffs are attached to an inner side of the inner sheet. Lateral proximal portions of the respective leg cuffs are bonded between the absorbent structure and the inner sheet and lateral distal portions of the respective leg cuffs extend outwardly in a transverse direction beyond the absorbent structure and are not bonded to the inner sheet. These lateral distal portions are provided with a plurality of cuff elastics. Front and rear waist regions respectively include first through third sub-regions which are adjacent one to another in this order and the respective sub-regions are provided with first through third waist elastics. A tensile stress in the first and third sub-regions is higher than that in the second sub-region and the cuff elastics extend to at least the second sub-region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Kawakami, Shoshi Kosaka
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8961487
    Abstract: A method of making an elastic composite is described that entails conveying a first sheet of material on a conveyor, and wrapping a section of elastic about the first sheet and the conveyor, thereby applying elastics cross directionally across the first sheets. A second sheet of material is applied onto the first sheet having elastics applied thereon, thereby creating a subcomposite including the first sheet, the second sheet, and elastics sandwiched therebetween, wherein a plurality of elastics extend outward from the one side of the subcomposite, about the conveyor, and return into an opposite side of the subcomposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick King Yu Tsang, Anne Smid, Andrew C. Wright, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 8951239
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has an absorbent body, an outer covering sheet and two end holding sheets, and both end portions of the absorbent body are fixed between the end holding sheets and the outer covering sheet. Since a turndown portion of an upper end portion of the end holding sheet is bonded on an upper end portion of a first covering sheet, a waist covering portion has structure where the first covering sheet is laminated on the two-layered end holding sheet. Therefore, a thickness of the outer covering sheet can be reduced, while maintaining strength of the waist covering portion by appropriately selecting material of the end holding sheet, thereby to easily improve softness of the disposable diaper. Since an upper end of a second covering sheet is positioned below the turndown portion, softness and breathability in an area between the turndown portion and the second covering sheet is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Yuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8939957
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a topsheet, a backsheet, 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 material edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Lisa Jane Goodlander, Lisa Maria Grinkemeyer, Jessica Lee Mosman, Jason Edward Naylor, LeAnne Nichole Phillips
  • Publication number: 20150005731
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a basic functionality of a skin contact sheet present and configured on the surface of an absorber such that it rises therefrom, in which no positional displacement occurs at a crotch part and which effectively avoids contact between a wearer's skin and urine/feces. The absorbent article has: a leak preventer in sheet form; an absorber arranged above the leak preventer and capable of absorbing a bodily fluid in at least one layer; a skin contact member arranged above the absorber, between a front part of the leak preventer and a rear part of the leak preventer, and that makes contact with a wearer's skin and is spaced apart from the absorber at a time of use; and a connecting unit that couples a part of the skin contact member corresponding to a crotch part of the wearer with the absorber at the time of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Yoshio Hirai
  • Publication number: 20140378934
    Abstract: A disposal diaper (1) improves breathability by laminating a folded portion (46) and an opposing portion (47) to form a first waist circumferential region (407), which is an upper portion of a waist circumferential region (406). A second waist circumferential region (408) below the first waist circumferential region is formed by laminating the folded portion, an end sheet (5), a second exterior sheet (42), and the opposing portion, and a second waist elastic member (444) is joined between the folded portion and the end sheet. The folded portion has a horizontal bending resistance of 80 mm or less. This allows the second waist circumferential region to easily contract. The thickness and strength of the second waist circumferential region increase accordingly, and this makes it possible to reduce damage to an exterior sheet (4) in the waist circumferential region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Emi Amano, Tomohito Uda
  • Publication number: 20140358109
    Abstract: A disposable diaper (10) includes: a pair of leg stretch units (75a) formed along a leg hole openings (35) and being stretchable in at least a product longitudinal direction (L); and a cushioning unit (75b) provided in a region adjacent to the ends (#1) of the leg stretch units (75a) in the product longitudinal direction (L); the leg stretch units (75a) are configured from a stretchable sheet member; the ratio of expansion and contraction of the cushioning unit (75b) is configured to be lower than the ratio of expansion and contraction of the leg stretch units (75a); and the length (W1) of at least a part of the cushioning unit (75b) in a product widthwise direction (W) is configured to be longer than the length (W2) of the leg stretch units (75a) in the product widthwise direction (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Satoru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8900211
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable wearing article adapted to inhibit sweating and an uncomfortable stuffiness. Front and rear waist regions of a disposable wearing article have inner surfaces thereof at least partially formed of elastic sheets. The elastic sheets are made of a mixture of elastic fibers and inelastic fibers and formed with ridges and grooves. The elastic sheets have a thickness in the ridges repetitively reduced and restored as the elastic sheets repeat elastic stretch and contraction in the waist circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hashimoto, Etsuko Kudo, Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8834437
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment can include a waistband assembly that is configured to be worn about a waist of a subject, and an absorbent panel assembly having first and second ends that are coupled to the waistband assembly. The absorbent panel assembly can include a liquid-pervious body-side layer, a liquid impervious external layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the body-side and external layers. At least one of the absorbent panel assembly or the waistband assembly includes a contraction region, such as near the absorbent core, that is configured to be extensible and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the absorbent core. The longitudinal axis can be substantially parallel to a vertical or height axis of a wearer when the absorbent garment is worn by an upright or standing individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Borrero, Michael Wayne Harris
  • Patent number: 8821468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Enno Gause, Ruediger Kesselmeier, Krzysztof D. Malowaniec, Maximilian Swerev
  • Patent number: 8808264
    Abstract: An absorbent article providing improved body fit. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Each zone of extensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined to the facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet has a garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet. The fastening means defines attachment zones. At least a portion of the first absorbent layer is decoupled from the attachment zones of the fluid impermeable backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Bruce William Lavash
  • 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: 8784398
    Abstract: An absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a rear area (8), a front area (6) and an intermediate crotch area (12), first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body. Side parts (16,17) are joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16,17) having an inner face and an outer face, the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31). The retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the main part are lower than the retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the side parts (16) in the front area (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Susanne Beckert, Ruediger Kesselmeier
  • Patent number: 8771249
    Abstract: An absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a rear area (8), a front area (6) and an intermediate crotch area (12), first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body. Side parts (16,17) are joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16,17) having an inner face and an outer face, the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31). The retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the main part are lower than the retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the side parts (16) in the front area (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Susanne Beckert, Ruediger Kesselmeier
  • Patent number: 8758319
    Abstract: In a standing part (342) of each side wall part (34) in an absorbent product (1), an inwardly bending part (3423) is formed between a first elastic member (35) and a second elastic member (36). When the absorbent product (1) is worn, the inwardly bending part (3423) where no elastic member is provided comes into contact with a wearer to be deformed into surface shape, and a portion in the vicinity of the inwardly bending part (3423) and the first elastic member (35) contacts with the wearer in surface shape. Therefore, the wearer is prevented from being compressed excessively by the first elastic member (35) and the second elastic member (36) and excrement is prevented from leaking out to the outer side of the absorbent product (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140163510
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Sperl, Seth Michael Newlin, Michael John Faulks, Gregory John Jansen
  • Patent number: 8734418
    Abstract: A pant-type wearing article configured so that fasteners used to connect front and rear waist regions with each other can be engaged with and disengaged from each other in a repetitive manner. Of the front and rear waist regions, at least one waist region, for example, the front waist region is formed in its transversely opposite lateral zones with inelastic regions being neither elastically stretchable nor elastically contractible in a waistline direction. These inelastic regions are provided with first fastener members selected from the first fastener members and second fastener members. The front waist region is further formed inside the respective inelastic regions as viewed in the waistline direction with a plurality of film-like joints defined by integrated sheet members forming the lateral zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Yasuhiko Kenmochi
  • Patent number: 8690851
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Sperl, Seth Newlin, Michael J. Faulks, Gregory John Jansen
  • Patent number: 8672912
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis extending about a longitudinal axis and having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a first transverse axis dividing the absorbent structure into a front body panel terminating in a front waist region and a rear body panel terminating in a rear waist region. The rear waist region has a first elastic region. The chassis is delimited by opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges. In the rear waist region, the absorbent structure terminates at a first distance from the transverse edge and the first elastic region extends substantially parallel to the transverse edge and spaced therefrom by a second distance and spaced from the absorbent structure by a third distance. The third distance is greater than said second distance or substantially equal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Helena Corneliusson, Rozalia Bitis, Ingrid Stjernholm
  • Patent number: 8663183
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is claimed that comprised a backsheet and an absorbent core and a core coversheet or topsheet, that in use faces the wearer, and one or more cuffs (25, 26), comprising one or more longitudinally extending elastic laminate portion(s) (10), formed by at least an elastic material (12) attached to a supporting sheet (20) of said cuff (25, 26), said laminate portion(s) (10) comprising in at least relaxed and partially contracted state a body-facing surface with a multitude of wrinkles, and whereby said elastic laminate portion (10) has an absolute contracted length Lc and a fully stretched absolute length Ls, whereby at a partial elongation of the elastic laminate potion (10) of ?=0.5: a) said wrinkles have an average wrinkle height Hw of less than 600 micrometers; and b) said laminate portion (10) has an average wrinkle density Dw between 5 and 10 wrinkles per cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Blanca Arizti, Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Gemma Baquer Molas, Simone Seeboth, David James Dahlinger, David Richard Tucker, Don Randell Greer
  • Patent number: 8647319
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence pad, a sanitary towel or the like includes at least one elasticated area. The elasticated area includes a patterned area having a visible pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hans Een, Marcus Lehto, Ulrika Carlson