By Securing To Garment Or Person Patents (Class 604/387)
  • Publication number: 20020183709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for producing hygiene products, in particular multi-layered sanitary towels each having an absorbent-material core and cover layers on both sides, the hygiene products first of all being produced just as initial products and then being provided with adhesive with the aid of a sheet material having at least one silicone separating layer, whereupon the hygiene products are packed individually with the aid of the same sheet material and/or are first of all folded, interconnected by virtue of the sheet material being stamped, and packed individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Klaus Munsch
  • Publication number: 20020183708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article in the form of a sanitary napkin (1), a panty liner or an incontinence protector for women, comprising an absorbent body (2) and a liquid-impervious casing sheet (4) that covers one side of the absorbent body and is joined thereto, either directly or indirectly, wherein the liquid-impervious casing sheet is coated with an adhesive layer (5) that extends at least over a part of the casing sheet, and a removable protective sheet (6) covering the adhesive layer. According to the invention the protective layer (6) includes a cut-out (7) that extends symmetrically on respective sides of the longitudinal symmetry axis (A-A) of said article, and at least one piece of material (8) that extends in said cut-out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Lina Strand
  • Publication number: 20020177832
    Abstract: A user adaptable absorbent article having a symmetrical silhouette with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally extending edge, the longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; a layered portion having an absorbent core with an asymmetric shape and a backsheet; and means for folding a portion of the absorbent article located either from or between at least one of the longitudinally extending edges and at least one of the ends, wherein the fold avoids the absorbent core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Elena Fernandez-Kleinlein, Sophie Mangin
  • Publication number: 20020177830
    Abstract: A user adaptable absorbent article having a symmetrical silhouette with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally extending edge, the longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; a layered portion having an absorbent core with an asymmetric shape and a backsheet; and means for folding a portion of the absorbent article located either from or between at least one of the longitudinally extending edges and at least one of the ends, wherein the fold avoids the absorbent core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Elena Fernandez-Kleinlein, Sophie Mangin
  • Patent number: 6485478
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment that has a pair of tape fasteners attached to transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region and a non-stretchable target tape strip attached to the outer surface of a front waist region. The front and rear waist regions and a crotch region are elastically stretchable in length and width. The tape strip includes a flexible plastic sheet having transversely opposite side edges extending longitudinally and upper and lower edges extending transversely of the undergarment and a plurality of long fibers extending longitudinally on the outer surface of the sheet between the upper and lower edges. The sheet is formed with a plurality of perforated lines arranged to be transversely spaced one from another by a predetermined dimension and to extend between the vicinity of the upper edge and the vicinity of the lower edge. The target tape strip is attached to the front waist region being substantially in non-stretched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Imai, Toshimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20020173767
    Abstract: A process for making a prefastened and refastenable pant includes providing a plurality of discrete articles having side panels and waist regions including an activatable retractive material. The side panels can be folded parallel to a longitudinal centerline to overlap at least portions of first and second fastening components. The fastening components are then engaged to form a prefastened and refastenable pant. The retractive material can be activated subsequent to engagement of the fastening components, or subsequent to obtaining position control of the side panels, to provide the pant with a waistband-to-hip circumference ratio of about 95 percent or less. The prefastened and refastenable pant and apparatus for its manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Arthur Kuen, Christopher Peter Olson, Shawn Ahmed Quereshi
  • Publication number: 20020173768
    Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Laura Linda Elsberg, Brian Walter Angielski, June Marie De Valk, Tim Joseph Janssen, Patrick Sean McNichols, Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Bruce Reed Shafer, James Bennington Stopher, Gary Lee Travis
  • Publication number: 20020165512
    Abstract: Absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, which product has a stiffening element (6) which is intended to contribute to the three-dimensional shape of the product during its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Patent number: 6475203
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene pad having a wide absorbent front portion and a narrower, elongated rear portion of sufficient length to be retained between the buttocks of a user to better fit against the user's body and thereby control rearward leakage of fluid. The hygienic pad is smaller and better fitting and can be worn more discreetly with small sized and tight fitting garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Ilse Rubio
  • Publication number: 20020156448
    Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a sanitary napkin, having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, a length, a width, and two longitudinal side margins. The sanitary napkin comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and said backsheet. A pair of flaps are provided, each flap extending from a longitudinal side margin and each of the flaps are folded over the topsheet in a topsheet facing relationship. Means for maintaining the flaps in the topsheet facing relationship have a wipe article associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment the means for maintaining the flaps in the topsheet facing relationship comprises a release strip and the wipe article comprises a wet wipe. In a further embodiment, the absorbent article is an individually packaged sanitary napkin having a releasable wrapper affixed to the backsheet adhesive, and provided in a tri-folded package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Christine Gail Steger, Dennis Allen Darby
  • Publication number: 20020156443
    Abstract: Absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, comprising a stiffening element (6) which is intended to contribute to the three-dimensional shape of the product during its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Publication number: 20020156450
    Abstract: Absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, with a stiffening element (6) which is intended to contribute to the three-dimensional shape of the product during its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Publication number: 20020156447
    Abstract: A sanitary absorbent article having flaps which substantially continually diverge from their proximal side over large portion of their length, preferably until their distal side. The substantially continually divergent portions being preferably substantially straight. The garment-facing surface of the flaps including an adhesive fastener which has a length not less than 85% of the length of the proximal side, and preferably not less than 100% of the length of the proximal side. The fastener preferably having reduced adhesive strength in the zones nearer the transverse sides of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Henri Brisebois
  • Patent number: 6464675
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin is described, which includes a substantially planar and elongate body defining two larger longitudinal side edges. The body is provided with a garment faceable outer layer of liquid impermeable material, a body faceable cover layer of liquid permeable material, an absorbent core inserted into the body between the outer layer and the cover layer, and at least one substantially protuberant flexible flap substantially projecting outwards from each longitudinal side edge of the body, the flap being substantially transparent and/or translucent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Industria e Comercio LTDA
    Inventor: Antonio Carlos Ribeiro de Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6464679
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The disposable diaper includes slits defined in side portions of one of the hip portion and the belly portion and connecting members provided on side portions of the other one of the belly portion and the hip portion to be elongated outwardly. The disposable diaper further includes holding means for connecting the hip portion and the belly portion by means of the connecting members. Therefore, the disposable diaper is easy for the wearer to put on, and can be put on easily while the wearer stands on both legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Norinaka Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 6461340
    Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence comprises a resilient body that engages the external genitalia and sealingly occludes the urethral meatus. In female embodiments, the body fits between the labia minora and the floor of the vulval vestibule, occluding the meatus. An adhesive on the body provides a sealing engagement with the meatus. In a first female embodiment, the body has a base with an adhesive layer that seats against the vestibule floor. A pair of flexible, lateral flaps engage the labia minora. A layer of super-absorbent material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second female embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive on the exterior surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jay Lenker, Robert Rosenbluth, Brian Cox, George R. Greene
  • Publication number: 20020143316
    Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an absorbent garment has a body-facing outer surface and a garment-facing outer surface. The garment-facing outer surface is at least partially permeable to fluids. The insert also includes one or more absorbent layers and one or more delay layer(s) adapted to substantially affect the flow of fluid through the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Earle Harry Sherrod, Stephen Bradford Cook, David Arthur Fell, Cornelis Jacobus Bosselaar, Courtney M. Nelson, Paul Joseph Datta, Mary Anne Bruemmer-Prestley
  • Publication number: 20020138064
    Abstract: The invention relates to prefastened absorbent articles (20) including one or more of several improvement features. The articles can be made to be prefastened by having a singular fastening mechanism that includes an oversized fastener (60). The articles of the invention can include a multiple property fastener (60) that has at least one engagement zone (65) and at least one non-abrasive zone (67).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Datta, Robert Eugene Vogt, Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Cassandra Elizabeth Morris, Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak
  • Patent number: 6454751
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has an absorbent chassis and a fastening system. The fastening system includes a pair of first fastening components disposed in one waist region and at least one second fastening component disposed in an opposite waist region. The first fastening components include at least one hinge area that transversely bisects the first fastening components, allowing the fasteners to bend in conformity with the movements of the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6454752
    Abstract: A pant-like, prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes a pair of fasteners which provide refastenable side seams and at least one waist size adjustment means. The prefastened absorbent article defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The fasteners are permanently attached to the side edges of one of the waist edges and engage the side edges of the opposed waist edges to form the refastenable side seams defining a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the prefastened absorbent article. The fasteners are further configured to provide a waist size adjustment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Thomas Harold Roessler, Gary Lee Travis, Paul Theodore VanGompel
  • Patent number: 6450999
    Abstract: An absorbent product useful for wearing in the crotch portion of an undergarment is disclosed. The absorbent product has an absorbent structure disposed between a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface, a positioning element operatively connected to the garment-facing surface, and a conforming element. The conforming element include an association of conformable segments which are moveable with respect to one another. The absorbent product is capable of acquiring and maintaining a form which conforms to a user's body surface contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary S. Kitabjian
  • Publication number: 20020128625
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquidpermeable top layer, a liquidimpermeable back layer, and a liquidretentive absorbent member interposed between the top layer and the back layer, wherein the absorbent member is arranged such that a pair of absorbent barrier cuffs having a prescribed width are each formed at left and right opposing side portions of the top layer in the widthwise direction thereof and liquidshrinkable members, which can elastically shrink upon absorption of liquid, are disposed within said barrier cuffs and extend in the longitudinal direction of said barrier cuffs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: MASAHITO TANAKA, MAYUMI KIMURA, HIRONORI KAWASAKI, MITSUGU HAMAJIMA, MINORU NAKANISHI, JINKO NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20020128622
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a central absorbent pad a flap extending laterally outward from each longitudinal side edge and two preferential bending axes, each axis being inward from and adjacent to a respective longitudinal side edge and extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal centerline, the axes converging towards the longitudinal centerline in a distal end of the central absorbent pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Antonio Carlos Ribeiro Carvalho, Marcia Helena Teixeira Fajolli, Flavia Guimaraes Guaragna
  • Patent number: 6447495
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sanitary napkin having flaps folded onto the topsheet of the napkin and held in this position by a unitary bridging strip. Each of these flaps has an adhesive area that is used to attach the flap to the undergarment. A release strip covers each such adhesive area. These release strips and the bridging strip each contain a cohesive layer whereby a cohesive bond is formed between the bridging strip and each release strip thereby holding the flaps in their folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: McNeill-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Luizzi, Melinda Cettina
  • Patent number: 6447493
    Abstract: A thin absorbent patch, similar to an incontinence pad or guard is disclosed to protect underwear from the leakage of bodily discharges of boys and men. The flexible absorbent article will protect boys and men's underwear from stains caused by excess urine, sexually transmitted diseases, semen and other discharges from the male genitalia. The flexible absorbent article comprises of a fluid-impermeable cover, a fluid-impermeable deflecting baffle and an engulfing absorbent betwixt the cover and the baffle. The flexible absorbent article also comprises of a garment adhesive that will be protected from contamination by peel or wax paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy Rodgrick Simpson, Nykesha Shameka Simpson
  • Patent number: 6447497
    Abstract: A prefastened disposable absorbent article includes child resistant refastenable seams. The absorbent article includes mechanical fastening components and mating mechanical fastening components such that the opposite waist regions can be overlapped and refastenably engaged to form refastenable mechanical seams. The overlapping waist region forms overlapping flaps outward from the refastenable mechanical seams. To inhibit child access to the refastenable seams, the overlapping flaps are adhesively bonded to the opposite waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6448466
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin and particularly an intimate woman's sanitary napkin is disclosed. The sanitary napkin is provided with a conveying element, capable of conveying the flow of vaginal exudates to a central area of the sanitary napkin, thus minimizing the possibilities of side leakage. The conveying element is vertically aligned and disposed along the longitudinal axis of the sanitary napkin above the absorbent element, and being substantially laminar and orthogonal to the surface of the sanitary napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Industria E Comercio LTDA
    Inventor: Antonio Carlos Ribeiro de Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20020123730
    Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6443934
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, e.g., pantiliner pad, for use with a thong shaped undergarment. The pad is of rectangular shape and includes a tapering, e.g., truncated triangle, absorbent core adhesively secured between a rectangular moisture pervious top sheet and a rectangular moisture impervious outer cover. Portions of the top sheet and outer cover extending beyond the margins of the core form a pair of triangular mounting flaps. The pad also includes adhesive stripes on the outer cover to secure the pad in place to the undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG
    Inventors: Frank S. Glaug, Kimberly Babusik
  • Patent number: 6443933
    Abstract: A disposable body wastes absorbent article including a pair of barrier side flaps and a pair of barrier end flaps, each of these flaps having a lower portion folded in a sidewise U-shape such that an open end of the U-shape is opposed to an upper portion of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi Suzuki, Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Patent number: 6443936
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an adult incontinence device, a bandage, or the like is provided which has: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining a body-facing side of the absorbent article; (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet and defining a garment-facing side of the absorbent article; (c) an absorbent layer being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and (d) an adhesive system located on the backsheet. The adhesive system comprises a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding the protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until the three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into a substantially two-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Peter W. Hamilton, Charles J. Berg, Jr., Ricky Alan Pollard
  • Publication number: 20020120247
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hygienic absorbent article including: a back layer; an absorbent layer; and a three-dimensional portion to rise in T-shaped state over the absorbent layer due to longitudinal elastic contractive force of elastic members provided in the three-dimensional portion. The three-dimensional portion has: connecting portions fixed onto the absorbent layer; and a skin-contacting portion connected to the absorbent layer through the connecting portions and having a pair of free ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Kouichi Yamaki, Yuuki Noda
  • Patent number: 6440115
    Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing body fluids discharged from a human body. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having first and second longitudinally-extending sides, first and second distally spaced ends and a garment-facing surface. The absorbent article includes a structure which interacts with an adjacent undergarment for retaining the absorbent in the crotch region of a human body. The structure includes at least two grooves or channels formed in the garment-facing surface of the absorbent which are sized and configured to receive the side edges of an undergarment. When the undergarment is pulled up around the torso of the user, the side edges of the undergarment will nest in the grooves or channels and hold the absorbent article securely in place, thereby decreasing the likelihood of leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Connelly, Joyce Ann Damico, Gary Chester Anderson
  • Patent number: 6440112
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad arranged to be worn in an undergarment to trap and collect urine. The pad has a moisture pervious, e.g., fibrous, top-sheet, a fluid acquisition layer, an absorbent core, and a moisture-impervious, e.g., polymeric film, back-sheet. The back-sheet is formed of a fluid impervious material, e.g., a polymeric film. The fluid acquisition layer is disposed over the core and both it and the core are interposed between the top-sheet and the back-sheet. The back-sheet has an opposed pair of arcuate edge portions and an opposed pair of linear side edges. The top-sheet has an opposed pair of arcuate edges and an opposed pair of side portions. Each of the side portions of the top-sheet merges with the remainder of the top-sheet along a respective fold line and each is of a generally trapezoidal shape. The arcuate edges of the top-sheet are disposed over respective ones the arcuate edges of the back-sheet. The top-sheet and back-sheet are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG
    Inventors: Frank S. Glaug, Jean A. Serafino
  • Publication number: 20020115978
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent thong-shaped pantiliner. The pantiliner is in the form of a generally planar pad having a longitudinal central axis and a generally wedge-shaped periphery including first and second generally concave longitudinal extending sides interconnecting a top end and a bottom end. The pad includes a fluid-pervious top sheet an absorbent core and a fluid impervious back sheet that are bonded together along a first set of non-linear, parallel lines and second set of linear parallel lines. The first set of lines have portions extending generally along each side and the top and bottom end of the pad. The first set of lines also has a fourth portion extending generally along the bottom end of the pad. The second set of lines are located adjacent the bottom end of the pad and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first set of parallel lines merge with the second set of parallel lines adjacent the bottom end of the pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Confab Services, AG
    Inventor: Robert T. Cole
  • Publication number: 20020111596
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having removable side panels that are releasable and refastenable, such that the resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment on either a left side or a right side of the garment. Furthermore, the removable side panels can be reused with a disposable chassis portion of the garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Amy L. Fletcher, David Arthur Kuen, Robert Lee Popp, Jack L. Couillard, Joseph D. Coenen, Christopher Peter Olson, Shawn A. Quereshi
  • Publication number: 20020111595
    Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having a silhouette that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is in opposite relation to the first portion, and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending sides connecting the first portion to the second portion, wherein the distance between the pair of longitudinally extending sides decreases from the first portion to the second portion. The absorbent article also contains a layered portion with a substantially transparent cover layer and a substantially transparent backsheet layer. At least one flap may optionally extend laterally from a longitudinally extending side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Jutta S. Haarer
  • Patent number: 6432098
    Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Kline, Tracey E. Beckman, Thomas Henrich, David J. K. Goulait, Miguel A. Robles, Constance L. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6430989
    Abstract: A quantitative method of evaluating swimwear for underwater leakage using a mechanical test mannequin, a water tank, a fluorescent bowel movement simulant, and a fluorescence meter. More particularly, a swimwear garment is applied to the mannequin, the fluorescent bowel movement simulant is inserted into the swimwear garment, the mannequin and the swimwear garment are submersed into water within the water tank, and a motion mechanism attached to the mannequin moves the mannequin up and down, thereby simulating typical water play movements. The fluorescence meter can be used to quantitatively determine the amount of leakage of the fluorescent bowel movement simulant from the swimwear garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherry Ann Van Dyke, Robin Kurt Nason, Daryl Steven Meyer, David W. Koenig, Thomas Mathias Kolb, Cynthia Helen Nordness, Marcille Faye Ruman, Faith Eileen Cochrane, Jesse Paul Sorenson, Devertt DeWayne Woolwine, Jerome James Workman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020104148
    Abstract: A disposable male personal hygiene product for preventing the soiling of outer clothing and undergarments and skin irritation due to urinary flow irregularities. The product consists of a urine bib having an absorbent outer layer and a moisture resistant inner layer. The urine bib is attached to the male penis during urination by placing the male penis through an opening in the bib such that an absorbent size faces outward and a moisture resistant inner layer is closely coupled to the clothing. The urine bib can be sized as a function of the height and girth of the user. The urine bib may also be treated with a medication to prevent the spread of infectious disease after use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Sidney I. Silverman
  • Patent number: 6428523
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin provided with wings, and particularly a women's sanitary napkin. There is disclosed a sanitary napkin provided with wings that are adapted to be folded over the edges of an undergarment and tension relief structures which are located on a garment faceable surface of the wings. The tension relief structures have first surface affixed to a garment faceable surface of the wing and a second surface that is adapted to contact the undergarment in use. The second surface is movable with respect to the first surface and the second surface has an adhesive region that releasably adheres the tension relief structure to the user's undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Industria E Comercio LTDA
    Inventor: Igor Philip Passos Proglhof
  • Publication number: 20020103466
    Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing nasal drip during an activity, the apparatus consisting of a means for encapsulating at least one digit of a hand with a flexible, absorbent material. The apparatus is secured to the hand by means of a strap extending from the absorbent material that is secured about the wrist of the user. The apparatus may be sized to fit over a gloved hand to enable the use of the apparatus in different conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen V. Petix
  • Publication number: 20020099352
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as an baby diaper, comprising a first end portion (1) and a second end portion (2), and an intermediate crotch portion (3), said portions comprising an inner layer (4), which is turned towards the user during use. The article is formed in the area of the second end portion (2) with mechanical tape fasteners (25, 26) intended, upon application of the article, to be detachably interconnected with one or several fastening parts (27) disposed on the outer layer of the first end portion (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Anna Heden, Robert Kling, Monica Forgar
  • Publication number: 20020099349
    Abstract: A napkin for man's briefs or shorts that has one adhesive side to be adhered to a crotch inside the briefs and the other side comprised of a soft and absorbent layer that directly contact the man's penis to absorb any residual urine remained in the external urethral orifice after urination or has its adhesive side adhered in the briefs at where facing the anus to maintain the briefs clean and comfortable for personal hygiene purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Hsin Fa Lee
  • Patent number: 6423049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable diaper, which is easy to put on the wearer, and which is possible to be put on easily while the wearer is standing on both legs. The disposable diaper according to the present invention includes a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The diaper further includes male members which are protrusively arranged from side portions of one of the hip portion and said belly portion in a face direction and female members, which are arranged on side portions of the other and in which the male members engage in a face direction of the side portions. The female members are provided with receiving portions in which the male members are inserted in a face direction of the side portions. Engaged surfaces perpendicular to the inserting direction of the male member are formed on the inner walls of the receiving portions and the male members are provided with engaging surfaces opposing to the engaged surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tominaga, Toshiaki Takizawa, Mitsuru Akeno, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 6416502
    Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed which is designed to be secured to an undergarment. The undergarment includes a crotch protion with a pair of side edges. The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable cover, a liquid-impermeable baffle and an absorbent enclosed by the cover and the baffle to form a pad. The pad has first and second raised longitudinally-extending sides, each with a vertically oriented outer surface. The pad also has a garment-facing surface. The absorbent article also includes a pair of flaps which cooperate with one another to extend around the crotch portion of the undergarment and overlap one another. Each of the flaps has a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edges are affixed to one of the vertically oriented outer surfaces and each of the distal edges extend downwardly and inwardly around the crotch portion of the undergarment. The pair of flaps are secured together by an attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Connelly, Joyce Ann Damico, Gary Chester Anderson
  • Publication number: 20020087132
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner and an incontinence napkin for the absorption of urine or faeces and intended to be carried inside the crotch part of the wearer's underwear, wherein said article has two long sides (15, 16), a first short side (17), a second short side (18), a liquid-permeable casing sheet (3) intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use, a liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) intended to lie distal from the wearer in use, an absorbent core (4) between said sheets (2, 3), said core comprising one or more layers of material, an adhesive fastener means (6) which functions to affix the article to the wearer's underwear and which is disposed on that side of the liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) that lies distal from the wearer in use, and a removable protective layer (40) which covers the adhesive fastener means (6) and which has a first short side that faces towards the first short side of said article and a second short side which faces towards the second short si
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ann Samuelsson
  • Publication number: 20020087134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article (1) in the form of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or a female incontinence napkin, comprising a front portion (2) and a rear portion (3) which includes an absorbent body (4, 5, 6) enclosed between a liquid-permeable casing sheet (7) and a liquid-impermeable casing sheet (8), wherein the absorbent body is comprised of a central pad (4) that extends from the forward end of the front portion to the rear end of the rear portion, and two side bodies (5, 6) which extend along the side edges of the central absorbent body on respective sides thereof and along a part of said body. According to the invention, the central absorbent body (4) tapers rearwardly from a section of greatest width located in the front portion (2) of the article to the end of the rear portion (3) of said article, wherein the side bodies (5, 6) extend rearwardly from a point on the tapering part of the central absorbent body to the rear end of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Patent number: 6413249
    Abstract: An integral disposable elasticized absorbent article is provided for use as infant training pants or adult incontinent underpants, briefs and the like. The article comprises an absorbent body having a liquid pervious top layer, a liquid impervious backsheet and a liquid absorbent layer therebetween. A pair of elasticized members (belts) are secured to the absorbent body, with one elasticized member being disposed substantially parallel to the left of the longitudinal axis of the article, and the second elasticized member being disposed substantially parallel to the right of the longitudinal axis of the article. Each elasticized member has an end closure means adapted to engage the end closure means of the other elastic member to secure the absorbent article firmly to the body of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: First Quality Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mordechai Turi, Michael Kauschke
  • Publication number: 20020082579
    Abstract: In the continuous manufacture of absorbent articles (17) in the form of sanitary napkins, panty liners or incontinence protectors for women, the invention provides a method of providing said articles with protective layers (25, 26, 27). According to the invention, a web (5) of protective layer material whose width corresponds at least to the greatest width of the article (17) in the machine direction (M) is provided with a sequence of pairs of cuts (8, 9) which are so spaced apart that when the web (5) of protective layer material is placed on a web (1, 3, 4) of article blanks the two cuts (8, 9) in each pair of cuts in the sequence of pairs of cuts will lie linearly between the points of connection of the flap (23, 24) with the longitudinal edges of each article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Bror-Inge Helmfridsson, Hakan Persson, Solgun Drevik, Frantisek Solar