Adhesive Tab Fastener Element Patents (Class 604/389)
  • Patent number: 7322968
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided on its garment facing surface with tape fasteners. The tape member forming each of the tape fastener has a fixed end portion and a free end portion adapted to be taken between the fingers longitudinally opposed to each other. The free end portion at least partially extend beyond the lateral edge of the wearing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nariaki Shimoe
  • Publication number: 20080009816
    Abstract: A pants-type wearing article includes front and rear waist regions connected to each other by fastener means in a detachable and refastenable manner. Each of the fastener means comprises a sheet-like supporting element adapted to be folded in a Z-shape or an inverted Z-shape as the front and rear waist regions are put flat together and a fastener element. The supporting element has a top section, a bottom section and an intermediate section connecting the top and bottom sections. Between opposed surfaces of the bottom section and the intermediate section, a sheet-like liner section is provided so as to extend from a bottom section's openable end of the bottom section along these opposed surfaces toward a top section's joint end. The top section is bonded to the intermediate section by a first bonding zone while the liner section is bonded to the bottom section and the intermediate section by a second bonding zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kenmochi, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Natsuko Aoyagi, Kayoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7300427
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes connector sheet strips used to connect front and rear waist regions of the article which respectively includes proximal sections and flap-like sections. The proximal sections are fixed to the rear waist region on its inner surface along zones immediately adjacent to transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region and the flap-like sections extend from the respective zones to the inside of the article in a circumferential direction. The flap-like sections are formed with folding guide means facilitating the flap-like sections to be folded so that these flap-like sections may extend from the inside toward the outside of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugito, Yoshio Ono
  • Patent number: 7291371
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical closure tape in roll form. The closure tapes are useful in the manufacture of disposable articles, particularly disposable diapers. The closure tape includes a fastening tape having a mechanical closure member and a release tape that completely covers the mechanical closure member during storage and transport of the tape and/or the disposable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Anne Verhaert
  • Patent number: 7291136
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent article intended for use in a thong garment, and having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and comprising a liquid-permeable cover sheet (109), a liquid-tight cover sheet (110), and an absorption body (111) enclosed between the two cover sheets (109, 110), the liquid-permeable cover sheet (109) being intended to be directed towards the user's body during use and the liquid-tight cover sheet (110) being intended to be directed towards the thong garment during use, an adhesive fastening means (514, 614, 714, 814) being arranged on the liquid-tight cover sheet (110), and the article moreover having, in its longitudinal direction, a front portion (106), a rear portion (107), two side edges (102, 103), and a front edge (104) and a rear edge (105). The article has a portion which is arranged centrally between the longitudinal side edges (102, 103) and which is free of the adhesive fastening means (514, 614, 714, 814).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products, A.B.
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Anita Skeppstedt
  • Patent number: 7288081
    Abstract: In a disposable wearing article, connector sheet strips for connecting front and rear waist regions of the article have proximal sections and flap-like sections. The proximal sections are fixed to the rear waist region on its inner surface along zones contiguous to transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region. Flexural rigidity of the flap-like sections as measured in a transverse direction of the article is higher than that of the article as measured in regions lying immediately inside the respective zones which are, in turn, contiguous to the respective side edges, so that a direction in which the connector sheet strips extend can be easily reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugito, Yoshio Ono
  • Patent number: 7288079
    Abstract: A disposable diaper capable of being put on from either the front or the back of a wearer. The ratio of the minimum width W1 of the crotch section to the whole width W2 of the longitudinal end section having the fastening tapes is from 0.30 to 0.75. The minimum width W1 is in the area extending from the centerline across the diaper that divides the diaper length in two equal halves toward both the longitudinal end sections thereof by ±10% of the total length of the diaper. The area ratio S1/S2 is from 0.45 to 0.60, where S1 is the area of each region surrounded by an imaginary straight line L1, an imaginary straight line L2, and each arched side edge of the crotch section, and S2 is the area of each region surrounded by the line L1, the line L2, and an imaginary straight line L3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Haruko Toyoshima, Yasuyuki Okuda
  • Publication number: 20070234529
    Abstract: The disclosure provides embodiments for elasticized members used as closures for garments, such as diapers, jacket cuffs, and similar articles, the elasticized member having an elastic body having an attachment region adapted for attachment of the elastic body to a garment and a fastener positioned on a distal portion of the elastic body, wherein the elastic body is structured to reduce curl along longitudinal edges and corners of the elastic body upon application of tension to the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Andrew J. Peacock, Matthew J. O'Sickey, Stephen D. Bruce
  • Publication number: 20070233033
    Abstract: A pull-on diaper includes a front waist region and a rear waist region joined together along joints defined by transversely opposite edges of these waist regions so as to form a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The joints are adapted to be ruptured for disposal of the diaper which has been used. The front waist region and the rear waist region are joined together along the joints by means of joining members and each of the joining members is provided with a gripper formed integrally with this joining member and rupture guides extending from the gripper toward the waist-hole and the associated one of the leg-holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Naoto Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7217262
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a stretchable fastening member is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a chassis and a stretchable fastening member. The chassis extends longitudinally and laterally and comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The stretchable fastening member comprises a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion. The stretchable fastening member is joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member. The stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahata, Yasuhisa Minemoto
  • Patent number: 7201744
    Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment includes a first body panel having a body side and a garment side and a second body panel having a body side and a garment side. A fastener member is attached to the body side of the first body panel and is releasably attached to the body side of the second body panel. A method for assembling a refastenable absorbent garment includes applying a garment side of a first portion of the fastener member to a body side of a first body panel, and releasably applying the body side of the second body panel to a garment side of a second portion of the fastener member. A method of manufacturing and using the absorbent garment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Yung H. Huang
  • Patent number: 7201743
    Abstract: The invention relates to disposable incontinence diapers for adults. At least two closure means (24, 26) are provided on each respective side section (22, 24) or longitudinal edge section (18, 20) and are distanced from each other in a longitudinal direction (30) in order to adapt the diapers in a more effective manner to the actual requirements made thereof. The invention is characterized in that the respective closure means (26) which is located further away from the edge of the hip (16) and the impact section (34) associated therewith are configured in such a way that the adhesive connection, beginning with the closed state of the diapers, only becomes detached when the force is higher than that of the adhesive connection of the closure means (24) located nearer to the edge of the hip (16) and the impact section (32) associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Röhrl
  • Patent number: 7195622
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a fastening arrangement for fastening the absorbent article. The fastening arrangement is an extendable fastening arrangement formed by the material strip being folded in a Z along two transversely extending fold lines which divide the material strip into a first end portion at the first short end, a second end portion at the second short end, and a middle portion between the end portions. The first end portion of the material strip is secured to the middle portion by a first breakable attachment, and the second end portion of the material strip is secured to the middle portion by a second breakable attachment, and the fastening device is arranged on the second end portion on a surface directed away from the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Asa Lindström
  • Patent number: 7189220
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a pair of tape fasteners 6 that are used to connect front and rear waist regions 8, 10 to each other and are attached to side flaps 14 in the rear waist region 10 of the diaper. Each of the tape fasteners 6 includes fibrous nonwoven fabric made of thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber and thermoplastic synthetic resin coated on a substantially whole area of an outer surface of the fibrous nonwoven fabric wherein the thermoplastic synthetic resin forms a substantially smooth synthetic resin layer on outer surfaces of the respective tape fasteners. Thus, a free portion of each tape fastener is reliably prevented from being disengaged from a target tape even when the outer surface of the tape fastener and an inner surface of an underwear rub together during use of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Miyoshi, Hisashi Takai, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 7150732
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes antislip elements having a frictional force higher than those of end flaps and side flaps. These antislip elements are attached to portions of the end flap extending immediately outside transversely opposite ends of a waist elastic member on the side of these portions facing away from the diaper wearer's skin. The waist elastic member is, in turn, attached to the end flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Yoshida, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 7150730
    Abstract: A refastenable pant-like disposable undergarment for absorbing human discharge is disclosed. The undergarment includes a front panel, a back panel, and an absorbent assembly secured therebetween. The front and back panels are joined together to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. A pair of tear lines is formed in the front panel with each extending from the waist opening to one of the respective leg openings. A pair of attachment members is secured across the pair of tear lines and one side of the attachment members is removeably fastened to the front panel. The undergarment further includes a pair of ear flaps formed in the front panel under the pair of attachment members. Each ear flap extends to a portion of one of the pair of tear lines and is fixed to one of the attachment members. As the attachment members are opened, the pair of ear flaps will cause the pair of tear lines to break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wendel Hasler, Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Jeffery Michael Tabor
  • Patent number: 7122022
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, comprising a liquid-permeable surface layer (102), a liquid-impermeable surface layer (103), and an absorption body (104) arranged between the two surface layers (102, 103). The product also has a front portion (109) and a rear portion (110), and fastening arrangements (113a, 113b, 113c) comprising an adhesive attachment-means zone (120a, 120b, 120c) to be attached to the body of a wearer. The invention is characterized in that the product is essentially triangular in shape and in that two fastening arrangements (113a, 113b) are arranged on the front portion (109) of the product and one fastening arrangement (113c) is arranged on the rear portion (110) of the product, said fastening arrangements (113a, 113b, 113c) each comprising a part which extends in the form of a strip beyond the periphery of the product and bears the adhesive attachment-means zone (120a, 120b, 120c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Patent number: 7087046
    Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a body panel comprising a liquid permeable, non-woven material. The non-woven material is elastically gathered and is elongatable between a non-elongated condition and an elongated condition in response to an application of a tensile force. Preferably, the body panel is elongatable at least 75% between the non-elongated condition and the elongated condition upon the application of the tensile force. A fastener includes an adhesive that releasably engages the elastically gathered non-woven material. The fastener is releasably disengageable from the body panel in response to an application of a disengaging shear force. Preferably, the disengaging shear force is greater than the tensile force. Methods for manufacturing and using the absorbent garment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Jacqueline A. Gross, Yung H. Huang
  • Patent number: 7077834
    Abstract: A pant-like disposable garment for absorbing human discharge is disclosed. The pant-like garment includes a front panel, a back panel, and an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly includes a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween. The absorbent assembly further including a pair of end edges and is secured to the front panel and to the back panel. The front and back panels are joined together by a pair of seams to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The garment also includes a pair of perforation lines formed in the front panel with each being aligned non-parallel to one of the seams. The garment further includes a pair of attachment members which overlap the pair of perforation lines. The pair of perforation lines and the pair of attachment members function to allow the waist opening to be easily opened and closed more than once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fleger Bishop, Bridget Ann Balogh, Mary Jo Meyer
  • Patent number: 7074215
    Abstract: A disposable garment having a localized retention zone for retention of the garment in its initial position on the body of a wearer. The retention zone has a higher coefficient of static friction than does the major area of the body-facing surface of the garment. The garment may also include localized areas having a lower coefficient of static friction than that of the major area to facilitate placement of the garment in a desired wearing position. Such lower coefficient of static friction areas can include the areas adjacent the leg openings and the area of the waistband that overlies the stomach of the wearer. Additionally, the garment can also include areas wherein the coefficient of static friction varies from high to low to provide improved retention and comfort over a wide range of wearing conditions and a wide range of movements of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Frederick Michael Langdon, David Joseph Kenneth Goulait, Julie Lyn Moore, Juan Carlos Velez
  • Patent number: 7063689
    Abstract: An elongated sanitary napkin has deflectable longitudinal side edges formed by an edge or peripheral seal along the opposite sides of an absorbent. A garment attachment panel is secured to the underside of each side edge. A fixed portion of the panel is bonded flat against the side edge so that a free portion of the panel, extending from the fixed portion, is directed inward and downward. During use, the panels are fastened together beneath an undergarment crotch portion by hook and loop type fastener. Fastener and panels are sized so that when fastened the panels exert a pull on the side edges, controlling their deflection and, for example, preventing them from folding in over the absorbent. The garment attachment panels confine the undergarment crotch portion under the absorbent so that, for example, an elasticized edge of the crotch portion is prevented from pulling up and onto the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore VanGompel, Julie Terese Brocker, Lori Sue Schutkoske, Betsy Carolyn Westlake
  • Patent number: 7022804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture-crosslinkable hot-melt adhesive which is composed of a polyurethane prepolymer obtained by polyaddition of at least one polyol to at least one isocyanate chosen from the group of diisocyanates trimerized as isocyanurates and reaction products of diisocyanates with water, the prepolymer having a content of free NCO group of between 1 and 25% by weight. The adhesive according to the invention may be used for the adhesive bonding of fixing components of the Velcro® type to articles intended for hygiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Bostik SA
    Inventors: Michel Miskovic, François Bauduin, Patrick Bouttefort, Jean-François Chartrel
  • Patent number: 7018368
    Abstract: A personal care article includes a resiliently stretchable outer cover and a first and second substantially non-stretchable grasping panels attached to the article. The outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least the cross-direction to conform to the body of a wearer. The absorbent structure is secured to the outer cover by extendible attachment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore Van Gompel, Yung Hsiang Huang, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Patent number: 7014631
    Abstract: There is provided a nonwoven elastic laminate closure tab of the invention comprising adjacent first and second nonwoven closure elements each having a first face and a second face and a coextruded film elastic attached to each closure element first face. The first face of each closure element has a first area coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive and a second area adjacent the first area free of pressure-sensitive adhesive at terminal ends of the nonwoven closure elements. The coextruded film elastic has two first regions each having at least one inelastic zone and a second region between the two first regions having at least one elastic zone. The two opposing first regions are attached to the two pressure-sensitive adhesive areas of the two closure elements respectively such that the second adhesive free areas of the two adjacent closure elements are in face to face contact with at least a portion of the coextruded elastic film elastic second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Roderick L. Storey, James V. Metz
  • Patent number: 6945968
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a diaper or an incontinence garment, comprising a casing, an outer side of the casing being distal from the body of the wearer in use of the garment and an inner side being proximal to the body of the wearer in use of the garment, said casing having a front part, a rear part and a crotch part lying between the front and rear parts, the casing comprising an absorbent structure, whereby the absorbent product further comprises a fastening system, for attaching opposing side portions of the front and rear parts to each other, comprising at least two cooperating fastening elements, wherein the first element functions as a landing zone for the second element, characterized in that the first element comprises at least one skewing-preventing part, which skewing-preventing part prevents the front and rear parts to slide relative one another, as it adheres to the inner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Charlotth Svensson, Anna Svernlöv
  • Patent number: 6942651
    Abstract: A fastener tab for use on an absorbent garment is provided. The fastener tab has a tab body with a proximal edge for locating proximate the garment, a distal edge opposite the proximal edge, a top edge adjacent the proximal edge, and a bottom edge opposite the top edge, and a fastening area for removeably fastening the tab body to the garment. The fastening area has a first edge. A first tangent line is tangent to a first portion of the first edge of the fastening area, a second tangent line is tangent to a second portion of the first edge of the fastening area, the second tangent line intersects the first tangent line, and one of the first and second tangent lines is non-parallel to a primary pull direction of the fastener tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernadette M. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 6939335
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having side seams extending from a waist opening to each of two leg openings between a front side panel and a back side panel. The side seams are offset or folded to conceal the post-bonding edges and provide a finished or aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Franke, Cynthia Louise Wyngaard, Heather S. Mortell
  • Patent number: 6926704
    Abstract: An absorbent disposable article, such as nappy pants, has a T-shaped tape attached on the outside of the article with such adhesion that the tape withstands a load of at least 25 N in the tape flap without the tape coming away from the outer layer. The tape flap is arranged in a parked state during use and can also be used to seal the article into a closed, folded package after use. When the tape flap has been freed from its parked state, the tape flap forms a stem portion of a T with the two cross-legs of the T permanently attached to the outer layer, so the tensile forces in the tape flap are taken up by the two legs. The outer layer includes a non-woven laminate, with at least one outer ply of spunbond and an inner ply of at least one meltblown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Mikael Andersson, Ken Olsson, Anna-Karin Storm
  • Patent number: 6923798
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes first and second end portions, an intermediate crotch portion, and mechanical tape fasteners detachably interconnectable with at least one fastening parts disposed on the outer layer of the first end portion during a position of use. The tape fasteners are arranged on and joined to the inner layer of the second end portion via a producer's bonding face. A user's bonding face is arranged on an opposite user's end part of the tape fastener. Each tape fastener has an odd number of folds in a storage position. Producer's and user's bonding faces are turned towards the inner layer, the user end parts of the fasteners face one another, and the individual fold parts are joined to respective at least one other fold parts by means of a breakable bond in the storage position. The bond is breakable in order to establish the position of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anna Hedén, Robert Kling, Monica Forgar
  • Patent number: 6911023
    Abstract: An article to be worn about a wearer including an fastening system joined to the article including a receiving member having at least a first receiving fastening element and a second receiving fastening element. The first receiving fastening element is disposed on a flap having a proximal portion joined to the article and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion. The second receiving fastening element is disposed so as to be generally in face to face relationship with the first receiving fastening element when the receiving member is in a closed configuration. An engaging member includes at least a first engaging fastening element and a second engaging fastening element. The first engaging fastening element is engageable with at least the first receiving fastening element and the second engaging fastening element is engageable with at least the second receiving fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raymond Scott Hamilton, George Christopher Dobrin, Mark James Kline, George Bartol Glackin, III, Luke Robinson Magee
  • Patent number: 6905488
    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: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6863666
    Abstract: An open-type disposable diaper is composed, in its longitudinal direction, of a crotch region, a front waist region and a rear waist region. The rear waist region is provided on its transversely opposite sides with wings and lobes extend outward from these wings in a transverse direction. These lobes are provided on inner surfaces thereof with fasteners. Each of the lobes is divided in a section placed aside toward an outer end and a section placed aside toward an inner end as viewed in the longitudinal direction. The section placed aside toward the outer end has an elastic stretchability in the transverse direction of the diaper higher than the section placed aside toward the inner end. The fastener is attached to the section placed aside toward the outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hironao Minato
  • Patent number: 6849067
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Publication number: 20040267227
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is provided with tape fastener attached thereto. The tape fastener may be folded so as to be unfolded in a longitudinal direction and comprises a first tape strip and a second tape strip underlying the first tape strip. The first tape strip has a free end zone and a first end zone and is adhesively attached to the second tape section. The second tape strip has a fixed end zone secured to the second surface and a second end zone and being contiguous to the first end zone of the first tape strip. The first end zone of the first tape strip has an extension extending beyond the second end zone of the second tape strip and adhesively attached to the surface of the second tape strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kyoko Ito, Kyota Saito
  • Patent number: 6830566
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making pant-like disposable absorbent garments with single-piece elastic side panels, and garments so made, are provided. The single-piece side panels eliminate the additional cost associated with multi-part side panels, and improve aesthetic appearance of the garments by eliminating side seams. The process and apparatus accomplish the steps of providing a garment chassis having unfinished lateral edges, folding the chassis so that a front portion overlaps a back portion, and folding and bonding the single-piece side panels so that opposing of the side panels are joined to the lateral edges on the garment chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Kuen, John Irvin VanDeurzen
  • Publication number: 20040243090
    Abstract: A disposable diaper capable of being put on from either the front or the back of a wearer is disclosed. The longitudinal end section having the fastening tapes has a waist elastic member and an extensible side part. The absorbent member is disposed such that its longitudinal end in the section having the fastening tapes is nearer to the waist portion of that section than the centerline parallel to the diaper width direction and dividing each of the extensible side parts into equal halves. Two portions on opposite sides of the centerline dividing the length of the diaper in equal halves have a saturated absorption capacity ratio of 45/55 to 55/45. The natural length of the waist elastic member in the state removed from the diaper is 60 to 80% of the length of the waist elastic member as provided in the diaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Haruko Toyoshima, Yasuyuki Okuda
  • Publication number: 20040243091
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided with a fastening means composed of a pair of tape fasteners attached to side sections of the rear waist region and a target zone formed on of the front waist region. The tape fasteners each composed of inner and outer tape strips extending parallel to each other in a transverse direction and a hook member. The outer tape strip has a proximal portion fixed to the side section and a distal portion extending outwards from the side section. The inner tape strip has a proximal portion fixed to the side section, a first distal portion bonded to the distal portion of the outer tape strip and a second distal portion extending outwards from the distal portion of the outer tape strip. The hook member is attached to at least the second distal portion of the inner tape strip. The tape fastener has a first zone where the distal portion of the outer tape strip extends and a second zone where the second distal portion of the inner tape strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Koichiro Mitsui, Takayuki Miyoshi, Hironao Minato
  • Publication number: 20040236302
    Abstract: A wearable article, such as an absorbent pant product, including a humidity monitoring system. A humidity sensor may be attached to a signal device that produces a signal when relative humidity inside the wearable article reaches a set level, such as 80%. A delivery device may also be connected to the humidity sensor, and may deliver a treatment to a wearer's skin when the relative humidity inside the absorbent article reaches the set level. The humidity monitoring system may be electromechanical, with the opening and closing of an electrical circuit being dependent on the level of relative humidity within the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Hoa La Wilhelm, James Hongxue Wang
  • Patent number: 6821269
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Henri Brisebois
  • Patent number: 6817994
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment adapted to easy application and removal has refastenable side seams. The refastenable side seams extend from a waist opening to each of two leg openings between a front panel and a back panel. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a fastening component and a mating fastening component, each of which comprises either a hook material or a loop material. A portion of the mating fastening component can be die-cut in a sinusoidal or other nesting shape. The resulting refastenable seams can be lap seams, dual fastened lap seams, standing butt seams, or dual fastened standing butt seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson, David Arthur Kuen, Shawn A. Quereshi
  • Publication number: 20040220539
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an absorbent article, and more particularly to a fluid transfer layer including tow fibers. Such fluid transfer layers provide improved acquisition and rewet values for the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Frank S. Glaug, John D. Litvay
  • Patent number: 6764475
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has at least one first fastening component disposed in a first waist region and at least one second fastening component disposed in an opposite second waist region. The fastening components are adapted to releasably engage one another and at least one of the fastening components comprises primary and secondary regions that have different releasable engagement properties. Together the fastening components define a refastenable, variable-location seam having a main refastenable attachment zone providing a basic level of securement and an enhanced refastenable attachment zone providing an augmented level of securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Publication number: 20040138639
    Abstract: Each of tape fasteners attached to a wearing article and maintained folded in a Z- or an inverted Z-shape. The Z- or to the inverted Z-shape is defined by a first tape segment having a free end zone, a second tape segment fixed to a surface of the wearing article to contact with the wearer's clothes and a third tape segment interposed between the first and second tape segments. An inner end zone of the third tape segment is connected to an inner end zone of the second tape segment and extends inwardly of the wearing article beyond the inner end zone to be releasably attached to the surface of the wearing article to contact with the wearer's clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kyoko Ito, Junko Sato, Toru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6761711
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 6746435
    Abstract: A shaped sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin of this invention has an absorbent means, such as an absorbent core, and two flaps extending outwardly from the absorbent means. Each flap is associated with the absorbent means along a nonlinear line of juncture and each has two axes of flexibility. In use, the absorbent means is secured in the crotch of a panty and the flaps are secured about the elastic edges of the panty so that, when the panty is worn, the absorbent means is held adjacent the body while the flaps form a wall at each side of the absorbent means and seals against the body. Both the walls and the seals serve to prevent soiling of the body and clothing by menstrual fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Kees J. Van Tilburg
  • Patent number: 6743858
    Abstract: A method of making a sterile adhesive composition includes placing a mixture of a polymerizable adhesive monomer and a thickening agent in a container, sealing the container, and sterilizing the mixture and the container. The method provides superior viscosity for the monomer composition. An adhesive composition includes 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and at least one thickener. The sterile adhesive composition is particularly useful as a medical adhesive and can comprise 1,1-disubstituted ethylene monomers, such as &agr;-cyanoacrylates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Closure Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Hickey, Ubonwan A. Stewart, Jerry Jonn, John S. Bobo
  • Patent number: 6743321
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a refastenable absorbent garment includes moving a continuous body panel web in a machine direction and successively fixedly securing a plurality of discrete fastener pieces, spaced along the machine direction, to the body panel web. Each of the fastener pieces comprises a first and second end also spaced along the machine direction. The method further includes successively cutting said body panel web and each of the fastener pieces along a cross direction between the first and second ends of each of the fastener pieces and thereby forming a plurality of discrete body panels each comprising opposite side edges and a plurality of pairs of fastener members fixedly secured to one of the plurality of body panels and a next successive body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Guralski, Donald J. Sanders, David H. Swanton, Paul T. Van Gompel
  • Patent number: 6740071
    Abstract: A fastener tab for securing absorbent garments having a first elastic region that extends laterally outward from a waist region of the garment, a second elastic region that extends laterally outward from the first elastic region, and a grip that is attached to an outboard portion of the second elastic region. The first elastic region has a greater stretch resistance than the second elastic region. The fastener tab may have a substantially inelastic region interposed between the first elastic region and the second elastic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernadette M. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20040092903
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes attachment panels extending transversely outward from the absorbent assembly in one waist region and mechanical fastening components in an opposite waist region. The attachment panels cover the side hips of the wearer and define inner attachment surfaces that are adapted to refastenably engage the fastening components to maintain the absorbent article in a pant configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Olson, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs
  • Publication number: 20040092898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable absorbent thong shaped sanitary napkin or panty liner. Such sanitary napkins or panty liners are particularly useful for wearing in so-called thong slips or G-string undergarments. According to the present invention the sanitary napkins or panty liners are provided with a water vapour permeable, preferably an air permeable, backsheet for breathability. The absorbent core of such sanitary napkins or panty liners comprises in addition to a fibrous matrix at lest one fibrous active material selected from fibrous super-absorbent material or fibrous odour control material or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Schfer, Ulrike Dagmar Frauke Kitzinger, Anke Simone Renz, Susanne Will