With Release Means Associated With Tab Fastner Patents (Class 604/390)
  • Patent number: 6743213
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes tape fasteners extending outward from transversely opposite side edges of the diaper and provided on their inner surfaces with hook members. The hook members have their inner surfaces partially coated with adhesive layers by which the hook members are peelably bonded to release zones defined in the proximity of the transversely opposite side edges of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hironao Minato
  • Patent number: 6730069
    Abstract: A cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener including a flexible layer and at least one fastener island, and methods of making the same. The fastener island has a planar perimeter edge, a mechanical fastening material, and a backing material attached to the mechanical fastening material. The backing material is embedded within the flexible layer and the planar perimeter edge is surrounded by the flexible layer. Accordingly, the mechanical fastener offers an improved flexibility and a cloth-like presentation. The improved flexibility and cloth-like presentation reduce the potential for the wearer to be exposed to coarse edges or creases, thereby lowering the possibility of red-marking or irritation of the skin. Moreover, the flexibility of the fastener allows the fastener to better accommodate the movement of the wearer, providing more reliable securement. The cloth-like, flexible mechanical fastener may be of particular use in combination with disposable absorbent articles to secure the article about a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Warren Tanzer, Karen Marie Menard, Julius Charles Nagy
  • Patent number: 6730070
    Abstract: The absorbent product has longitudinal side edges, transverse end edges, first and second end sections and a crotch section between the end sections. A fastening tab is arranged at a side edge, on the first end section, and includes a first fastening member. A second fastening member is arranged on the second end section and arranged to interact with the first fastening member to bind the product into a briefs shape. A material strip extends in the transverse direction of the product and is fixed permanently to the product, at least at its ends. The fastening tab constitutes part of the material strip and is demarcated from the rest of the material strip by a tear line extending substantially transversely to the direction of extent of the material strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Christian Holmquist
  • Patent number: 6719744
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive closure tape tab (10,50) form of an elastic laminate (15) of an elastic film (16) having on at least a first major side an expandable fibrous layer (17) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers. On the second major side of the plastic film are attached, a first (30) and a second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape. Each adhesive tape is formed of a fibrous layer (21) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers having on one major surface an adhesive layer (22). The first (30) and second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape are attached opposite to each other to the second major side of the elastic laminate (15) by an adhesive layer (22) and extending beyond the elastic laminate (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Kinnear, Stuart L. Eynon
  • Patent number: 6715188
    Abstract: There is provided an improved tab member for a closure system comprising a tab portion and a slot member. The slot member includes a slit or a loop, with the slot located between an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The tab portion has a tab member having a length, an inner edge, an outer edge and at least one lip portion. The tab member outer edge is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least one lip portion of the tab member overlaps or catches the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member. The slot member outward portion is retained between the lip portion(s) and the underlying generally flexible tab carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
  • Patent number: 6656171
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastener device. The fastener device includes a first tape section having a free end portion and a first connection portion opposing the free end portion; a second tape section having a second connection portion and a first anchor portion opposing the second connection portion The second connection portion is joined to the first connection portion of the first tape section. The fastener device further includes a third tape section having a third connection portion and a second anchor portion next to the third connection portion. The third connection portion is joined to the second connection portion of the second tape section. The third connection portion is joined to a branch connection portion between the second connection portion and the first anchor portion of the second tape section. The present invention is also directed to a disposable product which employs the fastener device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsuda, Limin Song
  • Patent number: 6645338
    Abstract: A stretchable tape includes a nonextensible layer having a separation line, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, an extensible layer and an adhesive inhibiting masking between adjacent portions of the extensible layer and adhesive layer to enable relative movement and tape stretchability. The tape is especially useful in the manufacture of diaper tabs. The tape stock and diaper tabs may be manufactured using conventional web processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Nailesh M. Sangani, Michael D. Hilston, Carol A. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6641568
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having improved sustained fit on the body, improved appearance through the period of use, and improved comfort for the wearer. The absorbent article has a containment assembly, a waist feature and a diagonal support member feature disposed so as to lie in the diagonal support zone of the wearer's body when the article is worn. The diagonal support member is designed to support the article from the small of the back, over the hip, and to the lower abdomen. The diagonal support member is distinct from the waist feature, which is designed to provide only enough circumferential tension to hold itself in position on the body. The absorbent article has a garment-like high-waisted appearance, gentle tension around the waist to avoid discomfort and/or pressure marking, good leakage protection, good sustained fit, and easy application and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Frederick Michael Langdon
  • Publication number: 20030199842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article for managing bodily fluids, comprising a high coefficient of friction (“COF”) backsheet and at least one tape tab extending therefrom. The tape tab comprises a minimum amount of pressure sensitive adhesive sufficient to maintain the position of the article when a user's undergarments are away from her body. When the undergarments are near her body, the high COF backsheet acts as the predominant means for maintaining the position of the article due to normal forces exerted by the user's body and undergarments. When the user wants to remove the article from her undergarments, the tape tab provides additional advantages. The user may grasp the tape tab itself for removing the article as an alternative to grasping a portion of the soiled article. In addition the soiled article may be folded or rolled up, and then held in that configuration with the tape tab, for convenient and discreet disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Luizzi, Miriam Motta
  • Patent number: 6602237
    Abstract: An absorbent product includes an absorbent portion with an absorbent body between a liquid permeable sheet and a liquid impermeable sheet, and flexible flaps projecting from tapering longitudinal edges of the absorbent portion. A first removable protective layer covers substantially the entire absorbent portion and second and third removable protective layers each cover substantially all of a respective one of the flexible flaps. Each of the second and third protective layers is directly opposite the first protective layer along substantially an entire length of a first line along the respective longitudinal edge of the absorbent portion. The second and third protective layers are at least partially separated from the first protective layer by a cut line that follows the respective first line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Bror-Inge Helmfridsson, Hakan Persson, Solgun Drevik, Frantisek Solar
  • Patent number: 6595977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article for managing bodily fluids, comprising a high coefficient of friction (“COF”) backsheet and at least one tape tab extending therefrom. The tape tab comprises a minimum amount of pressure sensitive adhesive sufficient to maintain the position of the article when a user's undergarments are away from her body. When the undergarments are near her body, the high COF backsheet acts as the predominant means for maintaining the position of the article due to normal forces exerted by the user's body and undergarments. When the user wants to remove the article from her undergarments, the tape tab provides additional advantages. The user may grasp the tape tab itself for removing the article as an alternative to grasping a portion of the soiled article. In addition the soiled article may be folded or rolled up, and then held in that configuration with the tape tab, for convenient and discreet disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Luizzi, Jr., Miriam Motta
  • Patent number: 6596113
    Abstract: A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Gene Csida, Lloyd Carl Hietpas, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic, Brian Robert Vogt
  • Publication number: 20030114829
    Abstract: Efficient high speed methods for making garments with fastening components include positioning first fastening components on one surface of a product assemblage on opposite sides of a machine center line at selected first cross machine direction locations. In particular embodiments, second fastening components are positioned on another surface of the product assemblage on opposite sides of the machine center line at selected second cross machine direction locations. The product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices disposed at selected cross machine direction locations to bond the fastening components to opposite surfaces of the product assemblage. In other embodiments, the product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices subsequent to positioning the first fastening components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Jack Lee Couillard, Robert Lee Popp
  • Patent number: 6579275
    Abstract: A pant-like, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, at least one releasable joint and at least one folded fastenery. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. At least one of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide a releasable joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Cassandra Elizabeth Morris
  • Patent number: 6575953
    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: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6569136
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the backsheet is comprised of a microporous polymer film printed with multicolored graphics and a nonwoven material laminated to the film, wherein the film has a “b” value between about 0.0 and about 0.5 and exhibits less than about 4.0% thermal shrinkage at about 50° C. and about 50% relative humidity for one week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jie Tao, Ebrahim Rezai
  • Patent number: 6540730
    Abstract: A brief assembly with a full front panel opening and an inner elasticized support panel includes two half width segments superposed in overlapping relationship, with a portion of the overlapped central area between rear portions of the segments bonded to form a unitary rear panel. The other half of the overlap is left unbonded to provide the full opening in the front panel. The outer margin of the opening can be reinforced by enclosure within a V-folded strip. Portions of outer side margins on each segment are removed to form an hourglass-shape. Overlapped segments are held together by a releasable fastener means that joins the two front panel half width segments. Tensioned elastic strands are attached to a support panel at spaced intervals. The support panel is secured to the inner surface of the overlapped segments. Tapes or other fasteners protrude from the side margins and are used to complete the waist and leg apertures after the front half is folded upward around a user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6530910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flushable release liner/wiper combination. The flushable release liner/wiper combination is formed by applying a release coating onto a first surface of a water-sensitive film and an absorbent fibrous material onto an opposite surface of the water-sensitive film. The flushable release liner/wiper combination maintains its integrity and strength when in use, but loses its integrity and strength when placed in contact with water. The flushable release liner/wiper combination quickly breaks up and disperses in a flushing toilet or sink due to the force of the flowing water on the liner/wiper combination. Moreover, the present invention is directed to methods of making the flushable release liner/wiper combination and water-dispersible products, including flushable products, which contain the flushable release liner/wiper combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Pomplun, Yihua Chang, John E. Kerins
  • Patent number: 6524294
    Abstract: Fastening systems for releasably securing two components together include tab and landing members. In a first arrangement, a Z-fold tab member has combined mechanical and adhesive engagement. A second arrangement includes adjacent adhesive and cohesive contact portions. A third arrangement contoured apertures and mechanical engaging elements. A fourth arrangement includes apertures and mechanical engaging elements sized and arranged so that each aperture receives a plurality of mechanical engaging elements. A fifth arrangement includes tab and landing members that cooperate to provide a color indicia of secure adhesive engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Hilston, Martin Smith, Karen L. Spilizewski, William G. Hartman, Gary A. Avalon, David L. Savage, Roger H. Mann, Linda Lin
  • Patent number: 6524289
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence protector, a diaper, a seat protector or a bed protector, includes an absorption body enclosed between a liquid-permeable cover layer and a liquid-tight cover layer, which liquid-tight cover layer includes a carrier layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being intended to function as a securing arrangement for securing on a textile surface or textile-like surface. The securing arrangement has a multiplicity of individual fibers, which are free from one another and each have two fiber ends, are secured via one fiber end to the first surface of the carrier layer, and moreover by the fact that the first surface, in order to serve as a securing surface against a textile material surface or textile-like material surface, is at least partially coated with an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Björn Larsson, Nils Ljungqvist
  • Publication number: 20030014030
    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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Mikael Andersson, Ken Olsson, Anna-Karin Storm
  • Publication number: 20030004490
    Abstract: An absorbent product includes a liquid-permeable surface layer (2), a liquid-impermeable backing material (3) and an absorption body (4) enclosed between the surface layer (2) and the backing material (3). An attachment system has at least one tab (18) for detachable interaction with a landing zone (20) arranged on the front or rear portion of the product, the landing zone being designed as a strip with two long sides (26) and two short sides (25) which join the two long sides (26) together, and the landing zone (20) has a central inactive area (28) arranged centrally in the transverse direction on the landing zone, and two active areas (27) arranged one on each side of the central inactive area (28) so that the active areas extend in the transverse direction from the central inactive area (28) to the short sides (25) of the landing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Bjorn Larsson, Britt-Louise Hoffback, Hannele Nurmi
  • Publication number: 20020183707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panitiliners and incontinence pads that have side wrapping elements, also called wings on each longitudinal side edge of the article for protection of the side edges of the wearer's undergarment. The side wrapping elements are joined to the absorbent article such that they are predisposed towards their inuseposition, with the outermost edge of the side wrapping elements towards the longitudinal centre line of the article. In this configuration the side wrapping elements can be unfolded by pulling the outermost edge of each side wrapping element in a transverse direction and applying the unfolded article to the crotch position of the wearers undergarment. The predisposition of the side wrapping elements will then support their folding around the undergarment side edges or even perform this task automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: ACHIM SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20020173765
    Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Sunita Pargass, Ellyn L. Conger, Stacy Yeater
  • Patent number: 6475205
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper that is provided, in a vicinity of transversely opposite side edges in a rear waist region, with fastening tape strips. The fastening tape strips are adapted to hold the diaper in its rolled up state for disposal after the diaper has been used. Each of the tape strips includes a first portion extending longitudinally of the diaper parallel to the associated one of transversely opposite side edges and a second portion branched from the first portion that extends longitudinally of the diaper. Longitudinally opposite end regions of the first portion are bonded to edges of waist- and leg-openings. The second portion includes an anchoring zone adapted to be separably anchored on the outer peripheral surface of the rolled up diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Seiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020151865
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive tape substrate is coated with an adhesive, and the adhesive is then printed with an ink or the like that acts as an adhesive-inhibiting masking or barrier along one or more continuous zones or lines. Tapes are formed in whole or in part by slitting along the continuous line or lines so defined. The technique is used to make transfer tapes, diaper fastener tabs, and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Lee McLaughlin, Carol A. Caldwell
  • 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: 6461344
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article in the form of a pants diaper or a sanitary panty starts from a flat blank which includes an elongated absorbent body enclosed between two casing sheets which at opposing front and rear end parts of the absorbent body have side parts which extend laterally beyond the body on the opposite sides thereof. The method includes the step of folding the blank about a transverse axis so that the end edges of the side parts lie edge-to-edge. The front and rear side parts of the blank which oppose one another in the folded state of the blank are joined together by a releasable and refastenable fastener. A pants diaper can be manufactured in accordance with this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Anders Gustafsson
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 20020095130
    Abstract: A self-adhesive garment closure for a garment includes a pair of opposed cooperating fastener elements, each having an exposed layer of self-adhesive material exhibiting strong adhesion to itself while remaining relatively tack-free to other materials. At least one of the fastener elements has a layer of foam material beneath the self-adhesive material, such as for increased bending stiffness. In some cases, such as for pull-up diapers, the self-adhesive closure is non-releasable once secured. Some closures also have cooperating hook-and-loop elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher R. Seitter, William H. Shepard
  • Patent number: 6395115
    Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in either a cross direction or a machine direction. Each of the refastenable side seams is a dual side seam that includes a standing butt seam formed between a front lap seam and a back lap seam. The resulting garment can be opened and closed on either a front side of the garment or a back side of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson, David Arthur Kuen, Shawn A. Quereshi
  • Publication number: 20020058922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary garment (1) for a diaper, an incontinence garment or the like, comprising a casing (3, 4), 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 (5), a rear part (6) and a crotch part (7) lying between the front and rear parts, and fastening tabs (11, 12) laterally projecting from each side of the casing in the rear or front part thereof, said fastening tabs (11, 12) being portions of a band (9) which is laterally extending over the width of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Terje Skog
  • Patent number: 6375645
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article having a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps with fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners thereon, is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps joined to the main body portion apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the first and second flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastener respectively. The first and second flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners. A wrapper for the absorbed article comprises a main wrapper sheet, a first flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover. The main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing the main body portion and an outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Naofumi Nishida, Maki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6371951
    Abstract: An absorbent garment for use in absorbing bodily fluids, having a front waist portion with front attachment means and a rear waist portion with rear attachment means, wherein the front and rear attachment means provide cooperating surfaces allowing attachment of said front and rear attachment means together, wherein the garment has a longitudinal axis extending substantially between mid-portions of the front and rear waist portions, and wherein the front attachment means extends transversely with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein the front attachment means comprises separate attachment portions and at least one elastic section comprising elastic material, the attachment portions each being attached to said at least one elastic section such that movement of the attachment portions away from each other causes stretching of at least one elastic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Koczab, Alain Naze
  • Patent number: 6371949
    Abstract: Disposal securing arrangements provided on a backsheet of body fluids absorbent garment for disposal thereof has a first strip section bonded to the backsheet, a second strip section bonded to the backsheet, a third strip section having a proximal end portion connected to at least one of the first and second strip sections, and a free end portion. The third strip section includes a stretchable extent defined between these opposite end portions. The third strip section is separably held against the first strip section by a securing region provided thereon. The first and second section strip sections respectively have holding forces sufficient to remain held against the backsheet as the third strip section is peeled off from the first strip section and stretched. The holding force generated in the first strip section is equal to or higher than the holding force generated in the second strip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Soga, Toshio Inoue, Hirotomo Mukai, Yoshikazu Takigawa
  • Patent number: 6365793
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive tape substrate is coated with an adhesive, and the adhesive is then printed with an ink or the like that acts as an adhesive-inhibiting masking or barrier along one or more continuous zones or lines. Tapes are formed in whole or in part by slitting along the continuous line or lines so defined. The technique is used to make transfer tapes, diaper fastener tabs, and other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Lee McLaughlin, Carol A. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6352528
    Abstract: A disposable and refastenable pant includes hidden graphics. When the fastening system is engaged, such as would be the case during use, the hidden graphics are not directly visible upon inspection of the interior and exterior surfaces of the garment. The hidden graphics become visible when the fasteners are disengaged from one another. For training pants, the hidden graphics can be used by the caregiver or parent as a motivational and educational instrument to improve the speed and quality of the total toilet training process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Shirlee Ann Weber, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Thomas Michael Gage, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Publication number: 20020026172
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes a pair of tape fasteners which are adapted to hold the diaper in rolled up state, the tape fasteners are provided at transversely opposite side edges of a rear waist region so as to extend along the side edges in a longitudinal direction, each of the tape fasteners has an upper end portion lying adjacent a waist-opening and a lower end portion lying adjacent each of leg-openings, and the upper end portions are bonded to the diaper by means of bonding zones which obliquely extend inward in a waist-surrounding direction from the transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region toward the lower end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Seiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020022819
    Abstract: Product, which product is absorbent or can act as a support for an absorbent product, with the product being provided with front fastening members, which have first regions connected to them, and back fastening members, which have second regions connected to them, with the said front or back fastening members being able to receive and co-operate with the other of the said front or back fastening members, respectively, and a first fastening ability thereby being exhibited between the said front and back fastening members, and the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members have a first extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, and the other of the said front fastening members or the said back fastening members, respectively, have a second extent in the longitudinal direction of the product, with an extent ratio being exhibited, the said first regions can receive and co-operate with the said back fastening members, exhibiting a second fastening ability, and/or the said second regi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Ronnberg, Cecile Sandin, Ingemar Fernfors
  • Publication number: 20020002358
    Abstract: A process for making prefastened and refastenable garments includes providing a plurality of discrete articles with mating fastening components disposed in the waist regions. First fastening components are separated from one another by an initial transverse distance. The waist region containing the first fastening components is modified to transversely displace these fastening components to a post displacement distance that is not equal to the initial distance. The process allows for convenient alignment of the fastening components to form refastenable seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Debra Hartley Durrance, Scott Gerald Chapple, David Michael Clemens, Jason Gene Csida, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Heather Schenck Mortell, Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Scott John Andrew Swanson, Charles Robert Tomsovic
  • Patent number: 6290687
    Abstract: A fastener joins together opposing front and rear side-parts and respectively of an absorbent article in the form of a diaper or the like, so as to form an encircling waistband. The article includes a central part having an absorbent body, and front and rear pliable side-parts which extend from respective sides of the central diaper part. The fastener includes two mutually coacting first and second fastener elements of which the first element is attached to a front side-part and the second element is attached to the rear side-part on the same side of the central part as its associated first element. The first fastener element or the second fastener element includes a fastening portion which projects out from the perimeter of the waistband and which can be inserted into an insertion opening in the associated second or first fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Terje Skog, Anna Karin Jönbrink
  • Patent number: 6280428
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, which have flaps are disclosed. The absorbent articles have flaps with a step configuration. The absorbent articles may also have a deformed hinge that is located between at least a portion of the main body portion of the absorbent article and the flaps, and zones of extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down and under a wearer's undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Glen Ray Lash, Nami Terada, Robb Eric Olsen, Shirley Lee Chow, Jeffrey Vincent Bamber
  • Publication number: 20010014798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing reclosable absorbent garments, in particular absorbent pants, and to the absorbent garments obtainable by said method. Starting from a continuous web (1) of absorbent articles attached side-by-side and with a line of weakening (6) arranged between adjacent articles, a first strip (8) comprising releasably attachable material is applied across the line (6) at one edge (25) of the web. A second strip of flexible material is also applied across the line (6) at the other edge (26) of the web. The web is then folded longitudinally to form a series of closed, joined adjacent articles. The adjacent articles are then partially separated at said line (6) but without rupturing said strips (8, 13), so as to provide a free zone (15) between said strips (8, 13) and the adjacent separated edges of each article. The strips (8, 13) are then joined together across the free zone (15) to form a plurality of joined garments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: INGEMAR FERNFORS
  • Publication number: 20010011168
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper is provided, in vicinity of transversely opposite side edges in a rear waist region, with fastening tape strips adapted to hold the diaper in its rolled up state for disposal after the diaper has been used, each of the tape strips includes a first portion extending longitudinally of the diaper parallel to the associated one of transversely opposite side edges and a second portion branched from the first portion and extends longitudinally of the diaper, longitudinally opposite end regions of the first portion are bonded to edges of waist- and leg-openings, and an anchoring zone adapted to be separably anchored on the outer peripheral surface of the rolled up diaper is defined on the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Seiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6267836
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing tape tabs for use in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers. The method includes steps of cutting a unitary strip of material along parallel curved transverse lines to product tab shapes in the strip material having rounded corners, doubling over the strip material into itself to form a gripping area, and cutting the strip material along parallel cut lines which extend from the curved transverse cut lines to the longitudinal edge to form individual tape tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Wilfried Horst Fenske, Christoph Johann Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6264644
    Abstract: A disposal tape securing arrangement used to secure a disposable body fluid absorbent article such as a disposable diaper in a rolled up state for disposal includes an adhesive tape and a release tape. The adhesive tape is fixed at one end portion to the outer surface of the article and has an adhesive zone on the opposite end portion (i.e., free end portion). The release tape extends in alignment with the adhesive tape and has a release portion fixed to the outer surface of the article and a fold-back portion being contiguous to the release portion and folded back adjacent the end of the adhesive tape. The adhesive zone provided on the adhesive tape is releasably bonded to the release portion and the fold-back portion of the release tape is fixed to the inner surface of the free end portion of the adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Igaue, Hiroyuki Soga
  • Patent number: 6245050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article having a length and a width. The disposable absorbent article defines a first and second waist portion and a first and second longitudinal marginal portion. The disposable article includes the components of a backsheet layer, a topsheet layer, and an absorbent structure located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The article includes at least one elasticized area formed from an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive, a first component and a second component, said first and second components being adhered to one another by said elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Joel Scott Sherman