By Fabric Strip Fastener Element (e.g., Hook And Loop Type Fastener) Patents (Class 604/391)
  • 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: 7137972
    Abstract: A non-bulky, disposable undergarment primarily designed for male wearers who have minor urinary leakage such as from prostate surgery. The undergarment includes a soft, flexible base sheet of a non-woven material. The base sheet has a rectangular main panel which extends from the wearer's lower front trunk between the legs of the wearer to immediately rearward of the genital area to cover the person's genital area. A pair of left and right straps extend rearwardly from the main panel which are interconnected by a transverse connecting strap at a lower rear trunk of the wearer. The straps extend from the connecting strap leftward and rightward around the lower trunk of the wearer. The ends of the straps removably interconnect to the main panel and each other in overlapping fashion by pairs of interlockable hook and loop patches affixed to the main panel and the ends of the straps to securely hold the undergarment in place on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Flori A. Holberg
  • Patent number: 7125400
    Abstract: A wearing article such as a disposable diaper is provided in predetermined regions of the article with hook members. These predetermined regions are elastically stretchable at least in one direction. Each of the hook members includes a plurality of hook assemblies which are, in turn, attached to each of the predetermined regions so as to be spaced apart one from another in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Igaue, Maki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7122024
    Abstract: An open-type disposable wearing article composed of a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region. These regions are all elastically stretchable. The article includes first and second stretchable zones respectively bifurcated at a transverse middle of the crotch region so as to extend to lateral zones of the front and rear waist regions, respectively, and third stretchable zones defined by zones other than the first and second stretchable zones. The first and second stretchable zones exhibit a stretch stress higher than a stretch stress of the third stretchable zones. Loop members are provided to the second stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the rear waist region and hook members are provided to the first stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the front waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Yoshitaka Mishima, Tomoko Sugito
  • Patent number: 7101360
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembly of extensible composite webs and web sausages, and personal care articles manufactured from such webs. The invention comprises fabricating a resiliently extensible web by bringing together and securing to each other as discrete elements, intervening web substrate elements between resiliently stretchable elastic elements. Securement between elastic elements and web substrate elements is defined by alternating zones of securement and non-securement along a length of the web substrate. The invention comprises deactivating elastic elements in the non-securement zones thereby to retract elastic strands in the non-securement zones without retracting the corresponding web or webs in such non-securement zones, and correspondingly, to distinguish the securement zones as relatively more resiliently stretchable and the non-securement zones as relatively less resiliently stretchable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Paul Sorenson, Donald Joesph Sanders, Paul William Christoffel, Suzanne Marie Schmoker
  • Patent number: 7083603
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a feminine care product, includes a liquid permeable top cover, a generally liquid impermeable baffle, and an absorbent structure disposed between the top cover and outer cover. The garment facing side of the baffle includes hook material as a primary attachment mechanism between the baffle and the undergarment. The top cover is a hook compatible material that is releasably attachable to the hook material such that the article can be rolled into a tube-like configuration wherein the hook material is releasably engaged with the hook compatible material for maintaining the article in a rolled configuration. A protective backing sheet is disposed between the top cover and the garment facing side of the baffle in the rolled configuration of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi J. Bryant, Michelle M. Sroda
  • 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: 7041091
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a feminine care product, includes a liquid permeable top cover, a generally liquid impermeable baffle, and an absorbent structure disposed between the top cover and outer cover. The garment facing side of the baffle includes hook material as a primary attachment mechanism between the baffle and the undergarment. The top cover is a hook compatible material that is releasably attachable to the hook material such that the article can be rolled into a tube-like configuration wherein the hook material is releasably engaged with the hook compatible material for maintaining the article in a rolled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine C. Wheeler, Kenneth R. Casson
  • Patent number: 7039997
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment the fastening components are aligned in at least partially overlapping relationship with each other and engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The fastening components are then flexed at the engagement seam to generate a shear stress at the seam to thereby promote increased engagement between the fastening components. In another embodiment, the fastening components are delivered in a predetermined direction to a nip and then drawn into the nip at a speed greater than the speed at which the fastening components are delivered to the nip. The fastening components are passed through the nip generally to squeeze the fastening components together at the engagement seam for promoting enhanced engagement between the fastening components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Jason Gene Csida, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic, Wade L. Behnke
  • Patent number: 7032278
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fastener includes forming a preform sheet having a sheet-form base and an array of hook-shaped fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and securing a cover sheet with an aperture across the array of fastener elements, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover sheet, and the engaging zone surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region. A fastener product includes a preform having a sheet-form base and an array of fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and a cover with and aperture secured across the array of fastener elements, the cover defining an aperture there through, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover, and the engaging zone being surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Wallace L. Kurtz, Jr.
  • 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: 6994698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical fastening tab formed from a substrate adapted to be joined to a disposable absorbent product and a first mechanical fastener component. The fastening tab has a Gurley stiffness value of less than about 1000 milligrams in an area of the fastening tab which includes said first mechanical fastening component. Also disclosed are disposable products comprising such mechanical fastening tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Todd Leak, Apiromraj Srisopark Roslansky, Paul Theodore Van Gompel, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Edward Herman Ruscher, Yung Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6972012
    Abstract: A pant-like, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of releasable joints and a pair of proportional fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between and connect 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. Each of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edges of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide the releasable joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Timothy James Blenke, Cassandra Elizabeth Morris, Thomas Harold Roessler, Jody Dorothy Suprise, Robert Eugene Vogt
  • Patent number: 6969377
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is made of a laminate with a facing having a bond density of greater than 225 points per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew L. Koele, Robert L. Popp, William M. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6953452
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system utilizing multi-directional stretchable nonwoven materials that function well with low shear strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Paul VanGompel, Paul M. Linker
  • 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: 6936039
    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: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    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: 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: 6904649
    Abstract: A fastening tape has a sheet-form base carrying an array of hooking members (10,22,24,34) each having a height (h) of about 0.008 inch (0.2 millimeter) or less, as measured from the base, and fiber-engaging features, such as re-entrant tips (18,32), disposed less than about 0.003 inch (0.08 millimeter) from their upper surfaces, as measured normal to the base. Such hooking members are employed to releasably engage directly into foams and fine denier non-woven materials, such as those of insulation, filters, construction moisture barriers, disposable gowns and diapers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Brian J. VanBenschoten, Christopher M. Gallant, Hariani Zaki Sepanik, Heidi S. Tremblay
  • 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: 6902552
    Abstract: An elongated, curved sanitary napkin having elasticized, raised side edges 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 garment attachment panel is bonded to each side edge so that a free portion of each of the garment attachment panels, extending from the fixed portion, is directed generally inward and downward. During use, the garment attachment panels are fastened together beneath an undergarment crotch. The fastener and the garment attachment panels are dimensioned so that, when fastened, the garment attachment panels exert a pull on the side edges and control their deflection, thereby preventing them from folding in over the absorbent. The garment attachment panels confine the crotch portion of the undergarment under the absorbent so that the edges of the panty crotch are prevented from pulling up and onto the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore VanGompel, Julie Terese Brocker, Lori Sue Schutkoske
  • Patent number: 6893426
    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: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson, David Arthur Kuen, Shawn A. Quereshi
  • Patent number: 6849142
    Abstract: The female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the “entanglement” zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the spacing zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone. The present invention also provides a fastening device having a hook fastening component and a female component that comprises the multi-layer female component of the present invention. The present invention also relates to disposable articles and more particularly to a disposable diaper having such an improved fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Kenneth Goulait
  • Patent number: 6843785
    Abstract: A system for attaching a personal care article to an undergarment, the system including: (a) providing a personal care article having a top surface, a bottom surface, garment attachment adhesive applied to the bottom surface, a peel strip covering the garment attachment adhesive and pair of wings including selectively releasable, interengaging fasteners such that the wings are adapted to be temporarily mechanically engaged on the topsheet side of the article and then reconfigured to hold the article to an undergarment; (b) overlapping and temporarily interengaging the wings on the top surface of the article while the peel strip protecting the garment adhesive is removed; (c) positioning the article in an undergarment and securing the article to the undergarment utilizing the garment adhesive; and (d) disengaging the wings and re-engaging the wings around the undergarment to further secure the article to the undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yvette L. Hammonds, Shelley R. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6843786
    Abstract: An absorbent garment is provided with a first and a second waist portions joined by an intermediate region including an absorbent body. A first attachment, provided on the first waist portion, and a second attachment, provided on the second waist portion, cooperate with each other for releasable attachment. The first attachment is provided with at least two elongate attachment strip elements extending between the side edges and the second attachment is provided with an attachment strip element, oriented generally transverse to said first attachment and located at each side edge of the second waist portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Svante Thuren, Robert Kling
  • Publication number: 20040236301
    Abstract: A hygiene article has a fluid permeable protective layer, a rear, fluid impermeable layer. and an absorbing body arranged between the layers. The article has a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction. Fastening elements are provided for removably fastening the hygiene article when worn by a user. The fastening elements include a clip which cooperates with an application zone of the hygiene article. Each fastening element has a first zone, by means of which the fastening element can be attached to the hygiene article, and a second zone, arranged at a distance from the first zone in the transverse direction and in which the clip is provided. Each fastening element is folded in a zigzag manner along folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction. The second zone provided with the clip is arranged outside of the zigzag folded configuration in the transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Carsten Wendelstorf, Rainer Mangold
  • Publication number: 20040236303
    Abstract: A wearing article such as a disposable diaper is provided in predetermined regions of the article with hook members. These predetermined regions are elastically stretchable at least in one direction. Each of the hook members comprises a plurality of hook assemblies which are, in turn, attached to each of the predetermined regions so as to be spaced apart one from another in the one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamitsu Igaue, Maki Watanabe
  • 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: 20040193135
    Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment includes a first body panel having first and second opposite side edges, a second body panel having first and second opposite side edges and a crotch portion extending between the first and second body panels. At least a first fastener member and a second fastener member are fixedly secured to and extend outboard from the first and second opposite side edges of the first body panel respectively. Each of the first and second fastener members includes a refastenable portion. First and second extension members are fixedly secured to and extend outboard from the first and second opposite side edges of the second body panel respectively. The refastenable portion of the first fastener member releasably engages the first extension member and the refastenable portion of the second fastener member releasably engages the second extension member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul T. Van Gompel
  • Publication number: 20040153046
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having a hook and loop faster which has a combination of a hook component and a hook receiving component, which are detachably engaged and which is used as a fixing member at a time of putting the disposable diaper on a user, the hook component of the hook and loop fastener being fixed in place at both sides on a rear side of the disposable diaper, and the hook receiving component being fixed in place at the belly side,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Daio Paper Corporation Ehime 799-0492 Japan
    Inventors: Kazunori Ito, Hiroshi Oono, Tomoka Kamoto
  • Publication number: 20040153045
    Abstract: An infant wearing apparel (10) is usable as a swimsuit, training pants, reusable diaper or article of clothing for any purpose. A preferred version of the infant apparel includes a body made of sheet material (20) having an absorbent inside surface and a waterproof outside surface. Hook and loop type fasteners are used to secure the garment. Left and right loop fasteners (40) are carried on an inside upper surface of the rear of the body made of sheet material. A front loop fastener strip (60) is carried on an outside upper surface of the front of the body made of sheet material. Left and right fabric extensions (80) include hook connectors on first and second sides and connect the left and right loop fasteners to the left and right ends of the front loop fastener strip, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Luk Baskerville
  • Patent number: 6770065
    Abstract: The fastener of the present invention comprises a male material, having many hooks, of a mechanical fastener and a female material, made of nonwoven fabric, of the mechanical fastener, the male material engaging said female material, wherein many hooks (3) in the male material (1) have a density of 100 to 1000 pieces/cm2, a height of 300 to 1500 &mgr;m and a width of 100 to 500 &mgr;m, and the nonwoven fabric composing the female material has a basis weight of 20 to 80 g/m2 and a fineness, of 4 to 15 deniers, of a composite fiber thereof. The fastener of is used, for example, in a disposable diaper of absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sasaki, Manabu Matsui, Manabu Kaneta
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6764480
    Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes a pair of tape fasteners extending outward from transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region and a target tape strip to which the tape fasteners are anchored and attached to a outer surface of a backsheet in a front waist region. Hook members are provided on surfaces of the respective tape fasteners facing the target tape strip. Portions of the respective hook members defined in the vicinity of their inner side edges and lying in the vicinity of the transversely opposite side edge portions of to rear waist region are set free from the respective tape fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Tani, Toshiyasu Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6755809
    Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Kline, Luke R. Magee
  • Patent number: 6752796
    Abstract: A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article such as a diaper is provided which has a waist region comprising a front waist region and a back waist region, and a pair of complimentary fasteners in the respective regions. The front waist region comprises a pair of loop fasteners and the back waist region comprises a pair of hook strips each aligned for releasable engagement with a corresponding loop strip in the front waist region. In lieu of hook strips, the back waist region may include one or more tape tabs each having one surface attached to the back waist region and an opposed hook surface for releasable engagement with a correspondingly aligned loop surface. A weakened line, e.g., a perforated line may be provided in the front waist region which can be readily torn away in order to inspect the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamzeh Karami
  • Patent number: 6746434
    Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Larry K. Johnson, Mark J. Kline
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6736804
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article with a mechanical fastening system having disposal mechanism so as to provide convenient disposal of the absorbent article. The mechanical fastening system preferably comprises a tape tab having a first fastening element, a landing member comprising a second fastening element engageable with the first fastening element, and disposal mechanism for allowing the absorbent article to be secured in a configuration that provides convenient disposal of the absorbent article. The disposal mechanism preferably comprises a second fastening element affixed to the backing surface of at least one of the tape tab, so that the first fastening element of the opposite tape tab will engage the second fastening element of the disposal mechanism so as to secure the absorbent article in its disposal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Robertson, Charles Locke Scripps
  • Publication number: 20040087929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fastening tab including a manufacturer's bond end, attached to a disposable absorbent product, and a user's end. The user's end includes a mechanical fastener component and is configured to have a disengagement ratio of at least 1.5:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Michael Mleziva, Apiromraj Srisopark Roslansky, Bruce Michael Siebers
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20040073187
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having a back waist portion with two lateral ends and a front waist portion having an inner surface of nonwoven material and two lateral ends adjacent the lateral ends of the back waist portion, two nonwoven connectors connecting the adjacent lateral ends of the back waist portion and the front waist portion, hook fastener strips on one of said nonwoven connectors such that when the back waist portion and the front waist portion are wrapped around the waist of the wearer, said hook strips engage onto the nonwoven surface of the front waist portion. Each nonwoven connector may be folded n times wherein n is an integer of from 2 to 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Hamzeh Karami
  • Publication number: 20040073188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable diaper. In a disposable diaper comprising a pair of side flaps respectively extending from an end portion in a lateral direction of the diaper main body and a fixing tape disposed in proximity of a farthest edge of the respective side flaps, the fixing tape is provided with a hook member, the fixing tape and the side flaps are to be engaged via the hook member, and an engaging region on the side flaps where the fixing tape is to be engaged includes portions having a different engaging force with the hook member. As a result, the fixing tape can be temporarily fixed with a modest engaging force, despite the hook member having a greater engaging force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Koichiro Mitsui, Yasushi Sayama, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Tani
  • 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