Abdominal Enclosing Type Patents (Class 604/394)
  • Publication number: 20030229329
    Abstract: A moisture absorbing garment system for increasing the health, safety and confidence of a wearer utilizing a moisture absorbing garment. The moisture absorbing garment system includes a garment member having a front portion and a rear portion with side cutouts between the front portion and the rear portion for receiving the legs of a user, a piece of absorbing material within an inner portion of the garment member, a pair of front members extending from the front portion, and a plurality of rear members having fasteners for securing to the front members snugly and sealably about the waist and legs of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mercier, Traci L. Sleeman
  • Patent number: 6648868
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a cover member having an hourglass-shape and a-separate liquid-absorbent member composed of a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core. The cover member has an elastic stretchability along the upper ends of front and waist regions, and these front and rear waist regions are connected or connectable along transversely opposite side edges thereof. The liquid-absorbent member includes first and second elastically stretchable members that extend circumferentially across portions of the front and rear waist regions lying immediately above the crotch region. Longitudinally opposite ends of these elastically stretchable members are bonded to the transversely opposite side edges of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sayama, Toshifumi Otsubo, Yasushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6620145
    Abstract: Elastic threads for raisable gathers and elastic threads for leg gathers are provided in a specified relationship in side sheets provided at the opposite sides of a skin-side sheet, and the respective side sheets are adhered to the skin-side sheet in a specified relationship. In this way, the raisable gathers and leg gathers can be simultaneously formed in the side sheets. Further, a pocket into which an exchangeable and substantially sandglass-shaped second absorbent body can be positioned and inserted is formed between the skin-side sheet enclosed by the respective adhered portions and the respective side sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Eizaki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Masaru Fujioka, Satoshi Maeda, Kazuyo Mori
  • Publication number: 20030125708
    Abstract: My invention is a disposable sanitary hygiene product wherein the sanitary napkin (pad) and the underwear (panty) garment is all in one. The panti styles of underwear are: bikini, brief, full, or thong. It's a product that will be made of paper/cotton and or plastic. The length of the napkin varies and is sewn, manufactured or interwoven into the crouch area of the underwear (panti) garment. The pad extends from the crouch area and varies in length: equally long for both the front/back area of the underwear or vice versa for the short napkin and available as short in front and long in back or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Webelene Bethea
  • Publication number: 20030100879
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
  • Publication number: 20030088225
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent brief. The brief includes a back section having a pair of ears, each having a single fastening tape mounted thereon, and a front section having a pair of ears for releasable securement by the fastening tapes of the front section. The portions of the brief located between the ears are in the form of an opposed pair of central edges. The central edges are ergonomically contoured so that when the brief's ears are secured to each other the central edges and contiguous ears form respective high-cut leg openings for the wearer, with portions of the brief providing enhanced coverage of the wearer's buttocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG
    Inventors: Frank S. Glaug, Robert T. Cole, Pamela S. Peters
  • Publication number: 20030065295
    Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material. The bond patterns are arranged and configured to preferentially direct stresses imposed on the bond pattern, inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern for distribution, dissipation, and termination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
  • Publication number: 20030045854
    Abstract: Here is disclosed an open-type disposable wearing article composed of a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between these waist regions wherein tape fasteners used to connect the front and rear waist to each other are attached to side flaps in the rear waist region and each of the side flaps has a first zone adapted to cover a surface facing a wearer's body of the fixed end portion of the associated tape fastener and a second zone defined by the side flap except for the first zone and wherein the first zone has a basis weight higher than that of the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Yoshioka, Yasushi Sayama
  • Publication number: 20030023224
    Abstract: A pants-type disposable diaper includes a chassis and a liquid-absorbent member. The chassis is shaped in a pants-type and has a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. Elastic members extending in a longitudinal direction of the diaper are arranged between a longitudinal center line bisecting a width of the liquid-absorbent member in the waist-surrounding direction and respective side edges of the liquid-absorbent member so that a zone extending between the elastic members on the liquid-absorbent member is convexed toward the side facing away from a wearer's body as the elastic members contract and this zone defines a penis receiving zone adapted to receive the wearer's penis as the diaper is worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishikawa, Akiyoshi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20030018316
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (3), a liquid impervious backsheet (2) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, whereby the article seen in longitudinal direction exhibits a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7) arranged therebetween, and further exhibits a first belt portion (9a) and a second belt portion (9b). The belt portions (9a, 9b) are attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and where first fastening means (10) is attached on the second belt portion (9b) and is intended to be attached against the first belt portion (9a) around the waist of the user and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) exhibits second fastening means (8) intended to be attached against the belt portions (9a, 9b) in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape where the belt portions (9a, 9b) form a part of the waist portions of the pant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Christian Almberg
  • Patent number: 6494873
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9) attached to the rear portion (6) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) is provided with attachment means (8) intended to be attached to the belt portions (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt portions (9) are before use folded in accordion-like fashion and each form an accordion-like folded package (11) which is arranged in a pocket (12) at each side edge of the rear portion (6) of the absorbent article, and can be extended from said pocket and unfolded when the article is to be used, after which the belt portions may be fastened together around the waist of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products
    Inventors: Katharina Karlsson, Kent Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20020188268
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: MARK JAMES KLINE, MIGUEL ALVARO ROBLES, THOMAS HENRICH
  • Publication number: 20020183706
    Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Tara J. Valentin, Stacey A. Infantino
  • Publication number: 20020177836
    Abstract: A shorts-type disposable diaper including a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorber interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, front and rear waist portions being connected together at opposite sides thereof, respectively, the improvement including a tape fastener adapted to fasten the diaper when the diaper is to be discarded, the tape fastener being disposed at a central outer surface section of the backsheet and extending in a longitudinal direction of the backsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Hayase, Harumitsu Toyoda, Haruko Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20020151863
    Abstract: The disposable diaper of the present invention has a substantially elongate configuration and comprises a main body having a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and a liquid-retentive absorbent member interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and a pair of fastening tapes provided on each side edge of the main body, the waist opening portion and the under-waist portion in the portion having the fastening tapes being provided with a waist elastic member and a plurality of under-waist elastic members, respectively, in the width direction of the diaper, and both longer side portions of the diaper being provided with a pair of leg elastic members, wherein the under-waist elastic members are fixedly disposed in at least areas extending outwardly from each longer side of the absorbent member in their stretched state so as to manifest elastic contractibility but are not disposed in at least the middle of the area where the absorbent member exists, and the under-waist portion has a grea
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Haruko Toyoshima
  • 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: 6461343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of reproducibly and consistently folding the ear panels on disposable absorbent articles in order to simplify and accelerate the diaper opening process for the user, reduce the risk of potential injury to the end user and wearer caused by clipped ear panels, and create for packaging purposes, a more aesthetically satisfying arrangement in the disposable diaper pack. In another aspect of the invention, a method for the making of a disposable absorbent diaper, which incorporates the folding of the ear panels, is outlined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Markus Robert Schaefer, Michael Thomas Huber, Josef Heinz Weber
  • Patent number: 6458116
    Abstract: Pants that include a pair of outer sheets, and an inner sheet folded along a transverse center line, and disposed between lower parts of the respective outer sheets. Each of the outer sheets has upper and lower end portions extending in a transverse direction and front and rear side edge portions extending in a longitudinal direction while the inner sheet has lower end portions extending below the transverse center line in the transverse direction and a panel in the vicinity of the transverse center line. The inner surfaces of the respective outer sheets are bonded to each other in the vicinity of upper portions of the front and rear side edge portions thereof while the inner surfaces of the respective outer sheets are bonded to the inner surface of the inner sheet in the vicinity of lower portions of the front and rear side edge portions as well as in the vicinity of the front and rear side edge portions of the inner sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiyo Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20020138059
    Abstract: A personal care article including a resiliently stretchable outer cover and a substantially nonelastomeric grasping panel attached to the front portion of the article. The outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least the cross-direction to conform to the body of a wearer. The grasping panel has a sufficient stiffness to allow a user to properly fasten a fastening apparatus onto a landing zone. The stiffness of the grasping panel is sufficient to prevent roll-up or wrinkling of the grasping panels or the front portion of the personal care article. The stiffness of the grasping is not too large such that the comfort of the wearer is compromised. In one embodiment the absorbent structure is secured to the outer cover by extendible attachment elements and the bodyside liner is not secured to the outer cover. In another embodiment the bodyside liner is extensible in at least the cross-direction and secured about the periphery to the outer cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore Van Gompel, Yung Hsiang Huang, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Publication number: 20020138063
    Abstract: A prefastened absorbent garment is manufactured with its longitudinal axis in the cross machine direction. A web of garment chassis material extending in the machine direction is overlaid within the garment chassis borders. The side panel webs are attached to the chassis web and have hook and loop fasteners thereon. The garment can be individuated from the combined chassis and side panel webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: David Arthur Kuen, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Shawn A. Quereshi, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Publication number: 20020103470
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, and the like, that provide dynamic fit about the wearer by the use of extensible, outwardly extending side panels. The side panel includes at least one discontinuity for dividing the tensile force extending the side panel into a waist-directing force and a leg-directing force. The waist-directing force is transmitted by the side panel to the waist area of the article to maintain the waist area in a snug, but comfortable, fit against the waist of the wearer. The leg-directing force is transmitted by the side panel to the leg cuff area of the article to prevent leakage between the leg cuff and the wearer's leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: John C. Molander, Larry K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020099346
    Abstract: A brief for padding a wearer's hips to reduce the risk of hip fracture. The brief comprises a front panel having first and second side edges and a rear panel having first and second side edges. The first side edge of the rear panel is connected to the first side edge of the front panel, and the second side edge of the rear panel is connected to the second side edge of the front panel, thereby forming first and second opening for receiving the wearer's legs. Shock-absorbing padding lines at least part of the rear panel. The shock-absorbing padding extends from a position proximal the first edge of the rear panel to a position proximal the second side edge of the rear panel and at least to a position between the two leg openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Frederick T. Strobl
  • Patent number: 6423049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable diaper, which is easy to put on the wearer, and which is possible to be put on easily while the wearer is standing on both legs. The disposable diaper according to the present invention includes a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The diaper further includes male members which are protrusively arranged from side portions of one of the hip portion and said belly portion in a face direction and female members, which are arranged on side portions of the other and in which the male members engage in a face direction of the side portions. The female members are provided with receiving portions in which the male members are inserted in a face direction of the side portions. Engaged surfaces perpendicular to the inserting direction of the male member are formed on the inner walls of the receiving portions and the male members are provided with engaging surfaces opposing to the engaged surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tominaga, Toshiaki Takizawa, Mitsuru Akeno, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 6406462
    Abstract: A combination pouch and underwear pant is worn by a man for facilitating sexual activity such as lap dancing. The pouch is worn over the sex organs of a man under the underwear pant, which is adapted by an elastic waistband for compressively pinning the pouch in place. The pouch is made of a flexible and elastic material. A top edge of the pouch provides access to an interior of the pouch of a hand and wrist of the wearer so as to facilitate insertion of the wearer's sex organs into the pouch through an aperture, which encircles penis and scrotum. The aperture elastically compresses between a top surface at the base of the penis of the wearer and a bottom surface at the base of the scrotum of the wearer. With the pouch in place, the wearer is able to facilitate the capture of body fluids without fear of the pouch moving away from its preferred position relative to the torso of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Wesley Johnson
  • Patent number: 6406469
    Abstract: A diaper holder comprising a water-proof material having horizontal bands secured at the ends to form an open loop at the top and bottom below the waistbands to hold cloth diapers or liners securely in place. The lateral sides of the holder are in-curved and elasticized to form leg embracing openings. The waistbands are elastic and size adjustable with the use of releasable fasteners of hook and pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Lucille M. Brain, Diane R. Dallavia
  • Publication number: 20020058924
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8), intended to be attached to the belt portions (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. Said belt portions (9) are provided with stiffening elements (11), being discontinuously arranged in the longitudinal direction (x) of the belt, and whose largest extension substantially being arranged across the longitudinal direction (x) of the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Maria Gustin, Katharina Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20020045882
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (2), a liquid impermeable backsheet (3) and an absorbent body (4) enclosed therebetween, said article having a front portion (5), a rear portion (6) and a crotch portion (7), therebetween, whereby the front and rear portion exhibits side flaps (8, 9), which are intended to attach the article to a pantlike shape around the waist of the user. Said article comprises at least one attachment means (11) being located to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of said article, close to an upper edge (6a, 5a) thereof, whereby said attachment means (11) is intended to be attached against the skin of the user to facilitate centering and application of the article on the user. Preferably the attachment means (11) are arranged inside a perforated line, comprising an indication of fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Hans Een
  • Publication number: 20020045881
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard provided with a pair of belt members (9) attached to the rear portion (6) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) is provided with fastening means (8) intended to be fastened to the belt members (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt members (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt members (9) are before use double-folded and cut in an arcuate shape in which the tangent (12) to the arcuate curve (13) formed by the respective longitudinal edges (9a,b) of the belt members (9) in the area of the fold (14) makes a substantially right angle to the fold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Kent Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20020042602
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper or an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9a, 9b) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended by means of first fastening means (10) to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) alternatively said rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8), intended to be attached to the belt portions (9a, 9b), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9a, 9b) form a part of the waist portions of the pant, whereby the belt portions (9a, 9b) exhibit an inside portion intended to be faced towards the user and an outside portion intended to be faced away from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Katharina Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20020038110
    Abstract: An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction (300; 500), the article including a liquid-permeable cover sheet (311; 511), a liquid-tight cover sheet (312; 512), and an absorption body (313; 513) enclosed between the cover sheets (311, 312; 511, 512), and having two side edges (315, 316; 515, 516) extending in the longitudinal direction and two end edges (317, 318; 517, 518) extending in the transverse direction. The article includes a waist belt (321a,b; 521) formed by at least one layer and arranged substantially parallel to an end edge (318; 518) of the article, and having members (301, 322; 501, 522) for fastening the waist belt around a user's waist, and the article includes members (301, 325, 326; 501, 525, 526) for fastening the article into a shape similar to underpants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Peter Ronnberg
  • Publication number: 20020026173
    Abstract: A disposable diaper 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, and hook members are provided on surfaces of the respective tape fasteners facing the target tape strip and 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 the rear waist region are set free from the respective tape fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Koichiro Tani, Toshiyasu Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20020022818
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a pair of elastically stretchable first wings extending outward from transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region, proximal side edge portions of the respective first wings are contiguous to transversely opposite side edge portions of a crotch region. The undergarment further includes a pair of elastically stretchable second wings placed upon the first wings and extending outward from the transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region, proximal side edge portions are not contiguous to the transversely opposite side edge portions of the crotch region. A stretch stress generated in the first wings as the front and rear waist regions are connected to each other is exerted upon the undergarment in a waist-surrounding direction as well as in a thigh-surrounding direction but a stretch stress generated at the same time is exerted upon the article only in the waist-surrounding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Koichiro Tani
  • Publication number: 20020010452
    Abstract: An adjustable, form fitted, reusable diaper for infants that includes a reusable or disposable pad insertable between a soft permeable inner panel and an impermeable outer panel laminated with either a soft pile or a waterproof breathable or non-breathable elastomeric non-woven material. The diaper, having an hourglass configuration when open, is provided with expandable leg openings and waistband and fitted with hidden snap closures uniquely arranged to provide waist adjustment independently of leg opening adjustment and vise-versa. The diaper's use of a high pile, permeable inner panel such as polar fleece wicks moisture quickly away from the infants body where it is absorbed by the washable, reusable pad located between the inner and outer panels. The pad is then easily removed and replaced with a clean and dry pad, often without removal of the diaper from the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Tereson R. Dupuy
  • Publication number: 20020007171
    Abstract: In this invention, there is woven into or laminated to the fabric, (all types of fabrics or nonwoven material) a laminate or substance which is leak proof, and breathable. This invention is designed with feminine care in mind, especially during the female menstrual cycle. It can also be used at any time by a person female or male who feel the need to wear a protective leak proof, breathable garment. All females have various menstrual cycles and flow at various rates and during the heavier flowing days, it is very stressful worrying if you are going to leak through the feminine menstrual product to your outer clothing. Females have to dress accordingly, i.e., wearing dark clothing, long shirts, or long sweaters, etc., in the event of seepage through to their outer garments, to help minimize the embarrassing situation. During sleeping it is almost impossible to prevent leakage onto garments and bedding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: MARILYN MCMAHON-AYERST, DOREEN CLEMENT, BRENDA MALONEY-DAWSON
  • Patent number: 6336923
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has front and a rear bodies permanently welded together at a crotch zone along a welding line convexly curved upward. Fasteners are formed along side edges of one of the front and rear bodies to enable the bodies to be releasably attached together to form the basic structure of the diaper. An auxiliary liquid absorbent panel is permanently attached to float above the convexly curved welding line of the crotch zone for greater absorbency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Fujioka, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Patent number: 6322552
    Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles which include an outer cover, an absorbent chassis, an adjustable belt and belt loops are described. The adjustable belt is located in one waist region of the absorbent article and includes a fastener on each of it's opposed end portions. The belt loops are located inward from and adjacent to each of the fasteners on the adjustable belt and the longitudinal ends of the belt loops are attached to the absorbent article to slidably contain the adjustable belt between the belt loops and the waist region. The fasteners on the adjustable belt are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. Desirably, the adjustable belt and belt loops are located on an inner surface of the absorbent article such as the bodyfacing surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. The absorbent article may also include fasteners on the belt loops to provide another pair of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Laura Linda Elsberg, Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Jody Dorothy Suprise
  • Publication number: 20010034511
    Abstract: Absorbent article, such as a diaper and an incontinence guard, comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet (2), a liquid-impervious backsheet (3), and an absorbent body (4). The article exhibits a front portion (5), a rear portion (6), a crotch portion (7), and a belt (9, 9′) attached to or intended to be attached to the rear portion (6) and to the front portion (5), so that the article assumes a pant-like shape. On both the outside and the inside, at least one belt portion (9′) carries a receiving material (12, 13) which can serve as a receiving area for an attachment material (10) on a second belt portion (9) and on one or several attachment means (8, 8′) attached to the front portion (5) of the article. The receiving area (12, 13) also enables reattachment of said attachment material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Kenneth Strannemalm, Katharina Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6293937
    Abstract: Trunks-type disposable pants that include a pair of inner sheets and a pair of outer sheets. The inner sheets have cutouts depressed from the upper ends toward the lower ends and liquid-absorbent panels attached to opposed surfaces of the inner sheets in the vicinity of the respective cutouts. The opposed surfaces of the inner sheets may be bonded together by means of bond lines extending in parallel to the cutouts and partially extending below the liquid-absorbent panels. Opposed surfaces of the inner sheets and the outer sheets are bonded together along the front and rear side portions of these sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Michiyo Matsushita, Takeshi Hanajiri
  • Patent number: 6277106
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diaper which includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner which is superposed on the outer cover and which includes a bodyfacing surface, an absorbent core which is located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and an adhesive. The adhesive is located on the bodyfacing surface of the bodyside liner. The adhesive is configured to at least temporarily secure the front portion of the diaper to a wearer's body to assist in positioning and fastening the diaper about the wearer's body. In a particular aspect, the adhesive is configured to provide a peel strength of no more than about 300 grams per centimeter of width and an initial shear strength of no more than about 600 grams per square centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristina Michelle Boudry, Chinmay Suresh Betrabet, Ruth Ann Lachapell, Lisha Yu
  • Patent number: 6258077
    Abstract: Pull-on garments provided with a continuous belt in the front region and the back region to distribute the forces generated during use in order to better fit the pull-on garment on the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the pull-on garment comprises a chassis layer comprising a continuous sheet that defines a front region, a back region, and a crotch region; a first belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the front region; a second belt layer joined to the chassis layer in the back region; elastic panel members positioned between the belt layers and the chassis layers which laminate is mechanically stretched to form elastically extensible stretch laminates in both the front region and the back region in the side panels; and seams joining the front region to the back region so as to form the leg openings and waist openings. The continuous chassis layer and belt layers thus form the continuous belt of the pull-on garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Barclay Buell, Edward Paul Carlin
  • Patent number: 6254583
    Abstract: A protective undergarment having an outer shell of fluid resistant material and a fluid containment sling of fluid resistant material connected to the inner surface of the shell and adapted to receive and retain a fluid absorbent pad. The ends of the shell are folded in to establish frontal and rear bumpers. One end of the sling is folded under the frontal bumper to form a pocket that is attached to and hidden beneath the frontal bumper, and remains open to receive one end of the fluid absorbent pad. The other end of the sling is attached to the rear bumper. This construction accommodates a pad of greater length for improved absorption without increasing the length of the shell. Methods of constructing protective undergarments with unique hidden pocket slings and fasteners are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Tailored Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrica V. Coates
  • Patent number: 6210388
    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 (5) enclosed between two casing sheets (2, 9) which at opposing front and rear end parts of the absorbent body have side parts which extend laterally beyond the body on 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 (20). A pants diaper can be manufactured in accordance with this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Anders Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6210390
    Abstract: An absorbent garment such as an incontinence diaper includes a belt and an absorption unit, the rear short side of which is preferably releasably joined with the belt. The opposite short side of the absorption unit, situated at the front of a user, has two end parts, each situated at one end of the short side, which each by their hook and loop fasteners are releasably connectable with the waist belt in a plurality of positions in relation thereto. Each fastener has a piece of first hook and loop material non-releasably connected with one of the casing layers within the respective end parts, and a therewith cooperating piece of second, complementary hook and loop material which on its side facing away from the hook and loop devices is provided with an adhesive layer which in the unused state of the fasteners is covered by a protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Katharina Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6159191
    Abstract: A disposable diaper which includes a pair of leakage preventing walls extending side by side longitudinally of the diaper. The top of each of the leakage preventing walls is provided with a 20.about.100 mm wide cushion pad having an elastic stretchability in a longitudinal direction of the diaper and an elastic contractility in a thickness direction of the diaper. The cushion pads are normally biased to contract longitudinally of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 6120489
    Abstract: A flangeless seam especially useful in disposable articles, such as training pants, incontinence articles and the like. The first member preferably has a first proximal portion and a first distal portion. The first distal portion is preferably folded upon at least a portion of the first proximal portion to provide a common interface between the first distal portion and the first proximal portion when the seam is in the seaming configuration. The first proximal portion preferably has a first melting point and the first distal portion preferably has a second melting point which is relatively lower than the first melting point. The seam also includes a second member preferably having a second proximal portion and a second distal portion. The second member preferably has a third melting point which is lower than the first melting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Larry Kenneth Johnson, Stephen Joseph Lange, David Michael Weirich
  • Patent number: 6027484
    Abstract: A pant diaper or a sanitary panty which includes a front part, a rear part, and an intermediate crotch part, which includes an absorbent body enclosed between an inner and an outer casing sheet. The front part is detachably joined to the rear part by means of a first fastening. A piece of flexible material extends over the front part and is joined thereto over a larger part of its surface by means of a first releasable fastening, which extends on both sides of a centrally located region of the piece of material, from the edges of the central region to the respective side edges of the front part. The piece of material is also joined to the rear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Anette Romare
  • Patent number: 6004306
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, having extensible side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the legs and waist of the wearer. Such absorbent articles include a containment assembly including a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and extensible side panels, each including a waist panel and a thigh panel disposed along each longitudinal edge of the containment assembly in the first waist region. The waist panel and the thigh panel are operatively associated so that the waist panel has a primary direction of extensibility in one direction and the thigh panel has a primary direction of extensibility in a different direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble company
    Inventors: Miguel Alvaro Robles, Kimberly Ann Dreier, Carl Louis Bergman, Donald Carroll Roe, Constance Lee Dakin
  • Patent number: 5957908
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
  • Patent number: 5944708
    Abstract: A protective menstrual panty (12) comprising a body portion (14) worn around a lower torso (16) of a female person (18) during menses. A liquid-proof elastic crotch portion (20) is provided. A facility (22) is for securing opposite ends (24) of the crotch portion (20) between front and rear lower segments (26), (28) of the body portion (14), so as to form two openings (30) for insertion of one of a pair of legs (32) of the female person (18) through each opening (30). A structure (34) is for holding a sanitary napkin (36) within the crotch portion (20) in a proper position, so that the sanitary napkin (36) will fit snugly against the inner thighs of the legs (32), and not tilt to leak from the sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Tracey Philpott
  • Patent number: 5876395
    Abstract: A reusable, adjustable athletic support garment designed for wear with an absorbent material, such as an incontinence pad. The invention includes an adjustable waistband (12), a front panel (14), a rear panel (16), adjustable front panel support straps (18) and adjustable rear panel support straps (20). An absorbent material, such as an incontinence pad, is worn within the front panel (14) or within the rear panel (16), or within both. Connected to the front panel (14) are the front panel support straps (18) which extend downward from the groin region, rearward between a wearer's legs, and upward to the waistband (12) to which they are adjustably fastened. Connected to the rear panel (16) are the rear panel support straps (20) which extend downward from the buttocks region, forward between the wearer's legs, and upward to the waistband (12) to which they are adjustably fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Linda W. Hart