Abstract: An absorbent article is provided for use in the perineal area of the body. Compliant sealing cuffs are pre-formed to extend outward from the central portion of the article. The cuffs may be formed by looping a strip of resilient highloft material covered with a porous material so as to form a compliant cuff which bears against the user's body in a comfortable manner. An elastic member placed in tension so as to impart an arcuate shape to the article may be placed inside a cavity formed by the cuff. The cuffs may be applied to an article having wings attached to the central portion so as to form pockets for retaining the elasticized portions of the panty crotch. The proximal ends of the cuffs are disposed outward of the pockets and the distance between the pockets is less than the width of the panty crotch so that the body faceable side of the article is placed in tension.

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.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defines an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes a pair of primary fasteners located on the outer cover in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article and a pair of secondary fasteners located on the outer cover in the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. The primary fasteners are configured to engage an outer surface of the absorbent article to maintain the article about the waist of the wearer and the secondary fasteners are configured to engage a body facing surface of the absorbent chassis to support the absorbent chassis. The absorbent chassis is attached to the outer cover at the waist edges and remains at least partially unattached from the outer cover between the waist edges to allow the outer cover to have a blousy appearance. Thus, the disposable absorbent article has an aesthetically pleasing garment-like appearance and improved fit and containment during use.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defines an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and an absorbent support member which is configured to maintain the absorbent chassis close to a wearer's body in use. The absorbent chassis includes a backsheet, a bodyside liner which is connected to the backsheet in a superposed relation and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the bodyside liner. The absorbent chassis is attached to the outer cover at the waist edges and remains at least partially unattached from the outer cover between the waist edges. The absorbent support member is attached to the absorbent chassis and extends between and connects the absorbent chassis to the side edges of the outer cover. The absorbent support member maintains the absorbent chassis in a close, conforming fit with the wearer's body even after the chassis becomes saturated with body exudates while the outer cover is free to move independently from the absorbent chassis.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pants diaper includes an elastic pant provided with holes corresponding to the locations of the anus and the urethral opening when worn. Liquid impermeable layers cover the holes and are sealed to the elastic pant around the holes to thereby form pockets for receiving feces and urine respectively. The pockets also contain absorbent and/or superabsorbent material.

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.

Abstract: The female protection system of the present invention includes a menstrual short having an outer protective layer and an inner gusset layer. A catamenial pad assembly is connectable to the menstrual short and includes front and rear ends. The catamenial pad assembly includes an absorbent member for absorbing menses and a cinch for biasing the absorbent member into the gluteal groove and against the perineum of the female when worn. A first fastener is provided on the front end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a first mating surface that is provided at a front attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer. A second fastener is provided on the rear end of the catamenial pad assembly for attaching the catamenial pad assembly to a second mating surface that is provided at a rear attachment location on at least one of the inner gusset layer and the outer protective layer.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system that is adapted to resist pop-offs caused by clothing being applied or removed over the absorbent article. The fastening system includes an interlocking fastening component with a resilient backing structure and a plurality of engaging elements projecting from a first major surface of the backing structure. The first major surface has a concave configuration in the direction of a primary meridian, a generally perpendicular secondary meridian, or both the primary and secondary meridians. The concavity of the interlocking fastening component is characterized in terms of a bending index of the first major surface or an amount of elevation of a central portion of the first major surface.

Abstract: A menstrual underpants (12) comprising a garment (14) configured with a front portion (16), a rear portion (18), a crotch area (20), having two leg openings (22) and a waist opening (24), so as to be worn about a lower torso of a woman (26). Provision is made for engaging opposite ends (29) of an absorbent pad (30). A facility (32) is for securing the engaging structure (28) to the crotch area (20) of the garment (14). The absorbent pad (30) will be held in place at the crotch area (20) and not move up and down, while edges of the absorbent pad (30) will not curl up, to allow the woman (26) to have more comfort, when wearing the garment (14).

Abstract: A catamenial tampon is disclosed for absorbing menstrual fluid. The tampon includes a compressed pledget having a major and a minor radius of curvature. Zones of different density fibers are arranged adjacent to each radius of curvature and the zones can extend substantially the entire length of the pledget. The pledget is constructed of absorbent fibers which are enclosed by a cover. A withdrawal string is attached to the pledget and facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina. The absorbent is compressed into an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped pledget having a zone of high density fibers and a zone of low density fibers. After compression, the low density fibers will expand and form a curved tampon.

Abstract: A reusable leakproof diaper which is as convenient in use as a disposable diaper and includes a one-or-more layered absorbent rectangular liner attached by strips of liquid impervious material to a liquid impervious outer shell. A closure system, such as snap fasteners, single looped closures, buttons, or hooks is mounted on the outer shell. The sides of the outer shell include elastic strips along the portion of the shell that forms a leg opening when the diaper is in use. The unique design for attaching the inner absorbent liner to the liquid impervious outer shell provides the diaper with improved resistance to leakage.

Abstract: A men's undergarment is disclosed. The undergarment includes a brief having front and rear sections, a crotch section interconnecting the front and rear sections and a pair of leg openings on respective sides of the crotch section. The front section and the crotch section include a relatively non-elastic region formed therein. An absorbent liner is provided for temporarily engaging inside surfaces of the front section and the crotch section. A pocket element is formed on the inside surface of the front section for releasably holding the liner generally in place when the front section is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A detachable waistband for a garment consisting of a first band which matingly engages a second band. Each band is formed of two parallel elongate strips of conjoined material. Each band has an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and an interior surface accessible through a flap-like opening positioned intermediate the first end and the second end and extending for substantially the length of the first band. An exterior tape fastener is affixed to the exterior of each hand adjacent both the first end and the second end. At least one interior tape fastener is affixed to the interior of each band. The exterior tape fasteners of the second band matingly engage the exterior tape fasteners of the first band thereby securing the first band and second band around a person's waist. The interior of the first band and the interior of the second band receive a portion of a garment.

Abstract: A reusable infant or adult diaper comprises a fluid absorbent pad on the inner surface of a waterproof, hourglass-shaped, diaper shell. Extending from the rear corners of the diaper shell is a pair of fastener tabs carrying filamentary hook fastener material. Slightly larger strips of filamentary loop material on the inner surface of the diaper shell cover the fastener tabs during washing to protect the filamentary hook material from buildup of lint. Each fastener tab and its cover, assembled to the diaper shell by a single continuous line of stitching and turned to the inside of the diaper, presents a finished edge at a corner of the diaper shell. The diaper is fitted to the infant or adult by wrapping the shell around the pelvic region and coupling the fastener tabs to a pair of strips carrying filamentary loop material and arranged in a V-pattern on the front of the diaper.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful reusable diaper comprising inner and outer substantially rectangular layers of absorbent material, a liquid impervious layer between the inner and outer layers, and first and second pockets on the inner layer, and wherein the open sides of the first and second pockets are oriented toward each other.

Abstract: Disposable diapers comprising an absorbent body (1) which is surrounded by a casing consisting of a liquid permeable outer layer (3) facing the wearer during use of the diaper, and a liquid impermeable outer layer disposed on the opposite side of the absorbent body. The distinguishing feature of the invention is that an elastic waist means in the form of a comparatively wide elastic strip (9) extending in the transverse direction of the diaper is applied in a prestretched state at least at one end portion of the diaper, said strip being connected via an edge portion with the liquid impermeable outer layer while being arranged to constitute, together with said outer layer, a liquid absorbing pocket sealing around the end portion of the absorbent body.

Abstract: A reusable cloth diaper (10) that includes a highly absorbent inner liner (40) permanently attached at one edge (42) to an absorbent panel (12). The opposite edge (44) of the liner (40) is detachably attached to the panel (12). The partially detachable liner (40) facilitates the cleaning and drying of the cloth diaper (10).

Abstract: Improvements are made in a panty protector of the kind comprising adhesive attachment and provided with transversely extending flaps. The peripheral shape of the protector is such that it is possible to produce the sheet of material of construction for the protector and simply cut said shapes out of said sheets with minimal waste.

Abstract: An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprises a breathable elastomeric nonwoven laminar outer cover, resiliently stretchable preferably in a cross-body direction from about 20% to about 200%, including a pair of leg openings, front and rear waist sections together defining a waist opening, a crotch section situated between the leg openings and front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure, substantially superposable on the front and rear panels and the crotch section, includes a liquid impermeable barrier and a liquid permeable bodyside liner, with an absorbent composite disposed therebetween. Longitudinally opposed ends of the absorbent insert are attached to the waist sections, integrating the insert into the outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.

Abstract: An inexpensive washable reusable catamenial pouch or sanitary napkin pad is formed from a single sheet of absorbent fabric, such as flannel, into a generally rectangular strip with a bottom and folded over sides forming top flaps overlying the bottom. These flaps overlap each other along the length of the pouch at the longitudinal central portion of the bottom in a closed position of the pouch. Stitching secures together the flaps and bottom at each end of the pouch. The pouch is openable to receive liners such as impervious plastic and absorbent strips on the bottom thereof by lifting and spreading the flaps apart. Tapes extend from the ends of the pouch to be attached to a support belt or the like and when pulled away from the ends, the tapes are effective to close the pouch by pulling the top flaps into their overlapped position.

Abstract: An incontinence and surgical protective device for use by an animal having a flexible pad holder having a pocket formed therein for removably containing a disposable pad. The pad has a semi-rigid frame which provides additional strength to the holder. Elastic straps are used to secure the pad holder to the torso of the animal. Velcro fasteners are sewn into the straps which permits the device to be fitted to animals of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A diaper holder comprising of vinyl material material for cloth diapers, having horizontal bands of double vinyl secured at the ends to form an open loop at the top and bottom below the waistbands to hold standard cloth diapers securely in place. The lateral sides of the holder are incurved and elasticized to form leg embracing openings. The waistbands are double vinyl and size adjustable with the use of a releasable fastener of hook and pile. Also as a liner when covered with fabric.

Abstract: A nether garment of the bifurcated underwear type having mounted on the crotch segment rearwardly of the central portion thereon a pair of spaced parallel pockets. The pockets are configured to receive pads or blocks of suitable cushiony material capable of supporting the garment wearer's body in certain desired areas. The pocketed pads or blocks tend to relieve or restrict pressure that would normally be applied to the areas of the wearer's body located between said pads or blocks.