Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kevin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5914084
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stable nonwoven web having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A neckable nonwoven web is fed in a first direction. The neckable nonwoven web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A tensioning force is applied to the neckable nonwoven web to neck the nonwoven web. The necked nonwoven web is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web. The stabilized extensible necked nonwoven web is easily extended in a direction parallel to the direction necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas H. Benson, John J. Curro
  • Patent number: 5849003
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is for attaching to and wearing in an undergarment is provided. The sanitary napkin of the present invention has a fastener that aids the sanitary napkin in assuming a body-conforming configuration during wear. The fastener comprises at least two zones of fastener material located only in the end regions of the sanitary napkin. In one embodiment, the zones of fastener material are arranged in an overall configuration that resembles a modified letter "X" without any fastener material in the portion of the configuration that would form the center of the letter X, and the ends of the "X" located in the corner regions of the sanitary napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robb E. Olsen, Theresa L. Johnson, Letha M. Hines, Thomas W. Osborn, III
  • Patent number: 5792404
    Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a method for forming a nonwoven web exhibiting a plurality of surface energy gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Luis E. Ravaglia
  • Patent number: 5788686
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. A coversheet is joined to the topsheet. The coversheet includes a line of weakness defining a flap to be at least partially separated from the remainder of the coversheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nick A. Ahr, Patricia L. Christon, Allison K. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5772813
    Abstract: In a process of making an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper, hydrophilic fibers and crimped or coiled synthetic fibers are supplied in a single fiberboard to a defiberising means such as a hammermill. The process results in a homogenous and resilient blended absorbent core that can be produced using a single defiberising unit. The crimped or coiled fibers pass through the defiberising means without their two or three-dimensional structure being adversely affected at a relatively low defiberisation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruce Kevin Bitowft, Karsten Puchert
  • Patent number: 5749866
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, David Joseph Kenneth Goulait, Sheila Snyder Rodriguez, Edward Paul Carlin, Kimberly Ann Dreier, Carolyn Mae Jasper, Dean Jeffrey Daniels
  • Patent number: 5723087
    Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Chappell, Eugene R. Sorensen, Kenneth B. Buell, John J. Curro, Michele A. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 5702551
    Abstract: A method for assembling a multi-piece absorbent article. A chassis is fed to a first assembly station at a first velocity. An ear web is fed to a second assembly station at a second velocity which is less than the first velocity. An adhesive tape substrate is fed to the second assembly station at a third velocity which is less than the second velocity. The adhesive tape substrate is cut into individual tape tabs. The individual tape tabs are bonded to the ear web at the second assembly station. The ear web having the individual tape tabs bonded thereto is then fed to the first assembly station where it is cut into individual ear pieces which are then bonded to the chassis to form a multi-piece absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Huber, David W. Cabell, Robert J. Jezek, Sr., David J. K. Goulait
  • Patent number: 5700255
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, and the like, that have a unique composite member forming a portion of the elasticized side panel and the elasticized waistband. The composite member includes an elastomeric member and a three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, formed-film member secured to at least one of the surfaces of the elastomeric member. The composite member provides the preferred bulk, elasticity, resiliency, and stiffness required to withstand the application, wear and removal stresses and provide the desired comfort during the typical wearing cycle of a disposable diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Curro, Scot G. Wolf, Willie King
  • Patent number: 5693165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an absorbent article (144), wherein the speed of a part (7b) of a continuously moving web (1) comprising a topsheet (121), backsheet (123), core (120) or any combination thereof, is periodically varied, while maintaining a constant speed of the upstream (3) and downstream (5) parts of the web (1). The method comprises feeding the web (1) past rotating transportation rollers (13, 15) which are oscillated parallel to the web (1) in the direction of transportation (F) and opposite to the direction of transportation (F). Three web sections (7a, 7b, 7c) are during oscillation of the transportation rollers (13, 15) maintained in a mutually parallel relationship. Translation means (77) and rotation balancing means (63, 63') allow the transportation rollers (13, 15) to be driven at high speeds and low variations in torque. The strain exerted on the web (1) remains relatively low and is limited to the inertia forces that act on the web (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Christoph Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5691035
    Abstract: A web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having at least two visually distinct regions of the same material composition. The first region undergoes a molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Chappell, Eugene R. Sorensen, Kenneth B. Buell, John J. Curro, Michele A. Mansfield
  • Patent number: 5685874
    Abstract: Pull-on garments provided with an intermittent lap seam joining the front region and the back region together at spaced apart locations to provide a breathable seam. In a preferred embodiment, the pull-on garment includes a chassis layer comprising a continuous sheet that defines a from 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 intermittent lap seams joining the front region to the back region at spaced apart locations so as to form the leg openings and waist openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Buell, Edward P. Carlin
  • Patent number: 5681300
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinent device which have absorbent cores comprised of blends of different types of fibers are provided. The absorbent articles preferably comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, a blended absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer. The absorbent core comprises a homogeneous blend of fibers comprising a first group of short, low denier, hydrophilic fibers and a second group of longer, higher denier, moisture insensitive synthetic fibers. The first group of fibers is selected from a group comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers or cross-linked cellulose fibers. The second group of fibers comprises between about 5 and 90% of said absorbent core, by weight. The absorbent core is compressed to a density of at least about 0.09 g/cm.sup.3 (1.5 g/in..sup.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Albert Ahr, John Richard Noel, Thomas Ward Osborn, III
  • Patent number: 5669899
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having an improved release liner. The sanitary napkin includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet has an inner surface and an outer surface. A pressure sensitive adhesive is positioned on the outer surface of the backsheet for securing the sanitary napkin in the crotch portion of a user's panty or undergarment. A release liner is releasably affixed to the adhesive in order to keep the adhesive from adhering to a surface other than the crotch portion of the panty prior to use. The release liner is a microapertured polymeric web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Thomas W. Osborn, III
  • Patent number: 5667609
    Abstract: A method for attaching a barrier cuff to an absorbent article. The first step is to provide an absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline. A barrier leg cuff having a first edge and a second edge is provided. At least one of the edges of the barrier cuff is maintained parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article. The barrier cuff is then bonded to the absorbent article along a juncture line that extends in a curved configuration with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Vincent B. Liu
  • Patent number: 5660788
    Abstract: A fluid pervious topsheet suitable for use on an absorbent article is disclosed. The topsheet includes an apertured, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious web having a textured wearer-contacting surface. The composite web permits liquids to penetrate while providing an improved, less plastic-like feel and visual aesthetics. The process of the present invention, in one embodiment, comprises extruding a polymeric film onto a forming structure, applying a pneumatic pressure to the film to cause the film to be urged into substantial conformance with the forming structure, and depositing a particulate material on said film while the film is in a semi-molten state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian F. Gray, Michael J. Schettler, Gregory Ashton
  • Patent number: 5658639
    Abstract: The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a method for selectively aperturing a nonwoven web exhibiting a plurality of surface energy gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John J. Curro, Douglas H. Benson, James W. Cree, Luis E. Ravaglia
  • Patent number: 5650214
    Abstract: A soft web material which exhibits an elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when subjected to an applied and subsequently released elongation. The web material includes a strainable network having a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions of the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions include a plurality of raised rib-like elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Barry J. Anderson, David J. K. Goulait, Sheila S. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5645672
    Abstract: A method for forming a composite elastic material. A thermoplastic film is extruded from an extruder. The thermoplastic film is fed while still in a molten condition onto a rotating forming structure exhibiting a multiplicity of apertures therein. A pneumatic vacuum is applied to the thermoplastic film to produce apertures in the thermoplastic film. An elastic member having at least one elastic strand is placed against a surface of the thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is still in a molten condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventor: George Christopher Dobrin
  • Patent number: D402121
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Barry J. Anderson, David J. K. Goulait