Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kevin C. Johnson
  • Method for manufacturing a disposable excreta management device
    Patent number: 6669677
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disposable excreta management device. The method includes the steps of: combining a continuous liquid impermeable body facing sheet web and a discrete adhesive flange to make a first continuous composite web at a first combining section; forming lateral fold on the continuous liquid impermeable body facing sheet web at a first fold forming section, and then forming a pair of longitudinal folds on the continuous liquid impermeable body facing sheet web at a second fold forming section; combining the first continuous composite web and a continuous liquid impermeable garment facing sheet web to make a second continuous composite web at a second combining section, and cutting the second continuous composite web into the discrete disposable excreta management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Yasuhiro Ishii
  • Process for hydrophobic treatment of water vapor permeable substrates
    Patent number: 6660339
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process, preferably a continuous process, of coating a substrate, which allows water vapor and preferably air permeation, with a hydrophobic coating. The process preferably uses a thin film vacuum condensation step to create a monomer coating which is cured in situ after the coating. The process has the benefit of allowing continuous operation and providing an alternative to existing processes for hydrophobic coating. The substrates are coated such that the water vapour permeation sites are not blocked by the coating to maintain the desired breathability. The static water contact angle on the surface of such substrates is more than 95°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Saswati Datta, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France, Arseniy Valerevich Radomyselskiy
  • Absorbent article having improved integrity and acquisition
    Patent number: 6652500
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, that have components that are bonded for improved integrity and an unbonded window on their body-facing side for improved acquisition are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a topsheet that is fused to an underlying liquid pervious or absorbent layer at a plurality of individual bonded areas. The absorbent articles have an unbonded window that is substantially free of bonded areas, which is surrounded by regions of the absorbent article that contain bonded areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dean Jeffrey Daniels, Tana Marie Kirkbride, Stephanie Tych Craig, Anne Holland Bruce
  • Tampon applicator with petals
    Patent number: 6652477
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tampon applicator, having a specific insertion tip structure with overlapping petals, connected to a tube. The petals are preferably curved such that one edge of a petal has an angle with the top edge of the tube of 40° to 60°. The petals are at least partially closed over the tampon and easily openable in use, which provides an improved, safer and more hygienic insertion of the tampon into the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nancy Karapasha, Clare Jessamyn Dibble, Jennifer Ann Kraynak Orriss, Michael Sean Farrell
  • Articles with odor control
    Patent number: 6649805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent articles like sanitary napkins and pantiliners having a peroxyacid for controlling odors associated with body fluids. The disposable absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core intermediate to the backsheet and said topsheet and a peroxyacid. One of the peroxyacids utilized in the disposable absorbent article is epsilon-pthalimido peroxyhexanoic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Achille Di Cintio, Alessandro Gagliardini, Stefano Scialla
  • Topsheet for contacting hydrous body tissues and absorbent device with such a topsheet
    Patent number: 6635799
    Abstract: A body-contacting surface or topsheet for absorbent articles or devices that is comfortable when it is placed in contact with hydrous body tissues is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the topsheet is a non-absorbent, moderately hydrophilic to substantially hydrophobic nonwoven web. The topsheet can have a critical surface tension of less than or equal to about 45 dynes/cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven web has been mechanically modified so that it is extensible in an amount greater than equal to about 30% under a force of 50 grams, and undergoes a caliper change of greater than or equal to about 30% under a pressure of 1,000 Pa after being subjected to a pressure of 250 Pa. The topsheet is placed on absorbent devices such as sanitary napkins, tampons, pantiliners, interlabial devices, incontinence devices, bandages, and other types of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Christopher Bewick-Sonntag, Pamela Jean Brown
  • Resilient, three dimensional polymeric film comprising open and closed capillaries, and absorbent article with improved backsheet comprising the film
    Patent number: 6627791
    Abstract: A resilient, three dimensional, perforated plastic webs which allow passage of water vapor and preferably air, and are resistant to the transmission of aqueous fluids at least in one direction. According to the present invention the perforated plastic webs consist of a liquid impervious polymeric film having open and closed capillaries. More than half of the capillaries are closed and preferably shorter than the capillaries with aperatures, and provide the resilient three dimensional web with an increased resistance crush and to collapse the capillaries under compression. The resilient, three dimensional, perforated plastic webs can be used as one of the layers of a backsheet in an absorbent articles, such as, sanitary napkins, pantiliners. baby diapers, adult incontinence, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paolo Veglio, Luigi Marinelli, Amedeo Franco D'Incecco, Giovanni Carlucci, Carmine Cimini
  • Breathable absorbent articles
    Patent number: 6623464
    Abstract: A liquid pervious topsheet, breathable backsheet, and an absorbent core makes up a breathable absorbent article. The absorbent core has a caliper of less than 12 mm and is positioned intermediate the liquid pervious topsheet and the breathable backsheet. The liquid pervious topsheet, absorbent core, and breathable backsheet are at least one layer. The liquid pervious topsheet has a liquid retention of less than 0.22 g for a 2.0 g load. The absorbent core has a vapor permeability of at least 200 g/ m2/24 hrs. The breathable backsheet has a liquid permeability of less than 0.16 g for 15 ml load. The liquid pervious topsheet, absorbent core, and breathable backsheet are joined such that the absorbent article has a dryness index of greater than 0.5 and a sensory index of greater than 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Giovanni Carlucci, Achille Di Cintio
  • Tampon applicator arrangement
    Patent number: 6610025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Charles John Berg, Jacqueline Ann Daniels, Peter Worthington Hamilton, Caroline Stoney Simons, Richard Tweddell, III, Glen Charles Fedyk
  • Process of forming a perforated web
    Patent number: 6599612
    Abstract: A process of forming a soft and resilient web (10) exhibiting a substantially continuous pattern of debossments or apertures is disclosed. The process comprises locally heating process to melt predetermined points of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Brian Francis Gray
  • Absorbent article having a lotioned topsheet
    Patent number: 6586652
    Abstract: An absorbent article containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil or petrolatum, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the emollient on the surface of the topsheet, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated topsheet. Because the emollient is substantially immobilized on the surface of the topsheet, less lotion is required to impart the desired therapeutic or protective lotion coating benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Frank Heinrich Bakes, Alrick Vincent Warner
  • Highly efficient absorbent article for use with menstrual pant
    Patent number: 6582411
    Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jerry Edward Carstens, Letha Margie Hines, Nicholas Albert Ahr, Diane Dunn Farris, Nona Jane Redwine, Deborah Catherine Schmitz, Cynthia Lee Alvis, John Richard Noel, Ronald Ray McFall, Thomas Ward Osborn, III
  • Absorbent article with breathable backsheet comprising one layer with improved capillary apertures
    Patent number: 6570059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles like baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and in particular to sanitary napkins or pantiliners. According to the present invention the articles are provided with an apertured backsheet for breathability. At least one of the breathable layers of the backsheet comprises a resilient, three dimensional web which consists of a liquid impervious polymeric film having apertures. The apertures form capillaries which are designed such that the backsheet provides an increased barrier to liquid passage out of the article and maintains water vapor permeability when the web is exposed to compressive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Paolo Veglio, Amedeo Franco D'Incecco, Luigi Marinelli
  • Absorbent article having channel
    Patent number: 6563013
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a channel is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core therebetween. The channel length is at least 10% of the length of the absorbent core. The channel has at least one first portion and at least one second portion being of different compression relative to one another. The first portion extends continuously along at least 30% of the length of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murota
  • Protection tampon and method of making
    Patent number: 6554814
    Abstract: A tampon showing improved leakage protection through improved expansion characteristics is disclosed. The tampons disclosed demonstrate these improved expansion characteristics particularly in the width dimension without introducing new drawbacks. Preferred tampons are described which are compressed to an initial size comparable to current tampons, but which expand to a width exceeding that achieved by current tampons. Such increased expansion is preferably accomplished without an increase in the total absorbency of the tampon. Tampons of various absorbencies are disclosed having increased total expansion in the width direction compared to current tampons. Additionally, tampons of various absorbencies which expand to a greater degree in the width direction under pressure are also disclosed. Tampons of various absorbencies which expand at a rate exceeding that achieved previously are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Raymond Kusi Agyapong, Roberto Hollander, David Joseph Caracci, Susan Rachelle Hill, Bruce Leslie Hayes, Fiona Marie Taylor, James Arthur Keighley, Kevin Charles Strong
  • Flexible and breathable absorbent articles and their fixation to undergarments
    Patent number: 6475202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads which are adhered by adhesive to an undergarment during use. More particularly the present invention relates to articles which have an air permeable or breathable back sheet, which have a flexibility in a longitudinal direction, and which are particularly well adhered to the undergarment in order to provide improved comfort to the wearer of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Uwe Thomas M. H. Hirsch
  • Method of individually packaging a three dimensionally-shaped absorbent article
    Patent number: 6475199
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin that has a three dimensionally-shaped tube of absorbent material and method of making the same is disclosed. The sanitary napkin comprises: a base pad having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, and a longitudinal centerline. A tube of absorbent material extends outward from the body-facing side of the base pad and is aligned along the longitudinal centerline of the base pad. In one embodiment, the tube of absorbent material comprises an absorbent material and a cover at least partially wrapping the absorbent material. In this embodiment, the absorbent material is penetrated by autogenous bonds that join one portion of the cover to an opposing portion of the cover. The bonds are selectively placed to provide the tube of absorbent material with a distinct three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Diana Lynne Gann, John Lee Hammons
  • Garment having elastomeric laminate
    Patent number: 6476289
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and the like, that have a unique elastic waist feature that improves the dynamic fit of the elasticized waistband as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. The elastic waist feature preferably comprises an interconnecting panel zone, a first flexural hinge zone joining the interconnecting panel zone with the containment assembly, an elasticized waistband, and a second flexural hinge zone joining the elasticized waistband with the interconnecting panel zone. The elasticized waistband comprises a shaping panel zone; a waistline panel zone; and a predisposed, resilient, waistband flexural hinge zone joining the shaping panel zone and the waistline panel zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Buell, Sandra H. Clear, Danielia T. Falcone
  • Sanitary absorbent article
    Patent number: D465569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Evelina Toro
  • Container—particularly for a pantiliner
    Patent number: D467495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Martina Margarete Lenz, Heiko Armin Ernst Tischler