Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kevin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6355022
    Abstract: An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device has at least one body-contacting surface which comprises a substance that contacts the wearer's body for assisting the interlabial device in staying in place in the desired position in the interlabial space. The substance can be either adhesive or non-adhesive. In embodiments in which the substance is non-adhesive, it may have no initial tack so that it will not stick to the wrong portions of the wearer's body when the device is placed between the labia. Non-adhesive substances include moisture-activated substances which become viscous and develop a tack when contacted by relatively small amounts of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Osborn, III, Thomas J. Klofta, Pamela J. Brown
  • Patent number: 6352529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, catamenials or adult incontinence inserts which are used in combination with undergarments. The absorbent articles according to the present invention have a minimum length of 255 mm, i.e., they are relatively long absorbent articles, and they are provided with a fastening adhesive to attach them to the undergarment during use. In particular, the present invention relates to such absorbent articles which are made from several layers which are joined to each other by integrating adhesive connections. The fastening adhesive is provided with an asymmetry in respect to the longitudinal direction and at least one of the integrating adhesive connections is at least co-extensive with fastening adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karen Ann Kreutz, Rachel Ann Lawton
  • Patent number: 6325787
    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: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    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: 6315763
    Abstract: A tampon is provided with a permeable or soluble barrier layer interposed between an absorbent core and an overwrap, allowing substantially complete, uniform wetting to be obtained even under light flow conditions. The barrier prevents immediate flow of fluid into the core, allowing time for fluid to be carried by the overwrap around the outer surface of the tampon, prior to being drawn into the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tambrands, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Albright, Fiona Taylor, Nigel Sanger, Carolyn Whyte
  • Patent number: 6312418
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article having a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps with fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners thereon, is disclosed. The absorbent article is wrapped by a wrapper for individually packaging the absorbent article. The wrapper comprises a main wrapper sheet and a flap fastener cover. Adhesive fasteners of the first and second flaps are releasably covered by the flap fastener cover which is joined to a part of the main wrapper sheet. The flap fastener cover protects the fasteners located on the first and second flaps of the absorbent article. The main wrapper sheet overlays one major surface of the absorbent article and by folding the article and sealing the wrapper in that folded orientation, an individually packaged disposable absorbent article is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Shimizu, Maki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6302861
    Abstract: An applicator for a catamenial tampon which is capable of inserting a tampon into the vaginal tract and spreading the tampon open within the vaginal cavity is disclosed. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises tube having an interior and a flexible material which has one end that is formed into a flexible and expandable loop. The flexible loop is slidably mounted within the tube. The flexible loop is contained inside the tube until it is desired to deploy the tampon. When it is desired to deploy the tampon, the flexible loop with the tampon thereon is pushed out the expulsion end of the tube. The flexible loop expands laterally and spreads the tampon open within the vaginal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Richard Tweddell, III, Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Lisa Ann MacKay
  • Patent number: 6302862
    Abstract: An expandable bag catamenial tampon and spreading tampon applicators for such a tampon are disclosed. The catamenial tampon is in the form of a soft, conformable, hollow bag. The applicator is capable of inserting the tampon into the vaginal tract and spreading the tampon open within the vaginal cavity. The applicator has an applicator element with a leading end and a trailing end. The bag-like tampon is placed over the leading end of the applicator when the tampon is in a flaccid initial configuration which defines an initial width, and the applicator is used to spread the tampon to a greater deployed width. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises tube having an interior and a flexible material which has one end that is formed into a flexible and expandable loop. The flexible loop is slidably mounted within the tube. The flexible loop is contained inside the tube until it is desired to deploy the tampon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Richard Tweddell, III, Lisa Ann MacKay
  • Patent number: 6287169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to garments that have close body fit. The garment of the present invention comprises an elasticized waistband, a front panel having first and second sections, a rear panel having first and second sections, a crotch region disposed between and joining the front panel to the rear panel and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The first section of the front panel has a greater resistance to streching in the lateral direction than the second section of the front panel. The first section of the rear panel has a greater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than the second section of the rear panel. The crotch region is provided with a longitudinal stretch control member that is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment. The longitudinal stretch control member limits the stretch of the crotch region in the longitudinal direction causing the crotch region to conform to a weare's skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Eric Joachim Willms, Achim Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6283952
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved tampon, particularly suited for use as a digital tampon, having a portion of fibers at a withdrawal end of the tampon displaced towards an insertion end, causing a fiber density in the vicinity of the withdrawal end to be lower than an average fiber density of the tampon. The tampon also includes an indentation in the withdrawal end. In combination, the lower fiber density of the withdrawal end and the indentation in the withdrawal end cause the withdrawal end to be soft and readily flareable. When the tampon is provided with an overwrap the indentation also allows excess overwrap at the withdrawal end to be tucked into the tampon, improving the aesthetic qualities of the tampon and facilitating digital insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tambrands, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Child, Warren Tarr
  • Patent number: 6270470
    Abstract: A method for providing side-to-side coverage of a tampon within a female user's vaginal cavity is provided. By use of a tampon applicator designed to provide directional expulsion and suitable tampons for use in the tampon applicator, a female user may achieve side-to-side coverage of a tampon within her vaginal cavity. Such directional expulsion causes a suitable tampon to expand against the sides and/or walls of a female user's vaginal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kimberly Ann Buck, Lisa Ann MacKay, William Patton Peace, Chrissie Melinda Smits, Richard Tweddell, III, Eric Patton Weinberger
  • Patent number: 6270486
    Abstract: An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the two. The length of the device is between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The width is between about 25 mm and 50 mm. The device has an axis of preferred bending along its longitudinal centerline. When folded along the axis and inserted into the wearer's interlabial space, the topsheet maintains contact with the walls of the wearer's labia. A method of using a system of feminine hygiene products is also disclosed. The system includes the use of an absorbent interlabial device in combination with a sanitary napkin. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention may also be used in combination with an absorbent tampon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pamela Jean Brown, Thomas Ward Osborn, III
  • Patent number: 6258075
    Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having improved leakage performance. Tampons, having a primary absorbent member which is constructed from an absorbent material compressed to a self-sustaining form and a mass of secondary absorbent material are disclosed. The mass of secondary absorbent material is preferably located generally proximate the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member, and is preferably substantially non-compress, and preferably of a smaller diameter than the primary absorbent member. The mass of secondary absorbent material may be a multiple pieces or one piece. The secondary absorbent material may be attached to the primary absorbent member, the withdrawal cord, or both, or may be integral with one or both of these members. The withdrawal cord of the tampon may have absorbent and non-absorbent zones, especially when the mass of secondary absorbent material is attached to the withdrawal cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fiona M. Taylor, Thomas W. Osborn, III, Karen A. Kreutz, George A. M. Butterworth
  • Patent number: 6254566
    Abstract: A suitable tampon with a tampon applicator for expelling the tampon to provide side-to-side coverage and inserting the tampon into a body cavity is provided. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube having interior and exterior surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a hollow portion and an expulsion end dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity. The tampon holder tube has a feature for separating and spreading a tampon apart during expulsion of the tampon. A plunger may also be telescopically and slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube distal to the expulsion end and adapted to directionally expel the tampon from the tampon holder tube when a user expels the tampon from the tampon holder tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kimberly Ann Buck, Lisa Ann MacKay, William Patton Peace, Chrissie Melinda Smits, Richard Tweddell, III, Eric Patton Weinberger
  • Patent number: 6248202
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing individual layered structures and the structures themselves. A continuous layered structure is provided. The continuous layered structure has designated cutting regions and includes a particulate material between the layers. At least one of the layers is permeable to liquids. A thermoplastic material in liquid state is applied to the continuous layered structure over at least part of the designated cutting regions to provide the designated cutting regions with a joining means. The thermoplastic material is made of natural or synthetic polymers, or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic material has a softening point, as measured according to the ASTM Method E 28-67, lower than 120° C.; a viscosity at 130° C. lower than 0.05 Pa.s; and a temperature range in which the viscosity changes between 0.05 Pa.s and 0.35 Pa.s which is greater than 5° C. The thermoplastic material is allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Italo Corzani, Michael Divo
  • Patent number: D444230
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anke Simone Renz, Susanne Will, Ralf Bombach, Piero Sabbi
  • Patent number: D445498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anke Simone Renz, Susanne Will, Ralf Bombach, Piero Sabbi
  • Patent number: D448476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Page, Jeanie M. Christianson, Luca Cesiro
  • Patent number: D448846
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Page, Jeanie M. Christianson, Luca Cesiro
  • Patent number: D449651
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lori Dee Renzi, James Douglas Still
  • Patent number: D454195
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ulrike Dagmar Frauke Kitzinger, Anthony Pace