Patents Assigned to ONTEX BV
  • Patent number: 12622822
    Abstract: The current invention concerns an absorbent article (10) comprising an absorbent core (12) sandwiched between a liquid permeable topsheet (14) and a liquid impermeable backsheet (16), and an acquisition distribution layer (18) arranged between said topsheet (14) and said absorbent core (12), wherein the absorbent core (12) comprises at least an absorbent material layer. According to the invention the topsheet (14) consists essentially of an air-through bonded nonwoven layer and is free of spunbond nonwoven layers, the acquisition distribution layer (18) comprises a spunbonded and/or thermocarded nonwoven layer, and the absorbent core (12) comprises at least one channel (26) free of absorbent material. The invention also relates to the use of such an absorbent article (10), for managing liquid stool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignees: Ontex BV, Ontex Group NV
    Inventors: Christina Lambertz, Katharina Sprotte, Agnes Dominika Reuter
  • Patent number: 12527702
    Abstract: An absorbent core for an absorbent article is provided an absorbent material, the absorbent core comprising one or more first zones comprising a first amount of absorbent material and one or more second zones comprising a second amount of absorbent material, wherein each second zone is at least partly delimited from the other second zones by the one or more first zones characterized in that the first amount of bulk absorbent material is different than the second amount of absorbent material, each amount of absorbent material being determined as weight per unit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Evan Descheemaecker, Karen Roets, Danny Zwanckaert
  • Patent number: 12383436
    Abstract: The current invention concerns a transfer head (24) configured for the transfer of a pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). According to the invention, the transfer head (24) comprises a support module (28) comprising a vacuum manifold, and a core module (30) comprising an elastic mean (32). The current invention also concerns a method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The current invention also concerns an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article using said method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing an absorbent articles using said method of transferring pad (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Christian Adams, Thomas Heege
  • Patent number: 12383437
    Abstract: An absorbent article for personal hygiene such as a diaper, or training pant, or incontinence insert, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet, an indicator for indicating the presence of exudates and being positioned on a body-facing side of said backsheet, the indicator comprising an electrically conductive material, the article further comprising a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article such to become in electrical communication with said indicator when attached to said article to measure a change in resistance or capacitance in response to a voiding event, wherein the absorbent core comprises a core wrap enclosing absorbent material therein and wherein a top layer of the core wrap is joined to a bottom layer of the core wrap to form one or more channels substantially free of absorbent material, and wherein the indicator comprises a pattern that extends in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Ainas Weber, Jens Hellmold, Lisa Heirman, Alissa Idelson
  • Patent number: 12383440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article (1), preferably an incontinence pant-like diaper, comprising a chassis (2), a front waist region (3), a back waist region (4) and a crotch region (5) extending between said front and back waist regions (3,4); wherein the front and back waist regions (3,4) are joinable to each other and wherein, when joined, a waist-opening is formed and a pair of leg-openings are formed by one or more crotch-leg-peripheral-edges (17,17?) and front and back waist-leg-peripheral-edges (18,18?,19,19?), and wherein first and second front waist-leg-peripheral-edges (18,18?) extend from a first position (20,20?) proximal to the crotch region (5) to a second position (21,21?) distal therefrom and proximal to a lateral edge (15,15?) of the front waist region (3), said first and second front waist-leg-peripheral-edges (18,18?) being oppositely disposed from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Dries Cobbaert, Nathalie Van Sande
  • Patent number: 12336893
    Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds, each mold comprising a non-porous insert therein, typically said insert having the inverse shape of said channel(s), wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v. applying a second nonwoven web directly or indirectly over the absorbent material, or folding said first nonwoven web, such to sandwich said absorbent material between upper and lower layers of said nonwoven web(s); vi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Thomas Heege, Ainas Weber, Christel Mailinger, Manfred Breu, Detlef Vollrath, Alissa Idelson, Christoph Wagner
  • Patent number: 12239518
    Abstract: A substantially cuboid reclosable flexible package (8) for transporting multiple personal hygiene absorbent articles “on-the-go” is disclosed. It has a front wall (81), a rear wall (82), two opposed side walls (83,83?) and two opposed end walls (84,84?). It includes a stack of at least two personal hygiene absorbent articles (1,100) comprising a garment attachment adhesive covered by a removable release paper (2), and which are folded inwardly with the removable release paper (2) exposed. The folded absorbent articles are free of an individual wrapping pouch and comprise closure means (7) for securing said folding. The package (8) is made of a plastic or paper wrap sealed at one position on either the front (81), the rear (82), or one of the two side walls (83,83?), and on the two end walls (84,84?). It comprises, on at least one wall, a tear-open flap (86) limited by at least one tearing line (87).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Annemie Houben, Herman Vandevelde, Eva Staelens
  • Patent number: 12239512
    Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds typically in the form of pockets, each mold comprising an insert therein, wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert such that a suction zone is formed in areas neighboring said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. optionally further selectively removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Ainas Weber, Thomas Heege
  • Patent number: 12157649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of guiding a web with a shifting path of the web to a substantially constant centration point. It comprises the steps of providing a web with a shifting path of the web from a source of the web, measuring upstream of said centration point, the position and/or orientation of said web by a sensor arrangement, and guiding said web to said centration point in accordance to the measurement results. The present invention advantageously relates to operations in the manufacturing of absorbent articles such as unwinding web rolls that are wound in a shifted manner, in particular spirally wound web rolls, and removing web from containers of loose web material. The invention also relates to a device for the execution of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignees: Ontex BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventor: Thomas Heege
  • Patent number: 12127922
    Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds, each mold comprising a non-porous insert therein, typically said insert having the inverse shape of said channel(s), wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v. applying a second nonwoven web directly or indirectly over the absorbent material, or folding said first nonwoven web, such to sandwich said absorbent material between upper and lower layers of said nonwoven web(s); vi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignees: Ontex BV, Ontex Group NV
    Inventors: Thomas Heege, Ainas Weber, Christel Mailinger, Manfred Breu, Detlef Vollrath, Alissa Idelson, Christoph Wagner
  • Patent number: 12109097
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core sandwiched between a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable back-sheet, and an acquisition distribution system positioned between said topsheet and said absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core comprises absorbent material selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers, superabsorbent polymers and combinations thereof, wherein said absorbent material is contained within at least one core wrap substrate enclosing said absorbent material, and wherein a top layer of said core wrap is adhered to a bottom layer of said core wrap to form one or more channels substantially free of said absorbent material, wherein said channels have a length extending along a longitudinal axis and the absorbent core has a length extending along said longitudinal axis and wherein the length of said channels is from 10% to 95% of the length of said absorbent core and wherein said channels each follow a substantially continuous path such as from a first end of a cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Christina Lambertz, Ainas Weber, Toon Coppejans, Gezime Dzaferi, Björn Ingenfeld, Jochen F. Schneider
  • Patent number: 12064325
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core sandwiched between a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an acquisition distribution layer positioned between said topsheet and said absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core comprises absorbent material selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers, superabsorbent polymers and combinations thereof, wherein said absorbent core comprises at least one core wrap substrate enclosing said absorbent material, and wherein a top layer of said core wrap is adhered to a bottom layer of said core wrap to form one or more channels substantially free of said absorbent material, wherein said channels have a length extending along a longitudinal axis and the absorbent core has a length extending along said longitudinal axis and wherein the length of said channels is from 10% to 95% of the length of said absorbent core and wherein said channels each follow a substantially continuous path such as from a first end of a channel to a second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: Ontex BV, Ontex Group NV
    Inventors: Christina Lambertz, Ainas Weber, Toon Coppejans, Gezime Dzaferi, Björn Ingenfeld, Jochen F. Schneider
  • Patent number: 12036100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for making air-laid fibrous articles, as well as absorbent hygiene products comprising such air-laid fibrous articles as absorbent core. It comprises a plurality of discrete pockets (1) defining the shape of the articles disposed in a circumferential relationship about the periphery of a rotatable deposition drum (50) comprising a disk-shaped backing plate (2), characterized in that the discrete pockets (1) are removably attached to interfacing segments (6) which are themselves removably attached to the backing plate (2). The present invention aims to provide an easier and quicker way of interchanging the pockets and to provide an improved handling of different pocket sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: Ontex BV, Ontex Group NV
    Inventors: Danny Zwanckaert, Evan Descheemaecker
  • Patent number: 11998433
    Abstract: An absorbent core comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a middle portion positioned between the front portion and the back portion; and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of said core and crossing said front, middle and back portions, the absorbent core having a width extending perpendicular to said length and a perimeter comprising at least two opposing ends and at least two opposing sides positioned between said ends, said core being a multi-layer core comprising at least two distinct core layers, wherein a first core layer comprises a channel having a first shape and a second core layer comprises a further channel having a second shape and wherein the first and second core layers are disposed one on top of the other such that a third channel shape is formed along said core length and width, and wherein said first and second shapes are substantially the same and are different to said third shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: Ontex BV, Ontex Group NV
    Inventor: Ainas Weber
  • Patent number: 11950992
    Abstract: A substantially cuboid reclosable flexible package (8) for transporting multiple personal hygiene absorbent articles “on-the-go” is disclosed. It has a front wall (81), a rear wall (82), two opposed side walls (83,83) and two opposed end walls (84,84?). It includes a stack of at least two personal hygiene absorbent articles (1,100) comprising a garment attachment adhesive covered by a removable release paper (2), and which are folded inwardly with the removable release paper (2) exposed. The folded absorbent articles are free of an individual wrapping pouch and comprise closure means (7) for securing said folding. The package (8) is made of a plastic or paper wrap sealed at one position on either the front (81), the rear (82), or one of the two side walls (83,83?), and on the two end walls (84,84?). It comprises, on at least one wall, a tear-open flap (86) limited by at least one tearing line (87).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Annemie Houben, Herman Vandevelde, Eva Staelens
  • Patent number: 11938005
    Abstract: A substrate suitable for incorporation into an absorbent article for automatic detection of wetness events therein, the substrate comprising a first surface capable of being arranged proximal to a body facing side of the absorbent article and a second surface opposite said first surface and capable of being arranged proximal to a garment facing side of said absorbent article, said substrate comprising a plurality of sensor tracks disposed on said first surface wherein said sensor tracks are in electrical communication with a clip-on data processing module when connected at a position proximal to a first end of the substrate such to form a closed electrical circuit, typically for measuring resistance, impedance and/or capacitance therethrough, wherein the substrate comprises one or more slits and an insulating layer placed over said first surface to sandwich said sensor tracks therebetween, and a pocket is formed between said first surface and said insulating layer proximal to at least said first end, said poc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Jens Hellmold, Alissa Idelson, Lisa Heirman
  • Patent number: 11938010
    Abstract: An absorbent core comprising substantially continuous zones of one or more high fluid distribution structures and discontinuous zones of fluid absorption structures surrounding the one or more high fluid distribution structures, wherein the one or more high fluid distribution structures are arranged to distribute fluid across the absorbent core at a speed that is faster than the speed of fluid distribution across the absorbent core by said discontinuous fluid absorption structures, and wherein said continuous zones extend along a path that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter of the core, said portion of the perimeter of the core comprising at least a portion of the sides of the core and one of the ends of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Ainas Weber, Manfred Breu, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
  • Patent number: 11883270
    Abstract: A method for measuring airflow through a channel comprised in an absorbent article core, said method comprising the steps of: providing an absorbent core adapted to be sandwiched between a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet of an absorbent article, wherein the absorbent core comprises at least one channel; providing a thermal imaging camera; loading the absorbent core with a warm liquid, wherein said warm liquid has a temperature of greater than 30° C.; simultaneously visually recording said absorbent core with said thermal imaging camera, and spraying said channel(s) with a cold fluid, wherein the cold fluid has a temperature of less than 10° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventor: Ainas Weber
  • Patent number: 11752047
    Abstract: An absorbent core comprising substantially continuous zones of one or more high fluid distribution structures and discontinuous zones of fluid absorption structures surrounding the one or more high fluid distribution structures, wherein the one or more high fluid distribution structures are arranged to distribute fluid across the absorbent core at a speed that is faster than the speed of fluid distribution across the absorbent core by said discontinuous fluid absorption structures, and wherein said continuous zones extend along a path that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter of the core, said portion of the perimeter of the core comprising at least a portion of the sides of the core and one of the ends of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NV
    Inventors: Ainas Weber, Manfred Breu, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
  • Patent number: D1086452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Ontex BV
    Inventor: Karen Roets