Patents Examined by C. L Anderson
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Patent number: 6965058Abstract: Described is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable layer (18) disposed towards the wearer's body when the said article is in use; a liquid-impermeable layer (20) disposed away from the wearer's body when the said article is in use; as well as an absorbent body arranged between the liquid-permeable layer (18) and the liquid-impermeable layer (20). The absorbent body comprises an absorbent material (32) which remains able to flow even after contact with a liquid. In addition, the invention discloses an absorbent article which comprises a liquid-impermeable layer disposed away from the wearer's body when the article is in use, as well as an absorbent body covered by a liquid-permeable layer; with the said absorbent body containing an absorbent material which remains able to flow even after contact with a liquid. In this, the absorbent body is connected to the liquid-impermeable layer in a central area of the said absorbent body.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Hakle-Kimberly Deutschland GmbHInventors: Maria Raidel, Franz Aschenbrenner
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Patent number: 6921393Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a liquid permeable bodyside cover, a liquid permeable garment side liner and an absorbent core enclosed by the cover and the liner. The absorbent article also has a pair of fringes formed by joining the cover to the liner. The pair of fringes extend laterally outward from the absorbent core and are capable of being biased upward to form a pair of upstanding side walls when placed in an undergarment. The pair of upstanding side walls form a pair of reservoirs located adjacent to the absorbent core. The pair of reservoirs are capable of retaining body fluid that has run off of the cover until the body fluid can be absorbed by the absorbent core.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Denise Crites Tears, Amanda Lee O'Connor, Russell Gerald Mayer, Stephen Alan Kolasinski, Wendy Jean Wegner, Chad Krueger
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Patent number: 6846304Abstract: A urine collection device which includes a urine collection vessel and a handle which releasable grips a pouring edge of the urine collection vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Inventor: Jamie Teasdale
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Patent number: 6682515Abstract: A disposable absorbent sanitary article that includes sheets to form a pair of flaps and a pair of flaps. The sheets are folded along flap fold lines back onto themselves, respectively, to form free edge portions of the respective pairs of flaps. Elastic members are secured under tension to the sheets inside the respective free edge portions and are spaced from the fold lines at least by 1 mm, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Katsumi Mizutani, Yoshio Ono, Hirotomo Mukai
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Patent number: 6679831Abstract: An expandable vaginal insert device for reducing the occurrence of female urinary incontinence. The vaginal insert device includes at least a resilient member capable of expanding to transmit pressure to the urethro-vaginal myofascial area. Optionally, the device may include one or more non-absorbent layers in addition to the resilient member. The resilient member and any additional layers are formed into an elongated member, which may be then be shaped into a M-shaped shaped profile or a dome-shaped profile.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: MaryAnn Zunker, Herb F. Velazquez
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Patent number: 6635799Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Christopher Bewick-Sonntag, Pamela Jean Brown
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Patent number: 6620142Abstract: The aid includes at least one hose-like conduit element (1) having walls (2, 3) made of absorbent hygienic paper which bound a conduit channel (4) for urine. The conduit element (1) comprises a first end section (A) having an inlet part (5) positionable at the body of a respective user and a second end section (B) having an outlet part (6) to channel the urine. The first end section (A) is formed by first wall parts (2a and 3a) which are provided with a wetting inhibiting coating (18) at the inner sides. The second end section (B) is formed by second wall parts (2b and 3b) free of wetting inhibiting agent. The first end section (A) is designed with a gripping part (7) protruding to the side which is formed by tongue-like protrusions (12) of the first wall parts (2a and 3a). This embodiment allows a comfortable, hygienically advantageous use of the aid and a fast softening and/or dissolving of the used conduit element (1) in the water of a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventor: Werner Flückiger
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Patent number: 6616643Abstract: The present invention relates to an individually folded and wrapped product, comprising and absorbent article and an enveloping sheet. The absorbent article is provided with side flaps and adhesive regions that aid in fixing it to a wearer's panties, keeping it in the correct position and avoiding the occurrence of leakage. The enveloping sheet totally encloses the absorbent article when the absorbent article is transversely folded over itself with the flaps in an open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Industria E Comercio LTDAInventor: Rogerio Costa
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Patent number: 6602237Abstract: An absorbent product includes an absorbent portion with an absorbent body between a liquid permeable sheet and a liquid impermeable sheet, and flexible flaps projecting from tapering longitudinal edges of the absorbent portion. A first removable protective layer covers substantially the entire absorbent portion and second and third removable protective layers each cover substantially all of a respective one of the flexible flaps. Each of the second and third protective layers is directly opposite the first protective layer along substantially an entire length of a first line along the respective longitudinal edge of the absorbent portion. The second and third protective layers are at least partially separated from the first protective layer by a cut line that follows the respective first line.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Bror-Inge Helmfridsson, Hakan Persson, Solgun Drevik, Frantisek Solar
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Patent number: 6573422Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising an integral absorbent element with an upper surface and a lower surface defining a thickness therebetween. The thickness has an upper 35% containing a high absorbency zone and a lower 65%. The high absorbency zone has a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness. The zone thickness is less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness. The high absorbency zone comprises absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles. The superabsorbent polymer particles are present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter and are separated from one another by the absorbent fibers. The lower 65% of the absorbent element thickness is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.Inventors: Leonard G. Rosenfeld, Lynn Foelsch
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Patent number: 6533771Abstract: Provided is a sanitary tampon including an absorbent wrapped by a liquid-pervious sheet. The absorbent is a mass of a plurality of compressed, small fiber agglomerations. At least the small fiber agglomerations located in the peripheral region of the absorbent are bonded to each other via hydrogen bonding therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Ayami Suga, Mitsuhiro Wada
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Patent number: 6528698Abstract: Provided is an absorbent article including a back sheet, an absorbent layer, and a top sheet covering at least the absorbent layer. The top sheet includes a fiber layer, and a resin layer which is applied to the surface of the fiber layer in a plurality of band-shaped rows. At least one of the rows is a discontinuous row composed of discontinuous band-shaped portions arranged at a spacing in the axial direction of the row. The area not having the resin layer between adjacent discontinuous band-shaped portions in the axial direction of the row is located at least in the region covering the absorbent layer. Accordingly, the top sheet is liquid-permeable between the adjacent rows and in the area not having the resin layer between adjacent discontinuous band-shaped portions in the axial direction of the row.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Akiko Ota, Tatsuya Tamura
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Patent number: 6517509Abstract: A pack insertion device for use with a cavity in the human body, such as a nose cavity, is provided that includes an introducer member and a liquid absorption assembly. The introducer member is preferably one piece that can have a body member with side walls that form a rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the introducer member is a single unit that includes a main body section and a pivotal body section that holds the liquid absorption assembly when positioned for insertion into a nasal or sinus cavity. In this embodiment, the introducer member has side walls that have cut-out portions, an intermediate wall that functions as a floor, and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. In yet a further embodiment, the introducer member includes a single body having tapered side walls, an intermediate wall and an elongated opening opposite the intermediate wall. The liquid absorption assembly includes an absorbent member having a rectangular cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Inventor: Ronald D. Shippert
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Patent number: 6506187Abstract: There is provided an absorbent article, such as a diaper, a pant diaper or an incontinence protector that includes longitudinally extending edges and transversally extending edges, a bottom liquid-impermeable sheet, an absorbent layer, longitudinally extending liquid barriers fastened along or on the longitudinal edges of the article, side-flaps which extend laterally outside the liquid barriers and a first upper, essentially liquid-permeable surface sheet between said liquid barriers and a second upper, essentially liquid-impermeable surface sheet outwardly of said liquid barriers, wherein the ends of the liquid barriers are folded down at the front and/or rear end-part and fastened flat against the first and/or the second upper surface sheet. Those areas of the surface sheets situated at the front and/or the rear end-part are comprised of essentially liquid-impermeable material or are covered with essentially liquid-impermeable material.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Mikael Andersson, Ingegerd Carlberg, Anita Nyberg, Elisabeth Engström
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Patent number: 6500160Abstract: Disclosed is a package including an absorbent article and a packaging member. The packaging member is formed of a nonwoven fabric composed of thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven fabric has a plurality of heat-fused portions arranged thereon in a predetermined pattern. The heat-fused portions are formed by pressing and heat-fusing the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric has a tensile strength of from 4.5 to 20 N/25 mm in MD and from 4.5 to 15 N/25 mm in CD and has a breathability resistance of at least 0.04 kPa-s/m.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Makoto Suekane, Junichi Noguchi
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Patent number: 6433245Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushable fibrous structure that is particularly useful as a disposable tissue product and as a component (e.g., topsheets) for absorbent articles such as catamenial pads, diapers, incontinent articles and the like. The invention specifically relates to a flushable fibrous structure that has an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 100 g/in. and a disposal wet tensile strength of not more than about 30 g/in. The invention also relates to absorbent articles comprising the fibrous structures, and methods for making the structures.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: David William Bjorkquist, Todd Leon Mansfield
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Patent number: 6419664Abstract: In a collecting bag comprising a bag member formed by two film blanks with joined edges and an inlet opening for connection of the bag to a body orifice provided in one of said film blanks, an elongated discharge portion ending in a discharge opening is connected with the bag member, said discharge portion having a width permitting opening and reclosing by manual unfolding and folding operations and defining a narrowed discharge passage for the discharge of more or less entirely liquid body wastes, a substantially free flow through the narrowed discharge passage in the open unfolded condition of the discharge portion and thereby a free discharge flow of the bag content being obtainable by arrangement of a flexible hose member in the discharge passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Coloplast A/SInventors: Martin von Bulow, Birthe Vestbo Andersen, Jan Rolin Frederiksen, Søren Hansen