Patents Examined by Ginger Chapman
  • Patent number: 7429689
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Patent number: 7354426
    Abstract: A flexible container incorporating flexible front and rear sheets and one or more container ports disposed in between the sheets are discussed. The one or more container ports each has a pliable attachment flange and an integrally molded nozzle. The pliable attachment flange has a first configuration whereby the attachment flange collapses to enable heat sealing the attachment flange to the sheets and thereafter substantially recovers its shape to provide a fluid pathway with the port. Various terminal ports. terminal caps. and rubber septums may be useable with the one or more container ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey Theodore Young
  • Patent number: 7347849
    Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: NXStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Dennis M. Treu
  • Patent number: 7347846
    Abstract: Absorbent pants with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction and having an absorption core arranged between a liquid-tight cover sheet and a liquid-permeable cover sheet. The diaper pants have a front portion, a rear portion and an intermediate crotch portion, and a front edge and a rear edge extending substantially in the transverse direction and forming a waist opening, two side edges extending substantially in the longitudinal direction and forming two leg openings. An elastic sheet material is arranged at least along the waist opening of the diaper pants and extends at least from the waist opening to the leg openings, the elastic sheet material being secured to the absorption core in a substantially unstretched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Niclas Norrby, Catarina Linnér
  • Patent number: 7344512
    Abstract: A protector effectively suppresses infections. The protector protects a tube entry part, where a tube passes through the skin of a living body, from infections, and includes a sticking part that is stuck onto the skin of the living body in a periphery of the tube entry part, and a covering that covers the tube entry part, forms an internal space that surrounds the tube entry part, and has a passage through which the tube passes. The covering is provided with an opening that can be freely opened and closed with a cap or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sun Medical Technology Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yamazaki, Nobuaki Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7344523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer. The elastic inner layer may include a front piece, a back piece and a crotch piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Georgia L. Zehner
  • Patent number: 7335809
    Abstract: An absorptive body (50) for attachment to the human body, especially for absorbing fluids coming out of parts of the human body such as wounds, has a substantially flat material section made of an absorbing material (1), which consists of an absorbing non-woven having super-absorber particles spread therein, and a fluid-permeable shell (2) that surrounds the material section, forms a barrier against solid excretions and enables the passage of other excreted substances into the material section made of absorbing material (1) that is arranged inside the shell (2). The shell is made of a small-pored material, whose pores are smaller than the unwetted super-absorber particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Riesinger
  • Patent number: 7329243
    Abstract: An inter-labial pad which can be inserted easily to a point of insertion is provided. An inter-labial pad 1 having an absorbent body for absorbing a body fluid is covered with a cover sheet, wherein a top portion 10 to be in contact with the depth of labia when the inter-labial pad 1 is put between the labia is provided. The top portion 10 has a shape different between the forward end 10a coming in contact with the forward of the labia and the backward end 10b coming in contact with the backward of the labia upon attachment, with the backward end being in a sharp shape and of narrow width and sharp angle. Thus, the inter-labial pad 1 can be inserted easily from a sharp backward end 10b easily to the labia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Wataru Yoshimasa, Yuki Noda
  • Patent number: 7329245
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent, a waist opening and right and left leg openings which are formed when the diaper is in use, and many stretchable members which are provided along the peripheral direction of the diaper at least in a girth area having a lengthwise range extending from said waist opening's edge to said leg openings' start ends and which are spaced at intervals in the lengthwise direction of the diaper. In at least a front body, said stretchable members are provided discontinuously in part of or in the whole of a lengthwise range where said absorbent is located, in an area extending from a joint on one side to a joint on the other side of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Daio Paper Corporation, Daio Paper Converting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Torigoshi, Sadanao Manabe, Yosuke Mori
  • Patent number: 7329246
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a disposable pull-on wearing article improved so that a body fluid absorbent core may be curved about a crotch region toward front and rear waist regions without forming thick creases creating a feeling of discomfort against a wearer, and wherein a concavity bulging downward may be quickly formed in the crotch region as the core is curved. The article includes a body fluid absorbent core which includes a first core lying on a transverse middle of a crotch region and a pair of second cores lying on both sides of the first core. Front and rear end portions of the respective second cores are spaced apart from the first core by slit-like gaps and intermediate portions extending between the front and rear end portions are contiguous to the first core. Outer side edges of the respective second cores are formed with laid down V-shape cutouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Yoshio Ono, Tomoko Tsuji, Akiko Yagi
  • Patent number: 7329794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer. The elastic inner layer may include a fastener on an inner surface in a back waist region of the garment and the outer layer may include a fastener on an outer surface in a front waist region of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, INc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Georgia L. Zehner
  • Patent number: 7322967
    Abstract: A pant-type disposable garment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings is disclosed. The garment comprises a first waist panel, a second waist panel and a crotch panel positioned between, the first waist panel and the second waist panel. The crotch panel is openable and reclosable with respect to at least the second waist panel. The garment further comprises a releasable joint and a fastening member. The releasable joint releasably joins the crotch panel to the second waist panel to preform a pant shape. The releasable joint is released to first open the crotch panel. The fastening member is capable of refastening the crotch panel to the second waist panel to reform the pant shape after the releasable joint is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Masahiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7322968
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided on its garment facing surface with tape fasteners. The tape member forming each of the tape fastener has a fixed end portion and a free end portion adapted to be taken between the fingers longitudinally opposed to each other. The free end portion at least partially extend beyond the lateral edge of the wearing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nariaki Shimoe
  • Patent number: 7316675
    Abstract: A disposable pants-type wearing article includes an inner sheet, an outer sheet and an intermediate sheet having two or more plastic film strips sandwiched between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. The film strips are overlapped one another to define an overlapped region dimensioned to be 10 to 100 mm in a longitudinal direction of the wearing article and extend in a transverse direction to the vicinity of leg-surrounding elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Soga, Satoru Tange, Yuko Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7314967
    Abstract: Moisture responsive members are disposed outboard of the absorbent core within disposable absorbent articles. The moisture responsive members expand in response to moisture from the wearer of the absorbent article thereby creating a seal between the moisture responsive member and the wearer of the absorbent article. The moisture responsive members can be disposed along the longitudinal sides of the disposable absorbent article or along the waist edges, both front and rear, of the disposable absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Donald Louis Zgoda
  • Patent number: 7312372
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elongated absorbent article including a liquid absorbent layer. In a region where the liquid absorbent layer is present, compressed grooves are disposed to extend symmetrically about a longitudinal centerline, defining a central region therebetween and side regions laterally outside the central region and adjacent the compressed grooves. The central region includes front, intermediate and rear central regions. The intermediate central region has a widened portion in which the separation distance is larger than in regions positioned forward and rearward thereof. Stiffness of the side regions is lower in portions laterally outside the intermediate central region than in portions laterally outside the front and rear central regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Miyama, Masataka Kinoshita, Jun Kudo, Kenichiro Kuroda, Tatsuya Tamura, Shimpei Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7309330
    Abstract: The invention provides a drainage system that includes a ventricular catheter, a drainage catheter, and a positive displacement pump that can function to actively drain CSF from the ventricles of the brain of a patient. Methods of using a drainage system in accordance with the invention are also provided, as well as kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Bertrand, Derek J. Harper, Lori Cone Speckman, Andrew R. Kiehl, Ron D. Scheer
  • Patent number: 7297139
    Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment comprises a body panel comprising a non-woven material, and preferably a non-woven spunbond material having a pattern of discrete bonded areas. The body panel has a non-elasticized area. A hook-type fastener member comprises a high-density array of hooks with a hook density of at least about 60 hooks per square centimeter. At least a portion of the array of hooks is engaged with the non-woven material at the non-elasticized area of the body panel. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, between about 5% and 25% of the non-woven spunbond material comprises the bonded area. In another preferred embodiment, the non-woven spunbond material has a basis weight of between about 0.3 osy and about 2.0 osy. A method for making the absorbent garment, and for securing the absorbent garment to a user, also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cindy L. Price, Suzanne M. Schmoker, Lori S. Schutkoske, Paul T. Van Gompel, Jesse Paul Sorenson, Jerome S. Veith
  • Patent number: 7291138
    Abstract: A rear elastic area formed by a rear waist region with rear waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the rear waist region. A front elastic area formed by a front waist region with front waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the front waist region. The rear waist region and the front waist region are capable of stretching or contracting in unison. A greater number of rear waist elastic members than front waist elastic members are provided. The rear elastic area is broader than the front elastic area with respect to the longitudinal direction of the diaper body. The body-hugging capability of the diaper body at the rear waist side of the wearer is increased so that the diaper body is prevented from slipping down. This configuration reduces constructive feeling by ensuring that the diaper body is not excessively tight at the front waist side of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hakujuji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Fumiko Aoki, Terumasa Kondo
  • Patent number: 7291123
    Abstract: The joint (36) comprises a tubular body (37) having two connecting zones (38, 39) each connected by an end to a tubular element (40) of a fluid transport line, giving continuity to passage of fluid. The tubular body is made of a mixture of an electrically-conductive material such as PVC, with carbon black to give it electrical conductivity. The joint has an internal surface (41) which is destined to come into contact with the transported fluid, and an external surface which is destined to have a grounded galvanic contact. The joint is inserted in the discharge fluid drainage line of a dialyzer filter, in an apparatus for intensive treatment of acute renal insufficiency, for eliminating ECG artefacts due to functioning of peristaltic pumps in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia
    Inventors: Vincenzo Baraldi, Annalisa Delnevo, Gianfranco Marchesi, Andrea Ligabue, Massimo Zaccarelli