Patents Examined by K. M. Reichle
  • Patent number: 7238175
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a basic absorbent batt structure and a supplementary absorbent batt structure placed thereon. An elastic member is provided between the two batt structures so as to transversely cross them. Contraction of the elastic member causes opposite side edge regions of the two batt structures to be pulled nearer to a longitudinal center line thereof. This results in a zone of the former batt structure underlying a distal end portion of the latter batt structure to curving downward with respect to a lower surface of the latter batt structure while the distal end portion of the latter batt structure curves upward with respect to a body facing surface of the basic absorbent batt structure. The curving of the batt structures forms a pocket opening from a front waist region toward a crotch region of the disposable diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Onishi, Yasushi Sayama, Hiroyuki Tanji
  • Patent number: 6861571
    Abstract: An article containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition provides a skin benefit and/or reduces the adherence of BM to the skin of the wearer, thereby improving the case of BM clean up. The lotion composition applied to the article in a nonuniform manner, preferably such there are regions on the article's topsheet that are not coated with lotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Laura Graves Spalding Van Rijswijck, Julie Charlene Rule
  • Patent number: 6790203
    Abstract: An absorbent product has an absorption body with a generally oblong shape with two longitudinal sides, two transverse sides, a longitudinal center line, and also includes a first, liquid-permeable surface layer and a second, essentially liquid-impermeable surface layer, an essentially liquid-impermeable backing layer, an absorption body positioned between the liquid-permeable surface layer and the backing layer, two leakage barriers made of flexible material in the longitudinal direction on each side of the longitudinal center line. Each leakage barrier has a first edge permanently fastened along the first, liquid-permeable surface layer and a second edge which extends in the direction of the longitudinal center line of the absorbent product. The first surface and/or the second surface of each leakage barrier is fastened to or near to the first, liquid-permeable surface layer and/or the second, liquid-impermeable surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Hans Eén
  • Patent number: 6666851
    Abstract: A disposable garment that includes a crotch region. The crotch region has a pair of folding guides that extend transversely across a zone defined between peripheral edge portions of respective leg-openings and intersect each other in a transversely middle zone of the crotch region. The crotch region is tucked about the folding guides inwardly of the garment so that the crotch region may be divided by the folding guides into substantially triangular first and second zones defined between the peripheral edge portions of the respective leg-openings and the folding guides, respectively, a third zone extending from the folding guides into a front region, and a fourth zone extending from the folding guides into a rear region with the first and second zones being disposed between the third and fourth zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Yoshinori Kumasaka, Hiroyuki Soga
  • Patent number: 6646179
    Abstract: An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment includes material for containing a superabsorbent material and a supersbsorbent material contained by said containment material. The superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractable level of less than about 13 weight percent; a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds; or a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110. The superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the containment material and the superabsorbent material. A disposable absorbent garment includes an outer cover, a body-side liner, and an absorbent composite such as that described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kevin Melius, Sandra Marie Yarbrough, Melissa Christine Putzer, Stanley Roy Kellenberger, Shannon Kathleen Byerly
  • Patent number: 6569120
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Salvatore Castro, Henry Sienkiewicz, Stephan A. DeFonzo, Douglas J. Cuny, Wayne P. Young
  • Patent number: 6558364
    Abstract: A sanitary undergarment which is usable with an absorbent pad having lateral extension wings thereon. The undergarment having a first and a second crotch portion between which the lateral extension wings can be inserted and held in a secure manner by adhesive. The undergarment can be boxer shorts or a panty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, Usha Mehta
  • Patent number: 6547774
    Abstract: An absorbent disposable undergarment includes an outer garment, such as pants, in combination with a detachable absorbent pad attached inside thereof. First suspending flaps hang down from an inner side of a stretchable waist-opening peripheral edge of the pants toward a crotch section of the pants. The first suspending flaps are provided with first fastener elements that are disposed remote from the waist opening of the pants. Second suspending flaps extend upwardly from longitudinally opposite ends of the absorbent pad. The second suspending flaps are provided with second fastener elements, that are adapted to mate with the first fastener elements, and are disposed remote from the core of the pad. These second fasteners are releasably engaged with the first fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ono, Yoshihisa Fujioka, Yoshikazu Takigawa
  • Patent number: 6544242
    Abstract: A disposable body fluids absorbent article is provided on an outer surface of a backsheet thereof with a tape fastener for fastening the used article in a rolled up condition for disposal. The tape fastener includes a fixed end portion secured to the outer surface of the backsheet, a free end portion longitudinally opposite the fixed end portion, an elastically stretchable portion extending longitudinally between these opposite end portions, and an adhesive portion extending longitudinally between the free end portion and the elastically stretchable portion and releasably bonded to the outer surface of the backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kido, Hiroyuki Soga, Toshio Inoue, Koji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6544243
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core therebetween. The topsheet is composed of a central sheet covering the core and a pair of side sheets lying at transversely opposite sides of the central sheet and extending longitudinally of the diaper, together with the backsheet. Each side sheet has a proximal zone bonded to the backsheet without overlapping a side edge of the central sheet bonded to the backsheet. An outer zone bonded to the remaining zone of the backsheet lying outside the proximal zone forms an elasticized first side flap and an inner zone extending above the central zone forms an elasticized second side flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Inoue, Yasushi Sayama, Shunsuke Fujino
  • Patent number: 6540730
    Abstract: A brief assembly with a full front panel opening and an inner elasticized support panel includes two half width segments superposed in overlapping relationship, with a portion of the overlapped central area between rear portions of the segments bonded to form a unitary rear panel. The other half of the overlap is left unbonded to provide the full opening in the front panel. The outer margin of the opening can be reinforced by enclosure within a V-folded strip. Portions of outer side margins on each segment are removed to form an hourglass-shape. Overlapped segments are held together by a releasable fastener means that joins the two front panel half width segments. Tensioned elastic strands are attached to a support panel at spaced intervals. The support panel is secured to the inner surface of the overlapped segments. Tapes or other fasteners protrude from the side margins and are used to complete the waist and leg apertures after the front half is folded upward around a user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6534694
    Abstract: A method of securing an elastic band between two material layers which are at least partially defined by meltable material includes forming perforations in the elastic band, placing the elastic band between two material layers, and bonding the material layers to one another through the perforations by heat fusion, wherein the perforations in the elastic band are formed at the same time as the material layers are fused together (i.e., the formation of the perforations in the elastic band is directly followed by bonding together, through the perforations, portions of the material layers). An elastic band secured between two material layers for inclusion in articles of one-time use includes the use of material layers that are at least partially defined by meltable material and an elastic band having perforations formed therein. The material layers are positioned on opposite sides of the elastic band and are joined together by heat fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Robert Kling, Berth-Ove Wall
  • Patent number: 6517525
    Abstract: An absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protector or a panty liner. The product has an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The product has two long sides, two short sides, two end parts, a center part situated between the end parts and an absorption body. The product in the longitudinal direction of the product has elongated, curved compressions which have a bending radius of 300-450 mm, preferably 320-360 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Thomas Berthou, Marie Utas Hansson, Anne Guri Andresen, Richard Fredriksson, Eje Osterdahl
  • Patent number: 6508798
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a front part (13; 13′), a rear part (14; 14′) and a crotch part (15; 15′) which lies therebetween. The article includes an absorbent body (1; 1′; 25) which is enclosed between an outer, liquid-impermeable casing sheet (7; 7′; 26) and an inner, liquid-permeable casing sheet (8; 8′; 27), this latter sheet lying proximal to a wearer's body in use. The article further includes on opposite sides of a longitudinal symmetry axis of the article flexible, longitudinally extending flaps (9, 10′ 9′, 10′; 28, 29), each of which is connected to the inner casing sheet along a longitudinal edge and which extends from the connected longitudinal edge in toward a longitudinal symmetry axis of the article. The flaps (9, 10; 9′, 10′; 28, 29) are joined together in the crotch part (15; 15′) of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Molnlycke AB
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Anders Gustafsson, Anna Svernlöv
  • Patent number: 6503235
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on undergarment having front and rear waist regions bonded together along longitudinally extending bonding zones to define a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The respective bonding zones have an upper end lying most adjacent the waist-hole and a lower end lying most adjacent the leg-holes and extend from the upper ends toward the lower ends so that these bonding zones approach a longitudinal center line X of the undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Suzuki, Takaaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 6497693
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment such as a disposable diaper includes a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween, the undergarment has afterward bonded edges extending along a longitudinal center line of the rear waist region and a concavity depressed toward a surface destined to be remote from the wearer's skin, the rear waist region is divided into a first rear waist region and a second rear waist region along a longitudinal center line extending in the longitudinal direction to bisect a transverse dimension of the undergarment, and the concavity is formed by drawing the first rear waist region and the second waist region toward each other and bonding the afterward bonded edges to each other on the longitudinal center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6491675
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper has a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The diaper is provided on one of a front half or a rear half thereof with at least one elastically stretchable fastening member transversely extending across a longitudinal center line of the diaper, and a hook member which lies on the longitudinal center line to catch the fastening member. The fastening member has transversely opposite end portions secured to the diaper, and a transversely intermediate portion exposed on an outer surface of the backsheet. After use, the used diaper is rolled-up with an outer peripheral surface thereof surrounded by the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion is caught by the hook to secure the used diaper in the rolled-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Toshio Inoue, Seiji Suzuki, Kenji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6491676
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body having a front waist portion, a rear waist portion, a waist hole, two leg holes and a pair of elastic leakage protective members is disclosed. The elastic leakage protective members cooperate with the respective leg holes. The elastic leakage protective members cover at least part of the respective openings of the leg holes. Each of the elastic leakage protective members may have edge portions that form a pocket for holding body exudates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Hiroaki Fukui
  • Patent number: 6482195
    Abstract: A disposable garment is provided with leg-hole elastic members, which include first elastic members extending along transversely opposite side edges in a longitudinally middle zone of the garment, second elastic members extending in continuity with the first elastic members toward a front end of the garment and third elastic members extending in continuity with the first elastic members toward a rear end of the garment, and these elastic members have their values of stretch stress in the relationship of the first elastic members>the third elastic members>the second elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 6483007
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having an absorbent body and a layer of compressible and resilient, essentially non-absorbent material located adjacent a surface of the absorbent body which lies distal to a body of a water in use. The layer of compressible and resilient material has a surface area extending entirely over the surface of the absorbent body. Further, the layer of compressible and resilient material is thicker in a longitudinal central region of the napkin than in remainder of the napkin and the layer of compressible and resilient material is resiliently compressible in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the absorbent body, so as to urge the sanitary napkin to fill out all available space between the sanitary napkin and the body of the wearer during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Roy Hansson, Kerstin Johansson