Patents Examined by Karin Reichle
  • Patent number: 7261701
    Abstract: Skin antiseptic composition dispensers and methods of use are disclosed. The skin antiseptic composition dispenser may include a container with one or more walls that are substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas during normal ethylene oxide sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the container may include flexible walls free of metallic foil barrier layers. The containers may also include one or more vents in addition to one or more openings used to dispense the skin antiseptic composition within the container. The dispenser may include an applicator with a hydrophilic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Robert A. Davis, Matthew T. Scholz, Mark V. Johnson, Triet M. Lu, Robert A. Asmus, John D. Dell
  • Patent number: 7217259
    Abstract: An interlabial absorbent article is provided for disposition primarily within the vestibule of a female wearer. The article includes a liquid permeable top sheet, a polymeric film back sheet, and an absorbent material disposed between the top sheet and back sheet. The polymeric film back sheet is also liquid permeable such that the article may be disposed at generally any orientation within the wearer's vestibule and absorb bodily fluids at any such orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary L. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7166095
    Abstract: A protective undergarment having an outer layer of fluid-resistant material shaped to conform to the buttock and leg region of a user, and an elongated sling of material connected to the outer layer. Opposite sides of the sling are bowed inward and joined together at a first end of the sling to form a first pocket part for retaining one end of a fluid absorbent pad. A cuff is connected between the first end of the sling and the outer layer. The second end of the sling is connected to the outer layer, and an intermediate portion of the sling between the first and second ends of the sling is folded longitudinally into an S-shape so as to provide three plies of the material establishing a second pocket part for retaining an opposite end of the fluid absorbent pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Tailored Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrica V. Coates
  • Patent number: 7154020
    Abstract: A body fluid absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent panel. The panel is composed of a first fibrous assembly panel lying on the side of a topsheet and a second fibrous assembly panel underlying the first sub-panel. The first sub-panel has a flat portion, a plurality of protuberant portions and a plurality of wall portions. The first sub-panel has a fiber density that increases toward the second sub-panel which has a fiber density higher than that of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Nakashita
  • Patent number: 7125400
    Abstract: A wearing article such as a disposable diaper is provided in predetermined regions of the article with hook members. These predetermined regions are elastically stretchable at least in one direction. Each of the hook members includes a plurality of hook assemblies which are, in turn, attached to each of the predetermined regions so as to be spaced apart one from another in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Igaue, Maki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7122021
    Abstract: An eye rinsing device including a flask that contains an eye rinsing liquid and that is sealed by a closure element that projects up from the future opening of the flask. The flask includes an eye cup and is adapted to co-act with a flask holder. The eye cup is situated around the closure element and a sleeve surrounds the eye cup. The sleeve is non-rotatably affixed in the closure element. After the flask has been opened, by twisting the sleeve relative to the flask, it is difficult to return the flask to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Cederroth International AB
    Inventors: Tom Ahlström, Hans Ehrich, Jochen Ratjen
  • Patent number: 7118557
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a liquid-impermeable topsheet, a liquid-permeable backsheet and an absorbent core therebetween. A pair of barrier cuffs which are elastically extendable in a longitudinal direction of the diaper are provided along transversely opposite side flaps of the diaper. Front and rear ends of the barrier cuffs are bonded to the diaper at longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Outer side edges of the barrier cuffs are bonded to outer edges of the flaps and inner side edges of the barrier cuffs are bonded to the flaps along lines defined between the outer side edges and transversely opposite side edges of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hironao Minato, Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 7118550
    Abstract: A dispenser for delivering a suppository within a body cavity. The dispenser has two main components: a barrel and a plunger. The barrel includes a head, a foot, and a body having a length and extending between the head and the foot. The barrel further defines an axial passage disposed along substantially the entire length of the body beginning at the foot and ending proximate the head, and includes a side aperture providing external access through the body of the barrel to the axial passage at the head of the barrel. The plunger includes a nose, a tail, and a frame extending between the nose and the tail. The plunger is sized to travel within the axial passage of the barrel between a relaxed position and a compressed position, in which a suppository is ejected from the side aperture, upon actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical
    Inventor: Benjamin N. Loomis
  • Patent number: 7087043
    Abstract: An external urinary catheter includes a housing, an annular base, and a cap which are assembled to form a container which is placed over the penis to receive urine passing from the urethra. A fitting in the side of the container permits one to connect the container to a remote receptacle. A stretchable condom-like sleeve secured around the base prevents liquid leakage between the base and the penis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Donald L. Dolan
  • Patent number: 7056313
    Abstract: A personal care garment having side seams with a discreet or aesthetically pleasing appearance. The side seams can extend from a waist opening to each of two leg openings between a front side panel and a back side panel. In one embodiment, a ribbon cover is attached to an outer surface of the garment to secure the side seam and provide a finished, aesthetically pleasing appearance. In another embodiment, an embossing pattern can be applied to the side seam to provide a finished, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Franke, Cynthia Louise Wyngaard, Heather S. Mortell
  • Patent number: 7048726
    Abstract: An absorbent article (1) having a liquid-retentive absorbing layer (2), a liquid-impermeable leakproof layer (3), and standing gathers (4) on each side. The gathers have an elastically extensible portion (40) coming into planar contact with the wearer's skin while worn. The elastically extensible portion (40) is made of a sheet (44) and at least one elastic member (45), the elastic member (45) being fixed to the sheet (44) discretely in the longitudinal direction in its stretched state, and the parts of the sheet where the elastic member (45) is not fixed are raised by contraction of the elastic member (45) to form a plurality of hollow ridges (43) on the side of the elastically extensible portion (40) to be brought into contact with the wearer's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kusagawa, Atsushi Murai, Mitsugu Hamajima, Jinko Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7001368
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article folded along a folding zone extending across a crotch region in a transverse direction so that the inner surface of the article comes in contact with itself. The folding zone is formed at a position displaced toward a front waist region so that a front peripheral edge portion of a waist-opening defined by the front waist region lies at a longitudinally lower position than that of a rear peripheral edge portion of the waist-opening defined by a rear waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6989005
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article suitable for absorbing and retaining aqueous body fluids includes a backsheet that is substantially liquid impervious except at a discontinuity therein and an absorbent core between the backsheet and a topsheet. The absorbent core includes a non-removable component and a removable and replaceable component in fluid communication with the non-removable component. Access for the removal and replacement of the removable component is provided by the discontinuity in the backsheet. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without removal of the absorbent article from the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Gerald Alfred Young, Theodora Beck
  • Patent number: 6974891
    Abstract: An absorbent structure in an absorbent article such as a diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin, wound dressing, bed protection and the like, formed from at least two superposed layers (5?; 5?) of one or more web-shaped absorption materials (5), said layers (5?; 5?) having different widths as seen in the transverse direction of the article. The absorbent structure (4) made of said layers has been compressed to a thickness which is substantially the same over the width of the structure, in such a way that the structure has a higher density in the areas thereof where the layers overlap each other and a lower density in other areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Leif Wallström
  • Patent number: 6960197
    Abstract: Absorbent pants having a waist opening, two leg openings, and a waterproof outer barrier layer, which is arranged outside the pants layer. The pants layer has a surface area which is greater than that of the outer barrier layer and is joined in parts with itself or includes a device for enabling it to be joined in parts with itself, so that during use of the pants it alone constitutes the waist opening and the leg openings of the pants, and that the load-bearing parts of the pants and all of the parts lying against the body of the user are formed only from the pants layer. The pants are also elastic, where the outer barrier layer is essentially inelastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anders Gustafsson, Urban Widlund
  • Patent number: 6955667
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable top layer, a liquid-impermeable back layer, and a liquid retentive absorbent member, interposed between the top layer and the back layer. The absorbent member is arranged to form an opposing pair of barrier cuffs which are within longitudinal edges of the top layer and extend along the longitudinal edges. A pocket portion is formed between the pair of barrier cuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masahito Tanaka, Mayumi Kimura, Takao Nakayama, Mitsugu Hamajima, Minoru Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6926705
    Abstract: A reusable infant or adult diaper with an inner anchored pocketed sling structure adjoining an outer shell or pant-type garment. The outer shell or garment fits the wearer's torso and legs, and the inner anchored sling fits and conforms to the wearer's pubic region. Included are mechanisms to fasten and remove the anchored sling from underwear and to stabilize and/or anchor the sling when retrofitted to conventional underwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tailored Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrica V. Coates
  • Patent number: 6923797
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The core is placed in a crotch region and has front and rear end zones and a middle zone. Side portions of a first elastic member extend in the vicinity of front ends of transversely opposite side edge portions of the crotch region while a middle portion of the first elastic member extends across the front end zone. Side portions of a second elastic member extend in the vicinity of rear ends of the edge portions while a middle portion of the second elastic member extends across the rear end zone. The contraction of the first and second elastic members in the middle portions thereof is effectively used to maintain the front and rear end zones of a core in close contact with the wearer's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Shinohara, Hidefumi Goda, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Patent number: 6923798
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes first and second end portions, an intermediate crotch portion, and mechanical tape fasteners detachably interconnectable with at least one fastening parts disposed on the outer layer of the first end portion during a position of use. The tape fasteners are arranged on and joined to the inner layer of the second end portion via a producer's bonding face. A user's bonding face is arranged on an opposite user's end part of the tape fastener. Each tape fastener has an odd number of folds in a storage position. Producer's and user's bonding faces are turned towards the inner layer, the user end parts of the fasteners face one another, and the individual fold parts are joined to respective at least one other fold parts by means of a breakable bond in the storage position. The bond is breakable in order to establish the position of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anna Hedén, Robert Kling, Monica Forgar
  • Patent number: 6911022
    Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a sanitary napkin, having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, a length, a width, and two longitudinal side margins. The sanitary napkin has a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. A pair of flaps are provided, each flap extending from a longitudinal side margin and each of the flaps are folded over the topsheet in a topsheet facing relationship. The flaps are maintained in the topsheet facing relationship by an enclosed pouch having a wipe article disposed therein. In a preferred embodiment the wipe article is a wet wipe. In a further embodiment, the absorbent article is an individually packaged sanitary napkin having a releasable wrapper affixed to the backsheet adhesive, and provided in a tri-folded package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christine Gail Steger, Dennis Allen Darby