Patents Examined by Michele Kidwell
  • Patent number: 11779495
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described. The disposable absorbent article includes a first side edge and an opposing second side edge; a first side flap and an opposing second side flap, each of the first and second side flaps forming at least a portion of the wearer-facing surface, each of the first and second side flaps having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first layer proximal edge and the second layer has a second layer proximal edge. The second layer proximal edge is disposed laterally outboard from the first layer proximal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean Lavon, Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Patrick Hayden
  • Patent number: 11759376
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent material positioned within a core wrap. The absorbent core defines a first channel therein. A material is positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the core wrap. The material defines a second channel therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Aniruddha Chatterjee, Nelson Edward Greening, II, Sharon Irene Grenberg, Carsten Heinrich Kreuzer, Cornelia Beate Martynus, Marie Brigid O'Reilly, Rodrigo Rosati, Sandra Sautter, Beate Simon, Lutz Stelzig, Rachael Eden Walther
  • Patent number: 11752049
    Abstract: An absorbent pad for use in a garment is disclosed. The absorbent pad includes a liquid impermeable barrier layer and a functional layer disposed adjacent to the barrier layer, the functional layer having a liquid absorbent component. The absorbent pad also includes a first attaching element coupled to a periphery of the functional layer and a periphery of the barrier layer; and a second attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion coupled to the first attaching element. The second portion of the second attaching element is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment. The absorbent pad is washable and reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Mas Innovation (Private) Limited
    Inventors: Arulseelan Kajanthan, Lanka Buddhika Senanayake, Jalanthiran Selvarajah, Sumedha Kuruppu Arachchige, Mapitiyage Don Janith Dushyantha, Kanishka Fernando
  • Patent number: 11730633
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a fully removable fastening member configured to join a portion of the first waist region to the second waist region. The fastening member includes a first end region comprising a first end, a second end region comprising a second end, a first fastener on a first surface of the fastening member and in the first end region, and a second fastener on the first surface and in the second end region. The fastening member includes a grasp region either partially laterally outboard of the first fastener or laterally outboard of the first fastener in the first end region. The grasp region has a different physical property than a remainder of the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Amy L. Tally, Susan J. Ludwig, Donald C. Roe, Ronald J. Zink, II, Jennifer J. Gustin
  • Patent number: 11730640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface; wherein at least a portion of the garment-facing surface is a nonwoven substrate material made of fibers having a Roughness (standard deviation of the grayscale image) of at least about 16, preferably at least about 18, more preferably at least about 20; and a fiber diameter of no more than about 22 ?m, preferably no more than about 17 ?m, more preferably no more than about 15 ?m, according to the measurements herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Koichi Morimoto, Meng Chen, Lili Sun
  • Patent number: 11712377
    Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be constructed with a secondary liner sheet placed on top of a body facing liner of the articles configured to form a pocket. The pocket provides a barrier, thereby separating a front region of the absorbent articles from a rear region. In this manner, the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may reduce the spread of bodily exudates throughout the articles. The reduced spreading of exudates may help to keep skin healthy by reducing the amount of skin exposed to the skin irritants within the exudates and/or by preventing additional skin irritants from being created by preventing the mixing of BM and urine, at least in proximity to the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Enz, Patrick R. Lord, Kroy D. Johnson, Matthew R. Jones, Daniel J. Grassl, Kyle M. Barriger
  • Patent number: 11696856
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable nonwoven topsheet, a nonwoven second material that is a separate material from the topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the second material and the backsheet. The second material is positioned intermediate the topsheet and absorbent core and is generally planar. The topsheet comprises a plurality of recesses and raised areas, and voids are defined in the raised areas under the topsheet. A first aperture is formed in a substantially central location of the raised areas. The recesses each form a base positioned most distal from the substantially central locations of the raised areas. A second aperture is formed in the bases of the recesses. The first aperture extends through the topsheet, and the second aperture extends through the topsheet and at least partially through the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Comoany
    Inventors: Gueltekin Erdem, Yi Yuan
  • Patent number: 11684524
    Abstract: Feminine hygiene articles are disclosed herein. The feminine hygiene articles described herein can provide easily discernable placement and orientation guides which reduce the likelihood of misapplication by the user, facilitated attachment guides which can reduce the likelihood of misapplication of the feminine pad and can also reduce the likelihood of improper attachment of the feminine pad to a panty. The feminine hygiene articles disclosed include uniquely shaped wings which can provide cues on proper attachment of the article to the panty, and may help in providing sustained coverage of the feminine hygiene article to the panty which reduces the likelihood that the pad will become detached during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Henning Vohwinkel, Wolfgang Domeier, Rainer Hefele, Bruce William Lavash, Holger Wendt
  • Patent number: 11684523
    Abstract: An absorbent article selected from a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad and a pantyliner, comprising a topsheet layer a backsheet layer a fastening adhesive applied on the backsheet garment facing surface, wherein at least a portion of said fastening adhesive (PFA) is applied in a pattern and wherein said backsheet layer is a plastic film having a basis weight of less than 20 gsm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Carlo Toro, Stefan Roell, Jay Tao, David Mark Ooten
  • Patent number: 11684525
    Abstract: Feminine hygiene articles are disclosed herein. The feminine hygiene articles described herein can provide easily discernable placement and orientation guides which reduce the likelihood of misapplication by the user, facilitated attachment guides which can reduce the likelihood of misapplication of the feminine pad, and can also reduce the likelihood of improper attachment of the feminine pad to a panty. The feminine hygiene articles disclosed include uniquely shaped wings which can provide cues on proper attachment of the article to the panty and may help in providing sustained coverage of the feminine hygiene article to the panty which reduces the likelihood that the pad will become detached during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Henning Vohwinkel, Wolfgang Domeier, Rainer Hefele, Bruce William Lavash, Holger Wendt
  • Patent number: 11679039
    Abstract: Methods of forming front and back waist gasketing elements on an absorbent article are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a web of chassis material and waist gasketing elements, each having a first transverse edge, a second transverse edge, a top and bottom layer. The methods further include bonding the top and bottom layers in closure bond regions, and joining the waist gasketing elements to the chassis to form a strip of final articles. The methods include dividing the strip of final articles between the first and second transverse edges such that a cut separates two final articles, a leading article and a trailing article, wherein each cut is disposed within a closure bond region, forms a back waist edge of the leading article and a front waist edge of the trailing article; and forms an outboard lateral edge of a back waist gasketing element on the leading article and an outboard lateral edge of a front waist gasketing element on the trailing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kumardipti Chatterjee, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck
  • Patent number: 9974687
    Abstract: An eye treatment system having a handpiece, a console, a cassette, and a pump formed by the engagement of the cassette with the console. The pump having a head having a plurality of projections disposed to rotate about an axis, a ramp disposed near the rotating projections, and a resilient channel configured to transfer fluid when engaged by the ramp and the plurality of projections. The ramp having an entrance, a central, and an exit portion. The entrance portion has an arcuate extent over which the projections close the channel as the head rotates. The central portion has an arcuate extent over which the channel is sealed by the projections as the head rotates. The exit portion has an arcuate extent over which the projections open the channel as the head rotates. The arcuate extent of the entrance portion is unequal to the arcuate extent of the exit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Muri, Craig Edwards
  • Patent number: 9962295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc., University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Raymond M Dunn, Victoria Jody Hammond, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, John Kenneth Hicks, Elizabeth Mary Huddleston, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Linton, Mark Richardson, Carl Saxby, Tim Stern
  • Patent number: 9958303
    Abstract: A measuring device 1 for recording a peak level of a liquid flow includes an inlet 2 which opens into an inlet chamber 3 for receiving the liquid flow and a recording chamber 4 in open liquid communication with the inlet chamber 3 for allowing the liquid flow to accumulate up to a level therein. The recording chamber 4 is separated from the inlet 2 for direct liquid communication. At least one outflow opening 9 is provided to allow at least partial escape of the liquid flow, and indicator elements are provided to leave an indication of a level at least approximately at an indication level. A peak level in a liquid flow can thus be recorded very reliably with the measuring device 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: IQ+ INVESTMENTS N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Gijsbert Paulen
  • Patent number: 9931448
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure and collecting fluids from the tissue site is disclosed. The system may include a reduced-pressure source, a pouch in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source, and a dressing in fluid communication with the pouch. The pouch may include a first wall, a second wall having a periphery coupled to the first wall to form an interior, and a third wall extending through the interior to form a first chamber in fluid communication with the dressing and a second chamber in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source. A plurality of filters are positioned in the third wall. The filters permit fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Pratt, Colin John Hall, Christopher Brian Locke, Elliott James Rider, Gareth Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9642955
    Abstract: A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject, a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject and a container for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under the subatmospheric pressure supplied by the subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing, a subatmospheric pressure source disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the wound dressing to supply subatmospheric pressure to the wound dressing and a power source mounted to or within the housing for supplying power to actuate the subatmospheric pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: E. David Fink, David Heagle, Sharon A. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 9642953
    Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with reduced pressure. A dressing for distributing reduced pressure to a tissue site includes a plurality of liquid-impermeable layers that are stacked and a plurality of spacers disposed at least partially between adjacent liquid-impermeable layers. The plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are fenestrated at least in part. The plurality of spacers and plurality of liquid-impermeable layers form a plurality of flow paths for allowing fluid flow under reduced pressure. Adjacent layers of the plurality of liquid-impermeable layers are stacked without foam between at least a majority of coextensive surfaces. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Simmons, Alexander G. Sammons
  • Patent number: 9629986
    Abstract: The composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump applies a vacuum pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed. The vacuum pump is tethered to the wound dressing and is portable, preferably, carried by the patient in a support bag, which permits patient mobility. Moreover, the patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish A. Patel, Dianne Acheson
  • Patent number: 9610388
    Abstract: Leak location devices and methods of using leak location devices that can be used in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a leak location device can include a microphone for detecting sound pressure produced by a leak. Detected sound pressure can be compared to a threshold, which can correspond to background or ambient sound pressure. Background or ambient sound pressure can correspond to sound produced by a negative pressure source. The leak detection device can include a display configured to visually depict the detected sound, and a light source which creates a visual depiction of the coverage angle of the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Aceto, Kealoha Young Deutch, Joseph Gordon, Luke Hagan, William Joseph Jaecklein, Bill Kane, Dino Kasvikis, Corey Libby, Jacob A. Marks, Michael Salame, Jared Schneider
  • Patent number: 9579431
    Abstract: A wound therapy device and a kit for same with a housing material, a gasket disposed around at least a portion of the housing material, a non-woven absorption material, and a port. The gasket is sized and configured such that at least a first portion of the gasket will be adhered to a second portion of the gasket upon a folding of the housing material. A method of using a wound therapy device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kalypto Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Buan, Alan Carson, Daniel Gelfman