Patents by Inventor Ikuo Tachibana

Ikuo Tachibana has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8663420
    Abstract: A rotation device includes an endless guide that defines a continuous circular path, a plurality of moving sections whose movement is guided by the endless guide, and a plurality of pads. Each pad is capable of carrying an article thereon, and each pad is mounted to a respective moving section. A method for producing a worn article using such a rotation device includes the following steps: (i) rotating a fixed pivot point about a first axis where a link connects the pivot point to the moving section; (ii) guiding a moving section along the path defined by the endless guide, where the endless guide has a second axis parallel to but offset from the first axis; (iii) receiving an article by the pad, where the rotating and guiding steps change a spacing interval between adjacent pads; and (iv) releasing the article from the pad after the spacing interval has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20110212818
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 8002928
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20110196331
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20110188985
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7820003
    Abstract: A method for producing a diaper of the present invention includes the steps of: folding back a first strip-shaped portion 13 and a second strip-shaped portion 23; successively forming pairs of first and second belts 1 and 2 by cutting first and second separate webs W1 and W2; placing pairs of the first and second belts 1 and 2 at a predetermined interval P in a carrying direction Y of a continuous piece; temporarily attaching the first and second belts 1 and 2 to a portion of the continuous piece to be a back portion; fixing the belts 1 and 2 to the continuous piece; and severing the continuous piece with the belts 1 and 2 fixed thereon at a predetermined pitch into individual diapers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Toyoshi Umebayashi
  • Patent number: 7789868
    Abstract: A worn article includes a fitting portion 1 that fits around a torso of a wearer, and an absorbent portion 2 covering a crotch of the wearer and absorbing body fluid from the wearer. The absorbent portion 2 includes a first end portion 23 and a second end portion 24 that are connected to the fitting portion 1. The first end portion 23 of the absorbent portion 2 can be detached from the fitting portion 1. A cover sheet 4 is provided covering at least a portion of the first end portion 23. A portion of the cover sheet 4 is processed so that the cover sheet 4 is tearable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20090283207
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disposable worn article of the present invention includes: a first step of applying an adhesive on at least one of a first web and a second web; a second step of sandwiching an elastic member between the first and second webs and combining the first and second webs and the elastic member together, thereby producing a combined web; and a third step of melting a portion of at least one of the first and second webs and a portion of the elastic member, thereby reducing a shrinking force of the elastic member in the melted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Kiyofumi Inoue, Yuzo Ichiura, Yoshinari Tanaka, Masaki Nakakado, Satoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090126864
    Abstract: A method for producing a diaper of the present invention includes the steps of: folding back a first strip-shaped portion 13 and a second strip-shaped portion 23; successively forming pairs of first and second belts 1 and 2 by cutting first and second separate webs W1 and W2; placing pairs of the first and second belts 1 and 2 at a predetermined interval P in a carrying direction Y of a continuous piece; temporarily attaching the first and second belts 1 and 2 to a portion of the continuous piece to be a back portion; fixing the belts 1 and 2 to the continuous piece; and severing the continuous piece with the belts 1 and 2 fixed thereon at a predetermined pitch into individual diapers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Toyoshi Umebayashi
  • Publication number: 20090018520
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to cover a removable portion and to thereby prevent an absorbent portion from inadvertently coming off a fitting portion. The worn article of the present invention includes a fitting portion 1 that fits around a torso of a wearer, and an absorbent portion 2 covering a crotch of the wearer and absorbing body fluid from the wearer. The absorbent portion 2 includes a first end portion 23 and a second end portion 24 that are connected to the fitting portion 1. The first end portion 23 of the absorbent portion 2 can be detached from the fitting portion 1. A cover sheet 4 is provided covering at least a portion of the first end portion 23. A portion of the cover sheet 4 is processed so that the cover sheet 4 is tearable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7393429
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable wearing article, which includes a front stretchable multilayer member defining an abdominal-side front zone, a rear stretchable multilayer member defining a dorsal-side rear zone, and an absorbent body disposed to bridge between the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member, wherein the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member are joined together to form a waist opening. The disposable wearing article comprises at least one cutting line formed in either one of the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member each having a first end defining the waist opening and a second end opposed to the first end, to extend between the first and second ends, and a fastening member detachably engaging between the absorbent body and the stretchable multilayer member formed with the cutting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7216685
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first web, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portion before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Hitoshi Satoh, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20060254698
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disposable worn article of the present invention includes: a first step of applying an adhesive on at least one of a first web and a second web; a second step of sandwiching an elastic member between the first and second webs and combining the first and second webs and the elastic member together, thereby producing a combined web; and a third step of melting a portion of at least one of the first and second webs and a portion of the elastic member, thereby reducing a shrinking force of the elastic member in the melted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Kiyofumi Inoue, Yuzo Ichiura, Yoshinari Tanaka, Masaki Nakakado, Satoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20060052763
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable wearing article, which includes a front stretchable multilayer member defining an abdominal-side front zone, a rear stretchable multilayer member defining a dorsal-side rear zone, and an absorbent body disposed to bridge between the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member, wherein the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member are joined together to form a waist opening. The disposable wearing article comprises at least one cutting line formed in either one of the front stretchable multilayer member and the rear stretchable multilayer member each having a first end defining the waist opening and a second end opposed to the first end, to extend between the first and second ends, and a fastening member detachably engaging between the absorbent body and the stretchable multilayer member formed with the cutting line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7008497
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Hitoshi Satoh, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20060032589
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first web, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portion before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Hitoshi Satoh, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20050241751
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6748996
    Abstract: A rotation device includes: an endless guide; and a plurality of moving sections that move while being guided by the guide, wherein an interval between the moving sections can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20040035521
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Hitoshi Satoh, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20040016500
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disposable worn article of the present invention includes: a first step of applying an adhesive on at least one of a first web and a second web; a second step of sandwiching an elastic member between the first and second webs and combining the first and second webs and the elastic member together, thereby producing a combined web; and a third step of melting a portion of at least one of the first and second webs and a portion of the elastic member, thereby reducing a shrinking force of the elastic member in the melted portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ikuo Tachibana, Kiyofumi Inoue, Yuzo Ichiura, Yoshinari Tanaka, Masaki Nakakado, Satoshi Tanaka