Patents by Inventor M. Elaine Freeland

M. Elaine Freeland 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: 5171236
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet foreshortened relative to the backsheet. This foreshortening creates a void space between the topsheet and the backsheet. Fecal material is communicated through an aperture in the topsheet to the void space.At least two longitudinally oriented spacers are disposed in the void space to keep the void space open under the weight of the wearer's body. While the void space is open, fecal material communicated through the aperture can be transported towards the rear waistband without interuption significant obstruction, preferably isolating the fecal material from the skin of the wearer. This isolation provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the disposable absorbent article is soiled and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Dreier, M. Elaine Freeland
  • Patent number: 4990147
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, having a liquid impervious backsheet, a urine pervious liner, and absorbent core intermediate the backsheet and liner is disclosed. The liner has a passageway to allow communication of solid waste materials to the core, thereby isolating such waste from the skin of the wearer. The liner, is at least partially composed of elastic panels. The elastic panels register the passageway with the anal opening to minimize the size of the passageway and prevent unnecessary exposure of the skin to the solid waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: M. Elaine Freeland