Containing Layers Having Differing Absorption Characteristics (e.g., Flow Control, Wicking, Etc.) Patents (Class 604/378)
  • Patent number: 7923597
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a durable hydrophilic substantially liquid pervious core wrap surrounding a storage layer. The core wrap has a hydrophilicity boosting composition coated on a core wrap substrate. The hydrophilicity boosting composition includes a hydrophilicity boosting amount nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 1 nanometer to about 750 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, John David Carter, Ronald Dean Cramer, Mattias Schmidt, Robert Henry Rohrbaugh
  • Patent number: 7919669
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one pair of side panels connecting a first waist region to a second waist region forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Each side panel includes a waist region, a hip region and a leg region wherein the waist region, the hip region and the leg region differs structurally, functionally and visually to provide an improved initial fit and sustained fit while exhibiting a garment-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Barry Robert Feist, Krista Beth Comstock, Lisa Jane Goodlander
  • Publication number: 20110066125
    Abstract: A disposable pants-type diaper with the innermost sheet member interposed between a liquid-pervious inner sheet covering a bodily fluid-absorbent structure and the diaper's skin. The innermost sheet member is formed with a front opening and a rear opening communicating with a body waste retaining space defined between the inner sheet and the innermost sheet member. A portion of the innermost sheet member extending between these two openings is folded and joined together in a pair of joints arranged on a vertical center line of the diaper and extends downward toward the inner sheet to form a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20110060303
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to an absorbent article including a liquid permeable cover layer, a liquid impermeable barrier layer, an absorbent core arranged adjacent to the cover layer, a transfer layer arranged between the core and the barrier layer, the absorbent core including an upper surface and a lower surface and a material-free zone extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kofi Bissah, Paul Davies, Francisco J.V. Hernandez, Fernanda Wiermann Paques
  • Publication number: 20110060304
    Abstract: A crotch region of a disposable pants-type diaper includes a bodily fluid absorbent structure comprising a liquid-pervious inner sheet, a liquid-impervious outer sheet and a bodily fluid absorbent core and, in addition, a body waste retaining space formed by the inner sheet and the innermost sheet member interposed between the inner sheet and the diaper wearer's skin. Segments of the innermost sheet member defining peripheral edges of a front opening and a rear opening face to each other in a front-back direction and are bonded to each other via two spacers spaced from each other in a transverse direction to form a space. A portion of the innermost sheet member extending between the segments sags toward the lowermost portion of the crotch region to form a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20110040273
    Abstract: An extensible laminar material 100 includes an extensible layer 106 coupled to at least one laminar layer 102, 104. The extension of the extensible layer 106 starting from a non-extended condition determines the extension of the laminar layer(s) 102, 104 while the return of the extensible layer 106 toward the non-extended condition determines the pulling of the laminar layer(s) 102, 104 into a wrinkled condition. The extensible layer 106 and at least one laminar layer 102, 104 are connected by welding to avoid their detachment. The extensible layer 106 is anchored to at least one laminar layer 102, 104 by lines of spread adhesive 108, 108?. The welded connection is absent in correspondence of the lines of spread adhesive 108, 108?. Preferably, the material is in the form of a web 100 extensible transversally to the longitudinal extension of the web with the lines of spread adhesive 108, 108? extending along the sides of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: FAMECCANICA.DATA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gabriele Sablone
  • Patent number: 7888548
    Abstract: An absorbent layer structure for use as an absorbent body in an absorbent article includes a first surface layer having cellulose fluff pulp, a second surface layer having cellulose fluff pulp, and an inner layer arranged between the surface layers having a mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and 5-90% by weight superabsorbent material, the cellulose fluff pulp in the surface layers having a mat strength which is lower than the mat strength in the inner layer by at least 1 N measured at a weight per unit area of 300 g/m2 and a bulk of 4.5 cm3/g or less and preferably a mat strength which is lower than the mat strength in the inner layer by at least 2 N measured at a weight per unit area of 300 g/m2 and a bulk of 4.5 cm3/g or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Ted Guidotti
  • Patent number: 7883497
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent structure. The edge portions in the absorbent structure's middle portion have a first mean pore size, and the central portion in the middle portion of the absorbent structure has a second mean pore size, the first mean pore size being greater than the second mean pore size. The absorbent article can be folded along the longitudinal centre axis so that a part of the article on one side of the longitudinal centre line and a corresponding part of the article on the other side of the longitudinal centre line are brought together to lie against one another at a plane of the longitudinal centre line on the upper surface of the article. The edge portions which have the greater, first mean pore size thereby form an area of the absorbent article that is first wetted during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Mats Birring, Kent Vartiainen, Eje Österdahl, Göran Forsbring, Berith Porsö, Charlotta Hansson
  • Patent number: 7875013
    Abstract: A Feminine Hygiene Pad Comprising having a wide forward portion which is at least one and half times the length of a narrow rear, tail-like portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Ilse Rubio
  • Patent number: 7867623
    Abstract: Polymeric particles capable of absorbing blood and/or body fluids, the polymeric particles being coated with at least one surfactant and with at least one solvent, are produced and used for absorbing blood and/or body fluids, especially in hygiene articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventors: Antje Ziemer, Bernhard Steinmetz, Michael Demarco, Monika Medelnick
  • Patent number: 7867210
    Abstract: In a disposable absorbent article structured such that an article body is composed of at least a top sheet arrange in a front face side, a back sheet arranged in a back face side and an absorber interposed between both of top sheet and back sheet, and a feces pocket is provided in a hip contact portion of the article body, wherein an opening portion of the feces pocket is covered with a mesh sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Mori, Shinichi Kouno, Tomoka Kamoto
  • Publication number: 20110004175
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment includes a body chassis having a terminal front waist edge, a terminal back waist edge longitudinally spaced from the terminal front waist edge, a first length defined between the terminal front waist edge and the terminal back waist edge, and a laterally extending centerline defined half way between the terminal front and back waist edges. An absorbent insert is fixedly secured to the body chassis. The absorbent insert has a retention region including an absorbent material. The retention region has first and second longitudinally spaced boundaries and a second length defined between the first and second boundaries. The second length is less than or equal to 50% of the first length, and at least 70% of the second length is positioned between the centerline and the terminal front waist edge. There is no absorbent material disposed outside of the retention region defined between the first and second boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Jerome S. Veith
  • Publication number: 20110004177
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness and density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Pankaj Nigam, Mark James Kline, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Carl Louis Bergman
  • Publication number: 20110004176
    Abstract: A material web includes at least one fibrous material layer and has a first and a second surface. The material web comprises recesses in the first surface, which recesses have a diminishing cross-sectional area along at least a part of their extension in a direction towards the second surface. The material web further comprises recesses in the second surface, which recesses have a diminishing cross-sectional area along at least a part of their extension in a direction towards the first surface, and which form pairs with opposite recesses in the first surface. The recesses in at least some of the pairs are connected to each other via at least one hole. A method for producing such a material web and an article comprising such a material web is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Patrik Andersson, Anders Persson
  • Patent number: 7863498
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one pair of side panels connecting a first waist region to a second waist region forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Each side panel includes a waist region, a hip region and a leg region wherein the waist region, the hip region and the leg region differs structurally, functionally and visually to provide an improved initial fit and sustained fit while exhibiting a garment-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Barry Robert Feist, Krista Beth Comstock, Lisa Jane Goodlander
  • Patent number: 7857797
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin including a liquid absorbent layer and a liquid-permeable topsheet covering a body surface of the liquid absorbent layer. The topsheet is joined to the liquid absorbent layer in a specific pattern. The pattern includes longitudinal join lines which extend longitudinally and are laterally spaced from each other and a connecting join line which connects the longitudinal join lines. The liquid absorbent layer has a low stiffness portion in a region enclosed by the longitudinal join lines and the connecting join line. The liquid absorbent layer has a lower stiffness in the low stiffness portion than in portions outside the longitudinal join lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Takuya Miyama
  • Patent number: 7858842
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a liquid absorbent layer for absorption and retention of liquid and a liquid passage layer located on a liquid-receiving side of the liquid absorbent layer. The liquid passage layer includes a first passage layer and a second passage layer disposed between the first passage layer and the liquid absorbent layer. The first passage layer and the second passage layer are resin films formed with a plurality of liquid passage apertures. The individual liquid passage apertures are defined by a peripheral wall projecting toward the liquid absorbent layer to provide the first passage layer and the second passage layer with thicknesses greater than a thickness of the resin film itself. Under a load in a thickness direction, the second passage layer has a greater compressibility than the first passage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shimpei Komatsu, Tatsuya Tamura, Satoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20100324516
    Abstract: An apparatus for promoting the healing of an exuding wound includes a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound. An exudate conduit having a fibrous core includes a plurality of fibers communicates with the reservoir for wicking fluids away from the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Richard M. Braga, E. David Fink, David Heagle, Ronald F. Vitaris
  • Patent number: 7850672
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence guard, a sanitary napkin or the like, includes a liquid permeable upper surface and an absorbent structure, which in the longitudinal direction exhibits a crotch portion and two end portions, wherein the absorbent structure has an acquisition layer and at least one first storage layer. The first storage layer has at least 50 percent by weight of a super absorbent material calculated on the total weight of the first storage layer. The material of the first storage layer in a dry condition has a density exceeding 0.4 g/cm3. Further, the first storage layer at least in the crotch portion of the absorbent structure has apertures or recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Ted Guidotti, Gunnar Edwardsson, Malin Eliasson
  • Patent number: 7851669
    Abstract: An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, each including a different superabsorbent material, and each being typically substantially free of cellulosic fibers, is described. The absorbent article has a Circular Bend Flexibility of less than about 15 N. The core includes a storage layer and an acquisition/storage layer each a specific basis capacity of and absorption efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yasue Nakagawa, Holger Beruda, Mattias Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7851667
    Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed that provides an improved immobilization of absorbent polymer material when the article is fully or partially urine loaded. This absorbent core is useful for providing an absorbent article of increased wearing comfort. Specifically disclosed is an absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprising a substrate layer and absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising an absorbent polymer material, the absorbent material optionally comprising absorbent fibrous material, the absorbent fibrous material not representing more than 20% of the weight of absorbent polymer material, wherein the absorbent material is immobilized when wet such that the absorbent core achieves a wet immobilization of more than 50%, preferably of more than 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% according to the Wet Immobilization Test described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Jurgen Becker, Ludwig Busam, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Torsten Lindner, Siegfried Link, Volker Maier, Sanaul Kabir Siddiquee, Gabriele Stiehl, Thomas Tombuelt
  • Patent number: 7851666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Paula Cardinahl Winkel, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Publication number: 20100312211
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles comprising a structured fibrous web, the structured fibrous web comprising thermally stable, hydrophilic fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment to increase its thickness and optionally modified via over bonding to improve its mechanical and fluid handling properties. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Bryan Bond, Carola Krippner, John Brian Strube
  • Publication number: 20100312212
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a disposable absorbent article comprising a fluid permeable structured fibrous web, the fibrous web comprising thermally stable, fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment producing a structured fibrous web having an aged caliper of less than 1.5 mm, a vertical wicking height of at least 5 mm, a permeability of at least 10,000 cm2/(Pa·s) and a specific volume of at least 5 cm3/g. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and the fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Bryan Bond, Carola Krippner, Ute Froehlich
  • Patent number: 7847144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles comprising superabsorbent polymer particles especially suitable for use in the fluid acquisition zone of the absorbent core. The superabsorbent polymer particles are coated with cationic polymers having 1 to 25 mol/kg, referring to the total weight of the cationic polymers, of cationic groups, which can be protonated. The cationic polymers are not substantially covalently bound to the superabsorbent polymer particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Holger Beruda, Yasue Nakagawa, Andrea Lieselotte Link, Mattias Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7847145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for a body fluid absorbent article including a moving absorbent, capable of using a wider range of the absorbent for absorption and efficiently moving the absorbent. The present invention is characterized in that the absorbent 25 including a body fluid absorption and holding function and a shrinkage function when contacting with a body fluid is provided in a body fluid absorbent portion, and an absorption control layer 40 a liquid impermeable range of which is reduced whenever the body fluid is excreted is provided on the absorbent 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Yuka Kurita, Kazunori Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20100305534
    Abstract: A reusable one-side absorption cushion mainly includes an absorption layer made of a woven fiber, and a waterproof layer made of a waterproof material for being adhered to one side of the absorption layer. By attaching the reusable one-side absorption cushion to a conventional diaper, the urine of a baby can be absorbed by the absorption layer and stopped by the waterproof layer. If the urine doesn't permeate the circumference of the reusable one-side absorption cushion, it is only necessary to replace the reusable one-side absorption cushion with a new one, leaving the conventional diaper to be continuously uses. And, the used reusable one-side absorption cushion can be reused after being cleaned up thoroughly, so as to consume less conventional diapers to achieve purposes of energy saving and waste reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Jason Yang
  • Patent number: 7842849
    Abstract: An absorbent garment, such as a diaper structure, includes a visually discernible alignment indicator visible from a body-facing surface. The alignment indicator includes at least one first reference point. The absorbent garment comes with instructions defining the location of the first reference point on the absorbent article, defining the location of a second reference point on a wearer, and instructing the consumer to position the absorbent garment so that the first reference point optically aligns with the second reference point, and to fasten the absorbent garment in the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Joseph Datta
  • Patent number: 7841054
    Abstract: This invention aims at developing a sanitary body cavity sealing device which prevents leakage of substances in the rectum of a corpse due to anal muscle relax after die, simplifies the postmortem treatment work for persons working on it or nurses and prevents infection to the persons, nurses or those around due to leakage of body internal substances. The body cavity sealing member (10) is made of porous fiber elements that absorb water on contact with body fluids in a body cavity to expand up to approximately 2.5 or more times its diameter, its end part (15) is cut into a tapered shape and the cut surface (15) is processed, for example, by heat treatment, to form a smooth surface. By inserting the body cavity sealing member (10) with the end part first into the anus, it can be inserted into the rectum without being interfered with by the inner walls of the anus and rectum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Toshiki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7842021
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with waist seals are disclosed. The seals are formed from folded stacks, discrete segments, or pleated material arranged to provide a resiliently compressible seal that can be located at one or more locations within the absorbent article, e.g., along a central portion of the rear waist region of a diaper. The seals may be constructed from relatively thin materials that (through folding, stacking, pleating, etc.) can provide a resiliently compressible seal that is thick enough and appropriately shaped to conform to the wearer's anatomy well enough to provide the desired sealing. At the same, time, the continuous web material used to form the seal is preferably thin enough to be economically delivered to the manufacturing line in roll form. The seals may be provided in the form of compressed seals that expand when one or more openings are formed in a sealed cavity containing compressed resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
  • Patent number: 7842020
    Abstract: A double diaper package includes adhesively attached, similarly sized inner and outer diapers. Each of the diapers has a liquid permeable skin contacting net and a liquid impermeable polymeric back sheet edge bonded to each other so as to surround and encase a super-absorber in a fibrous matrix. The inner diaper has an adhesive coated edge flap of the liquid impermeable sheet extending from the edge bond. This edge flap secures the outer diaper to the inner diaper, forming a double diaper package that is attached to the baby using waist-securing tabs connected to the inner diaper. When soiled, the inner diaper is pulled away by releasing the waist-securing tabs and the adhesive edge flap attachment. The fresh, clean, outer diaper is attached using the waist-securing tabs of the outer diaper. The inner soiled diaper is then discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: I Did It, Inc.
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 7838723
    Abstract: The invention relates to absorbent structures for use in absorbent articles. The structures include a first region for distribution of fluid and a second region for storage of fluid. The first region contains materials, with a relatively high capillary desorption pressure, while the second region contains materials exhibiting a sufficiently high capillary absorption pressure efficiently drain the first region. Exemplary materials have a CSDH 50 of more than 40 cm, and a second region containing a material which satisfies at least one of following requirements: (a) an absorption capacity of at least 15 g/g at 35 cm (b) an absorption capacity of at least 15 g/g at 0 cm and an absorption efficiency of at least 55% at 40 cm; and (c) a Capillary Sorption Absorption height at 50% of its capacity at 0 cm absorption height (CSAH 50) of at least 35 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mattias Schmidt, Gianfranco Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7838724
    Abstract: An absorbent garment includes an extensible backsheet having opposite side regions, a liquid permeable topsheet having opposite side portions, and a retention portion having opposite side edges and an inner surface defining an area. The retention portion is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet with the inner surface facing the topsheet and with the opposite side portions of the backsheet and the topsheet extending beyond the side edges of the retention portion. The opposite side portions of the topsheet are attached to the opposite side portions of the backsheet on opposite sides of the retention portion. Less than 30% of the area of the inner surface of the retention portion is attached to the topsheet. A method for absorbing bodily exudates with an absorbent garment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, David A. Fell, Jacqueline A. Gross, Yung H. Huang, Michael T. Morman, Thomas H. Roessler
  • Patent number: 7838721
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an absorbent composite for an absorbent article, and more particularly to an absorbent composite comprising fibrous material and superabsorbent material having a Column Absorbency Under Load (CAUL) above 10 g/g. Such an absorbent composite provides a superabsorbent material having superior AUL and permeability, thereby providing improved absorption and rewetting properties. An absorbent article that contains such a composite provides improved ability to absorb and retain fluids, thus preventing excessive rewetting and leakage and making the article more comfortable to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Chen
  • Patent number: 7838155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous electrolyte solution absorber including an aqueous electrolyte solution absorbent polymer obtained by introducing a hydrophilic polar group to a water insoluble polymer and a material to be sucked. The aqueous electrolyte solution absorber is produced by filling a water permeable bag type member with the aqueous electrolyte solution absorbent polymer obtained by introducing the hydrophilic polar group to the water insoluble polymer and a material to be sucked. The aqueous electrolyte solution absorber is inexpensive and has a high safety, a broad applicable range and a good handling property upon transportation or storage. Thus, a large amount of aqueous electrolyte solution absorbers can be rapidly conveyed at one time even to a risky place where persons are endangered to convey the absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Inagaki, Haruo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7837662
    Abstract: An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, both of which includes (different) superabsorbent material and both being typically substantially free of cellulosic fibers is described. The absorbent article has a Circular Bend Flexibility of less than about 15 N and typically a an acquisition rate on the third gush of less than about 170 seconds and/or on the fourth gush of less than about 190 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yasue Nakagawa, Holger Beruda, Mattias Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100292663
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a web that may be folded over at a first fold line forming a first hem, folded over at a second fold line forming a second hem, and folded over at a third fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a first side flap. The web may be folded over at a fourth fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a second side flap. The absorbent article may also comprise a second elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent the side edge of the absorbent article. Also, the absorbent article may comprise laterally opposing deployable belt ears attached to the web in at least one of the waist regions. Each belt ear may be disposed laterally inward until being deployed laterally outward so as to project laterally outward beyond the respective distal edges of the side flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Luke Nogales, Ernesto G. Bianchi, Lisa M. Frederick, John Brian Strube
  • Patent number: 7834236
    Abstract: A multi-layered web is provided that includes an elastic web bonded to an inelastic web. The inelastic web has extensible and inextensible regions arranged along the machine direction. In the extensible regions, the inelastic web is bonded to the elastic web in a creped structure that is extensible by virtue of the creping. A continuous process is provided to manufacture a multi-layer web having extensible regions that are conjoined with regions that are inextensible by varying the tension that is applied during manufacture of the multi-layer web. The apparatus comprises an elastic web that is fed into a bonding nip, into which one or more inelastic webs are also provided. The elastic web is fed into the bonding nip under a tension that is alternated between a low value that is sufficient to ensure processing stability, and a higher value that provides an elongation to the elastic web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Stephen Donald Bruce, Todd Richard Skochodopole, Matthew John O'Sickey, Andrew James Peacock
  • Publication number: 20100280474
    Abstract: An absorbent article including a first end region, a second end region and a central region, a plurality of channels arranged in each of the first and second end regions, at least one channel arranged in the central region and extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, the at least one channel being connected at each end thereof to the plurality of channels in the first end region and the plurality of channels in the second end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Fernanda Bruzadin, Francisco J.V. Hernandez, Fernanda Wiermann Paques
  • Patent number: 7825291
    Abstract: An absorbent article 10 has front 12, crotch 14 and rear 16 portions. The article has an absorbent core 18 of unitary construction and of uniform density, which is defined by a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 20;22 and a pair of opposing transverse edges 24;26. The absorbent core 18 has at least a first 28 and a second 30 region, the average thickness of the absorbent core 18 in these first and second regions 28, 30 being lower than the average thickness of the absorbent core 18 surrounding the first and second regions 28;30, the first and second lower thickness regions 28;30 being arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center line A of the article such that each of the first and second lower thickness regions 28;30 extends to the respective longitudinal edge 20;22 of the absorbent core. The distance ax between the first and second lower thickness regions 28;30 in the transverse direction varying along the longitudinal direction of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Camilla Elfsberg, Leif Wallström
  • Patent number: 7824386
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve new methods for using disposable absorbent articles having replaceable absorbent core components as a swim pant. Non-removable absorbent core components may be disposed in a chassis of the disposable absorbent article. The absorbent article may also include replaceable absorbent core components adapted to be selectively disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. Embodiments of such absorbent articles can be configured for use as a swim pant or diaper with relatively low absorbency by removing the replaceable absorbent core component. Removal of the replaceable core component may be done without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer. In addition, embodiments of the absorbent articles can be reconfigured for use as a high absorbency diaper by reinstalling a replaceable absorbent core component without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Thomas Henrich
  • Patent number: 7825290
    Abstract: Absorbent article, wherein a liquid acquisition/distribution region comprises an evaporation barrier, such as an apertured film and thus exhibits reduced evaporation away from the article in the direction towards the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mattias Schmidt, Cornelia Sprengard-Eichel, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger
  • Publication number: 20100274209
    Abstract: A disposable article adapted to receive bodily exudates which provides improved management of such bodily exudates by including an effective amount of one or more agents which act to modify the physical properties of feces or other bodily wastes which may be deposited in the article, or by including one or more compositions such as the aforesaid one or more agents which enhance the removability of bodily waste, such as feces, from the skin of the article's wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Nicholas A. Ahr, Christopher P. Bewick-Sonntag, Mattias Schmidt, Oliver E. C. Mason, Stephen A. Goldman, David Joseph Kenneth Goulait
  • Publication number: 20100274208
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, incontinence guard or panty liner, including a fluid-permeable nonwoven topsheet located on the wearer-facing side thereof. The nonwoven topsheet includes a plurality of channels arranged side-by-side. The channels are located within the nonwoven topsheet, whereby gas is allowed to pass into, out of and along the channels, thus providing ventilation of the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Inge Gabrielii, Anna Nihlstrand
  • Patent number: 7820875
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness and density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Pankaj Nigam, Mark James Kline, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Carl Louis Bergman
  • Patent number: 7812213
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a liquid-permeable cover sheet, a liquid-impermeable cover sheet, and an absorption body arranged between the cover sheets. The article defines a longitudinal direction, a front portion in the longitudinal direction, and a rear portion in the longitudinal direction. The upper cover sheet, together with an underlying wadding material, defines a laminate which, at least in the rear portion, is designed with at least one through-slit which defines an opening for passage of bodily excretions through the slit, and the slit is surrounded by binding areas which, together with a resilient action of the wadding material, define a raised area on the surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anna-Gerd Doverbo, Robert Kling
  • Patent number: 7811270
    Abstract: An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard G. Rosenfeld, Theresa Wysocki, Morris Yang, Marina Nikitina, John Poccia
  • Patent number: 7806884
    Abstract: A pant type absorbent article such as a pant diaper, a sanitary pant or incontinence pant, the article having a core region including an absorbent core and a chassis region surrounding the core region. The article, at least in part of the chassis region, has a outer coversheet in the form of an elastic laminate having puncture resistance of at least 15N, wherein the laminate includes first and second layers of fibrous material and an elastic film layer located between the first and second fibrous layers and in which at least one of the layers of fibrous material has an elongation at maximum load greater than the elasticity of the elastic laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Jenny Hildeberg, Elisabeth Lakso
  • Patent number: 7806885
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes so that a sweat-absorbent sheet attached to the inner side of the diaper can maintain its sweat absorbing function during use of the diaper. The inner side of front or rear waist region constituting the disposable diaper is covered with a hydrophobic sheet and the sweat-absorbent sheet is bonded to the inner surface of the hydrophobic sheet. The hydrophobic sheet has a first sealing-free zone extending, inclusive of a first lower edge, in a circumferential direction so as to be left free from the inner side of the diaper and a first sealing zone extending above the first sealing-free zone and bonded to the inner side of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Satoru Tange
  • Publication number: 20100249735
    Abstract: A separate entity, or wick, that works in conjunction with the user's sanitary pad of choice to help absorb, direct, channel, and contain blood or fluid directly from the vaginal vestibule area onto the sanitary pad. The small wick device fits comfortably and snugly in the vestibule area, and is attached to the top of the sanitary napkin by means of an adhesive border around the bottom portion of the wick. The wick may also either permanently or temporarily attach to a thin, flexible, appendage strip of absorbent material, which is placed between the buttock cheeks to facilitate absorption of blood or fluid leakage particularly while the user is reclining or sleeping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Cecelia E. Ali, Robin R. Waller, Anita L. Waller