Containing Layers Having Differing Absorption Characteristics (e.g., Flow Control, Wicking, Etc.) Patents (Class 604/378)
  • Patent number: 8558053
    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: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Barry Robert Feist, Krista Beth Comstock, Lisa Jane Goodlander
  • Patent number: 8552252
    Abstract: A substantially cellulose free absorbent core comprising absorbent polymer material having a saline flow conductivity greater than about 100×10?7 cm3•sec/g and a centrifuge retention capacity of greater than about 20 g/g. A disposable absorbent article is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Harald Hermann Hundorf, Holger Beruda, Horst Blessing, Peter Dziezok, Axel Krause, Mattias Schmidt, Lutz Stelzig
  • Publication number: 20130261578
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261579
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261582
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, Jin Young Jung, Won Young Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261583
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Patent number: 8546641
    Abstract: High-capacity disposable absorbent inserts for reusable outer covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Donald Carroll Roe
  • Publication number: 20130253460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and sweat pads. According to the present invention the absorbent article in the region designated for liquid deposition on its wearer facing surface has a single layer topsheet onto which liquid to be absorbed is provided during use of the article. The absorbent article includes a backsheet forming the liquid barrier surface and a unitary absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. Importantly the unitary core provides improved liquid handling to the absorbent article and increases the masking, i.e. ability to hide stains due to absorbed liquid, of the article. This is particularly beneficial in the context of articles for absorption of liquids with high color intensity, such as menstrual liquid or urine of older adults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pietro Febo, Luigi Marinelli
  • Patent number: 8541642
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying the physical characteristics of a web which involves passing the web between at least one pair of interengaged rolls to incrementally stretch the web, and then withdrawing the incrementally stretched web from between the rolls under tension. A web modified according to the disclosed method has desirable breathability and liquid impermeability, as well as extensibility and a soft, cloth-like textured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Barry Jay Anderson, Todd Leon Mansfield, George Christopher Dobrin, Suna Polat
  • Patent number: 8541644
    Abstract: A method of producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article having an absorbent body disposed generally centrally of the article and adapted for absorbing liquid body waste released by the wearer includes passing a first cut-out from a first web material through a nip, passing a second web material through the nip whereby the cut-out from the first web material overlays the second web material as the cut-out and the second web material pass through the nip, and performing one of the following as the cut-out from the first web material and the second material together pass through the nip: forming a fold line in the second web material at the peripheral edge of the cut-out of the first web material and forming a second cut-out from the second web material having substantially the same shape as the first cut-out from the first web material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Raidel, Franz Aschenbrenner, Jan Ullman
  • Publication number: 20130245587
    Abstract: An absorbent article for collecting bodily fluid having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure. The article may include a central fluid acquisition zone, a first lateral zone situated on one side of the central zone and a second lateral zone situated on the opposite side of the central zone, wherein the first and second lateral zones are formed by a nonwoven material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Marco Digiacomantonio, Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Vincenzo Partenza, Paolo A. Veglio
  • Publication number: 20130245589
    Abstract: An absorbent article which has in a longitudinal direction from the front side to the rear side a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region located between the front and rear waist regions. An absorbent sheet is provided between a topsheet and a second sheet which includes at least one liquid-pervious sheet having sandwiched therein an absorbent polymer that is present between a topsheet and a second sheet. The second sheet has a higher liquid diffusibility than the topsheet, the topsheet, a backsheet, an absorption body and the second sheet are disposed across the front waist region, the crotch region and the rear waist region, and the absorbent sheet is disposed in at least a part of the rear waist region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruki Toda, Kaiyou Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20130237942
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent incontinence diaper (2) with a rear area (8), a front area (6) and a crotch area (12) lying between these, and with first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body during use of the diaper, the main part (4) comprising an absorption body (14) and a backsheet (10) on the side of the absorption body (14) directed away from the body, the absorption body (14) having a smaller width than the backsheet (10), and with side parts (16, 17) joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16, 17) having an inner face and an outer face, and the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Susanne Beckert, Rüediger Kesselmeier
  • Publication number: 20130237941
    Abstract: An absorbent article configured to ensure that even when the excreted urine diffuses by running down the wearer's skin, the skin is prevented from remaining wetted. In the absorbent article of the present invention, when an artificial urine is dropped and absorbed in the urination region of the crotch region, where an absorbent sheet is not disposed, the return amount of the artificial urine in the buttock region of the rear waist region, where an absorbent sheet is disposed, takes a value of 200 times less than the return amount of the artificial urine in the urination region; and the return amount of the artificial urine in the buttock region when the artificial urine is dropped and absorbed in the buttock region takes a value of 0.7 or less of the return amount of the artificial urine in the urination region when the artificial urine is dropped and absorbed in the urination region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Haruki Toda
  • Publication number: 20130226123
    Abstract: An absorbent article has an upper layer unit which extends in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is provided on a skin contact surface side of the main body unit. The upper layer unit has an upper layer topsheet which is independent of the topsheet. A dimension of the upper unit in a widthwise direction of the absorbent article is configured to be smaller than a dimension of the main body unit in the widthwise direction. A central region including a center of the widthwise direction of the main absorber that is opposite to the upper layer unit is provided, and in at least a part of the central region, a low rigidity region of which flexural rigidity is lower than that of the central region is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Yuji Takahashi, Mari Minami
  • Publication number: 20130226122
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a reusable outer cover and, optionally, an absorbent insert. The reusable outer cover has zones of varying properties. The properties of the different zones are varied to provide different performance features in different parts of the outer cover. The outer cover with zones of varying properties may provide competing or contradictory functionalities for improved comfort, fit, leakage protection, and aesthetic appeal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Patent number: 8519213
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid pervious liner, a liquid impervious back sheet, and an absorbent composite located between the liner and the back sheet. The absorbent composite includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a unitary absorbent core. The unitary absorbent core has a plurality of holes there through, wherein each hole has an area less than 200 mm2. The unitary absorbent core has a uniform density and is positioned between the first sheet and the second sheet. The first sheet is directly joined with the second sheet at a plurality of bond points. The bond points are located within the holes and are substantially devoid of absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barth Venturino, Daniel Robert Schlinz, John Timothy Hahn
  • Publication number: 20130218110
    Abstract: The illustrative systems, methods, and dressings for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site are presented that involve quickly removing fluids from the tissue site to reduce or avoid maceration of the epidermis. One dressing includes a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material. The dressing material includes a hydrophobic tissue-interface layer adapted to contact the tissue site. The dressing material also includes a manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure. The manifold may be a hydrophobic layer. The dressing material also includes one or more absorbent layers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold. Other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: KCI Licensing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8513483
    Abstract: An improved barrier member for an absorbent article that includes a nonwoven treated with a hydrophobic surface coating. The hydrophobic surface coating includes a non-aqueous, solventless, multicomponent silicone composition. The hydrophobic surface coating may be substantially free of aminosilicones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Johannson Jimmy Tee, Jr., Kemal Vatansever Catalan
  • Publication number: 20130211359
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, having an individual-wrapping sheet which is liquid-impermeable; an absorber arranged on an upper side of the individual-wrapping sheet, containing super absorbent polymer, and capable of absorbing an aqueous liquid; and a back-up sheet arranged between the individual-wrapping sheet and the absorber and capable of retaining the aqueous liquid, in which the individual-wrapping sheet has a liquid-storing portion in a form of bag which is provided in a rear portion of the individual-wrapping sheet and forms an internal space on the upper side of the individual-wrapping sheet, and in which a rear end portion of the absorber exists in the internal space formed by the liquid-storing portion. By using this absorbent article, a material used for individual wrapping can be utilized at the time of wearing the absorbent article without disposal of the material, and leakage is less liable to occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Migaku SUZUKI, Yoshio HIRAI
  • Patent number: 8506545
    Abstract: An absorbent pad including a chassis having a first side edge and a second side edge. The chassis includes a liquid pervious topsheet and a liquid impervious backsheet. An absorbent system is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. An elastic element is disposed along each of the first and second side edges of the chassis and attached to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet, the elastic elements generating a cupping action so that the absorbent pad is biased towards a cup-like shape. A first side adhesive element is attached to the chassis inwardly from the first side edge of the chassis. A second side adhesive element is attached to the chassis inwardly from the second side edge of the chassis. A central adhesive element is attached to the chassis between the first and second side adhesive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richmond R. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8507747
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid-pervious sheet, an outer covering sheet, and an absorbent structure sandwiched between the liquid-pervious sheet and the outer covering sheet. The absorbent structure includes a liquid-absorbent mixture composed of super-absorbent polymer particles and fluff pulp and nonwoven fabric sheet formed from long fibers of thermoplastic resin. The nonwoven fabric sheet is put in contact, along at least one surface thereof, with the liquid-absorbent mixture and has cross points at which the long fiber sealed together, and a nap height defined by a difference between a thickness measured before a napping test and a thickness measured after the napping test is at least 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Qiye Yang, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20130204219
    Abstract: Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: BUTTERFLY HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Butterfly Health, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8502011
    Abstract: An absorbent article according to the present invention includes: a water-decomposable top sheet, a water-decomposable back sheet; and a water-decomposable absorber placed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet is formed of multiple sheet pieces each being smaller than a main body of the absorbent article, and each sheet piece at least partially overlapping adjacent one or more of the other sheet pieces. In addition, an adhesive is applied to each overlapping region where adjacent two of the sheet pieces overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Nahomi Suzuki, Koichi Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20130197462
    Abstract: A personal care article comprising a nonwoven fluid permeable topsheet having a body-facing surface and an opposing backside surface, a fluid impermeable backsheet and at least one intermediate layer disposed therebetween, wherein said fluid permeable topsheet comprises apertured holes wherein at least 10% of the aperture holes are treated with a hydrophilic treatment agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Frank P. Abuto, Marsha R. Forthofer, Nicole E. Cieslak, Donald E. Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20130197459
    Abstract: Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: BUTTERFLY HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Butterfly Health, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130190710
    Abstract: An interior body of a disposable diaper includes a liquid-permeable front sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and a liquid-retaining absorbent core. The front sheet has a single sheet including spunbond layers on the front side and back side and a melt blown layer between the spunbond layers. The absorbent core has fiber aggregates and super-absorbent polymer particles. The front sheet is directly bonded to the skin side surface of the absorbent core. The length of the front sheet is longer than the length of the absorbent core, so that the front sheet has extended sections which extend outward in the lengthwise direction from both ends of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction, while the extended sections are each continuously connected in the transverse direction with the front sheet or back sheet which overlaps with the extended section. The extended sections can directly contact the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Yoshioka, Shunsuke Masaki
  • Publication number: 20130184666
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article for reducing uncomfortable feeling of stiffness to a wearer includes a bodily fluid absorbent structure extending from front and rear waist regions to a crotch region. At least one of front and rear end portions of an intermediate panel is attached to a skin-facing side of an elastic waist panel by the intermediary of attachment zones except middle zones of the intermediate panel in a transverse direction. Between non-attachment zones provided in a middle of the intermediate panel as viewed in the transverse direction X and the elastic waist panel, middle void spaces are formed. The bodily fluid absorbent structure has a sheet shape formed of super-absorbent polymer particles wrapped with a liquid-pervious sheet. At least one of front and rear ends of the bodily fluid absorbent structure lies in the middle void spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Sasayama, Makoto Ichikawa, Kunihiko Katsuragawa
  • Publication number: 20130178813
    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: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON & JOHNSON IND. E COM. LTDA
    Inventor: Johnson & Johnson Ind. E Com. Ltda
  • Publication number: 20130178814
    Abstract: A water-absorbent sheet structure comprising a structure in which an absorbent layer containing a water-absorbent resin is sandwiched with a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric from an upper side and a lower side of the absorbent layer, characterized in that at least one side of the upper side and the lower side of the water-absorbent sheet structure is subjected to embossing, wherein a central region W1 of a water-absorbent sheet structure 1 along a longitudinal direction of the structure 1 is subjected to: wavy embossing 2 comprising one wavy embossing extending along the longitudinal direction, wherein the embossing comprises one or more discontinued segments of the embossing, and linear embossing 4 in a direction from each of tips 3 of wavy forms formed by the wavy embossing 2 towards an edge portion contouring along the longitudinal direction of the water-absorbent sheet structure 1, and wherein a branched structure of embossing formed by the wavy embossing 2 and the linear embossing 4 has an approximate Y-shape
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Matsushita, Haruka Inaba, Kana Kudo, Junichi Takatori
  • Patent number: 8481806
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueminami, Maki Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20130165883
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric that minimizes the condition of rewet-back in which fluid absorbed into an absorbent body exudes out to the front side, as well as a method for producing it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Kimura, Toru Oba
  • Publication number: 20130165882
    Abstract: A bodily fluid absorbent article adapted to absorb bodily fluid over a wide range thereof. An absorbent structure in the bodily fluid absorbent article includes an upper absorbent component and a lower absorbent component. The absorbent structure further includes one of a dispersing surface constituting the upper absorbent component and kept in contact with the lower absorbent component and a dispersing surface constituting the lower absorbent component and kept in contact with the upper absorbent component. Such dispersing surface exhibits a dispersion velocity for bodily fluid higher than those exhibited by the absorbent sections defined immediately above and under this dispersing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Kawakami, Atsushi Tsukuda, Hitomi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20130158496
    Abstract: A composite particularly suited for use as a transfer layer in an absorbent article has a first layer comprising a formed film having a plurality of capillary-sized apertured protuberances and a plurality of two-dimensional drains, and a second layer in intimate contact with an apertured end of said capillary-sized protuberances and spaced from the first layer in a z-direction, the second layer is either a three-dimensional apertured formed film or a nonwoven web. In embodiments where the second layer is a three-dimensional formed film, the film contains a plurality of capillary sized protuberances that are of smaller diameter compared to the protuberances in the first layer and optionally also contains a plurality of drains, which can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130158497
    Abstract: A nonwoven sheet for use in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers which is capable of reducing the range of surface diffusion of, and reducing re-adhesion to the skin of, highly viscous fluid excretion. The nonwoven sheet has mutually perpendicular longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions, and has in the aforementioned thickness direction a front surface and a back surface opposite thereof. Ridges and grooves are formed alternately so as to extend in parallel in the aforementioned longitudinal direction and so as to form repeated undulations in the aforementioned transverse direction. The nonwoven sheet has a bottom surface which, when the aforementioned nonwoven sheet is placed on a horizontal surface with the back surface (opposite of the front surface in contact with the skin of the wearer) down, is the surface that contacts the aforementioned horizontal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Yamaguchi, Toru Oba, Akihiro Kimura, Katsuhiro Uematsu
  • Patent number: 8466336
    Abstract: Absorbent core for disposable absorbent articles, particularly for the absorption of menses or blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Maurizio Tamburro, Alessandro Gagliardini, Evelina Toro, Pancrazio Veronese
  • Patent number: 8461411
    Abstract: A disposable hygiene article for collecting bodily fluid having a body-facing surface, a garment facing-surface and an absorbent structure. The article may include a central fluid acquisition zone which may be substantially white, a first visually discernible lateral zone situated on one side of the central zone and a second visually discernible lateral zone situated on the opposite side of the central zone, wherein the first and second lateral zones are formed by a nonwoven material including a colored pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Marco Digiacomantonio, Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Vincenzo Partenza, Paolo A. Veglio
  • Publication number: 20130144241
    Abstract: An absorbent article, the absorbent article being a personal hygiene article, comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a fluid flow control member arranged between the top sheet and the backsheet, said fluid flow control member being of a nonwoven material comprising a three dimensional network of fibres, said fibres having a thickness of 200-700 ?m, said nonwoven material having a strain of max 50% at 5 kPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Charlotte Persson, Patrik Andersson, Kent Vartiainen, Charlotta Hanson, Britt-Marie Wiezell, Lori-Ann S. Prioleau, Thomas R. LaLiberte, Leigh E. Wood, Kerstin K. Ehlers, Peter P. Kitzer
  • Publication number: 20130144240
    Abstract: A portable female urine collector for urine collection and stowage, and a method of assembling same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable female urine collector includes a fordable absorbent pad for collecting urine, and a receptacle attached to the foldable absorbent pad for stowing the foldable absorbent pad therein after the foldable absorbent pad is used to collect urine. After the foldable absorbent pad is used, the foldable absorbent pad is folded by the user and then sealed within the attached receptacle for later disposal. The portable female urine collector is useful whenever toilet facilities for females are either unavailable or unsuitable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Ann Marie Ellis
  • Patent number: 8455710
    Abstract: Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Argentum Medical, LLC
    Inventor: A. Bart Flick
  • Patent number: 8455711
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a durable hydrophilic substantially liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet includes a topsheet substrate and a hydrophilicity boosting composition coated on the topsheet substrate. The hydrophilicity boosting composition includes a hydrophilicity boosting amount of nanoparticles having a particle size of from about 1 nanometer to about 750 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, John David Carter, Ronald Dean Cramer, Mattias Schmidt, Robert Henry Rohrbaugh
  • Patent number: 8450557
    Abstract: The top sheet for an absorbent article has a plurality of fused compressed sections, wherein the fused compressed sections are located on the lowermost side in the thickness direction of the top sheet, and the back side of the top sheet has recesses or low density regions having the lowest density within the top sheet, surrounding the fused compressed sections. The top sheet for an absorbent article having a plurality of fused compressed sections can be produced by a process wherein a top sheet is situated between a member with multiple protrusions and a member with multiple recesses that engage with the multiple protrusions, and the protrusions are pressed into the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishitani, Minako Sagisaka, Kenji Oba, Keijiro Yokoe
  • Patent number: 8449516
    Abstract: A stretchable absorbent core (10) includes a stretchable base sheet (20), and a plurality of separate and independent absorbers (30) disposed at least on one side of the base sheet (20). The absorbers (30) are fixed to the base sheet (20) through respective fixing points (33) in such a design that the shape of each absorber is not deformed upon stretch of the base sheet (20). The stretchable absorbent core (10) exhibits stretchability between the fixing points (33). It is preferable that the stretchable absorbent core (10) does not exhibit stretchability at the fixing points (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Kouta, Masashi Kawazoe, Takeshi Miyamura
  • Publication number: 20130131623
    Abstract: An incontinence liner is provided with a liquid permeable skin contact side sheet, a liquid impermeable non-skin contact side sheet, and an absorptive body arranged between the skin contact side sheet and non-skin contact side sheet and including an absorptive material. The absorptive material includes 30 to 70 mass % of a high absorption polymer. The absorptive body includes an absorbing part positioned at a urinating position of a wearer when worn, a diffusing part extending around the absorbing part up to a peripheral edge of the absorptive body, and diffusion-suppressing parts scattered inside the diffusing part. An average absorptive material density of the diffusing part is higher than the absorbing part and the diffusion-suppressing parts. The absorbing part projects toward the skin contact side sheet more than the other parts of the absorptive body, while the diffusion-suppressing parts project toward the skin contact side sheet more than the diffusing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20130131622
    Abstract: An absorbent pad and an absorbent article configured that engagement members are arranged at both corners of a ventral-side portion and a back-side portion on an outer sheet of the absorbent pad; a waist band including a belt-shaped body with hook materials and engagement portions attached to both end portions thereof, first and second ventral-side engagement portions across which the engagement members at the ventral-side portion of the absorbent pad are engaged, and first and second back-side engagement portions across which the engagement members at the back-side portion of the absorbent pad are engaged; and hook materials capable of engaging with the engagement members of the absorbent pad are attached to internal surfaces of the first and second ventral-side engagement portions and the first and second back-side engagement portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroto Sukegawa
  • Publication number: 20130116646
    Abstract: An absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a topsheet having a body contacting surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core has an upper layer and a lower layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Comapny
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Publication number: 20130096525
    Abstract: A male incontinence guard includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent body between the topsheet and the backsheet. The guard has a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction and is divided by a transverse dividing line into a front region with a front transverse edge and a rear region with a rear transverse edge. The front region has a greater maximum extension in the transverse direction than the maximum extension of the rear region in the transverse direction, and the longitudinal extension of the rear region is 10-60% of the longitudinal extension of the guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Carina Hedlund
  • Publication number: 20130090619
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent product includes a backsheet, a topsheet overlaying the backsheet, and a core disposed between the backsheet and topsheet for retaining fluid secreted by a wearer of the absorbent product. The core has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension orthogonal to the length and width dimensions. The core includes first and second fluid storage structures, with the first fluid storage structure at least partially surrounding the second fluid storage structure in the thickness dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Raquel CARBONARI, Thomas Bergin, Jehann Biggs, Lauren Entrekin
  • Publication number: 20130090620
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent product includes a backsheet, a topsheet overlaying the backsheet, and a core disposed between the backsheet and topsheet for retaining fluid secreted by a wearer of the absorbent product. The core has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension orthogonal to the length and width dimensions. The core includes first and second fluid storage structures, with the first fluid storage structure at least partially surrounding the second fluid storage structure in the thickness dimension. The second fluid storage structure extends along a longitudinal axis and has a head portion, as well as a pair of leg portions, with the leg portions being longitudinally opposed the head portion. Each of the leg portions extends along a minor axis that defines, with the longitudinal axis, an acute included angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Raquel CARBONARI, Thomas Bergin, Jehann Biggs, Lauren Entrekin, Frank Steven Glaug, Lizelle Canlas Valdecanas, Linda Morrel-Schwartz, Jorge Sievert Nieri, Ramon Andres Urteaga
  • Patent number: 8409158
    Abstract: An ostomy device that comprises an adhesive wafer for attaching to the skin around the stoma. The wafer comprises an adhesive layer having a proximal adhesive side and a distal side, where the distal side is covered with a backing layer. The wafer comprises a central portion and a peripheral portion, and it comprises a proximal section located on the proximal side of the central portion and a distal section visually arranged on the distal side of peripheral portion, wherein the distal section changes colour when the proximal section is exposed to fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Edvardsen, Michael Hansen, Danuta Ciok, Lene Feldskov Nielsen, Kent Hoeier Nielsen