Having Discontinuous Areas Of Compression Patents (Class 604/380)
  • Patent number: 8766033
    Abstract: A method for choosing a feminine hygiene article from an array of feminine hygiene articles. The method comprises providing an array of feminine hygiene articles for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings, each the feminine hygiene article of the array having a body-facing surface, the array of feminine hygiene articles comprising at least first and second feminine hygiene articles differing in at least one functional characteristic, the first and second feminine hygiene articles each comprising functional enhancement indicators visibly different from one another on the body-facing surface; observing the functional enhancement indicators; distinguishing among the array of feminine hygiene articles one of the first or second feminine hygiene articles based upon the functional enhancement indicators; and selecting among the array of feminine hygiene articles one of the first or second feminine hygiene articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeanne Marie Hughes, Ronald Bosman Visscher, Peter Charles Mason, Jr., Folke Schlueter, Emma Somma, Giovanni Carlucci, Paul Thomas Weisman
  • Patent number: 8764718
    Abstract: An absorbent article, especially an incontinence pad, having a length and a width extension, the length being greater than the width, and having absorbent core material, wherein the outer longitudinal edges of the absorbent material form three convex lobes (2, 3, 4), wherein a pair of folding lines (5) extend between the longitudinal ends of the middle one (3) of the three lobes (2, 3, 4), so as to divide the absorbent core material into a central portion (6) and a pair of longitudinal side portions (7), such that, when the article (1) is in use, the folding lines (5) are generally positioned so as to extend along the crotch area of the user, starting from the gracilis tendons and ending in the region of the perineum, whereby the side portions (7) may extend from the central portion (6) towards the user so as to form an arc shape as seen in a transversal direction of the article (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Carin Håkansson, Anna Klinte Olsson, Kent Hermansson, Elisabeth Boissier, Maria Härsjö, Lennart Hjalmarsson
  • Patent number: 8759606
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Eric Bryan Bond, Carola Krippner, John Brian Strube
  • Patent number: 8748692
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article having an absorbent member positioned between a liquid-permeable multilayer surface sheet and a backside sheet. A plastic film layer is laminated on the non-skin contact surface side of the multilayer surface sheet. The multilayer surface sheet has embossments in the form of a large number of elevated portions protruding outward, the elevated portions being formed by heating the sheet to a temperature higher than the melting point of the plastic film layer but lower than the melting point of the nonwoven fabric layer. The multilayer surface sheet is also provided with a large number of openings. The absorbent article has a highly spatial appearance, provides good cushioning effect with minimized skin contact, and retains uneven emboss, even upon absorption of a body fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Rie Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8747378
    Abstract: A tampon suitable for feminine hygiene and/or medical purposes is disclosed having a longitudinal body provided with a dome-shaped insertion end and a withdrawal end, from which withdrawal end a withdrawal cord extends. The tampon has compressed absorbent fibrous material and has an outer circumferential surface which is at least partially provided with longitudinal grooves that are separated from each other by longitudinal ribs. The path of the grooves and ribs of the tampon in the longitudinal direction are inclined and correspond to a continuous curved line that has only one point of inflection defining one convex part and one concave part that preferably does not show a maximum or a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ontex Hygieneartikel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Van Ingelgem, Annick De Poorter, Steven Smet
  • Patent number: 8735647
    Abstract: A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Werner Schoelling
  • Patent number: 8722963
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 ?m; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ronald Kanya, W. Andrew Coslett, John C. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8715258
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The absorbent article has a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels formed at least in the central region. The traversal distance of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels decreases towards both ends of the channels to define a central closed area. The absorbent article has a rear channel defining a rear closed area in the rear end region. The absorbent core is profiled within the central closed area so that the central region has a caliper that is greater than the caliper of the outside of the central closed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoko Munakata, Kiyoe Ohba
  • Patent number: 8702670
    Abstract: Controlled expansion of an intravaginal device can be achieved by selectively attaching either a primary or secondary cover to the primary absorbent device having a fluid storage element. We can determine that certain portions of the tampon will expand while other portions will be restricted to substantially the compressed structure. The primary cover can be attached to the primary absorbent device either before or after the absorbent device is compressed into final tampon form. The compression may be in the axial or radial direction or a combination of both directions. The secondary cover, if used, can be attached after the tampon pledget has been compressed into the final tampon form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jehann Biggs, Samuel Carasso, Erin Marsee, Tara Glasgow, Julia Iris, Gina J. Marcus
  • Patent number: 8704036
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin has a facing layer joined to a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the facing layer and backsheet. The facing layer has a first region comprising a plurality of apertures, and a second region comprising a plurality of raised, out-of-plane deformations that can be soft, resilient, rib-like elements. In one embodiment, the sanitary napkin also comprises a deep-embossed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Lee Hammons, Susan Nicole Lloyd, Stewart Lawrence Taub
  • Patent number: 8697937
    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: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Barry Robert Feist, Krista Beth Comstock, Lisa Jane Goodlander
  • Patent number: 8684989
    Abstract: A wearing article having a front waist region that is provided along a pair of opposite side edges with first fastening members, and a rear waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with second fastening members for engaging the first fastening members. Each of the second fastening members is formed with an uneven structure having a plurality of crests extending in a transverse direction and spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction. When the uneven structure comes into contact with the first fastening member, the resulting engagement is extremely weak and the uneven structure can be easily disengaged from the first fastening member. The uneven structure may be unfolded in the longitudinal direction and put in close contact with the first fastening member to achieve firm engagement over an area as large as possible between the flattened uneven structure and the first fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Naoto Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8672872
    Abstract: A sanitary product for use by women for the absorption of menstrual fluid, having a plug and a pad joined by a sheath. The plug is substantially cylindrical so that is fits comfortably in a vaginal cavity. The pad remains outside the vaginal cavity, but has an absorbent layer on an inward side proximal to the plug and a liquid impermeable layer on an outward side. In use, a wearer can insert a finger into the sheath from the outward side of the pad to assist with insertion of the plug into the vaginal cavity. A string is provided that extends inside the sheath from the outward end of the plug to aid removal of the product. A line of weakness extends along the major axis of the pad, about which the pad is disposed to fold in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Calla Lily Personal Care Ltd
    Inventor: (Alex) Yu Sing Hooi
  • Patent number: 8669412
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laminated structure for use in an absorbent article such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad or similar and being defined by a plurality of material layers comprising at least a first layer which is liquid-permeable, a second layer constituting an absorbent core and a third layer, each of the layers being formed of a material having a certain pore radius. The method includes bonding together the material layers by means of at least two ultrasonic welding steps; and providing an ultrasonic welding pattern for each of the welding steps, each of the welding patterns being defined by a plurality of bonding sites. The method includes providing the welding steps for forming generally the entire absorbent article; and selecting the welding patterns in a manner so that at least the entire laminated structure has a multiple pore radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Maria Fernkvist, Maryam Tondkar
  • Patent number: 8658852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to disposable absorbent articles including a topsheet; a backsheet; a liquid acquisition layer; and a substantially cellulose free absorbent core; wherein the liquid acquisition layer and the absorbent core are located between the topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the topsheet and liquid acquisition layer include corresponding discrete indented regions and unindented regions. The liquid acquisition layer comprises a first density, D1, below the unindented regions of the topsheet and comprises a second density, D2, below the discrete indented regions of the topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Sohini Paldey
  • Publication number: 20140052089
    Abstract: An absorbent hygiene product for acquiring fluids, having a flexurally yielding topsheet and a flexurally yielding backsheet, has, disposed between these sheets, an absorbent laminat, which in turn has two flexurally yielding outer plies, arranged adheringly between which are at least two diagonally intersecting, pre-tensioned plies of elastic filaments, a quantity of a superabsorbent polymer being incorporated in each of the discrete sections thus formed, and the topsheet-side outer ply of the laminate consists of a hydrophobic material, and the backsheet-side outer ply of the laminate consists of a hydrophilic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: EVONIK INDUSTRIES AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Fenske
  • Patent number: 8633347
    Abstract: An absorbent element for the absorption of body fluids in sanitary articles comprises a first layer of sheet material presenting an array of hollowed formations (16) with respective mouth parts, as well as masses (18) of superabsorbent material that is able to expand as a result of the absorption of body fluid, which are set in the aforesaid hollowed formations (16). A second layer of sheet material (12) is applied on the first layer of sheet material (10) so as to cover the mouth parts of the hollowed formations (16). At least one of the layers of sheet material (10, 12) is permeable to body fluids to enable the body fluids themselves to penetrate into the hollowed formations and be absorbed by the masses of superabsorbent material (18) that expand in the hollowed formations (16), creating a first level of absorption of body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Bianco, Domenico Polidori, Tonino De Angelis
  • Publication number: 20130345656
    Abstract: The absorbent article of the present invention comprises: a liquid-pervious surface sheet, a liquid-impervious backside sheet provided at the position opposing said surface sheet, and an absorption body provided between said surface sheet and said backside sheet, wherein the absorbent article comprises an endless compressed groove, surrounding a central part of said absorbent article, which is formed in said surface sheet and said absorption body in the thickness direction, and a plurality of concave parts, provided inside and outside said compressed groove, which are formed in said surface sheet and said absorption body in the thickness direction, and an uncompressed region bordering inner and outer edges of the compressed groove, wherein the closest distance between said compressed groove and the nearest concave parts is greater than the distance between adjacent ones of those same concave parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kato, Tatsuya Tamura, Toshihisa Hayashi, Masashi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8604270
    Abstract: An absorbent core includes a width, a length, an elongate liquid holding formation and an outer region of fibrous material located outward of the liquid holding formation. The outer region of the absorbent core has, in cross-section taken across the width of the absorbent core, a first thickness. The liquid holding formation has, in cross-section taken across the width of the absorbent core, second and third thicknesses. The second and third thicknesses of the liquid holding formation are greater than the first thickness of the outer region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Venturino, Susan J. Daniels, Steven P. Milanowski
  • Patent number: 8597267
    Abstract: A tampon having at least one physical discontinuity is provided. The physical discontinuity, or physical discontinuities, are located in the compressed absorbent member and may be made in the tampon pledget before the pledget is compressed into the absorbent member. The physical discontinuities partially isolate a portion, or portions, of the tampon from the rest of the tampon. The partial isolation of a portion of the tampon reduces the amount of menses absorbed by that portion, which could be transported to the rest of the tampon through wicking. The concentration of menses absorption in a portion allows that portion have a higher level of expansion than the rest of the tampon to prevent menses from leaking out of the vaginal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Richard Noel, Leslie Lynn Crosby
  • Patent number: 8598407
    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: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Pankaj Nigam, Mark James Kline, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Carl Louis Bergman
  • Publication number: 20130296819
    Abstract: An absorbent structure that includes a first region, a second region and a central region extending between the first and second regions, the first region and part of the central region are formed with a thick segment. The second region is formed with a thin segment having a thickness dimension smaller than that of the thick segment. Between the thick segment and the thin segment, a thickness-sloped segment having a thickness dimension gradually reduced from the side of the first region toward the second region and the thin segment and at least a region of the thickness-sloped segment being adjacent to the thin segment are debossed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Kyo Kikuchi, Kei Wakasugi, Naoto Ohashi, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8575418
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Inge Gabrielii, Anna Nihlstrand
  • Patent number: 8575419
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article for external use having on their body-facing surface at least one embossed wavy pattern and at least one non-embossed, preferably colored, wavy pattern. The embossed and non-embossed wavy patterns are chosen with specific geometric parameters so that a slight lateral or longitudinal shift does not affect the overall appearance of the body-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Maurizio Di Virgilio, Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Peter Charles Mason, Jr., Vincenzo Partenza, Paolo A. Veglio
  • Patent number: 8569571
    Abstract: A wearable absorbent article comprises an outer cover and an absorbent core assembly. At least a portion of the outer cover is joined to the absorbent core assembly over at least a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The overall lateral width of the second attachment area is less than the overall lateral width of the first attachment area. At least a portion of the second attachment area is disposed in a hip region of the article. The first attachment area is disposed longitudinally outboard from the second attachment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Nezam Malakouti, John Glasgow Burns, Jr.
  • 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: 8558054
    Abstract: An absorbent body material article includes an absorbent article main unit, an absorbent body material included in the absorbent article main unit and including absorbent fibers and a super absorbent resin, and interspersed sections in the absorbent body material and having a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction. A densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers in each of the interspersed sections is less dense than a densely gathered state of the absorbent fibers around each of the interspersed sections. An occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin in the interspersed sections is greater than an occupied volume ratio of the super absorbent resin around the interspersed sections. At least one of the interspersed sections overlaps a fold line and the longitudinal direction of the at least one of the interspersed sections is aligned with the fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda, Kumiko Nishikawa
  • 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: 8536401
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article such as pantiliner having a topsheet and a backsheet. The article further includes a printed pattern and an embossed pattern. The embossed pattern has at least one embossed decorative element and the printed pattern has a printed decorative element which is substantially similar to the embossed decorative element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Paolo Veglio
  • Patent number: 8524355
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent mat provided between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet. Herein, the absorbent mat includes a sheet-like water-absorbent layer that contains a water-absorbent resin powder but that does not contain pulp fibers, and a fiber assembly layer that contains both the water-absorbent resin powder and the pulp fibers, the sheet-like water-absorbent layer and the fiber assembly layer arranged sequentially in this order from a top sheet side. The fiber assembly layer includes a fiber presence region in which both the pulp fibers and the water-absorbent resin powder are present, and a fiber absence region in which both the pulp fibers and the water-absorbent resin powder are absent, the fiber presence region and the fiber absence region formed to be adjacent with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Nakaoka
  • 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
  • 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: 20130211360
    Abstract: An absorbent article in which a plurality of first compressing units are provided spaced apart on both-side edges of a region corresponding to an excretion unit in an absorber, and a plurality of second compressing units are provided spaced apart over the entire region in the absorber 10 excluding the region 11 in which the first compressing units 12 are provided. The dimensions along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in the plan view shape of the first compressing units are configured so as to be longer than the dimensions along the width direction of the absorbent article, and the dimensions along the width direction of the absorbent article in the plan view shape of the second compressing units are configured so as to be longer than the dimensions along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Akira Hashino, Yuki Noda, Shinpei Komatsu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8502013
    Abstract: An absorbent article that can be a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article comprises a topsheet joined to a backsheet and has an absorbent core material disposed therebetween, the absorbent core material being a fibrous absorbent material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions. The raised portions define a continuous network of channels, the channels defining a void region adjacent the topsheet of the sanitary napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jean Jianqun Zhao, John Richard Noel, Karen Denise McAffry, Gary Wayne Gilbertson, Brian Francis Gray, Kelyn Anne Arora
  • Publication number: 20130178815
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and an absorber between the top sheet and back sheet, and having a front body waist region, a crotch region and a back body waist region. The top sheet is a nonwoven fabric having on the skin contact surface a plurality of ridges and a plurality of recesses extending in the lengthwise direction of the disposable diaper, and alternating in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The top sheet has point-like compressed sections at a prescribed density in the front body waist region and/or back body waist region, the ridges in prescribed zones having different heights than the adjacent ridges at the same location in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Ohashi, Toshiya Yago
  • 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: 20130165885
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin and the like, constituted of an absorbing body between permeable (skin contact surface) and impermeable (skin non-contact surface) sheets, is provided with intermittent recess grooves formed in a longitudinal direction on the absorbent article on the skin non-contact surface side of the absorbing body, a plurality of laterally elongated peripheral embosses formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article on absorbent body areas located peripherally to the recess grooves, and an absorbing body deficit portion formed at least between the recess grooves. Thus achieved are close contact with buttock cleavage and prevention of leakage to the rear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoko Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8460262
    Abstract: An intravaginal tampon is formed of compressed material and has an outer surface, an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a center portion formed between the insertion and withdrawal ends. The outer surface has at least two segmented grooves are formed therein, and each segmented groove is separated from and spaced at a distance from an adjacent segmented groove. Each segmented groove has at least one substantially longitudinal segment and at least one accumulator segment. The arrangement of the segments provides a pooling region to impede bodily fluid flow along the outer surface of the tampon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Y. Fung, Dmitry Yavich
  • Patent number: 8450556
    Abstract: A shaped sheet, comprising: a plurality of protrusions (3) on one surface side of the shaped sheet formed of fibers; and connecting portions (5) for being barriers and connecting the protrusions (3) to one another, wherein the connecting portion (5) has a fiber density higher than a fiber density of the protrusion (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takanobu Miyamoto, Takeshi Miyamura, Taeko Kanai, Aya Yoshimoto, Soichi Fujita, Hiromichi Suzuki, Wataru Saka, Shinobu Takei
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 20130123729
    Abstract: An absorbent article having compressed grooves wherein the surface sheet is pressed to the absorbent body along the longitudinal direction are provided in the absorbent article. The compressed grooves are divided into at least a central compressed groove and posterior compressed grooves. In the longitudinal direction, the central compressed groove is provided to extend over a central line in the region of the absorbent article that contacts the excretion orifices. The posterior compressed grooves are provided posterior to the central line of the region contacting the excretion orifices in the longitudinal direction. The posterior ends of the central compressed groove are provided posterior to the anterior ends of the posterior compressed groove in the longitudinal direction. The posterior ends of the central compressed groove are provided to the outside of the anterior ends of the posterior compressed groove in the direction of width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Mari Minami, Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Yuji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130085464
    Abstract: An absorbent article in which a longitudinal-direction compression groove is formed along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article by a compression process performed from the top sheet side, width-direction compression grooves are formed along a width direction of the absorbent article by a compression process performed from the topsheet side, wherein the longitudinal-direction compression groove includes a high compression region, a medium compression region, and a low compression region and the width direction compression groove includes the high compression region and the medium compression region, and the low compression region is disposed over the longitudinal-direction compression groove in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Yuji Takahashi, Mari Minami
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8404922
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a face sheet and an absorbent body in this order, wherein the face sheet is at least one of concavo-convex or convexo-flat heat-embossed sheet and concavo-convex or convexo-flat ultrasonic-embossed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Fukae, Yumiko Seike
  • Patent number: 8388590
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article having a body-facing surface, a first end region and a second end region. The feminine hygiene article is for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings, the feminine hygiene article comprising at least one functional enhancement indicator visible from said body-facing surface, the functional enhancement indicator corresponding to at least one functionally-enhanced portion of the feminine hygiene article. The feminine hygiene article can be a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, or an incontinence pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Peter Charles Mason, Jr., Ronald Bosman Visscher, Jeanne Marie Hughes, Folke Schlueter, Emma Somma, Giovanni Carlucci, Paul Thomas Weisman
  • Patent number: 8388593
    Abstract: A fluid-management article, such as a sanitary napkin, comprises a body-faceable, liquid-pervious cover having a top surface, a garment-faceable, liquid-impervious barrier, and an absorbent system intermediate the cover and the barrier. The fluid-management article comprises a plurality of fluid-guiding channels that surround a plurality of isolated protrusions. The channels and the protrusions are formed through the top surface of the cover of the fluid management article. The protrusions have an apex that extends a height greater than about 0.5 millimeters (mm) above at least a portion of the plurality of channels. The protrusions have a number density greater than about 0.15 protrusions/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramod S. Mavinkurve, John T. Ulman, Steven H. White, Robert J. Graeme, III, Kenneth Anthony Pelley, Brian Michael Drzewiecki
  • Publication number: 20130035656
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a compressed region formed by a compressing process in an absorption layer on a side facing to the backsheet; and a plurality of pressed grooves are formed by a pressing process in the absorption layer on a side facing to the topsheet, within a region opposed to the compressed region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Ayako Moriya, Yusuke Kawakami