Having Specific Design, Shape, Or Structural Feature Patents (Class 604/385.01)
  • Patent number: 8105300
    Abstract: The absorbent article provides a signal viewable from the top surface of the absorbent article which gives a perception of depth within the absorbent article. This creation of depth perception is accomplished by the use of at least two tones within a color and/or by the use of multiple tones and multiple colors operating together to create a perception of depth within the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Patricia Lee Christon, Bryan Keith Feller, Ronda Lynn Glassmeyer, Rosa Alejandra Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20120022479
    Abstract: A non-adhesive absorbent wound dressing (10) is suitable for application about a jointed limb. The wound dressing (10) has a first portion (20) adapted to conform to and wrap around an upper part of the limb, a second portion (30) adapted to conform to and wrap around a lower part of the limb, and a hinge portion (40) between said first portion (20) and said second portion (30), said hinge portion (40) in use lying adjacent to the joint of the limb. The wound dressing (10) also comprises a porous wound contact sheet (80) and a substantially liquid-impermeable backing sheet (90), the wound contact sheet (80) and the backing sheet (90) being bonded (50) together at their periphery and along lines that define a plurality of pockets (60) in both the first portion (20) and the second portion (30), the pockets (60) containing absorbent material (70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGHTWAKE LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Cotton
  • Publication number: 20120016322
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sensing fluid in a dressing on a patient and producing an electrical signal. In one instance, a galvanic cell is used as an electronic detection device. The galvanic cell is placed in the dressing and produces voltage when the dressing is substantially saturated. In one instance, the dressing is a reduced-pressure, absorbent dressing. Other systems, methods, and dressings are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Daniel John Coulthard, Malcolm Thomson, Rico Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20120016329
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Enno Gause, Ruediger Kesselmeier, Krzysztof D. Malowaniec, Maximilian Swerev
  • Publication number: 20120016328
    Abstract: A film that is biodegradable in that it loses its integrity over time is provided. The biodegradable film includes from about 1 wt. % to about 49 wt. % by weight of the film of a matrix phase including at least one biodegradable polyester, and from about 46 wt. % to about 75 wt. % by weight of the film of a dispersed phase comprising at least one oxidized starch and at least one plasticizer, wherein the dispersed phase is dispersed in the matrix phase, and further wherein the wt. % by weight of the film of the matrix phase is less than the wt. % by weight of the film of the dispersed phase. The desired attributes of film may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the film is formed, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Bo Shi, James H. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120016327
    Abstract: A method of designing graphics for absorbent articles comprising the steps of: selecting one or more basic technical flats comprising a plurality of printing zones; selecting a color palette; selecting one or more patterns and/or solid prints; and modeling the one or more selected patterns and/or solid prints, using the one or more selected colors, in the printing zones of the basic technical flat that they are selected for, to form an enhanced technical flat that comprises the graphic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Beth Goldman Mason, Elizabeth Rachelle Mcelroy, Frances J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8092439
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid pervious bodyside liner; a liquid impervious outer cover; and an absorbent core positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The absorbent article defining a crotch portion connected between a front portion and a back portion; the front portion includes a front waist region, a front waist edge, and a front waist relief area. The front waist relief area is defined in part by a first material cut edge and a second material cut edge wherein the second material cut edge extends beyond the first material cut edge to define a fringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sara Jane Wille Stabelfeldt, Connie May McMorrow, John Timothy Hahn, Thomas Harold Roessler
  • Patent number: 8092438
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided. The article comprises one or more disposable absorbent articles having a configuration corresponding to a wearer's stage of development, the disposable absorbent articles being enclosed in a package; a brand indicator disposed on the package; a line-up indicator disposed on the package, the line-up indicator including visual indicia and narrative indicia; and a stage specific indicator disposed on the package. The line-up indicator and stage specific indicator associate the absorbent article configuration with a corresponding stage of development, the association enabling a consumer to identify the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a wearer. An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Tysonn Yuievonn Betts, Ikdeep Singh
  • Patent number: 8093449
    Abstract: The invention includes an absorbent article 1 in which an undergarment 90 can be prevented from getting dirty with fluid that has been absorbed by an absorbent body 20, without a decrease in the amount of fluid that can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Akira Hashino
  • Patent number: 8088967
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste. A flow control layer is disposed between the liner and the absorbent body. The flow control layer is adapted to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body. The flow control layer has a plurality of apertures for permitting at least some of the liquid body waste that passes through the liner to flow past the flow control layer toward the absorbent body without migrating laterally outward around lateral side edges of the flow control layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Underhill, Michael J. Niemeyer, Marianne K. Leick
  • Publication number: 20110319852
    Abstract: A reusable diaper includes a forward waist portion, a rearward waist portion, and a crotch portion between the forward waist portion and the rearward waist portion. The diaper also includes first and second liquid-absorbent flaps. Each flap may have a fixed end portion coupled to the diaper and a free end portion opposite the fixed end portion, which is not coupled to the reusable diaper. The first and second liquid-absorbent flaps may be positionable in an overlapping manner along the crotch portion with one of the first and second liquid-absorbent flaps overlapped by the other one of said first and second liquid-absorbent flaps and slidable relative to each other when overlapped. In some embodiments, the first and second liquid-absorbent flaps may each include an at least partially hollow interior and an opening for allowing airflow into the hollow interior to facilitate drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jennifer Lynn Labit
  • Publication number: 20110319855
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved leg cuffs. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core can have longitudinal edges and end edges, and the absorbent article can have a leg cuff extending along each longitudinal edge of the absorbent core. The leg cuff can have a lifted position and a flat position, a height, a width, a length, a volume, an upper surface, an inner barrier, an outer barrier, a lower surface, and a cross-sectional area that is a generally quadrilateral shape in the lifted position. The cross-sectional area is defined by the upper surface, the inner barrier, the outer barrier, and the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Glen Ray LASH
  • Publication number: 20110313388
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article intended to be worn around the waist of a wearer includes a chassis having a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion there between, and optionally a waistband. A printed tag is arranged on the inner wearer facing side of the chassis in at least one of the front portion, back portion, and the waistband. The tag has at least one first area which is fixedly attached to the chassis and at least one second area which is unattached. The first fixedly attached area covers an area of at least 5% of the total area of the tag and the second unattached area has a length extending along a side edge of the tag of at least 5 mm and a width of at least 1 mm. The tag as described makes it easier to differentiate between the front and back of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Inge Gabrielii, Ulrika Carlson, Hans Een, Maria Bogren, Sofia Hermansson
  • Patent number: 8079992
    Abstract: A multi-layer absorbent article including a first layer and a second layer, the article being constructed such that it is elastic in a longitudinal direction of the article so that a loading force of 400 g extends a sample of the article taken along the longitudinal centerline of the article between about 5% and 20% of the sample's original length, and the recovery of the sample after the loading force is removed at least 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Kofi A. Bissah, Tarun K. Arora
  • Patent number: 8079994
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to an array of gender-specific disposable absorbent articles having gender-specific containment flaps. In one embodiment, the array of articles comprises a first disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn by males, and a second absorbent article adapted to be worn by females. The first disposable absorbent article comprises a first pair of containment flaps, and the second disposable absorbent article comprises a second pair of containment flaps. The first pair of containment flaps differs from the second pair of containment flaps in at least one structural feature. In particular embodiments, the structural feature that differs is selected from the group consisting of flap active length, flap active-portion longitudinal position, flap tension, flap height, distal-to-distal spacing, and proximal-to-proximal spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Ann Richlen, Amanda Jean Simon
  • Patent number: 8080489
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to pre-moistened webs and wipes having visible compressed sites that provide the perception of a cloth-like texture. The disclosure also relates to a nonwoven web made of non-thermoplastic fibers with at least one compressed site on the surface of the web that remains visible when the web is pre-moistened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Brennan
  • Patent number: 8075541
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an elongate absorbent body and a pair of left and right rear wing portions disposed at longitudinal opposite left and right sides of the absorbent body in a rear zone thereof. Each of the rear wing portions includes a liquid-retentive wing absorbent core. Furthermore, an absorbent article includes an elongate absorbent body and a pair of left and right wing portions disposed at longitudinal opposite left and right sides of the absorbent body. Each of the wing portions includes a laminated sheet formed by laminating at least two sheet materials and the two sheets of material are bonded to and along opposite side edges of the absorbent body with an adhesive agent except for non-coated linear areas of a predetermined width formed on the wing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Kameo, Tetsuya Kusagawa, Mitsugu Hamajima
  • Patent number: 8075542
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated. Additional replaceable absorbent core components may also be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean Lavon, Theodora Beck, Gerald Alfred Young, Thomas Henrich
  • Patent number: 8071837
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body for an absorbent article includes a conveying mechanism for conveying a continuous absorbent sheet, a slitting mechanism configured so that a plurality of slitting blades are pressed against the absorbent sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism, the slitting blades extending in a predetermined direction, a cutting mechanism for cutting the absorbent sheet against which the slitting blades are pressed and forming the absorbent body, and a stretching mechanism arranged upstream of the cutting mechanism and for stretching, in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the absorbent sheet against which the slitting blades are pressed, and forming slits in the absorbent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Saeki, Jun Kudo
  • Patent number: 8066683
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet, a back sheet, and a skin contact sheet (SCS) disposed above the top sheet. The skin contact sheet is formed with a stool passing opening and a urine passing opening at a portion corresponding to a crotch part, and includes an SCS central region formed by extending a strip-shaped inter-opening region, which is sandwiched by the two openings and extends in the width direction, by half the length between the openings in the anterior direction and in the posterior direction; an SCS ventral region located at the ventral side from the SCS central region; and an SCS dorsal region located at the dorsal side from the SCS central region. A least the SCS central region has the stretching force in the width direction, and an inter-opening central region sandwiched by the two openings includes a non-stretchable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Oji Nepia Co., Ltd., Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sugiyama, Tomotsugu Miyoshi, Izumi Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8066684
    Abstract: This invention provides disposable pants usable as both pants and a diaper, which ensure excellent stretchability to facilitate raising/lowering when putting them on, and the like. The disposable pants have functions of both pants and a diaper, and a left front abdominal part and a right front abdominal part can be expanded to the left and right by breaking left and right breaking parts. The left front abdominal part and right front abdominal part are provided with adhesive pieces attached/detached to/from an adhesive part of a central front abdominal part. The ratio between a lateral dimension of the front abdominal section in a stretched state and a lateral dimension between positions to which the left and right adhesive pieces are bonded, respectively, is set to fall within a range of 0.05?X2/X1?0.55, which ensures stretchability of the front abdominal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20110288517
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an underpants type disposable diaper that can be formed such that the edges of the leg openings fit the groin and gluteal portions of a wearer with no or less trim loss than conventional diapers [Means for Solving Problem] The above problem is solved by that the ventral side outer sheet 12F and the back side outer sheet 12B each have a separated portion 12S formed by a slit or an elongated opening so as to extend in a width direction at a lengthwise middle section in a widthwise central region, a connecting member 12M connects the both outer sheets 12F, 12B at widthwise middle portions on the crotch side with respect to the separated portions, and the both outer sheets 12F, 12B are pulled up toward the waist side at entire widthwise sections on the waist side with respect to the separated portions 12S while being deformed with increased longitudinal separation distances of the separated portions 12S, and are diagonally pulled up toward the waist side at sections on the crotch side with re
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Yosuke Mori
  • Patent number: 8062277
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for absorbing anal leakage, such as fecal material, blood or flatulence. The method includes positioning an intergluteal absorbent pad external to the anal orifice of a subject such that the pad is retained between the buttocks, and any discharge from the anus is absorbed by the absorbent material of the pad. The pad can have a variety of shapes, including major and minor portions that are portions of spheres or ellipsoids, or which are elongated and have cross-sections that are circular or ellipsoid. The smaller minor portion of the pad is positioned against the anal orifice to minimize pressure exerted in this sensitive area, while the larger major portion is retained in the less sensitive intergluteal space. Insertion and retention of the pad adjacent to the anus helps alleviate symptoms of the hemorrhoids, absorbs leakage, and can also be used as a reservoir to administer medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: William H. Fleming
  • Patent number: 8062276
    Abstract: A reusable diaper may include an inner layer to wick moisture and an outer layer substantially impervious to liquids. A waist portion may include a corner region for securing the diaper in a desired position. The corner region may be resiliently stretchable and substantially impervious to liquids, and may include first and second layers coupled to the respective inner and outer layers. The coupled first layer and inner layer define a first seam allowance, and the coupled second layer and outer layer define a second seam allowance. The first and second seam allowances may be positioned within the corner region to help inhibit wicking of liquid through the seam allowances into the corner region. And a fluid-resistant region may be provided to help resist wicking of moisture through the inner layer past the fluid-resistant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Labit, James Andrew Labit
  • Patent number: 8057451
    Abstract: An absorbent wearing article including an air permeable and liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-retentive absorbent structure placed on the backsheet. An outer sheet has having elastic members is placed on and bonded to a surface of the backsheet opposed to its surface bonded to the absorbent structure. The outer sheet has the elastic members intermittently bonded under tension thereto, and is formed in a region thereof facing the absorbent structure with an opening. The elastic members extend laterally under tension from a peripheral edge of the opening beyond the absorbent structure and the first backsheet is exposed through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8058501
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a liquid pervious topsheet having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion differs in structure from the second portion. The topsheet has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline. The second portion has a first structurally modified zone, a second structurally modified zone, a third structurally modified zone, and a fourth structurally modified zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Lee Hammons, Sybille Fuchs, Luisa Valerio Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8057450
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a waist region and a crotch region. The article including a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a sensation member. The absorbent core is disposed between the backsheet and the sensation member. The sensation member forms a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The sensation member has a wicking factor of greater than about 20 mm at about one minute, an absorptive capacity of greater than about 0.01 g/cm2, and a capillary pressure of greater than about 50 mm of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Gregory Ashton, Jennifer Joan Nandrea, Masaharu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8057456
    Abstract: To prevent a paper diaper reliably from slipping down at a body liquid absorbing time, and to bring the paper diaper into close contact along the line of a body thereby to improve the wearing comfortableness. An armoring sheet includes: waist portion elastic members, and so on; hip surrounding elastic member groups, and so on arranged at the front F and the back B; and a plurality of curved elastic member groups extending, at each of the front F and the back B, from one side jointing edge to the crotch side, reaching the other side jointing edge while passing over the crotch side, and arranged at a spacing without intersecting with each other. The curved elastic member groups have their starting/trailing ends connected at a predetermined spacing substantially over the range from the upper portion to the lower portion of the side portion jointing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Shirai, Akira Kamori, Masamichi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20110276020
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bodily fluid treating article improved so as to assure that bodily fluids do not leak therefrom particularly when the wearer's body weight is exerted thereon or the wearer's posture changes, and a wearing article including the same. A bodily fluid treating article 1 is attached to a diaper 2 of a wearing article. A bodyside liner 61 and a backsheet 62 of the diaper 2 are formed with a chassis opening 59 extending therethrough in a thickness direction of them. A liquid-absorbent core 71 or a liquid-absorbent structure 70 is formed with a liquid-guiding opening 74 extending therethrough so as to be centrally aligned with the chassis opening 59. Within the liquid-guiding opening 74, a valve seat member 20 is provided as a component of the bodily fluid treating article 1 so that the outermost peripheral edge 25 of the valve seat member 20 may fit in the liquid-guiding opening 74.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8052663
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a male incontinence guard 10. The guard is divided by a transverse dividing line 25 into a front region 18 with a front transverse edge 20 and a rear region 22 with a rear transverse edge 24. The guard 10 tapers towards the rear transverse edge 24. The garment-facing surface 26 of the guard 10 comprises a first 28 and a second 30 strand of adhesive means. The location and dimensions of the first 28 and second 30 strand of adhesive means provides improved fastening of the guard 10 to the underwear of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Maria Härsjö
  • Patent number: 8052664
    Abstract: A packaged absorbent article having a body surface and a garment surface; and a wrapper sheet for wrapping the absorbent article so that at least a portion of the garment surface of the absorbent article can be seen through the wrapper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Akane Matsuo, Sachiko Ninomiya, Tsunetoshi Miura
  • Publication number: 20110270208
    Abstract: An absorbent article for feminine hygiene, comprising: a body contacting layer; a garment contacting layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer. The absorbent core has a core edge. The core edge defines a core region within the core edge and an outer region outside the core region. The body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer extend outward into the outer region and joined together in the outer region. The garment contacting layer may have a graphic printed on the body facing surface or the body contacting layer may have a graphic printed on the garment facing surface. The body contacting layer has a first light transmittance so that the graphic can be seen through the body contacting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tsunetoshi Miura, Kensuke Ito, Akiko Sasaki, Yoshiko Nakao, Shuri Kondo, Koichi Torni
  • Publication number: 20110270205
    Abstract: An absorbent medical body for removing wound fluids from human and/or animal body cavities includes a material which holds the absorbent body together in a compressed form and can be removed upon contact with a biocompatible liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Erich Odermatt, Ingo Berndt, Silke König
  • Patent number: 8048049
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid and a projection projecting from a body surface of the napkin body. The projection is secured at laterally spaced base ends to the body surface of the napkin body. A distance between the base ends varies longitudinally of the projection. A height of the projection from the body surface of the napkin body decreases with increasing the distance between the base ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shinobu Fujikawa, Toshiyuki Tanio, Kenichiro Kuroda, Wataru Yoshimasa
  • Patent number: 8048052
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin is constituted of napkin main body composed of a top sheet, a liquid-impermeable bottom sheet, and an absorber interposed therebetween; and a napkin sub-body joined to the upper layer of the napkin main body and similarly composed. The napkin sub-body is constituted of a front portion that is joined to the napkin main body at a bleeding port-corresponding region and a back portion that is positioned behind the front portion and can be divided into right and left parts at a dividing line formed along the longitudinal direction from the back end of the center in the width direction of the sanitary napkin such that, to provide hip-holding flaps, the divided right and left parts can spread outward in the width direction of the napkin main body from the boundary between the front portion and the back portion at which the base end of the dividing line is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoko Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8043272
    Abstract: A collection insert for use in a diaper for the testing of the urine of a baby is generally disclosed. The collection insert is configured to collect and temporarily retain the urine, allowing the urine to be later tested for the presence of absence of an analyte. The collection insert is fluidly isolated from the absorbent core of the diaper, and can be positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover or located in a pocket defined by the bodyside liner. The collection insert can include an insert cover and a collection core, such as a sponge, cellulosic material, polymeric nonwoven material, and the like. Additionally, the collection insert can be substantially free of superabsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Long, Shirlee Ann Weber
  • Patent number: 8034184
    Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a fluid absorbent tape that includes an absorbent material, a fluid permeable cover enclosing the absorbent material to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape, and a separating structure that is formed in a transverse direction across the elongated fluid absorbent tape and the absorbent material. The separating structure divides the elongated tape into first and second sections. The first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section of fluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. Also in some embodiments, the method further includes separating a desired length of the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the second section at said separating structure, placing the first section on the surface, and contacting the first section with the fluid to be controlled so that the absorbent material forms a physical barrier to the flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Bober
  • Publication number: 20110245791
    Abstract: A diaper shield includes an outer cover and a liner. The outer cover has a substantially rectangular center panel, which has a first and a second longitudinal edges, and a first and a second lateral side edges. A first substantially triangular panel is connected to the first lateral side. A second substantially triangular panel is connected to the second lateral side. A first strap is connected to the first triangular panel extending longitudinally outward. A second strap is connected to the second triangular panel extending longitudinally outward. The liner, which defines a bodyfacing surface and includes a fluid permeable material, is connected to the outer cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Melanie C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110230852
    Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent articles comprising a sequence of graphic designs corresponding to a wearer's stage of development. For a disposable diaper, the array of disposable absorbent article graphic designs may comprise a first absorbent article graphic design for newborns and infants, a second absorbent article graphic design for toddlers, and a third absorbent article graphic design for older wearers, and other absorbent article graphic designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Molly Kelly Grovak, Kaoru Ishihara, Deborah Ann Vargo
  • Publication number: 20110230853
    Abstract: A surgical instrument that absorbs fluid material on surfaces of a trocar is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a handle having at least two ends and an absorbent area at a first end of the handle. The absorbent area comprises a plurality of absorbent discs and a plurality of spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Glenn M. Ihde, II
  • Patent number: 8020523
    Abstract: An absorbent article for an animal has an interior surface for facing the animal and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The absorbent article includes an abdomen part for facing the abdomen of the animal and a back part for facing the back of the animal. Two engaging members, which are capable of being removably secured to the exterior surface of the back part, are provided on each side of the abdomen part and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction along which the abdomen and back parts are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikegami, Kenji Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20110224639
    Abstract: An absorbent garment is provided having increased surface area of absorbent material as compared to conventional absorbent garments, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, and the like. In one aspect, the absorbent garment provides increased surface area around the inner thigh area of the wearer. Such increased surface area of absorbent material of the garments described herein provides increased protection of leakage from the garment during sleeping, sports, normal daily wear, and other physical activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Sateria VENABLE
  • Patent number: 8016804
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a hygienic band having a three-dimensional structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The hygienic band is inserted naturally along a corresponding curved surface of a user's body to be in close contact with the body, thus improving her dressing style without affecting her health, and preventing menstrual blood from leaking along the curved surface of the body. The hygienic band has a pad having an absorbent layer and a cover. A rear folded part is provided at a central region on a rear portion of the pad, and has first and second folded surfaces, each having the shape of a triangle which is inclined such that a rear portion thereof is higher. When she wears the hygienic band, the rear folded part protrudes inwards in the shape of a triangular pyramid and is inserted to be in close contact with a curved surface of her body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Kyeng Im Lee
  • Publication number: 20110218509
    Abstract: A bandage for improved wound care is disclosed. The bandage comprises a non-adherent, deformable inner layer, a leak-proof outer layer that is substantially coextensive with the inner layer, and an absorbent middle layer contacting both the inner and outer layers. An adhesive strip and adhesive tabs along the bandage's side attach and adjust the fit of the bandage to securely hold the absorbent layer in contact with the wound, without any adhesive touching the skin, thereby eliminating pain and discomfort upon removal or replacement. The bandage allows substantial freedom of motion without slipping. The adhesive strip and tabs secure the bandage in place without any adhesive touching the skin, thereby providing convenience and causing no pain or discomfort upon removal or replacement of the bandage. The bandage may use a non-stick netting material layer to improve patient comfort, and elastic cuffs to improve fit and leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Kalliope Dontas
  • Publication number: 20110213325
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article intended to be worn around the waist of a wearer. The article includes a chassis having a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion there between, and optionally includes a waistband. A printed tag is arranged on the inner wearer facing side of the chassis in at least one of the front portion, back portion or the waistband. The tag has a Surface roughness or Friction according to Kawabata which differs at least 10% from the Surface roughness or Friction respectively according to Kawabata of the surrounding area of the chassis to which the tag is attached. This enhances the possibilities to localize the tag by the fingertips and thus make it possible for a person with poor eyesight and under bad light conditions to differentiate between the front and back of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Inge Gabrielii, Ulrika Carlson, Hans Een
  • Patent number: 8007485
    Abstract: In a mechanical fastening system for an article, a first fastening component of the fastening system is constructed of an oriented nonwoven loop material. The nonwoven loop material is constructed at least part of an nonwoven web of fibers that is extensible from a relaxed configuration to an extended configuration wherein in the extended configuration a greater number of fibers of the nonwoven web are oriented in the direction in which the web is extended than in the relaxed configuration of the web. In one embodiment, the web is in its extended configuration and secured to a substrate A second fastening component of the mechanical fastening system comprises a hook material wherein the oriented nonwoven loop material of the first fastening component is adapted for releasable connection with the hook material of the second fastening component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Debra Durrance, Paul VanGompel, Michael T. Morman, Paul M. Linker
  • Publication number: 20110208147
    Abstract: A liquid-absorbent structure configured to prevent a liquid-absorbent core material from being unevenly distributed and thereby to assure that bodily fluids can be smoothly absorbed by the liquid-absorbent structure. According to one embodiment the present invention provides a panty liner that includes a topsheet lying on a side facing the wearer's body, a backsheet facing the wearer's garment and a liquid-absorbent structure sandwiched between these sheets. A first inner surface of a first sheet forming the liquid-absorbent structure is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of first bonding regions and a second inner surface of a second sheet is coated with adhesives to form a plurality of second bonding regions. Each of the first non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the first bonding regions, and each of the second non-bonding regions lies between each pair of the second bonding regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuke Kawakami, Akane Sakai, Ayako Akahira
  • Publication number: 20110202027
    Abstract: The absorbent article provides a signal viewable from the top surface of the absorbent article which gives a perception of depth within the absorbent article. This creation of depth perception is accomplished by the use of at least two tones within a color and/or by the use of multiple tones and multiple colors operating together to create a perception of depth within the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Patricia Lee Christon, Bryan Keith Feller, Ronda Lynn Glassmeyer, Rosa Alejandra Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7998127
    Abstract: A merchandise system for disposable absorbent articles is provided. The merchandise display system includes a first line-up and second line-up of disposable absorbent articles designed to match a wearer's stage of development. The system also includes various color schemes associated with the first and second line-ups in order to facilitate consumers' identification and selection of the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer. A merchandise system for baby care articles is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Tysonn Yuievonn Betts
  • Publication number: 20110196331
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana