Having Specific Design, Shape, Or Structural Feature Patents (Class 604/385.01)
  • Publication number: 20140135729
    Abstract: A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion including an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side region including one of the first and second side panels and a transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region. The article may further include a texture feature formed in an outer surface of the article and positioned proximate to the informational image to form a composite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Melanie D. Allen, Kathleen Quinlan Ames-Ooten, Mark John Ciesko, Barry Robert Fiest, Eiro Fukkuda, George Bartol Glackin
  • Patent number: 8721611
    Abstract: Absorbent article, in particular a diaper or an incontinence product, includes an absorbent structure (1) including a back-sheet (20), a top-sheet (22) and an absorbent core (24) there between. The absorbent structure (1) has a front portion (10) defining a front lateral edge (16), a rear portion (14) defining a rear lateral edge (18) and a crotch portion (12) situated between the front portion and the rear portion. A pair of belt sections (30, 32) is present for fastening the absorbent article to the waist of a wearer, the belt sections being fixedly attached to the rear portion of the absorbent structure. The absorbent article has a maximum lateral extension B between the respective lateral-most edges (302, 322) of the belt sections that is governed by the following expression: 0.3<A/B<0.7 where A is the maximum lateral extension of the front lateral edge of the absorbent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Camilla Elfsberg, Pontus Winqvist, Kent Hermansson
  • Patent number: 8722173
    Abstract: A liquid-pervious fibrous non-woven fabric includes staple fibers made of thermoplastic synthetic resin fused together which is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of ridges, and a plurality of grooves extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction. The ridges and grooves are arranged alternately in a transverse direction. On the upper surface, some of the staple fibers extend across the ridges to the adjacent grooves on each side of the ridges and are, in the respective grooves, fused to the staple fibers of a different type from the former staple fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Oba, Satoshi Mizutani, Akihiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8721609
    Abstract: An absorptive article (1) has: an absorptive body (10) which includes an absorption body; and an exterior body (20) which is provided to the outer surface side of the absorptive body (10) and which is provided with a belly-side portion (F) and a back-side portion (B). The belly-side portion (F) and the back-side portion (B) are joined together at joint sections (21, 22). Reduced strength regions (T) and unreduced strength regions (S) are disposed between the belly-side section (F) and the back-side section (B) at the positions of the joint sections (21, 22). A reduced strength region (T) includes a joint strength-reducing material for reducing the joint strength between the joint sections (21, 22), and an unreduced strength region (S) includes no joint strength-reducing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Daiopaper Corporation
    Inventor: Youko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8715257
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has an absorbent core having a surface area and a stretchable multilayer chassis having a surface area. The multilayer chassis is stretchable in at least the cross-machine direction. The stretchable multilayer chassis has at least a stretchable bodyside liner and stretchable outer cover such that the absorbent core is affixed to at least one layer of the stretchable multilayer chassis. The percentage ratio of the surface area of the absorbent core to the surface area of the stretchable multilayer chassis is less than about 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Linda M. Dorschner
  • Patent number: 8716547
    Abstract: A stretch laminate having a first substrate is adhesively attached to an elastic film. The adhesive is applied in a continuous manner to the substrate in a first tack down region which is disposed proximate to an end of the stretch laminate. The adhesive is applied as a plurality of adhesive stripes in an activation region which is interior of the first tack down region. The adhesive stripes have a width and a distance between adjacent adhesive stripes. The ratio of stripe width to distance between the adhesive stripes is in the range of less than about 1 or greater than about 0.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anand Rudra Venkitaraman, George Stephen Reising
  • Publication number: 20140121627
    Abstract: Compressive dressing (1) applicable in a single winding to a body part, the dressing (1) having an inner surface (70) and an outer surface (71) essentially having the same area; the dressing (1) comprising:—A multilayer structure comprising: i) an inner elastic layer (10) defining said inner surface (70) and provided for contact with the skin, the inner layer (10) being hydrophilic, non-adhesive to the skin and of absorbing material, ii) an elastic intermediate layer (20) permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids, and iii) a flexible outer layer (30) defining the said outer surface (71), wherein the multilayer structure has at least a first edge region (40) and a second edge region (50) generally opposite one other, and—closing formations (60) which can be mutually coupled at the first edge region (40) and the second edge region (50) to close the multilayer structure in a single winding on the body part of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Emiliano Lepore, Roberto Capocelli
  • Patent number: 8709581
    Abstract: In an outer covering sheet of an absorbent product, first, second and third adhesive layer elements each extending in a left-right direction are formed on a second covering sheet by spiral spray application. Each of these adhesive layer elements has wide width parts and narrow width parts which are continuous with the wide width parts, respectively. Therefore, hot melt adhesive can be stably discharged across the entire length of the adhesive layer element, unlike in the case where only wide width parts are formed intermittently. As a result, it is possible to obtain the outer covering sheet which is a sheet member having the adhesive layer elements with desired shapes where unevenness is decreased. In the absorbent product which is manufactured with use of the sheet member, the comfort level of the wearer can be prevented from decreasing due to unevenness of thickness of the adhesive layer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Kazuya Maruhata
  • Patent number: 8710292
    Abstract: A dehydratable hygiene article contains a lower layer which is impermeable to aqueous liquids, an upper layer which is permeable to aqueous liquids, a core disposed between the lower and upper layer and absorbs aqueous liquids, and a trigger system containing a superabsorbent material which is capable of absorbing aqueous liquids with the formation of a hydrogel. After the trigger system has been activated, at least some of the aqueous liquid absorbed can be released from the superabsorbent material when it is present as a hydrogel. The hygiene article contains at most 50 wt. % of a further superabsorbent material. Based on the total weight of superabsorbent material and further superabsorbent material, which would be capable, after the trigger system has been activated, of at least partly absorbing, with the formation of hydrogel, the aqueous liquid which is at least partly released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Harald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8708988
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absorbent article including an absorbent core and at least one barrier structure having a fluid shrinkable string attached thereto, wherein insult of the fluid shrinkable string by the user causes deformation of the peripheral edge of the barrier structure in the z-direction forming a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge of the barrier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Meijia Ng
  • Publication number: 20140114271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising activated color regions. The absorbent article has a first layer and a second layer in overlapping relationship with one another. The first layer has a first activatable colorant and the second layer has a second activatable colorant. The first and second activatable colorants change color in response to an external stimulus applied to the overlapping layers producing activated color regions in the first and second layers that are visible from outside the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kelyn Anne ARORA, John Lee HAMMONS
  • Publication number: 20140114270
    Abstract: A diaper for treatment of diaper rash and methods of using such a diaper to treat diaper rash are provided. The diaper may include a first layer having inner and outer surfaces and including a front portion, a rear portion, and a middle portion extending between the front and rear portions and configured to be positioned between the legs of a user when worn. A liquid absorbent element may be coupled to the inner surface of the first layer and disposed proximate at least the front and middle portions. An opening may be defined in the rear portion of the first layer to expose at least a portion of the user's buttocks to open air when worn. An air and liquid permeable mesh layer may be permanently or removeably attached adjacent the opening and may cover at least part of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Anna Maria Rodrigue, Adam Tyler
  • Patent number: 8702671
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a central body defining a first waist end region including a first end edge, a second waist end region spaced longitudinally from the first waist end region and including a second end edge, and a crotch region positioned therebetween. An absorbent core is situated between the end edges, and includes a plurality of elastics incorporated therewith such that the core is substantially laterally contracted in a narrowed region about the elastics. The absorbent core includes at least one end region that is substantially non-elasticized and has a lateral width substantially wider than that of the narrowed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick King Yu Tsang, Anne Smid, Andrew C. Wright, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 8697934
    Abstract: Presented is an absorbent article including a chassis including an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover, the chassis including a crotch region positioned in between a front region and a back region, the front region and the back region defining a waist region therebetween; and first and second conductive elements contained in the chassis, the conductive elements extending from the waist region to the crotch region without intersecting, the first and second conductive elements forming part of a circuit that is configured to sense the presence of a substance, wherein the conductive elements include a conductive nonwoven web including conductive fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis-Dang Nhan, Duane Joseph Shukoshi
  • Publication number: 20140100542
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a wound care device having at least one absorbent body which is surrounded by an outer sheath. The sheath comprises means which are configured and/or selected in such a manner that the sheath is at least partially deformable in a target-oriented manner by a volume increase of the absorbent body caused by fluid absorption (FIG. 5a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Birgit Riesinger
  • Publication number: 20140100543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and adult incontinence products, which collect and retain urine and fecal material deposited thereon by the wearer. The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a color-pigmented backsheet, which further comprises visually discernible ornamental designs printed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Martin Schnabel, Radhakrishnan Janardanan Nair, Kesyin Fugger Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8684985
    Abstract: Provided is a sanitary napkin having wings that can be easily attached by being properly folded back at correct positions without causing problems in the wing-like flaps, such as adhesion of adhesive surfaces to each other and wrong adhesion. In a sanitary napkin including wing-like flaps disposed on both sides of a main body to be fixed to an undergarment so as to wrap around a crotch portion of the undergarment when it is worn, each wing-like flap has a front outline extending outward from the main body and a back outline extending outward from the main body and is designed such that the angle ? formed by the width-direction line of the sanitary napkin and the back outline is larger than the angle ? formed by the width-direction line of the sanitary napkin and the front outline and that the gravity center of the wing-like flap is located more toward the front of the sanitary napkin than the center point of the boundary line of the root of the wing-like flap W and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Haruko Odoi
  • Patent number: 8684990
    Abstract: A simple disposable pant-like garment includes an absorbent assembly attached to a chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to an interior surface of the absorbent assembly adjacent to its end edges. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form breathable side barriers. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern such that portions of the chassis that lie outside the attachment pattern are not restrained by attachment to the absorbent assembly and therefore remain extensible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Pankaj Nigam
  • Patent number: 8684986
    Abstract: An absorptive article (1) has: an absorptive body (10) which includes an absorption body; and an exterior body (20) which is provided to the outer surface side of the absorptive body (10) and which is provided with a belly-side portion (F) and a back-side portion (B). The belly-side portion (F) and the back-side portion (B) are joined together at joint sections (21, 22). Reduced strength regions (T) and unreduced strength regions (S) are disposed between the belly-side section (F) and the back-side section (B) at the positions of the joint sections (21, 22). A reduced strength region (T) includes a joint strength-reducing material for reducing the joint strength between the joint sections (21, 22), and an unreduced strength region (S) includes no joint strength-reducing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Daiopaper Corporation
    Inventor: Youko Suzuki
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140088529
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods related to fluid control during laparoscopic surgical methods are disclosed. A device includes a highly absorbent surgical sponge device comprising highly absorbent material capable of being inserted through a port or cannula, which has been inserted into a body cavity. The device may include a fluid conduit coupled to the absorbent pad to remove fluids from or introduce fluids into the body cavity through the device during the course of surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Bradley P. Bengtson
  • Patent number: 8680359
    Abstract: A reduced pressure tissue treatment system includes an applicator having an aperture, a first pad section, and a second pad section substantially covering the aperture and positioned substantially adjacent the first pad section. A fabric layer is located at least partially between the second pad section and the drape, and the fabric layer includes a woven or non-woven fabric made from a fiber material. A drape substantially covers the first pad section, the second pad section, the fabric layer, and the applicator. A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with at least one of the first pad section and the fabric layer for providing reduced pressure to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 8672912
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis extending about a longitudinal axis and having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a first transverse axis dividing the absorbent structure into a front body panel terminating in a front waist region and a rear body panel terminating in a rear waist region. The rear waist region has a first elastic region. The chassis is delimited by opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges. In the rear waist region, the absorbent structure terminates at a first distance from the transverse edge and the first elastic region extends substantially parallel to the transverse edge and spaced therefrom by a second distance and spaced from the absorbent structure by a third distance. The third distance is greater than said second distance or substantially equal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Helena Corneliusson, Rozalia Bitis, Ingrid Stjernholm
  • Patent number: 8674170
    Abstract: An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed having an absorbent core which imparts increased wearing comfort to the article and makes it thin and dry. The absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprises a substrate layer, a discontinuous layer of absorbent material, and a layer of thermoplastic material. A second surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material is in at least partial contact with a first surface of the substrate layer. Portions of a second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the substrate layer and portions of said second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with a first surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material. A process for providing a storage layer for an absorbent core useful in an absorbent article is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ludwig Busam, Uwe Jurgen Becker, Michael Divo, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Roland Engel, Torsten Lindner, Siegfried Link, Volker Maier, Sanaul Kabir Siddiquee, Gabriele Stiehl, Thomas Tombuelt
  • Publication number: 20140074054
    Abstract: A versatile containment system and apparatus for enclosing urine, fecal matter, bodily excretions, which additionally acts as a disposable phototherapy diaper intended primarily to maximize the surface area of an infant's skin available to light in order to assist in phototherapy, while protecting individuals rights to privacy, is presented. The system additionally includes versatile affixing mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Natalie Lorene Davenport
  • Publication number: 20140074055
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The backsheet has a physical variation along at least one axis, wherein said physical variation defines a first backsheet zone and a second backsheet zone, and at least one elastomeric element having at least one primary direction of stretch, said elastomeric element at least partially overlapping and joined to first and/or second backsheet zone, wherein a relaxed pathlength of said elastomeric element in the primary direction of stretch is less than a total pathlength of said backsheet in the region of overlap. The physical variation is a measurable difference as measured by a physical property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, thickness and density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Cormpany
    Inventors: Donald Carroll ROE, Pankaj NIGAM, Mark James KLINE, Jeromy Thomas RAYCHECK, Carl Louis BERGMAN
  • Patent number: 8668975
    Abstract: An in situ compositionally modulated meltspun fabric and method for making the same. The meltspun fabric has at least one layer comprising a plurality of discrete regions of fiber. At least two discrete regions of fiber are inelastic or extensible and at least one discrete region of fiber is elastic or extensible. The layer is compositionally modulated in the cross direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Alistair D. Westwood
  • Publication number: 20140066875
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent core, a garment-facing surface, a body-facing surface, a first graphic visible at the body-facing surface, and a top component affixed to the article body and including an attached region and a cantilevered region, wherein the cantilevered region includes a translucent portion through which the first graphic is at least partially visible. The translucent portion can include a second graphic, wherein the first graphic and the second graphic combine to form the appearance of a third graphic. The article can also include a baffle forming at least part of the garment-facing surface, wherein the baffle includes a baffle graphic, and wherein at least a portion of the article body is translucent such that the baffle graphic is visible at the body-facing surface such that the first graphic and the baffle graphic combine to form the appearance of a fourth graphic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Adrienne Rae Loyd, Ramona Zenkich
  • Patent number: 8663182
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core having a garment surface and an opposed body surface, which surfaces meet along at least one longitudinal edge and at least one end edge; a liquid permeable topsheet positioned adjacent the body surface of the absorbent core and having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges; a liquid impermeable backsheet positioned adjacent the garment surface of the absorbent core; and a waistcap/waistband disposed adjacent to at least one projection associated with the absorbent core, wherein the waistcap/waistband is capable of absorbing moisture and subsequently deforming to fill at least a portion of space between the article and a portion of the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Masaharu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8663415
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing disposable absorbent garments and a garment made thereby. In particular embodiments, the method comprises removing notches or holes of a garment web or webs adjacent to front and back waist edges to define a series of spaced apart front and back waist edge openings. The method includes providing front and back elastic waistband webs, and positioning the respective waistband webs to overlay at least a portion of each opening, and bonding the waistband webs to each other. The garment includes first and second waist edge cutouts, wherein two side seams extend from the waist edge cutouts to respective leg openings. The garment further includes front and back elastic waistbands attached to each other at first and second waistband side seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell E. Thorson, Todd W. Wilkes, Jesus S. Banda
  • Patent number: 8657802
    Abstract: A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion including an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, at least a portion of each side panel being extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side region including one of the first and second side panels and a transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region. The article may further include a texture feature formed in an outer surface of the article and positioned proximate to the informational image to form a composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Melanie D. Allen, Kathleen Quinlan Ames-Ooten, Mark John Ciesko, Barry Robert Feist, Eiro Fukuda, George Bartol Glackin
  • Publication number: 20140052041
    Abstract: Methods and devices for dressing a wound are disclosed. One such dressing includes a layer of spaced protrusions, each protrusion shaped to receive medication for treating a wound and a plurality of holes defined in the layer, the holes configured to allow evaporation of exudate from the wound. Another such dressing includes multiple layers, each layer sandwiched over the next and including spaced protrusions, with alternate layers comprising absorptive materials. The alternate layers of absorptive materials can communicate via holes in the non-absorptive layers to allow exudate to travel from between the absorptive layers and away from the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Alessandro BARBERIO
  • Patent number: 8652116
    Abstract: A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may include at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Mark James Kline, Bruce William Lavash
  • Patent number: 8652113
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Inge Gabrielii, Ulrika Carlson, Hans Een, Maria Bogren, Sofia Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20140039440
    Abstract: An external absorbent device and a method for absorbing bodily fluids are provided. The external absorbent device includes an external tampon portion movably affixed to a sanitary napkin portion. The external tampon portion can be properly positioned between the labia of the wearer, and the sanitary napkin portion can be affixed to or rest within the crotch portion of an undergarment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Deborah Doescher
  • Publication number: 20140039438
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet comprising a first nonwoven material having a first visible element, a backsheet comprising a second nonwoven material having a second visible element, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the first visible element and the second visible element are matching visible elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John FERRER, Han Xu
  • Publication number: 20140031780
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Jack Lee Couillard, Jason Gene Csida, Patricia Katherine Eng, Richard Mark Konetzke, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic
  • Patent number: 8637727
    Abstract: A three dimensional printed article having a composite image printed thereon is disclosed. The composite image includes top and bottom artwork portions printed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed article substrate. Both artwork portions are visible through a translucent or transparent substrate, thereby forming a visible composite image. The substrate can be a non-woven web. By printing on both surfaces of the substrate, the three dimensional printed article provides a good quality, aesthetically pleasing three-dimensional image that limits the loss of color and appearance of fuzz during normal use of the article. The three-dimensional printed article allows a more versatile creation of process colors and reduces the number of spot colors required to print the composite image. The three-dimensional printed article can be integrated into an absorbent article, such as a diaper. A method of printing the three-dimensional printed article and forming the absorbent article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clarissa Maldonado, John Molander, Alrick Vincent Warner, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Publication number: 20140025028
    Abstract: An absorbent pad is described. The absorbent pad can include a main body having a top absorbent surface and an intergluteal extension formed perpendicular to the top absorbent surface of the main body portion, the intergluteal extension disposed near one side of the main body portion and having a triangular shape with an angle from a center portion of the main body portion extending to an outer edge of the main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Vesna Stewart
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8632514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid impervious backsheet formed from a laminate. The liquid impervious backsheet may include at least three layers, a first layer forming the wearer facing side of the backsheet, a second layer forming the garment facing side of the backsheet, and a third layer partially but not fully covering the garment facing surface of the second layer. The first layer may include at least one first indicium on a garment-facing surface thereof and only present on a front half of the backsheet, the at least one first indicium being visible through said second and third layers when looking at the absorbent article from the garment facing side of backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Sofie Gilberte Snauwaert, Robert René Van Pappelendam, Markus Hermann Borbach
  • Patent number: 8632733
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a device and a kit for collecting body fluids. The device includes a body fluid collection portion comprising a body fluid absorbing material. The body fluid connecting portion has a free edge and is hingedly connected at the edge opposite to the free edge to a first support panel and a second support panel. A base panel is hingedly connected to the first support panel or the second support panel. In a first folded condition the body fluid collection portion is sandwiched between the first support panel and the second support panel in a substantially face contacting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Labor Diagnostika Nord GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Manz, Matthias Kuper
  • Publication number: 20140018756
    Abstract: A discrete absorbent insert includes an absorbent core positioned between a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet extend beyond the core and are joined together to form a seal. The absorbent core has at least 40% superabsorbent. The absorbent insert has an intake layer of at least 100 gsm between the first sheet and the absorbent core. The first sheet and the second sheet are fluid permeable, spunbond webs of synthetic polymer filaments. The absorbent insert is devoid of a fluid-impervious layer and has an absorbent capacity of at least 600 g. The first end section of the absorbent core has a maximum width of at least 135 mm, the central section of the absorbent core has a maximum width of less than 90 mm, and the second end section of the absorbent core has a maximum width of at least 135 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Paula Katherine De Bruin, Stacy Elaine Evenson, David Fleger Bishop, Angela Ann Johnston, Connie May McMorrow, Marcille Faye Ruman, Brooke Ann Robaidek, Alissa Frances Stein, Katherine Carol Shaw, Kyle Mark Barriger
  • Publication number: 20140018760
    Abstract: A containment pant includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region joined between the front waist region and the back waist region. The containment pant includes a sling positioned within the chassis and being joined to the front waist region and the back waist region. The sling includes a fluid-impervious base sheet and a containment flap joined with the base sheet to define a fluid-impervious pouch. The fluid-impervious pouch defines a first end containment flap having a first positioning key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Lewis Preole Orchard, IV, Marcille Faye Ruman, Thomas Harold Roessler, Anita Marie-Nanette Gilgenbach, Brooke Ashley Berg
  • Publication number: 20140012217
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Barry Jay ANDERSON, Todd Leon MANSFIELD, George Christopher DOBRIN, Suna POLAT
  • Patent number: 8618351
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent product (20) such as, e.g. a baby diaper, an adult incontinence pad, a sanitary napkin or the like, includes a liquid pervious topsheet (24), a liquid impervious backsheet (26), and an absorbent core (28) positioned between the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26). The absorbent core (28) has a liquid receiving surface directed towards said topsheet (24), and the absorbent core (28) is provided with at least one embossing (50) forming a channel for liquid drainage at said receiving surface. Preferably an acquisition layer (40) is provided between the topsheet (24) and the absorbent core (28). The acquisition layer preferably extends into the embossing (50), while a resilient absorbent member (30) is preferably provided between the absorbent core (28) and the acquisition layer (40) in the form of stripes arranged longitudinally spaced along the upper longitudinal sides of the channel (50) formed by the embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Remo Di Girolamo, Ivana Spinelli, Fabrizio Tinghino
  • Patent number: 8617449
    Abstract: A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography includes placing at least a portion of the absorbent structure between opposed mold surfaces. At least one of the mold surfaces has a three-dimensional topography. The three-dimensional topography of the mold surface is imparted onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Theresa Michelle McCoy, Stephen Avedis Baratian, Charles Wilson Colman
  • Patent number: 8613736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and adult incontinence products, which collect and retain urine and fecal material deposited thereon by the wearer. The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a color-pigmented backsheet, which further comprises visually discernible ornamental designs printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Martin Schnabel, Radhakrishnan Janardanan Nair, Kesyin Fugger Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20130338621
    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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Paolo Veglio
  • Patent number: 8608882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composite web for use in a disposable product, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a continuous web of material; b) creating in the web a longitudinally repeating pattern of windows; and c) attaching at least one strip to the web, said strip at least partially covering the windows and having different functional characteristics than the web. The present invention also relates to a composite web formed in accordance with this process and to panels obtainable by cutting said web in cross direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Johann F. Petersen