Having Specific Design, Shape, Or Structural Feature Patents (Class 604/385.01)
  • Publication number: 20130218116
    Abstract: A method of joining substrate portions includes positioning the substrate portions such that the substrate portions overlap at an overlap area. The substrate portions each have a melting temperature and an outer surface. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrate portions. A jet of the heated fluid is directed from a fluid orifice onto the substrate portions at the overlap area. The heated fluid penetrates at least one of the outer surfaces of the substrate portions. The substrate portions are at least partially melted using the heated fluid. The substrate portions are compressed using a pressure applying surface adjacent the fluid orifice to join the substrate portions together at the overlap area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Horst Blessing, Hans Adolf Jackels
  • Publication number: 20130218118
    Abstract: A male absorbent article includes a liquid impermeable pouch for housing the male genitals of a user. The pouch includes an opening for inserting the male genitals into the pouch. The absorbent article includes an absorbent body positioned in the absorbent article for fluid communication with the interior space of the pouch. An inner sheet structure comprises the opening for inserting the male genitals into the pouch and is tapered and positioned between and extending from first and second upper ends in a direction towards a lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Kent Vartiainen
  • Publication number: 20130211357
    Abstract: In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130211361
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130211362
    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 feminine hygiene article can be a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, or an incontinence pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130211356
    Abstract: In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Publication number: 20130204213
    Abstract: A method for treating a wound that includes incorporating a wound dressing comprising a plurality of fibers, each fiber having a length of at least two (2) inches, into a wound to cause the walls of the wound to remain apart and allow the wound to heal from the inside to the outside, and removing the wound exudate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
    Inventors: David G. Heagle, Kevin Corley, Kristin L. Watson
  • Patent number: 8501648
    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: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Brennan
  • Patent number: 8500709
    Abstract: An absorbent article that is worn by a user, including: a main body section of the absorbent article; an absorbent body that includes an absorbent member absorbing liquid, that has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, that is superposed on a user side of the main body section, whose one end section of the longitudinal direction is joined to the main body section at a first joined section, and whose another end section of the longitudinal direction is joined to the main body section at a second joined section; and a restricting member that is disposed between the first joined section and the second joined section in the longitudinal direction, and that restricts relative shifting between the main body section and the absorbent body when the main body section and the absorbent body that are superposed are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Akira Hashino
  • Patent number: 8497409
    Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. The wetness sensor includes an olfactory signaling device that produces a scent or odor when a body fluid is detected. For instance, in one embodiment, an odorous composition can be contained in a water degradable pouch that releases the odorous composition when contacted with moisture. Once released, the odorous composition can produce a desired scent. In other embodiments, the odorous composition can be encapsulated within a water degradable material or can be coated on a substrate. The scent or odor that is released by the odorous composition can vary depending upon the particular application. The scent, for instance, may be pleasant or unpleasant. In one embodiment, the olfactory signaling device may be used to assist in toilet training a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Mosbacher, Andrew Mark Long, Kelly Branham, Jessica Sara Van Handel, Darold D. Tippey
  • Publication number: 20130190710
    Abstract: An interior body of a disposable diaper includes a liquid-permeable front sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and a liquid-retaining absorbent core. The front sheet has a single sheet including spunbond layers on the front side and back side and a melt blown layer between the spunbond layers. The absorbent core has fiber aggregates and super-absorbent polymer particles. The front sheet is directly bonded to the skin side surface of the absorbent core. The length of the front sheet is longer than the length of the absorbent core, so that the front sheet has extended sections which extend outward in the lengthwise direction from both ends of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction, while the extended sections are each continuously connected in the transverse direction with the front sheet or back sheet which overlaps with the extended section. The extended sections can directly contact the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Yoshioka, Shunsuke Masaki
  • Patent number: 8491560
    Abstract: A diaper comprising a garment facing side and a wearer facing side, the diaper further comprising closure elements, at least one closure element comprising: a carrier layer (1) comprising a nonwoven or woven material, and comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, and a first end edge and a second end edge opposite the first end edge, the first surface of the carrier layer (1) comprising a bonding layer (2), the bonding layer (2) not extending over the entire first surface of the carrier layer (1) and the first surface of the carrier layer (1) further comprising an anchoring layer (3) suitable for the attachment of a hook patch (5), the second surface of the carrier layer (1) comprising a separation layer (4). A closure element and a method of manufacture are further aspects of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Julia Katharina Schuerfeld, Norbert Matthias Stelzer
  • Patent number: 8492609
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article with a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core placed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article may include a printed pattern which is printed on a garment-facing side of the backsheet. The printed pattern is visible through at least a portion of topsheet outside a core area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Cornelia Ecker, Ivano Gagliardi, Paolo Veglio
  • Patent number: 8491554
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as pantiliners or sanitary napkins, which have at least one region of the article which is transparent to visible light. In one embodiment to whole article is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Roberto D'Addario, Ivano Gagliardi
  • Publication number: 20130184668
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method of making an absorbent article. The absorbent article has a first layer and a second layer in facing relationship with one another. The first layer has a first imparted colored region coincident with the longitudinal centerline. The second layer has a second imparted colored region laterally more extensive in a direction orthogonally away from the longitudinal centerline than the first imparted colored region. The second imparted colored region extends across the longitudinal centerline and has free ends. The absorbent article has a background region. The first imparted colored region and the second imparted colored region differ in color as compared to the background region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Publication number: 20130184667
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a first layer comprising a nonwoven having a first colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; and a second layer comprising a polymer film having a second colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; wherein the first colored region differs from the second colored region. The article may further comprise a background region. The background region may be visually distinguishable from at least one of the first colored region and the second colored region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Patent number: 8486849
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles
  • Patent number: 8486038
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on garment to be contained in a package is disclosed. The pull-on garment has a waist opening and leg openings, and has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline. The pull-on garment comprises a main portion and side portions extending transversely outwardly from the main portion. The pull-on garment has longitudinal side contour lines to define a transverse width of the pull-on garment. The pull-on garment has a first transverse width between the longitudinal side contour lines at the waist opening and a second transverse width between the longitudinal side contour lines at the side portions. The second transverse width is greater than the first transverse width and is the greatest transverse width at the side portions in a flat contracted and unfolded condition of the pull-on garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahata, Takaie Iba, Thomas Luebcke
  • Patent number: 8486036
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an absorbent article incorporated with a functional sheet without any anxiety that the wearer's skin might be contaminated even though the article is partially colored. In an absorbent article 1a comprising a sheet assembly 10, a functional sheet 51 having a size smaller than that of the sheet assembly 10, and a bodily fluid-absorbent structure 30 wherein the functional sheet 51 and the bodily fluid-absorbent structure 30 are attached to the sheet assembly 10, the functional sheet 51 is put flat with and bonded to the sheet assembly 10 so as to be kept in contact with the wearer's skin and an externally visible colored zone 4 is provided between the functional sheet 51 and the sheet assembly 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Tange, Toshio Inoue
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8480642
    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 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Tysonn Yuievonn Betts
  • Patent number: 8475423
    Abstract: An absorbent garment, such as a diaper, designed to reduce or eliminate any tendency of the garment to droop when loaded. The absorbent garment includes an absorbent chassis that defines a waist opening and two leg openings. Based on dimensions of the garment, the absorbent chassis suitably has a diaper length ratio of about 0.85 or less, a droop design ratio of about 150 millimeters or less, and/or an absorbent length design ratio of about 280 millimeters or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, inc.
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Datta, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke
  • Patent number: 8475424
    Abstract: The disposable pull-on garment has a longitudinal centerline, a front region, a crotch region, and a back region. The front and back regions are joined at seams to form a waist opening and leg openings. The pull-on garment comprises a main portion, a side portion, and a waist portion. The side portion is disposed transversely outboard of the main portion. The waist portion comprises a center waist portion, an outer side waist portion, and an inner side waist portion. The contraction rate of the inner side waist portion is less than that of the center waist portion, and the contraction rate of the side portion longitudinally inboard of the inner side waist portion is greater than that of the inner side waist portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenji Fujimoto, Haruko Sato, Masato Higaki, Toshiyuki Matsuda, Hiroshi Nakahata
  • Patent number: 8475427
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Luke R. Magee, George B. Glackin, III, Christopher J. Hosmer, Naomi S. Korn, James D. Wilson, Mark C. Bates, Mattias Schmidt, Eva Susanne Dominique Thurnay, Joerg Mueller, John C. Costello, Ann M. Sullivan, Gregg A. Flender, Donald C. Roe, Mark J. Kline, Kenneth Edwin Jewell
  • Patent number: 8475426
    Abstract: An incontinence protector for males intended for disposable use, including a fastening pocket for fastening the genitalia during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Bror-Inge Helmfridsson, Ken Olsson
  • Publication number: 20130165886
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent product extends along a longitudinal dimension and a width dimension. The absorbent product has a backsheet, a topsheet overlaying the backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet for absorbing and retaining fluid secreted by a wearer of the absorbent product. The absorbent core includes a pair of arm portions and a pair of leg portions, with the arm and leg portions protruding laterally and longitudinally from a central portion of the absorbent core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Steven Glaug, Joshua Daniel Carney, Sue Uner
  • Patent number: 8466337
    Abstract: Breathable and biodegradable polymeric film materials of the invention are highly suitable for use in personal care absorbent articles and other articles. The film includes a biodegradable polymer resin, a thermoplastic starch, a filler and optionally, a protein. The breathable film has a renewable natural polymer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Wang, Bo Shi
  • Publication number: 20130150818
    Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed. The article includes a first portion having at least two target strips located on opposite ends of the first portion, at least one visual sizing indicator positioned on the first portion of the article between the at least two target strips, the visual sizing indicator including indicia for indicating that the article is too large for a wearer, a middle portion contoured inwards such that an hourglass shape is formed, and a second portion having at least two fasteners located on opposite edges of the second portion. The absorbent article is formed of several layers including a moisture-impervious outer layer, an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer, and a filler interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Medline Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8460264
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an improved wearing article allowing the dimension of the leg-openings to be adequately large without causing leakage of urine. A chassis is formed in a crotch region with an opening extending through inner and outer sheets in the thickness direction. The opening extends across the crotch region in a longitudinal direction partially into front and rear waist regions and also extends through parts of respective waist region elastic sheets in the thickness direction. An absorbent panel functioning as a liquid-absorbent structure is attached to the skin-facing surface of the chassis to cover the opening. The liquid-absorbent panel is joined along both side edges thereof to the inner sheet and the waist region elastic sheets by bonding or sealing technique and along front and rear ends thereof to the waist region elastic sheets by bonding or sealing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8459457
    Abstract: The package includes a housing portion having a transparent window region. A plurality of disposable absorbent pants is disposed within the housing portion. Each pant defines a waistband region which abuts a waist end. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a back waistband portion. Each pant further defines a crotch region which abuts a crotch end. At least a first pant is folded and positioned such that at least a portion of the waistband region of the first pant is visible through the transparent window region. Specified portions of the first pant may be obscured by an opaque border region. The first pant may include a back-label indicator that is visible through the transparent window region. A second pant may also be visible through the transparent window region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ralph Hagner, Gregory James Fries, George Ikuya Nukuto, Jennifer Lea Westemeyer, Cynthia Lee Hogan
  • Patent number: 8460260
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article assembly including a tri-folded absorbent article having two end portions and an intermediate portion, and a pouch containing the tri-folded absorbent article, the pouch being structured and arranged to enable a user to selectively open the pouch to thereby expose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the absorbent article prior to exposing a garment-facing surface of either of the end portions of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Y. Fung, Paul J. Serbiak
  • Patent number: 8460261
    Abstract: An absorbent article in which a plurality of absorbent components is layered, and the absorbent component on top is peeled off after use. The article is configured to inhibit twisting or wrinkling during use. In the absorbent article, the upper absorbent component is layered on the skin-facing surface of the bottom absorbent component and peelably bonded by the temporal adhesive member. The bottom absorbent component has higher flexural rigidity than the upper absorbent component, and the compression recovery rate of the bottom absorbent component is also set so as to be higher than that of the upper absorbent component. It is thereby possible to prevent the bottom absorbent component from twisting and wrinkling when the upper absorbent component is placed against the discharge area, and after the upper absorbent component is peeled off, the volume of the bottom absorbent component is restored, and comfort during contact thereof with the discharge area is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ito, Makoto Suekane, Masataka Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8454570
    Abstract: A system comprising a thong-shaped holder for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the pudendal region of the wearer. The holder comprises a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the holder typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The holder provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. A method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the holder is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: RUSL, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry Edward Carstens
  • Patent number: 8455710
    Abstract: Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Argentum Medical, LLC
    Inventor: A. Bart Flick
  • Publication number: 20130138070
    Abstract: A male incontinence protector includes a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a front end portion with a front end edge, and a rear end portion with a rear end edge. The front end portion has greater maximum extension in the transverse direction than the maximum extension of the rear end portion in the transverse direction. The male incontinence protector further includes side edges extending between the front end edge and the rear end edge, a garment-facing surface, and a wearer-facing surface. The incontinence protector has a tendon engagement member arranged in the rear end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Patent number: 8449517
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a rear waist region provided with a waist region elastic member attached thereto under tension. The waist region elastic member is formed with a plurality of slits each extending in a longitudinal direction and extending through the elastic member in a thickness direction thereof. The waist region elastic member is stretched in a transverse direction as the diaper is put on the wearer's body and thereupon the slits are opened up to form respective through-holes. A first graphics display region formed in combination with the slits includes note stems and note tails. Each of these note stems is contiguous to the associated through-holes. In the area nearer a crotch region than the first graphics display region, a second graphics display region is formed. The first and second graphics display regions cooperate to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Junko Ueda, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8449514
    Abstract: Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Argentum Medical, LLC
    Inventor: Bart A. Flick
  • Patent number: 8444617
    Abstract: A pant-type absorbent article having an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core and a chassis, wherein the front and back portions are joined to each other along two opposite longitudinal side edges to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings, at least one of the front and back portions has an elastic web material, a crotch portion located between the front portion and the back portion in the longitudinal direction of the article, the front portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the back portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, and the crotch portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent assembly overlapping a distance with both the front and back portions, the article having a longitudinal and a transverse direction, wherein the absorbent assembly overlaps no more than 20% of the surface area of each of the front and back portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Margareta Wennerbäck
  • Publication number: 20130123728
    Abstract: Wounds dressings, systems, and methods are presented that involve using a patient's body heat to enhance liquid removal from the wound dressing through a high-moisture-vapor-transmission-rate drape. Additional heat sources or devices, such as nano-antennas or electrical heating elements, may be added or used separately to enhance the removal liquid from the wound dressing. Other dressings, systems, and methods are presented herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: KCI Licensing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8439887
    Abstract: The invention, a reusable adjustable diaper, includes: a multi-ply member having a first curvilinear portion connecting by a medial portion to a second curvilinear portion; a first elastomeric member connected to a first curved segment of multi-ply member and having a first plurality of fastening areas; a second elastomeric member connected to a second curved segment of multi-ply member and having a second plurality of fastening areas; a first plurality of fasteners connected to first curvilinear portion; a second plurality of fasteners connected to second curvilinear portion and disengagably fastenable with first plurality of fasteners; a third fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with first elastomeric member at each of first plurality of fastening areas; and a fourth fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with second elastomeric member at each of second plurality of fastening areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Stacee M. Magee
  • Patent number: 8439886
    Abstract: An absorbent article adapted to be worn by a user includes a main body section and an absorbent body that has an absorbent member for absorbing fluid, that has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, that is superposed on a face of the main body section on a user side. The absorbent body further has one end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a first joined section, and another end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a second joined section. A length of the absorbent body between the first joined section and the second joined section is equal to or more than a length of the main body section between the first joined section and the second joined section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Hashino, Jun Kudo, Hideyuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8440877
    Abstract: Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Meghan E. Collins, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long
  • Patent number: 8435223
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a reusable outer cover and, optionally, an absorbent insert. The reusable outer cover has zones of varying properties. The properties of the different zones are varied to provide different performance features in different parts of the outer cover. The outer cover with zones of varying properties may provide competing or contradictory functionalities for improved comfort, fit, leakage protection, and aesthetic appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Elaine Mary Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8435924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing color change in overlapping layers of material. The method comprises providing a first layer having a first activatable colorant and a second layer having a second activatable colorant. A first external stimulus is applied to activate the first activatable colorant and produce a first activated color region in the first layer. A second external stimulus is applied to activate second activatable colorant and produce a second activated color region in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons
  • Publication number: 20130110070
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has an absorbent body, an outer covering sheet and two end holding sheets, and both end portions of the absorbent body are fixed between the end holding sheets and the outer covering sheet. Since a turndown portion of an upper end portion of the end holding sheet is bonded on an upper end portion of a first covering sheet, a waist covering portion has structure where the first covering sheet is laminated on the two-layered end holding sheet. Therefore, a thickness of the outer covering sheet can be reduced, while maintaining strength of the waist covering portion by appropriately selecting material of the end holding sheet, thereby to easily improve softness of the disposable diaper. Since an upper end of a second covering sheet is positioned below the turndown portion, softness and breathability in an area between the turndown portion and the second covering sheet is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Yuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130104914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bra accessory for eliminating or substantially reducing the discomfort, chaffing, pain, rash, intertrigo, and infections caused by pressure of a woman's bra cup rim against her chest, and by perspiration trapped between the woman's breast and chest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Judith Quale Stewart
  • Publication number: 20130110068
    Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent article configurations designed for daytime use by wearers at different levels of cooperation includes a first disposable diaper configuration including features configured to accommodate a first level of cooperation, wherein the first disposable diaper configuration is available in a first plurality of sizes; a second disposable diaper configuration including features configured to accommodate a second level of cooperation, the second level of cooperation being different from the first level of cooperation, wherein the second disposable diaper configuration is available in a second plurality of sizes; and a third disposable diaper configuration including features configured to accommodate a third level of cooperation, the third level of cooperation being different from the second level of cooperation, wherein the third disposable diaper configuration is structurally different from the second disposable diaper configuration, and wherein the third disposable diaper configuratio
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Denise Janet Nelson, Rebecca Catherine Mohr, Kathryn Louise Stewart, Christopher Daniel McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20130102985
    Abstract: An absorbent article can have a discrete portion formed from a web of material. The discrete portion can have any shape as desired. The absorbent article can have a second discrete portion which can also have any shape as desired. The shape of the second discrete portion can be the same as or different from the shape of the first discrete portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Ellingson, Eric Louis Schroeder, Kirk Jon Dempsey, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux
  • Patent number: 8425480
    Abstract: The application of active ingredients, exemplified by GML, to absorbent fibers, such as rayon fibers, used in tampon manufacture at very low levels has been found to maintain efficacy in the inhibition of the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin one (TSST-1) produced by S. aureus without overtly killing the microorganism to achieve the desired reduction while avoiding undesired test results that suggest the presence of “impurities” in some jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda M. Pierson, Susan K. Brown-Skrobot, Ching-Yun M. Yang
  • Patent number: 8419699
    Abstract: An absorptive pad having a frontward pad section and a rearward pad section of sufficient length to cover the buttocks of a user to thereby control rearward leakage of fluid. The width of the rearward pad section is less than the width of the frontward pad section, and may become increasingly narrower until the rear edge of the absorptive pad. This ergonomic shape of the pad allows for the absorptive pad to feel comfortable to the user while providing adequate protection from rearward leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tamicare, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamar Giloh