Having Specific Design, Shape, Or Structural Feature Patents (Class 604/385.01)
  • Patent number: 8419698
    Abstract: A guard is provided for intercepting urine discharging from an infant such as during diaper change, bathing or clothing change. The guard is configured to attach to a changing mat or diaper without attachment to the infant and lie over the groin of the infant to receive any urine being discharged from the infant. A shield portion of the guard is configured to cover the groin of the infant while elongated ends are releasably attached to the changing mat or diaper. The guard is formed from a completely washable or disposable material. The guard includes sheathed elastic that allows the elongated ends to stretch around and over the midsection of the baby to accommodate various sizes of infants. Various completely enclosable fastening end structures with optional removability may be used to allow attachment to the changing mat or diaper, while adjustable and/or removable side pads may be provided for infant comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Patricia A. Perry
  • Patent number: 8419703
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Mills
  • Publication number: 20130090621
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent device for collecting urine from an individual is disclosed. The disposable absorbent device can include an absorbent body, having a liquid impermeable, garment-side layer, a liquid impermeable, body-side layer, and an absorbent layer disposed between the garment-side layer and the body-side layer. The absorbent body can be adapted for receiving a penis of a wearer between the body-side layer and the absorbent. The disposable absorbent device can also include a pouch adapted for receiving the scrotum of a wearer extending from the body-side layer. The absorbent device can also include a perimeter seal bonding at least a portion of the garment-side layer, the body-side layer and the pouch together. The perimeter seal can extend continuously, proximate the outer perimeters of the body-side layer and the garment-side layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Envision Product Development Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas DELATTRE, David Carson
  • Patent number: 8414551
    Abstract: A personal feminine hygiene device includes a curvilinear frame. The curvilinear frame can include a plurality of disk members disposed around and extending from the curvilinear frame, wherein the larger diameter or radius disks can be disposed around an approximate midpoint of the curvilinear frame, and wherein the diameter or radius of the disks gradually decreases moving from the midpoint to the terminal ends of the curvilinear frame. The device can further include a bowl-shaped member extending from one end of the curvilinear frame and can include a series of slats formed therein. The bowl-shaped member can further include a cap at its anterior end terminating at a convex shaped tip especially configured to access the crease adjacent to the cervix where debris, e.g., mucous, tends to pool, while the slats and the disks assist in removing and containing debris from the vaginal and cervical walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Better Ways for Woman
    Inventors: Allysa Siniawski, Evan Morowitz
  • Patent number: 8404922
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a face sheet and an absorbent body in this order, wherein the face sheet is at least one of concavo-convex or convexo-flat heat-embossed sheet and concavo-convex or convexo-flat ultrasonic-embossed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Fukae, Yumiko Seike
  • Patent number: 8398605
    Abstract: A wearable absorbent article, comprising a drawstring member that is at least partially inelastic. The drawstring member can include an inelastic material. The drawstring member can be substantially inelastic. The article can include a chassis with an edge, and a drawstring chamber disposed along at least a portion of the edge, wherein the drawstring member is disposed within the drawstring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Connie L. Fisher, Carl L. Bergman, Gregg A. Flender
  • Patent number: 8388590
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article having a body-facing surface, a first end region and a second end region. The feminine hygiene article is for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings, the feminine hygiene article comprising at least one functional enhancement indicator visible from said body-facing surface, the functional enhancement indicator corresponding to at least one functionally-enhanced portion of the feminine hygiene article. The feminine hygiene article can be a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, or an incontinence pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Peter Charles Mason, Jr., Ronald Bosman Visscher, Jeanne Marie Hughes, Folke Schlueter, Emma Somma, Giovanni Carlucci, Paul Thomas Weisman
  • Patent number: 8388589
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pet sheet including a backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid absorbent layer which is smaller than the backsheet and disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. The backsheet extends beyond the liquid absorbent layer to provide side regions outside the liquid absorbent layer. A hydrophilic sheet is provided above the backsheet in the side regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kaneko, Takeshi Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8388591
    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 be 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: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Y. Fung
  • Publication number: 20130053809
    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: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Patent number: 8382928
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pants-type diaper of the present invention includes: a step of carrying a diaper body in a longitudinal direction X; a first folding step of folding a side panel 3 along a first line L1 extending in the longitudinal direction; a first attachment step of attaching first end portions 31 of a pair of side panels 3 to end portions 20a (21a), opposing each other in a girth direction Y, of the front portion 20 or the back portion 21; a second folding step of folding the diaper body 2 along a second line L2 extending along the girth direction Y so that the front portion 20 and the back portion 21 lie on each other; and a second attachment step of attaching second end portions 32 of the pair of side panels 3 to end portions, opposing each other in the girth direction Y, of the back portion 21 or the front portion 20, to which the side panel 3 has not been attached in the first attachment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Toyoshi Umebayashi
  • Patent number: 8383878
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper, training pant, and the like comprises a containment member that has a central zone and a barrier zone. The central zone has greater air flow according to the Air Permeability Test than the barrier zone. The barrier zone a greater hydrohead according to the Hydrostatic Head Pressure Test than the central zone. The containment member may be used for absorbent core formation and may have portions configured to serve as barrier leg cuffs for the finished absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Michael Dale Trennepohl, Olaf Erik Alexander Isele, Kenneth Michael Hamall, Angelli Sue Denmon
  • Publication number: 20130046265
    Abstract: The disposable underwear with sanitary pads consists of underwear panties or briefs with a waistband and a cloth swathe. The cloth swathe has an inboard layer of liquid permeable material and an outer layer which is impervious to liquid. These items are sewn together along the waistband hem and the respective leg hole hems. Liquid absorbent material is disposed in the interspace or space between the inboard and outboard layers. Sometimes, the interspace is divided into patches and a crotch patch, midway between the waistband and the crotch from the posterior region to the anterior region, has a greater amount of absorbent material as compared with absorbent material in other patches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Kimberley R. Felix
  • Publication number: 20130046261
    Abstract: Adhesive bandages for wound covering and care have an external surface adapted to receive ink or coloration from a drawing media, such as a pen, pencil and marker, without the coloration penetrating beyond the outer surface or to the would care absorbent and protective matter. Other aspects of the invention include a kit comprising such bandage device, along with suitable drawing media. In a method of use, the bandage devices can be marked before or after application to the wound. The outer surface of the adhesive bandage that is intended to be colored by the drawing media may be pre-printed with drawing/marking guides or outlines that are attractive to young children, such as cartoon characters, animals, superheroes and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Dion R. Reif
  • Patent number: 8378168
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene garment containing a liquid pervious topsheet coated with a nonuniform pattern of a lotion composition is disclosed. The lotion composition is semi-solid or solid at 20° C. and is partially transferable to the wearer's skin. The lotion composition is applied to the article in a nonuniform manner, preferably such that there are regions on the article's topsheet that are not coated with lotion. In one embodiment the nonuniform pattern is a plurality of stripes of lotion that are separated by a plurality of stripes having no lotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Laura Graves Spalding Van Rijswijck, Julie Charlene Rule
  • Patent number: 8377024
    Abstract: An outer cover for a disposable absorbent article. The outer cover includes an elastic material joined to an extensible material to form a laminate. At least two different areas of the laminate are simultaneously activated in different directions by a single pair of intermeshing activation rolls. At least a portion of the two different areas of activation on the outer cover are spatially separated by a buffer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fred Naval Desai, Fred Michael Langdon, Khalid Qureshi
  • Patent number: 8377021
    Abstract: Winkles are prevented from being generated in the flap portion to reduce an uncomfortable feeling and friction. In a sanitary napkin including an absorber interposed between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impermeable back sheet and a flap portion surrounding the absorber without including the absorber, the flap portions at least in a front area and a back area of the sanitary napkin each have an outer shape of a wave-like line composed of convex curves and concave curves in which the direction of a line tangent to the outline of the flap portion is continuously changed; the width of the absorber gradually narrows in each of the front side area and the back side area in such a manner that lines incline toward each other to form a convex curve; and the wave-like line is formed along each of the inclining lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: DAIO Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Haruko Odoi
  • Patent number: 8377027
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having form fitting properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least one waist elastic member that extends a substantial distance in the longitudinal direction. The waist elastic member, for instance, may be positioned in a front region of the article, in a back region of the article or in both the front and back regions. The waist elastic member includes a breathable elastic film. In order for the film to be breathable, the film includes apertures. The apertures appear on the film according to a particular pattern and having a particular diameter so that the film retains desired stretch properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Janis W. Hughes, Varunesh Sharma, Prasad Shrikrishna Potnis, Gregory Hall, Thomas H. Roessler, Peiguang Zhou, Stephen C. Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 8378165
    Abstract: An array of feminine hygiene articles for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings. Each feminine hygiene article of the array has a body-facing surface, a first end region and a second end region, the array of feminine hygiene articles comprising at least first and second the feminine hygiene articles differing in at least one functional characteristic. The first and second feminine hygiene articles each comprise a functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface, the functional enhancement indicator of the first and second feminine hygiene articles being visibly different to distinguish the first feminine hygiene article from the second feminine hygiene article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ronald Bosman Visscher, Peter Charles Mason, Jr., Jeanne Marie Hughes, Folke Schlueter, Emma Somma, Giovanni Carlucci, Paul Thomas Weisman
  • Patent number: 8377026
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an absorbent wearing article being capable of alleviating irritation to the wearer's skin as well as to be easily produced and a method for making the same. A liquid-absorbent chassis 4 is provided with a barrier cuff 5 including first and second barrier cuffs 5a, 5b each comprising an outermost edge 21, an innermost edge 24 and front and rear ends 22, 23 opposed to and spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction Y. The outermost edge 21 as well as the front and rear ends 22, 23 are joined to a topsheet 10 to define a fixed edge and the innermost edge 24 is not joined to the topsheet 10 to define a free edge adapted to be freely spaced from the liquid-absorbent chassis 4. Of the first and second barrier cuffs 5a, 5b, at least the fixed edge is formed by an inelastic, substantially non-extensible first sheet 25 while the free edge is formed by an elastically extensible second sheet 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Kyo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8377025
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a void space between a separator sheet and a liquid-absorbent structure. The separator sheet has opposite lateral zones extending in a longitudinal direction, a middle zone via which the opposite lateral zones are contiguous to each other, a front through-hole formed on the side of a front waist region, a rear through-hole formed on the side of rear waist region, and separator sheet biasing elastic members attached under tension to the respective lateral zones. A chassis includes a front leg elastic member laid on the side of the front waist region and a rear leg elastic member laid on the side of the rear waist region wherein at least the rear leg elastic member includes a rear transverse segment extending across the crotch region and a position of the rear transverse segment corresponds to a position of the middle zone of the separator sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Hironao Minato
  • Publication number: 20130041337
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for protecting wounds, such as surgical incisions. In one embodiment, a dressing for protecting a wound includes: a support cushion configured to surround the wound, the support cushion having sidewalls defining a major axis and a minor axis, the support cushion including at least two perforations that traverse the sidewalls at offset locations; a reservoir configured to be suspended over and in engagement with the support cushion; and a cover configured to be positioned over the reservoir. The at least two perforations may define first and second interlocking J-shaped portions. The support cushion may include a wicking portion configured to surround the wound and a hydrophobic portion configured to surround the hydrophobic portion. The wicking portion may be configured to transfer fluid from the wound to the reservoir. Methods of applying the dressing, and kits including the dressing, also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Adel Aali, Raymond Barbuto
  • Patent number: 8373016
    Abstract: An absorbent member (10) of the invention has a hydrophilic continuous fiber web (12) and lumpy particles of an absorbent polymer (13) held in the web (12). The absorbent polymer (13) is localized in part in a planar or thickness direction of the absorbent member (10). The continuous fibers in a region (M) in a planar direction of the web (12) where the absorbent polymer is distributed are in a state cut into a large number of staple fibers (122). A method of producing an absorbent member includes the step of spreading lumpy particles of an absorbent polymer (13) on a continuous fiber web (12) and pressing the continuous fibers in part of the web (12) onto the absorbent polymer (13) to cut the continuous fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Kasai, Masahiko Niinomi, Takuya Kouta, Rumiko Kasahara, Akira Noda
  • Patent number: 8366696
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprises an absorbent interposed between a liquid-permeable surface sheet and a back sheet. The absorbent is constituted of a set of left and right absorbent elements arranged substantially along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The absorbent element of one side is formed as a dogleg to the right in a top plan view whereas the absorbent element of the other side is formed as a dogleg to the left in a top plan view, so that the absorbent elements have an intersecting portion intersecting in at least the region containing the portion corresponding to the blood discharge opening of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: DAIO Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Satoko Konawa
  • Patent number: 8361046
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Russell J. Brumm, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Russell E. Thorson, John T. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8361045
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for manufacturing several distinct disposable absorbent articles on a single machine. The apparatus includes three sections. The first section is capable of forming an absorbent assembly and cutting the absorbent assembly into individual absorbent assemblies. The second section is capable of moving a bodyside liner into alignment with the individual absorbent assemblies and applying an outer cover to the individual absorbent assemblies to form a continuous web having a primary stretch in a cross direction. The second section is further capable of adding at least three components to the web. The third section is capable of severing the continuous web into individual absorbent articles which can then be folded, stacked and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Evan Thorson, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen
  • Patent number: 8357133
    Abstract: A garment such as a diaper, training pant, pull-up diaper, adult incontinence pant and diaper holder. The garment includes a chassis for receiving the absorbent structure. The chassis includes a first lateral margin and a second lateral margin. The first and second lateral margins are joined to a central structure along a first line of joinder and a second line of joinder, respectively, the first and second lines of joinder extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second lateral margins have a first end region, a second end region and a central region. The first and second lateral margins has a material which is elastically extensible in at least the longitudinal direction in the central region and elastically extensible in at least one of the first and second end regions in at least the transverse direction. A method of manufacturing a garment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Dragorad Vasic, Helena Corneliusson, Ken Olsson
  • Publication number: 20130018351
    Abstract: A package associating disposable absorbent articles structured for reduced chafing is disclosed. The package may associate at least two sets of articles, the articles in the respective sets having respectively differing structures, so that a user has the differing articles available to apply to a wearer. The respective structures may be varied to effect differing contact locations and pressures about the waist and legs of the wearer. The time over which the wearer continuously wears articles of unvarying fit may thereby be reduced, reducing the likelihood or extent of continuous contact and pressure by articles at concentrated locations of the wearer's skin and body. Likelihood of irritation and chafing may thereby be reduced. An associated method for reducing skin irritation or chafing is disclosed. A method for manufacturing such a package by manufacturing differing structures on a single manufacturing line is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Fred Naval Desai
  • Publication number: 20130018346
    Abstract: A sanitary disposable urine device is provided that includes an inner ring and outer ring each having a top surface and opposing bottom surface. The outer ring is substantially concentric with the inner ring and may be offset. At least one of the top surfaces of the inner and outer rings conforms to a body contour of a user's perineum. The device includes a hand holder coupled to the bottom surface of the inner ring, the hand holder having an opening configured to match to the inner ring. The device includes a fluid containing bag having an open end attached to the hand holder such that fluid flows through the inner ring and the opening of the hand holder into the fluid containing bag during usage. The device includes an inner bag inside the fluid containing bag having an absorbent material and an outer sealable bag to secure the device after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: MERCY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Roger Huckfeldt, Cindy Lowe, Keela Davis, Martin Reuter, John Price, Debbie Sue Mikkelson
  • Publication number: 20130018350
    Abstract: An absorbent pouch for use by males suffering from mild incontinence problems includes an outer layer or sheath made from an impermeable material and an inner liner made from an absorbent material. The outer layer is defined by first and second side wall portions which are interconnected along three edges so as to establish a single opening into the pouch. The first or inner side wall portion of the pouch is also formed with an arcuate cut-out portion leading into the pouch and provided with a soft material. Extending from the second or outer side wall portion of the pouch is a support tab provided with one or more fastening elements for securing the pouch below a waist portion of a user, such as by attaching the support tab to a waist band or an undergarment of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Edward McNulty
  • Patent number: 8353891
    Abstract: An absorbent incontinence article (2) has a main part (4) composed of a front area (6) and of a rear area (8) and, lying between these in the longitudinal direction (10), a crotch area (12) that comes to lie between the legs of a user, the main part (4) comprising an absorption body (14), and with mutually separate side portions (16) which are joined to the rear area (8) and/or to the front area (6) on both sides and which extend in the transverse direction (22) across lateral longitudinal edges (20) of the main part (4) and connect the front area (6) and the rear area (8) to each other when the article is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Fridmann Hornung, Ruediger Kesselmeier, Enno Gause, Andreas Boehmler
  • Publication number: 20130012859
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a packaged medical adhesive composite and a method of delivering the composite. The medical adhesive composite comprises a single tab as a release liner that partially covers the adhesive side of the composite. The tab can be used to apply the composite with only a single hand, even without compromising the sterility of the absorbent pad used to cover a wound. The medical adhesive composite can comprise an especially thin supple backing and be delivered over a wound with little or no wrinkling of the backing. The medical adhesive composite can be delivered such that the composite overlaps with itself when applied, for example, to a finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Amy J. Krohn
  • Publication number: 20130012897
    Abstract: There is provided a dressing (10) which comprises a cover sheet (20) and an absorbent sheet (30). In one embodiment the cover sheet (20) and absorbent sheet (30) have edges which are coterminous along part of their extent and the cover sheet (20) comprises a portion projecting beyond the edge of the absorbent sheet (30) such that, in use, said portion can overly part of an adjacent dressing. Also provided are methods of using dressings and a kit of parts for forming a patchwork dressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SUMED INTERNATIONAL (UK) LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham John Collyer
  • Patent number: 8348918
    Abstract: A diaper for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the crotch region of the wearer. The diaper includes a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the diaper typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The diaper provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. The invention includes a system including the diaper and an absorbent article for use therewith, and a method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rusl, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry Edward Carstens
  • Patent number: 8348915
    Abstract: An initial product adaptable to form a garment such as a diaper, training pant, pull-up diaper, adult incontinence pant and diaper holder. The initial product includes a chassis for receiving the absorbent structure. The chassis includes a first lateral margin and a second lateral margin. The first and second lateral margins are joined to a central structure along a first line of joinder and a second line of joinder, respectively, the first and second lines of joinder extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second lateral margins have a first end region, a second end region and a central region. The first and second lateral margins have a material which is elastically extensible in at least the longitudinal direction in the central region. Lateral edges of the lateral margins are provided by third and fourth strips of substantially inelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Dragorad Vasic, Helena Corneliusson, Ken Olsson
  • Patent number: 8348917
    Abstract: An absorbent article can utilize a chassis design comprising a unitary inner layer and an expandable absorbent assembly attached to the inner layer, with the inner layer including elasticized portions so that the absorbent article conforms to the body of a person wearing the article. The expandable absorbent assembly can be minimally attached to the garment side of the inner layer and, in some embodiments at an aperture or opening in the inner layer that allows exudates to pass into the absorbent assembly. The article can further comprise an extensible outer layer attached to the garment side of the inner layer so that the outer layer covers the absorbent assembly and elastics, with the outer layer attached at the perimeter of at least portions of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: LuAnn M Beckman, Paul T VanGompel
  • Publication number: 20130006207
    Abstract: A waistband for an absorbent article having a waistband with differential extensibility and/or contraction along the circumference of the waist opening. The waistband may provide a uniform appearance along the circumference of the waist opening. The waistband may have a central zone and at least two outboard zones. The outboard zones of the waistband may be less contracted than the central zone, when the absorbent article is in a relaxed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Michael Dale Trennepohl
  • Publication number: 20130006206
    Abstract: A urine absorbent structure improved so as to prevent urine once having been absorbed by a pad from flowing back under the effect of the wearer's body weight exerted on the pad. A urine absorbent pad of a urine absorbent structure includes a core formed of an aggregate of water-absorbent materials. The core contains, as water-absorbent materials, at least fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymer particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Wada, Miou Suzuki, Hiroko Murakami, Yoshihisa Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8343125
    Abstract: An absorbent article (100) includes a topsheet (101), a backsheet (102), and an absorbent core (10). The absorbent core (10) includes a number of discretely and independently arranged absorbent members (30) located across a planar direction of the article (100). An intermediate sheet (20) is disposed between the topsheet (101) and the absorbent core (10) or between the backsheet (102) and the absorbent core (10). The absorbent members (30) are fixed to the intermediate sheet (20). It is preferable that an absorption rate of physiological saline solution measured by D/W method of each of the topsheet (101), the intermediate sheet (20), and the absorbent core (10) satisfies the following relationship: the topsheet (101)<the intermediate sheet (20)<the absorbent core (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Kawazoe, Takuya Kouta, Takeshi Miyamura
  • Patent number: 8343124
    Abstract: An absorbent article including an absorbent article main body which is extended in a longitude direction and having a front end portion and a rear end portion, and which includes an absorber of liquid-retaining, a topsheet of liquid-permeable covering a surface of the absorber, and a backsheet of liquid-nonpermeable supporting the absorber from a back surface of the absorber, the absorbent article includes: a belt-shaped member extended in the longitude direction of the absorbent article main body, including a base end portion fixed to any one of the absorber and the backsheet and a tip portion not fixed, and being stretchable in the longitude direction; and an attaching sheet provided on a back surface of the belt-shaped member and configured to be attached to clothing, wherein the attaching sheet is extended in a width direction of the belt-shaped member and both end portions of the attaching sheet are fixed to the belt-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8343123
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has multiple linear or curved fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than average flexural rigidity and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions. Accordingly, there is provided an absorbent article that can change its morphology along the configuration of wear object. Absorbent article has multiple linear or curved first fold regions with a flexural rigidity lower than the average flexural rigidity of the absorbent article and with a flexural rigidity lower than that in adjacent regions, which multiple first fold regions are provided in approximately symmetric relationship with respect to the center line in the direction of width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda, Kumiko Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120330262
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region; a first waist edge and a second waist edge; the disposable absorbent article comprising a first waistband near the first waist edge and a second waistband near the second waist edge, wherein the Front-to-Back Delta Chassis Contraction is greater than about 9.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kathleen Marie Lawson, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Kathleen Ann Murphy Maciag, Raymond Scott Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20120330264
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprising a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region; a first waist edge and a second waist edge; and a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; the disposable absorbent article comprising a waistband and a leg gasketing system, wherein the waistband has a first gather count and the leg gasketing system has a second gather count such that the ratio of the first gather count to the second gather count is from about 0.75 to about 1.25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kathleen Marie Lawson, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Jeffrey Will Crosby
  • Publication number: 20120330256
    Abstract: A urinary incontinence device is provided which includes a body, the body having a shell, and the shell forming a cavity adapted to hold genitalia. An absorbent, suitable for absorbing urine, is at least partially disposed within the cavity. A liquid-permeable liner is attached to the body in a spaced-apart relation to the absorbent to hammock the genitalia while maintaining a void space between the liner and the absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Windstar Power Management, LLC dba in Ohio as Continental Dry-Works
    Inventors: Heather J. Wilcox, Nolan M. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 8336121
    Abstract: A women's waistless and seamless clothing adherable underwear includes an oval pad made of a soft absorbent material, wherein the pad has double sided strips of adhesive tape with removable peel-off cover strips to attach to the inside crotch area of low slung clothing pants, such as tight pants, leotards or dungaree jeans facing upward to the skin and crotch of the wearer. The material is preferably a soft, non-woven, absorbent material. The underwear is particularly suited for women who wear tight pants, or low waist hip hugger pants, which widely reveal waist bands and seams of panty underwear, or expose underwear waist bands. The underwear is minimally intrusive and is attractive for women who like to wear jeans without underwear but who fear bacterial infection or exposure to clothing dyes or irritating stitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Christine Martz
  • Publication number: 20120323204
    Abstract: A garment comprises a laminate. The laminate comprises a first layer colored a first color, and a second layer colored a second color different than the first color. The laminate includes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. In one embodiment, the first layer and the second layer are coterminous at the waistband lower edge. In particular embodiments, the folded flap is an outwardly folded flap, and the first layer is an inner layer and the second layer is an outer layer, and the outwardly visible waistband is colored the first color. The distinction between the first color and second color in conjunction with the fold creates a visible waistband effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Lacey L. Poole, Marie E. Luna, Marlene R. Dins, Julie A. Paveletzke
  • Patent number: 8334425
    Abstract: An absorbent article may include one or more circuits formed on the exterior of the article that are configured to connect to a monitoring device. When connected to a monitoring device, the circuit(s) can be used to provide input data to the monitoring device. The monitoring device may provide audio, visual, and other feedback that changes based on user input data. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can further connect to one or more circuits internal to the article to sense changes in the state of the article. For example, interactive features supported by the monitoring device may relate to the wetness state of the article and/or may be used to control the type of indication(s) provided by the monitoring device when wetness (or another state) is detected. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be used to provide interactive games for the user of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ales, Shirlee Ann Weber, Andrew Long
  • Patent number: 8333748
    Abstract: An outer cover for a disposable absorbent article including waist regions elastically stretchable in the cross machine direction and activated in the cross machine direction, activated leg cuff regions elastically stretchable in one or more directions other than the cross machine direction, and an inelastic crotch region having a nonwoven crotch patch for providing the outer cover with suitable tensile strength, opacity, and poke-through properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fred Naval Desai, Khalid Qureshi, Donald Carroll Roe
  • Patent number: 8333746
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed including an inner part including a sheet of material having an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, a front waist region, and a rear waist region, wherein the front waist region is connected with the rear waist region to form a waist opening and two leg openings; an outer part including an absorbent material, the outer part being separate from the inner part and adapted to be worn over the outer side of the inner part such that the inner part can be worn independently of the outer part; and an opening in the sheet of material of the inner part for allowing bowel movement waste to pass through the opening so that the inner part cooperates with the outer part in use to collect and retain bowel movement waste between the inner and outer parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Maja Wciorka
  • Patent number: 8333747
    Abstract: Provided is an absorptive article having absorption elements capable of following the wearer's body of a user. This absorptive article comprises at least a generally rectangular base absorption element, a top absorption element disposed on one surface of the base absorption element at substantially lateral center of the base absorbent and along the longitudinal direction of the base absorbent, and a fixing part for fixing the base absorption element to the top absorption element so that at least one end of the top absorption element in the longitudinal direction thereof is made to be a free end. A locking part is provided on the base absorption element side contact surface of the top absorption element near the free end. The locking part is locked to the base absorption element at a position where the top absorption element is so moved as to extend along the gluteal cleft of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kudo, Akira Hashino