With Means To Direct Body Fluid Patents (Class 604/385.101)
  • Patent number: 6430989
    Abstract: A quantitative method of evaluating swimwear for underwater leakage using a mechanical test mannequin, a water tank, a fluorescent bowel movement simulant, and a fluorescence meter. More particularly, a swimwear garment is applied to the mannequin, the fluorescent bowel movement simulant is inserted into the swimwear garment, the mannequin and the swimwear garment are submersed into water within the water tank, and a motion mechanism attached to the mannequin moves the mannequin up and down, thereby simulating typical water play movements. The fluorescence meter can be used to quantitatively determine the amount of leakage of the fluorescent bowel movement simulant from the swimwear garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherry Ann Van Dyke, Robin Kurt Nason, Daryl Steven Meyer, David W. Koenig, Thomas Mathias Kolb, Cynthia Helen Nordness, Marcille Faye Ruman, Faith Eileen Cochrane, Jesse Paul Sorenson, Devertt DeWayne Woolwine, Jerome James Workman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6432094
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the top sheet rises upwardly from the absorbent core to have a plurality of protrusions, which extend parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and a hydrophilic material is provided within the protrusions so as to form a cushion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Fujioka, Ichiro Wada, Noriyuki Kurita
  • Publication number: 20020104148
    Abstract: A disposable male personal hygiene product for preventing the soiling of outer clothing and undergarments and skin irritation due to urinary flow irregularities. The product consists of a urine bib having an absorbent outer layer and a moisture resistant inner layer. The urine bib is attached to the male penis during urination by placing the male penis through an opening in the bib such that an absorbent size faces outward and a moisture resistant inner layer is closely coupled to the clothing. The urine bib can be sized as a function of the height and girth of the user. The urine bib may also be treated with a medication to prevent the spread of infectious disease after use and disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Sidney I. Silverman
  • Patent number: 6425889
    Abstract: A disposable diaper including a topsheet, and a topsheet is covered, at least in one of front and rear waist regions, with a liquid-resistant sheet bonded to a longitudinal end and transversely opposite side edges of that one of the front and rear waist regions; an elastic foamed member which is folded in two along a folding axis zone extending longitudinally thereof and has a first portion placed against the upper surface of the topsheet and a second portion placed against the lower surface of a liquid-resistant sheet is disposed between the topsheet and the liquid-resistant sheet in such a manner that the foamed member lies on an upper portion of a core in that one of the front and rear waist regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Kitaoka, Norio Nanba
  • Patent number: 6423883
    Abstract: A liquid reception device as a component, for example, of a personal care product such as a disposable diaper, an incontinent garment, or for other applications such as, for example, an industrial soaker pad or the like. The device includes liquid activated means to move a liquid insult from a target zone to a peripheral zone. The liquid activated transport means operated mechanically by suction created by compression or vacuum or by physical movement of a liquid container from the target zone to the peripheral zone. The disclosed device provides increased use of available liquid handling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Bryan David Haynes, Thomas Harold Roessler
  • Patent number: 6423884
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an outer cover and a bodyside liner. A fecal retaining structure having at least one aperture is mounted in the rear portion of the absorbent article. The retaining structure has at least one, preferably multiple, apertures sized to retain exudates from a typical bowel movement and to displace such exudates from the skin of the user. The fecal retaining structure preferably has a surface layer on the outer surface which contacts the body of the user. The surface layer has a slick surface that assists in moving fecal material into the apertures. An absorbent core may be mounted in the absorbent article, especially in the front portion of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Heidi Ann Oehmen
  • Publication number: 20020087133
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, or a protector from female incontinence, is intended for wear in the crotch region of the wearer inside her underclothes. The article is generally elongate in shape and has two long sides, two short sides, two end-portions, a center portion disposed between the end-portions, a liquid-permeable casing sheet intended to lie proximal to the wearer's body in use, a liquid-impermeable casing sheet intended to lie distal from the wearer's body in use, and between the layers in a direction from the liquid-permeable casing sheet and towards the liquid-impermeable casing sheet a drainage layer, an absorption layer, and a hump-forming element which together with the drainage layer and the absorption layer forms a hump which projects out from the plane of the napkin on that side of the napkin which is intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Eje Osterdahl, Asa Johansson, Ulrika Husmark, Ingrid Gustafson, Anna Stoltze
  • Patent number: 6413247
    Abstract: A breathable disposable absorbent articles of layered construction, each layer having a garment facing surface, and a wearer facing surface. The breathable disposable absorbent article comprises at least a first backsheet layer and a second backsheet layer. At least one of the breathable layers of the backsheet comprises a resilient, three-dimensional web, which consists of a liquid impervious polymeric film having apertures. The apertures form capillaries, which are not perpendicular to the plane of the film but are disposed at an angle of less than 90° measured from the plane of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Carmine Cimini, Amedeo Franco D'Incecco, Luigi Marinelli, Paolo Veglio
  • Patent number: 6414215
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a first topsheet with apertures large enough for low-viscosity fecal material to pass through to a fecal material storage element. The fecal material storage element immobilizes the fecal material in position for dewatering, so that the liquid components of the fecal material are absorbed by the core and the solid components of the fecal material are separated from the liquid components. This arrangement provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Donald C. Roe
  • Patent number: 6409711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent product such as a diaper (1), pant diaper, incontinence shield or the like which has leg openings (8) and openings (17, 19) intended to receive urine and faces and which has a barrier in the form of a flap (39) between the openings (17, 19) to prevent faces coming into contact with urine. The barrier is made of material from one or more of the openings (8, 17, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Anna-Karin Jönbrink
  • Patent number: 6410822
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin including therein an elastic member longitudinally extending under tension along a center line dividing a width of the napkin. An upper portion of the napkin protrudes upward as the elastic member contracts. In the vicinity of both side edges of the napkin, topsheet is compressed together with absorbent core underlying the topsheet toward a backsheet to form a pair of compressed grooves extending longitudinally of the napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6395956
    Abstract: A compound sanitary napkin including a primary absorbent member and a secondary absorbent member. The primary absorbent member includes an absorbent core and a liquid pervious topsheet superposed on the absorbent core and a flexible backsheet under the absorbent core, the topsheet and the backsheet being affixed together to enclose the absorbent core around an outer periphery to form a flange seal. The secondary absorbent member includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious barrier sheet joined to the topsheet and an absorbent element positioned between the topsheet and the barrier sheet. The primary absorbent member and the secondary absorbent member are joined together to form a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Glasgow, Kendra S. Rose, Michele Mancuso, John Ulman
  • Patent number: 6384296
    Abstract: Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons and the like having a responsive system including an electrical actuator. The responsive system may respond continuously or discontinuously. A continuous responsive system of the present invention further includes a feedback control loop. A discontinuous responsive system of the present invention may include either a feedback control loop or an open loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Patrick J. Allen, Bruno J. Ehrnsperger, Mattias Schmidt, Mikhail L. Kruchinin, Simon S. Litvin, Oleg N. Khomjakov, Karl P. Ronn
  • Publication number: 20020052587
    Abstract: An absorbent product which possesses two longitudinal side edges (12, 13), two transverse end edges (10, 11), a longitudinal centre line and a transverse centre line, and which comprises a liquid-permeable outer layer (2), a liquid-impermeable backing layer (3) and an absorption core (4) which is located between the outer layer (2) and the backing layer (3), with the absorption core (4) comprising a first and a second absorption layer (14, 15), with the first absorption layer (14) being arranged behind the liquid-permeable outer layer (2) and the second absorption layer (15) being arranged between the first absorption layer (14) and the liquid-impermeable backing layer (3), with the first absorption layer (14) having two longitudinal channels (16, 17), with each of the channels having an outer edge (20) closest to the corresponding longitudinal side edge (12, 13) of the product and an inner edge (21) closest to the longitudinal centre line of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Product AB
    Inventors: Ing-Britt Magnusson, Lennart Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6375644
    Abstract: A body exudates absorbent article including a liquid-absorbent core having transversely opposite side edges extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the article, a liquid-pervious topsheet covering an upper surface of the core and a liquid-impervious backsheet covering a lower surface of the core, the topsheet being formed in a zone covering the core with a plurality of alternating troughs and crests continuously undulating in a transverse direction of the article and these troughs and the crests extending in the longitudinal direction, and thereby maintaining an initial soft elasity of the topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20020045875
    Abstract: A disposable diaper according to the invention include a liquid-impermeable topsheet, a liquid-permeable backsheet and an absorbent core therebetween. A pair of barrier cuffs which are elastically extendable in a longitudinal direction of the diaper are provided to a transversely opposite side flaps of the diaper. Front and rear ends of the barrier cuff are bonded to the diaper at longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Outer side edges of the barrier cuffs are bonded to outer edges of the flaps and inner side edges of the barrier cuff are bonded to the flaps along lines defined between the outer side edges and transversely opposite side edges of the core. Each of the barrier cuffs has a dimension between the outer and inner side edges thereof selected to be larger than a dimension of the flap between the outer and inner side edges thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: HIRONAO MINATO, YASUSHI SAYAMA
  • Patent number: 6372954
    Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an optional liquid permeable topsheet, an optional, sometimes liquid impermeable, backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, if any, and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids, the liquid management member and core being in contact. Also, liquid management members which comprise a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes directional spreading of liquids. The surface has a plurality of V-shaped grooves having an angular width of Alpha, Alpha being between about 10° and about 120°. The hydrophilic surface has a contact angle with water of Theta, Theta being equal to or less than (90°−Alpha/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Leigh E. Wood, Allen L. Noreen
  • Publication number: 20020040212
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an elongate absorbent core having an upper surface and a lower surface, a pair of opposed longitudinal edge portions terminating in longitudinal edges and a pair of opposed transverse edges, the core having a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion located between the end portions; a liquid permeable topsheet extending over the upper surface; a liquid barrier backsheet covering the lower surface of the absorbent core; barrier strips, each of the barrier strips covering a respective longitudinal edge portion and forming a liquid-retaining pocket along a respective longitudinal edge portion; and a longitudinal elastic member arranged along each of the barrier strips that are placed along each longitudinal edge portion of the absorbent core, the elastic members extending in at least the central portion of the absorbent core; the elastic members each include a plurality of spacers arranged at a distance from each other along a length of the elastic members to cr
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Publication number: 20020040215
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a substantially liquid-impervious leak-barrier cuff associated with a waist-opening, which has a fixed end portion lying on a side of one longitudinal end portion of an article, a free end portion extending from the fixed end portion toward a crotch region and fixed side portions lying on the transversely opposite side edge portions of the article. A rising fulcrum zone of the leak-barrier cuff lies in a substantially non-contractible region of the article extending between the elastic member associated with the waist-opening and elastic members associated with leg-openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Seiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6362391
    Abstract: A disposable body fluids absorbent article which includes a topsheet made of nonwoven fabric, the topsheet being formed with a plurality of pleats extending substantially in one direction. Crests and troughs of the pleats have a relatively high density and side walls defined between the crests and the troughs have a relatively low density. The article having such a topsheet enables the absorption capacity of an absorbent core of the article to be utilized as efficiently as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Etsuko Tagami
  • Publication number: 20020029029
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent first core disposed between top- and backsheets, a pair of side flaps extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side edges of the first core in a crotch region and a pair of second cores spaced from the respective side edges of the first core and disposed between the top- and backsheets. The respective side edges of the first core in the crotch region curve inward in a transverse direction of the article to describe circular arcs while inner side edges of the respective second cores in the crotch region curve outward in the transverse direction of the article to describe circular arcs. The first core and the second cores are bonded together in the vicinity of the side edge portions of the first core and in the vicinity of the inner side edge portions of the second cores in the crotch region so that the side flaps obliquely extend downward from the side edge portions of the first core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20020029023
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface layer formed of continuous filaments individually extending over the entire length of the surface layer, the continuous filaments including at least heat-fusible continuous filaments; a backing sheet; and a fibrous absorbent core located between the surface layer and the backing sheet and containing heat-fusible fibers. Between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core, disposed is an absorbent sheet which is formed of superabsorbent polymer to have a plurality of through passages. The surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core are partially fusion-bonded to each other via the through passages formed in the absorbent sheet for retaining the absorbent sheet between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kodai Furuya, Hiroo Hayashi, Takamitsu Igaue, Shinya Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20020029024
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface member; a backing sheet; and an absorbent layer interposed between the surface member and the backing sheet. The surface member includes an upper layer located at a liquid-receiving side surface and a lower layer located adjacent to the absorbent layer. The upper layer is formed of first continuous filaments. The lower layer is formed of second continuous filaments. The first and second continuous filaments individually extend over the entire length of the surface member. Hydrophilicity of the lower layer is higher than that of the upper layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kodai Furuya, Hiroo Hayashi, Takamitsu Igaue, Shinya Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6348047
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene article for directing menstrual flow into a panel. The feminine hygiene article includes a base panel for absorbing moisture. The base panel has a top surface and a bottom surface. An upstanding member directs flow of the moisture. The upstanding member has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. The bottom side is fixedly coupled to the top surface of the base panel. A sealing member has a front side and a back side. The front side is fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the base panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Vernice J. Harper
  • Patent number: 6344036
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material layer of soft paper polymer fiber or polymer film intended to be used as a separate layer, or in at least one layer to be placed loosely on, or be bonded to one or more material webs for achieving a controlled diffusion capacity of a liquid deposited on at least the material layer, or for achieving a bulkier and thicker material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Duni AB
    Inventor: Anders Ivansson
  • Publication number: 20020013567
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is formed on its inner surface approximately in its longitudinally rear half area with a plurality of protuberances extending transversely across this rear half and intermittently arranged longitudinally of the diaper to thereby prevent loose fecal material from flowing forward and from leaking a rear end of the diaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: YOSHITAKA MISHIMA, NARIAKI SHIMOE
  • Publication number: 20020010449
    Abstract: A body exudates absorbent article including a liquid-absorbent core having transversely opposite side edges extending in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the article, a liquid-pervious topsheet covering an upper surface of the core and a liquid-impervious backsheet covering a lower surface of the core, the topsheet being formed in a zone covering the core with a plurality of alternating troughs and crests continuously undulating in a transverse direction of the article and these troughs and the crests extending in the longitudinal direction, and thereby maintaining an initial soft elasity of the topsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: SATOSHI MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20020002357
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a liquid-pervious top sheet to be in contact with the skin of a wearer, a back sheet, and an absorbent core sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet. A layer of silicone compound is formed on the surface of one of a side sheet provided on each side of the absorbent core, and a side portion of the back sheet extending outwardly from each side of the absorbent core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sachiyo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010053904
    Abstract: There is provided a distribution/retention layer for personal care products which is a nonwoven fabric having retention materials and distribution materials in a side-by-side configuration as rows, stripes, channels, etc. These rows may be continuous or discontinuous and may be straight, wavy, or in other patterns. This construction allows liquid to wick along the distribution rows and to be absorbed by the retention material along a broad front on either side. Such a construction more fully utilizes the absorbent core, producing cost and weight savings. This construction also provides greater comfort to a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: FRANK PAUL ABUTO
  • Patent number: 6315765
    Abstract: An absorbent pad having elasticized side flaps is adapted to provide improved leakage performance and comfort. In one embodiment, the elastic member of each side flap is at least partly out of the plane of the absorbent assembly when the absorbent pad is in a generally flat position, and the absorbent pad has a Gurley stiffness of greater than 2000 milligrams. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad has an anti-roll back feature and an Effective Elastic Value of at least 30 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Datta, Kathy Geralyn Richardson, Sirlei Auler Waterhouse, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Publication number: 20010039409
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with a pair of side flaps lying transversely outside the associated side edge of an absorbent core, and the side flaps is formed by a first side sheet connected to the associated side edge portion of a topsheet lying in the vicinity of the associated side edge of the core and extending longitudinally of the diaper and a second side sheet connected to the associated side edge portion of the topsheet and the associated side edge portion of a backsheet both lying in the vicinity of the associated side edge of the core wherein both the first and second side sheets have a water pressure resistance of 100˜1500 mm and a breathing resistance of 0.03˜0.8 Kpa·s/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Hironao Minato, Yasushi Sayama, Naomi Suzuki, Rumiko Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6300538
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10) such as a sanitary napkin, having an elongate absorbent core (12) delimited by an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16), a pair of opposed longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) terminating in longitudinal edges (22, 24), and a pair of opposed transverse edges (26, 28). The core has a first end portion (30), a second end portion (32) and a mid portion (34) located between the end portions. The article further includes a liquid permeable topsheet (36) extending over the upper surface (14) and a liquid impermeable sheet (38) covering the longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) of the absorbent core (12). A strip of generally hydrophobic resilient material (40) is placed between the liquid impermeable sheet (38) and the absorbent core (12) along each longitudinal edge portion (18, 20) of the absorbent core in at least the mid portion (34) to thereby increase the flexure resistance of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Bengt W. Lindquist, Eva Vastag
  • Publication number: 20010027305
    Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent article (10) which comprises: a front region (12); a rear region (14); a center part (16) disposed between the front and rear regions; an upper, fluid-permeable layer (18) which faces the body when the absorbent article (10) is in use; a lower layer (20) which is impervious to fluid and is remote from the body when the absorbent article (10) is in use: a fluid-distribution layer (22) which is disposed between the fluid-permeable layer (18) and the layer (20) which is impervious to fluid, the fluid-distribution layer (22) extending from the front region (12) to the rear region (14) of the absorbent article (10); and a fluid-storage layer (24) disposed between the layer (20) which is impervious to fluid and the fluid-distribution layer (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark GMBH
    Inventors: Maria Raidel, Franz Aschenbrenner
  • Patent number: 6293933
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diaper of the kind including outer and inner layers enclosing an absorbing layer, an absorbing body or the like, wherein at least one recess is arranged in the absorbing layer and a liquid passage in line with said recess at the inner covering layer. In addition to the recess in the absorbing layer, there are a number of channels extending from the recess forming together with the recess a storage space defined by the outer and inner layers of the diaper for temporary receiving liquid not yet absorbed and providing an extended liquid absorbing edge surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Marlene Sandberg AB
    Inventor: Ove Ahlstrand
  • Patent number: 6293931
    Abstract: An absorbent article 10 which has a dimension in a longitudinal direction which is greater than its dimension in a transverse dimension. The absorbent article 10 comprises a liquid pervious top sheet 1 a liquid impervious back sheet 2 vertically below the top sheet, and an absorbent core 3 provided between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent core has a first unconstrained form in which a section 6 of the absorbent core forms a protrusion from the remainder of the absorbent core in the vertical direction towards the top sheet, and a second unconstrained form in which the absorbent core has no substantive protrusion in the vertical direction. The absorbent core is capable of being changed between the first and second forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Anette Romare
  • Publication number: 20010021838
    Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including: a main body; and leakage preventing side walls provided on two- sides of the main body to have root ends jointed to the surface of the liquid receiving side and to have free ends positioned apart therefrom. Each leakage preventing side wall includes: a nonwoven fabric of thermoplastic fibers; and an elastic member for exhibiting an elastic shrinking force in the longitudinal direction. The nonwoven fabric is provided with: at least two rigid regions having corrugations, ridges and valleys of which are individually extended in a direction from the root end to the free end and are repeated regularly in the longitudinal direction; and a rigid boundary portion in which the corrugations are discontinuous and which is extended in the longitudinal direction midway between the root end and the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Tatsuya Tamura, Yuuki Noda
  • Publication number: 20010020157
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a main body having: a liquid-permeable surface sheet; a back sheet; and an absorbent core sandwiched therebetween, and two leakage preventing walls provided on two sides of the main body. The overlap of the absorbent core and the surface sheet includes: a main absorbent portion located between the two leakage preventing walls and at the center of the overlap in the widthwise direction; and two grooved portions formed by depressing the overlap and each located between the main absorbent portion and corresponding one of the two leakage preventing walls. The fiber densities of the portion of the surface sheet forming the main absorbent portion, the portion of the surface sheet forming the grooved portion and the leakage preventing wall are related in the order of the grooved portion>the leakage preventing wall>the main absorbent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Makoto Suekane, Kazuya Nishitani
  • Patent number: 6280426
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a flap and a spacer wherein the flap is positioned in the rear waist portion of the article and forms a pocket. The spacer is positioned proximate the pocket opening and biases the pocket into an open position. The flap may be a laterally extending liquid impermeable flap which is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which may be substantially U-shaped, extends between first and second terminal ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and free edge of the flap define the boundaries of a pocket which is formed between the flap and a topsheet of the absorbent article. The pocket has an opening extending between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The spacer affixed to the article whereby it is disposed between the flap and the backsheet proximate, and optionally extending through, the pocket opening to bias the free edge of the flap away from the topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Jean Turner, Barbara Oakley Sauer
  • Patent number: 6264639
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an improved waist flap which includes a central zone and a pair of laterally opposed side zones which extend laterally outward from the central zone to the side edges of the absorbent article. The side zones of the waist flap are elasticized such that they are capable of being elongated in the lateral direction when the side edges of the absorbent article are extended to fasten the absorbent article about the waist of a wearer. The central zone of the waist flap may be substantially inelastic such that it conforms to the wearers body and, in particular, to the small of the wearer's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara Oakley Sauer
  • Patent number: 6241714
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the directed drainage of fluids emerging in a localized manner and further an absorbent article (10) which comprises: a front region (12); a rear region (14); a center part (16) disposed between the front and rear regions; an upper, fluid-permeable layer (18) which faces the body when the absorbent article (10) is in use; a lower layer (20) which is impervious to fluid and is remote from the body when the absorbent article (10) is in use: a fluid-distribution layer (22) which is disposed between the fluid-permeable layer (18) and the layer (20) which is impervious to fluid, the fluid-distribution layer (22) extending from the front region (12) to the rear region (14) of the absorbent article (10); and a fluid-storage layer (24) disposed between the layer (20) which is impervious to fluid and the fluid-distribution layer (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark GmbH
    Inventors: Maria Raidel, Franz Aschenbrenner
  • Patent number: 6238380
    Abstract: In a disposable diaper, a topsheet covering a top surface of a liquid-absorbent core is folded along side edges of the core so as to cover a bottom surface of the core. On the bottom surface of the core, the topsheet is bonded to a backsheet along zones respectively spaced from side edges of the core towards a center line of the diaper. Elastic members provided in association with leg-openings are secured to the backsheet in vicinity of the respective side edges of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6232521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (1) comprising a liquid pervious top sheet (2), an absorbent core (4), and a back sheet (3). Said back sheet comprises a fluid permeable polymeric film having uni-directional fluid transfer towards the core, and said core comprising a fluid storage layer, wherein said absorbent article exhibits a fluid contact angle gradient across said storage layer and said back sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Michael Divo, Paolo Veglio
  • Patent number: 6231556
    Abstract: A generally thin, flexible sanitary napkin capable of absorbing medium to high menstrual flows, and having a stiffened center is provided. In one embodiment, the sanitary napkin has a longitudinal central region is disposed along the length of at least a portion of the longitudinal centerline, and longitudinal side regions are disposed outboard of the longitudinal central region. The longitudinal central region of the sanitary napkin has a flexure-resistance that is greater than that of the longitudinal side regions. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin described above easily forms around the curvature of the wearer's labia majora by cupping and surrounding the exterior of the labia majora. The longitudinal central region of the sanitary napkin forms the bottom of a cup-like trough under the wearer's labia majora, and the longitudinal side regions are sufficiently flexible that they are able to form the sides of the trough structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Thomas Ward Osborn, III
  • Patent number: 6229063
    Abstract: Training pants having a front region, a rear region and a crotch region therebetween includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and the topsheet has a liquid-permeability lower in a transversely middle zone of the crotch region than in transversely opposite side zones, and thereby the pants can give a wearer a feeling of wetness even if the pants have slipped down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Nariaki Shimoe, Toshifumi Otsubo, Yasushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6217563
    Abstract: An integral absorbent article, such as diaper (10), has a longitudinal article length (26) and a lateral article width (24). The article includes an absorbent composite (32) having first and second longitudinally opposed end regions (78) and (79), and at least a first longitudinally terminal end edge (82). The absorbent composite (32) includes a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer (30), a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and a retention portion (48) sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The retention portion (48) has laterally opposed, terminal side edges (49), and the absorbent composite (32) includes a pair of laterally opposed side margins (80) which extend laterally beyond the side edges (49) of the retention portion (48). A first body panel (52) is joined to the first longitudinal end (78) of the absorbent composite (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore Van Gompel, Yung Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6210387
    Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-absorbent articles, including diapers, training pants, incontinence guards, and sanitary napkins. Characteristic for the invention is that at least one of the end portions of the absorbent body has a longitudinally tapering shape with a rounded outer edge and that an elastic means is pretensionally applied in a cover enclosing the absorbent body and extends across the article and in a curved path outside the rounded end portion of the absorbent body and equidistantly from the rounded edge. Due to its striving to contract, the elastic means in the curved path section exerts tensile forces across the elastic in a direction towards the center of curvature of the curved path section. When the article is in use, the elastic means, due to the tensile force, lifts the cover around the rounded edge of the absorbent body for formation of a leakage barrier which projects vertically above the absorbent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Åsa Rudberg, Carina Mare
  • Patent number: 6206866
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the top sheet rises upwardly from the absorbent core to have a plurality of protrusions, which extend parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and a hydrophilic material is provided within the protrusions so as to form a cushion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Fujioka, Ichiro Wada, Noriyuki Kurita
  • Patent number: 6186991
    Abstract: Disposable articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders and/or inserts, training pants, feminine hygiene garments, tampons and the like having a responsive system. The article includes a sensor that detects an input and a mechanical actuator that is adapted to perform a responsive function upon bodily waste, a wearer, the article or a component or components thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Patrick J. Allen, Bruno J. Ehrnsperger, Mattias Schmidt, Karl P. Ronn
  • Patent number: 6171290
    Abstract: An absorbent article having both outwardly extending and upwardly extending side cuffs is disclosed. The article has a perimeter defined at least in part by a pair of oppositely disposed ends and oppositely disposed sides that extend substantially between the ends. A pair of side flanges extends from a proximal portion adjacent an absorbent structure to a distal portion proximate one of the article sides. Each side flange has a base element, an outer zone disposed adjacent the perimeter and an inner zone disposed between the outer zone and the absorbent structure. There is an elastically extensible element having a width sufficient to span at least the inner zone and a portion of the outer zone, a thickness, and a length. Each elastically extensible element is laminated to the cover material to form a cuff laminate. Each cuff laminate is attached to the base element of the side flange in the outer zone, but each is unattached to the base layer in the inner zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvie Boisse, Thomas J. Helmstetter