Elastic Type Edge Patents (Class 604/385.24)
  • Patent number: 6527756
    Abstract: A diaper having an absorbent body including a topsheet, a backsheet, a core disposed therebetween and a first liquid-barrier wall lying in a rear half section of the body and extending above an upper surface of the topsheet so as to define a first opening in a substantially central zone of the first liquid-barrier wall, and the body further includes a second liquid-barrier wall lying in a front half section of the body in one-behind-another relationship with the first liquid-barrier wall so as to define a second opening in a substantially central zone of the second liquid-barrier wall so that urine discharged into the second opening may be absorbed by the core through the topsheet and feces discharged into the first opening may be absorbed by the core through the topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Hiroyuki Tanji
  • Patent number: 6520945
    Abstract: An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, at least one elastic member (14) being arranged with prestressing in the crotch area (8) of the article, extending essentially in the transverse direction of the article. The elastic member (14) is arranged between the liquid-permeable surface layer (2) of the article and its absorption body (4) on a first surface of the absorption body (4). A shaping element (16) which is rigid to bending in the transverse sense of the article is arranged on a second surface of the absorption body (4), the shaping element (16) counteracting contraction of the elastic member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Roy Hansson
  • Publication number: 20030023220
    Abstract: A pants-type disposable wearing article includes a chassis member and a liquid-absorbent member. A plurality of waist-surrounding elastic members extending in a waist-surrounding direction across front and rear waist regions are spaced one from another at a given distance in a longitudinal direction and secured in a stretched state to the chassis member so that a plurality of gathers are formed on the chassis member as the elastic members contract. The gathers formed by undulation of the chassis member by contraction of the elastic members extend continuously in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction generally perpendicular to the elastic members, so as to be arranged in the waist-surrounding direction substantially at regular intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuo Ukegawa, Masato Isono, Hiroaki Kamio, Toru Oba
  • Publication number: 20030023224
    Abstract: A pants-type disposable diaper includes a chassis and a liquid-absorbent member. The chassis is shaped in a pants-type and has a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. Elastic members extending in a longitudinal direction of the diaper are arranged between a longitudinal center line bisecting a width of the liquid-absorbent member in the waist-surrounding direction and respective side edges of the liquid-absorbent member so that a zone extending between the elastic members on the liquid-absorbent member is convexed toward the side facing away from a wearer's body as the elastic members contract and this zone defines a penis receiving zone adapted to receive the wearer's penis as the diaper is worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishikawa, Akiyoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6506187
    Abstract: There is provided an absorbent article, such as a diaper, a pant diaper or an incontinence protector that includes longitudinally extending edges and transversally extending edges, a bottom liquid-impermeable sheet, an absorbent layer, longitudinally extending liquid barriers fastened along or on the longitudinal edges of the article, side-flaps which extend laterally outside the liquid barriers and a first upper, essentially liquid-permeable surface sheet between said liquid barriers and a second upper, essentially liquid-impermeable surface sheet outwardly of said liquid barriers, wherein the ends of the liquid barriers are folded down at the front and/or rear end-part and fastened flat against the first and/or the second upper surface sheet. Those areas of the surface sheets situated at the front and/or the rear end-part are comprised of essentially liquid-impermeable material or are covered with essentially liquid-impermeable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Mikael Andersson, Ingegerd Carlberg, Anita Nyberg, Elisabeth Engström
  • Patent number: 6503236
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided which includes a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover, a liquid permeable bodyside liner, an absorbent body located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of fasteners located on the laterally opposed side edges in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article. The outer cover can be configured to provide a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 100 gmf per inch (per 2.54 cm) of width according to the Material Elongation and Deformation Tensile Test set forth herein. The outer cover can further define a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 g/m2/24 hr. The permanent deformation of the outer cover in use can result in a longitudinal breathability gradient ratio between the outer cover in the waist section and the crotch or intermediate section of the article of at least about 1.25 according to the Product Deformation Test set forth herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Yung Hsiang Huang, Thomas Harold Roessler, Paul Theodore VanGompel, John Philip Vukos, Michael Tod Morman
  • Publication number: 20020188265
    Abstract: This product is a disposable male incontinence device that is lightweight, easy-to-use and discreet for the customer. A low-tension elastic band holds the cap snugly around the head of the penis. The inner lining is constructed of highly absorbent cotton fiber with a one-way flow for moisture, similar to that found in feminine napkins and baby diapers. Because the inner lining is highly absorbent, the moisture is maintained in the lining, and away form the skin, which allows for repeated use after urination, if the customer chooses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Douglas Law
  • Publication number: 20020183706
    Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Tara J. Valentin, Stacey A. Infantino
  • Patent number: 6488670
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a fluid permeable top sheet, a fluid impermeable back sheet, and a corrugated absorbent material having a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys disposed between the fluid permeable top sheet and the fluid impermeable back sheet. The corrugated absorbent material can be a nonwoven web of a synthetic material or a web comprising natural fibers such as a pulp fibers, and include a binder and/or a superabsorbent material. The corrugated absorbent material can be formed by various processes, such as feeding the absorbent material through a nip having a doctor blade which reduces the speed of the absorbent material exiting the nip, thereby creating corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa A. Schild, Jaime Braverman, Jai L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20020177833
    Abstract: An elongated, curved sanitary napkin having elasticized, raised side edges along the opposite sides of an absorbent. A garment attachment panel is secured to the underside of each raised side edge. A fixed portion of the garment attachment panel is bonded flat against each raised side edge so that a free portion of each of the garment attachment panels, extending from the fixed portion, is directed generally inward and downward. During use, the garment attachment panels are fastened together beneath an undergarment crotch by hook and loop type fastener. The fastener and the garment attachment panels are dimensioned so that, when fastened, the garment attachment panels exert a pull on the raised side edges and control their deflection, thereby preventing them from folding in over the absorbent. The garment attachment panels confine the crotch portion of the undergarment under the absorbent so that the elasticized edges of the panty crotch are prevented from pulling up and onto the absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: PAUL THEODORE VANGOMPEL, JULIE TERESE BROCKER, LORI SUE SCHUTKOSKE
  • Patent number: 6485478
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment that has a pair of tape fasteners attached to transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region and a non-stretchable target tape strip attached to the outer surface of a front waist region. The front and rear waist regions and a crotch region are elastically stretchable in length and width. The tape strip includes a flexible plastic sheet having transversely opposite side edges extending longitudinally and upper and lower edges extending transversely of the undergarment and a plurality of long fibers extending longitudinally on the outer surface of the sheet between the upper and lower edges. The sheet is formed with a plurality of perforated lines arranged to be transversely spaced one from another by a predetermined dimension and to extend between the vicinity of the upper edge and the vicinity of the lower edge. The target tape strip is attached to the front waist region being substantially in non-stretched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Imai, Toshimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 6482194
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a material formed as a single piece having two enlarged end portions and a narrowed portion intermediate the enlarged end portions and arranged for wearing by an individual. The material includes a fluid permeable topsheet, a fluid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent layer disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the fluid impermeable backsheet. Integral pleats extending along opposed side of a longitudinal centerline of the material between the enlarged end portions are provided for expanding at least the absorbent layer and the fluid impermeable backsheet away from the skin of the individual for collection of fecal matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Melissa C. Putzer
  • Patent number: 6482191
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a void space for receiving bodily exudates comprises an elongate slit opening in communication with the void space. The elongate slit opening includes elasticated region disposed along longitudinal side edges of the slit opening which maintain longitudinal and lateral alignment and Z-direction proximity with a point of discharge on a wearer during use. The elasticated regions contain stored elastic energy producing tensile forces which are distributed laterally away from the slit opening enabling the edges to deflect and allow bodily exudates to pass through the slit opening to the void space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Gregory Ashton, Oliver Edwin Clarke Mason, Jörg Müller, Lars Westerheide
  • Patent number: 6478785
    Abstract: A disposable garment having enhanced extensibility around waist opening is disclosed. The disposable garment has a front region, a back region and a crotch region between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis and seams. The chassis comprises a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a central panel having side edges and a waist edge, and an ear panel extending laterally outwardly from each side edge of the central panel in the front region and the back region. The ear panel is rendered extensible to form an extensible ear. The extensible ear has a higher end edge, a lower end edge, an inner side edge, and an outer side edge. The outer side edge is non-parallel to the inner side edge, and is non-parallel to a longitudinal center line of the garment, and projects laterally outwardly proximate the higher end edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20020156449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of securing an elastic band (13) between two material layers (14) which consist at least partially of meltable material. According to the invention, the elastic band is provided with perforations in the form of holes and/or slots. The band is placed between the two material layers and the layers are bonded together through the perforations by melting or fusing the layers together at locations opposite the perforations. The invention also relates to an elastic band which has been affixed in this manner and to a diaper which includes such a band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Kling, Berth-Ove Wall
  • Publication number: 20020151861
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, has a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region located between the waist regions. The disposable absorbent article also includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is provided with a plurality of openings which direct bodily exudates received into or by the crotch region to a storage space disposed below the topsheet. The topsheet is spaced generally upward from the core such that the storage space is disposed between the topsheet and the core. The disposable absorbent article further includes at least one or more elongated elastic strands which are attached to the topsheet so as to space or urge the topsheet generally upwardly from the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Walter V. Klemp, Paul M. Ducker, Daniel D. Gardner, Scott W. Sneed
  • Patent number: 6462251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite laminated structure comprising a substrate and an apertured layer joined together by means of a layer of an adhesive composition. The laminated structure is made extensible in designated zones by mechanical straining and the adhesive composition provides both an effective connection of the layers forming the composite laminated structure and an improved processability of the laminated structure by mechanical straining. The composite laminated structure preferably constitutes side flaps in a disposable absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Carmine Cimini, Guido Bonelli, Giovanni Carlucci
  • Patent number: 6458114
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having an absorbent body that includes a topsheet, a backsheet, a core disposed therebetween. A first barrier wall annularly extends above a top surface of the topsheet. The first barrier wall lies in a rear half section of the absorbent body and is fixed to the absorbent body along a lower peripheral portion thereof so as to define a first opening in a substantially central zone of the first barrier wall. A second barrier wall annularly extends around the first barrier wall over both the front and rear half sections of the absorbent body. A lower peripheral edge portion of the second barrier wall is fixed to the peripheral portion of the absorbent body so as to define a second opening in a substantially central zone of the second barrier wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6454750
    Abstract: A personal care article for preventing exudates from contacting the body of a user comprises a substrate including an extensible bodyside liner layer, and an aperture support structure limiting extensibility of the bodyside liner layer along the length of the aperture support structure. One support band of an aperture support structure runs through the gluteal fold between the buttocks of a user. The aperture support structure positions an aperture in the bodyside liner layer in the gluteal fold of a user, in alignment with the anus, so that fecal material enters a containment receptacle upon leaving the anus. In another embodiment, the personal care article can include a comfort stretch layer comprising an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive located between a bodyside liner layer and an outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Vogt, Paul John Serbiak, Barbara Oakley Sauer
  • Publication number: 20020128617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprised of the same material and being visually distinct from each other, wherein the first regions will exhibit resistive forces in response to an applied elongation along at least one axis before a substantial portion of the second regions develop significant resistive forces to the applied elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, David Joseph Kenneth Goulait, Sheila Snyder Rodriguez, Edward Paul Carlin, Kimberly Ann Dreier, Carolyn Mae Jasper, Dean Jeffrey Daniels
  • Publication number: 20020123732
    Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a fluid-permeable topsheet, a fluid-impermeable backsheet and a fluid-retentive absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the disposable diaper being formed in a substantially vertically elongated configuration and having a stomach side, a back side and a crotch region positioned between the stomach side and the back side, wherein a second absorbent core is disposed at an outside region of each opposite side edge of the absorbent core at the crotch region along a longitudinal direction of the diaper, and an elastic member is disposed at the region where the second absorbent core is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the diaper
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Takao Koyama, Hidekazu Ito, Ken Nemoto, Kenji Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20020123726
    Abstract: Hot-melt adhesive compositions of atactic polypropylene and isotactic polypropylene are particularly suitable for bonding non-woven elastic composites. A selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of conventional hot-melt adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, Lance J. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20020120247
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hygienic absorbent article including: a back layer; an absorbent layer; and a three-dimensional portion to rise in T-shaped state over the absorbent layer due to longitudinal elastic contractive force of elastic members provided in the three-dimensional portion. The three-dimensional portion has: connecting portions fixed onto the absorbent layer; and a skin-contacting portion connected to the absorbent layer through the connecting portions and having a pair of free ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Kouichi Yamaki, Yuuki Noda
  • Publication number: 20020120249
    Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including: a surface structure having a liquid-permeable surface sheet located on a liquid-receiving side; a back sheet; and an absorbent core sandwiched between the surface structure and the back sheet. In an area including at least a centerline extending in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, the surface sheet is corrugated to form recesses and ridges extending in the longitudinal direction and alternating with each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The ridges are given an elastically shrinking function in the longitudinal direction at least at their crests or vicinities thereof so that the surface structure is formed into a curved shape. The surface structure thus curved can fit the shape of a crotch. Therefore, the liquid is hard to flow in the transverse direction to prevent the leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Ichiro Wada, Yoshihisa Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20020120248
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a basic absorbent batt structure and a supplementary absorbent batt structure placed thereon. Contraction of an elastic member causes transversely opposite side edge regions of the two batt structures, respectively, to be pulled nearer to a longitudinal center line, resulting in that the zone of the former batt structure underlying a distal end portion of the latter batt structure curves downward with respect to a lower surface of the latter batt structure while the distal end portion of the latter batt structure curves upward with respect to a body facing surface of the two batt structures, a pocket opening from a front waist region toward a crotch region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuaki Onishi, Yasushi Sayama, Hiroyuki Tanji
  • Publication number: 20020115977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Dave Allen Soerens, Michael J. Garvey, Duane Girard Uitenbroek
  • Patent number: 6436083
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a disposable diaper improved to be easily put on the wearer. Top- and backsheets in front and rear waist regions of the diaper includes the top- and backsheets that have an elastic stretchability transversely of the diaper, and transversely opposite side edges of the diaper includes top- and backsheets intended to surround the wearer's legs having elastic stretchability longitudinally and transversely of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 6436079
    Abstract: A containment liner assembly is provided having first and second elongated elasticized members and a containment liner member. The first and second elongated elasticized members are adapted to be disposed along first and second longitudinal sides of an absorbent article chassis, respectively, with a first end portion of each of the first and second elongated elasticized members coterminous with one of the front and back edges of the absorbent article. The containment liner member has opposed first and second ends with the first end joined with the first elongated elasticized member first end portion and the second end joined with the second elongated elasticized member first end portion. Also, provided are associated absorbent articles and methods for providing a containment liner to an absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Blenke, Julie A. Moser
  • Patent number: 6425890
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent article intended for female users, such as a sanitary napkin, or an incontinence guard, having such a shape and size that it may be substantially accommodated in the crotch region of a pair of panties and having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction. The article exhibits a liquid-pervious cover layer and a liquid-impervious cover layer and further an absorbent core consisting of at least one absorbent body, arranged between the two surfaces, and wherein a hump is arranged at the liquid-pervious cover layer of the article. The invention is characterized in that the hump is substantially shape permanent in the transverse direction of the article, both in a wet and in a dry state, and to such an extent that the hump (16) is not deformed in the transverse direction, either temporarily or permanently, by the forces acting on the hump during use of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Ann Samuelsson, Annelie Johansson, Camilla Björklund, Solgun Drevik, Urban Widlund
  • Patent number: 6423043
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or an incontinence pad, includes a first absorbent part and a second part, which each have a substantially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and two end portions. The two parts are mutually joined solely at their end portions. The second part is curved in the longitudinal direction and has high resistance to flexure along flexure lines parallel to the article's transverse direction both in a wet and dry condition, while the first part in a non-influenced condition has a lesser extension in a longitudinal direction than the second part and comprises at least one elastically extensible region in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Anders Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6419666
    Abstract: An article for dealing with body wastes including a panel which includes a topsheet, a backsheet and a core disposed therebetween has a bottom, a peripheral wall extending upward from a peripheral edge of the bottom and a top opening defined by the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall which is elastically stretchable along an edge of the opening includes an obtusely curved front peripheral wall section, an acutely curved a rear peripheral wall section and a pair of intermediate peripheral wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Publication number: 20020087134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article (1) in the form of a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or a female incontinence napkin, comprising a front portion (2) and a rear portion (3) which includes an absorbent body (4, 5, 6) enclosed between a liquid-permeable casing sheet (7) and a liquid-impermeable casing sheet (8), wherein the absorbent body is comprised of a central pad (4) that extends from the forward end of the front portion to the rear end of the rear portion, and two side bodies (5, 6) which extend along the side edges of the central absorbent body on respective sides thereof and along a part of said body. According to the invention, the central absorbent body (4) tapers rearwardly from a section of greatest width located in the front portion (2) of the article to the end of the rear portion (3) of said article, wherein the side bodies (5, 6) extend rearwardly from a point on the tapering part of the central absorbent body to the rear end of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Publication number: 20020087139
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having a combined leg elastic and leak guard flap feature. A chassis of the absorbent garment includes an outer cover and a body side liner with at least one elastomeric member folded within the body side liner around each of two leg openings defined by the chassis to form a finished edge around each leg opening. The folded edge of the body side liner is then folded again to create a fully functional flap with the appearance of a leg elastic in the crotch area. The resulting absorbent garment has a three-dimensional leg elastic assembly that creates a bucket for containing body fluids, and furthermore, creates a tailored, soft, comfortable leg and side seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6413248
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes an absorbent core, the core being bent substantially in an inverted V-shape along a first groove provided on a lower side of the core in its transverse middle and along a pair of second grooves provided on an upper side of the core along its side edges so as to form a protuberant region being convex toward a body side of the napkin. The core is provided on its lower side with a plurality of elastic members obliquely extending across the first groove and secured to the core under tension. The napkin thus constructed does not create a feeling of discomfort against a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20020077616
    Abstract: A containment liner assembly is provided having first and second elongated elasticized members and a containment liner member. The first and second elongated elasticized members are adapted to be disposed along first and second longitudinal sides of an absorbent article chassis, respectively, with a first end portion of each of the first and second elongated elasticized members coterminous with one of the front and back edges of the absorbent article. The containment liner member has opposed first and second ends with the first end joined with the first elongated elasticized member first end portion and the second end joined with the second elongated elasticized member first end portion. Also, provided are associated absorbent articles and methods for providing a containment liner to an absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Blenke, Julie A. Moser
  • Publication number: 20020077617
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence guard, a diaper, or a panty-liner, which article has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and exhibits two side edges (9, 10), a front edge (11) and a rear edge (12), a front portion (6) and a rear portion (7), and a central portion (8) situated between the front portion (6) and the rear portion (7). The article furthermore comprises a liquid-pervious cover layer (2) and a liquid-impervious cover layer (3) and an absorbent body (4), and a hump (26) extending in the longitudinal direction and having two longitudinally extending sides, which article furthermore comprises elastic members (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Publication number: 20020072726
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment 1A includes an absorbent panel and a stretchable skin-facing sheet 7 positioned on a skin-facing side 2 of the panel 6. The skin-facing sheet 7 has fixed regions 7a lying on longitudinally opposite end regions 1a of the undergarment 1A, a middle region 7b normally biased to be spaced apart upward from the panel 6, transversely opposite side edge regions 7c transversely inward to define leg-holes and an opening 8 formed in the middle region 7b in a manner that a basis weight of the skin-facing sheet 7 is higher in the transversely opposite side edge regions 7c than in the remaining region and a tensile stress of the skin-facing sheet 7 is higher in the transversely opposite side edge regions 7c than in the remaining region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Miyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6402729
    Abstract: An absorbent article having two side edges (9, 10) and two end edges (11, 12), and comprising a liquid-permeable cover layer (2), a liquid-impermeable cover layer (3), and an absorption body (4) enclosed between the two cover layers (2, 3). The article further comprises a barrier layer (15) arranged outside the liquid-permeable cover layer (2). At least one elastic member (22, 23) is arranged with prestressing in direct contact with the absorption body (4) and extends in an arched curve across the absorption body (4) between the side edges (9, 10). The barrier layer (15) partly covers the liquid-permeable cover layer and is anchored in the liquid-permeable cover layer (2) only within areas of the barrier layer (15) which are situated along the edges (9-12) of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Boberg, Carina Hedlund, Kent Hermansson, Lennart Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20020068915
    Abstract: The invention refers to an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence guard, a diaper, or a panty-liner, which article has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and exhibits two side edges (9, 10), a front edge (11) and a rear edge (12), a front portion (6) and a rear portion (7), and a central portion (8) situated between the front portion (6) and the rear portion (7) The article furthermore exhibits a liquid-pervious cover layer (2) and a liquid-impervious cover layer (3) and an absorbent body (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Solgun Drevik, Fredrik Asp
  • Publication number: 20020068920
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes liquid-impervious skin-contactable sheets actually having a pair of belt-like strips spaced apart from and opposed to each other in a transverse direction of an undergarment and extending in a longitudinal direction of the undergarment along transversely opposite side edge portions of the undergarment. The skin-contactable sheets are attached to a skin-contactable surface of the undergarment so as to cover a panel. The skin-contactable sheets have fixed surface areas secured to longitudinally opposite end portions of the undergarment and free surface areas adapted to be spaced upward from the panel so that the skin-contactable surface may be partially surfaced between these skin-contactable sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Patent number: 6398770
    Abstract: Absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence protector or a pantyliner, which article has essentially an elongate shape, with a longitudinal direction (34) and a transverse direction (35), and has two end portions (10, 11) and a central portion (12) situated between the end portions (10, 11), and on which article there is arranged elastic (18) which gives the article a cup-shaped part (14) at the one end portion (10) and a ridge-like elevation (15) at the other end portion (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Solgun Drevik
  • Publication number: 20020065502
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a pair of barrier flaps formed on an inner side of a disposable diaper. The barrier flaps are made of a spun bond nonwoven fabric of wick/sleeve type conjugated fibers having a polyethylen sleeve component. The spun bond nonwoven fabric has a relative hardness of 40˜50 mm in an MD-direction, 20˜37 mm in a CD-direction as measured by the cantilever method and a basis weight of 15˜30 g/m2. The respective barrier flaps are provided in their sealing surface zones with elastic members secured under tension thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: SHINGO SHIMIZU, TOSHIYASU YOSHIOKA, TOMOKO TSUJI
  • Patent number: 6383170
    Abstract: A disposable diaper including a pair of elasticized gasket cuffs disposed in transversely opposite sides of the diaper, a pair of elasticized barrier cuffs disposed adjacent the gasket cuffs and a three-dimensional feces receiving section extending at least partially across a crotch region of the diaper. The feces receiving section is defined by a pair of elasticized first barrier flaps transversely opposite to and spaced from each other and a pair of elasticized second barrier flaps longitudinally opposed to and spaced each other and extending transversely between the first barrier flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20020052589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic absorbent article such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad. The invention is characterized in that the inner layer 1 and the outer layer 2 are elastic and in that the intermediate absorption body 3 is non-elastic, in that the absorption body 3 is connected to at least one of the said inner and outer layers only in a central and tiny region and in that the said region 4 is visibly marked on the liquid-permeable inner layer 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Lina Strand
  • Patent number: 6371951
    Abstract: An absorbent garment for use in absorbing bodily fluids, having a front waist portion with front attachment means and a rear waist portion with rear attachment means, wherein the front and rear attachment means provide cooperating surfaces allowing attachment of said front and rear attachment means together, wherein the garment has a longitudinal axis extending substantially between mid-portions of the front and rear waist portions, and wherein the front attachment means extends transversely with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein the front attachment means comprises separate attachment portions and at least one elastic section comprising elastic material, the attachment portions each being attached to said at least one elastic section such that movement of the attachment portions away from each other causes stretching of at least one elastic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Koczab, Alain Naze
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020035355
    Abstract: Disposable underpants 1 according to the invention has an improved sealability at the crotch of user by providing a fitting elastic member 55 and has an absorbent core 7 having an improved shape retention by providing a first nonwoven fabric 73 as an intermediate layer inside the absorbent core 7 and adhering it to the upper and lower layers thereof. Since the absorbent core needs not be heated, inexpensive disposable underpants can be produced. Further, according to an inventive production method, a step of adhering elastic members to an outer sheet 2 and a step of producing inner absorbent members 6 are separately performed, and no heating treatment is performed in the absorbent core production step. Accordingly, the disposable underpants can be produced at a remarkably higher speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Toyo Keizai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Uchimoto, Iwao Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6358233
    Abstract: Absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins, having elastically extensible, laterally extending flaps are disclosed. The flaps are further provided with an adhesive for attaching them to a wearer's panty. At least a portion of the elastic extensibility has a vector component in the longitudinal direction. This longitudinally oriented elastic extensibility provides a contractive force which causes the absorbent article to assume an arcuate shape that more readily conforms to the wearer. Further, the extensibility allows the flaps to extend and contract with the edges of the leg openings of the wearer's panty so the flaps are more reliably adhered to the panty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jo Ann Lee Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020029028
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on diaper includes elastic members attached under tension to peripheral edge portions of leg-openings and a pair of leak-barrier cuffs provided in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges of a core. The elastic members associated with the leg-openings include first elastic members extending along front peripheral edge portions of the leg-openings and second elastic members extending along rear peripheral edge portions of the leg-openings and, in a crotch region, the free side edge portions of the leak-barrier cuffs extend inward beyond the side edges of said core and are folded back along substantially middle folding zones thereof outward beyond the side edges of the core and wherein the free side edge portions are bonded, in the vicinity of the folding zones, to the outer surface of the topsheet in the upper zone of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Kenji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20020016580
    Abstract: Provided is a sanitary panty having a waist band in a waist part, leg bands in leg openings, and a napkin fitting portion in a crotch part. In a three-dimensionally shaped condition as worn, a dimensional ratio between a center front length from the crotch part to the waist part and a minimum total length from the leg opening to the waist part is in a range of 80 to 200 in the total length, as taking that the center front length is 100. In a back part, an elastic lifting member extending from the crotch part to the waist part is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Wada, Ayami Suga