Plural Elastic Elements Patents (Class 604/385.27)
  • Patent number: 8115050
    Abstract: A soaker pad for a cloth diaper comprising an outer layer, absorbent pad, inner layer, and side panels. The inner longitudinal edge of each side panel is folded inward to create a fold line and fold area. Elastics are located just inside the fold line to create an inner gusset. Elastics are situated parallel to the longitudinal edge of the outer layer to create an outer gusset. Neither the inner nor outer gusset is in contact with the inner layer. Each side panel is adhered to the outer layer in the margin along each longitudinal edge of the outer layer that is not in contact with the inner layer and along the outer margins of the inner layer. The fold area is adhered to the inner layer except at the middle portion of the fold area, thereby allowing the inner gusset to stand up and away from the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Natural Baby Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Ormsby, Allen Leo
  • Patent number: 8105303
    Abstract: A high-density region-containing sheet having a high-density region and a low-density region, a sheet member produced by joining the high-density region of the high-density region-containing sheet to an elastic member, and a disposable diaper using the sheet member as its chassis are provided. A sheet in a soft state by imparting preheat is pressed between a pair of opposed shaping rolls and having a toothed region and rotatable. Thus, a high-density region-containing sheet where high-density regions and low-density regions are formed is produced. Such two high-density region-containing sheets are joined through an extended elastic member to form a projection/recess pattern. In such a way, a high-density region-containing sheet can be produced. A sheet member in which at least one of two sheets is a high-density region-containing sheet, the high-density regions are joined through an extended elastic member, and a projection/recess pattern can be formed when the elastic member is contracted is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8100877
    Abstract: An absorbent article including a chassis having a front body and a back body with a waist opening and leg openings, and an absorbent body of higher stiffness than that of the chassis. The front body and the back body consist of a composite sheet stretchable in the width direction WD. A line DL and a line CL2? form an angle in the range of 0 to 50 degrees. DL is a line connecting a bottom-most point PI on the connection between the front body and back body edge portions, and point P2 where the back body meets a crotch portion. CL2? is a line in the transverse direction of the article which passes through the end point P2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Tsuji, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Patent number: 8092440
    Abstract: An absorbent article of the kind which is worn as a pair of absorbent pants with a waist opening defined by a rear waist edge and a front waist edge, and two leg openings. The absorbent article preferably includes an absorbent body attached to a covering. The covering preferably includes an elastic material arranged within an area which extends at least from the front waist edge to the leg openings. The elastic material is preferably treated. The treated elastic material preferably has no or reduced elasticity within a portion of the covering overlapping the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Carina Hedlund, Niclas Norrby, Jan Wästlund-Karlsson, Margareta Wennerbäck
  • Publication number: 20120004634
    Abstract: In a pants-type absorbent product, a first middle elastic member is located along a horizontal direction in a middle front part between a pair of leg openings in an outer covering sheet. The first middle elastic member contracts a first sheet and a second sheet, and middle gathers are formed. Thus, it is possible to improve fitting of a middle part to a wearer. In the middle front part, both ends of the first middle elastic member are apart from edges of the pair of leg openings, and a pair of non-contracted parts are provided between the both ends of the first middle elastic member and the edges of the pair of leg openings, to thereby improve flexibility of portions in the vicinities of the leg openings in the outer covering sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Masaru FUJIOKA, Yuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8066685
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the articles exhibit stretch not only in the lateral direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the articles have a biaxial stretch ratio, which refers to a ratio of stretch along the hip circumference of the article to the amount of stretch in the longitudinal direction, that is from about 1.0 to about 2.5, and particularly from about 1.1 to about 1.5. Absorbent articles made in accordance with the present invention are capable of accommodating a relatively large size range of wearers. The articles also exhibit improved fit and prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Olson, James Marcus Carr, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Michael John Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Mark Michael Mleziva
  • Patent number: 8062279
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, an outer surface and an inner surface. The absorbent article is folded before use along the lateral direction. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and an elasticized outer leg cuff. The elasticized outer leg cuff is disposed adjacent to a longitudinal side edge of the absorbent article. The elasticized outer leg cuff has a base and a gasket cuff supported by the base at a joint of the base to the gasket cuff. The gasket cuff is provided with elasticity and has a top gasket cuff surface, an inner cuff extending laterally inwardly from the joint and an outer cuff extending laterally outwardly from the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Kouichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8057455
    Abstract: An outer packaging sheet in a paper diaper is provided with: hip elastic bands including a plurality of hip elastic members arranged from one joint end portion individually at a front and at a back to the other joint end portion; curved elastic bands including a plurality of curved elastic members extending from one of the joint end portions individually at the front and at the back to the side of a crotch portion and arranged over the other joint end portion while bypassing that crotch portion; and an absorbent body arranged in the crotch portion. The curved elastic bands are formed to cover such areas of the outer packaging sheet substantially as are enclosed by the edge portions of the outer packaging sheet, the absorbent body and the hip elastic bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Shirai, Akira Kamori, Takeda Masamichi
  • Patent number: 8057456
    Abstract: To prevent a paper diaper reliably from slipping down at a body liquid absorbing time, and to bring the paper diaper into close contact along the line of a body thereby to improve the wearing comfortableness. An armoring sheet includes: waist portion elastic members, and so on; hip surrounding elastic member groups, and so on arranged at the front F and the back B; and a plurality of curved elastic member groups extending, at each of the front F and the back B, from one side jointing edge to the crotch side, reaching the other side jointing edge while passing over the crotch side, and arranged at a spacing without intersecting with each other. The curved elastic member groups have their starting/trailing ends connected at a predetermined spacing substantially over the range from the upper portion to the lower portion of the side portion jointing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Shirai, Akira Kamori, Masamichi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8057451
    Abstract: An absorbent wearing article including an air permeable and liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-retentive absorbent structure placed on the backsheet. An outer sheet has having elastic members is placed on and bonded to a surface of the backsheet opposed to its surface bonded to the absorbent structure. The outer sheet has the elastic members intermittently bonded under tension thereto, and is formed in a region thereof facing the absorbent structure with an opening. The elastic members extend laterally under tension from a peripheral edge of the opening beyond the absorbent structure and the first backsheet is exposed through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8048050
    Abstract: An absorbent pad including: a main body having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, including: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a central adhesive element disposed on the backsheet and extending along a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent pad; and an elastic element disposed along each of the first and second longitudinal edges of the main body and attached to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet; a first wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the main body; and a second wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the second longitudinal edge of the main body, the first and second wing elements being releasably attachable to an undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richmond R. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8043275
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has a garment chassis, a pair of inner containment flaps and a pair of outer containment flaps. The inner and outer containment flaps are arranged on the garment chassis to inhibit leaking of body exudates from the garment during wear. In one embodiment, the inner containment flaps each have an elastic tension as determined by an elastic tension test which is substantially equal to an elastic tension of each outer containment flap as determined by the same test. In another embodiment, the inner containment flaps each have a height which is substantially equal to a height of each outer containment flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8038662
    Abstract: An incontinence article comprising front and back belly sections connected at side seams forming belly and back bands, continuous in the hip direction having a hip opening closed in the hip direction, and a crotch section comprising an absorbent body, extending longitudinally between and permanently attached to the bolly and back sections, wherein the crotch, belly, and back sections define leg openings, the belly and back sections have an edge contour extending towards a transverse center axis, wherein first elastification means in the belly and back sections extend parallel to each other in the hip direction and wherein, in the belly and back sections, second elastification means extend from two side seam areas towards a longitudinal center axis of the article in a curved shape, thereby fanning out with increasing separation from each other, where the second elastification means fan out, the restoring force from extensive stretching of this area is smaller than that from extensive stretching of an area on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fridmann Hornung, Benjamin Wenzel, Wolfgang Ostertag
  • Patent number: 8025652
    Abstract: An incontinence article comprising front and back belly sections connected at side seams forming belly and back bands, continuous in the hip direction having a hip opening closed in the hip direction, and a crotch section comprising an absorbent body, extending longitudinally between and permanently attached to the belly and back sections, wherein the crotch, belly, and back sections define leg openings, the belly and back sections have an edge contour extending towards a transverse center axis, wherein first elastification means in the belly and back sections extend parallel to each other in the hip direction and wherein, in the belly and back sections, second elastification means extend from two side seam areas towards a longitudinal center axis of the article in a curved shape, thereby fanning out with increasing separation from each other, where the second elastification means fan out, the restoring force from extensive stretching of this area is smaller than that from extensive stretching of an area on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fridmann Hornung, Benjamin Wenzel, Wolfgang Ostertag
  • Patent number: 8016806
    Abstract: An incontinence article comprising front and back belly sections connected at side seams forming belly and back bands, continuous in the hip direction having a hip opening closed in the hip direction, and a crotch section comprising an absorbent body, extending longitudinally between and permanently attached to the belly and back sections, wherein the crotch, belly, and back sections define leg openings, the belly and back sections have an edge contour extending towards a transverse center axis, wherein first elastification means in the belly and back sections extend parallel to each other in the hip direction and wherein, in the belly and back sections, second elastification means extend from two side seam areas towards a longitudinal center axis of the article in a curved shape, thereby fanning out with increasing separation from each other, where the second elastification means fan out, the restoring force from extensive stretching of this area is smaller than that from extensive stretching of an area on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fridmann Hornung, Wolfgang Ostertag, Benjamin Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8007484
    Abstract: A pants type disposable undergarment is provided which is equipped with an elasticized side panel. The side panel is elasticized with elastic film. The elastic film is attached to a nonwoven layer. The elasticized nonwoven layer is then split into two sections. A portion of the elasticized nonwoven layer is then ultrasonically cut to the desired configuration. The elastic film does not traverse the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such disposable undergarments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. McCabe, Robert E. Andrews, James H. Rhines
  • Patent number: 8007614
    Abstract: An elastomeric laminate for use in an absorbent article can have a first plurality of elastomeric strands and a second plurality of elastomeric strands bonded to a first substrate. The first plurality of elastomeric strands can be bonded to the first substrate in a first orientation while the second plurality of elastomeric strands is joined to the first substrate in a second orientation. The first and second orientations can be different such that the elastomeric laminate can accommodate tension forces which act on the laminate from different axes. Optionally, a second substrate or a third plurality of elastomeric strands may be added to the elastomeric laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Donald Carroll Roe
  • Patent number: 8003846
    Abstract: An absorbent article for disposable use having at least one pattern (118) in the form of a text, image or the like. A background layer (146) and at least one intermediate layer (147) are arranged behind the pattern (118), in conjunction with which the intermediate layer or layers (147) exhibits or exhibit a first, essentially transparent state, and in conjunction with which the intermediate layer or layers (147) is or are transformed into a second, more opaque state when it or they is or are stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Strannemalm
  • Patent number: 7993320
    Abstract: An incontinence article comprising front and back belly sections connected at side seams forming belly and back bands, continuous in the hip direction having a hip opening closed in the hip direction, and a crotch section comprising an absorbent body, extending longitudinally between and permanently attached to the belly and back sections, wherein the crotch, belly, and back sections define leg openings, the belly and back sections have an edge contour extending towards a transverse center axis, wherein first elastification means in the belly and back sections extend parallel to each other in the hip direction and wherein, in the belly and back sections, second elastification means extend from two side seam areas towards a longitudinal center axis of the article in a curved shape, thereby fanning out with increasing separation from each other, where the second elastification means fan out, the restoring force from extensive stretching of this area is smaller than that from extensive stretching of an area on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fridmann Hornung, Benjamin Wenzel, Wolfgang Ostertag
  • Patent number: 7981100
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a sheet member, an absorbent core, at least one front leg elastic member, and at least one rear leg elastic member. The leg elastic members intersect at left and right intersections located in a crotch region of the sheet member. The left and right intersections are placed at any position on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the vicinity of left and right side edges of the absorbent core in the crotch region. The front leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections. The left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections are cut so as to have reduced contractile forces. The rear leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Masaru Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7967804
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has a covering member adapted to cover a wearer's crotch and waist regions. The covering member includes an elastically stretchable first layer and an inelastically stretchable second layer formed with a plurality of continuous fibers. The continuous fibers are fixed to the first layer in at least two bonding zones. The covering member presents a particularly large value of L/D, a ratio of a length L of each continuous fiber and a distance D in straight line between each pair of the adjacent bonding zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7947029
    Abstract: An underpants type disposable diaper cover capable of firmly holding an absorbent pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Saito
  • Patent number: 7942859
    Abstract: A wearing article includes a flexible chassis and a semi-rigid absorbent panel laid on inner surface of the chassis. A liner defining an innermost layer of the chassis is bonded to the absorbent panel in a fixed zone defined in a crotch region. A passage is formed through the liner at a position put aside from the fixed zone toward a rear waist region to guide feces through this passage. A first elastic member extends along a peripheral edge of the passage so as to be stretchable and contractible. A second elastic member and a third elastic member are paired and laid outside opposite side edges of the passage so as to be stretchable and contractible in a longitudinal direction in a vicinity of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Naoko Takada, Hironao Minato
  • Patent number: 7931633
    Abstract: A breast milk absorbent pad according to the present invention comprises a pad chassis including a body fluid absorbent layer inclusive of a body fluid absorbent assembly and a body fluid leak-barrier sheet, and a pair of elastically stretchable and contractible members extending along transversely opposite sides of the pad-chassis in a longitudinal direction. The body fluid absorbent assembly is embossed so that the body fluid absorbent assembly may be formed along upper and lower ends thereof with high stiffness regions having a stiffness higher than that in the remaining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Michiyo Fujikawa, Hikari Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7922706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a standing gather structure having skin-contact planar portions formed into a planer shape, which brings the entire skin-contact planar portions into tight contact with the user's skin, and provides the cushioning properties to soften a contact to the user's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Satoko Konawa
  • Patent number: 7918840
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an upper, liquid-permeable cover sheet, a lower, liquid-impermeable cover sheet, and an absorption body arranged between the cover sheets. The article includes first and second side barriers along the respective longitudinal sides of the article. Each side barrier has at least one longitudinal elastic element. The side barriers define a shape which narrows in the direction towards the front portion so that the distance, in the transverse direction of the article, between the elastic elements is greater in the rear portion than in the front portion. Each side barrier is arranged such that, when it is secured in contact with the front portion, each side barrier and the upper cover sheet define a folded structure of substantially Z-shaped cross section with a fold directed towards the inside of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Helena Corneliusson
  • Patent number: 7914507
    Abstract: The invention, a reusable adjustable diaper, includes: a multi-ply member having a first curvilinear portion connecting by a medial portion to a second curvilinear portion; a first elastomeric member connected to a first curved segment of multi-ply member and having a first plurality of fastening areas; a second elastomeric member connected to a second curved segment of multi-ply member and having a second plurality of fastening areas; a first plurality of fasteners connected to first curvilinear portion; a second plurality of fasteners connected to second curvilinear portion and disengagably fastenable with first plurality of fasteners; a third fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with first elastomeric member at each of first plurality of fastening areas; and a fourth fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with second elastomeric member at each of second plurality of fastening areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Stacee M. Magee
  • Patent number: 7909807
    Abstract: A pants-type disposable wearing article includes leg-circumferential first elastic members attached to crotch region's lateral margins of an outer sheet and waist-circumferential second elastic members attached to waist regions' upper margins of the outer sheet. The elastic members are joined to the sheet while the sheet and the second elastic members are stretched at given extension ratios, respectively, in a transverse direction and the first elastic members is stretched at a given extension ratio in the leg-circumferential direction so that the sheet and the first elastic members may have substantially the same leg-circumferential dimensions after these sheet and first elastic members have been relaxed and the sheet and the second elastic members may have substantially the same transverse dimensions after these sheet and second elastic members have been relaxed. In addition, the waist regions' upper margins and the crotch region's lateral margins are substantially planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Shunsuke Takino
  • Patent number: 7910795
    Abstract: A technique for imparting latent elasticity to components of an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, a latent elastic film that contains a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin is initially incorporated into an absorbent article. The film is not highly elastic prior to crosslinking and is thus dimensionally stable. Consequently, the film need not be maintained in a mechanically stretched condition during attachment to other components of the absorbent article, which provides for greater freedom in the location and manner in which the components are attached together. Once incorporated into the absorbent article, the semi-crystalline polyolefin is crosslinked to form a three-dimensional network having elastic memory. The film may also be heat activated, either through crosslinking or an additional step, to cause the film to shrink and further improve its stretch characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Oomman P. Thomas, C. Allen Smith, James Austin
  • Patent number: 7901391
    Abstract: A disposable pants type wearing article includes a chassis folded in two halves along a folding guide extending in a transverse direction and these respective halves of the chassis are joined to each other along lateral edges thereof to form the article. Leg openings are defined by upper and lower leg opening edges formed by incisions in the chassis so that these upper and lower leg opening edges extending at a level a predetermined dimension above the folding guide. Above the upper leg opening edges, waist elastic members are attached and, below the lower leg opening edges, crotch elastic member are attached to the diaper. Under the contraction of these elastic members, a transverse dimension of the zone in which the waist elastic members are attached to the diaper 1 becomes larger than a transverse dimension of the zone in which the crotch elastic members are attached to the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7879017
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper having standing cuffs around leg portions or a waist portion. The disposable absorbent article has, in a used condition, standing cuffs each having a free portion thereof stand toward the wearer by means of a stretching force of stretching members. Stretching members are respectively provided at the tip end of the free portion and at a portion between the base end and the middle of the free portion and closer to the base end. The standing cuff may not have a plane-gathering cuff at the outer side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Daio Paper Corporation, Daio Paper Converting Co., Ltd., Elleair Paper Rech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tabata, Hiroshi Ono, Haruhiko Nasa, Kazunori Ito, Kazumichi Ogawa, Hideki Saiga
  • Patent number: 7871401
    Abstract: A stretchable absorbent article has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting said front and back waist regions, a length, and a width. The absorbent article has a liquid impermeable outer cover stretchable in at least one direction and a liner in opposed relationship with the outer cover and stretchable in at least one direction. At least one of the liner and the outer cover has a width substantially equal to the width of the absorbent article along the length thereof. An absorbent structure is disposed between the liner and the outer cover and extends from the crotch region to at least one of the front waist region and the back waist region of the article. The outer cover is elastic and is configured to improve the fit of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Sperl, Richard Joseph Kamps
  • Patent number: 7862549
    Abstract: Variable stretch composites having one or more first elastomeric members disposed on a first region of an extensible substrate, and one or more second elastomeric members disposed on a second region of the extensible substrate which different from the first elastomeric members to provide variable properties to said regions of the composite. The composite has been incrementally stretched to at least partially break up the structure of the substrate in order to reduce its resistance to stretch. The variable stretch composites are useful for disposable and durable articles, such as disposable absorbent articles including diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, catamenial garments, baby bibs, and the like, and durable articles like garments including sportswear, outerwear and the like. The present invention also relates to methods of forming such variable stretch composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: the Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fred Naval Desai, Urmish Popatlal Dalal, Mark William Hamersky, Steven Daryl Smith
  • Patent number: 7851666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Paula Cardinahl Winkel, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Patent number: 7833211
    Abstract: A stretch laminate includes a first layer including an elastomer film, the first layer having a surface, and a second layer including a nonwoven material, the second layer having a surface that is attached to the surface of the first layer. The tensile behavior in the transverse direction of the stretch laminate is within about 2.5 N/cm of the tensile behavior in the transverse direction of the film at an engineering strain of about 1.5, and exists independent of mechanical activation. A method of making the stretch laminate and an absorbent article having at least one region defined by the stretch laminate are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Todd Leon Mansfield
  • Patent number: 7819853
    Abstract: Variable stretch composites having one or more first elastomeric members disposed on a first region of an extensible substrate, and one or more second elastomeric members disposed on a second region of the extensible substrate which different from the first elastomeric members to provide variable properties to said regions of the composite. The composite has been incrementally stretched to at least partially break up the structure of the substrate in order to reduce its resistance to stretch. The variable stretch composites are useful for disposable and durable articles, such as disposable absorbent articles including diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, catamenial garments, baby bibs, and the like, and durable articles like garments including sportswear, outerwear and the like. The present invention also relates to methods of forming such variable stretch composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fred Naval Desai, Urmish Popatlal Dalal, Donald Carroll Roe
  • Patent number: 7806883
    Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a topsheet; a backsheet joined with the topsheet; an absorbent core between the topsheet and backsheet; and an elastic element comprising a breathable stretch laminate. The breathable stretch laminate may comprise a first substrate; and an elastic member joined to the first substrate, wherein said elastic member comprises a polyurethane. The breathable stretch laminate may exhibit a MVTR greater than about 300 grams per square meter per 24 hours and a force relaxation of less than about 50% after about 10 hours at 100° F. and 50% elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Renae Dianna Fossum, Arman Ashraf
  • Patent number: 7806884
    Abstract: A pant type absorbent article such as a pant diaper, a sanitary pant or incontinence pant, the article having a core region including an absorbent core and a chassis region surrounding the core region. The article, at least in part of the chassis region, has a outer coversheet in the form of an elastic laminate having puncture resistance of at least 15N, wherein the laminate includes first and second layers of fibrous material and an elastic film layer located between the first and second fibrous layers and in which at least one of the layers of fibrous material has an elongation at maximum load greater than the elasticity of the elastic laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Jenny Hildeberg, Elisabeth Lakso
  • Patent number: 7794441
    Abstract: A unitary disposable absorbent article includes: an absorbent core having a garment surface and a body surface, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned adjacent said body surface of said absorbent core, a liquid impermeable backsheet positioned adjacent said garment surface of said absorbent core and an elastically contractible dual cuff. The dual cuff has a proximate end and a distal end. The dual cuff is joined to the article by an intermediate bond. The dual cuff has a first cuff and a second cuff. The first cuff is disposed between the proximate end and the intermediate bond. The second cuff is disposed between the intermediate bond and the distal end. The dual cuff is constructed of a continuous cuff material and enclosed by a cuff end bond. The second cuff is spaced away from the backsheet. The backsheet extends outboard of the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: the Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Eiro Fukuda, Masaharu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7785310
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet arranged to cover the top surface of the absorber, a back sheet arranged to cover the bottom surface of the absorber, and a skin-contact sheet arranged over the top sheet. The top sheet is at least partially composed of a liquid-permeable material, the back sheet is composed of a liquid-impermeable material, and the skin-contact sheet is at least partially composed of a breathable waterproof sheet and is provided with a feces-passing opening capable of allowing feces to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Oji Nepia Co., Ltd., Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsushi Sakano, Katsuhiko Sugiyama, Izumi Tashiro, Tomotsugu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7781640
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensation member and visible highlighting indicating the presence of the wetness sensation member to facilitate an opportunity for the toilet training of the wearer. The wetness sensation member includes a permeable layer and a flow control layer. Urine deposited on the wetness sensation member can penetrate through the permeable body-facing layer in a z direction away from the wearer to the flow control layer. The flow control layer retards the passage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in the z direction while supporting the movement of the urine in an x-y plane to increase the wetted area contacting the wearer's skin and thereby enhance the wearer's awareness that urination has occurred. The visible highlighting is visible when viewing a body-facing surface of the article and may be associatively correlated with an externally visible marking and/or with the concept of toilet training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mary Elizabeth Davis, Donald Carroll Roe, Patrick Jay Allen, Edward Paul Carlin
  • Patent number: 7777094
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having: an elastic portion where a plurality of elastic members is provided along a width direction with an interval of not more than 7.0 mm in a longitudinal direction, and a non-elastic portion wherein the non-elastic portion is in a center of at least one of a front side and a back side and the elastic portion is provided in a region including right-and-left side portions except the non-elastic portion, and a difference between a maximum product width obtained when the body peripheral region is extended to a limit of extension in a product width direction and a contracted product width obtained when the body peripheral region is in a non-extended contraction state is from 100 to 250 mm in a state where the front side and the back side are overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: Daio Paper Corporation, Daio Paper Converting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Mori, Keiji Torigoshi, Hideki Saiga
  • Patent number: 7771407
    Abstract: A method of producing disposable under-shorts having a fit gather laminate at high speeds. The method includes disposing an elastic member (1) between a pair of upper and lower non-woven fabric sheets (6, 7) in the width direction, intermittently securing the elastic member (1) to portions of the non-woven fabric sheets (6, 7) and cutting a non-secured section of the elastic member (1). The method also may include cutting the fabric sheets into pieces of a predetermined size and shape, folding the pieces along a center line, attaching together the left edges and attaching together the right edges to form a fit gather laminate. The method may further comprise attaching a reinforcing sheet (3) to the under-side of the fit gather laminate (2), and disposing an absorber (4) on the upper-side of the laminate (2), and a back sheet (5) on the under-side of the reinforcing sheet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Toyoshi Umebayashi
  • Patent number: 7767876
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensation member and visible highlighting indicating the presence of the wetness sensation member to facilitate an opportunity for the toilet training of the wearer. The wetness sensation member includes a permeable layer and a flow control layer. Urine deposited on the wetness sensation member can penetrate through the permeable body-facing layer in a z direction away from the wearer to the flow control layer. The flow control layer retards the passage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in the z direction while supporting the movement of the urine in an x-y plane to increase the wetted area contacting the wearer's skin and thereby enhance the wearer's awareness that urination has occurred. The visible highlighting is visible when viewing a body-facing surface of the article and may be associatively correlated with an externally visible marking and/or with the concept of toilet training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mary Elizabeth Davis, Donald Carroll Roe, Patrick Jay Allen, Edward Paul Carlin
  • Patent number: 7766889
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided including a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper includes large rectangular fasteners that stretch in only one direction. At least one longitudinally extending, elasticized inner leg gather is disposed with the topsheet. The inner leg gather includes at least one elastic member for distributing elastic contractile forces. The inner leg gather is joined to the topsheet along a front tackdown zone and a back tackdown zone. The elastic members and tackdown zones extend in a manner sufficient to provide enhanced fit, functionality and waste containment. The unidirectional stretch fasteners and leg gathers are sized in relationship to each other to enable a complete encircling of each leg to form a better leg gasket for waste containment and fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: First Quality Retail Services, LLC
    Inventor: Carol Erdman
  • Patent number: 7763004
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis is folded laterally inward and outward in a zigzag pattern to form laterally opposing layered containment pockets and laterally opposing side flaps interiorly of the layered containment pockets. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its distal edge. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Theodora Beck, Gary Dean LaVon
  • Patent number: 7758558
    Abstract: A pants-type disposable wearing article includes a chassis forming a body of the article, an absorbent structure disposed on an inner surface of the chassis, and a plurality of elastic members arranged in waist-surrounding regions. Opposite end portions of the elastic members in a waist surrounding direction are secured in the vicinities of transversely opposite side edges of the waist regions to the chassis while middle portions of the elastic members in the waist surrounding direction are not secured to the corresponding portions of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7753899
    Abstract: In a rising gathered member 4 of an absorbent main body 3 attached to an external sheet 2, an inward folded base end 4b is joined astride a side end 13a of a top sheet 13 as a top surface of the absorbent main body 3 and a side end 14a of a back sheet 14 so that the rising gathered member 4 rises from a most side edge 3a in a width direction of the absorbent main body 3 and, also, the back sheet 14 of the absorbent main body 3 is attached onto a skin-contacting surface side of a crotch part R of a second external sheet 8 at an inward position at a prescribed width W5 from the most side edge 3a of the absorbent main body 3 as an outermost joint position. With the above constitution, it is possible to effectively prevent any lateral leakage of urine and the like, even if a disposable absorbent article is shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyo Mori, Kenji Nakaoka, Masaru Fujioka, Taichiro Suzuki, Sayaka Sato
  • Patent number: 7749211
    Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a chassis having first and second layers and an elastic core sandwiched therebetween. The chassis defines front and rear body panels each having elastic regions exhibiting a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10% when elongated 80% for a period of 30 minutes at 37° C. and 60% relative humidity and then allowed to relax under a zero applied force. An absorbent composite is coupled to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Jacqueline A. Gross, Yung H. Huang
  • Patent number: 7749210
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has a through-hole formed in an inner sheet destined to come in contact with a wearer's skin so that this through-hole may communicate with a pocket for receiving feces. The inner sheet is formed with an elastic area extending in a longitudinal direction along transversely opposite side edges of the through-hole. In a crotch region of the diaper, a stiffening sheet strips are attached to the inner sheet between the transversely opposite side edges of the diaper and the transversely opposite side edges so that the respective stiffening sheet strips extend in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Hironao Minato, Nariaki Shimoe