Plural Elastic Elements Patents (Class 604/385.27)
-
Patent number: 6508796Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including: a main body; and leakage preventing side walls extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body and lying opposite one another in the widthwise direction of the main body. Each leakage preventing side wall has a raised portion which is joined at a root end onto a liquid-receiving side surface of the main body and raised therefrom to have a free end positioned apart from the liquid-receiving side surface. Each leakage preventing side wall is provided with a first elastically shrinking member for applying an elastic shrinking force along a shrinking action line approaching the free end from the root end as it extends from the two longitudinal end positions of the raised portion of the leakage preventing side wall toward the longitudinally midway position of the leakage preventing side wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Tatsuya Tamura, Yuuki Noda
-
Patent number: 6508798Abstract: An absorbent article having a front part (13; 13′), a rear part (14; 14′) and a crotch part (15; 15′) which lies therebetween. The article includes an absorbent body (1; 1′; 25) which is enclosed between an outer, liquid-impermeable casing sheet (7; 7′; 26) and an inner, liquid-permeable casing sheet (8; 8′; 27), this latter sheet lying proximal to a wearer's body in use. The article further includes on opposite sides of a longitudinal symmetry axis of the article flexible, longitudinally extending flaps (9, 10′ 9′, 10′; 28, 29), each of which is connected to the inner casing sheet along a longitudinal edge and which extends from the connected longitudinal edge in toward a longitudinal symmetry axis of the article. The flaps (9, 10; 9′, 10′; 28, 29) are joined together in the crotch part (15; 15′) of the article.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Molnlycke ABInventors: Urban Widlund, Anders Gustafsson, Anna Svernlöv
-
Patent number: 6503235Abstract: A disposable pull-on undergarment having front and rear waist regions bonded together along longitudinally extending bonding zones to define a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The respective bonding zones have an upper end lying most adjacent the waist-hole and a lower end lying most adjacent the leg-holes and extend from the upper ends toward the lower ends so that these bonding zones approach a longitudinal center line X of the undergarment.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Seiji Suzuki, Takaaki Shimada
-
Publication number: 20020193775Abstract: A disposable sanitary article having elastic members extending to be associated with leg-openings secured under tension to the article along transversely opposite side edge portions of the sanitary article. The transversely opposite side edge portions respectively have first elastic zones extending across a crotch region in the longitudinal direction along a desired length, second elastic zones extending from the first elastic zones into a front waist region along a desired length and third elastic zones extending from the first elastic zones into a rear waist region along a desired length. The sections of the elastic members extending along the second elastic zones and the third elastic zones has values of stretch stress represented by a relationship of the second elastic zones<the third elastic zones or the third elastic zones<the second elastic zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATIONInventor: Nariaki Shimoe
-
Patent number: 6494870Abstract: An outer surface sheet (1) for absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence protectors or sanitary napkins, and comprises at least one upstanding barrier flap (5, 6) which extends across at least a part of the surface sheet. The surface sheet includes at least two parts (7, 8, 9) which are disposed to that bordering edge portions overlap each other. The barrier flap (5, 6) is comprised of a strip of elastic material that has two long edge portions and two end edge portions, wherein one of the long edge portions of said strip is inserted in a stretched state between the mutually overlapping edge portions of the two surface sheet parts (7, 8 and 7, 9 respectively) and firmly secured there-between.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventor: Peter Ronnberg
-
Publication number: 20020183713Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a pair of barrier leg cuffs and a pair of side panels is provided. The barrier leg cuffs are disposed along opposing sides of an absorbent core and the side panels are disposed outboard of the barrier leg cuffs along opposing sides of the absorbent article. The barrier leg cuffs are integrally formed with the side panels from a single nonwoven ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: David C. Kleinschmidt, Karen M. Davis, Terrill A. Young
-
Publication number: 20020173765Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Sunita Pargass, Ellyn L. Conger, Stacy Yeater
-
Patent number: 6482194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Melissa C. Putzer
-
Patent number: 6482196Abstract: A disposable undergarment has an integrated belly protector and pants. The belly protector has a front body and a rear body joined together to form a tubular configuration having upper and lower openings. A first elastic member is secured along the upper opening. Second and third elastic members are secured to the front body between the first elastic member and the lower opening so as to extend with a transversely symmetric arrangement and to curve convexly toward the upper and lower openings, respectively. The pants have a front body and a rear body joined together to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings. The waist-opening of the pants is seamlessly connected to the lower opening of the belly protector, and a fourth elastic member is secured along the waist opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Kenichi Hisada
-
Patent number: 6482195Abstract: A disposable garment is provided with leg-hole elastic members, which include first elastic members extending along transversely opposite side edges in a longitudinally middle zone of the garment, second elastic members extending in continuity with the first elastic members toward a front end of the garment and third elastic members extending in continuity with the first elastic members toward a rear end of the garment, and these elastic members have their values of stretch stress in the relationship of the first elastic members>the third elastic members>the second elastic members.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
-
Patent number: 6478786Abstract: A protective underwear having a crotch portion, a waist portion, a front belly portion and a rear back portion. The waist, belly and back portions include plural transversely oriented elastic threads. The underwear includes an absorbent core. Longitudinally oriented elastic threads are located on opposite sides of the core and intersect the transverse elastic threads to enclose the core. The underwear includes a pair of leg openings, each of which has a first arcuate section, a second arcuate section, and an intermediate section. The first arcuate section includes at least one arcuate elastic thread, as does the second arcuate section. Those threads are spaced by a gap. A portion of the longitudinally oriented elastic threads on either side of the core is located closely adjacent a respective gap between the arcuate elastic threads to elasticize the leg openings.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AGInventors: Frank S. Glaug, Theresa A. Doubleday
-
Patent number: 6471682Abstract: There is disclosed an absorbent article including: a liquid absorbing member having an absorbent core; a support body positioned on the lower side of the liquid absorbing member; and an elastic member for supporting the liquid absorbing member. The elastic member extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article and is fixed at its front and rear end portions on the support body. The elastic member is positioned at the widthwise central portion of the absorbent article. The support body is bent in the longitudinal direction by the tension of the elastic member, and the liquid absorbing member is deformed to bulge at its widthwise central portion away from the support body by the central elastic member.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Masahiro Kashiwagi
-
Patent number: 6471681Abstract: An absorbent article with a liquid barrier layer which lies nearest the user's body and which includes a first and a second pair of elastic members. The surface layer is used as the article's supporting unit in which other included parts, such as reverse layer and absorption body, are suspended. The surface layer also has an elongate opening which permits liquid communication from the user's genitals to the inside of the article.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Peter Rönnberg, Anders Gustavsson, Eva Fransson
-
Publication number: 20020156449Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Robert Kling, Berth-Ove Wall
-
Patent number: 6464677Abstract: A disposable garment includes an elastically stretchable outer panel and a body fluid absorbent inner panel. The two panels are connected to each other along front end portions as well as along rear end portions of the panels by means of elastically stretchable connector sheets extending between the front end portions and between the rear end portions of the two panels so that the outer panel may be stretchable together with the connector sheets.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Junichi Noguchi, Yoshinori Kumasaka
-
Patent number: 6464678Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes a topsheet, a backsheet and a core disposed therebetween to define a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween. A first elastic member extends longitudinally of the diaper across a middle zone of the core between the front and rear waist regions and is disposed between the backsheet and the core and secured to the backsheet. Second elastic members extend longitudinally of the diaper across the transversely opposite side zones of the core between the front and rear waist regions and are disposed between the backsheet and the core and bonded to the backsheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Nariaki Shimoe, Toru Sasaki, Yoshinori Kumasaka
-
Patent number: 6461342Abstract: A disposable sanitary garment includes a chassis defining an outer surface thereof, the chassis is provided along its transversely opposite side edge portions destined to extend around a wearer's thighs with a pair of first leg-hole elastic members extending circumferentially around the thighs and with a pair of second leg-hole elastic members describing a circular arc being convex inwardly of the garment. The chassis is folded back inwardly of the garment along one side edges of the respective members with the second leg-hole elastic members inside and a portion of the chassis extending inside the zone along which the chassis has been first folded back is folded back along the other side edges of the respective members.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Tanji, Takamitsu Igaue
-
Publication number: 20020143313Abstract: A disposable wearing article has a pad member provided a pair of elastic thigh-tightening bands lying on transversely opposite side edges thereof. Front ends of first free zones and rear ends of second free zones of the respective elastic thigh-tightening bands are connected to the transversely opposite side edges in the vicinity of a waist-hole of pant member so that middle zones and first and second free zones of these thigh-tightening bands extend generally parallel to the respective leg-holes so as to substantially form loops.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Tomoko Tsuji, Takako Uosawa
-
Publication number: 20020138061Abstract: In a disposable diaper in which an absorbent body is provided between a water-repellent outer sheet and a hydrophilic skin-side sheet made of a nonwoven fabric, raisable strips made of a nonwoven fabric are provided at the opposite sides of the skin-side sheet, elastic threads for raisable gathers are provided in inner edge portions of the raisable strips and the outer edge portions of the raisable strips are adhered to the skin-side sheet, an ooze preventing portion 10 (or 11a or 11c) for preventing an ooze of urine and other bodily waste is formed at opposite end portions of the skin-side sheet 3. Therefore, even if urine and other bodily waste permeate into the skin-side sheet 3, they do not ooze out from the end portion of the skin-side sheet 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Kenji NAKAOKA, Masaru FUJIOKA, Satoshi MAEDA, Kazuyo MORI
-
Publication number: 20020138060Abstract: Elastic threads 9 for raisable gathers and elastic threads 10 for leg gathers are provided in a specified relationship in side sheets 4 provided at the opposite sides of a skin-side sheet 3, and the respective side sheets 4 are adhered to the skin-side sheet 3 in a specified relationship. In this way, the raisable gathers and leg gathers can be simultaneously formed at side sheets 4. Further, a pocket into which an exchangeable and substantially sandglass-shaped second absorbent body 11 can be positioned and inserted is formed between the skin-side sheet 3 enclosed by the respective adhered portions and the respective side sheets 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Masaru Fujioka, Satoshi Maeda, Kazuyo Mori
-
Publication number: 20020138065Abstract: The garment of the present invention has a waist band with a crotch component that can be permanently attached to the back of the waist band and releasably attached to the front of the waist band. The crotch fits between the user's legs during use and the waist band wraps around the user's waist. The garment may have a one-, two-, or three-piece construction. The garment also has an absorbent core disposed generally in the crotch region. At least part of the interior surfaces of the garment are liquid-pervious to allow fluids to be absorbed into the absorbent core. The exterior surfaces of the garment are generally liquid-impervious, to prevent the fluid in the absorbent core from being released from the garment. The garment of the present invention may be donned quickly, easily, and with a minimum amount of exposure to unsanitary conditions or embarrassment. The garment of the present invention may also be donned by persons with limited use of their hands.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Stacy Jean Yeater, Bernadette M. Gibbs
-
Patent number: 6454750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert Eugene Vogt, Paul John Serbiak, Barbara Oakley Sauer
-
Patent number: 6452063Abstract: The present invention pertains to a porous, macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional, elastomeric web suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles such as bandages, diapers and pull-up diaper training pants, as well as a method for making the web. In a preferred embodiment the web has a continuous first surface and a discontinuous second surface remote front first surface. In a preferred embodiment the elastomeric web exhibits a multiplicity of primary apertures in the first surface of the web, the primary apertures being defined in the plane of the first surface by a continuous network of interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member exhibits an upwardly concave-shaped cross-section along its length. The interconnecting members terminate substantially concurrently with one another to form a secondary aperture in the plane of the second surface of the web.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: John Joseph Curro, Anneka M. Kaminski, Michele Ann Mansfield, George Christopher Dobrin, Jianbin Zhang
-
Patent number: 6451001Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of side flaps along transversely opposite side edges of the article. Each of the side flaps is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of pleats that extend longitudinally of the side flap. Each of the pleats contains an elastically stretchable/contractile member that extends along its distal edge so as to operate longitudinally of the pleat.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
-
Patent number: 6451000Abstract: A short-type disposable diaper including a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorber interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, front and rear waist portions being connected together at opposite sides thereof, respectively, the improvement including a tape fastener adapted to fasten the diaper when the diaper is to be discarded, the tape fastener being disposed at a central outer surface section of the backsheet and extending in a longitudinal direction of the backsheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Kao CorporationInventors: Toru Hayase, Harumitsu Toyoda, Haruko Kawaguchi
-
Patent number: 6447496Abstract: An absorbent article such as sanitary napkin having an absorbent laminate is provided on a skin-noncontactable side of the laminate with deformation inducing means. The deformation inducing means include a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member adapted to pull the panel member toward its middle under contractile force of the elastically stretchable member and thereby to convexly deform the panel member toward a skin-contactable side of the laminate. Convex deformation of the panel member by the deformation inducing means allows the laminate to be convexly deformed.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Satoshi Mizutani
-
Patent number: 6440117Abstract: A disposable diaper includes an absorptive body having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and a liquid retentive absorbent member interposed between the sheets and a pair of flaps connected to the lateral edges of the absorptive body. The disposable diaper has a pair of upstanding walls which are formed by providing a sheet at the lateral sides of the diaper, the sheet has a lateral base edge and a lateral distal edge and is arranged in such a manner that the sheet is folded to allow the base edge and the distal edge to be positioned on the side of the flap and that the longitudinal ends of the sheet as folded are fixed to a stomach side section and a back side section of the diaper, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Kao CorporationInventors: Taketo Itoh, Hiroki Minowa
-
Patent number: 6436083Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Yasushi Sayama
-
Patent number: 6436081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Ichiro Wada, Yoshihisa Fujioka
-
Patent number: 6423048Abstract: A disposable diaper includes barrier side flaps extending along an opposite side edges 1a of a diaper body. The barrier side flaps each includes a first side section extending above an upper side of the body and a second side section extending below a lower side of the body. The second side section includes being folded back with its inner surface put flat together so as to define a free subsection extending inward of the body and a fixed subsection extending outward of the body. A surface of the fixed subsection opposed to the lower side of the body is joined to the lower side and opposite end sections of the barrier flaps are collapsed inward of the body and joined to the upper side of the body at the opposite ends of the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Naomi Suzuki, Yoshitaka Mishima
-
Publication number: 20020072728Abstract: A disposable undergarment a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The core placed in a crotch region having front and rear end zones and a middle zone. Bath side portions of a first elastic member extend in the vicinity of front ends of transversely opposite side edge portions while a middle portion of the first elastic member extend across the front end zone of the core. Bath side portions of a second elastic member extend in the vicinity of rear ends of the transversely opposite side edge portions while a middle portion of the second elastic member extends across the rear end zone of the core. By such an arrangement of the first and second elastic members, the contraction of the first and second elastic members in the middle portions thereof is effectively used to maintain the front and rear end zones of a core in close contact with the wearer's skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Junji Shinohara, Hidefumi Goda, Hirotomo Mukai
-
Patent number: 6402729Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Fredrik Boberg, Carina Hedlund, Kent Hermansson, Lennart Nilsson
-
Patent number: 6402728Abstract: A diaper includes a topsheet, a backsheet and a core disposed therebetween to define a front and rear waist regions and a crotch region. An elastic member surrounds a predetermined zone of the core about the vicinity of a longitudinal center line of the diaper. The plastic member is located in a rear half of the diaper and is secured under tension to the upper surface of the core so that the predetermined zone of the core is depressed downward to form a depression as the elastic member contracts.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
-
Publication number: 20020068919Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes first, second and third elastic members. The first elastic members have first both side portions extending in a longitudinal direction and a first middle portion extending across a crotch region. A second elastic member has second both side portions and a middle portion extending across the crotch region. The third elastic members have first connecting portions merged into the first both side portions and second connecting portions extending to be merged into the second both side portions. By such an arrangement, tensile stress of the third elastic member can be adequately utilized to keep the undergarment in tight contact with the wearer's thigh.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Junji Shinohara, Hidefumi Goda, Hirotomo Mukai
-
Patent number: 6398770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventor: Solgun Drevik
-
Patent number: 6394989Abstract: An absorbent article such as sanitary napkin having an absorbent laminate is provided on a skin-noncontactable side of the laminate with deformation inducing means. The deformation inducing means include a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member adapted to pull the panel member toward its middle under contractile force of the elastically stretchable member and thereby to convexly deform the panel member toward a skin-contactable side of the laminate. Convex deformation of the panel member by the deformation inducing means allows the laminate to be convexly deformed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventor: Satoshi Mizutani
-
Patent number: 6391013Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body which includes a backsheet formed of a liquid impermeable sheet, a topsheet formed of a liquid permeable sheet, an absorbent core interposed between the backsheet and the topsheet, and leg gathers disposed along leg holes. Two sets of elastic members are, in a stretched state, bonded to a non-woven fabric along the leg holes. Each set of elastic members is not bonded to the non-woven fabric in a region which traverses a crotch region to extend from one of the leg holes to the other, and is cut in the non-bonded region so that the elastic members snap back toward crossing points where the two sets of the elastic members meet to form tails.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Japan Absorbent Technology InstituteInventors: Migaku Suzuki, Hiroaki Fukui
-
Patent number: 6383170Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Toshifumi Otsubo
-
Publication number: 20020049421Abstract: A shorts type disposable diaper is disclosed. The diaper has a plurality of body-surrounding elastic members provided at a body-surrounding portion which is located between a waist opening portion and a leg opening portion. The body-surrounding elastic members extend in the circumferential direction of the diaper. The body-surrounding elastic members are fixedly disposed in at least side portions which extend outward from longitudinal side edges of the absorbent core in a stretched state so as to manifest elastic contractibility, but are not disposed in at least the center of the portion where the absorbent core exists, or alternatively, are disposed in the portion where the absorbent core exists in such a manner that elastic contractibility does not manifest in at least the above center.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Toru Hayase, Atsushi Murai, Jun Sasaki
-
Patent number: 6371950Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present invention are specifically adapted for the adult male anatomy. The articles include a moisture barrier, a liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The moisture barrier is gathered along each of its side edges between forward and rearward terminal points. The moisture barrier is gathered along its back end by an elasticized back pouch member. The back pouch member includes a flange section and a pouch section. The pouch section includes a substantially fixed edge portion, an elasticized gathered movable edge portion, a substantially liquid impermeable pouch barrier layer, a pouch fabric layer, and a plurality of separate laterally extending pouch elastic members sandwiched between the pouch barrier layer and the pouch fabric layer. In particular embodiments, a retaining member is bonded to the liner and defines therebetween a compartment having a volume, and a cover formed of a liquid impermeable material is bonded to the liner.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Apiromraj Srisopark Roslansky, Gregory James Hess, Kenneth Raymond Schueler, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6371951Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Jean-Pierre Koczab, Alain Naze
-
Patent number: 6369291Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Toyo Eizai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Uchimoto, Iwao Matsuura
-
Publication number: 20020040215Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventor: Seiji Suzuki
-
Patent number: 6364863Abstract: A disposable absorbent undergarment such as a diaper includes short pants and a liquid-absorbent pad attached to an inner surface of the short pants. The short pants has a front waist section, a rear waist section, a crotch section interposed therebetween, a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings. The crotch section, the waist-opening and the leg-openings are elastically stretchable. A circumferential region defined by portions of the front and rear waist sections between the waist opening and upper ends of the leg-openings is also elastically stretchable.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1996Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Masamitsu Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Fujioka, Hirotomo Mukai, Yoshio Ono, Rumi Yamaki, Wataru Kitazawa
-
Publication number: 20020035355Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Applicant: Toyo Keizai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Uchimoto, Iwao Matsuura
-
Publication number: 20020019619Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a pair of side flaps along transversely opposite side edges of the article. Each of these side flaps is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of pleats extending longitudinally of the side flap. Each of the pleats contains an elastically stretchable/contractile member extending along its distal edge so as to operate longitudinally of the pleat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshinori Kumasaka
-
Patent number: 6346162Abstract: The invention relates to methods of fabricating an absorbent article. In one method of the invention, combination containment flaps and leg cuffs are formed on a common substrate. A plurality of elastomeric elements are included in the combination article to assist in forming containment flaps. Discrete leg cuff pieces are applied to the substrate at longitudinally spaced locations. In some embodiments, a cutting device slits the substrate substantially along a center line extending the length of the substrate, forming two continuous substrate portions. A glue gun applies adhesive to the substrate portion. The substrate portions are folded lengthwise, using the adhesive to form integral containment flaps and leg cuffs in a composite substrate. The composite substrate is secured to an absorbent article web sausage in forming absorbent articles. In another embodiment, the substrate is a first substrate which supports elastomeric elements used in forming leg cuffs and containment flaps.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gary Mack Reynolds, Robert Eugene Vogt
-
Publication number: 20020013562Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The topsheet extends to transversely opposite side edges of the napkin with interposition of pleats, along which side edges the topsheet is bonded to the backsheet. The core includes a lower absorbent core and an upper absorbent core. The pleats lie between transversely opposite side edges of the lower absorbent core and transversely opposite side edges of the upper absorbent core. The topsheet are provided along the opposite side edge of the upper absorbent core with elasticity being effective longitudinally of the napkin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 1999Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventor: SATOSHI MIZUTANI
-
Publication number: 20020010453Abstract: A disposable diaper including a panel structure composed of a base sheet and a core attached thereto and a sheet member extending above the panel structure. The panel structure has a pair of first side slaps extending in a longitudinal direction and a pair of end flaps extending in a transverse direction. The sheet member includes a pair of side walls biased to rise above the panel structure and a top wall biased to be spaced upward from the panel structure. The side walls have side edge portions bonded to the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges of the core and first end portions bonded to the end flaps. The top wall has an opening defined between the side walls, second end portions bonded to the end flaps and second side flaps extending outside the top edges of the respective side walls in parallel to the first side flaps. Transversely opposite side edge portion of these flaps overlapping each other in the front and rear waist regions are bonded to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Koichiro Tani
-
Patent number: 6340782Abstract: A method of securing an elastic band between two material layers which are at least partially defined by meltable material includes forming perforations in the elastic band, placing the elastic band between two material layers, and bonding the material layers to one another through the perforations by heat fusion, wherein the perforations in the elastic band are formed at the same time as the material layers are fused together (i.e., the formation of the perforations in the elastic band is directly followed by bonding together, through the perforations, portions of the material layers). An elastic band secured between two material layers for inclusion in articles of one-time use includes the use of material layers that are at least partially defined by meltable material and an elastic band having perforations formed therein. The material layers are positioned on opposite sides of the elastic band and are joined together by heat fusion in a punctiform and/or linear bonding pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1996Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AktiebolagInventors: Robert Kling, Berth-Ove Wall