Upstanding Side Flap Patents (Class 604/385.28)
  • Publication number: 20100191206
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising at least one topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet joined with the topsheet; an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and a slow recovery elastomer. The slow recovery elastomer exhibits a normalized unload force at 37° C. of greater than about 0.04N and at least about 20% post elongation strain at 22° C. after 15 seconds of recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Bryn Hird, Robin Lynn McKiernan, Edward Joseph Urankar, Janet Neton, Mattias Schmidt, Joerg Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100191212
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having a neat appearance. The diaper 101 includes: a liquid-permeable top sheet 111 which covers a use surface side; a leakage preventing sheet 112 which covers a non-use surface side; an absorbent body 113 interposed between the top sheet and the leakage preventing sheet; and an external sheet 120 disposed on an outer surface side of the leakage preventing sheet, wherein three-dimensional gathers BS are formed along leg surrounding portions, and leg cut-out portions of the external sheet which form leg openings are located in a portion of the minimum width of a crotch portion, at a position nearer to a central side than places outward by 5 mm from rising start points of the three-dimensional gathers BS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: DAIO PAPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji TORIGOSHI, Yosuke MORI
  • Patent number: 7763001
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fluid permeable top sheet, a fluid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween, and in addition is provided with an evagination means extending in a longitudinal direction between the top sheet and the back sheet. The top sheet has a first attachment region attached to the evagination means, second attachment regions attached to the vicinity of both side edges of the absorbent article, and an unattached region positioned between the regions. In the unattached region, many inflected creases, in particular, diagonally directed creases directed from the first attachment region towards both side edges are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kawamura
  • 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: 7763002
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on type diaper has a separator interposed between an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and the wearer's skin so as to protect the diaper wearer's skin from being soiled with feces. The separator is formed by a piece of sheet extending from a bottom of a crotch region of the diaper toward a front waist region and a rear waist region and fixed to lateral edges of the crotch region. The piece of sheet has a front end and a rear end both extending in a transverse direction of the crotch region. These front end and rear end are free along middle segments thereof as viewed in the transverse direction of the crotch region from an inner surface of an absorbent chassis and inseparably integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20100179500
    Abstract: A wearable absorbent article having features for the containment and absorption of bodily exudates. The article may comprise an outer cover and an absorbent insert. The outer cover may be formed of durable or semi-durable materials and be launderable. The insert may be disposable. The insert may have containment and absorption features that prevent soiling of the outer cover by the wearer's exudates, so that the outer cover may be reused after an exudation event and change of inserts. The insert and/or the outer cover may have features to enhance containment, absorption, economy of materials and/or fit that make them asymmetric about their respective lateral axes, and may have features that direct a user to install the insert and/or the outer cover with correct front-rear orientation relative the wearer. Articles of commerce including packages of outer covers and/or inserts in varying combinations of numbers and features are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Elaine Mary Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20100179501
    Abstract: A wearable absorbent article having features for the containment and absorption of bodily exudates. The article may comprise an outer cover and an absorbent insert. The outer cover may be formed of durable or semi-durable materials and be launderable. The insert may be disposable. The insert may have containment and absorption features that prevent soiling of the outer cover by the wearer's exudates, so that the outer cover may be reused after an exudation event and change of inserts. The insert and/or the outer cover may have features to enhance containment, absorption, economy of materials and/or fit that make them asymmetric about their respective lateral axes, and may have features that direct a user to install the insert and/or the outer cover with correct front-rear orientation relative the wearer. Articles of commerce including packages of outer covers and/or inserts in varying combinations of numbers and features are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Elaine Mary Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20100179496
    Abstract: A wearable absorbent article having features for the containment and absorption of bodily exudates. The article may comprise an outer cover and an absorbent insert. The outer cover may be formed of durable or semi-durable materials and be launderable. The insert may be disposable. The insert may have containment and absorption features that prevent soiling of the outer cover by the wearer's exudates, so that the outer cover may be reused after an exudation event and change of inserts. The insert and/or the outer cover may have features to enhance containment, absorption, economy of materials and/or fit that make them asymmetric about their respective lateral axes, and may have features that direct a user to install the insert and/or the outer cover with correct front-rear orientation relative the wearer. Articles of commerce including packages of outer covers and/or inserts in varying combinations of numbers and features are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Elaine Mary Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20100179497
    Abstract: A two-piece diaper system which is partially or wholly compostable is provided. The system has a re-usable shell and a removable and replaceable absorbent pad, parts or all of which are manufactured of compostable material. The re-usable shell consists of a non-absorbent outer liquid impervious shell, as in a standard disposable diaper but without an integral central absorben layer which is exposed to liquids in the crotch area. A separate disposable absorbent pad is provided in the central crotch area of the disposable diaper which is not sandwiched in the shell. By making the shell re-usable, the cost of using the diaper system is reduced, to permit the use of compostable materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: James Roy Brownlee
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100174263
    Abstract: An absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent structure and an excrement receiving structure having a plurality of passages defined by flexible walls formed from flexible sheets and disposed along a liquid-absorbent surface of the liquid-absorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka MISHIMA
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7736351
    Abstract: A simple disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly may be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The chassis may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pankaj Nigam, Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck
  • Patent number: 7736350
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent article includes laterally extending front and back ear portions defined at opposed lateral sides of the front and back waist regions. A laterally inwardly directed leg contour is defined in each of the lateral sides between the respective front and back ear portions. An absorbent body structure extends between the front and back waist regions and includes laterally extending wing portions along the front and back ear portions. Leak guards are provided having a free laterally inward side and a laterally outward side with a contour corresponding generally to that of the article lateral sides and leg contours. The laterally outward sides of the guards are attached to the lateral sides of the front and back ear portions and along the leg contours laterally outward of the absorbent body structure so as to define a containment pocket along the leg contours and front and back ear portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Shirlee A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20100137825
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front region (2), a back region (3) and a crotch region (4) there between. The article further includes substantially longitudinally extending inner (12) and outer (13) leak barriers alongside each side of the absorbent core (9). The inner and outer leak barriers are spaced from each other in the transverse direction (x) of the article. The inner leak barriers (12) extend at least along the part of the crotch region (4) having the narrowest width (w1) in the transverse direction (x), and along a length (b) of at least 5 cm, and the outer leak barriers (13) extend along at least a part of the front region (2) and/or back region (3) of the article, while at least a part of the crotch region (4) along which said inner leak barriers (12) extend is free from raised outer leak barriers (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Hans Een, Jan Wästlund-Karlsson, Ulrika Carlson, Sue Uner
  • Patent number: 7727214
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having a neat appearance. The diaper 101 includes: a liquid-permeable top sheet 111 which covers a use surface side; a leakage preventing sheet 112 which covers a non-use surface side; an absorbent body 113 interposed between the top sheet and the leakage preventing sheet; and an external sheet 120 disposed on an outer surface side of the leakage preventing sheet, wherein three-dimensional gathers BS are formed along leg surrounding portions, and leg cut-out portions of the external sheet which form leg openings are located in a portion of the minimum width of a crotch portion, at a position nearer to a central side than places outward by 5 mm from rising start points of the three-dimensional gathers BS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Torigoshi, Yosuke Mori
  • Patent number: 7722590
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable wearing article is provided with a chassis and an absorbent batt structure extending on the inner surface of the chassis. The chassis has a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region and is composed of a base sheet which is substantially not elastically extensible/contractible, and first and second outer sheets stretched in a transverse direction and bonded in such a stretched state to outer surfaces of the base sheet in the front and rear waist regions, respectively, and being elastically extendible/contractible in the transverse direction. An absorbent batt structure is laid inside the chassis. The base sheet defining an inner surface of the chassis is formed with gathers as the first and second outer sheets contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Tsuji, Hirotomo Mukai, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20100108554
    Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles product designs tailored to the differing needs and preferences of males and females are disclosed. In particular embodiments, an array of gender-specific, disposable, absorbent articles comprises a package of first disposable absorbent articles, the package bearing indicia indicating that the articles therein are adapted to be worn by females, and a package of second disposable absorbent articles, the package bearing indicia indicating that the articles therein are adapted to be worn by males. The first disposable absorbent articles differ from the corresponding second disposable absorbent articles in any of a variety of aspects to customize the products for each gender. In certain embodiments, the array includes one product adapted for use by one gender, and a unisex product adapted for use by either gender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Shannon Kathleen Melius, Amanda Jean Simon, Marie Elizabeth Luna, James R. Schermerhorn, Marcille Faye Ruman, Wayne David Beyer, Todd William Wilkes, Katherine C. Wheeler, Patsy A. Krautkramer
  • Patent number: 7708725
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin that is provided with large rear flaps to effectively prevent liquid from leaking obliquely rearward. The rear flaps are disposed rearward of fold-back flaps to be wrapped around a crotch part of an undergarment. The rear flap is of a shape spreading rearwardly from a starting point. With a pressure from the thighs acting forward of the starting point, leakage preventing walls forward of the starting point can be maintained in a rising state during wear. On the other hand, the leakage preventing walls rearward of the starting point may possibly fall outward. However, even if the leakage preventing walls fall outward rearward of the starting point, they will never project out of the rear flaps. Accordingly, they hardly leave a stain on an undergarment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Sharm Corporation
    Inventors: Noritatsu Tamagawa, Masataka Kinoshita, Kazuya Nishitani, Toshiyuki Tanio
  • Publication number: 20100106126
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis and a pair of longitudinally disposed barrier cuffs. Each cuff may contain a barrier zone, an attachment zone, and a transition edge separating the barrier zone and attachment zone. The barrier cuffs exhibit a cuff span and a cuff height at a given cross-section through a crotch point and an end region. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff span ratio, defined as a maximum cuff span as measured in the end region of the barrier cuff divided by a cuff span as measured at the crotch point, of greater than 1. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff height ratio, defined as a cuff height as measured at the crotch point divided by a minimum cuff height as measured in the end region, of greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Dale Trennepohl
  • Patent number: 7704243
    Abstract: A leg wrap structure is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The leg wrap structure has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a region of inelasticity. The leg wrap structure provides for the efficient formation of a reservoir and a plurality of fluid dams each capable of capturing a quantity of fluid to minimize the occurrence of fluid leaks from the absorbent article. Methods of forming such absorbent articles are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Shu Edward Chang, Anne Smid, Patrick King Yu Tsang, Ian Walker, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 7695463
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip includes an upper layer and a lower layer at least between its proximal edge and the attachment zones. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20100082005
    Abstract: A disposable hygiene article has an absorbing element component (12) which is used for storing body liquids and can also contain superabsorbent materials. The absorbing element component (12) is provided with a first area (18, 20), an absorbent material of which has a mass per unit area that increases towards the lateral edges in the transversal direction (16) of the hygiene article. The storage capacity of a section (44) which extends along 20 to 100 percent of the length of the absorbing element component (12) in the longitudinal direction (14) is substantially constant relative to the longitudinal direction (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Carsten Wendelstorf
  • Patent number: 7687679
    Abstract: An absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent structure and an excrement receiving structure having a plurality of passages defined by flexible walls formed from flexible sheets and disposed along a liquid-absorbent surface of the liquid-absorbent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Publication number: 20100069871
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided with a skin-contactable sheet piece above a liquid-pervious topsheet. The skin-contactable sheet piece is formed with openings extending in a back-and-forth direction through which body waste is guided toward the topsheet and both lateral zones of the sheet piece on both sides of these openings as viewed in a transverse direction are provided with elastic members attached under tension. Outside the skin-contactable sheet piece as viewed in the transverse direction, leak-barriers are provided and the lateral zones of the skin-contactable sheet piece are bonded to the leak-barriers along regions defined between proximal edges and free edges of the respective leak-barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Hironao Minato, Kaiyo Nakajima, Naoko Takada
  • Patent number: 7670324
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component and having longitudinally disposed regions of liquid permeability and liquid impermeability on the same surface. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck, Gerald Alfred Young, Stephen Lebeuf Hardie, Thomas Henrich, Edward John Milbrada
  • Patent number: 7670325
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet disposed to cover an upper surface of the absorber and at least partially formed of a liquid permeable material, and a back sheet disposed to cover a lower surface of the absorber and formed of a liquid impermeable material. The disposable diaper further includes a skin contact sheet disposed above the top sheet and formed with a stool passing opening, which is an opening capable of passing a stool therethrough, and to the both sides of the skin contact sheet, at least a pair of standing gathers are formed, which are leakage prevention walls capable of standing three-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: Oji Nepia Co., Ltd., Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sugiyama, Izumi Tashiro, Kahori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7666173
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a partition provided in a front half of a crotch region divided by a transverse centerline bisecting a longitudinal dimension of the article so that the partition extends in the transverse direction on a topsheet. During use of the article, the partition curves in the transverse direction so as to describe a generally circular arc which is convex upward above the topsheet. The partition is thus spaced upward from the topsheet and the wearer's genital organ in contact with an outer surface of the partition is also spaced from the topsheet. In this way, the genital organ is protected from soiling with loose passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Kaiyo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7666175
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis and a pair of longitudinally disposed barrier cuffs. Each cuff may contain a barrier zone, an attachment zone, and a transition edge separating the barrier zone and attachment zone. The barrier cuffs exhibit a cuff span and a cuff height at a given cross-section through a crotch point and an end region. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff span ratio, defined as a maximum cuff span as measured in the end region of the barrier cuff divided by a cuff span as measured at the crotch point, of greater than 1. The absorbent article exhibits a cuff height ratio, defined as a cuff height as measured at the crotch point divided by a minimum cuff height as measured in the end region, of greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventor: Michael Dale Trennepohl
  • Patent number: 7666176
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the improved prevention of leakage of body exudates from a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, by providing a pair of standing leg cuffs on both sides of the absorbent core of the article. The cuffs are preferably ribbon cuffs attached to the diaper or fashioned from the top sheet of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: First Quality Retail Services, LLC
    Inventors: Edward P. Erdman, Mariela Muniz
  • Publication number: 20100036340
    Abstract: A disposable nappy includes a disposable nappy body portion (3) and a separate belt (5) to secure the nappy body to the person. The belt includes a number of Velcro-type fastener portions that attach to a cover stock material of the nappy. The cover stock material is of a material that includes fibres that can retain the Velcro-type fasteners. Also defined are leg guards (19) formed from outer edges of a laminate cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Susan M. Allison-Rogers
  • Patent number: 7658732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Georgia L. Zehner
  • Patent number: 7654993
    Abstract: An absorbent article that includes a component with an elastic laminate portion, which provides y-direction elongation. The elastic laminate portion is a support sheet and an elastic material, together forming a laminate portion of the component. The elastic laminate portion has zones, each with a different degree of maximum elongation. The zones also have different wrinkle heights and/or densities, such that one or more zones are created that cause less or no pressure marks, whilst overall an excellent force profile is maintained, resulting in well performing, comfortable to wear absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Blanca Arizti, Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Simone Seeboth, Gemma Baquer-Molas
  • Publication number: 20100022977
    Abstract: A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training. The wearable article includes a temperature change element providing a cool/wet signal when wetted which causes discomfort to the wearer. The temperature change element comprises a temperature change substance disposed on an impermeable material in order to maximize the thermal signal provided to the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Patrick J. Allen, Edward P. Carlin
  • Patent number: 7648490
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes: a napkin body having a liquid-absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid; and first and second projections each exerting an elastic contractive force between longitudinally opposing front and rear ends to concavely curve the body surface of the napkin body and raise itself from the body surface of the napkin body. The napkin body has an overlap region where the second projections lie on laterally opposite sides of the first projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kuroda, Wataru Yoshimasa, Toshiyuki Tanio, Shinobu Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7641642
    Abstract: An absorbent article 1 having a liquid retentive absorbent layer and a liquid impermeable leak preventive layer and including, in its longitudinal direction, an excretion portion facing section A which is placed opposite a wearer's liquid excretion portion, when in wear, and a rear section B which is placed more on the back side than the excretion portion facing section A, when in wear, wherein a leak preventive wall 5 is disposed on opposite side portions in the longitudinal direction, the leak preventive wall 5 having a basal wall portion and a planar elastic expansible/contractible portion connected to an upper end portion of the basal wall portion and being raised in the excretion portion facing section A and in the rear section B, and wherein a distance from an upper end portion of the basal wall portion to the leak preventive layer in the rear section is shorter than a comparable distance in the excretion portion facing section A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Murai, Tetsuya Kusagawa, Miyuki Kondo, Mitsugu Hamajima
  • Publication number: 20090326505
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet disposed to cover an upper surface of the absorber and at least partially formed of a liquid permeable material, and a back sheet disposed to cover a lower surface of the absorber and formed of a liquid impermeable material. The disposable diaper further includes a skin contact sheet disposed above the top sheet and formed with a stool passing opening, which is an opening capable of passing a stool therethrough, and to the both sides of the skin contact sheet, at least a pair of standing gathers are formed, which are leakage prevention walls capable of standing three-dimensionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicants: Oji Nepia Co., Ltd., Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko SUGIYAMA, Izumi TASHIRO, Kahori SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20090312738
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a web that may be folded over at a first fold line forming a first hem, folded over at a second fold line forming a second hem, and folded over at a third fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a first side flap. The web may be folded over at a fourth fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a second side flap. The absorbent article may also comprise a second elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent the side edge of the absorbent article. Also, the absorbent article may comprise laterally opposing deployable belt ears attached to the web in at least one of the waist regions. Each belt ear may be disposed laterally inward until being deployed laterally outward so as to project laterally outward beyond the respective distal edges of the side flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Ernesto G. Bianchi, Lisa M. Frederick, Luke Nogales, John Brian Strube
  • Publication number: 20090312732
    Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The article may also comprise a chassis formed by a web comprising at least one continuous layer that forms a portion of a water-impermeable backsheet and a portion of laterally opposing side flaps. The chassis may further comprise a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region between the waist regions, laterally opposing side edges extending between the front waist edge and the back waist edge, an exterior surface, and an interior surface to which the absorbent assembly is attached. The attachment of the absorbent assembly may be shaped. The chassis may further comprise a continuously activated region disposed in one or both of the front and back waist regions of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Thomas Henrich, Luke Nogales, Kevin Michael Smith, John Strube
  • Publication number: 20090312737
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising side edges. The side edges of the chassis may comprise folded side edge segments disposed in the front and back waist regions and cut side edge segments disposed in the crotch region. The chassis may further comprise a barrier attachment zone disposed between a side edge of the absorbent assembly and the side edge of the chassis. The barrier attachment zone may extend continuously from the front waist region through the crotch region to the back waist region and may form an area of attachment between the side flaps and the backsheet. The chassis may also comprise an elastic gathering member disposed between the side barrier attachment zone and the side edge of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Thomas Henrich, Luke Nogales, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 7618404
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to an exterior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each backsheet strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly includes a lower covering sheet that is doubled by folding and thereby includes a first layer and a second layer. The absorbent assembly also includes laterally opposing side flaps which are formed by folding doubled portions of the lower covering sheet laterally inward. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form side barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20090275910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the high production speed manufacturing of articles comprising a closed or hoop structure, such as garments like pants, or absorbent articles like diapers, having a waist- and leg hoops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Christoph Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20090275911
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a disposable absorbent hygiene item in the form of a pair of knickers, said item comprising a central absorption part, an outer envelope forming a base structure comprising a waist edge which is closed all the way round in the peripheral direction and forms an opening for the waist, a rear part and a front part comprising longitudinal lateral edge sections, and a connecting region arranged between the front part and the rear part and forming the leg openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fridmann Hormung, Wolfgang Ostertag, Florian Kautzsch, Benjamin Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20090264851
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to an array of gender-specific disposable absorbent articles having gender-specific containment flaps. In one embodiment, the array of articles comprises a first disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn by males, and a second absorbent article adapted to be worn by females. The first disposable absorbent article comprises a first pair of containment flaps, and the second disposable absorbent article comprises a second pair of containment flaps. The first pair of containment flaps differs from the second pair of containment flaps in at least one structural feature. In particular embodiments, the structural feature that differs is selected from the group consisting of flap active length, flap active-portion longitudinal position, flap tension, flap height, distal-to-distal spacing, and proximal-to-proximal spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Sandra Ann Richlen, Amanda Jean Simon
  • Publication number: 20090264847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable pant-type garments. Examples of such disposable pant-type garments include disposable underwear, adult incontinence products, disposable pull-on diapers and training pants, and disposable panties for menstrual use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Michael Charles Raufman, Joseph Hung Lam
  • Patent number: 7597690
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a surface element that is formed of a liquid-permeable topsheet covering a liquid absorbent layer. The surface element is raised from the skin-side surface of a napkin body by an elastic force of an elastic member to form a protuberance having a front end and a rear end. The protuberance fits in the intergluteal cleft and prevents rearward leakage of menstrual blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanio, Wataru Yoshimasa, Kenichiro Kuroda, Shinobu Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20090247975
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to an exterior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each backsheet strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly includes a lower covering sheet that is doubled by folding and thereby includes a first layer and a second layer. The absorbent assembly also includes laterally opposing side flaps which are formed by folding doubled portions of the lower covering sheet laterally inward. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form side barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Kevin Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20090240229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pant-type disposable absorbent hygiene article (2), comprising a waist edge (20), continuous in the circumferential direction thereof and forming a waist opening, and leg openings (8a,b), a front piece (6) and a back piece (4) having longitudinal side edge sections (16,18), and a crotch region (10), disposed between the front piece (6) and the back piece (4). The waist edge (20), continuous in the circumferential direction thereof, and the leg openings (8a,b) are produced by joining, on the manufacture end, the longitudinal side edge sections (16,18) of a front piece (6) and a back piece (4). The hygiene article also comprises an absorbent body (22). Every leg opening (8a,b) has an elastic leg opening section (81).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Krzysztof D Malowaniec
  • Publication number: 20090234316
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided with a skin-contactable panel laid in a front half of a crotch region of the article and a liquid-impervious partition laid in a vicinity of a transverse center line of the article. The panel has transversely opposite side edges bonded to transverse opposite side portion of the article and a intermediate region defined between these side edges. The partition has an upper edge bonded to the panel, a lower edge bonded to a topsheet of the article transversely opposite side edges bonded to the side portions of the article and a middle portion defined between the upper and lower edges. The intermediate region of the panel describes an upward convex circular arc above the topsheet and the middle portion of the partition is unfolded in a thickness direction of the article so as to form a pocket-like barrier against movement of bodily wastes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaiyo NAKAJIMA, Yoshitaka MISHIMA
  • Patent number: 7588561
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable wearing article is formed in a crotch region with first and second pairs of folding guide lines extending from first and second waist lateral margins toward a transverse middle of the crotch region, respectively. The crotch region is divided into a first zone enclosed by the first waist lateral margin and the first folding guide lines, a second zone enclosed by the second waist lateral margin and the second folding guide lines and a third zone outside the first and second zones. Inside the side edges of the core, first and second elastic members are contractible attached to the article. The first and second elastic members extend across the first and second zones to the third zone. The first and second zones are pulled inward under contractile forces of the elastic members to form tucks which are convex inwardly of the leg-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kenmochi, Takaaki Shimada, Takako Uosawa, Toshifumi Otsubo