Waist Opening Patents (Class 604/385.3)
  • Publication number: 20080065042
    Abstract: There is provided a disposable garment including a chassis having front and back waist sections. Two sets of side sections connect the front and back waist sections divided into a front side section and a back side section and define a continuous waist of the disposable absorbent garment. The leg openings are defined by the lower portion of the back side sections and the central crotch region of the chassis. The side sections form expandable waist and leg openings. A fastening element located a side section forms a refastenable closure when engaged with the chassis and with the back side sections creating the fitted waist and leg openings. The front side section is generally of a smaller width dimension so that it can be easily folded into the side of the diaper and does not form a part of either the fitted leg or waist openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Rick M. Maveus, Johann F. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7331946
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on undergarment includes each of front and rear waist-encircling regions having a first elasticized zone and a second elasticized zone extending in a waist-encircling direction. Tensile stress of the first elasticized zone is greater than that of the second elasticized zone. The undergarment thus constituted can reduce an incidence of intense pressure locally exerted on a waist of a wearer of the undergarment and avoid an occasion whereby an excrement-absorbing function of a core is hindered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Kenji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7322968
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article is provided on its garment facing surface with tape fasteners. The tape member forming each of the tape fastener has a fixed end portion and a free end portion adapted to be taken between the fingers longitudinally opposed to each other. The free end portion at least partially extend beyond the lateral edge of the wearing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nariaki Shimoe
  • Patent number: 7322967
    Abstract: A pant-type disposable garment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings is disclosed. The garment comprises a first waist panel, a second waist panel and a crotch panel positioned between, the first waist panel and the second waist panel. The crotch panel is openable and reclosable with respect to at least the second waist panel. The garment further comprises a releasable joint and a fastening member. The releasable joint releasably joins the crotch panel to the second waist panel to preform a pant shape. The releasable joint is released to first open the crotch panel. The fastening member is capable of refastening the crotch panel to the second waist panel to reform the pant shape after the releasable joint is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Masahiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20070293832
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with waist seals are disclosed. The seals are formed from folded stacks, discrete segments, or pleated material arranged to provide a resiliently compressible seal that can be located at one or more locations within the absorbent article, e.g., along a central portion of the rear waist region of a diaper. The seals may be constructed from relatively thin materials that (through folding, stacking, pleating, etc.) can provide a resiliently compressible seal that is thick enough and appropriately shaped to conform to the wearer's anatomy well enough to provide the desired sealing. At the same, time, the continuous web material used to form the seal is preferably thin enough to be economically delivered to the manufacturing line in roll form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
  • Publication number: 20070287975
    Abstract: The disposable pull-on garment has a longitudinal centerline, a front region, a crotch region, and a back region, the front region and the back region being joined at seams to form a waist opening and leg openings. The pull-on garment comprises a main portion, a side portion, and a waist portion. The side portion is disposed transversely outboard of the main portion. The waist portion comprises a center waist portion, an outer side waist portion, and an inner side waist portion. The center waist portion is disposed longitudinally outboard of the main portion. The outer side waist portion is disposed longitudinally outboard of the side portion, transversely outboard of the center waist portion, and contiguous with the seam. The inner side waist portion is disposed longitudinally outboard of the side portion, transversely inboard of the outer side waist portion, and transversely outboard of the center waist portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Fujimoto, Haruko Sato, Masato Higaki, Toshiyuki Matsuda, Hiroshi Nakahata
  • Publication number: 20070282292
    Abstract: A three-piece disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis. The disposable absorbent article includes front and back panels, each panel capable of being stretched and retracted in multiple directions. The back panel is also distinct and spaced apart from the front panel. The disposable absorbent article further includes an absorbent assembly situated between the front and back panels and which is attached to each by a first attachment member. The first attachment member is aligned along the longitudinal central axis. The disposable absorbent assembly includes a non-elastic absorbent that is capable of being elongated and contracted in only one direction, that direction being aligned approximately parallel to the transverse central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Scott Harkness
  • Patent number: 7294121
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a pad being relatively large in its longitudinal direction and comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these top- and backsheets and an cover sheet lying outside the backsheet and extending from an intermediate region to a rear region of the pad. The cover sheet has fixed side edge portions fixed to transversely opposite side edges of the pad, a fixed end portion fixed to a rear end portion of the pad and a free portion extending between the fixed side edge portions and the fixed end portion and let free from the pad so that a pocket opening from the side of the front region toward the side of the rear region is defined between the backsheet and the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hikari Kawata, Masashi Nakashita, Kaori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7291138
    Abstract: A rear elastic area formed by a rear waist region with rear waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the rear waist region. A front elastic area formed by a front waist region with front waist elastic members stretchable laterally across the front waist region. The rear waist region and the front waist region are capable of stretching or contracting in unison. A greater number of rear waist elastic members than front waist elastic members are provided. The rear elastic area is broader than the front elastic area with respect to the longitudinal direction of the diaper body. The body-hugging capability of the diaper body at the rear waist side of the wearer is increased so that the diaper body is prevented from slipping down. This configuration reduces constructive feeling by ensuring that the diaper body is not excessively tight at the front waist side of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hakujuji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Fumiko Aoki, Terumasa Kondo
  • Patent number: 7288079
    Abstract: A disposable diaper capable of being put on from either the front or the back of a wearer. The ratio of the minimum width W1 of the crotch section to the whole width W2 of the longitudinal end section having the fastening tapes is from 0.30 to 0.75. The minimum width W1 is in the area extending from the centerline across the diaper that divides the diaper length in two equal halves toward both the longitudinal end sections thereof by ±10% of the total length of the diaper. The area ratio S1/S2 is from 0.45 to 0.60, where S1 is the area of each region surrounded by an imaginary straight line L1, an imaginary straight line L2, and each arched side edge of the crotch section, and S2 is the area of each region surrounded by the line L1, the line L2, and an imaginary straight line L3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Haruko Toyoshima, Yasuyuki Okuda
  • Publication number: 20070203468
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes so that a sweat-absorbent sheet attached to the inner side of the diaper can maintain its sweat absorbing function during use of the diaper. The inner side of front or rear waist region constituting the disposable diaper is covered with a hydrophobic sheet and the sweat-absorbent sheet is bonded to the inner surface of the hydrophobic sheet. The hydrophobic sheet has a first sealing-free zone extending, inclusive of a first lower edge, in a circumferential direction so as to be left free from the inner side of the diaper and a first sealing zone extending above the first sealing-free zone and bonded to the inner side of the diaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshio INOUE, Satoru TANGE
  • Patent number: 7255688
    Abstract: A pull-on disposable wearing article has a first waist region and a second waist region. The first waist region is elastically stretch- and contractible in the transverse direction. The second waist region is formed with a pair of finger-grip zones which are non-stretchable in the transverse direction and an elastically stretch- and contractible middle zone. The finger-grip zones respectively have a dimension in a range of 10 to 100 mm as measured in the transverse direction and extend from a peripheral edge of the waist-hole to peripheral edges of the respective leg-holes, along a pair of bonded zones where transversely opposite side edges of the waist regions are bonded together. The middle zone extends between the finger-grip zones is elastically stretch- and contractible in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Sasaki, Yoshio Ono, Satoru Sakaguchi, Tomoko Sugito
  • Patent number: 7217260
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, and the like, that provide dynamic fit about the wearer by the use of extensible, outwardly extending side panels. The side panel includes at least one discontinuity for dividing the tensile force extending the side panel into a waist-directing force and a leg-directing force. The waist-directing force is transmitted by the side panel to the waist area of the article to maintain the waist area in a snug, but comfortable, fit against the waist of the wearer. The leg-directing force is transmitted by the side panel to the leg cuff area of the article to prevent leakage between the leg cuff and the wearer's leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: John C. Molander, Larry K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7179248
    Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The topsheet and backsheet define a periphery and longitudinal edges, portions of the longitudinal edges define leg openings when the diaper is worn. The diaper has a discrete edge seal folded about and joined to the longitudinal edges at least at the portions defining leg openings when the diaper is worn. An apparatus for affixing a discrete edge seal onto a portion of a longitudinal edge of a continuous web and methods for affixing a discrete edge seal onto a predetermined portion of a longitudinal edge of a continuous web are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Christoph Johann Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7172585
    Abstract: Absorbent product of pants-like shape, such as incontinence pants, including an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element, and a liquidtight outer layer which is intended to enclose the absorbent element on at least that side thereof which faces away from the wearer during use of the article. The elastic waist portion is made from an elastic first piece which is essentially rectangular and is intended to form the rear portion and side portions of the pants-like product. A second piece forms the front portion and crotch portion of the pants-like product. The second piece is elongate, and the width thereof is, at least in the crotch portion, smaller than the length of the first piece. The second piece is arranged with its longitudinal direction at right angles in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first piece and is connected by a first end portion to one longitudinal edge portion of the first piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Cécile Sandin, Lennart Nilsson
  • Patent number: 7160282
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent base panel interposed between these two sheets, a pair of side flaps lying outside transversely opposite side edges of the base panel so as to extend in a longitudinal direction, a pair of leak-barrier cuffs attached to the respective side flaps, elastic members secured to distal side edge portions of the cuffs. The article further includes a pair of liquid-absorbent side panels attached to opposed surfaces of the leak-barrier cuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 7150729
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article wherein: a body fluid absorbent assembly of a disposable pull-on wearing article is formed in a crotch region with a pair of inwardly folded portions on both sides of a longitudinal center line. The body fluid absorbent assembly comprises an hourglass-shaped core and a cover sheet used to cover this core. The core is formed its both side edges with notches and respective regions of the cover sheet lying in these notches are provided with a pair of crotch region elastic members extending in a back-and-forth direction and intersecting folding guide lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Shimada, Naoko Takada
  • Patent number: 7150732
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes antislip elements having a frictional force higher than those of end flaps and side flaps. These antislip elements are attached to portions of the end flap extending immediately outside transversely opposite ends of a waist elastic member on the side of these portions facing away from the diaper wearer's skin. The waist elastic member is, in turn, attached to the end flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Yoshida, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 7128733
    Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventors: Tara J. Valentin, Stacey A. Infantino
  • Patent number: 7118558
    Abstract: An elastic assembly for absorbent garments having a first carrier layer, a second carrier layer, and an elastic layer attached between the first and second carrier layers to impart elasticity to an elasticized portion of the elastic assembly. The elastic layer is made of elastic strands having a decitex of about 600 or less. The elastic strands are arranged generally in parallel with one another and with a spacing of about 1 to about 10 elastic strands per centimeter. The elasticized portion of the elastic assembly has a thickness of about 2.6 mm or less at a pressure of 0.05 p.s.i. and about 8 or more corrugations per centimeter when in an elastically relaxed state. The first and second carrier layers are attached to one another in the elasticized portion substantially only by a coating of adhesive on the elastic strands. Absorbent garments incorporating the elastic assembly and a method of making the elastic assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG
    Inventors: Lanying Z. Wu, Joseph B. Vergona, Ruth L. Levy, Edward P. Erdman, Stacy J. Driskell
  • Patent number: 7112193
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a backsheet comprising an elastic inner layer and an inelastic outer layer. The elastic inner layer, in a transversely stretched state, is joined to the inelastic outer layer at a plurality of intermittently disposed spots. The spots are lined up to form a series of imaginary lines disposed on a bias between the longitudinal and transverse directions of the disposable diaper. In each of areas between the spots, defined by a plurality of intersecting imaginary lines that pass through a plurality of the spots that are closely arranged in succession, the inelastic outer layer is free to separate from the elastic inner layer upon contraction (relaxation) of the elastic inner layer, and thereupon the outer layer forms a plurality of longitudinal pleats. The pleats, formed by relaxing the transversely stretched inner layer, are disposed in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7060058
    Abstract: A disposable pants-type diaper includes a front waist region sheet, a rear waist region sheet and a body fluid absorbent pad. The front and rear waist region sheets are bonded together in the vicinity of transversely opposite side edges thereof and the pad is curved in a U-shape and has longitudinally opposite ends bonded to the inner side of the front and rear waist region sheets. Periphery of a lower edge of the front waist region sheet draws a curve which is convex upward and this-lower edge intersects transversely opposite side edges of the pad to define tops of a pair of leg-holes. A first elastic member extending along the lower edge of the front waist region sheet intersects third elastic members of the pad in the vicinity of the tops and then descend rearward of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7011653
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment having high leg cuts. The garment includes an absorbent chassis defining a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The absorbent chassis includes a front region, a crotch region, a back region, two side panels connecting the front region and the back region. The side panels may include refastenable side seams between front and back panels, a permanently bonded side seam, or no side seams at all. In embodiments having refastenably attached side panels, the front side panels may have an S shape along a bottom edge to minimize the possibility of a pointed piece of the back side panels sticking out. The high-cut side regions may be defined by a ratio of side panel width at a narrowest longitudinal dimension of the side panel divided by a width of the side panel along a side seam of less than about 0.7. Alternatively, the high-cut side regions may be defined by a ratio of leg opening circumference divided by waist opening circumference of at least about 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Ann Imsangjan, Michael Donald Sperl, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 7001368
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article folded along a folding zone extending across a crotch region in a transverse direction so that the inner surface of the article comes in contact with itself. The folding zone is formed at a position displaced toward a front waist region so that a front peripheral edge portion of a waist-opening defined by the front waist region lies at a longitudinally lower position than that of a rear peripheral edge portion of the waist-opening defined by a rear waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6991622
    Abstract: Inventive disposable underpants are provided with an underpants member formed of a first sheet as an outermost layer and a second sheet located inside the first sheet; an absorbent member provided on the second sheet at the inner side of the underpants member; and a trunk fittable elastic member for fitting the trunk tightly held between the first and second sheets, wherein absorbent member fixing sheets each folded to form an upper and a lower portions are transversely arranged below the absorbent member, and the upper portions of the absorbent member fixing sheets are joined with a lower surface of the absorbent member, whereas the lower portions thereof are joined with an upper surface of the second sheet. Thus, even if the disposable underpants were formed using a thin absorbent member, the absorbent member could suppress a lateral leak of urine without being twisted while the disposable underpants were worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nakaoka, Masaru Fujioka, Satoshi Maeda, Kazuyo Mori
  • Patent number: 6986762
    Abstract: Provided is a sanitary panty having a waist band in a waist part, leg bands in leg openings, and a napkin fitting portion in a crotch part. In a three-dimensionally shaped condition as worn, a dimensional ratio between a center front length from the crotch part to the waist part and a minimum total length from the leg opening to the waist part is in a range of 80 to 200 in the total length, as taking that the center front length is 100. In a back part, an elastic lifting member extending from the crotch part to the waist part is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Wada, Ayami Suga
  • Patent number: 6969378
    Abstract: A biaxial stretch, form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment has a stretchable outer cover, a stretchable body side liner, and a stretchable absorbent assembly. The outer cover and the body side liner are desirably biaxially stretchable. The absorbent assembly can either be biaxially stretchable or segmented with longitudinal stretch. The absorbent garment is easy to apply, has a self-adjusting feature, and delivers enhanced fit and comfort during use without restricting a wearer's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Richard Warren Tanzer, Nancy E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6881207
    Abstract: A disposable diaper having a front section, rear section, crotch portion, and a waist band. A soft padding is provided on the waist band. Padding is also provided on the edge portions surrounding the leg holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Rhonda Tracy
  • Publication number: 20040260261
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes antislip elements having a frictional force higher than those of end flaps and side flaps. These antislip elements are attached to portions of the end flap extending immediately outside transversely opposite ends of a waist elastic member on the side of these portions facing away from the diaper wearer's skin. The waist elastic member is, in turn, attached to the end flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Masaki Yoshida, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Mitsui
  • Publication number: 20040243085
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed that includes front and back panels each having a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is extensible and retractable and the second zone is non-extensible and non-retractable. The disposable absorbent article also has a waistband integrally formed in the first zone that has extensible regions separated by non-extensible regions. The waistband is constructed such that a greater force is required to extend it than is required to extend the remaining extensible portion of the first zone in both the front and back panels. The disposable absorbent article also includes an absorbent assembly and the front and back panels are secured together by a pair of seams to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Steven Veith, Paul VanGompel
  • Publication number: 20040243086
    Abstract: A disposable pant-like undergarment is disclosed having stretchable front and back panels. An elastic band is secured to at least one of the front and back panels. The elastic band has a retracted length less than the retracted length of the panel to which it is secured. An absorbent assembly including a liquid pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious outer cover, and an absorbent positioned therebetween, is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly is capable of being folded to enable the front panel to overlap the back panel. A pair of seams joins the front panel, the back panel and the elastic band together at their side edges to form a pant-like undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The elastic band creates a snug fit at the waist opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul VanGompel, Russell Evan Thorson
  • Publication number: 20040243079
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a body fluid absorbing zone extending over a crotch region further into front and rear waist regions, side flaps extending in a longitudinal direction outside transversely opposite side edges of the zone, and end flaps extending in a transverse direction outside longitudinally opposite ends of the zone. The side flaps in the front waist region are formed from a composite nonwoven fabric composed of a first fibrous nonwoven fabric facing away from the wearer's skin and a second fibrous nonwoven fabric laminated on the first fibrous nonwoven fabric and facing the wearer's skin. The first fibrous nonwoven fabric has a kinetic friction coefficient higher than a kinetic friction coefficient of the second fibrous nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Koichiro Mitsui, Hironao Minato, Yasushi Sayama
  • Patent number: 6822134
    Abstract: The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a backsheet and a fecal management member joined to the backsheet. The fecal management member includes a backing and a sheet of fibers. The sheet of fibers have anchor portions in the backing at spaced bonding locations and have arcuate portions of the sheet projecting from the backing between bonding locations. The sheet of fibers includes additional fibers which are joined to at least some of the arcuate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gabriele Stiehl, Ludwig Busam, Jorg Muller
  • Patent number: 6821370
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Kurt Garrett Krupka, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Michael William Protheroe, Timothy Alan Thorson, Brian Robert Vogt, Michael John Wanner, Thomas Earl Williamson
  • Patent number: 6797858
    Abstract: An absorbent article having front and rear regions corresponding to the front and rear of a wearer, respectively, and a crotch region between the front and rear regions. The article generally has a backsheet, a topsheet overlaying the backsheet, and a foam layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. An absorbent core also is located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The foam layer preferably extends from the front region, through the crotch, and into the back region. The foam layer is attached to the article, while in a laterally extended position, in at least one of the front and rear regions thereby elasticizing at least one region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward P Erdman
  • Patent number: 6780173
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment includes a pair of elastically stretchable first wings extending outward from transversely opposite side edge portions of a rear waist region, proximal side edge portions of the respective first wings are contiguous to transversely opposite side edge portions of a crotch region. The undergarment further includes a pair of elastically stretchable second wings placed upon the first wings and extending outward from the transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region, proximal side edge portions are not contiguous to the transversely opposite side edge portions of the crotch region. A stretch stress generated in the first wings as the front and rear waist regions are connected to each other is exerted upon the undergarment in a waist-surrounding direction as well as in a thigh-surrounding direction but a stretch stress generated at the same time is exerted upon the article only in the waist-surrounding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mishima, Koichiro Tani
  • Patent number: 6764479
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard includes a pair of belt portions attached to the rear portion or alternatively to the front portion of the article. The belt portions are fastened together around the waist of the wearer, wherein the one belt portion carries a first fastener arrangement intended to be attached against the opposite belt portion. The front portion or alternatively the rear portion exhibits a second fastener arrangement intended to be attached to the belt portions in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt portions are attached to the rear portion or alternatively to the front portion of the article via first elastic side panels arranged on the article. The front portion or alternatively the rear portion of the article has second elastic side panels to which the second fastener arrangement is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Kent Hermansson, Kenneth Strannemalm
  • Publication number: 20040127876
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment of this invention comprises an absorbent chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region extending longitudinally therebetween. A support panel extends longitudinally from one of the waist regions of the absorbent chassis and may be positioned in a folded-down condition in which the support panel overlaps the one waist region on the outside of the absorbent chassis. The support panel is elastically stretchable in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the absorbent chassis. A fastening system is provided for securing the support panel in a chassis supporting position in which it is in its folded-down condition and elastically stretched girthwise around opposite hips of a person wearing the garment to support the absorbent chassis on the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6756522
    Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending therebetween. An end portion of the rear waist region is provided with an elastic member associated with a waist-opening. The diaper has transversely opposite side edges and upper and lower edges. A plurality of slits extend through the diaper in its thickness direction and in a longitudinal direction so as to be spaced one from another by a predetermined dimension in a waist-surrounding direction between the side edges. The slits are also spaced one from another by a predetermined dimension in the longitudinal direction between a vicinity of the upper edge and a vicinity of the lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sayama, Hironao Minato, Naomi Suzuki, Rumiko Shiraishi, Yasushi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040122400
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front and back waist regions. An outer cover member and a bodyside liner extend longitudinally between the front and back waist regions. An absorbent body structure is sandwiched between the outer cover member and the bodyside liner. A waistband portion includes at least one elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has a relaxed circumference wherein between about 45% to about 70% of the circumference is defined by the elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has an extended circumference for a target wearer wherein, at the extended circumference, the elastomeric portion is extended between about 10% to about 40% of its relaxed circumferential length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Catherine M. Hancock-Cooke, Mark G. Everson, Paul J. Datta, John E. Kerins
  • Patent number: 6730070
    Abstract: The absorbent product has longitudinal side edges, transverse end edges, first and second end sections and a crotch section between the end sections. A fastening tab is arranged at a side edge, on the first end section, and includes a first fastening member. A second fastening member is arranged on the second end section and arranged to interact with the first fastening member to bind the product into a briefs shape. A material strip extends in the transverse direction of the product and is fixed permanently to the product, at least at its ends. The fastening tab constitutes part of the material strip and is demarcated from the rest of the material strip by a tear line extending substantially transversely to the direction of extent of the material strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Christian Holmquist
  • Patent number: 6726670
    Abstract: A belted absorbent article (10) having an absorbent structure (16) and a pair of opposed belt halves (12, 14) attached to the absorbent structure (16) via a respective joint (50). The joint (50) between each belt half (12, 14) and the absorbent structure (16) is designed such that when each belt half is subjected to a tension force of 35 N acting along the belt half and the direction of applied tension creates an angle (&agr;) to the transverse axis (T) of the absorbent structure, the following minimum average release times (t) of each belt half from the absorbent structure are attained: when &agr;=10°, t>>720 seconds; when &agr;=20°, t>>330 seconds; when &agr;=25°, t>>240 seconds; when &agr;=30°, t>>180 seconds; and when &agr;=40°, t>>75 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Christian Almberg, Lucas Bäck
  • Patent number: 6716205
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having a combined leg elastic and leak guard flap feature. A chassis of the absorbent garment includes an outer cover and a body side liner with at least one elastomeric member folded within the body side liner around each of two leg openings defined by the chassis to form a finished edge around each leg opening. The folded edge of the body side liner is then folded again to create a fully functional flap with the appearance of a leg elastic in the crotch area. The resulting absorbent garment has a three-dimensional leg elastic assembly that creates a bucket for containing body fluids, and furthermore, creates a tailored, soft, comfortable leg and side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6685690
    Abstract: A disposable diaper that has a panel member which is flexible and substantially non-stretchable and attached to an end flap in a rear waist region and extends in a transverse direction of the diaper. The panel member has a stiffness higher than that of the end flap so that shrinkage and/or distortion of the end flap can be restrained by the panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Miyuki Ikeda, Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Patent number: 6676648
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment has a front region, a back region, and a central region, each region having a length along a longitudinal axis of one third of the length of the absorbent garment. An absorbent pad positioned within the regions has a length of absorbent pad in the back region divided by a length of absorbent pad in the front region and central region less than 0.10, and the length in the front region is greater than the length in the back region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Anne Bruemmer Prestley, Marianne Keevill Leick, Gregory James Hess, David Arthur Fell, Sarah Jane Marie Freiburger, Amy Lynn Fletcher, Cornelis Jacobus Bosselaar, Joseph Patrick Fell, Jacqueline Ann Gross, John Anthony Rooyakkers, Kenneth Raymond Schueler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030230378
    Abstract: Starting from an elastic material web and an absorbent product web, the method includes removing a first material piece from the elastic material web to provide a second material piece with an aperture and applying the first piece to a first portion of the absorbent product web. The second piece is supplied to a second application station and a section of the second piece is stretched and applied to a second portion of the absorbent product web. In this way an absorbent product with elastic waist portions is manufactured efficiently and with a minimum of waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Ken Olsson, Marie Johansson, Helena Corneliusson, Robert Kling
  • Patent number: 6664440
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment is provided on inside of a waist-opening's peripheral edge with a sweat-absorbent sheet comprising an inner layer destined to come in contact with a wearer's skin and an outer layer opposed to the inner layer. The inner layer contains hydrophobic fibers of 70˜98 w % and hydrophilic fibers of at least 2 w %. The outer layer contains hydrophilic fibers of 50˜100 w % of which a part extends outward from the outer layer through interstices of the hydrophobic fibers to the skin contacting surface of the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kawamura, Yoshio Ono
  • Patent number: 6648868
    Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a cover member having an hourglass-shape and a-separate liquid-absorbent member composed of a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core. The cover member has an elastic stretchability along the upper ends of front and waist regions, and these front and rear waist regions are connected or connectable along transversely opposite side edges thereof. The liquid-absorbent member includes first and second elastically stretchable members that extend circumferentially across portions of the front and rear waist regions lying immediately above the crotch region. Longitudinally opposite ends of these elastically stretchable members are bonded to the transversely opposite side edges of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sayama, Toshifumi Otsubo, Yasushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6642427
    Abstract: A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training is provided. 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Patrick J. Allen, Edward P. Carlin
  • Publication number: 20030199843
    Abstract: The present invention provides a child's disposable absorbent training pant having an improved waist elastic system. The waist elastic system has a selected maximum magnitude of decay over the first three cycles at a specific extension, thereby providing a substantially uniform low tension over a wide size range, a more comfortable fit, and improved ease of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Ann Kato, Frank Steven Glaug