Pad Having Means For Securing Pad During Use Patents (Class 604/386)
  • Publication number: 20090299322
    Abstract: An absorbent article for personal wear has front and back waist regions that are one of permanently attached and releasably attachable to define transversely opposite sides each extending a length Lp from a waist opening to a leg opening of the article. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one side of the article and extending a greatest length La along at least a portion of the length Lp of the side. A tab region of the tab extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The greatest length La of the attachment region of the tab is substantially greater than the greatest distance Dt that the tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region. The greatest length La of the attachment region is in the range of about 35 percent to 100 percent of the length Lp of the side of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Michael D. Sperl, Nancy Meetz, Sandra M. Rogers, Lorelle M. Scheibe, Joseph P. Fell, Christine Ann Caneba
  • Patent number: 7621901
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having a back waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends, a front waist portion with a fibrous outer surface and two lateral ends adjacent the lateral ends of the back waist portion, two prefolded nonwoven connectors each connecting two adjacent ends of the back waist portion and the front waist portion, and a hook fastener prefastened to one of said nonwoven connectors such that the prefastened hook is pre-engaged with the outer fibrous surface of the front waist region. Each nonwoven connector may be folded n times wherein n is an integer of front 2 to 30. The front and back lateral edges may be folded over the top surface of said article, and secured in place by a securement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamzeh Karami
  • Patent number: 7611501
    Abstract: An absorbent article including an adhesive on a body-facing surface of the article for securing the article to the body, the adhesive having the following properties: G?[100 rad/sec@ 37° C.]/G?[0.1 rad/sec@ 37° C.]?4.5; and ?20° C.?Tg(° C.)?15° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Luizzi
  • Patent number: 7608070
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an article has a mechanical fastener and configured is to be worn by a user. The article comprises a body portion configured to be worn by a user. The body portion may include a fibrous landing layer wherein the fibrous landing layer comprises a plurality of fibers. The body portion may also include a foam layer, such that the foam layer has a first surface comprising a plurality of free-stranding struts adapted for engaging at least a portion of the plurality of fibers of the landing layer. The foam layer and fibrous landing layer are capable of being engaged with a Shear Resistance of about 100 grams of force or greater per square centimeter and a Peel Resistance of about 50 grams or less of force per square centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie Marie Bednarz, Nadezhda Efremova, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Lisha Yu
  • Publication number: 20090264852
    Abstract: A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Kouichi Miyamoto, Joseph Bernard Kraimer, David Randall Knaub, Jason Arthur Hilbourne, Henry Young Chin
  • Patent number: 7591810
    Abstract: An absorbent garment includes a front body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge and a rear body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge. The terminal crotch edge of the rear body panel is longitudinally spaced from and forms a gap with the terminal crotch edge of the front body panel. An absorbent composite bridges the gap between the front and rear body panels with first and second terminal edges overlying and connected to the front and rear body panels respectively. In one embodiment, the terminal edges of the absorbent composite are the only portion of the absorbent composite connected to the front and rear body panels. In another embodiment, the absorbent composite is further connected to the front and rear body panels at first and second attachment locations proximate a longitudinally extending centerline of the absorbent composite and longitudinally spaced from the first and second terminal edges. Methods of using the absorbent garments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Morman, James M. Carr, Yung H. Huang, Eric D. Johnson, Jennifer L. Marvin, Mary Jo Meyer, Thomas H. Roessler, Paul T. Van Gompel
  • Publication number: 20090221982
    Abstract: The composite material comprises an elastic film (F), made of polymer material, and a coating made of flocked fibers (13) on at least one face. The fibers are fixed to the film by a layer (C) of bonding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ricardo Cecconi, Barbara Bulleri, Chiara Allegrini, Stefano Muroni, Claudio Giacometti
  • Patent number: 7582077
    Abstract: A wearing article includes a chassis having front and rear waist regions, a fastener mechanism adapted to fasten transversely opposite side edges of the chassis, and an elastic adjusting element adapted to stretch or contract at least one of the front and rear waist regions in a transverse direction. The fastener mechanism includes flat and rigid male fastener panels each having a proximal end secured to the side edge of the rear waist region, and female fastener members located on the side edges of the front waist region so that the male fastener panels can be releasably engaged with the respective female fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Publication number: 20090216209
    Abstract: A double gusset cloth diaper including an inner surface and an outer surface forming an hourglass shape, having a groin area proximate a center line of the reusable diaper and defining at least one recess therebetween. A fluid absorbent material is removably located in the recess through the opening. A first gusset is attached to the reusable diaper to form a first seal between the inner surface and the legs of the user. A second gusset is attached to the reusable diaper proximate the first gusset. The gussets are formed of an elastic material attached to the wrong side of the inner surface in a channel formed by stitching the inner surface to form channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: KANGA CARE, LLC
    Inventor: Julie Ekstrom
  • Publication number: 20090204088
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to easily removable fabric undergarments used in toilet training children. The fabric undergarment includes a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel includes an upper edge and two side panels extending from opposite sides of the front panel, each side panel terminating in a side edge that includes a first connecting means. The rear panel includes an upper edge and two side panels extending from opposite sides of the front panel, each side panel terminating in a side edge that includes a second connecting means. Each of the first connecting means is configured to mate with the opposite second connecting means to form a closed waist loop for encircling the waist of the child wearing the undergarment formed by the front panel, the rear panel, and the side panels, and a pair of closed leg loops for encircling the legs of the child wearing the undergarment. The leg loops and waist loop each being configured to have a repeatable and consistent diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: STACY LYNNE STEARMAN, Eric Haynes Stearman
  • Patent number: 7572250
    Abstract: An absorbent product has a fluid permeable top sheet, a fluid impermeable backing sheet, and an absorbent core having an upper side, a bottom side, two longitudinally running sides and two laterally running sides. The product further has two longitudinally running barrier flaps at the longitudinally running sides of the absorbent core. The top sheet covers the upper side of the absorbent core. The top sheet, with the upper side of the absorbent core, also covers the longitudinally running sides of the absorbent core and part of the bottom side of the absorbent core, the top sheet extending between at least a portion of the bottom side of the absorbent core and the backing sheet. The top sheet is connected to the backing sheet at the bottom side of the absorbent core. The barrier flaps are connected to the backing sheet at the longitudinally running sides of the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Eva Simmons, Anders Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20090198206
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
  • Patent number: 7569041
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable diaper (2), used more particularly in the event of incontinence, comprising a hip band (10) forming a hip opening in the diaper which is closed in the direction of the periphery whereby said hip band can be opened in at least one place and can be closed, also comprising a front area, a rear area and a main diaper part (4) which has a crotch area located there between and which comprises an absorbing body (6) for liquids. The main part (4) of the diaper can be detachably fixed to the hip band using the longitudinal end of the front area or rear area, by means of first closing means (34) such that a user can place the main part (4) of the diaper between his/her legs when the hip band is worn (10) and can detachably fix the free longitudinal end of the main part (4) of the diaper to the hip band (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Stupperich, Wolfgang Roehrl, Matthias Bandorf
  • Patent number: 7569042
    Abstract: A disposable garment including a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes at least two first fasteners and at least two second fasteners, at least a portion of each second fastener being located in the front waist region and situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge of the front waist region, each second fastener being configured to engage at least a portion of the bodyfacing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, Georgia L. Zehner
  • Patent number: 7547299
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has front and rear waist regions, a crotch region extending between these waist regions and a pair of engagement members respectively to inner surfaces of transversely opposite side edge portions of the rear waist region. In the article, each of the engagement members has a fixed portion permanently bonded to the associated side portion of the rear waist region and a first free portion extending inward from the fixed portion in a transverse direction of the rear waist region wherein the first free portion is formed on its inner surface with a fastening means so that the side edge portions of the rear waist region may be releasably engaged with inner or outer surface of the front waist region by means of the engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Tomoko Sugita
  • Publication number: 20090131902
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment with a front opening panel is described. The undergarment includes a waist band having an inner surface, an outer surface, a front side, a back side, a top portion, and a bottom portion, and a panel extending from the bottom portion of the back side of the waist band, the panel having a first end, a front portion, and a back portion. The first end of the panel is secured to the waist band by a suitable securing mechanism. In another embodiment, the waist band includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the waist band is attached to the second end of the waist band by another suitable securing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: TAMICARE LTD.
    Inventor: Merav Giloh
  • Patent number: 7534236
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an interlabial pad easy to wear between the labia and provides an interlabial pad of a structure allowing to wear between the labia of a woman easily and appropriately. A mini sheet piece (14) is attached to the opposite side to the body side of the an interlabial pad (1) for constituting a pocket (16) for finger insertion and, at the same time, the shape of a finger insertion opening (19a) constituting the entrance of the pocket (16) is made flat in the planar direction of the sheet so that the boll of the finger can be inserted naturally in contact with the face of the sheet. In addition, the finger insertion opening (19a) is made to guide to a finger application point (3) appropriate for feeling for a wearing point in between the labia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Koichi Yamaki, Yuki Noda, Megumi Tokumoto, Akane Sakai
  • Patent number: 7534237
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes attachment panels extending transversely outward from the absorbent assembly in one waist region and mechanical fastening components in an opposite waist region. The attachment panels cover the side hips of the wearer and define inner attachment surfaces that are adapted to refastenably engage the fastening components to maintain the absorbent article in a pant configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Olson, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs
  • Patent number: 7524314
    Abstract: The wearing article is provided with a fastening system adapted to releasably connecting front and rear waist regions defining a waist-opening. The fastening system includes engaging fasteners located on transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region and landing fasteners located on transversely opposite side zones of the front waist region. Each of the engaging fasteners has an insert and an engaging portion while each of the landing fasteners has a pocket adapted to receive the insert and a landing portion which is formed on the outer surface of the pocket and with which the engaging portion is releasably engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 7524313
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
  • Publication number: 20090088716
    Abstract: The invention encompasses an absorbent article having a shape so as to guard against leakage, especially when the wearer is in a prone or supine position. In one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a body, including an exudate impermeable backsheet, and exudate permeable topsheet that is attached to the bottom sheet, and an absorbent core that is positioned between the backsheet and topsheet. Further, a front end comprises a first upraised peak, while a back end comprises a second upraised peak, with a central portion extending between the first and second upraised peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Oriyomi Nwokeji
  • Publication number: 20090069781
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an embodiment wherein a disposable wearable absorbent article comprises an anchoring subsystem configured to at least assist in holding the article in place on a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew James Sauer, Michael Dale Trennepohl
  • Publication number: 20090069782
    Abstract: A disposable wearable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core area, a side, and an anchoring subsystem. The anchoring subsystem includes exactly one side anchoring member. The side anchoring member has a pathway with a front end, a back end, and a middle. The front end, the back end, or both ends are disposed outside of the absorbent core area. The front end is disposed at a front end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end is disposed at a back end longitudinally outboard distance. The middle is disposed at a middle longitudinally outboard distance. The back end longitudinally outboard distance is less than the front end longitudinally outboard distance. The front end longitudinally outboard distance is about equal to the middle longitudinally outboard distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew James Sauer, Michael Dale Trennepohl
  • Publication number: 20090054860
    Abstract: A composite fabric panel comprising a substrate and a plurality of elongate operative members engaged directly with the substrate, wherein the elongate operative members perform a serviceable operation in response to a stimulus. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises a nonwoven and the elongate operative members include multifilament yarns. The serviceable operation performed by the elongate operative members may comprise a transformation and/or a selective dispersion of active agents in response to such stimuli as wetting, temperature change, change in pH or affects of concentrated chemical environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Terrill A. Young, Donald C. Roe, William J. Toerner
  • Patent number: 7462172
    Abstract: An elastic composite is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The elastic composite 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 cross machine direction and in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a first longitudinally extending side edge and a second longitudinally extending side edge between which, the elastic construction is disposed. The elastic composite further includes an elasticized region, wherein the elastic construction is disposed, a first non-elasticized region disposed between the first side edge and the elasticized region, and a second non-elasticized region disposed between the second side edge and the elasticized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: DSG Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Christopher Wright, Kuo-Shu Edward Chang, Patrick King Yu Tsang, Anne Smid
  • Publication number: 20080300560
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper or an incontinence protection product, which has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a front waist portion, a rear waist portion and a crotch portion which is arranged between the front and rear waist portions and includes a liquid-permeable outer layer and a liquid-impermeable outer layer and also an absorption body which is enclosed between the outer layers, a front edge which extends in the transverse direction and a rear edge which extends in the transverse direction, with the article having a wiping area which is arranged on the liquid-permeable outer layer, with the wiping area being arranged outside the crotch area on the front waist portion and including an adsorptive agent for taking up and binding microorganisms and proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Elinor Magnusson, Carolyn Berland
  • Publication number: 20080294137
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, an incontinence guard or similar, has a front region a rear region and a crotch region located between the front and rear regions. The article includes a central portion with two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges and side panels located in the rear region of the article, placed along the longitudinal edges of the central portion. Each side panel includes a rear portion and a front portion which extend in the transverse direction from the central portion, and the front portion is located at the longitudinal edge of the central portion at a first distance from the transverse edge in the rear region. The rear portion is elastic and the front portion is substantially non-elastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Filip Jansson
  • Patent number: 7449017
    Abstract: A disposable diaper, which has fastening sheets on two side portions of a back side and which can be used with an ordinary fastening method but also a cross fastening method. The diaper has fastening sheets individually formed on the two side portions of the back side of the diaper and each including: joint ears formed to extend from outer side edges of each one of the sheets and to protrude sideward at two upper and lower stages; and facing fasteners disposed on inner sides of said joint ears, whereby the disposable paper diaper is worn on a body by fixing joint ears on a surface of an abdomen side of the diaper. Perforations leading from an outer side edge to an inner side are formed in a portion of the fastening base sheet between the joint ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7445615
    Abstract: An interlabial pad fits a vaginal opening and a vestibule floor without a gap with the vaginal opening or the vestibule floor. The pad prevents leakage of menstrual blood from a gap and prevents dropping out of the pad when the pad is worn between labia. The interlabial pad is provided with an absorbent body for absorbing and holding body fluid, has a central axis, and is worn with at least one portion held by labia minora, between the labia, so that at least one portion close to the central axis when worn touches the vestibule floor inside the labia of the wearer, and is also provided with a rear portion low compression rigidity structure, so that a rear portion that is positioned to the rear of the wearer and, when worn, touches the body of the wearer first, has low compression rigidity in comparison to a front portion positioned to the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Wataru Yoshimasa, Megumi Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 7438708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having extensions, parts of which are to be folded back and fixed on an undergarment in use. The sanitary napkin includes: a liquid-permeable topsheet disposed on one side of the sanitary napkin to cover a central region thereof; a backsheet; an absorbent layer disposed therebetween; and leakage preventing portions disposed on laterally opposed side portions of the topsheet and extending in a longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. Joints between the respective leakage preventing portions and the topsheet are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction. The extensions are portions of the sanitary napkin extending laterally outwardly beyond the joints. Each extension includes a flexible region for facilitating folding thereof, which is spaced laterally outwardly apart from corresponding one of the joints and has a stiffness lower than that of a region between the flexible region and the corresponding joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kashiwagi, Wataru Yoshimasa, Etsuko Tagami
  • Publication number: 20080215027
    Abstract: A reusable diaper may include an inner layer to wick moisture and an outer layer substantially impervious to liquids. A waist portion may include a corner region for securing the diaper in a desired position. The corner region may be resiliently stretchable and substantially impervious to liquids, and may include first and second layers coupled to the respective inner and outer layers. The coupled first layer and inner layer define a first seam allowance, and the coupled second layer and outer layer define a second seam allowance. The first and second seam allowances may be positioned within the corner region to help inhibit wicking of liquid through the seam allowances into the corner region. And a fluid-resistant region may be provided to help resist wicking of moisture through the inner layer past the fluid-resistant region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Labit, James Andrew Labit
  • Publication number: 20080215028
    Abstract: A cloth diaper is fitted, washable and reusable, and highly effective in reducing or preventing leaks. The diaper comprises fabric preferably on both the outermost surface and the inner most surface that is stretchable, soft, and has hydrophilic and wicking properties. The diaper comprises an inner absorbent layer(s) between said hydrophilic and wicking fabric layers. A preferred continuously-adjustable fastening system may be used to adapt the diaper to fit a wide range of sizes of infants and toddlers, for example, from birth up to four years old. The fastening system allows a large amount of the front side of the diaper to be folded inside the diaper, significantly changing the overall size of the diaper to accommodate small infants. Even with the large folded-in flap, soft, wicking fabric is maintained against the child's skin, and the fastener system portion that is also folded inward does not interfere with absorbency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: KEREN BROWN, TRACY MILJKOVIC
  • Publication number: 20080195076
    Abstract: A fastener (10) comprising an attachment section (30) for permanent attachment to an anchoring area, a target section (60) for permanent attachment to a landing area, and a fastening section (40) for selective attachment and detachment from the target section (60). A breakable connection (70) initially connects the fastening section (40) and the target section (60), and this connection (70) is broken to disconnect the fastening section (40) from the target section (60) when fastener (10) is converted from a closed condition to an opened condition. A single fingerlift (80) can be gripped both when converting the fastener (10) from an installed condition to the closed condition, and when converting the fastener (10) from the closed condition to the opened condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Michel Coomans
  • Publication number: 20080195073
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a disposable absorbent article including an inner part including a sheet of material having an inner side, an outer side opposite the inner side, a front waist region, and a rear waist region, wherein the front waist region is connected with the rear waist region to form a waist opening and two leg openings; an outer part including an absorbent material, the outer part being separate from the inner part and adapted to be worn over the outer side of the inner part such that the inner part can be worn independently of the outer part; and an opening in the sheet of material of the inner part for allowing bowel movement waste to pass through the opening so that the inner part cooperates with the outer part in use to collect and retain bowel movement waste between the inner and outer parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Maja Wciorka
  • Publication number: 20080195074
    Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 7407557
    Abstract: A method includes producing an elastic strip material (12) by sandwiching an elastic member (4) between two webs (10, 11) under a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the webs (10, 11), halving the elastic strip material (12) in the widthwise direction so that protrusions (12a) and recesses (12b) alternately appear, separating a first elastic strip material and a second elastic strip material obtained by halving in the widthwise direction, shifting the phases of the first and second elastic strip materials in the longitudinal direction so that the protrusions and the recesses become in phase, reducing the shrinking force of the elastic member near the protrusions (12a) of the first and second elastic strip materials (12A and 12B), and attaching an absorber (12c) onto parts (12c) of the first and second elastic strip materials (12A) where the shrinking force is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Wada, Mamoru Itani, Shuhei Kurata
  • Publication number: 20080183148
    Abstract: A reusable diaper may include an inner layer and an outer layer. A fluid-absorbing insert may be coupled to the inner layer for use in absorbing fluids. The inner layer may be disposed generally between the outer layer and the fluid-absorbing insert such that both the fluid-absorbing insert and the inner layer are in position for absorbing fluids. The fluid-absorbing insert may be adjustable relative to the inner layer for accommodating use by a male and/or a female. The reusable diaper may also include forward and rearward waist portions generally defined by the inner and outer layers. Liquid-resistant regions may be disposed adjacent the waist portions, generally between the waist portions and the fluid-absorbing insert, for resisting movement of fluid from the fluid-absorbing insert to the waist portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Labit, James Andrew Labit
  • Patent number: 7404812
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes first and second engagement members attached to the outer surface of a front waist region along transversely opposite side edge portions thereof so as to be spaced from each other by a given dimension in a longitudinal direction and third engagement members attached to in the inner surface of a rear waist region along transversely opposite side edge portions thereof. The first engagement embers are laid on the respective side edge portions in longitudinally upper zones, the second engagement members are laid on the side edge portions in longitudinally lower zones, the third engagement members are laid on the side edge portions in longitudinally intermediate zones and hooks are respectively formed on the outer surface of the first and second engagement members and on the inner surface of the third engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Tomoko Sugita
  • Publication number: 20080154227
    Abstract: A fastening device for an absorbent article has a receiving portion with an opening, and a tab element which is shaped so that it can be inserted into the opening of the receiving portion upon closing the article. It is characteristic that both the tab element and the receiving portion have fasteners. By the fact that both the receiving portion and the tab element have fastener, a strong and stable connection is formed between the components of the fastening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Mikael Andersson, Karin Stubner, Ingemar Fernfors, Anna-Gerd Doverbo
  • Publication number: 20080132873
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body having a substantially rectangular perimeter, a front portion configured to be positioned against a front of a wearer, and a back portion configured to be positioned against a back of a wearer is provided. At least one panel is attached to the back portion of the absorbent body and extends outwardly from the perimeter of the absorbent body. The panel may be formed from one or more non-woven, non-elastic materials. An elastic member is attached to and extends outwardly from the panel and a fastener is coupled to the elastic member for engaging the front portion of the absorbent body. The absorbent article may be manufactured in a pre-attached state, allowing the user to put on and wear the article directly from the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE RETAIL SERVICES AG
    Inventor: Frank S. Glaug
  • Publication number: 20080125737
    Abstract: The present invention comprises underwear incorporating a sanitary pad. In one or more embodiments, the sanitary pad is made of a cotton-like material with velcro straps that can adjust the fit of the underwear. The pad is nestled in the crotch of the underwear with the cotton-like material encasing it. The pad preferably cannot be removed from the undergarment as it is sewn inside with the cotton-like material. The velcro straps are adjustable to fit most anyone. In one or more embodiments, the pad is intended to be disposable and can be disposed of in a trash bin after use. In one or more embodiments, the underwear is not intended to be re-used after the pad has been soiled and it is not washable. In one or more other embodiments, the undergarment and pad are both made of washable materials and may be washed and reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Mehri Modgeddi, Negar Modgeddi
  • Publication number: 20080114324
    Abstract: A structurally optimized component comprising a fastening member having a middle section and an end section, wherein either the middle section comprises an inner slot leg region, an outer slot leg region, and an interior low mass slot leg region or the end section comprises a slot reinforcement having an inner reinforcement region, an outer reinforcement region, and an interior low mass reinforcement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Oscar Antonio Ruiz, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 7367966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that is worn by female wearers, placed in intimate contact and supported between the labia, which provides an interlabial pad that gives no discomfort to the female wearer in the body motions of the wearer. The interlabial pad of the present invention is characterized by having a structure and/or shape which allows the pad to make right and left phase shifts easily, even when a shearing force is exerted on the interlabial pad by the wearer's body motion, that is, a structure and/or shape which reduces the friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Koichi Yamaki, Yuki Noda, Megumi Tokumoto, Akane Sakai
  • Patent number: 7354424
    Abstract: The invention provides protective garments that comprise a liquid impermeable garment body having an inner surface with first and second portions, an absorptive device associated with the first portion of the garment body, and fibers affixed to at least a part of the inner surface of the second portion of the garment body. The protective garment may further comprise a connector, and tubing. The tubing can be used for absorbing or draining fluids away from a person's body, or for transmitting fluids to a person's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: TamiCare Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamar Giloh
  • Patent number: 7347848
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a belt 9, 9? attached to or adapted to be attached to the back portion 6 of the article and to the front portion 5 of the article in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape, where the belt forms part of the waist portion of the pant and has an outside 11, 11? and an inside 12, 12? which is intended to be in direct contact with a user. The belt comprises first 9 and second 9? belt halves which at one of their ends are permanently attached to the topsheet within bonding areas 13, 13? of the insides 12, 12? in such a way that the belt halves 9, 9? remain substantially flat along their entire length when brought against the topsheet on top of each other, and in such a way that joints 14, 14? which are formed at the bonding areas will be pressed outwards in directions away from the user when the absorbent article is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Ingemar Fernfors
  • Patent number: 7347845
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a front part, a rear part, a crotch part extending between the front and rear part, and fasteners for fastening the side portions of the front and rear parts together in an overlapping relationship in order to give the absorbent article a pants-like configuration, the overlap between the side portions of the respective front and rear part being adjustable. At least one of the side portions of the front or rear parts have at least one tension indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Peter Zajaczkowski
  • Patent number: 7341579
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes an elongated main body having a liquid absorbent layer for absorbing and retaining liquid and rear flaps projecting laterally in opposite directions from a rear part of the main body. The sanitary napkin is adapted to be worn with the rear flaps kept in an unfolded state on an inner side of an undergarment. Each rear flap included a first sheet with corrugated regions and a longitudinally-extending strip-shaped or linear smooth region defined between adjacent corrugated regions. Each corrugated region has hills and valleys which extend laterally and alternate with each other longitudinally. The smooth region is free of the hills and valleys or has a smaller difference in level between hills and valleys than the corrugated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Kinoshita, Takuya Miyama
  • Patent number: 7322966
    Abstract: A washable, reusable garment for retention of body fluids when worn on a person's lower body part. The garment has a crotch portion and a body portion. The crotch portion has an absorbent composite, and a pocket adapted for receiving a removable absorbent pad. The body portion has a waist opening and is seamless except where attached to the crotch portion. The body portion and the crotch portion together form first and second leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Robert F. Deerin
  • 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: 7300427
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article includes connector sheet strips used to connect front and rear waist regions of the article which respectively includes proximal sections and flap-like sections. The proximal sections are fixed to the rear waist region on its inner surface along zones immediately adjacent to transversely opposite side edges of the rear waist region and the flap-like sections extend from the respective zones to the inside of the article in a circumferential direction. The flap-like sections are formed with folding guide means facilitating the flap-like sections to be folded so that these flap-like sections may extend from the inside toward the outside of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugito, Yoshio Ono