By Securing To Garment Or Person Patents (Class 604/387)
  • Publication number: 20140358098
    Abstract: The male incontinence wrap system is a disposable absorbent pad designed to be wrapped around the male genital member of a person suffering from incontinence. The pad is wrapped around the male genital member and secured by a first adhesive strip and then folded back at the distal end and then held in place by a second adhesive strip, an elastic band, or both. An adhesive peel-and-stick strip attaches the absorbent pad assembly around the user to prevent sliding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Gilbert G. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8850614
    Abstract: Special articles are fashioned as undergarments of a very brief nature, preferably a panty substitute. Brevity, with regard to undergarments has advantages including: comfort and ease of use, improved cooperation with outerwear and protection against soiling. The articles of the invention provide underwear function and feel. The articles are configured to be an underwear substitute without bunching, chafing, or forming visible panty lines. The underwear substitute provides comfort to the user similar to underwear without forming visible panty lines while protecting the outer garment against soiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Trudy Connor
  • Patent number: 8821470
    Abstract: A two-piece wearable absorbent article (such as a diaper) including an outer cover and an absorbent insert for use therewith, are disclosed. The outer cover may have a first hook-and-loop fastening system that provides for removable and refastenable and adjustable fastening of the outer cover about a wearer's lower torso. The absorbent insert and outer cover may have a second hook-and-loop fastening system that provides for removable and refastenable fastening of the insert within the outer cover. The first and second hook-and-loop fastening systems may have respective holding force and acoustic characteristics within advantageous performance ranges, individually and with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Elaine Mary Wiggins, Joshua James Norman
  • Patent number: 8821468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Enno Gause, Ruediger Kesselmeier, Krzysztof D. Malowaniec, Maximilian Swerev
  • Patent number: 8790324
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes side panels for securing around the waist of the user. The absorbent article includes a first end, a second end, and an absorbent section therebetween. The first end has longitudinal side edges and a first waist line edge. A pair of side panels extend from longitudinal side edges of said first end of the absorbent article, and are shaped and dimensioned so as extend beyond the first waist line edge of the first end of the absorbent article a longitudinal extent so that the side panels may be secured above the hip joints of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Joshua Carney
  • Patent number: 8753324
    Abstract: The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent article which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Vandenbogart, Adrienne R. Loyd, Garry R. Woltman, David J. Enz, Renee Sue Booms, Carmen Lira, Katie A. Boland, Ann Louise McCormack, Deborah S. Hannah, Mary McDaniel
  • Patent number: 8747379
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 8734419
    Abstract: A cloth training diaper comprising an outer layer coupled to an inner layer, a front portion and a rear portion, a plurality of snaps arranged longitudinally along the right side of the front portion, the left side of the front portion, the right side of the rear portion, and the left side of the rear portion, the snaps extending through the outer and inner layers, and two side panels, each side panel comprised of a smocked material coupled to a non-smocked material, each side panel having a right side and a left side and a plurality of snaps arranged along the right and left sides of the smocked material. The snaps on the side panels engage with the snaps on the front and rear portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Natural Baby Company, LLC
    Inventor: Kim Ormsby
  • Patent number: 8734415
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure and a shell for supporting the absorbent structure at a vaginal region of a wearer. The absorbent structure has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The article has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the anterior and posterior regions. At least a portion of the absorbent structure is releasably attachable to the shell for configuring the absorbent structure between an operative configuration in which the releasably attachable portion of the absorbent structure is attached to the shell and an inoperative position in which at least part of the releasably attachable portion of the absorbent structure is detached from the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Devany Plentovich, Renee Sue Booms, Katie Ann Boland, Dean Martin Wydeven, Deborah Snell Hannah, Carmen Lira, Adrienne Rae Loyd, Channon Lee B Arteman
  • Patent number: 8715263
    Abstract: An incontinence article (2) in the form of briefs has a front stomach portion (4) and a rear back portion (6), which are connected to one another at lateral seam regions (14) on both sides. A crotch portion (8) has an absorption pad (7) and extends in a longitudinal direction (9). A topsheet material (84) or a topsheet (84) and a backsheet material (62) form a transverse overhang (66a,66b) extending outside longitudinal borders (46) of the absorption pad (7). The overhang (66a,66b) has a reinforcing means (200) in a region (204) bridging the respective longitudinal border (46) of the absorption pad (7). The reinforcing means (200) comprises or consists of a reinforcing coating (202 and is disposed on the inner face (85) of the topsheet material (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Wenzel, Fridmann Hornung
  • Patent number: 8708990
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent incontinence diaper (2) with a rear area (8), a front area (6) and a crotch area (12) lying between these, and with first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body during use of the diaper, the main part (4) comprising an absorption body (14) and a backsheet (10) on the side of the absorption body (14) directed away from the body, the absorption body (14) having a smaller width than the backsheet (10), and with side parts (16, 17) joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16, 17) having an inner face and an outer face, and the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Susanne Beckert, Rüediger Kesselmeier
  • Patent number: 8702666
    Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising a low cold flow construction adhesive suitable for joining at least two absorbent article components together, wherein the adhesive comprises an ethylene-based polyolefin resin and a crystallization enhancer, wherein the adhesive is maintained at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 230° C. before application, and wherein the absorbent articles have an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75 N. Also, a method for assembling such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jay Tao, Ebrahim Rezai
  • Patent number: 8702672
    Abstract: In a body adhering absorbent article, an absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell supports the absorbent structure at the vaginal region and has an adhesive on a body-facing surface thereof for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. A placement aid is disposed on at least one of the absorbent structure and the shell to facilitate placement on the wearer. Securement components may be provided for securing the article in a folded configuration during wear and/or to the wearer's undergarment. Detachment components may also be provided to facilitate detachment of the article from the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrienne Rae Loyd, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Carmen Lira, Katie Ann Boland, Katie McMillen, Meijia Ng, Kwee Ling Cheng, Priscilla Eng Choo Goh, DooHong Kim, Franz Aschenbrenner, YeinSze Ong
  • Patent number: 8672913
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ebrahim Rezai, Jay Tao, Stephen Joseph Lange, Mark James Kline, James David Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 8672911
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Melissa Jean Dennis
  • Patent number: 8663186
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a chassis and an ear. The chassis comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The ear comprises an elastomeric material and a first substrate joined to the elastomeric material. The ear has a first void region adjacent the proximal edge of the ear. The ear is joined to the chassis by at least one mechanical bond that engages the elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joseph Hung Lam, Michael Irwin Lawson, Egon Loeffler, Douglas Graham, Kaneeta Kimble
  • Patent number: 8663184
    Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a chassis having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges, and a pair of side panels extending between and connecting the front waist region and the rear waist region to form a leg opening. Each side panel may comprise a uniformly colored stretch laminate. The stretch laminate may comprise a colored elastomeric member and a first substrate joined to the elastomeric material. The side panels may be joined by a mechanical bond which may form an informational indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kuang kai Liu, Joseph David Lussier, Mary Elizabeth Davis
  • Patent number: 8664469
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has front and back panels, each having an elastic film layer and each having first and second zones. The first zone of each panel is extensible and retractable and the second zone of each panel is non-extensible and non-retractable. Each of the front and back panels has first and second side edges. An absorbent assembly is secured to the front and back panels. The absorbent assembly has a first end secured to the second zone of the front panel and a second end secured to the second zone of the back panel. A pair of seams join the front and back panels together at the first and second side edges to form a disposable absorbent article having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Steven Veith, Paul VanGompel
  • Patent number: 8663187
    Abstract: A female member for a hook-and-loop fastener is provided. Even when the hook-and-loop fastener part is deformed or an instantaneous impact peel force is applied to the fastener part, the female member does not peel off the male member. When the male member is peeled from the female member, no fluffing caused by shedding of a fibrous material occurs. The female member for a hook-and-loop fastener is constituted of a fibrous material and can engage with a mating male member. The female member is composed of: dense fiber portions arranged in rows and having a high density of the fibrous material; and sparse fiber portions arranged in rows alternately with these dense fiber portions and having a lower density of the fibrous material than the dense fiber portions. The dense fiber portions deform elastically, and this prevents undesirable peeling and diminishes fluffing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8632515
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has a chassis. A first region of the chassis includes a first panel and at least one first side panel. A second region of the chassis includes a second panel and at least one second side panel. A resilient fastening component is permanently attached to an inner surface of the at least one first side panel and releasably attached to an outer surface of the at least one second side panel. At least one of the first region and the second region is folded at least twice such that at least portions of the at least one first side panel and the at least one second side panel are positioned between the first and second panels and the resilient fastening component is tucked between the folded absorbent assembly and lies in a plane parallel to a plane in which a first part of the absorbent assembly lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8632517
    Abstract: A tear away diaper fastening system including a segment of loop material having a plurality of outwardly projecting loop elements adapted to engage cooperating hooking elements in juxtaposed contacting relation. The loop material includes a composite sheet of stitch bonded construction including a polymer film substrate layer. A first plurality of yarn elements extends in stitched relation through the substrate layer to define a plurality of parallel stitch lines of flat stitches extending along the machine direction of the sheet material to form a ground layer substantially covering an upper surface of the substrate layer. A second plurality of yarn elements extends in stitched relation through the substrate layer in zigzag crossing relation between parallel needle lines to define a plurality of raised loops extending above the ground layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tietex International, Ltd
    Inventors: Martin Wildeman, Lori Shannon Sears
  • Patent number: 8608721
    Abstract: Methods and systems including an engageable material with a lane of plastic resin extending across an interface of first and second ends of an article, wherein the plastic resin is bonded to the first and second ends such that the first and second ends are joined by the resin; and an array of fastener elements extending from one side of the plastic resin. The fastener elements include engageable heads on stems integrally formed with the lane of the plastic resin such that the two ends releasably engage the engageable material to secure the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Ernesto S. Tachauer, Wallace L. Kurtz, Jr., Brian J. Vanbenschoten, Joseph E. Pierce, Arthur E. Garavaglia, Scott M. Filion, William P. Clune, Christopher M. Gallant, Nadezhda Efremova
  • Patent number: 8603061
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an absorbent article to be worn about a wearer has a front portion and a back portion. The absorbent article includes an outer layer, an inner layer that is substantially co-extensive with the outer layer, an absorbent layer and one or more fasteners, which are located on the back portion of the absorbent article. The absorbent layer is interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer to form the absorbent article. The outer layer has a central portion between two side portions. The central portion of the outer layer is treated with a chemical to substantially inhibit attachment of the one or more fasteners to the central portion of the outer layer. The one or more fasteners secure the back portion to the outer layer of the front portion. Specifically, the one or more fasteners are configured to secure the back portion to a region of the outer layer which is not treated with the chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Yao, Daniel B. Love
  • Patent number: 8603062
    Abstract: A feminine hygienic pad assembly includes a panel that is configured to absorb and retain fluids. The panel includes a first end section, a second end section and a central section extending between the first and second end sections. The first and second end sections have a circular shape, and the first and second lateral edges of the central section are concavely arcuate. A base member is flexible and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The panel is attached to the inner surface. The base member has a first edge and a second edge positioned opposite of each other. First and second straps each extend between the first and second edges of the base member. The first and second straps are positioned on opposite sides of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Sherian A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8585669
    Abstract: An absorbent article, in particular a diaper. The rear portion thereof includes a pair of elastic side panels attached to opposing longitudinal edges thereof. The front portion of the article includes at least two landing zones upon which the elastic side panels overlap when the article is fastened. An area of the front portion located at least around each landing zone includes a plurality of first indicia in a first pattern. Each of said elastic side panels also includes a plurality of second indicia in a second pattern. The distance between adjacent second indicia including the second pattern increases as the elastic side panel is stretched. When the elastic side panels are stretched by a predetermined force, the second pattern on the elastic side panels matches the first pattern around each landing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Eva Vastag, Karl Nyström, Pernilla Lundahl
  • Publication number: 20130304013
    Abstract: A mechanical attachment pattern for use in absorbent feminine care articles is generally disclosed. The hook elements are applied in a specific pattern to removably secure the article to the crotch portion of an undergarment during use. The use of a particular pattern has been found by the present inventors to improve performance of the undergarment attached absorbent article during use. The pattern includes separating the hook elements on the front portion, the middle portion, and the back portion at the fold lines of the undergarment attached absorbent article that are substantially free from hook elements. This break in the machine direction of the undergarment attached absorbent article inhibits “zippering” of the hook elements. Additionally, the middle portion of the undergarment attached absorbent article contains specifically placed hook elements to enhance the performance and comfort of the undergarment attached absorbent article during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kristin Ann Goerg-Wood, Anthony James Michalski
  • Patent number: 8556878
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a main part (4), with a front area (6), a rear area (8) and a crotch area (10) as well as rear side sections (20) joined on both sides to the rear area (8) and front side sections (22) joined on both sides to the front area (6) and extending in a transverse direction (30) past lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4) to connect the front area (6) and the rear area (8) when the disposable incontinence diaper has been applied. The article is shaped by one single respective separating process and holding forces between closing elements (32) and the outer side of the first front side sections (22) are larger than holding forces between the closing elements and the outer side of the main part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Krzysztof D. Malowaniec, Wolfgang Ostertag
  • Patent number: 8551065
    Abstract: A closure element (10) with elastic side panels for absorbent pant-like sanitary products (52), said element (10) being formed starting from a strip (12) at least partially made of elasticised material (16) folded in transverse direction so as to form two parts (22, 24), symmetrical relative to a central transverse plane (26), each of said parts (22, 24) being able to form a side panel (76) of an absorbent sanitary product (52), said closure element (10) comprising: —a first branch (28) that extends continuously through said central transverse plane (26); —two second branches (30) connected to respective opposite ends of the first branch (28) by means of respective first folds (32), distal relative to said central transverse plane (26), in which the first branch (28) and the two second branches (30) have respective mutually facing surfaces (34, 36) permanently fastened to each other; —two third branches (40) connected to respective ends of second branches (30) by means of respective second folds (42), proxima
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tonino De Angelis
  • Patent number: 8491557
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with extensible sides. In an embodiment of the present disclosure a disposable wearable absorbent article includes a front, a back, and an extensible side configured to connect the front and the back, wherein the extensible side has a substantially laterally extensible area, which includes a first area, bounded in part by at least a portion of a longitudinally outboard side edge. An overall lateral extensibility of the first area is substantially less than an overall lateral extensibility of the substantially laterally extensible area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Henry William McCusker, III, Ronald Joseph Zink, II, Sarah Marie Young
  • Patent number: 8454571
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ebrahim Rezai, Shunketsu Sue, Stephen Joseph Lange, Mark James Kline, James David Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 8430856
    Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising a low cold flow construction adhesive suitable for joining at least two absorbent article components together, wherein the adhesive comprises an ethylene-based polyolefin resin and certain crystallization enhancers, and wherein the absorbent articles have an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N. Also, a method for assembling such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Shunketsu Sue, Ebrahim Rezai
  • Patent number: 8430857
    Abstract: A reusable diaper includes forward and rearward waist portions. At least one corner tab may be releasably attachable to the forward and rearward waist portions. The diaper may include at least one pocket configured to receive therein at least a portion of the corner tab. The pocket may be substantially impervious to liquids, such that positioning of the portion of the corner tab in the pocket helps inhibit wicking of liquid through the pocket and into the corner tab. Some embodiments may include first and second sets of interchangeable corner tabs that are releasably attachable to the forward and rearward waist portions. The second set of corner tabs may be sized differently than the first set of corner tabs such that the diaper size is adjustable depending on whether the first or second set of corner tabs are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Labit, James Andrew Labit
  • Patent number: 8425481
    Abstract: A protector for male incontinent persons includes an absorbent body (1) enclosed between an inner liquid-permeable casing sheet (3) and an outer liquid-impermeable casing sheet (2) and having a crotch end part (7) and a front end part (6) opposite to the crotch end part. The front end part is wider than the crotch end part. The lateral sides of the protector are tapering from the front part to the crotch part so that the protector has a triangular shape. The protector also includes means (8,9) affixed to the outer liquid-impermeable casing sheet for attachment to an underwear. The attachment means at least includes a string of attachment means (8,9) extending along each tapering lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Asa Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 8419702
    Abstract: The present invention aims to improve the tape fasteners provided on the diaper chassis so that the upper outside regions of the wearer's thighs should not be irritated by the edges of the tape fasteners. A lower edge of a first section in each tape fastener extends so that a space is defined between this lower edge and an imaginary extension of a lower edge of a second section in the tape fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Jyoji Shimizu, Osamu Nakajima, Tomoko Sugito, Kyo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8409162
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a pair of first fasteners, at least a portion of each first fastener being situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge in the first waist region, each first fastener being adapted to engage at least a portion of the inner surface of the second waist region, each first fastener comprising a resilient material. The disposable absorbent article also includes a disposal fastener, at least a portion of the disposal fastener being situated inboard from the longitudinal side edge in the second waist region, the disposal fastener adapted to engage at least a portion of the outer surface, the disposal fastener comprising a resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Mary P. Jordan, Christopher P. Olson
  • Patent number: 8388591
    Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article assembly including a tri-folded absorbent article having two end portions and an intermediate portion, and a pouch containing the tri-folded absorbent article, the pouch be structured and arranged to enable a user to selectively open the pouch to thereby expose a garment-facing surface of the intermediate portion of the absorbent article prior to exposing a garment facing surface of either of the end portions of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Y. Fung
  • Patent number: 8382736
    Abstract: A fastening member has an inboard end and an outboard end and a panel region, an end region, and a fastening element. The panel region has a proximal edge and a distal edge. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and is more extensible than the end region. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end. The end region has a fastening element zone having a first stiffness and an intermediate zone having a second stiffness. The first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent to the distal edge. The fastening element is disposed in the end region and defines the fastening element zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Anna Elizabeth Macura, Michael Gary Nease
  • Patent number: 8372052
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8361045
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for manufacturing several distinct disposable absorbent articles on a single machine. The apparatus includes three sections. The first section is capable of forming an absorbent assembly and cutting the absorbent assembly into individual absorbent assemblies. The second section is capable of moving a bodyside liner into alignment with the individual absorbent assemblies and applying an outer cover to the individual absorbent assemblies to form a continuous web having a primary stretch in a cross direction. The second section is further capable of adding at least three components to the web. The third section is capable of severing the continuous web into individual absorbent articles which can then be folded, stacked and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Evan Thorson, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen
  • Patent number: 8361048
    Abstract: A prefastened absorbent garment is manufactured with its longitudinal axis in the machine direction. A web of garment chassis material extending in the machine direction is overlaid with a side panel web. The side panel web is attached at opposite width borders of the chassis web and has one or more complementary fasteners opposing each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the garment chassis web. The garment can be folded to place the complementary fasteners in releasable engagement and individuated from the combined chassis and side panel webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Kuen, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Shawn A. Quereshi, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 8357132
    Abstract: A urine capturing assembly includes a sleeve that has an upper edge, a lower edge and a perimeter wall extending between the upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges define openings in the sleeve. A penis is positionable in the sleeve to direct urine from the penis toward the lower edge. A pouch has an open top end. The pouch is integrally coupled to the perimeter wall and the top end is positioned adjacent to the upper edge of the sleeve. A scrotum is positionable in pouch through the top end. A conduit is fluidly coupled to and extends between the sleeve and the pouch to direct urine held in the pouch into the sleeve. A collection bag is fluidly couplable to the lower edge of the sleeve to collect and retain urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Agatha N. Lekweuwa
  • Patent number: 8353888
    Abstract: An article has a body facing engagement surface for contacting a wearer's tissue layer. The body facing engagement surface has a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the article with respect to the wearer's tissue layer, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer. The body facing engagement surface is adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force. The body facing engagement surface has a gripping component that overlies a sliding component in the first state. The gripping component is disposed for engaging and gripping the tissue layer in the first state until a force greater than the threshold force is encountered which transforms the engagement surface to promote relative sliding motion between the engagement surface and the tissue layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Koenig, Wael R. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8353889
    Abstract: A hygienic article having side panels extending outward in a lateral direction from either of said front or back waist region. Each side panel comprises at least two material segments which are connected to each other by a lap seam wherein said material segments define a distal segment and a proximal segment in the lateral direction. On the distal edge of each side panel a fastening member is placed which is capable of securing said side panels to the front or back waist region such that the hygienic article assumes a pant like shape. The material segments which form the side panels are attached to each other by the lap seam in such a way that when the side panels are folded back towards the longitudinal centerline of the hygienic article, the materials are attached to each other in the lap seam such that the most distal material segment is placed closer towards the inner or outer surface of the hygienic article than the more proximal material segment attached to said most distal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Lucas Bäck, Paulina Halleröd (neé Ljungberg)
  • Patent number: 8343124
    Abstract: An absorbent article including an absorbent article main body which is extended in a longitude direction and having a front end portion and a rear end portion, and which includes an absorber of liquid-retaining, a topsheet of liquid-permeable covering a surface of the absorber, and a backsheet of liquid-nonpermeable supporting the absorber from a back surface of the absorber, the absorbent article includes: a belt-shaped member extended in the longitude direction of the absorbent article main body, including a base end portion fixed to any one of the absorber and the backsheet and a tip portion not fixed, and being stretchable in the longitude direction; and an attaching sheet provided on a back surface of the belt-shaped member and configured to be attached to clothing, wherein the attaching sheet is extended in a width direction of the belt-shaped member and both end portions of the attaching sheet are fixed to the belt-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8343127
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The refastenable seams formed by the fastening system components provide a garment-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Amy Lynn Fletcher, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 8343118
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an enclosure with an aperture which is adapted for being placed in communication with an anus for the purpose of directing fecal matter into the enclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure may include a polyethylene material with a thickness of less than 50 microns. In another embodiment, the enclosure may include an air hole formed therein for remaining open to allow air to escape therefrom upon the receipt of the fecal matter into the enclosure. In still yet another embodiment, the aperture may be circular and the enclosure may include a flexibility sufficient to allow the enclosure to be placed on an intended wearer in any orientation about an axis defined by the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph Eugene Davis
  • Patent number: 8337479
    Abstract: A pant-type absorbent article including a first body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side and a second body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side, the body facing sides of first and second body panels are held together in a face-to-face relationship along lateral edges to form side connections. The article further including a first fastening member hingedly attached to or near a lateral edge of the body facing side of the first body panel and having a portion which is unattached to said first body panel, said portion is refastenably attached to a complementary second fastening member provided on the body facing side of the second body panel. A recess forming a finger grip may be provided in the lateral edge of the first body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Lennart Nilsson, Ingemar Fernfors, Christian Järpenberg
  • Patent number: 8334424
    Abstract: An animal incontinence device comprises a base layer of a liquid-impervious polymer film, an intermediate absorbent layer comprising superabsorbent polymer particles intermediate a plurality of layers of tissue, and a top layer comprising a porous, hydrophilic, woven or non-woven polymer fiber mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J Szypka
  • Patent number: 8303563
    Abstract: An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty-liner, or an incontinence guard for light incontinence, includes a cover sheet (15) and a backsheet (12). The absorbent article (1) includes a separate sheet (4) secured on that side of the backsheet (12) facing away from a user during use of the absorbent article (1). The separate sheet (4) is preferably divided into two short end portions (7) and an intermediate portion (8) extending between the short end portions. The short end portions (7) are permanently or releasably secured via securing members (11) at a respective end portion (19) in such a way that the intermediate portion (8) forms a laterally extending through-passage (22) against the backsheet (12). The separate sheet (4) is equipped with wings (9) along at least part of the side edges (6) of the separate sheet (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Agneta Rydenstam
  • Patent number: 8298206
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a belt and an absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is fastened to the belt via an article fastening means having a form such that the article fastening means does not fold or bend upwards under the forces present when the diaper is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Kent Hermansson