By Securing To Garment Or Person Patents (Class 604/387)
  • Publication number: 20040186455
    Abstract: A diaper type undergarment for a semi-incontinent male is disclosed. The diaper type undergarment includes overlapping absorbent panels that create an opening through which a male wearer may urinate. The opening allows a semi-incontinent user to wear the undergarment and use a urinal in a public restroom without the need for removing pants or the undergarment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Evelyn Menasha, Cecilia Weisberger
  • Patent number: 6793649
    Abstract: An absorbent article for wear inside of another absorbent article, which has a liquid-permeable facing layer that faces the wearer, and a backing layer that faces another absorbent article. The backing layer is formed from a liquid-impermeable sheet and as at least one opening. Alternatively, the backing layer is formed from a liquid-permeable sheet, and an absorbent core is interposed between the liquid-permeable facing layer and the backing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Fujioka, Ichiro Wada, Satoshi Nozaki, Takashi Maeno
  • Patent number: 6786893
    Abstract: An elastic absorbent article such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad includes an inner layer and an outer layer which are elastic and an intermediate absorption body which is non-elastic. The absorption body is connected to at least one of the inner and outer layers only in a central and small region and in that the region is visibly marked on the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Lina Strand
  • Publication number: 20040158224
    Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mark J. Kline, Luke R. Magee
  • Publication number: 20040147899
    Abstract: The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including a surface fastening system having a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system has a first surface fastening element and a second surface fastening element. The first fastening element is joined to the article, and the second fastening element is disposed so as to be generally in a face to face relationship with the first fastening element when the surface fastening system is in a fastened configuration. The surface fastening system has a peel resistance in a direction other than the primary direction of load bearing greater than or equal to about 1000 grams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, George Christopher Dobrin, Raymond Scott Hamilton, George Bartol Glackin, Luke Robinson Magee, Miguel Alvaro Robles
  • Publication number: 20040143234
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a stretchable fastening member is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a chassis and a stretchable fastening member. The chassis extends longitudinally and laterally and comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The stretchable fastening member comprises a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion. The stretchable fastening member is joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member. The stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahata, Yasuhisa Minemoto
  • Patent number: 6764475
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has at least one first fastening component disposed in a first waist region and at least one second fastening component disposed in an opposite second waist region. The fastening components are adapted to releasably engage one another and at least one of the fastening components comprises primary and secondary regions that have different releasable engagement properties. Together the fastening components define a refastenable, variable-location seam having a main refastenable attachment zone providing a basic level of securement and an enhanced refastenable attachment zone providing an augmented level of securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6761711
    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: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    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: 6755926
    Abstract: A body waste disposable article adapted to receive feces and/or urine discharged thereon, the article having a body fluids absorbent means above which an opening is formed by a surrounding wall partially covering the body fluids absorbent means and surrounding the opening. The article is longitudinally composed of a front end, a rear end and an intermediate region extending between these two ends. The article is configured so as to have the largest width in its intermediate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanji, Toshifumi Otsubo, Yoshitaka Mishima
  • Patent number: 6755809
    Abstract: An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least on second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Kline, Luke R. Magee
  • Publication number: 20040116889
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for an article wherein a first fastening component is secured to the article within an attachment region. A portion of the first fastening component within the attachment region is mechanically bonded to the article, with a ratio of an area of the bonded portion to an area of the attachment region defining a percent bonded area of the first fastening component. A second fastening component is secured to the article within an attachment region thereof. A portion of the second fastening component within the attachment region is mechanically bonded to the article, with a ratio of an area of the bonded portion to an area of the attachment region thereof defining a percent bonded area of the second fastening component. The percent bonded area of the first fastening component is substantially less than the percent bonded area of the second fastening component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry L. Carbone, Robert L. Popp, Debra H. Durrance, Matthew Lee Koele, Marcille F. Ruman, Kathleen I. Ratliff
  • Publication number: 20040116890
    Abstract: We describe herein a mechanical fastening system 5 for absorbing articles, such as disposable diapers (10) with an external layer or impermeable coating (12), an internal layer or permeable sheet (14) and an absorbing core of multiple layers sandwiched between the external coating (12) and the internal sheet (14), defining a frontal part (18) and a rear part (20) and a part between the legs (22) between the frontal and rear parts, the part between the parts with elastics (23) to adjust on the user's thigh region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Francisco J. V. Hernandez, Carlos da S. Macedo Jr., Eduardo C.A. Aledo
  • Patent number: 6746435
    Abstract: A shaped sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin of this invention has an absorbent means, such as an absorbent core, and two flaps extending outwardly from the absorbent means. Each flap is associated with the absorbent means along a nonlinear line of juncture and each has two axes of flexibility. In use, the absorbent means is secured in the crotch of a panty and the flaps are secured about the elastic edges of the panty so that, when the panty is worn, the absorbent means is held adjacent the body while the flaps form a wall at each side of the absorbent means and seals against the body. Both the walls and the seals serve to prevent soiling of the body and clothing by menstrual fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Kees J. Van Tilburg
  • Patent number: 6730068
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having extensions. 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 a buffer region of a predetermined width between the flexible region and the corresponding joint. The compression energy of the buffer region in its thickness direction is in a range of 0.4 to 1.0 (N·m/m2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kashiwagi, Wataru Yoshimasa, Etsuko Tagami
  • Publication number: 20040082931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable diaper having a diaper body with a top sheet, aback sheet and an absorbent body enclosed in said top sheet and said back sheet, and a pair of side flaps fixed to said diaper body at a side flap fixing part and joint parts, and described is the disposable diaper wherein said diaper body has a pair of parallel side end parts in a longitudinal direction of said diaper body, each of said side end part has a first end part and a second end part which is located at an opposite side of said first end part, said side flap fixing part and joint parts are located at said first end part of said disposable diaper, said side flap fixing part is located at the side inner than said joint parts, on the basis of the width direction of said diaper body, each of said side flap has an inner end part which becomes an inner side on the basis of the width direction of said diaper body and an outer end part which becomes an outer side on the basis of the width direction of said diaper bo
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Koichiro Tani
  • Publication number: 20040073188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable diaper. In a disposable diaper comprising a pair of side flaps respectively extending from an end portion in a lateral direction of the diaper main body and a fixing tape disposed in proximity of a farthest edge of the respective side flaps, the fixing tape is provided with a hook member, the fixing tape and the side flaps are to be engaged via the hook member, and an engaging region on the side flaps where the fixing tape is to be engaged includes portions having a different engaging force with the hook member. As a result, the fixing tape can be temporarily fixed with a modest engaging force, despite the hook member having a greater engaging force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Koichiro Mitsui, Yasushi Sayama, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Tani
  • Patent number: 6719744
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive closure tape tab (10,50) form of an elastic laminate (15) of an elastic film (16) having on at least a first major side an expandable fibrous layer (17) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers. On the second major side of the plastic film are attached, a first (30) and a second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape. Each adhesive tape is formed of a fibrous layer (21) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers having on one major surface an adhesive layer (22). The first (30) and second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape are attached opposite to each other to the second major side of the elastic laminate (15) by an adhesive layer (22) and extending beyond the elastic laminate (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Kinnear, Stuart L. Eynon
  • Publication number: 20040068247
    Abstract: Special articles are fashioned as undergarments of a very brief nature. Brevity in undergarments has advantages of comfort and ease of use, improved cooperation with outerwear, among other. Thin sheets are prepared and arranged to be applied to the crotch area of the interior surface of pants or other similar garments via an adhesive bonding agent. So applied, the article provides underwear function without bunching, chafing, or forming visible panty lines. An absorbent layer provides comfort to the user and protection to the outer garment against soiling. These articles may be formed of materials suitable for disposal after single use and they may be arranged as a kit suitable for retail sale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Trudy Connor
  • Patent number: 6716204
    Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a topsheet including a primary aperture for receiving fecal waste, a backsheet joined with at least a portion of the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and the backsheet, and a spacing member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The spacing member provides a void space into which feces can be directed. The absorbent article preferably also includes a body adhering composition disposed about at least a portion of the primary aperture for adhering the topsheet of the absorbent article to the wearer during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vincenzo D'Acchioli, Gianfranco Palumbo, Donald C. Roe, Eva Susanne Dominique Thurnay
  • Patent number: 6716206
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method are disclosed for providing side leakage protection for an undergarment and absorbent article positioning guidance for proper placement on the undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent cuff pad is configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman with cuffs for receiving a crotch portion of an undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent pad and liquid-impermeable baffle are provided with stiffening means for a pair of garment-attachment nesting ridges for receiving an arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman, a liquid-impermeable baffle, and stiffening means for multiple pairs of garment-attachment nesting ridges receive and protect an arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. Arcuately shaped pleats on a bottom lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the nesting ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Wanda W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6715188
    Abstract: There is provided an improved tab member for a closure system comprising a tab portion and a slot member. The slot member includes a slit or a loop, with the slot located between an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The tab portion has a tab member having a length, an inner edge, an outer edge and at least one lip portion. The tab member outer edge is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least one lip portion of the tab member overlaps or catches the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member. The slot member outward portion is retained between the lip portion(s) and the underlying generally flexible tab carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
  • Publication number: 20040064123
    Abstract: A disposable body fluid absorbent pad comprises a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent core interposed between these sheets and a strap adapted to pull the pad in a longitudinal direction. The strap comprises first and second straps attached to transversely opposite side edge margins of the pad, respectively, so to extend outward from an end margin of a front region. These first and second straps have inner fixed portions fixed to the topsheet, outer fixed portions fixed to the backsheet and hand-grips extending between the inner fixed portions and the outer fixed portions, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Hirkari Kawata, Masashi Nakashita, Kaori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6703330
    Abstract: A fibrous absorbent composite containing absorbent material, methods for its formation, and absorbent articles that include the composite are described. The composite is a fibrous structure that includes absorbent material dispersed throughout the composite and in increased concentration in bands that extend along the composite's length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: David G. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20040030318
    Abstract: Method for producing disposable diaper-pants having openable and resealable side panels. Absorption bodies are applied on a continuous web of inner or outer coversheet material so that front portions and rear portions of adjacent diaper-pants blanks in a web are directed toward each other. A continuous web of outer or inner coversheet material is applied to and secured to the web with absorption bodies. Separate side panels connected to each other by a detachable and resealable connection are secured to side portions of the adjacent front portions or rear portions of the diaper pants. Each diaper-pants blank with side panels is cut from the web and folded about a transverse axis in the crotch with the front and rear edges lying against each other. The side panels of each blank are folded toward and secured to side portions of the rear or front portion which have no side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Birgitta Karlsson, Johan Skogsberg, Lennart Erwast, Urban Widlund, Ingemar Fernfors
  • Patent number: 6689113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sanitary absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin that has the ability to protect the undergarment of the wearer from being soiled by menstrual liquid. The sanitary napkin has a main body with panels that originate from its longitudinal side edges. A distal end of each panel that is continuous with the respective longitudinal side edge is folded underneath and affixed to the barrier later of the main body to form a looping member and a freely extending flap. As a result the effective affixation point of each flap is located inwardly of the respective side edge of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Boulanger, Pramod Mavinkurve, Tara Glasgow, Anthony Ng, Arnie Lingertat
  • Publication number: 20040019341
    Abstract: A skin sanitary product is constructed to include an absorptive body formed of an inner water-permeable diffusion layer, an outer waterproof layer, and an intermediate absorptive layer of SAP (super absorbent polymer) mounted in between the inner water-permeable diffusion layer and the outer waterproof layer, the absorptive body having two opposite lateral sides respectively pressed together, forming a respective pommel-like stop flange, and an endless elastic band fastened to two distal ends of the absorptive body and adapted for securing the absorptive body to the body of a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Chen
  • Publication number: 20040015142
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an absorbent article that includes a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent article has enhanced thermal transmittance by evincing a lower thermal resistance (clo) of less than about 1.7 watts/m2, as measured in a Thermolabo apparatus. The absorbent article of the invention preferably has a low density, low basis weight core, and it provides improved comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Lee W. Johnston, John D. Litvay, Kenneth J. Molee
  • Patent number: 6676649
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin which includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The topsheet extends to transversely opposite side edges of the napkin with interposition of pleats, along which side edges the topsheet is bonded to the backsheet. The core includes a lower absorbent core and an upper absorbent core. The pleats lie between transversely opposite side edges of the lower absorbent core and transversely opposite side edges of the upper absorbent core. The topsheet are provided along the opposite side edge of the upper absorbent core with elasticity being effective longitudinally of the napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20040006326
    Abstract: An open-type disposable wearing article composed of a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region. These regions are all elastically stretchable. The article includes first and second stretchable zones respectively bifurcated at a transverse middle of the crotch region so as to extend to lateral zones of the front and rear waist regions, respectively, and third stretchable zones defined by zones other than the first and second stretchable zones. The first and second stretchable zones exhibit a stretch stress higher than a stretch stress of the third stretchable zones. Loop members are provided to the second stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the rear waist region and hook members are provided to the first stretchable zone in the lateral zones of the front waist region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Kaiyo Nakajima, Yoshitaka Mishima, Tomoko Sugito
  • Publication number: 20040002691
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment having a leg opening shape and fastener placement that, together, minimize the likelihood of fastener pop-opens during use. The garment includes a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist end edge and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Marcille Faye Ruman, Henry Louis Carbone, Matthew Lee Koele
  • Patent number: 6664436
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shape deformable materials, which are capable of (1) being deformed, (2) storing an amount of shape deformation, and (3) recovering at least a portion of the shape deformation when exposed to a humid environment. The shape deformable materials can advantageously be in the form of films, fibers, filaments, strands, nonwovens, and pre-molded elements. The shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to form products, which are both disposable and reusable. More specifically, the shape deformable materials of the present invention may be used to produce products such as disposable diapers, training pants, incontinence products, and feminine care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave A. Soerens
  • Patent number: 6657100
    Abstract: A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an astringent agent or source thereof is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an astringent agent or source thereof which does not contact the wearer's skin until urination occurs at which time a tingling or other sensation is felt on the skin. To prevent contact of the astringent agent with the wearer's skin until urination, the astringent agent may be microencapsulated into a dissolvable shell or may be inserted into a microsponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Underhill, Marsha M. Malone, Bernard J. Minerath, III, Beth A. Lange, Duane G. Krzysik, David W. Koenig
  • Patent number: 6656168
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an outer cover and an absorbent structure in superposed relation to the outer cover and defining a bodyfacing surface. A lotion formulation is deposited on the bodyfacing surface in discrete locations targeted for specific regions of the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Braverman, Arthur E. Garavaglia, Ali Yahiaoui, Robert C. Diluccio
  • Publication number: 20030216706
    Abstract: An absorbent prefastened product in the form of a disposable pants diaper is provided with a side closure arrangement on each side. The side closure includes front and rear side flaps having elastic portions where an inner surface of a rear side flap is overlapped and welded to an outer surface of a front side flap. Each side flap is also provided with one part of a releasable fastening system located such that the weld is located on at least one of the elastic portions and such that it lies inward of the releasable fastening system in the prefastened state. A method of forming the absorbent product is also provided, in which an overlapped attachment is formed by joining front and rear side flap members together and attaching the side flap members to an absorbent chassis member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB.
    Inventors: Ken Olsson, Marie Johansson, Helena Corneliusson
  • Publication number: 20030212377
    Abstract: A method of production of disposable diaper pants or disposable sanitary panty with openable and resealable side panels. A row of absorption bodies is applied on a continuous web of inner or outer cover sheet material, after which a continuous web of outer or inner cover sheet material is applied and secured to the web with absorption bodies at parts lying outside the absorption bodies to form a web of diaper pants blanks. First side panels having two parts connected by a detachable and resealable connection are secured to the diaper pants blanks at a side of a front or rear portion. Second separate side panels are secured to the side portions of the front or rear portions of the diaper pants blanks which to not have side panels. Individual diaper pants blanks with side panels are cut out, folded along a transverse axis in the crotch, and secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Birgitta Karlsson, Ken Olsson, Cecile Sandin, Elisabeth Lakso, Anna-Carin Elfstrom, Robert Albino
  • Publication number: 20030212378
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: David Arthur Kuen, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph D. Coenen, Shawn A. Quereshi, Jack L. Couillard, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 6645190
    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: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Olson, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs
  • Publication number: 20030208170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diapering system (200) suitable for the collection of urine and faeces. Claimed and described is a diapering system comprising one human waste collection bag integral with one absorbent component (preferably a diaper like absorbent component) located outside of or adjacent to the collection bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Vincenzo D'Acchioli, Gianfranco Palumbo
  • Patent number: 6641568
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having improved sustained fit on the body, improved appearance through the period of use, and improved comfort for the wearer. The absorbent article has a containment assembly, a waist feature and a diagonal support member feature disposed so as to lie in the diagonal support zone of the wearer's body when the article is worn. The diagonal support member is designed to support the article from the small of the back, over the hip, and to the lower abdomen. The diagonal support member is distinct from the waist feature, which is designed to provide only enough circumferential tension to hold itself in position on the body. The absorbent article has a garment-like high-waisted appearance, gentle tension around the waist to avoid discomfort and/or pressure marking, good leakage protection, good sustained fit, and easy application and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gregory Ashton, Frederick Michael Langdon
  • Publication number: 20030199842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article for managing bodily fluids, comprising a high coefficient of friction (“COF”) backsheet and at least one tape tab extending therefrom. The tape tab comprises a minimum amount of pressure sensitive adhesive sufficient to maintain the position of the article when a user's undergarments are away from her body. When the undergarments are near her body, the high COF backsheet acts as the predominant means for maintaining the position of the article due to normal forces exerted by the user's body and undergarments. When the user wants to remove the article from her undergarments, the tape tab provides additional advantages. The user may grasp the tape tab itself for removing the article as an alternative to grasping a portion of the soiled article. In addition the soiled article may be folded or rolled up, and then held in that configuration with the tape tab, for convenient and discreet disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Luizzi, Miriam Motta
  • Patent number: 6635040
    Abstract: An elastic sided curved absorbent pad is provided with soft side edges providing efficient leakage protection without irritation. The pad has elasticized side panels which comprise at least two layers of non-woven material mounted between a cover and baffle, projecting beyond the side edges of the cover and the baffle, giving the panel soft, free outer distal edges and one or more elastic members inboard from the free distal edge. The layers of non-woven material and the elastic member are bonded together, except for the distal edges which are not bonded. This provides a lace-like appearance and feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yuhan-Kimberly Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo-Hong Kim, Hyung-Bum Kim, Eo-Yeon Hwang, Eun-Jung Kang
  • Patent number: 6632207
    Abstract: An intimate napkin for use with an undergarment, having: a substantially planar and elongated frame (3, 3′) comprising a first face having a liquid pervious material layer, and a second face, opposite to the first face, having a liquid impervious material layer; an absorbing core (2) inserted in the frame (3,3′) between the liquid pervious material layer and the liquid impervious material layer, the liquid impervious material layer having a first inner surface faced to the core (2), and a second outer surface, opposite to the first surface, faced outwardly, which constitutes the outer face of the napkin (1,1′); and an adhesive layer applied to the second outer surface, the napkin (1,1′), wherein the adhesive layer is comprised of at least five lines of adhesive (4) substantially spaced apart, the adhesive ratio ranges from 8 to 25 g/m2, and the adhesive has a shear value of at least 2.0 Kgf is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Industria e Comercio Ltda.
    Inventors: Fabio Eduardo Franca Rangel, Francisco Antonio Rimoli, Joao Bosco Pereira, Jose Francisco Cau, Julio Malva Filho
  • Patent number: 6632208
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a napkin body comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween and a pair of wings at both side edges of the napkin body. The wings comprise a portion of the backsheet extending transversely outward from a middle zone of the side edge of the napkin body and a reinforcing member bonded to an upper surface of the backsheet's portion. Elastically stretchable and contractable cover sheets are bonded to an upper surface of the napkin body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6629967
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable upper sheet, a liquid impermeable bottom sheet, and an absorbent body between the bottom sheet and the upper sheet, and at least one longitudinally extending liquid barrier comprising an elongated elastic element and an elongated, essentially liquid-impermeable and inelastic material on each side of a longitudinal center line. A liquid impermeable top sheet with an aperture intended to lie in register with a wearer's anus and urethral orifice may also be included. A prestretched elastic band is attached to either an edge of an inelastic material of the liquid impermeable barrier or to the aperture-defining edge of the liquid permeable top sheet. When the article is donned, the elastic device will lie against a wearer, with a free part facing toward the longitudinal center line and a stretchable, puckered sealing edge facing outward from the longitudinal center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Eva Simmons, Peter Rönnberg, Anders Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6627289
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Lyn Dilnik, Allen Todd Leak, Mark Michael Mleziva, Michael A. Snyder, Patrick Sean McNichols, Scott Leslie Williams, Robert John Leveille, Scott Lee Pennings, Paul John Serbiak, Bruce Michael Siebers, Robert Eugene Vogt, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Thomas David Ehlert, John Gerard Hein, Timothy Raymond Heindel, Tim Joseph Janssen, Kathleen Ann Peterson
  • Patent number: 6623464
    Abstract: A liquid pervious topsheet, breathable backsheet, and an absorbent core makes up a breathable absorbent article. The absorbent core has a caliper of less than 12 mm and is positioned intermediate the liquid pervious topsheet and the breathable backsheet. The liquid pervious topsheet, absorbent core, and breathable backsheet are at least one layer. The liquid pervious topsheet has a liquid retention of less than 0.22 g for a 2.0 g load. The absorbent core has a vapor permeability of at least 200 g/ m2/24 hrs. The breathable backsheet has a liquid permeability of less than 0.16 g for 15 ml load. The liquid pervious topsheet, absorbent core, and breathable backsheet are joined such that the absorbent article has a dryness index of greater than 0.5 and a sensory index of greater than 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Giovanni Carlucci, Achille Di Cintio
  • Patent number: 6620147
    Abstract: A disposable diaper that includes a pair of wings formed with a nonwoven fabric. Each of the wings is formed on its circumferentially outer edge with fastener sections each including a male member as a component of so-called mechanical fastener. The fastener sections are folded back onto inner surface of the wing so that only a portion of hooks constituting the male member are releasably engaged with the component fibers of the nonwoven fabric protruding toward the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Shingu, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Patent number: 6620143
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a body-side adhesive is disclosed having an absorbent core with at least one body-facing surface designed to be positioned against the wearer's body and a pressure sensitive adhesive secured to the body-facing surface. In one aspect, the article is limited in dimension and includes a hot melt adhesive to be pressed against the wearer's pudendal region and characterized by a midblock Tg of less than −10° C., a G′ (storage modulus) less than 15×104 dynes/cm2 at 10 rad/s. (25° C.), a G″ (loss modulus) of 1 to 6×104 dynes/cm2, a tensile strength greater than 10 psi, and requiring no subsequent curing operation after cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Kenneth Zacharias, Yung Hsiang Huang, Frank Gerald Druecke
  • Patent number: 6605071
    Abstract: A toddler's disposable or reusable garment (10) includes “brief looking” undergarments (12) with a releasable panel (18) that extends down from the back of the waistband (16), through the crotch, and upward for connection to the top front of the waist structure of the undergarment. An absorbent disposable liner/diaper (14) of hourglass configuration is placed in overlying relationship with respect to the releasable panel (18), and the upper end portion (36) of the releasable panel and is connected in underlying relationship with respect to the top front panel 28, allowing the parent to have expedient access to the absorbent disposable liner/diaper for the convenience of changing the liner/diaper without requiring the removal of the garment from about the waist of the toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Vivian Gray, Pamela G. deMonye
  • Publication number: 20030149417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hygiene product including an absorbent article having a top layer for facing a wearer and a back layer having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on a garment surface thereof, and a packaging sheet in which the absorbent article is wrapped. The packaging sheet has a first surface and a second surface. At least 50% of the top layer of the absorbent article faces the first surface of the packaging sheet. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer of the absorbent article is covered with a release sheet. The absorbent article is wrapped in the packaging sheet such that the second surface of the packaging sheet appears externally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Kudo