Adhesive Tab Fastener Element Patents (Class 604/389)
  • Patent number: 7833207
    Abstract: A pants-type wearing article includes front and rear waist regions connected to each other by a fastener member in a detachable and refastenable manner. Each of the fastener member includes a sheet-like supporting element adapted to be folded in a Z-shape or an inverted Z-shape as the front and rear waist regions are put flat together and a fastener element. The supporting element has a top section, a bottom section and an intermediate section connecting the top and bottom sections. Between opposed surfaces of the bottom section and the intermediate section, a sheet-like liner section is provided so as to extend from a bottom section's openable end of the bottom section along these opposed surfaces toward a top section's joint end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kenmochi, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Natsuko Aoyagi, Kayoko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7815620
    Abstract: An adjustable absorbent article is provided according to exemplary aspects of this invention. The absorbent article includes a body portion configured to be positioned adjacent a wearer of the absorbent article. The absorbent article includes at least one belt having end portions, at least one of which end portions is configured to be engaged to the body portion. A first means is positioned on at least one of the end portions of the belt for releasable engagement of the end portion to the body portion, and a second means is positioned at a location spaced from the end portions of the belt for releasable engagement to the belt or the body portion to adjust the length of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Fredrica V. Coates, Donald A. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 7811272
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a nanofabricated attachment means having adhesive hairs disposed on a substrate wherein the hairs are effective to adhesively engage an opposing surface having a polymeric film or a fibrous web. In another embodiment, the absorbent article has a gecko-like fastener including a substrate and a plurality of adhesive hairs arising from the substrate having a base section, midsection, and top section, a height of about 0.5 microns to about 8 millimeters, and a diameter greater than about 0.05 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Fung-Jou Chen, Lisha Yu, Nadezhda Efremova
  • Publication number: 20100256583
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fit system having fasteners and friction elements. The fasteners are located in the front waist area and the back waist area and are adapted to fasten the article about the waist of a wearer to define a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of overlap regions. The friction elements are located in the overlap regions and are adapted to provide friction between the front waist area and the back waist area in the overlap regions. The friction elements have an upper portion oriented towards the waist opening and a lower portion oriented towards the leg opening. The upper portion and the lower portion have different concentrations of surface treatment, thicknesses, and/or surface areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Ellingson, Janet Elaine Collins, Sara Jane Wille Stabelfeldt, Scott Richard Lange
  • Publication number: 20100256587
    Abstract: A non-tacky adhesive fastening system may comprise an engaging member having an engaging surface with a non-tacky adherent disposed thereon and a receiving member having a receiving surface with a non-tacky adherend disposed thereon. The non-tacky adherent may be pre-engaged to the non-tacky adherend. The non-tacky adhesive fastening system, after aging, exhibits a T-Peel of less than about 12 N/inch and is refastenable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Urmish Popatlal Dalal, Robin Lynn McKiernan, Mark James Kline, Wolfgang Edgar Huhn, Italo Corzani
  • Patent number: 7806880
    Abstract: A pull-on wearable article includes a main portion with an outer cover, the main portion defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front and rear waist regions. First and second extendable side panels extend between and connect the main portion front waist region and the main portion rear waist region to form the article in a closed waist configuration, wherein at least a portion of each side panel is extendable between a relaxed state and an extended state. The article defines first and second side regions, each side region including one of the first and second side panels and a transverse region of the main portion bordering the respective side panel. An informational image is disposed in at least the first side region, wherein the informational image is legible when the first and second side panels are substantially in the relaxed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Melanie D. Allen, Kathleen Quinlan Ames-Ooten, Mark John Ciesko, Barry Robert Feist, Eiro Fukuda, George Bartol Glackin
  • Publication number: 20100234822
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a waistband which is attached to first and second body portions of the article. The first body portion is attached to the waistband by at least a fastening means wherein the article assumes a pant diaper form. The waistband has a reception surface and a perforation. The perforation allows the reception surface to be separated into first and second belt portions. At least a part of the reception surface is located on each belt portion, thereby allowing the article to assume a belt diaper form. The first belt portion comprises at least one fastening means. The second fastening means is arranged so that the absorbent article can be readily converted from a pant diaper form to a belt diaper form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Lucas Bäck
  • Publication number: 20100217217
    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 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles
  • Publication number: 20100217220
    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 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles
  • Publication number: 20100217224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure tape tab for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper, for fastening the article on the body of a person. The closure tape tab comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion being connected by an inner tab portion, wherein the inner tab portion has a first major surface and a second major surface. The proximal and distal end portions are connected to the inner tab portion and the first major surface thereof such that opposing ends of the proximal and distal end portions are spaced apart from each other. The distal end portion is folded over toward the proximal end portion such that at least a part of the first major surface of the inner tab portion in the space is covered. The proximal end portion is preferably not folded. The present invention furthermore relates to a prelaminated closure tape, preferably in a stable roll, from which such closure tape tabs can be cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Donald R. Battles, Stuart L. Eynon, Dyfrig E. Clement
  • Publication number: 20100211038
    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 11a of a first section 11 in each tape fastener 10 extends so that a space S is defined between this lower edge 11a and an imaginary extension of a lower edge 12a of a second section 12 in the tape fastener 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Jyoji Shimizu, Osamu Nakajima, Tomoko Sugito, Kyo Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20100191210
    Abstract: An absorbent article that avoids damaging of adherend fibers through regulation of attaching strength. The absorbent article comprises a surface sheet (2) having liquid permeability at least a part thereof, a liquid impermeable backside sheet (3), a liquid retentive absorbent (4) interposed between the surface sheet and the backside sheet and an attaching part (10) disposed on the external face of the backside sheet. The attaching part (10) includes a first sticky portion (11) consisting of a sticky member and a second sticky portion (12) consisting of the same sticky member as in the first sticky portion (11). The attaching part (10) is provided within an approximately rectangular area with four corners. The first sticky portion (11) is provided in the region of the outer edge of the attaching part (10) including at least the four corners. The basis weight of the sticky member in the first sticky portion (11) is greater than that in the second sticky portion (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihisa Hayashi, Toshiyuki Tanio
  • Publication number: 20100191211
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fasteners for disposable absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles that include the fasteners. The disclosed fasteners generally are free of release tape and adhesives requiring those tapes. At the same time, the disclosed fasteners can be maintained in a closed position prior to the fastener's (and the disposable absorbent article's) use and during the process by which the article is manufactured. While maintainable in this closed position, the fastener may be easily opened by the consumer such that the fastener can be then used for its intended purpose, such as, for example to form a side closure on a diaper around the waist and legs of an infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: John Molander
  • Publication number: 20100185169
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has longitudinally extending side edges of a front waist region. The side edges are defined by a pair of hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers having mutually opposed surfaces tightly bonded to each other. Fastening zones are formed by an adhesive applied on longitudinally extending side edges of the rear waist region. Landing zones are formed from plastic filmstrip tightly bonded to the side edges of the front waist region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoko SUGITO
  • Patent number: 7758559
    Abstract: A disposable wearing article has longitudinally extending side edges of a front waist region. The side edges are defined by a pair of hydrophobic fibrous nonwoven fabric layers having mutually opposed surfaces tightly bonded to each other. Fastening zones are formed by an adhesive applied on longitudinally extending side edges of the rear waist region. Landing zones are formed from plastic film strip tightly bonded to the side edges of the front waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoko Sugito
  • Patent number: 7749212
    Abstract: A back region having extensibility in a waist direction and provided with stopper members at both ends in the waist direction, an abdominal region provided with flap portions at both ends in the waist direction, and an absorber that bridges between the back region and the abdominal region are provided. It is set in such a manner that a length of the back region in the waist direction when it is stretched is longer than a length of the abdominal region in the waist direction, and a length of the back region in the waist direction when no force is applied from the outside is almost equal to the length of the abdominal region in the waist direction or shorter than the length in the waist direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Wada
  • Patent number: 7744575
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wearable sanitary napkin having a front panel having an absorbent sanitary napkin and one or more straps for attachment to the body. In one embodiment, the front panel is substantially triangular in shape and the straps are connected to the corners of the triangle to form a thong style underwear. In still another embodiment, the wearable sanitary napkins are made of inexpensive material so that they are disposable. The absorbent sanitary napkins panties can be made with different levels of absorptive capacity and can be in different configurations and designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Jennifer Spalding
  • Patent number: 7744577
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article has its waist region divided into a front section and a rear section and connector sheets 21 adapted to connect these two sections together. Each of the connector sheets has joint zones to be joined to the front section and the rear section, respectively, and a non-joint zone interposed between the joint zones so as to define a tear-apart line extending in vertical direction along which the article is torn apart. The non-joint zone has a tensile strength of at least 8N in the waist-surrounding direction and a tear strength in a range of 0.1 to 12N also in the waist-surrounding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Otsubo, Naoto Ohashi, Yusuke Kawakami, Makoto Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20100152697
    Abstract: [Problem] To prevent a diaper from causing leakage by controlling displacement or deformation of an absorbent pad resulting from body movements. [Means for Solving Problem] A disposable diaper in the present invention is configured in such a manner that a section corresponding to a first portion at the longitudinal intermediate of the inner elastic members 13i is designated as an unfixed section 14 where a back sheet 1 and an outer sheet 12 are not fixed; a section corresponding to a second portion on the both longitudinal sides of the unfixed section 14 is designated as a fixed section, where the back sheet 1 and the outer sheet 12 are fixed; the unfixed section 14 with the inner elastic members 13i is not fixed to the back sheet 1 or the outer sheet 12, or is fixed only to the outer sheet 12; and the fixed section with the inner elastic members 13i is fixed to the back sheet 1 and the outer sheet 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Yuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 7736351
    Abstract: A simple disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly may be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The chassis may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pankaj Nigam, Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck
  • Patent number: 7736352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure tape tab for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper, for fastening the article on the body of a person. The closure tape tab comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion being connected by an inner tab portion, wherein the inner tab portion has a first major surface and a second major surface. The proximal and distal end portions are connected to the inner tab portion and the first major surface thereof such that opposing ends of the proximal and distal end portions are spaced apart from each other. The distal end portion is folded over toward the proximal end portion such that at least a part of the first major surface of the inner tab portion in the space is covered. The proximal end portion is preferably not folded. The present invention furthermore relates to a prelaminated closure tape, preferably in a stable roll, from which such closure tape tabs can be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Donald R. Battles, Stuart L. Eynon, Dyfrig E. Clement
  • Patent number: 7737057
    Abstract: An article including: a porous substrate that includes a fibrous material; and a release coating disposed on the fibrous material of the porous substrate; wherein the release coating includes a thermoplastic silicone-containing polymer. A method of making an article, which method includes: providing a porous backing having a first major surface and a second major surface; applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the first major surface of the porous backing; and applying an aqueous dispersion including a thermoplastic silicone-containing polymer to the second major surface of the porous backing to form a low adhesion backsize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bany, James P. DiZio, Patricia J. A. Brandt, Janice R. Manore, Judith A. Green
  • Patent number: 7727216
    Abstract: A diaper for adults includes a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween, wherein side edge portions of the front and rear waist regions are detachably connected to each other so as to form a waist hole and a pair of leg holes, the side edge portions have a dimension of at least 150 mm as measured in a longitudinal direction, and a position correcting system to correct relative position of first and second fastening components when the first and second waist regions are connected to each other comprises at least one spacing zone defined between setting zones for tow or more fastening components into which the first fastening component is divided in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kenmochi, Akiyoshi Kinoshita, Natsuko Aoyagi, Naoto Ohashi, Makoto Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7727217
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front and back waist regions. An outer cover member and a bodyside liner extend longitudinally between the front and back waist regions. An absorbent body structure is sandwiched between the outer cover member and the bodyside liner. A unitary elastomeric structure is attached to at least one of the front and back waist regions, the elastomeric structure extending completely across the respective waist region and extending beyond lateral sides of the chassis so as to form elastomeric attachment tabs. The elastomeric structure having a predetermined first modulus of elasticity such that when attached to said waist region, a resulting elastomeric waistband portion is defined having an overall second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity of the attachment tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc
    Inventor: Catherine M. Hancock-Cooke
  • Patent number: 7699827
    Abstract: A pant shaped garment having a rear portion, a front portion, and a crotch portion, a waist opening with a waist edge and two leg openings bordered by a leg edge having a front part located generally on the front portion and a rear part located generally on the rear portion and on the crotch portion. Front and rear portions are mutually connected in two side joins which run from the waist opening to each leg opening. An elongated elastic element is pre-stretched along the rear part of the leg edge of each leg opening. The front portion comprises an elastically extensible material and the elongated elastic element constricts the rear part of the leg edge, thereby stretching the elastic material along the front part of the leg edge. The side joins exhibit a curvature in a direction towards the rear portion that increases in a direction from the waist opening towards the leg opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Cecile Sandin, Katarina Eriksson, Sofia Hermansson, Catarina Linner
  • Patent number: 7695464
    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 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    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: 7686795
    Abstract: A pull-on diaper includes a front waist region and a rear waist region joined together along joints defined by transversely opposite edges of these waist regions so as to form a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The joints are adapted to be ruptured for disposal of the diaper which has been used. The front waist region and the rear waist region are joined together along the joints by means of joining members and each of the joining members is provided with a gripper formed integrally with this joining member and rupture guides extending from the gripper toward the waist-hole and the associated one of the leg-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ichikawa, Naoto Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7682350
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a front waist edge, a back waist edge, a topsheet, a backsheet attached to at least a portion of the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. A waist member is attached to a wearer-facing surface of the disposable absorbent article or between the topsheet and the backsheet adjacent to the front waist edge and the back waist edge. The waist member is unattached to an outer-facing surface of the disposable absorbent article. The waist member extends outward from the front waist edge and the back waist edge such that at least a region of the waist member is visible from a vantage point external to the disposable absorbent article, thereby providing the appearance of a finished front waist edge or the appearance of a finished back waist edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Frederick Michael Langdon, Luke Robinson Magee, Gregory Ashton, Mark John Ciesko
  • Patent number: 7682349
    Abstract: Packaged garments having prefastened, refastenable seams oriented in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like disposable garments. Prior to or during packaging of the garment, the refastenable seams are prefastened and positioned such that any fastening components lie flat in a plane perpendicular to a plane in which front and back panels of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, William M. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20100057035
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly having a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent structure, a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region, longitudinally opposite ends, and laterally opposite side edges. A pair of hip panels releaseably secures the first and second waist regions together. One of the hip panels extends laterally outward from one of the side edges in one of the first and second waist regions and the other hip panel extends laterally outward from the opposite side edge in the one of the first and second waist regions. Each of the hip panels has an upper edge, a lower edge, a fixed and a free end. Each of the upper and lower edges has a length and is curved along at least a portion of its length. The curved portions of the upper and lower edges are substantially identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Christine Putzer, Gary Lee Travis
  • Patent number: 7670324
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component and having longitudinally disposed regions of liquid permeability and liquid impermeability on the same surface. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Theodora Beck, Gerald Alfred Young, Stephen Lebeuf Hardie, Thomas Henrich, Edward John Milbrada
  • Patent number: 7662137
    Abstract: A disposable diaper is formed in one of front and rear waist regions with first wings which are elastically stretchable in a waist-surrounding direction and these first wings are provided on respective body facing surfaces with first fastener elements. The other waist region is provided on its undergarment facing surface with, in addition to second fastener elements, anti-slip zones exhibiting a desired average kinetic frictional force relative to the body facing surface of the first wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Sayama, Hironao Minato, Koichiro Tani, Koichiro Mitsui, Kengo Ochi, Masato Isono
  • Patent number: 7662138
    Abstract: An absorbent article has an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element (5), and a liquid-impermeable outer layer (3) which is intended to enclose the absorbent element on at least that side thereof which faces away from the wearer during use of the article. The absorbent element (5) is in its entirety arranged on the second piece (2). The liquid-impermeable outer layer (3) is breathable, at least over a portion of this which covers the absorbent element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Cécile Sandin, Hans Eén, Kenneth Strannemalm, Anna-Carin Elfström, Karin Lindmark
  • Patent number: 7658813
    Abstract: A method of preparing closure components and a method of preparing a stable roll of such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Johann F. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20100030176
    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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Susanne Beckert, Ruediger Kesselmeier
  • Patent number: 7654994
    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. Additionally, the bodyfacing surface comprises indicia in the rear waist region guiding a user fitting the disposable garment regarding the positioning of the second fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paula C. Winkel, Timothy J. Probst, Kellie M. Goodrich, Joseph P. Fell
  • Publication number: 20100022982
    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), proximal a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: De Angelis Tonino
  • Publication number: 20100016823
    Abstract: A method for producing a closure element (10) for disposable pant-like absorbent sanitary products (52) formed by two parts basically symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (26), wherein each of said parts is able to form a side panel (76) of an absorbent sanitary product (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Sablone Gabriele
  • Publication number: 20100010465
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an absorbent article including a top-sheet having an inner side and an outside and a back-sheet having an inner side and an outside and the inner side of the back-sheet being directed towards the inner side of the top-sheet. At least one elongate belt is provided which has a free end portion for fastening the absorbent article around the waist of a wearer and an attachment end portion that is fixedly attached to the outside of the back-sheet or to the outside of the top-sheet, whereas the free end portion is arranged within the boundaries of the top-sheet and/or the back-sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Pontus Winqvist, Kent Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20100004616
    Abstract: There is provided a fastening tab or side panel for a disposable diaper (herein below sometimes referred to simply as a “fastening tab”) with an opening formed in the fastening tab or side panel base member or a notch on the terminal end of the fastening tab or side panel base member. When an invention fastening tab or side panel of an adult or baby disposable diaper (herein below sometimes referred to simply as a “diaper”) is pulled outward, the fastening tab or side panel in some embodiments can be pulled out by hooking the fastening tab or side panel at an opening (the “opening” formed by a discrete opening or a notch) with a finger. The opening helps the fastening tab to have good handleability on the diaper when the diaper is fixed to a user. A fastening tab having openings or notches, with the side having the notches being attached to the diaper such that the notch forms an “opening”, also distributes forces at the side of the diaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nakamura, Yasuhiro Kono, Takeshi Yamada, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 7637898
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent pant having refastenable seams that minimize the product's potential for tearing when forces are applied to separate the refastenable seams. More particularly, the refastenable seams have a shear separation strength that is less than a tensile or tear strength of the outer cover and/or side panels. Also, the bonding strength between a fastening component and the portion of the chassis to which the fastening component is bonded may be greater than the shear separation strength of the refastenable seams. Additionally, the shear separation strength of the refastenable seams may be greater than the peel separation strength of the refastenable seams to enable easy unfastening of the garment through the application of peel forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Kuen, Robert Lee Popp, Heather Schenck Mortell
  • Patent number: 7632257
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy, intuitive change by aligning the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or relative to a component of the article thereby enhancing the fit and corresponding performance of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Luke R. Magee, George B. Glackin, III, Christopher J. Hosmer, Naomi S. Korn, James D. Wilson, Mark C. Bates, Mattias Schmidt, Eva Susanne Dominique Thurnay, Joerg Mueller, John C. Costello, Ann M. Sullivan, Gregg A. Flender, Donald C. Roe, Mark J. Kline, Kenneth Edwin Jewell
  • Publication number: 20090292270
    Abstract: A fastener tab includes a tab substrate having a first side and a second side. A first adhesive region is applied to an installation portion of the first side and a second adhesive region is applied to a fastening portion of the first side. The first and second adhesive regions are configured to provide different adhesion characteristics. A disposable absorbent article includes at least one fastener tab and may also include release and attachment substrates that releasably retain the second adhesive region for storage and use, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Gbenga S. Showole, Rolf Simm, Henry Cheng Na, Gary Dean LaVon
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7608068
    Abstract: The present invention provides disposable pants achieving improved workability in putting on and taking off by increasing the visibility of tabs on adhesive pieces. The disposable pants include a front abdominal section and a rear section joined almost annularly, and a crotch section provided to be joined between the front abdominal section and rear section. Left and right breaking parts are provided on the front abdominal section for breaking the front abdominal section. Left and right adhesive pieces are bonded to laterally outward sides of the left and right breaking parts in the front abdominal section. An adhesive part to/from which the left and right adhesive pieces are attached/detached is provided between the left and right breaking parts on the exterior side of the front abdominal section. The left and right adhesive pieces are provided with tabs for attachment/detachment to/from the adhesive part, and the tabs are provided with tab identification marks for identification from neighboring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Livedo Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20090264850
    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: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahata, Yasuhisa Minemoto
  • Publication number: 20090264853
    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: 7597690
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin includes a surface element that is formed of a liquid-permeable topsheet covering a liquid absorbent layer. The surface element is raised from the skin-side surface of a napkin body by an elastic force of an elastic member to form a protuberance having a front end and a rear end. The protuberance fits in the intergluteal cleft and prevents rearward leakage of menstrual blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanio, Wataru Yoshimasa, Kenichiro Kuroda, Shinobu Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20090247975
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending backsheet strips attached to an exterior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each backsheet strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly includes a lower covering sheet that is doubled by folding and thereby includes a first layer and a second layer. The absorbent assembly also includes laterally opposing side flaps which are formed by folding doubled portions of the lower covering sheet laterally inward. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form side barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Kevin Michael Smith