By Strap, Belt, Tying, Or Endless Band Means Patents (Class 604/392)
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100036340
    Abstract: A disposable nappy includes a disposable nappy body portion (3) and a separate belt (5) to secure the nappy body to the person. The belt includes a number of Velcro-type fastener portions that attach to a cover stock material of the nappy. The cover stock material is of a material that includes fibres that can retain the Velcro-type fasteners. Also defined are leg guards (19) formed from outer edges of a laminate cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Susan M. Allison-Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100036336
    Abstract: A garment and method of producing an absorbent article includes an absorbent section. The absorbent section includes a front and rear portion. A waist belt is attached to the absorbent section. The waist belt includes first and second belt portions extending on each side of the rear portion of the absorbent section for securing to each other around a wearer of the garment. The front portion of the absorbent section includes a fastening device for securing the front portion of the absorbent section to the waist belt. To better aid the wearer or caregiver on how to put the product on the user, instructions are provided directly on the garment which describe how the garment should be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Jenny BOGDANOVA, Maria GUSTIN BERGSTROM, Emilia KOVACIC
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7641641
    Abstract: A product line of absorbent articles includes a first absorbent article with a first elective component secured to the first absorbent article in a first configuration of the component. The first elective component is selectively configurable to a second configuration different from the first configuration of the component. A second absorbent article of the product line has a second elective component that is selectively configurable from a first configuration of the second elective component to a second configuration different from the first configuration of the second elective component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana L. Ramshak
  • Publication number: 20090312738
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may comprise a web that may be folded over at a first fold line forming a first hem, folded over at a second fold line forming a second hem, and folded over at a third fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a first side flap. The web may be folded over at a fourth fold line and attached in the front and back waist regions to form a second side flap. The absorbent article may also comprise a second elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent the side edge of the absorbent article. Also, the absorbent article may comprise laterally opposing deployable belt ears attached to the web in at least one of the waist regions. Each belt ear may be disposed laterally inward until being deployed laterally outward so as to project laterally outward beyond the respective distal edges of the side flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Ernesto G. Bianchi, Lisa M. Frederick, Luke Nogales, John Brian Strube
  • Publication number: 20090281515
    Abstract: An absorbent article that can attain altering of the sensation of fitness thereof while maintaining a given capability of leakage prevention. The absorbent article is one comprising an absorbent article main body including at least a surface sheet part whose at least one area is permeable for liquid, disposed on one side in the direction of the thickness of the absorbent article and a liquid-retaining absorbent part disposed on the surface sheet part on the other side in the above direction of the thickness, and comprising, disposed on the other side in the direction of the thickness of the absorbent article main body, belt member (10) arranged so as to extend along the longitudinal direction (LD) of the absorbent article main body, the absorbent article shaped substantially longitudinally long. The belt member (10) has such a deformation region that at least portion thereof can be deformed so as to narrow in its width direction (WD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Noda, Kenichiro Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20090275912
    Abstract: An absorbent article with a drawstring member that is at least partially inelastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Donald C. Roe, Connie L. Fisher, Carl L. Bergman, Gregg A. Flender
  • Publication number: 20090240228
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of manufacturing absorbent articles suitable for use as training pants or other hygiene products are provided. The absorbent article includes a chassis having a front section, a rear section, and a crotch section extending between the front section and the rear section. The front section is connected to the rear section to define a waist opening, leg openings, and a belly region positioned between the waist opening and the leg openings. The absorbent article also includes an absorbent core coupled to the crotch section of the chassis. An adjustable tensioner is coupled to the chassis and is positioned for snugging the chassis against a wearer of the absorbent article. The tensioner is configured to be adjusted by the wearer from a first tension to a second, selected tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: TYCO HEALTHCARE RETAIL SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Heather R. Nonnenmann, Thomas Bergin
  • Patent number: 7569039
    Abstract: A disposable pull-on garment includes an absorbent main body and a ring-like elastic belt forming a waist opening and two leg openings. The absorbent main body has longitudinal side edges and transverse end edges. The elastic belt includes a front belt and a back belt each having a transverse waist border and a transverse abdomen border. In the back belt, a waist border elastic material is disposed adjacent to the waist border between the waist border and the end edge of the absorbent main body, a side elastic material is disposed adjacent to the abdomen border, and a waist anchoring elastic material is disposed between them. A leg opening angle formed by the abdomen border and each of the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent main body is greater when the disposable pull-on garment is in a contracted configuration than when the disposable pull-on garment is in an uncontracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsuda, Kenji Fujimoto, Hiroshi Nakahata
  • Patent number: 7569041
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable diaper (2), used more particularly in the event of incontinence, comprising a hip band (10) forming a hip opening in the diaper which is closed in the direction of the periphery whereby said hip band can be opened in at least one place and can be closed, also comprising a front area, a rear area and a main diaper part (4) which has a crotch area located there between and which comprises an absorbing body (6) for liquids. The main part (4) of the diaper can be detachably fixed to the hip band using the longitudinal end of the front area or rear area, by means of first closing means (34) such that a user can place the main part (4) of the diaper between his/her legs when the hip band is worn (10) and can detachably fix the free longitudinal end of the main part (4) of the diaper to the hip band (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Stupperich, Wolfgang Roehrl, Matthias Bandorf
  • Publication number: 20090182299
    Abstract: An absorbent garment is disclosed that may generally fit below a substantial portion of the abdomen of the wearer. The absorbent garment, in one embodiment, is designed to have a relatively short crotch length. In this regard, the front edge of the garment can reside below the abdomen along the inguinal ligament line of the wearer. The garment can have a longer crotch length in the back so as to cover the psis and sacral triangle of the wearer. In accordance with the present disclosure, two belt members extend from the back portion of the garment to the front portion and hold the garment in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen Brinkdopke, Marisa Martinez, David J. Krysiak
  • Publication number: 20090157028
    Abstract: An absorbent garment having belt sections attached to the waist portion of a first body panel and fastened together by a first fastener, a second body panel at its waist portion being provided with a second fastener adapted to be fastened to at least one of the belt sections; wherein when the absorbent garment is tested by: (a) fastening a belted absorbent garment around movable mechanical members which are adapted to mechanically simulate a user's waist or hips; and (b) moving said members away from each other using actuating members and moving them back to their initial position so as to simulate the expansion and contraction of a user's waist as he/she moves; the garment does not slip down more than 15 cm from its initial position during at least ten expansion/contraction cycles of the test apparatus and for at least 30 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Lucas BACK
  • Publication number: 20090149826
    Abstract: A method for detecting and conveying an alarm signal, when an absorbent article is unfastened or, completely removed from the body of the wearer. The method is intended to be used in parallel with a method for detecting wetness in the absorbent article and further relates to an integrated detection-and-alarm method for detecting unfastening and/or wetness in an absorbent article. A system for detecting and conveying an alarm signal when an absorbent article is unfastened or removed from the body of the wearer and/or when the article is wet. The system includes (a) and absorbent article having at least one absorbent layer, the object to be displaced, such as a fastening system, one or more sensoring devices, one or more transmitting devices, and (b) a remote receiver. Furthermore, the system relates to the use of the system in the care of children and adults suffering from incontinence and/or psychological illnesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Carolyn BERLAND, Barbro MOBERG-ALEHAMMAR
  • Patent number: 7527618
    Abstract: An absorbent incontinence article has a main body portion consisting of a front region, a back region and an interposed crotch region lying therebetween in a longitudinal direction when finally positioned between the legs of a wearer. The main body portion includes an absorbent core and material sections attached to at least one of the back and front regions which extend in the transverse direction beyond lateral lengthwise edges of the main body portion and connect the front region and the back region. The sections of material are folded over themselves along at least one lengthwise direction extending fold line. Partial sections of the material sections adjoining one another over an area in the folded configuration are releasably attached to one another at affixation points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Markus Benning, Rüdiger Kesselmeier, Christian Koch, Wolfgang Röhrl
  • Publication number: 20090071600
    Abstract: A method for producing a T-shaped worn article, which produces less wasted material. A web W is slit along a predetermined first cut-off line CL, thereby separating the web W into a first separate sheet W1 and a second separate sheet W2. The first separate sheet W1 and the second separate sheet W2 are spaced apart from each other so that the first separate sheet W1 and the second separate sheet W2 are apart from each other. A core portion 2 is placed so as to bridge between the first separate sheet W1 and the second separate sheet W2, thereby producing a composite material 10. The material is cut off along a second cut-off line Ch extending across the separate sheets W1 and W2 so that a portion thereof to be a back portion 3L is longer than a portion thereof to be a front portion 3S in the carrying direction X of the separate sheets W1 and W2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Takao Wada
  • Publication number: 20090036860
    Abstract: A disposable pant-type diaper according to the present invention includes a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion which is positioned between the front and back portions, in which a waist opening and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining both longitudinal side-edge portions of the front and back portions which face each other, and stretchable elastic members are disposed along at least a part of each opening, wherein a cutout portion is formed in at least a portion of the side-edge portion of at least one of the front and back portions, and the front and back portions assume a non-joining state at the portion where the cutout portion is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicants: OJI NEPIA CO., LTD, OJI PAPER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sugiyama, Tomotsugu Miyoshi, Takeshi Niimi, Izumi Tashiro, Kahori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090036852
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article capable of preventing loosening and slipping off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Japan Absorbent Technology Institute
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Reiko Moriya
  • Patent number: 7481802
    Abstract: An absorbent article of pants shape including 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. Elastic members are arranged along the edges of a second piece, along at least the crotch portion for the forming of leg elastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Kent Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20080319412
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with closure means for securing the article about the waist of a wearer. The article may be worn in a belt type configuration or a slip type configuration. Belt means are provided which are maintained in a retracted position along a rear panel of the article. Releasable attachment means allow the belt to be extended partially or fully. Fasteners on the front panel may be secured to the respective belt means in a slip type configuration, in which the belt means are in a partially or fully retracted configuration. A belt type configuration may be created in a fully extended configuration of the respective belt portions, in which the belt ends may be fastened to each other about the waist of a wearer. The article may have a substantially constant or same size in both the slip or belt type configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Per Lornell
  • Publication number: 20080300563
    Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence product, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or the like, wherein one or several parts (103,203: 104,204: 105,205) of said article comprise elastic means (116,216: 117,217; 119,219) which hold a skincare agent in their structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Carolyn Berland, Maria Fernkvist, Ingrid Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20080281286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a composite web for use in a disposable product, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a continuous web of material; b) creating in the web a longitudinally repeating pattern of windows; and c) attaching at least one strip to the web, said strip at least partially covering the windows and having different functional characteristics than the web. The present invention also relates to a composite web formed in accordance with this process and to panels obtainable by cutting said web in cross direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Johann F. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7438709
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as, e.g., a T-shaped diaper comprising two portions, a lateral portion (backwaist) having two lateral segments or wings for wrapping around the waist of a wearer of the diaper, and a second vertical portion or insert which is adapted to be passed under the crotch of the wearer and folded thereover. A uniquely designed tape tab located at the outer lateral end of one wing assures more perfect and comfortable fit. Tape tabs are also provided at the distal ends of vertical portion for engagement onto landing zones disposed on the surface of each wing. These tape tabs may have the same general construction as the tape tab on the diaper wing. The dimensions of the diaper and several of its components and the relative locations of these components are important factors which contribute to improved fitness and functions of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: First Quality Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamzeh Karami, Kambiz Damaghi, Babak Damaghi
  • Patent number: 7404813
    Abstract: An undergarment includes a body panel and an crotch member. The crotch member includes first and second terminal edges and laterally opposed side edges. The crotch member has a longitudinally extending length defined between the first and second terminal edges. The crotch member is connected to the body panel at an attachment location, which is longitudinally spaced along the length of the crotch member from the first terminal edge thereof. The crotch member includes an unattached end portion that extends between the attachment location and the first terminal edge and that is unattached to the body panel. Methods of using and manufacturing the undergarment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, David F. Bishop, Monica S. Diaz, Jacqueline A. Gross, Cindy L. Price, Monica G. Varriale
  • Publication number: 20080125733
    Abstract: A method for detecting and conveying an alarm signal, when an absorbent article is unfastened or, completely removed from the body of the wearer. The method is intended to be used in parallel with a method for detecting wetness in the absorbent article and further relates to an integrated detection-and-alarm method for detecting unfastening and/or wetness in an absorbent article. A system for detecting and conveying an alarm signal when an absorbent article is unfastened or removed from the body of the wearer and/or when the article is wet. The system includes (a) and absorbent article having at least one absorbent layer, the object to be displaced, such as a fastening system, one or more sensoring devices, one or more transmitting devices, and (b) a remote receiver. Furthermore, the system relates to the use of the system in the care of children and adults suffering from incontinence and/or psychological illnesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Carolyn Berland, Barbro Moberg-Alehammar
  • Patent number: 7364572
    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 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Cecile Sandin, Katarina Eriksson, Sofia Hermansson, Catarina Linner
  • Publication number: 20080077115
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a chassis having an anterior portion and a crotch portion and a belt coupled to the chassis. The belt has end portions extending outwardly beyond side edges of the chassis. The end portions of the belt are configured to be fastened between the crotch portion and the anterior portion, and the belt is configured to draw the crotch portion toward the anterior portion of the chassis about a body portion of a wearer to limit sag and leakage at the crotch portion of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Loida Guzman Reyes
  • Publication number: 20080077102
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a chassis and at least one stretch ear extending from the chassis. The stretch ear has plural segments separable from one another, each of the segments having a fastener portion. The at least one stretch ear is configured such that a user of the absorbent article can fasten the stretch ear with the plural segments together or a user can alternatively separate the plural segments of the stretch ear and fasten the stretch ear with the plural segments separated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Loida Guzman Reyes
  • Patent number: 7347848
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a belt 9, 9? attached to or adapted to be attached to the back portion 6 of the article and to the front portion 5 of the article in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape, where the belt forms part of the waist portion of the pant and has an outside 11, 11? and an inside 12, 12? which is intended to be in direct contact with a user. The belt comprises first 9 and second 9? belt halves which at one of their ends are permanently attached to the topsheet within bonding areas 13, 13? of the insides 12, 12? in such a way that the belt halves 9, 9? remain substantially flat along their entire length when brought against the topsheet on top of each other, and in such a way that joints 14, 14? which are formed at the bonding areas will be pressed outwards in directions away from the user when the absorbent article is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Ingemar Fernfors
  • Patent number: 7347845
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a front part, a rear part, a crotch part extending between the front and rear part, and fasteners for fastening the side portions of the front and rear parts together in an overlapping relationship in order to give the absorbent article a pants-like configuration, the overlap between the side portions of the respective front and rear part being adjustable. At least one of the side portions of the front or rear parts have at least one tension indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Peter Zajaczkowski
  • Publication number: 20080065042
    Abstract: There is provided a disposable garment including a chassis having front and back waist sections. Two sets of side sections connect the front and back waist sections divided into a front side section and a back side section and define a continuous waist of the disposable absorbent garment. The leg openings are defined by the lower portion of the back side sections and the central crotch region of the chassis. The side sections form expandable waist and leg openings. A fastening element located a side section forms a refastenable closure when engaged with the chassis and with the back side sections creating the fitted waist and leg openings. The front side section is generally of a smaller width dimension so that it can be easily folded into the side of the diaper and does not form a part of either the fitted leg or waist openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Rick M. Maveus, Johann F. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7320684
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having laterally opposing interiorly attached barrier cuff strips and at least one deployable belt strip. Each barrier cuff strip is attached to an interior surface of an absorbent assembly and has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The belt strip has a fixed end portion and opposing first and second edges connecting the fixed end portion and an opposing free end portion. The belt strip is attached in the fixed end portion and is deployed by being folded laterally outward such that the first edge extends laterally outward from one end point of a diagonal fold line and the second edge extends laterally outward from the opposing end point of the diagonal fold line. The belt strip may be tied to another belt strip or may be fastened to the waist region of the article or to another belt strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Kenneth Michael Hamall, Theodora Beck, Michael Patrick Hayden, Susan Joy Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20070287983
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a chassis defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and rear waist region. The article includes a topsheet, an outer cover, and a core assembly disposed therebetween. The article further includes an anchoring system that includes an anchoring band, which may assume the form of a circumferential anchoring member that is configured to engage the wearer's body. The anchoring system further includes a load distribution element connected between the core assembly and the anchoring band to transfer load forces from the core to the wearer's body through the anchoring band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Worthington Lodge, Fred Naval Desai, Donald Carroll Roe, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Fred Langdon, Luke Magee
  • Publication number: 20070287982
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems. In an embodiment, a disposable wearable absorbent article includes an absorbent core and an anchoring system configured to anchor the absorbent core to a wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Worthington Lodge, Fred Naval Desai, Donald Carroll Roe, Bruno Johannes Ehmsperger, Anna Macura, Fred Langdom, Luke Magee
  • Publication number: 20070282292
    Abstract: A three-piece disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis. The disposable absorbent article includes front and back panels, each panel capable of being stretched and retracted in multiple directions. The back panel is also distinct and spaced apart from the front panel. The disposable absorbent article further includes an absorbent assembly situated between the front and back panels and which is attached to each by a first attachment member. The first attachment member is aligned along the longitudinal central axis. The disposable absorbent assembly includes a non-elastic absorbent that is capable of being elongated and contracted in only one direction, that direction being aligned approximately parallel to the transverse central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Scott Harkness
  • Patent number: 7297139
    Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment comprises a body panel comprising a non-woven material, and preferably a non-woven spunbond material having a pattern of discrete bonded areas. The body panel has a non-elasticized area. A hook-type fastener member comprises a high-density array of hooks with a hook density of at least about 60 hooks per square centimeter. At least a portion of the array of hooks is engaged with the non-woven material at the non-elasticized area of the body panel. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, between about 5% and 25% of the non-woven spunbond material comprises the bonded area. In another preferred embodiment, the non-woven spunbond material has a basis weight of between about 0.3 osy and about 2.0 osy. A method for making the absorbent garment, and for securing the absorbent garment to a user, also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cindy L. Price, Suzanne M. Schmoker, Lori S. Schutkoske, Paul T. Van Gompel, Jesse Paul Sorenson, Jerome S. Veith
  • Patent number: 7288079
    Abstract: A disposable diaper capable of being put on from either the front or the back of a wearer. The ratio of the minimum width W1 of the crotch section to the whole width W2 of the longitudinal end section having the fastening tapes is from 0.30 to 0.75. The minimum width W1 is in the area extending from the centerline across the diaper that divides the diaper length in two equal halves toward both the longitudinal end sections thereof by ±10% of the total length of the diaper. The area ratio S1/S2 is from 0.45 to 0.60, where S1 is the area of each region surrounded by an imaginary straight line L1, an imaginary straight line L2, and each arched side edge of the crotch section, and S2 is the area of each region surrounded by the line L1, the line L2, and an imaginary straight line L3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Haruko Toyoshima, Yasuyuki Okuda
  • Patent number: 7211072
    Abstract: A waist belt used for supporting a disposable absorbent assembly is disclosed. The belt includes a central segment positioned along the longitudinal centerline of the belt, at least two intermediate segments transversely outwardly extending from the central segment, and at least two distal segments transversely outwardly extending from an intermediate segment. Each intermediate segment covers a side hip of the wearer when the belt is worn. The longitudinal length of each intermediate segment is greater than that of the central segment, and greater than that of each distal segment. The belt further includes a fastener element positioned on at least one of the distal segments for releasably securing the belt around the waist of the wearer, and an attachment surface formed at least on each intermediate segment for releasably attaching the disposable assembly to the belt. An absorbent article comprising such a belt is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Noriko Nawata, Yukio Heki, Hiroyuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 7198622
    Abstract: A pant diaper or diaper whose side edges are joined to form a pants-like shape with the help of strips provided with interacting hook and loop devices respectively that extend along the long edges of the front and rear sections. The edges of the strips that face the legs are covered by a band of soft and flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Marie Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 7195622
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a fastening arrangement for fastening the absorbent article. The fastening arrangement is an extendable fastening arrangement formed by the material strip being folded in a Z along two transversely extending fold lines which divide the material strip into a first end portion at the first short end, a second end portion at the second short end, and a middle portion between the end portions. The first end portion of the material strip is secured to the middle portion by a first breakable attachment, and the second end portion of the material strip is secured to the middle portion by a second breakable attachment, and the fastening device is arranged on the second end portion on a surface directed away from the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Asa Lindström
  • Patent number: 7156834
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hikari Kawata, Masashi Nakashita, Kaori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7137972
    Abstract: A non-bulky, disposable undergarment primarily designed for male wearers who have minor urinary leakage such as from prostate surgery. The undergarment includes a soft, flexible base sheet of a non-woven material. The base sheet has a rectangular main panel which extends from the wearer's lower front trunk between the legs of the wearer to immediately rearward of the genital area to cover the person's genital area. A pair of left and right straps extend rearwardly from the main panel which are interconnected by a transverse connecting strap at a lower rear trunk of the wearer. The straps extend from the connecting strap leftward and rightward around the lower trunk of the wearer. The ends of the straps removably interconnect to the main panel and each other in overlapping fashion by pairs of interlockable hook and loop patches affixed to the main panel and the ends of the straps to securely hold the undergarment in place on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Flori A. Holberg
  • Patent number: 7125401
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a main body portion having an ability to absorb and retain a liquid; a front support member extending forward beyond a front edge of the main body portion; and a rear support member extending rearward beyond a rear edge of the main body portion. The individual front and rear support members produce an elastic contractive force in a stretched state. The individual front and rear support members are provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer for securing each support member to the skin of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Yoshimasa
  • Patent number: 7101360
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembly of extensible composite webs and web sausages, and personal care articles manufactured from such webs. The invention comprises fabricating a resiliently extensible web by bringing together and securing to each other as discrete elements, intervening web substrate elements between resiliently stretchable elastic elements. Securement between elastic elements and web substrate elements is defined by alternating zones of securement and non-securement along a length of the web substrate. The invention comprises deactivating elastic elements in the non-securement zones thereby to retract elastic strands in the non-securement zones without retracting the corresponding web or webs in such non-securement zones, and correspondingly, to distinguish the securement zones as relatively more resiliently stretchable and the non-securement zones as relatively less resiliently stretchable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Paul Sorenson, Donald Joesph Sanders, Paul William Christoffel, Suzanne Marie Schmoker
  • Patent number: 7101359
    Abstract: A strong, easy to use tab and slot fastening device suitable for use with disposable absorbent articles. The fastening device preferably includes a tab member and a slot member. The slot member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion and a slot. The inboard portion located laterally inboard of the outboard portion and the slot located between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The tab member has a length, a proximal edge, a distal edge and a lip portion. The tab portion is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least the lip portion of the tab member pivots such that it overlaps the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Tracey Elaine Beckman, Thomas Henrich, David Joseph Kenneth Goulait, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Constance Lee Fisher
  • Patent number: 7008410
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard comprising a pair of belt portions (9) attached to the rear portion (6) alternatively the front portion (5) of the article and which are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and where said front portion (5) alternatively the rear portion (6) is provided with fastening means (8), intended to be attached to the belt portions (9), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions (9) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. Said belt portions (9) are provided with stiffening elements (11), being discontinuously arranged in the longitudinal direction (x) of the belt, and whose largest extension substantially being arranged across the longitudinal direction (x) of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Maria Gustin, Katharina Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6981968
    Abstract: An absorbent article with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction includes a liquid-permeable cover sheet, a liquid-tight cover sheet, and an absorption body enclosed between the cover sheets, and has two side edges extending in the longitudinal direction and two end edges extending in the transverse direction. The article includes a waist belt having a first fastening member having a surface provided with fastening loops to cooperate with a fastening member having hook members and are arranged in a number of chain-like rows of loops. The chain-like rows of loops are arranged principally in the longitudinal direction of the article, and, in addition, a second fastening member arranged to cooperate with the first fastening member in order to fasten the article into a shape similar to underpants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Peter Rönnberg
  • Patent number: 6955668
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard provided with a pair of belt members (10a, 10b) intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer by fastening means (11,12) and where said front portion (5), is provided with fasteners (8,9) intended to be fastened to the belt members (10a, 10b), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt members (10a, 10b) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt members (10a, 10b) include a flexible laminate of at least three layers of fibrous material bonded together in a bonding pattern having a bonding area of no more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products, AB
    Inventors: Christian Almberg, Liljana Kusibojoska
  • Patent number: 6911024
    Abstract: Absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent body enclosed therebetween. The article seen in longitudinal direction exhibits a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion therebetween, and a pair of belt portions attached to the rear portion alternatively the front portion and which are intended by the first fastening elements to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer and wherein the front portion alternatively rear portion exhibits second fastening elements intended to be attached to the belt portions, in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt portions form a part of the waist portions of the pant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Liljana Kusibojoska, Kent Hermansson
  • Publication number: 20040238095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for attaching mechanical fasteners to absorbent articles using slow-crystallizing hot melt adhesives under conditions sufficient to result in a mechanical fastener/absorbent article bond static shear strength of at least about 50 min/kg. Preferred mechanical fasteners include hook-type fastener tabs. The present invention provides an efficient, reliable method for attaching mechanical fasteners to absorbent articles which is superior to previous techniques. The present invention also relates to absorbent articles produced by the described method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Paragon Trade Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Betsy Johnson