The Procter Gamble Company

The Proctor 'gamble Company

David M Weirich

Patrick Jay Allen

William Robert Vinnage, Jr

Louis John Viltro

Beverly Jean Bross-Kelly

Gary Dean LaVon

Mark James Kline

Bret Darren Seitz

George Christopher Dobrin

Stephen Joseph Lange

Larry Kenneth Johnson

Karen M Davis

L John Viltro

Kevin C Johnson

A device and method are described for identifying the size of a disposable diaper or absorbent article which is appropriate in terms of proper fit for a potential wearer of the article. The device and method employ information regarding at least two different selected characteristics of potential wearers and an association between such information and a size of the article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer. The size identification is more reliable than an identification which is based solely upon a single characteristic of the potential wearer.

Device and method for identifying a size of an absorbent article which is fit-appropriate for a potential wearer

A flangeless seam especially useful in disposable articles, such as training pants, incontinence articles and the like. The first member preferably has a first proximal portion and a first distal portion. The first distal portion is preferably folded upon at least a portion of the first proximal portion to provide a common interface between the first distal portion and the first proximal portion when the seam is in the seaming configuration. The first proximal portion preferably has a first melting point and the first distal portion preferably has a second melting point which is relatively lower than the first melting point. The seam also includes a second member preferably having a second proximal portion and a second distal portion. The second member preferably has a third melting point which is lower than the first melting point. The first distal portion and the second distal portion are joined to one another at a temperature which is relatively lower than the first melting point of the first proximal portion and at least a part of the first proximal portion is not joined to at least a part of the first distal portion such that the unjoined parts of the first proximal portion and the first distal portion may be separated to provide the seam in its open configuration.

Flangeless seam for use in disposable articles

A method of making of making a disposable absorbent article including a backsheet having an integral landing zone. The method generally includes the following steps. A first web of material, preferably a nonwoven web is provided. At least a portion of the first web of material is mechanically prestrained to provide the first web with elongated, raised portions. A second web of material is provided in contact with the first web and the webs are joined except in a predetermined integral landing zone. The unjoined portion of the first web includes the portion of the first web having the elongated, raised portions which act to accept and entangle the engaging elements of a complementary male component. The backsheet having the integral landing zone is joined with a web including an absorbent core and a topsheet which is subsequently cut to form individual absorbent articles.

Method of making disposable absorbent article with integral landing zone

The present invention pertains to a compound sanitary napkin. The compound sanitary napkin comprises a primary absorbent member including an absorbent core and an outer cover. The primary absorbent member has a second portion and an first portion; the first portion being vertically opposed to the second portion. The width of the first portion is greater than the width of the second portion. The compound sanitary napkin further comprises a secondary absorbent member that is joined with the primary absorbent member juxtaposed the second portion. The secondary absorbent member preferably comprises a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent material joined thereto. Optionally, the secondary absorbent member includes a backsheet, a topsheet joined to the backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the top sheet.

Body conforming compound sanitary napkin

A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation and an elongated orientation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.

Nonwoven female component for refastenable fastening device and method

A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation, an elongated orientation and preferably at least two regions of differential elongation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.

Female component for refastenable fastening device having regions of

A disposable absorbent articles having breathable side panels. The disposable absorbent article preferably comprises a containment assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, an inner surface and an outer surface. The backsheet has a garment-facing surface, a body-facing surface, a central region and an outer region. The backsheet preferably further includes at least three distinct zones, a pair of apertured zones comprising apertures and a non-apertured zone. The apertured zones preferably include at least a portion of the outer region of the backsheet and extend laterally outwardly form each of the longitudinal edges. The non-apertured zone preferably comprises the central region and is juxtaposed the outer surface of the absorbent core. The disposable absorbent article preferably further comprises a liquid and air pervious outer cover joined with the garment-facing surface of the backsheet to form a breathable laminate in the apertured zones. In preferred embodiments, a side panel extends laterally outwardly from each of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core, each of the side panels comprising at least a portion of the laminate such that the side panels are breathable.

Absorbent article having breathable side panels

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for conveying a web. The apparatus is able to continuously stretch the web or continuously release the stretching forces from a web in the cross-machine direction. The apparatus includes two pairs of opposing belts wherein each belt travels along an endless path. The pairs of belts diverge or converge from each other in the cross-machine direction. Each pair of belts comprises an upper belt and a lower belt which are adjacent to each other. Each of the upper and lower belts has a non-planar outer surface which contacts the web. The non-planar outer surfaces of each upper belt continuously abuts the non-planar outer surface of its adjacent lower belt along a predetermined distance when traveling in the machine direction. This creates at least one nip for continuously gripping the web while it is being conveyed. The apparatus also includes a means for driving the belts so as to convey the web in the machine direction.

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, OH, United States of America

David M Weirich