The Procter Gamble Company

Kevin Michael Smith

Gary Dean LaVon

Thomas Henrich

Michael Patrick Hayden

Bret Darren Seitz

Theodora Beck

Aaron Duane Seitz

Bryan Keith Waye

Aaron Joseph Meirose

Richard W Lodge

Luke Nogales

Joseph Allen Eckstein

John Brian Strube

Yoichiro Yamamoto

Paul Anthony Kawka

Kenneth Michael Hamall

Terry Howard Thomas

Don Randell Greer

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described. The disposable absorbent article includes a first side edge and an opposing second side edge; a first side flap and an opposing second side flap, each of the first and second side flaps forming at least a portion of the wearer-facing surface, each of the first and second side flaps having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first layer proximal edge and the second layer has a second layer proximal edge. The second layer proximal edge is disposed laterally outboard from the first layer proximal edge.

Disposable absorbent article having breathable side flaps

A disposable absorbent article with a water-permeable covering sheet, a water-impermeable center sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is disclosed herein. The absorbent article includes a pair of side flaps comprising a first side flap and an opposing second side flap; each of the first and second side flaps being made from a distinct layer of material that is not an extension of the water-permeable covering sheet or the water-impermeable center sheet. The distinct layer of material is doubled over to form a first layer comprising a first layer proximal edge, and a second layer comprising a second layer proximal edge, wherein the first layer and the second layer enclose an elastic strand, and wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer.

Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

System and method for high-speed continuous application of a strip material to a moving sheet-like substrate material

During the process of making elastomeric laminates, elastic material is advanced and stretched in a machine direction and may be joined with one or more substrates advancing in the machine direction. During the assembly process, one-way snare apparatuses and methods may be configured to automatically isolate elastic materials that may break. The one-way snares may include a housing and a snare member movably connected with the housing, wherein the snare member is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. The one-way snares are adapted to permit advancement of continuous elastic strands in a first direction through the housing when the snare members are in the first position, and to prevent an end portion a broken elastic strand from retracting in a second direction through the housing when the snare member is in the second position, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

One-way snare apparatus and method for isolating a broken elastic strand

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 in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

An absorbent article is provided that comprises a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region, a front waist end edge, a back waist end edge, a longitudinal axis extending from a mid-point of the front waist end edge to a mid-point of the back waist end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A portion of the front waist region and a portion of the back waist region are joined in a surface to surface relationship to form a pant comprising a first permanent side edge seam and a laterally opposed second permanent side edge seam. The first and second permanent side edge seams define an initial waist opening circumference and a pair of leg openings. The absorbent article comprises a first fastening component comprising a first fastening surface and a first attachment surface. The absorbent article comprises a second fastening component comprising a second fastening surface. The initial waist opening circumference formed by the first and second permanent side edge seams is configured to be opened. The first fastening surface and the second fastening surface are configured to be refastenably engaged and separated with each other.

Refastenable absorbent article

The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. During the process of making the elastomeric laminate, elastic material may be advanced and stretched in a machine direction and may be joined with one or more substrates advancing the machine direction. The methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may be configured to automatically isolate elastic materials that may break during the assembly process. The apparatuses may include a base member and one or more one-way snares projecting from the outer surface of the base member. The one-way snares are adapted to permit advancement of continuous elastic strands in a first direction, and are also adapted to prevent an end portion a broken elastic strand from retracting in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

One-way projection snare apparatus and method for isolating a broken elastic strand

An absorbent article is provided that comprises a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region, a front waist end edge, a back waist end edge, a longitudinal axis extending from a mid-point of the front waist end edge to a mid-point of the back waist end edge, a first longitudinally extending side edge, a second longitudinally extending side edge, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. A portion of the front waist region and a portion of the back waist region are joined in a surface to surface relationship to form a pant comprising a first permanent side edge seam and a laterally opposed second permanent side edge seam. The first and second permanent side edge seams define an initial waist opening circumference and a pair of leg openings. The absorbent article comprises a first fastening component comprising a first fastening surface and a first attachment surface. The first attachment surface is disposed on the interior surface or the exterior surface of the absorbent article in the front waist region. The absorbent article comprises a second fastening component comprising a second fastening surface. The second fastening component is disposed on or forms a portion of the same surface of the absorbent article on which the first attachment surface is disposed. The initial waist opening circumference formed by the first and second permanent side edge seams is configured to be opened. The first fastening surface and the second fastening surface are configured to be refastenably engaged and separated with each other.

An absorbent article may comprise an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The article may also comprise a chassis formed by a web comprising at least one continuous layer that forms a portion of a water-impermeable backsheet and a portion of laterally opposing side flaps. The chassis may further comprise a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region between the waist regions, laterally opposing side edges extending between the front waist edge and the back waist edge, an exterior surface, and an interior surface to which the absorbent assembly is attached. The attachment of the absorbent assembly may be shaped. The chassis may further comprise a continuously activated region disposed in one or both of the front and back waist regions of the article. The continuously activated region may comprise longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys, wherein the continuously activated region overlaps the portion of the chassis where at least one abdominal stretch panel is disposed.

Absorbent article comprising an activated region

A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, 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 can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Simple disposable absorbent article

A simple disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes laterally opposing side flaps formed by laterally inwardly disposed portions of the chassis and deployable belt ears. Each belt ear is held laterally inwardly disposed until being released and deployed laterally outward so as to project laterally outward beyond the adjacent side flap. Fastening elements may be disposed on at least two of the belt ears, the fastening elements being adapted for fastening portions of the article together to encircle a waist and legs of a wearer. The chassis may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis underlying the absorbent assembly and lying outside the cruciform attachment pattern to extend laterally.

Disposable absorbent article having deployable belt ears

A disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The chassis may also comprise a water-impermeable backsheet and laterally opposing side flaps. Each of the side flaps may have a longitudinally extending first elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent to its proximal edge. The chassis may also comprise a second elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent the side edge of the chassis. The chassis may further comprise a first activation pattern in the front waist region and/or the back waist region, but the crotch region of the chassis may not be activated or may, alternatively, comprise a second activation pattern which is different from the first activation pattern. The article may further comprise at least one abdominal stretch panel attached to the interior surface or the exterior surface of the chassis in the front waist region or the back waist region. The abdominal stretch panel may provide a circumferential contractive force around the waist opening when the chassis is stretched circumferentially.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Kevin Michael Smith