EP0446818A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
An absorbent article having a clasp
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-08
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2011-03-08
Abstract
Abstract An absorbent article having a clasp and a method of fastening the absorbent article to an adjacent garment is disclosed. The absorbent article includes a first member and clasp means for holding the first member secure to an adjacent garment, such as to the crotch portion of an undergarment. The clasp means includes two relatively stiff portions joined together by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion. At least one of the portions has an arcuate shape along the length thereof and extends outward from the first member. The arcuate portion is designed to pivot on the hinge and forcefully press the undergarment towards the first member when the absorbent article is worn. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Peter Van Iten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/56; A61F13/5605; A61F13/5616
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a first member; and b) clasp means for holding said first member secure to an adjacent garment, said clasp means being relatively stiff and capable of pressing at least a portion of said garment towards said first member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said clasp means includes first and second portions joined by a hinge, one of said portions being arcuate in shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said clasp means has spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between said first and second portions in at least one of said ends which impedes movement of said first member relative to said garment when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first member is a liquid-impermeable layer and said clasp means is attached to said layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent having a first surface; and b) clasp means for holding said absorbent secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being relatively stiff and capable of squeezing at least a portion of said undergarment towards said first surface when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said clasp means includes first and second portions joined by a hinge, one of said portions being arcuate in shape along the length thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said hinge enables said first and second portions to pivot relative to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said clasp means has spaced apart ends and an angular configuration formed at each end between said first and second portions which impedes forward and backward movement of said absorbent relative to said undergarment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said absorbent has longitudinally extending sides and said clasp means extends from at least one of said longitudinally extending sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a first member having longitudinally extending sides; and b) clasp means for preventing said first member from moving sideways and lengthwise relative to an undergarment, said clasp means including a pair of members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape and extending from a longitudinal side of said first member, said arcuate portions pressing at least two separate portions of said undergarment against said first member when in a closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said clasp means is integrally formed with said first member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said clasp means is attached to said first member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein a relief is formed along a portion of said hinge which facilitates pivoting of said arcuate portion relative to said other portion without causing buckling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said relief divides said hinge into two parts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for preventing said absorbent from moving sideways relative to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along the length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion being capable of pivoting on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said arcuate portion is preformed and biased into a position of squeezing said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said arcuate portion has a stiffness greater than the remainder of said absorbent article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein at least one portion of clasp means is arcuately shaped across the width thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said arcuate portion has a concave surface in contact with said undergarment when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for holding said absorbent secure to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along the length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion being capable of pivoting on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn, and each member having spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said absorbent relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 90° to each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than between 0° and 20° to each other when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said two portions are disposed at an angle of between 0° and 5° to each other when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said hinge is a non-linear line which permits said two portions to pivot relative to one another on only one side of a central plane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said hinge is formed by two intersecting lines joined together at a point approximately located at the transverse centerline of each panel, said intersecting lines permitting said two portions to pivot relative to one another on only one side of a central plane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said hinge is constructed of the same material as said two portions and has a reduced thickness.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said arcuate portion contains rounded ends.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
150 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad having longitudinally extending sides; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along the length thereof and which extends from said longitudinal sides of said pad, said arcuate portion pivoting on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said baffle when said absorbent article is worn, and said clasp means having angularly configured ends formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 20° to each other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said angularly configured ends are intersected by a line extension of said hinge.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said clasp means includes two pairs of distally spaced members extending from said longitudinal sides of said pad.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein a relief is formed along a portion of said hinge which facilitates bending between said first and second portions without causing buckling, thereby permitting one of said portions to have an arcuate shape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said clasp means is attached to an exterior surface of said baffle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said clasp means is attached between said absorbent and said baffle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
123 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including first and second portions joined by at least two non-linear hinges which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion on only one side of a central plane, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along the length thereof, and said clasp means having a pair of ends with an angular configuration formed between said first and second portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said clasp means is a single layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said clasp means is a laminate having at least two layers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein one layer of said laminate is polyethylene.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein one layer of said laminate is liquid permeable and the other layer is liquid-impermeable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein one layer of said laminate is an absorbent material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said clasp means has a thickness of between about .001 to .125 inches.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 39 wherein said laminate has a thickness of between about .05 to .07 inches.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said clasp means has a length of between about 1 to 6 inches.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said clasp means has a length of between about 2.5 to about 4.5 inches.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 wherein said clasp means has a width of between about .5 to 2.5 inches.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 43 wherein said clasp means has a width of about .75 inches.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
112 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including first, second and third portions joined by hinges which permits bending of one portion relative to an adjacent portion, and said clasp means having a pair of spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between two of said portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The absorbent article of claim 45 wherein said first, second and third portions are sized and configured to permit said pad to conform to the anatomy of the wearer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 45 wherein said clasp means is adhesively attached to an exterior surface of said baffle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 45 wherein at least one of said portions is preshaped before said clasp means is attached to said pad.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 48 wherein said preshaped portion is shaped by the application of heat.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The absorbent article of claim 49 wherein said preshaped portion is heated to an elevated temperature above the plasticizing temperature of the material out of which it is made.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 48 wherein said preshaped portion is shaped by the application of pressure.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 48 wherein said preshaped portion is shaped by the application of both heat and pressure.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 45 wherein at least one of said portions has an arcuate shape along the length thereof.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 53 wherein said arcuate portion has an arc formed on a radius of between about 5 and 9 inches.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
106 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including at least two members each having first and second portions joined by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion, one of said portions having an arcuate shape along the length thereof, said arcuate shape having an arc formed on a radius of between about 5 and 9 inches.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein said arc is formed on a radius of between about 7 and 8 inches.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein said arcuate portion is configured to permit bending about said hinge without buckling.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein said arcuate portion contains an exterior edge which has a notch formed therein, said notch located on the transverse centerline of said clasp means which allows said arcuate portion to bend without buckling.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein said hinge is an elastic member secured between said first and second portions.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 59 wherein said elastic member shrinks upon the application of heat.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein said baffle has an exterior surface which is skid-resistant.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 55 wherein at least one surface of each of said arcuate portions is skid-resistant.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of applying an absorbent article to an undergarment, which comprises the steps of: a) providing an absorbent article having a first member with a body facing surface and an undergarment facing surface, and clasp means for securing said first member to said undergarment, said clasp means including at least two portions joined by a hinge, one of said portions extending from said first member and having an arcuate shape along the length thereof; b) disposing said undergarment facing surface of said first member onto said undergarment with said arcuate portion extending outward therefrom; and c) folding said arcuate portion around a crotch portion of said undergarment whereby said arcuate portion squeezes said undergarment against said first member when a downward force is applied to said body facing surface.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 63 wherein when said arcuate portion is folded around said crotch portion of said undergarment, said arcuate portion having a concave surface in contact with said undergarment.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 63 wherein when said arcuate portion is folded around said crotch portion of said undergarment, said arcuate portion being disposed at an angle of between about 0° and 20° to said other portion.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 65 wherein when said arcuate portion is folded around said crotch portion of said undergarment, said arcuate portion is disposed at an angle of between about 0° and 5° to said other portion.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of applying an absorbent article to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an absorbent article having a first member with a body facing surface and an undergarment facing surface, and clasp means for securing said first member to said undergarment, said clasp means including at least two members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge, one of said portions extending from said first member and having an arcuate shape along the length thereof; b) disposing said undergarment facing surface of said first member onto said undergarment with said arcuate portions extending outward therefrom; and c) folding said arcuate portions around said crotch portion whereby said arcuate portions forcefully press at least two separate portions of said undergarment against said first member when a downward force is applied to said body facing surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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