Patent US4655760A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4655760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Elasticized garment and method of making the same
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1985-07-30
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Garments having a medial section which includes a gathered crotch portion and transversely opposed side sections are made by stretching an elastic layer transversely of the garment and stretch-bonding it to a gatherable non-elastic layer. Upon release of the elongating forces, the medial portion of the resulting composite contracts to form gathers and provides an elasticized portion which enhances fit and comfort of the garment. The elastic material may be liquid-impervious and the non-elastic material may be breathable whereby the medial portion of the garment, which may comprise a disposable diaper or panty, is rendered leak-proof or at least leak-resistant and the side portions are breathable for enhanced comfort. A method for making the garment comprises stretching the elastic material transversely to elongate it and maintaining it in its transversely elongated condition while bonding it by any suitable means to the gatherable non-elastic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. Morman
- 👤 Tony J. Wisneski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/49007; A61F13/49009; A61F13/49017; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F5/00; A61F5/44; A61F5/4401; A61F13/47; A61F2013/49068; A61F2013/49076; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51429; A61F2013/51441; A61F2013/51443; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F2013/53765; A61F2013/53786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A garment comprising a medial section disposed between transversely opposed side sections, the medial section having a gathered crotch portion and the garment being comprised of a gatherable first layer having an elastic second layer stretch-bonded thereto to overlie at least the crotch portion of the garment to define an elasticized, gathered portion of the garment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A garment comprising a medial section disposed between transversely opposed side sections, the medial section having a gathered crotch portion and the garment being comprised of a gatherable first layer having an elastic second layer stretch-bonded thereto to overlie at least the crotch portion of the garment to define an elasticized, gathered portion of the garment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 1 wherein the gatherable first layer is a non-elastic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The garment of claim 1 wherein the elasticized, gathered portion of the garment is extensible and contractible in a direction transverse of the garment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 3 wherein the gatherable first layer is a non-elastic layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elastic second layer is a liquid-impervious material and overlies substantially the entire crotch portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the crotch portion is defined between transversely opposed leg cut-outs and the transversely-opposed side sections each comprise a pair of side sub-sections respectively disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of their associated leg cut-out.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elastic second layer is a liquid-impervious material and extends beyond the crotch portion longitudinally of the garment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elasticized, gathered portion of the garment is extensible and contractible in the direction perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the garment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elastic second layer comprises a nonwoven web of elastomeric fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elastic second layer comprises an elastomeric film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the elastic second layer is stretch-bonded to the gatherable first layer at a plurality of spaced-apart locations in a repeating pattern and the gatherable first layer is gathered between the bonded locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein the gatherable, non-elastic first layer is a liquid-pervious breathable material and the elastic second layer is a liquid-impervious material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The garment of claim 12 further comprising a liquid-pervious, breathable third layer overlying the elastic second layer to provide a laminate in which the elastic second layer is sandwiched between the third layer and the first layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 12 further including an absorbent layer interposed between the third layer and the elastic second layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
An incontinence control garment having a medial section which includes a crotch portion and is disposed between transversely opposed side sections which are contiguous with the medial section, the garment being comprised of a gatherable, non-elastic outer layer having a liquid-impervious elastic inner layer stretch-bonded thereto and overlying at least substantially the entire crotch portion of the garment to define an elasticized, liquid-impervious medial portion of the garment which is extensible and contractible in the direction transversely of the garment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
An incontinence control garment having a medial section which includes a crotch portion and is disposed between transversely opposed side sections which are contiguous with the medial section, the garment being comprised of a gatherable, non-elastic outer layer having a liquid-impervious elastic inner layer stretch-bonded thereto and overlying at least substantially the entire crotch portion of the garment to define an elasticized, liquid-impervious medial portion of the garment which is extensible and contractible in the direction transversely of the garment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The garment of claim 15 wherein the crotch portion is defined between transversely opposed leg cut-outs and the transversely-opposed side sections each comprises a pair of side sub-sections respectively disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of their associated leg cut-outs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The garment of claim 15 comprising a diaper of open, wrap-around construction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The garment of claim 15 comprising a panty of closed, slip-on construction.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of producing a garment having a medial section which includes a gathered crotch portion and is disposed between transversely opposed side sections comprises: stretching an elastic second layer to elongate it; maintaining the elastic second layer in an elongated condition while bonding it to a gatherable first layer with the direction of elongation of the elastic layer positioned transversely of the garment to form a bonded composite material overlying at least the crotch portion of the garment; and relaxing the bonded composite material whereby to gather the gatherable, non-elastic first layer and form the gathered crotch portion.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of producing a garment having a medial section which includes a gathered crotch portion and is disposed between transversely opposed side sections comprises: stretching an elastic second layer to elongate it; maintaining the elastic second layer in an elongated condition while bonding it to a gatherable first layer with the direction of elongation of the elastic layer positioned transversely of the garment to form a bonded composite material overlying at least the crotch portion of the garment; and relaxing the bonded composite material whereby to gather the gatherable, non-elastic first layer and form the gathered crotch portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the gatherable first layer is a non-elastic layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the gatherable, non-elastic first layer is a liquid-pervious, breathable material and the elastic second layer is a liquid-impervious material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 20 including stretching the elastic second layer to elongate it to an elongation of from about 10% to 600% of its relaxed length and maintaining such elongation while bonding the elastic second layer to the first layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 including stretching the elastic second layer to an elongation of from about 50% to 300%.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |