US4701171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with a zoned stretchable outer cover
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-06
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Granted: 1987-10-20
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Expires: 2005-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a two-zone resiliently stretchable outer cover (20) with a back zone (67) resiliently stretchable in a cross body direction (71), and a front zone (69) resiliently stretchable in a vertical direction (73).
Inventors
- 👤 Leona G. Boland
- 👤 Georgia L. Zehner
- 👤 Robert A. Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/49007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric nonwoven outer cover comprising a nonwoven elastic web joined to one or more gatherable nonwoven webs, including a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, a central crotch section between said leg openings and front and rear panels separated by said crotch section, said outer cover having at least two zones wherein stretchability varies between said two zones; an absorbent insert structure substantially superposable on said front and rear panels and said crotch section, including a liquid permeable bodyside liner and a liquid impermeable barrier with an absorbent core disposed therebetween; and attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric nonwoven outer cover comprising a nonwoven elastic web joined to one or more gatherable nonwoven webs, including a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, a central crotch section between said leg openings and front and rear panels separated by said crotch section, said outer cover having at least two zones wherein stretchability varies between said two zones; an absorbent insert structure substantially superposable on said front and rear panels and said crotch section, including a liquid permeable bodyside liner and a liquid impermeable barrier with an absorbent core disposed therebetween; and attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said zones is defined by said rear panel and is resiliently stretchable in a first direction and the other of said zones is defined by said front panel and is resiliently stretchable in a second direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said first direction is a cross body direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said second direction is a vertical direction essentially perpendicular to said cross body direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said first direction is a cross body direction and wherein said second direction is a vertical direction essentially perpendicular to said cross body direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1, 2 or 5 wherein said resiliently stretchable zones are resiliently stretchable in a range from about 20 to 200%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The disposable garment of claim 1 further comprising fastening means for securing said disposable garment around a wearer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 7 further comprising full-length releasably engageable fastening means for effecting a substantially full-length, continuous and noncollapsible closure from said waist opening to each of said leg openings thereby maintaining the dimensional integrity of said garment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 8 further comprising fixed position fastening means, fastenable only at fixed positions on said outer cover, for providing discrete target locations assuring proper fastening of said garment on a wearer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover comprises an extruded elastomeric nonwoven material bonded to said one or more gatherable facing sheets while said elastomeric web is stretched in at least one direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said extruded elastomeric material comprises a meltblown polymeric material and said one or more gatherable nonwoven webs comprise either spunbonded, meltblown, carded, costructured or other nonwoven webs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said meltblown polymeric material of said elastic web comprises a polyolefin blended and meltblown with one or more elastomeric polymer materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said elastomeric polymer material of said elastic web comprises an A-B-A block copolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said A-B-A block copolymer comprises an A-B-A' block copolymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The garment of claim 1 wherein said outer cover is also liquid permeable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said outer cover comprises a stretch-bonded nonwoven laminate wherein said elastic nonwoven web is bonded to said one or more gatherable nonwoven webs while said elastic nonwoven web is in a stretched condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said absorbent insert structure is attached and integrated into said outer cover while said outer cover is in a stretched condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said outer cover is stretched in a direction essentially cross body to the wearer prior to said insert being integrated thereinto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said attachment means comprise autogenous bonds bonding said insert to said outer cover.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 19 wherein said autogenous bonds are generated thermally or ultrasonically.
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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) | 1990-10-19 | 1991-04-20 | 1991-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-19 | 1995-04-20 | 1995-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-04-20 | 1999-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |