US4701174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with angled direction 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 stretchable outer cover (20), stretchable at an angle (23) from the cross body direction (25). An absorbent structure (22) is disposed within the outer cover (20) in such a way that the stretchability of the outer cover (20) is uninhibited. Fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) are attached to the outer cover (20).
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn A. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/49007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric nonwoven outer cover resiliently stretchable in at least one direction wherein said at least one direction is at a selected angle measured from a cross-body direction, said 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; 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
133 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric nonwoven outer cover resiliently stretchable in at least one direction wherein said at least one direction is at a selected angle measured from a cross-body direction, said 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; 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
18 words
The disposable garment of claim 1 further comprising fastening means for securing said disposable garment around a wearer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 2 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 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 3 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 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover comprises an extruded elastomeric nonwoven material joined to said one or more gatherable webs while said elastomeric web is stretched in at least one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 5 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 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said meltblown polymeric material of said elastic web comprises a polyolefin blended and meltblown with one or more elastomeric polymer materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said elastomeric polymer material of said elastic web comprises an A-B-A block copolymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said A-B-A block copolymer comprises an A-B-A' block copolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The garment of claim 1 wherein said outer cover is also liquid permeable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein either of said leg and waist openings have a tensioned elastic member extending therealong for further gathering an associated one of said openings about a wearer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said tensioned elastic members complement said resiliently stretchable outer cover to further gather said garment about the body of a wearer.
Claim 14
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 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said absorbent insert structure is attached and integrated into said outer cover while said outer cover is in a stretched condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said outer cover is stretched in a direction essentially cross body to the wearer prior to said insert being integrated thereinto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein said attachment means comprise autogenous bonds bonding said insert to said outer cover.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 16 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 |