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US4846825A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Diapers with elasticized side pockets

Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-30
•
Granted: 1989-07-11
•
Expires: 2007-10-30
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Abstract

Abstract According to the instant invention, there is provided an anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment, preferably a diaper. The garment comprises a breathable elastomeric outer cover, resiliently stretchable to surround and closely conform to the contours of a wearer. The outer cover comprises opposed front and rear waistbands, together defining a waist opening, a crotch section disposed between the waistbands, a pair of elasticized leg openings disposed along outer most lateral sides of the crotch section and opposed front and rear panels separated by the crotch section. An absorbent insert structure is defined by opposed front and back waist sections and a pair of side sections connecting the waist sections, including a liquid impermeable backsheet, a bodyside liner essentially coterminous with the backsheet and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. A pair of elasticized flaps, attached to or formed from the bodyside liner, are disposed inwardly of the respective side sections and extend in the crotch section between the front and back waist sections of the insert.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kenneth M. Enloe
  • 👤 Paul A. Gavronski
  • 👤 Bonnie L. McMorrow

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 16:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/494; A61F13/49406; A61F13/49413; A61F13/4942; A61F13/49007; A61F13/49009; A61F13/49011; A61F13/49017; A61F13/49446; A61F13/49453; A61F13/505; A61F13/56; A61F13/5622; A61F13/5633

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim 195 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a crotch section disposed between said waistbands, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along opposed marginal side edges of said crotch section and opposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent core disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist section, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elastically contractable, fluid pervious flaps, attached to or formed from said liner and disposed inwardly of said connecting sides, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste-containment pockets along each of said connecting sides of said absorbent structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 195 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a crotch section disposed between said waistbands, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along opposed marginal side edges of said crotch section and opposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent core disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist section, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elastically contractable, fluid pervious flaps, attached to or formed from said liner and disposed inwardly of said connecting sides, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste-containment pockets along each of said connecting sides of said absorbent structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The garment of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second fluid pervious flaps comprises an essentially rectangular shape with first and second longitudinal sides and first and second base sides
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
The garment of claim 2, wherein each of said first and second flaps is attached to or formed from said bodyside liner along respective first and second lines wherein said first and second lines are essentially parallel to said centerline of said garment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second longitudinal sides have a preselected length and each of said first and second base sides have a preselected width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The garment of claim 4, wherein a first longitudinal side of each of said flaps is attached to or formed from said bodyside liner along respective ones of said first and second lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The garment of claim 5, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from said front waist section to said back waist section along said respective first and second lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The garment of claim 6, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps is sealed to said bodyside liner along said respective first and second lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 39 words
The garment of claim 7, wherein said first and second base sides are attached to or formed from said bodyside liner wherein a second longitudinal side of each of said flaps is directed toward said centerline of said garment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
The garment of claim 8, wherein each of said elasticized flaps is elasticized by at least one elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The garment of claim 9, wherein said at least one elastic member is applied to each of said flaps with a first preselected tension.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 10, wherein said first preselected tension is sufficient to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 11, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 92 words
The garment of claim 12, wherein said at least a second elastic member is applied intermediate said at least one elastic member and said first longitudinal side and wherein said at least a second elastic member is applied with a second preselected tension wherein said second preselected tension can be greater than, less than or equal to said first preselected tension and wherein said first and second preselected tensions are selected to cooperate to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 44 words
The garment of claim 13, wherein said preselected width of said first and second base sides is selected to be in the range of about one half inch to a width sufficient for said second longitudinal side to be essentially coterminous with said centerline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 49 words
The garment of claim 2, wherein each of said first and second flaps is attached to or formed from said bodyside liner along respective first and second lines wherein said first and second lines are curved and symmetrically oppositely disposed on each side of said centerline of said garment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 15, wherein said first and second lines are mutually divergent from said centerline in at least one of said front waist section or said back waist section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The garment of claim 16, wherein said first and second lines are mutually divergent from said centerline in said front waist section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
The garment of claim 17, wherein each of said first and second longitudinal sides has a preselected length and said first and second base sides have a preselected width.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 33 words
The garment of claim 18, wherein a first longitudinal side of each of said flaps is attached to or formed from said bodyside liner along respective ones of said first and second lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 38 words
The garment of claim 19, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from said front waist section to said back waist section along said first and second curved lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 39 words
The garment of claim 20, wherein said first and second base sides are attached to or formed from said bodyside liner wherein a second longitudinal side of each of said flaps is directed toward said centerline of said garment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 18 words
The garment of claim 21, wherein each of said flaps has at least one elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 20 words
The garment of claim 22, wherein said at least one elastic members is applied essentially at said second longitudinal side.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 24 words
The garment of claim 23, wherein said at least one elastic member is applied to each of said flaps with a first preselected tension.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 24, wherein said first preselected tension is sufficient to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 25, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 84 words
The garment of claim 26, wherein said second elastic member is applied intermediate said one elastic member and said first longitudinal side and wherein said second elastic members is applied with a second preselected tension wherein said second preselected tension can be greater than, less than or equal to said first preselected tension and wherein said first and second preselected tensions are selected to cooperate to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 56 words
The garment of claim 27, wherein said preselected width of said first and second base sides of each of said flaps is selected to be in the range of about one half inch to a width sufficient for each of said second longitudinal sides of each of said flaps to be essentially coterminous with said centerline.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 37 words
The garment of claim 5, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from a first portion of said absorbent structure to a second portion of said absorbent structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 69 words
The garment of claim 29, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from a first portion of said absorbent structure to a second portion of said absorbent structure along respective said first and second lines which extend through said crotch section of said absorbent structure wherein said crotch section is intermediate said front waist section an said back waist section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 44 words
The garment of claim 30, wherein said first and second base sides of each of said flaps are attached to or formed from said bodyside liner whereby a second longitudinal side of each of said flaps is directed toward said centerline of said garment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 18 words
The garment of claim 31, wherein each of said flaps has at least on elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 23 words
The garment of claim 32, wherein said one elastic member of each of said flaps is applied essentially at said second longitudinal side.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 22 words
The garment of claim 33, wherein said one elastic member is applied to each of said flaps with a first preselected tension.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 34, wherein said first preselected tension is sufficient to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 35, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 92 words
The garment of claim 36, wherein said second elastic member is applied intermediate said one elastic member of each of said flaps and said first longitudinal side and wherein said at least a second elastic member is applied with a second preselected tension wherein said second preselected tension can be greater than, less than or equal to said first preselected tension and wherein said first and second preselected tensions are selected to cooperate to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 44 words
The garment of claim 37, wherein said preselected width of said first and second base sides is selected to be in the range of about one half inch to a width sufficient for said second longitudinal side to be essentially coterminous with said centerline.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 37 words
The garment of claim 18, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from a first portion of said absorbent structure to a second portion of said absorbent structure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 57 words
The garment of claim 39, wherein said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps has a length sufficient to extend from a first portion of said absorbent structure to a second portion of said absorbent structure along respective ones of said first and second curved lines which extend through said crotch section of said absorbent structure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 41 words
The garment of claim 40, wherein said first and second base sides of each of said flaps are attached to said bodyside liner whereby a second longitudinal side of each of said flaps is directed toward said centerline of said garment.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 18 words
The garment of claim 41, wherein each of said flaps has at least one elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 21 words
The garment of claim 42, wherein said one elastic member of said flaps is applied essentially at said second longitudinal side.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 22 words
The garment of claim 43, wherein said one elastic member is applied to each of said flaps with a first preselected tension.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 44, wherein said first preselected tension is sufficient to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 45, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 89 words
The garment of claim 46, wherein said second elastic member is applied intermediate said one elastic member and said first longitudinal side of each of said flaps and wherein said second elastic member is applied with a second preselected tension wherein said second preselected tension can be greater than, less than or equal to said first preselected tension and wherein said first and second preselected tensions are selected to cooperate to cause said second longitudinal side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 59 words
The garment of claim 47, wherein said preselected width of said first and second base sides of each of said flaps is selected to be in the range of about one half inch to a width sufficient for each of said second longitudinal sides of each of said flaps to be essentially coterminous with said centerline of said garment.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 235 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along marginal side edges of said outer cover, a crotch section disposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent body disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist sections, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elasticized fluid pervious flaps each having a longitudinal side, a first and second base side and a fourth side wherein a distance between said longitudinal side and said fourth side comprises a width of said flaps and wherein said width varies between said first and second base side and wherein said longitudinal side is attached or formed from said bodyside liner and spaced inwardly of said elasticized leg openings, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste containment pockets.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 235 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along marginal side edges of said outer cover, a crotch section disposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent body disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist sections, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elasticized fluid pervious flaps each having a longitudinal side, a first and second base side and a fourth side wherein a distance between said longitudinal side and said fourth side comprises a width of said flaps and wherein said width varies between said first and second base side and wherein said longitudinal side is attached or formed from said bodyside liner and spaced inwardly of said elasticized leg openings, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste containment pockets.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 41 words
The garment of claim 49, wherein each of said first and second flaps is attached to or formed from said bodyside liner along respective first and second lines which are symmetrically disposed on opposed first and second sides of said centerline.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 12 words
The garment of claim 50, wherein said flaps have a preselected length.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 29 words
The garment of claim 51, wherein said preselected length is sufficient to extend from a first portion of said absorbent structure to a second portion of said absorbent structure.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 33 words
The garment of claim 52, wherein said preselected length is sufficient to extend from said front waist section to said back waist section of said absorbent structure along said first and second lines.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 18 words
The garment of claim 53, wherein each of said flaps has at least one elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 22 words
The garment of claim 54, wherein said one elastic member is applied essentially at said fourth side of each of said flaps.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 22 words
The garment of claim 55, wherein said one elastic member is applied to each of said flaps with a first preselected tension.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 30 words
The garment of claim 56, wherein said first preselected tension is sufficient to cause said fourth side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 57, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 89 words
The garment of claim 58, wherein said second elastic member is applied intermediate said at least one elastic member and said longitudinal side of each of said flaps and wherein said second elastic member is applied with a second preselected tension wherein said second preselected tension can be greater than, less than or equal to said first preselected tension and wherein said first and second preselected tensions are selected to cooperate to cause said fourth side of each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 185 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along marginal side edges of said outer cover, a crotch section disposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent body disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist sections, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elasticized liquid pervious flaps, formed from said bodyside liner and spaced inwardly of said first and second connecting sides, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste containment pockets.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 185 words
An anatomically form-fitting, generally self-adjusting disposable absorbent garment comprising: a breathable elastomeric outer cover including front and rear waistband portions defining a waist opening, a pair of elastically contractable leg openings delimited along marginal side edges of said outer cover, a crotch section disposed 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 pervious bodyside liner and a liquid impervious backsheet with an absorbent body disposed therebetween, defining a shape having a front waist section and a back waist section with first and second opposed connecting sides connecting said waist sections, said connecting sides being equidistantly spaced with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof; and first and second elasticized liquid pervious flaps, formed from said bodyside liner and spaced inwardly of said first and second connecting sides, respectively, defining a pair of elasticized waste containment pockets.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 34 words
The garment of claim 60, wherein each of said first and second flaps is formed along respective first and second opposed lines which are symmetrically disposed with respect to said centerline of said garment.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 31 words
The garment of claim 61, wherein each of said flaps extends from said front waist section to said back waist section of said absorbent structure along said first and second lines.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 28 words
The garment of claim 62, wherein each end of said flaps is attached to said bodyside liner whereby said flaps are directed toward said centerline of said garment.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 21 words
The garment of claim 63, wherein each of said elasticized flaps is elasticized by at least one elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 34 words
The garment of claim 64, wherein said one elastic member of each of said flaps is applied with a preselected tension sufficient to cause said flap to conform to the shape of a wearer.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 19 words
The garment of claim 65, wherein each of said flaps has at least a second elastic member applied thereto.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 54 words
The garment of claim 66, wherein said second elastic member of each of said flaps is applied with a tension selected to cooperate with said preselected tension of said one elastic member of each of said flaps to cause each of said flaps to conform to a shape of a wearer of said garment.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3771524A Cited
US4597760A Cited
US4704116A Cited
US4704116B1 Cited
US4695278A Cited
US4747846A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-07-10 1993-01-09 1993-07-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-07-10 1997-01-09 1997-07-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-07-10 2001-01-09 2001-07-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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