US4850990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with elasticized absorbent structure
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1988-09-08
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2008-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment comprising a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and an absorbent structure (22) with elastic members 56 in the crotch area causing the absorbent structure (22) to assume a cupped shape when secured on a wearer.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew E. Huntoon
- 👤 Thomas H. Roessler
- 👤 Kenneth M. Enloe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/494; A61F13/49406; A61F13/49007; A61F13/49009; A61F13/49017; A61F13/56; A61F13/5622; A61F13/5633; A61F13/49011; A61F13/491; A61F13/495; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/53409; A61F2013/4512; A61F2013/49068; A61F2013/49076; A61F2013/49088; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51429; A61F2013/51431; A61F2013/51441; A61F2013/530007; A61F2013/530014; A61F2013/530021; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; A61F2013/5307; A61F2013/530868; A61F2013/530927; A61F2013/530934; A61F2013/530941; A61F2013/5666; A61F2013/5672
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A disposable absorbent garment comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed ends; a crotch portion situated between the ends; a pair of elasticized leg openings, respectively disposed along opposed marginal sides of the crotch portion defining a first pair of elasticized lines spaced equidistantly from one another with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; an absorbent structure, including a liquid-pervious bodyside liner, an essentially coterminous liquid-impervious backing sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, said core having opposed lateral edges; and a pair of elastic elements affixed to said liner along the entire length of at least said crotch portion and spaced inwardly from said lateral edges of said absorbent core, said elastic elements extending substantially parallel to one other and equidistantly spaced on either side of the longitudinal centerline of said garment, said pair of elastic elements defining, when in relaxed condition, a second pair of elasticized lines straddling the centerline of said garment and gathering and forming said liner into a trough with extendable margins, so that said elastic elements further holding said liner against the skin of the wearer along said extendable margins and providing barriers to reduce the sideways flow of urine and feces and restrict leakage at the leg openings when said garment is securely worn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A disposable absorbent garment comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed ends; a crotch portion situated between the ends; a pair of elasticized leg openings, respectively disposed along opposed marginal sides of the crotch portion defining a first pair of elasticized lines spaced equidistantly from one another with respect to a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said garment; an absorbent structure, including a liquid-pervious bodyside liner, an essentially coterminous liquid-impervious backing sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, said core having opposed lateral edges; and a pair of elastic elements affixed to said liner along the entire length of at least said crotch portion and spaced inwardly from said lateral edges of said absorbent core, said elastic elements extending substantially parallel to one other and equidistantly spaced on either side of the longitudinal centerline of said garment, said pair of elastic elements defining, when in relaxed condition, a second pair of elasticized lines straddling the centerline of said garment and gathering and forming said liner into a trough with extendable margins, so that said elastic elements further holding said liner against the skin of the wearer along said extendable margins and providing barriers to reduce the sideways flow of urine and feces and restrict leakage at the leg openings when said garment is securely worn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The garment of claim 1 further comprising a resiliently stretchable outer cover having front and back waist portions respectively situated at said opposed longitudinal ends of said garment defining a waist opening, a crotch panel disposed intermediately between said waist portions and front and rear panels separated by said crotch panel and wherein said liner, backing and core of said absorbent structure comprise a separate insert substantially superposable on said outer cover and further comprising attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The garment of claim 1 or 2 wherein said elastic elements are secured on the underside of said liner in a tensioned condition while said absorbent structure is constrained in a flat position so that the ends of said absorbent structure converge and assume a cupped shape with said bodyside liner comprising an inner surface of said cupped shape when the constraint is removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The garment of claim 3 wherein said outer cover is resiliently stretchable in a range from 20% to 200%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 4 wherein said outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least an essentially cross body direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein said outer cover comprises an elastomeric nonwoven fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The garment of claim 6 wherein said elastomeric outer cover comprises a laminate of an elastic web joined to one or more gatherable nonwoven webs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The garment of claim 7 wherein said elastomeric nonwoven outer cover comprises a laminate of an elastic nonwoven web; joined to said one or more gatherable nonwoven webs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 8 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover laminate comprises an A-B-A' block copolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The garment of claim 8 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover laminate comprises a polyolefin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The garment of claim 10 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover laminate comprises a co-extrudable blend of an A-B-A' block copolymer and a polyolefin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 8 wherein said elastic nonwoven web comprises a meltblown web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 7 wherein said one or more gatherable webs comprise either meltblown, spunbonded, carded or airlaid webs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein said outer cover is air permeable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The garment of claim 14 wherein either of said leg and waist openings of said outer cover are hemmed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The garment of claim 11 further comprising fastening means for securing said disposable garment around a wearer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 16 wherein said fastening means comprise fixed position fastening means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein said insert is attached and integrated into said outer cover while said outer cover is in a stretched condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The garment of claim 6 wherein said outer cover is air permeable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
200 words
A disposable diaper article comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed ends; a crotch portion situated between the ends; a pair of elasticized leg openings, respectively disposed along opposed marginal sides of the crotch portion defining a first pair of elastically contractible lines oppositely spaced from a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said diaper; an absorbent structure, including a liquid-pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious backing sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, said core having opposed lateral edges; and a pair of elastic elements connected with said liner along the length of at least said crotch portion and spaced inwardly from said lateral edges of said absorbent core, said elastic elements extending longitudinally and spaced on either side of the longitudinal centerline of said diaper, said pair of elastic elements defining a second pair of elastically contractible lines straddling the centerline of said diaper and gathering and forming said liner into a trough with extendable margins, and said elastic elements arranged to operatively hold said liner against the skin of the wearer along said extendable margins and provide barriers to reduce a sideways flow of urine and restrict leakage at the leg openings when said diaper is securely worn.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
200 words
A disposable diaper article comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed ends; a crotch portion situated between the ends; a pair of elasticized leg openings, respectively disposed along opposed marginal sides of the crotch portion defining a first pair of elastically contractible lines oppositely spaced from a line centered on the longitudinal axis of said diaper; an absorbent structure, including a liquid-pervious bodyside liner, a liquid-impervious backing sheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, said core having opposed lateral edges; and a pair of elastic elements connected with said liner along the length of at least said crotch portion and spaced inwardly from said lateral edges of said absorbent core, said elastic elements extending longitudinally and spaced on either side of the longitudinal centerline of said diaper, said pair of elastic elements defining a second pair of elastically contractible lines straddling the centerline of said diaper and gathering and forming said liner into a trough with extendable margins, and said elastic elements arranged to operatively hold said liner against the skin of the wearer along said extendable margins and provide barriers to reduce a sideways flow of urine and restrict leakage at the leg openings when said diaper is securely worn.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The garment of claim 20 further comprising a resiliently stretchable outer cover having front and back waist portions respectively situated at said opposed longitudinal ends of said garment defining a waist opening, a crotch panel disposed intermediately between said waist portions and front and rear panels separated by said crotch panel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
94 words
The garment of claim 20 further comprising a resiliently stretchable outer cover having front and back waist portions respectively situated at said opposed longitudinal ends of said garment defining a waist opening, a crotch panel disposed intermediately between said waist portions and front and rear panels separated by said crotch panel and wherein said liner, backing and core of said absorbent structure comprise a separate insert substantially superposable on said outer cover and further comprising attachment means for attaching and integrating said insert to said outer cover while allowing substantially unrestricted functional stretchability thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The garment of claim 20 wherein said elastic elements are secured on the underside of said liner in a tensioned condition while said absorbent structure is constrained in a flat position so that the ends of said absorbent structure converge and assume a cupped shape with said bodyside liner comprising an inner surface of said cupped shape when the constraint is removed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The garment of claim 22 wherein said outer cover is resiliently stretchable in a range from 20% to 200%.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 24 wherein said outer cover is resiliently stretchable in at least an essentially cross body direction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 22 wherein said outer cover comprises an elastomeric nonwoven fabric.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The garment of claim 22 wherein said elastomeric outer cover comprises a laminate of an elastic web joined to one or more gatherable nonwoven webs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The garment of claim 26 wherein said elastomeric nonwoven outer cover comprises a laminate of an elastic nonwoven web joined to said one or more gatherable nonwoven webs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 28 wherein said elastic nonwoven web of said outer cover laminate comprises an A-B-A' block copolymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 28 wherein said elastic nonwoven web comprises a meltblown web.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 28 wherein said one or more gatherable webs comprise either meltblown, spunbonded, carded or airlaid webs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The garment of claim 21 wherein said outer cover is air permeable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The garment of claim 21 wherein either of said leg and waist openings of said outer cover are hemmed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The garment of claim 20 further comprising fastening means for securing said disposable garment around a wearer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The garment of claim 34 wherein said fastening means comprise fixed position fastening means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
157 words
An absorbent garment article, comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed end portions; a crotch portion situated between the end portions, said crotch portion including opposed marginal sides which define a pair of leg openings; a first elastic member connected to each of said marginal sides to elasticize said leg openings to aid in conforming said garment to a wearer at said leg openings; an absorbent structure including a liquid-permeable bodyside liner, a backing sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween; and a pair of longitudinally extending, second elastic members connected to said liner along at least a crotch portion of said absorbent structure with one of said second elastic members spaced inwardly from each of said first elastic members, said second elastic members arranged to elasticize a pair of liner portions which extend from said garment, said second elastic members thereby aiding in the prevention of gapping between the wearer and said pair of elasticized liner portions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
157 words
An absorbent garment article, comprising: a pair of longitudinally opposed end portions; a crotch portion situated between the end portions, said crotch portion including opposed marginal sides which define a pair of leg openings; a first elastic member connected to each of said marginal sides to elasticize said leg openings to aid in conforming said garment to a wearer at said leg openings; an absorbent structure including a liquid-permeable bodyside liner, a backing sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween; and a pair of longitudinally extending, second elastic members connected to said liner along at least a crotch portion of said absorbent structure with one of said second elastic members spaced inwardly from each of said first elastic members, said second elastic members arranged to elasticize a pair of liner portions which extend from said garment, said second elastic members thereby aiding in the prevention of gapping between the wearer and said pair of elasticized liner portions.
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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) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |