US5011480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Absorbent article having a nonwoven frictional surface for holding the article in place and a method of use
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1989-05-25
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2009-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An absorbent article is disclosed which contains an absorbent positioned between a fluid permeable cover and a fluid-impermeable baffle. The baffle can be either a nonwoven web or have a nonwoven web secured to it. The nonwoven web hs a high coefficient of friction so as to hold the absorbent article stationary relative to an adjacent undergarment and thereby retain the absorbent article in a comfortable position relative to the body of the user. The nonwoven web is a dry, soft, non-tacky, fibrous material which can have an elastomeric component. The nonwoven web can partially or totally cover the exterior surface of the absorbent article which is away from the body of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthonette A. Gossens
- 👤 Mary L. Schwer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/45; A61F13/47; A61F13/475; A61F13/4751; A61F13/4752; A61F13/476; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/56; A61F13/5605; A61F2013/51097; A61F13/514; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51429; A61F2013/51431; A61F2013/51441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An absorbent article comprising first and second members cooperating to enclose an absorbent, one of said members being a fibrous, nonwoven web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400, said frictional surface assisting in retaining said absorbent article in a desired position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
An absorbent article comprising first and second members cooperating to enclose an absorbent, one of said members being a fibrous, nonwoven web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400, said frictional surface assisting in retaining said absorbent article in a desired position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first member is a fluid-permeable cover and said second member is a fluid-impermeable baffle, said cover and baffle being coextensive and attached to each other about the perimeter thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web has a dry, non-tacky feel and a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) first and second members cooperating to enclose an absorbent; and (b) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to one of said members and having a frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) first and second members cooperating to enclose an absorbent; and (b) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to one of said members and having a frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said nonwoven means is a fibrous web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said fibrous web has a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said fibrous web is fluid-impermeable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein said nonwoven means is secured to said first and second members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) a fluid-permeable cover; (b) a fluid-impermeable baffle; (c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) a fluid-permeable cover; (b) a fluid-impermeable baffle; (c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said nonwoven means is a fibrous web having a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 10 wherein said fibrous web is secured to said baffle by an adhesive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said nonwoven means partially covers said baffle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said nonwoven means totally covers said baffle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
101 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
An absorbent article designed to contact a human body and be retained in place by an undergarment, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in frictional contact with said undergarment, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said nonwoven means is a fibrous web.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said fibrous web is secured to said baffle by an adhesive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said fibrous web is secured to said baffle by two-sided tape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said nonwoven means has a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2 and is skid-resistant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being an elastomeric web secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400 and a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
111 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being an elastomeric web secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than 400 and a coefficient of friction of greater than about 2.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
103 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being a fibrous elastomeric web secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
103 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover positioned adjacent to said first surface of said absorbent; (c) a fluid-impermeable baffle positioned adjacent to said second surface of said absorbent, said baffle and cover cooperating to enclose said absorbent; and (d) nonwoven means for retaining said absorbent article in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being a fibrous elastomeric web secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 20 wherein said nonwoven means is dry and non-tacky to the touch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) a fluid-permeable cover; (b) a fluid-impermeable baffle; (c) an absorbent positioned between and enclosed by said cover and said baffle to form a pad having a pair of outwardly extending wings; and (d) fibrous nonwoven means for retaining said pad in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
An absorbent article designed to contact the perineum of a human body, said article comprising: (a) a fluid-permeable cover; (b) a fluid-impermeable baffle; (c) an absorbent positioned between and enclosed by said cover and said baffle to form a pad having a pair of outwardly extending wings; and (d) fibrous nonwoven means for retaining said pad in a desired position relative to said perineum, said nonwoven means being secured to said baffle and having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 22 wherein said nonwoven means is secured to at least a portion of one side of said wings.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 22 wherein said nonwoven means is secured to both sides of said wings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 22 wherein said nonwoven means is secured to one of said wings.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of retaining an absorbent article in a desired position relative to the perineum of a human body, said absorbent article having a cover, a baffle, and an absorbent positioned between and enclosed by said cover and said baffle, and a nonwoven web secured to said baffle, said nonwoven web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing said absorbent article adjacent to said human body with said cover contacting said perineum; and (b) positioning an undergarment around said perineum; and (c) contacting said undergarment with said frictional surface of said nonwoven web whereby said absorbent article is held stationary relative to said undergarment.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of retaining an absorbent article in a desired position relative to the perineum of a human body, said absorbent article having a cover, a baffle, and an absorbent positioned between and enclosed by said cover and said baffle, and a nonwoven web secured to said baffle, said nonwoven web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing said absorbent article adjacent to said human body with said cover contacting said perineum; and (b) positioning an undergarment around said perineum; and (c) contacting said undergarment with said frictional surface of said nonwoven web whereby said absorbent article is held stationary relative to said undergarment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
An absorbent article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover attached to said first surface of said absorbent; and (c) a nonwoven, fluid-impermeable web attached to said second surface of said absorbent and cooperating with said cover to enclose said absorbent, said web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
An absorbent article comprising: (a) an absorbent having first and second surfaces; (b) a fluid-permeable cover attached to said first surface of said absorbent; and (c) a nonwoven, fluid-impermeable web attached to said second surface of said absorbent and cooperating with said cover to enclose said absorbent, said web having an external frictional surface with a Sheffield smoothness rating of greater than about 400.
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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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |