Patent US5221275A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5221275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Absorbent article having a clasp and a method of fastening the absorbent article to an adjacent garment
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-22
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2012-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An absorbent article having a clasp and a method of fastening the absorbent article to an adjacent garment is disclosed. The absorbent article includes a first member and clasp means for holding the first member secure to an adjacent garment, such as to the crotch portion of an undergarment. The clasp means includes two relatively stiff portions joined together by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion. At least one of the portions has an arcuate shape along the length thereof and extends outward from the first member. The arcuate portion is designed to pivot on the hinge and forcefully press the undergarment towards the first member when the absorbent article is worn.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Van Iten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/56; A61F13/5605; A61F13/5616
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for preventing said absorbent from moving sideways relative to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for preventing said absorbent from moving sideways relative to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion is initially preformed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion has a stiffness greater than other portions of said absorbent article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein at least one portion of said clasp means is arcuately shaped across its width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion has a concave surface in contact with said undergarment when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for holding said absorbent secure to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn, and each member having spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said absorbent relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 90° to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; and b) clasp means for holding said absorbent secure to a crotch portion of an undergarment, said clasp means including two separate members each having at least two portions joined by a hinge which permits one of said portions to be disposed at an angle relative to said other portion, at least one portion of each member having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said absorbent, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said absorbent when said absorbent article is worn, and each member having spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said absorbent relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 90° to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said two portions are disposed at an angle of 0° and 20° to each other when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said two portions are disposed at an angle of between 0° and 5° to each other when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said hinge is formed on a non-linear line which permits said two portions to pivot relative to one another on only one side of a central plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said hinge is formed by two intersecting lines joined together at a point approximately located at the transverse centerline of each panel, said intersecting lines permitting said two portions to pivot relative to one another on only one side of a central plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said hinge is constructed of the same material as said two portions and has a reduced thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said arcuate portion contains rounded ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid-permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad having longitudinal extending sides; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including at least two portions joined by a hinge said portions being pivotal relative to one another, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said longitudinal sides of said pad, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said baffle when said absorbent article is worn, and said clasp means having angularly configured ends formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 20° to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid-permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad having longitudinal extending sides; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including at least two portions joined by a hinge said portions being pivotal relative to one another, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof and which extends from said longitudinal sides of said pad, said arcuate portion pivotal on said hinge to forcefully press said undergarment towards said baffle when said absorbent article is worn, and said clasp means having angularly configured ends formed between said two portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said two portions are disposed at an angle of less than 20° to each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said angularly configured ends form an angle which is intersected by a line extension of said hinge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said clasp means includes two pairs of distally spaced members extending from said longitudinal sides of said pad.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein a relief is formed along a poriton of said hinge which facilitates bending between said first and second portions without causing buckling, thereby permitting one of said portions to have an arcuate shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 13 wherein said clasp means is attached to an exterior surface of said baffle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said clasp means is attached between said absorbent and said baffle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
123 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including first and second portions joined by at least two non-linear hinges which permit bending of one portion relative to the other portion on only one side of a central plane, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof, and said clasp means having a pair of ends with an angular configuration formed between said first and second portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
123 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means including first and second portions joined by at least two non-linear hinges which permit bending of one portion relative to the other portion on only one side of a central plane, at least one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof, and said clasp means having a pair of ends with an angular configuration formed between said first and second portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said absorbent article is worn.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said clasp means is a single layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said clasp means is a laminate havingt at least two layers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein said layer of said laminate is polyethylene.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein one layer of said laminate is liquid permeable and the other layer is liquid-impermeable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein one layer of said laminate is an absorbent material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein said laminate has a thickness of between about 0.05 to 0.07 inches.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said clasp means has a thickness of between about 0.001 to 0.125 inches.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said clasp means has a length of between about 1 to 6 inches.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 27 wherein said clasp means has a length of between about 2.5 to about 4.5 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said clasp means has a width of between about 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 29 wherein said clasp means has a width of about 0.75 inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
112 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including first, second and third portions joined by hinges which permit bending of one portion relative to an adjacent portion, and said clasp means having a pair of spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between two of said portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
112 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent enclosed by said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including first, second and third portions joined by hinges which permit bending of one portion relative to an adjacent portion, and said clasp means having a pair of spaced apart ends with an angular configuration formed between two of said portions which impedes lengthwise movement of said pad relative to said undergarment when said clasp means is in a closed position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein said first, second and third portions are sized and configured to permit said pad to bend.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein said clasp means is adhesively attached to an exterior surface of said baffle.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein at least one of said portions is preshaped before said clasp means is attached to said pad.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein at least one of said portions is heated and preshaped before said clasp means is attached to said pad.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The absorbent article of claim 35 wherein said preshaped portion is heated to an elevated temperature above a plasticizing temperature of a material out of which it is made.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein at least one of said portions has pressure applied to it and is preshaped under said pressure before said clasp is attached to said pad.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein at least one of said portions has pressure applied to it and is heated and preshaped under said pressure before said clasp is attached to said pad.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 31 wherein at least one of said portions has an arcuate shape along the length thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 39 wherein said arcuate portion has an arc formed on a radius of between about 5 and 9 inches.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
106 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including at least two members each having first and second portions joined by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion, one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof, said arcuate shape having an arc formed on a radius of between about 5 and 9 inches.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
106 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid permeable cover; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle; c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle forming a pad; and d) clasp means for holding said pad secure to an undergarment, said clasp means being attached to an exterior surface of said pad and including at least two members each having first and second portions joined by a hinge which permits bending of one portion relative to the other portion, one of said portions having an arcuate shape along a length thereof, said arcuate shape having an arc formed on a radius of between about 5 and 9 inches.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said arc is formed on a radius of between about 7 and 8 inches.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said arcuate portion contains an exterior edge which has a notch formed therein, said notch located on a transverse centerline of said clasp means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said hinge is an elastic member secured between said first and second portions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein said baffle has an exterior surface which is skid-resistant.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The absorbent article of claim 41 wherein at least one surface of each of said arcuate portions is skid-resistant.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
146 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle attached to said absorbent to form a pad having longitudinally extending sides, distally spaced ends, a body facing surface and a garment facing surface; c) clasp means for holding said pad secure to a garment, said clasp means being more rigid than said pad and including first and second portions joined together by a hinge, said first portion being attached to said baffle and aligned beneath said garment facing surface of said pad, and said second portion having an arcuate shape along a length thereof which functions to squeeze said garment against said pad with increasing force as pressure is applied to said body facing surface of said pad; and d) a relief formed along a portion of said hinge which facilitates pivoting of said arcuate portion relative to said other portion without causing buckling.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
146 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) an absorbent; b) a liquid-impermeable baffle attached to said absorbent to form a pad having longitudinally extending sides, distally spaced ends, a body facing surface and a garment facing surface; c) clasp means for holding said pad secure to a garment, said clasp means being more rigid than said pad and including first and second portions joined together by a hinge, said first portion being attached to said baffle and aligned beneath said garment facing surface of said pad, and said second portion having an arcuate shape along a length thereof which functions to squeeze said garment against said pad with increasing force as pressure is applied to said body facing surface of said pad; and d) a relief formed along a portion of said hinge which facilitates pivoting of said arcuate portion relative to said other portion without causing buckling.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 47 wherein said relief divides said hinge into two parts.
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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) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |