Mary Martha Mcdaniel

US Patent:

20090157022, Jun 18, 2009

Filed:

Dec 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/955916

Inventors:

John Gavin MacDonald - Decatur GA, US
Terry Lee Combs - Alpharetta GA, US
Andrew Mark Long - Appleton WI, US
Mary L. McDaniel - Appleton WI, US
Jaeho Kim - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15

US Classification:

604361, 604379, 60438523

Abstract:

Absorbent articles including a wetness indicator are generally described. The wetness indicator of the present invention is configured to expand toward the skin of the wearer (i.e., in the z-direction of the absorbent article perpendicular to the plane of the absorbent article) upon contact with a liquid. However, the expansion of the wetness indicator is substantially limited to the z-direction. That is, the wetness indicator does not substantially expand in any direction parallel with the plane of the article (i.e., the x- and y-directions). As such, the wetness indicator does not significantly interfere with the absorbent capabilities of the absorbent article. Thus, the wetness indicator can be included within conventional absorbent articles without significantly sacrificing the absorbency characteristics of the article.

US Patent:

20090157032, Jun 18, 2009

Filed:

Dec 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/955937

Inventors:

John Gavin MacDonald - Decatur GA, US
Terry Lee Combs - Alpharetta GA, US
Andrew Mark Long - Appleton WI, US
Mary L. McDaniel - Appleton WI, US
Jaeho Kim - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/53

US Classification:

604379

Abstract:

Absorbent articles including a compressed tablet are generally described. The compressed tablet of the present invention is configured to expand toward the skin of the wearer (i.e., in the z-direction of the absorbent article perpendicular to the plane of the absorbent article) upon contact with a liquid. However, the expansion of the compressed tablet is substantially limited to the z-direction. That is, the compressed tablet does not substantially expand in any direction parallel with the plane of the article (i.e., the x- and y-directions). As such, the compressed tablet does not significantly interfere with the absorbent capabilities of the absorbent article. Thus, the compressed tablet can be included within conventional absorbent articles without significantly sacrificing the absorbency characteristics of the article.

US Patent:

20090240220, Sep 24, 2009

Filed:

Mar 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/052327

Inventors:

John Gavin MacDonald - Decatur GA, US
Andrew Mark Long - Appleton WI, US
Mary L. McDaniel - Appleton WI, US
Jin Heo - Gyeonggi-do, KR
Jaeho Kim - Roswell GA, US
Lindsey Marie Jain - Winona Lake IN, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/42
A61F 13/53

US Classification:

604361, 604380

Abstract:

A compressed substrate having an altered upper surface is generally disclosed. The compressed substrate is configured to expand in the z-direction upon contact with a liquid to form an expanded substrate without substantially expanding in either the x-direction or the y-direction. The altered upper surface of the expanded substrate has an expanded surface area that is at least about 110% of the initial surface area of the compressed substrate. The compressed substrate is constructed from a compression molded web and includes an active agent. The compressed substrate can be included within the construction of an absorbent article to transfer the active agent to a wearer. The upper surface of a compressed substrate can be altered after formation of the compressed substrate. Alternatively, the upper surface of the compressed substrate can be altered during the compression process.