The year 1999 came and went, but—as it turns out—Y2K bugs had little impact on patent activity in the absorbent product sector. Despite all the hype, things on this side of the new millennium look about the same, which means that absorbent product patents are continuing to demonstrate recent trends in the business and point toward upcoming innovations in technologies, raw materials, nonwoven fabrics and product design.

With most of the patents published this year in Nonwovens Industry being absorbent product-related—up 5% from last year to 80% or 74 out of 92 of the patents run in August 1999 through July 2000—this annual (but admittedly unscientific) survey may give some insight into what we can expect to see in the hygiene market in the near future. As always, the patents were selected from the weekly publication Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and include only U.S. patents.

Coming Attractions
The rising star in absorbent product patents is the trend to improve already existing applications for absorbent end use products. The “absorbent product with” category once again took a good portion of the patents with 26 out of the 74 or 35% of the total absorbent product patents published.

Most absorbent products highlighted wearer comfort, with patents issued for elastic side panels, a releasable adhesive patch, elasticized flaps, a fastening system to prevent drooping, leg closures, a structural elastic-like film web waist belt, improved elastic margins and an improved waist region. Another popular patent feature was improved liquid containment in absorbent articles. Absorbent article patents for specifically controlling or containing liquid made up 16% or 12 out of the 74 patents presented in the past year.

Specifically in the feminine hygiene segment, tampons and sanitary napkins earned a prominent place in the survey, taking 15%—a decrease from last year’s 18%—of the absorbent article patents, with sanitary napkins representing the majority. Various san pro product design issues were addressed this year, with patents featuring methods of preserving vaginal moisture, humps and grooves, barrier means, an adjustable compound, a protective finger sheath and a wetness detection system.

Another interesting fact is that 8% of the absorbent product patents covered the basic term “absorbent article” (or, as in one case, “absorptive” article). Another 8% were patents for a diaper product of one type or another. Other patents were issued for two disposable training pants (both by Uni-Charm, Tokyo, Japan), undergarment briefs and tailored and protective undergarments.

While many of the patents focused on improving existing applications, this year we also saw several attempts to introduce new ideas into the market. Examples of this trend include patents issued for an absorbent product with a moisture indicator, a front opening for male users, a breathable backsheet and a flushable diaper.


The Big Picture
Not surprisingly, in recent years Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, has held the starring role as the company with the most patents and this year has been no different. Once again P&G lead all companies in the number of patents with 36%, a rise of 6% compared to last year. For its part, Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, TX, followed with 16%, a drop compared to last year’s 22%. Coming in third was Uni-Charm, Ehime, Japan, with 8% of the absorbent article patents issued.

Other companies received a single patent this year, including McNeil PPC, Skillman, NJ; Mölnlycke, Göteberg, Sweden; SCA Hygiene Products, Harryda, Sweden; Paragon Trade Brands, Norcross, GA; Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan; Peaudouce, Linselles, France; Productos Internacionales, Puebla, Mexico; JM Laboratories, Dawsonville, GA; Societa Consortile Ricerche Angelini, Pescara, Italy; Tailored Technologies, Earlysville, VA; Japan Absorbent Technology Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Johnson & Johnson, Montreal, Canada; Chisso Corporation, Osaka, Japan; and seven independents.

Once again U.S. manufacturers maintained a solid position among absorbent article patents. Japan held on to second place with 14.9% of patents. France and Sweden tied for third place, both with 4.1% of the patents published in the magazine. Other countries making the list were Canada, Mexico, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.