IP Library Granted Patent US 7,950,864
Granted Patent B2
US 7,950,864 · App. 11/303,061 · Granted May 31, 2011

Device with internal pull tab activation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,950,864
App. No.
11/303,061
Granted
May 31, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stretchable device is provided including a base layer; a wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface, the pouch having a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and a pull tab coupled to the pouch and to one of the seam and the internal surface.

Claims (45)

1. A device comprising:

a stretchable base layer;

an elastically stretchable wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and

a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface, the pouch having

a top layer,

a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween,

an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and

a pull tab coupled to the pouch and to one of the seam and the internal surface.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pouch is configured such that the opening is uncovered when the pull tab is pulled.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pouch is configured such that a tear is created at a specified location when the tab is pulled.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a barrier layer interposed between the pouch and the base layer.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the device is a finger glove.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a pad.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a mitt.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pouch is attached at the seam.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pull tab is attached at the seam.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the base layer is elastically stretchable.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening is a slit.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a frangible portion.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening is sealed by a portion of the pouch.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pull tab is attached to the pouch using adhesive.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pull tab is formed from one of the top and bottom layers.

16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a bonding point affixing the top layer to the bottom layer.

17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the wipe layer and the base layer are two portions of the same piece of material.

18. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second pouch positioned within the interior space.

19. A device comprising:

an elastically stretchable base layer;

a stretchable wipe layer attached to the base layer to form an internal space therebetween;

a means for containing a fluid positioned within the internal space; and

a means for unsealing the fluid-containing means, wherein the unsealing means is activated by stretching both the wipe and base layers.

20. A method for using a device, the method comprising:

producing a device including a base layer and a wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface, wherein one of the wipe and base layers is stretchable; and

activating the device by stretching the device by applying a tensile force to the device in a longitudinal direction with respect to the wipe and base layers.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface, the pouch having a pull tab coupled to the pouch and to one of the seam and the internal surface.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein stretching the device opens the pouch.

23. A method for using a device, the method comprising:

producing a device including

a base layer;

a wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and

a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface, the pouch having

a top layer,

a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween,

an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and

a pull tab coupled to the pouch and to one of the seam and the internal surface; and

activating the device by stretching the device to open the opening.

Assignments (2)
NAME CHANGE Recorded Feb 3, 2015
From: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 034880/0704 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2006
From: BAUER, WALTER G.; SOJKA, MARCI E.; CHRISTOFFEL, SARAH L.; BERGER SHARP, CECELIA MARY; BRUNNER, MICHAEL S.; AMANTE, MICHAEL; PRZEPASNIAK, ANN MARIE
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 017301/0469 →