IP Library Granted Patent US 12,485,047
Granted Patent B2
US 12,485,047 · App. 17/032,200 · Granted Dec 2, 2025

Reusable underwear with a refillable liner

Inventors: Alyssa Kurt (Trevor, WI); Kristy Matus (Grayslake, IL); Joseph Stehlik (Chicago, IL); Allee Peterson (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: Medline Industries, LP
A61F13/622A61F13/505A61F13/665A61F13/74A61F2013/5683
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,485,047
App. No.
17/032,200
Granted
Dec 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A launderable absorbent article, including a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion, a crotch portion extending longitudinally between the front portion and the rear portion wherein at least a portion of the chassis may receive removably attachable disposable liners to absorb body discharges. The launderable absorbent article is presented in an underwear style to the user.

Claims (27)

1 . An absorbent article chassis for receiving a removable, disposable absorbent liner, the absorbent liner comprising a plurality of silicone liner mating grips on a surface of the absorbent liner, and the chassis comprising:

a front portion;

a rear portion;

a crotch portion extending between the front portion and the rear portion;

a liner receiving portion comprising a plurality of silicone chassis mating grips on a surface of the liner receiving portion;

a first liner attachment spaced a distance from a front edge of the liner receiving portion;

a second liner attachment spaced a farther distance from the front edge of the liner receiving portion;

a third liner attachment spaced a distance from a rear edge of the liner receiving portion; and

a fourth liner attachment spaced a farther distance from the rear edge of the liner receiving portion;

wherein the chassis receives an absorbent liner in a forward position by attaching a front end of the liner to the first liner attachment and attaching a rear end of the absorbent liner to the fourth liner attachment;

wherein the chassis alternatively receives the absorbent liner in a rearward position by attaching a front end of the liner to the second liner attachment and attaching a rear end of the absorbent liner to the third liner attachment; and

wherein one or more of the liner mating grips engages with one or more of the chassis mating grips when the chassis receives the absorbent liner.

2 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein each liner attachment comprises a slit formed in liner receiving portion.

3 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 2 wherein each slit comprises folded material that creates a pouch were an end of an absorbent liner may be inserted.

4 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 2 wherein the slits are visually distinguished by color coding.

5 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein each liner attachment comprises a hook and loop fastener.

6 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein each liner attachment comprises a length of elastic material that extends at least partially across the liner receiving portion.

7 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 6 wherein the chassis receives an absorbent liner by inserting an end of the absorbent liner under the length of elastic material.

8 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein the plurality of silicone chassis mating grips comprises a first plurality of chassis matting grips in a first position and a second plurality of chassis mating grips in a second position.

9 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 8 wherein one or more of the liner mating grips engages with one or more of the first plurality of chassis mating grips when the chassis receives the absorbent liner in the forward position.

10 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 9 wherein the plurality of liner mating grips does not engage with the second plurality of chassis mating grips when the chassis receives the absorbent liner in the forward position.

11 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 8 wherein one or more of the liner mating grips engages with one or more of the second plurality of chassis mating grips when the chassis receives the absorbent liner in the rearward position.

12 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 11 wherein the plurality of liner mating grips does not engage with the first plurality of chassis mating grips when the chassis receives the absorbent liner in the rearward position.

13 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of silicone chassis mating grips comprises a line of silicone grip material.

14 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein the plurality of silicone chassis mating grips comprises a pattern of spaced apart dots of silicone grip material.

15 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of silicone liner mating grips comprises a line of silicone grip material.

16 . The absorbent article chassis of claim 15 wherein each line of grip material extends parallel to an end of the absorbent liner.

Assignments (7)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP F/K/A/ MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074331/0430 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 2, 2024
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066971/0808 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 057787 FRAME: 0814. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 1, 2022
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 059277/0151 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 057787/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2020
From: KURT, ALYSSA; MATUS, KRISTY; STEHLIK, JOSEPH; PETERSON, ALLEE
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 053882/0810 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220096286A1 · Mar 31, 2022
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