Appeal No. 1999-0441
Application No. 08/676,454
sides of the product. To this end, longitudinal edge portions
of the main body of the product are folded over the cover
layer 5 adjacent the longitudinal edges of the main body and
thermally bonded to the cover layer along the length of the
main body except in the vicinity of the tabs 3. The result is
that liquid collecting pockets are formed where the tabs join
the main body portion. This is depicted in appellant’s
drawing figures at bond areas 18, which extend along the
longitudinal edges of the main body 2 except in the vicinity
of tabs 3, and at pockets 20, which open toward the main body
where the tabs 3 overlie the main body. As explained in the
specification at page 4, lines 1-4, and as shown in Figure 3,
“[w]hen the tabs are subjected to outward tensile force which
occurs during the attachment of the tabs to the undergarment
of the wearer, the tension is transmitted to the pockets and
causes them to open-up.”
Pigneul pertains to an absorbent product that includes an
outer barrier layer 2 that extends beyond and is folded over
an absorbent core 1 along longitudinal edge portions of the
core to form side flaps 4 that function like appellant’s tabs
3. The folded over portions of the barrier layer are
4
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Last modified: November 3, 2007