Appeal 2006-2014
Application 09/745,006
As shown in Appellant’s Figure 1, the absorbent article includes a material
formed as a single piece having two enlarged end portions (11, 12) and a
narrowed portion (13) intermediate the two enlarged end portions (11, 12)
(Specification 9). The absorbent article includes a fluid impermeable
backsheet or outer cover 21, a fluid permeable body-side liner (15) and a
flap sheet or pocket sheet (24) attached to the body-side liner (Figure 2;
Specification 10). The flap sheet or pocket sheet has pleats (22) along
opposed sides of the flap sheet (24) to permit the pocket formed by the flap
sheet to expand and collect fecal matter (Figure 2, Specification 11). The
method for producing a disposable diaper comprises forming a substantially
rectangular multi-layer material comprising a fluid impermeable backsheet,
a body-side liner, and a flap sheet attached to the body-side liner proximate
the back region of the absorbent article (Specification 12, claim 15). The
method further comprises removing a portion of the material from opposed
longitudinal edges to form two enlarged end portions (11, 12) and a
narrowed intermediate portion (13) (Specification 12, Figure 1). Discrete
pleats (22) are formed in the flap sheet (24) on opposed sides of the pocket
extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article
(Specification 12, claim 15, Figures 1 and 2).
Claims 31 and 15 are illustrative:
3. An absorbent article comprising:
1 The claims and Specification may fail to satisfy the enablement
requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, because the disclosure does
not describe how the pocket formed by the flap or pocket sheet permits
ingress of fecal matter. The Examiner and Appellant should address this
matter in any further prosecution of this application.
2
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Last modified: September 9, 2013