# US 10,478,351 B2 · Absorbent incontinence article and method with adjustable engaging placement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,351 B2 - Document ID: US10478351B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/183,791 - Filed: 2016-06-16 - Published: 2016-12-22 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-17 - Applicants: Lawrence M. Alligood - Inventors: Lawrence M. Alligood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478351B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/471: specially adapted for male use - A61F 13/4704: {having preferential bending zones, e.g. fold lines or grooves} - A61F 13/47236: {characterised by an unusual contour} - A61F 13/474: adjustable - A61F 13/5616: {using flaps, e.g. adhesive, for attachment to the undergarment (leakage prevention means encirculing the crotch portion A61F13/476)} - A61F 2013/5694: {Other non adhesive means than hook and loop-type fastener or belts (A61F13/62, A61F13/64 and A61F13/66 take precedence)} - A61F 2013/8497: {having decorations or indicia means} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Embodiments of the disclosure provide for improved adjustability and engaging placement of absorbent incontinence articles. An absorbent article designed to fit various body contours and sizes and facilitate placements of the scrotum or genitals for comfort. An absorbent article may include a structure materials to absorb fluid, for instance a paper or napkin-like article made using virgin fiber or recycled fibers in order to achieve certain softness and strength attributes. The article, for instance a sheath, liner, or barrier, is adapted to provide at least one split or cleft, and thus absorbent flaps, at the bottom of the barrier to engage a crotch of the underwear and restrict movement of the article and facilitate comfortable placement of genitals as preferred and to achieve an engaged geometry of article with underwear. The absorbent article also includes graduated placement indicia to facilitate retention of proper fit based on body size. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disposable absorbent article for use with underwear and incontinence, the absorbent article comprising a single-piece pocketless construction including an upper portion integral with the absorbent article, a lower portion, a top sheet, a back sheet, and a middle sheet comprising absorbent material between the top sheet and the back sheet within the upper portion and the lower portion of the article between the top and bottom sheets, the upper portion integral with the absorbent article structured to adjustably fold over a waistband of the underwear and therein restrict movement of the absorbent article with respect to the underwear, wherein the upper portion of the single-piece pocketless construction also includes the absorbent material that increases absorbency capacity of the article inside the underwear when reducing the absorbent article fold over the waistband, the upper portion folded over the waistband outside the underwear also includes the absorbent material, and wherein the absorbent article is structured to only cover a frontal action of a body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising graduated indicia laterally disposed or the upper portion and body facing side of the article to allow a user to adjust to and retain a placement setting of the article and subsequent articles of the same size. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the graduated indicia comprises numeric indicia. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the graduated indicia comprises sequential numeric indicia and the absorbent material decreases absorbency capacity of the article within the underwear when increasing the absorbent article fold over the waistband. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the middle sheet is made from a material selected from the group consisting of cellulose, wood pulp, rayon, cotton, polymeric fibers, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 A method of placing an absorbent article for male incontinence comprising the steps of folding an upper portion of an article having laterally disposed graduated numeric indicia on a body side of the upper portion, over a waistband of underclothing therein restricting at least downward movement of the article with respect to the underclothing, the graduated numeric indicia indicating a location best fitting a user, the article further comprising a lower portion including at least a portion of a body side absorbent sheet, and utilizing the graduated numeric indicia to adjust the absorbent article over the waistband to include more or less absorbent material within the underclothing for proper fit, wherein the body side sheet is made from at least one liquid permeable material, wherein the upper portion folded over is integral with the article, and wherein the absorbent article is structured to only cover a frontal portion of a body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising straddling a crotch portion of the underclothing with at least one slit-extending longitudinally from an edge of the lower portion toward the upper portion therein restricting at least lateral movement of the absorbent article with respect to the underclothing crotch.