(19)

(11)

EP 0 957 874 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/47 (21) Application number: 98901796.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.01.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61F 5/ 44( . ) A61F 13/ 472( . ) B32B 5/ 26( . ) A61F 13/ 15( . ) A61F 13/ 514( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/000625 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/031320 (23.07.1998 Gazette 1998/29)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE ES FR GB IT NL SE (30) Priority: 17.01.1997 US 19970785737 18.04.1997 US 19970844291 (71) Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. Neenah, Wisconsin 54956 (US)	(72) Inventors: DATTA, Paul, Joseph Appleton, WI 54915 (US) RICHARDSON, Kathy, Geralyn Appleton, WI 54915 (US) WATERHOUSE, Sirlei, Auler Cincinnati, OH 45242 (US) (74) Representative: Davies, Christopher Robert  Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)