Absorbent articles with improved strength

• US 10,507,144 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2016
• Issued: 12/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Stiehl, Gabriele, Morand, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens, Jacqueline F
• Application Number:
  US15/070,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20160270986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/45 characterised by the shape cup-shaped type tampons A61F13/2045
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/534 having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence; homogeneous cores with tissue wrapping A61F13/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4587 with channels or deep spot depressions on the upper surface A61F13/4704 and A61F13/49001 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530131 being made in fibre but being not pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53463 with a reinforcing structure, e.g. net
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53908 with adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5395 with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat

Abstract

An absorbent structure for an absorbent article, comprising a first substrate and an absorbent layer supported thereon, said absorbent layer comprising an absorbent material comprising a superabsorbent polymer material; wherein said absorbent structure comprises a fiberized net structure to at least partially immobilize said absorbent layer onto said first substrate, and whereby said fiberized net structure has a storage modulus (G′) at 21° C. of greater than about 1.2×10⁶ Pa.

Claims

1. An absorbent structure for an absorbent article, comprising a first substrate and an absorbent layer supported thereon;

said absorbent layer comprising an absorbent material comprising a superabsorbent polymer material;

wherein said absorbent structure comprises a fiberized net structure to at least partially immobilize said absorbent layer onto said first substrate;

whereby said fiberized net structure has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 1.2×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

2. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least two channels, said channels being substantially free of superabsorbent polymer material.

3. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is substantially cellulose-free.

4. The absorbent structure of claim 1, further comprising a hot melt adhesive.

5. The absorbent structure of claim 4, wherein the hot melt adhesive has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 1.2×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

6. The absorbent structure of claim 4, wherein the fiberized net structure and/or the hot melt adhesive comprise a polyolefin.

7. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the fiberized net structure is laid down onto the absorbent material such that the fiberized net structure is at least partially in contact with the absorbent material, the first substrate, and the absorbent layer.

8. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the absorbent structure provides an absorbent material loss of no more than about 40%, according to the Wet Immobilization Test.

9. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the fiberized net structure is a hot melt adhesive.

10. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the first substrate is a nonwoven core cover.

11. The absorbent structure of claim 10, further comprising a second substrate.

12. The absorbent structure of claim 11, wherein the second substrate is at least partially bonded to the first substrate and wherein the second substrate is a nonwoven dusting layer.

13. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein an absorbent article comprises the absorbent structure.

14. The absorbent structure of claim 13, wherein the article further comprises a topsheet and a backsheet, and wherein the absorbent structure is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

15. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the fiberized net structure has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 3.0×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

16. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein the fiberized net structure has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 6.0×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

17. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein said fiberized net structure has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of from 3.63×

10⁶ to 7.8×

10⁶.

18. An absorbent structure for an absorbent article, comprising a first substrate and an absorbent layer supported thereon;

said absorbent layer comprising an absorbent material comprising a superabsorbent polymer material;

wherein said absorbent structure comprises an adhesive to at least partially immobilize said absorbent layer onto said first substrate;

whereby said adhesive has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 1.2×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

19. The absorbent structure of claim 18, wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least two channels, said channels being substantially free of superabsorbent polymer material.

20. The absorbent structure of claim 18, wherein the structure is substantially cellulose-free.

21. The absorbent structure of claim 18, further comprising a second adhesive.

22. The absorbent structure of claim 21, wherein the second adhesive has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of greater than about 1.2×

10⁶ Pa to 7.8×

10⁶.

23. The absorbent structure of claim 18, wherein the first substrate is a nonwoven core cover.

24. The absorbent structure of claim 23, further comprising a second substrate at least partially bonded to the first substrate, and wherein the second substrate is a nonwoven dusting layer.

25. The absorbent structure of claim 18, wherein an absorbent article comprises the absorbent structure, wherein the article further comprises a topsheet and a backsheet, and wherein the absorbent structure is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

26. The absorbent structure of claim 18, wherein said adhesive has a storage modulus (G′

) at 21°

C. of from 3.63×

10⁶ to 7.8×

10⁶.