ABSORBENT ARTICLES

• US 20020007167A1
• Filed: 05/06/1999
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Camelot Superabsorbents Limited
• Original Assignee: Camelot Superabsorbents Limited
• Inventors: DAN, ERVIN, SHIPLEY, ARTHUR ROGER
• Application Number:
  US09/011,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20020007167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53717 the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in the horizontal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53747 the layer is facing the topsheet layer is part of the topsheet A61F13/511
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53726 on the top layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53778 with grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53782 with holes

Abstract

A multiple layer water-absorbent core is described which is suitable for use in an absorbent article. The water-absorbent core comprises a water-absorbent layer and a water-management layer which acts to reduce the exposure of the core to water. The water-management layer is preferably formed from the hydrophobic material. An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious cover sheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and a multiple layer water-absorbent core of the invention is also described.

Claims

1. A multiple layer water-absorbent core suitable for use in an absorbent article comprising a water-absorbent layer and a water-management layer which acts to reduce the exposure of the core to water wherein the water-management layer is located above the water-absorbent layer.

2. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to claim 1 wherein the water-management layer is formed from a hydrophobic material.

3. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the water-management layer is an apertured film.

4. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to claim 3 wherein the apertured film includes fluted holes.

5. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according claim 3 or 4 wherein the apertured film has fibers located on the upper surface.

6. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the water-management layer is a hydrophobic non-woven material.

7. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according claim 6 wherein the non-woven material has fibers located on the upper surface.

8. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to claim 5 or 7 wherein the fibers generally extend away from the water-management layer.

9. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to any one of claims 5, 7 or 8 wherein voids exist between the fibers.

10. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to any one of claims 5, 7, 8 or 9 wherein the fibers are arranged such that there are grooves or channels formed between the fibers or between groups of fibers.

11. A multiple layer water-absorbent core according to any one of claims 5, 7 to 10 wherein the fibers are selected from rayon fibers, cellulose ester fibers, protein fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polyvinyl fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyurethane fibers, aramid fibers, glass fibers, fibers having a hollow core, bicomponent fibers and mixtures thereof.

12. An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious cover sheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and a multiple layer water-absorbent core according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the cover sheet is joined to the backsheet to enclose the water-absorbent core.

13. An absorbent article according to claim 12 wherein fibers are located on the upper surface of the water-management layer and the fibers are arranged such they extended in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.