Absorbent core with folding zones for absorbency distribution
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An absorbent core having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension, the absorbent core comprising:
- a fibrous matrix;
superabsorbent particles distributed within the fibrous matrix; and
a folded zone having at least one laterally-extending fold;
wherein the folded zone extends through at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent core.
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Abstract
The features of the invention generally may be achieved by an absorbent core having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension, and a fibrous matrix with superabsorbent particles distributed within the fibrous matrix. The absorbent core has a folded zone that has at least one laterally-extending fold. The folded zone extends through at least a portion of the lateral dimension of the absorbent core and through at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent core. An apparatus for manufacturing such an absorbent core and a garment incorporating such an absorbent core also are provided.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An absorbent core having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension, the absorbent core comprising:
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a fibrous matrix;
superabsorbent particles distributed within the fibrous matrix; and
a folded zone having at least one laterally-extending fold;
wherein the folded zone extends through at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An absorbent garment comprising:
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a topsheet;
a backsheet; and
an absorbent core having a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension, the absorbent core being disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and comprising a fibrous matrix and superabsorbent particles distributed within the fibrous matrix;
wherein the absorbent core comprises a folded zone comprising at least one laterally-extending fold, the folded zone extending through at least a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent core. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for providing folded zones in a continuous core supply moving from an upstream location to a downstream location, the apparatus comprising:
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a folding means adapted to provide one or more creases in the continuous core supply;
a flattening means, positioned downstream of the folding means, to flatten the one or more creases to be substantially parallel with the continuous core supply; and
a tensioning means, positioned upstream of the folding means, to maintain tension in the continuous core supply. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification