Absorbent composite having improved surface dryness

• US 20050090789A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization
• Original Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization
• Inventors: Grant, Terry M., Marsh, David G., Graef, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US10/994,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090789A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/532 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5323 having absorbent material located in discrete regions, e.g. pockets
• 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 13/537 characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer A61F13/538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15406 Basis weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15422 Density
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530051 being made in cross-linked cellulosic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53051 being only in particular parts or specially arranged
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/726 Permeability to liquids, absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2555/02 Diapers or napkins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/26 characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids foam layer B32B5/18; layer of synthetic resin characterised by fillers that create voids or cavities B32B27/205; characterised by an apertured layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/22 characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles next to a foam layer B32B19/047, next to a layer made of particles B32B19/048, or next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B19/06; paper layer or cardboard layer next to a paper layer or cardboard layer B32B29/005, next to a foam layer B32B29/007, next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B29/02, or next to a particulate layer B32B29/04
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: D21F 11/002 by using a foamed suspension
• CPC Class Codes: D21F 11/04 paper or board consisting on two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: D21F 9/006 paper or board consisting of two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 27/32 with materials applied between the sheets attaching together paper or cardboard sheets B31F5/00; adhesives C09J
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 27/38 at least one of the sheets having a fibrous composition differing from that of other sheets

Abstract

The present invention provides an absorbent composite having improved surface dryness. The composite has three strata with adjacent strata separated by a transition zone. The composite'"'"'s first stratum includes synthetic fibers and provides the composite with improved surface dryness. Methods for forming the composite and absorbent articles that incorporated the composite are also provided.

Claims

1-107. -107. (canceled)

108. An absorbent composite comprising a first stratum, a second stratum, a third stratum, a first transition zone intermediate and coextensive with the first and second strata, and a second transition zone intermediate and coextensive with the second and third strata;

the first stratum comprising at least one of synthetic fibers, matrix fibers, and resilient fibers

the second stratum comprising absorbent material and at least one of matrix fibers and resilient fibers;

the third stratum comprising at least one of synthetic fibers, matrix fibers, and resilient fibers;

the first transition zone comprising fibers from the first and second strata commingled substantially uniformly across the composite'"'"'s width and along the composite'"'"'s length; and

the second transition zone comprising fibers from the second and third strata commingled substantially uniformly across the composite'"'"'s width and along the composite'"'"'s length.

121. A method for forming a fibrous web, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a first fibrous furnish comprising fibers in an aqueous dispersion medium;

(b) forming a second fibrous furnish comprising fibers in an aqueous dispersion medium;

(c) moving a first foraminous element in a first path;

(d) moving a second foraminous element in a second path;

(e) passing the first fibrous furnish into contact with the first foraminous element moving in the first path;

(f) passing the second fibrous furnish into contact with the second foraminous element moving in the second path;

(g) passing a third fibrous furnish between the first and second furnishes; and

(h) withdrawing liquid from the first, second, and third fibrous furnishes through the first and second foraminous elements to provide a fibrous web.