Multilayer absorbent article

• US 20060142722A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Koenig, David W., Joseph, Wael R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,833,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/385.30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0203 with fluid retention members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/82 with means for attaching to the body

Abstract

An article for use in contact with a tissue layer of a person and capable of holding its position with respect to the contacted tissue layer while reducing the opportunity for damage to the tissue layer comprises a support structure and a contact layer associated with the support structure. The contact layer has an engagement surface adapted to contact the user'"'"'s tissue layer. The contact layer is constructed so that the engagement surface has a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user. The engagement surface is adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force.

Claims

1. An article for use in contact with a tissue layer of a person and capable of holding its position with respect to the contacted tissue layer while reducing the opportunity for damage to the tissue layer, the article comprising:

a support structure;

a contact layer associated with the support structure and having an engagement surface adapted to contact the user'"'"'s tissue layer, the contact layer being constructed so that the engagement surface has a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the user, the engagement surface being adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force.

2. The article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is substantially greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

3. The article as set forth in claim 2 wherein the engagement surface comprises a gripping component and a sliding component.

4. The article as set forth in claim 3 wherein the gripping component is disposed for engaging and gripping the tissue layer in said first state until a force greater than said threshold force is encountered which transforms the engagement surface to bring the sliding component into engagement with the tissue layer to promote relative sliding motion between the contact layer and the tissue layer.

5. The article as set forth in claim 4 wherein the gripping component is disposed to shield the tissue layer from contact with the sliding component in the first state and is displaced to expose the sliding component for contact with the tissue layer in the second state.

6. The article as set forth in claim 5 wherein the gripping component is deformed upon application of a force greater than the threshold force for exposing the sliding component to the tissue layer.

7. The article as set forth in claim 6 wherein the gripping component is torn upon application of a force greater than the threshold force.

8. The article as set forth in claim 3 wherein the gripping component comprises an adhesive.

9. The article as set forth in claim 3 wherein the sliding component comprises a lubricant.

10. The article as set forth in claim 9 wherein the lubricant is selected from a group consisting of silicone, cyclomethicones, dimethicones, dimethiconol, PEG dimethicone, alkyl silicones, phenyl silicones, silicone phospholipids, silicone gums, silicone oils, silicone waxes, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymers, and combinations thereof.

11. The article as set forth in claim 2 wherein the static and dynamic coefficients of friction of the engagement surface are selected to inhibit damage to the user'"'"'s tissue layer caused by the engagement surface being in contact with the tissue layer.

12. The article as set forth in claim 2 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 5% to about 90% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

13. The article as set forth in claim 12 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 15% to about 70% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

14. The article as set forth in claim 13 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 25% to about 50% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

15. The article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the contact layer is absorbent.

16. The article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article is selected from a group consisting of interlabial pads, incontinence devices, tampons, menstrual pads, diapers, training garments, bandages, drug delivery patches, medical diagnostic equipment attachments, ostomy care products, surgical tape, intravenous tubes, endotracheal tubes, catheters, wound care dressings, breast pads, face masks, and eye patches.

17. The article as set forth in claim 1 wherein the threshold force is selected to minimize cutaneous damage.

18. A contact layer for contacting a tissue layer of a user, the contact layer comprising an engagement surface adapted to contact the user'"'"'s tissue layer, the contact layer being constructed so that the engagement surface has a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the contact layer with respect to the tissue layer of the user, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the contact layer with respect to the tissue layer of the user, the engagement surface being adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force.

19. The contact layer as set forth in claim 18 wherein the static coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the first state is substantially greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

20. The contact layer as set forth in claim 19 wherein the engagement surface comprises a gripping component and a sliding component.

21. The contact layer as set forth in claim 20 wherein the gripping component is disposed for engaging and gripping the tissue layer in said first state until a force greater than said threshold force is encountered which transforms the engagement surface to bring the sliding component into engagement with the tissue layer to promote relative sliding motion between the contact layer and the tissue layer.

22. The contact layer as set forth in claim 21 wherein the gripping component is disposed to shield the tissue layer from contact with the sliding component in the first state and is displaced to expose the sliding component for contact with the tissue layer in the second state.

23. The contact layer as set forth in claim 22 wherein the gripping component is deformed upon application of a force greater than the threshold force for exposing the sliding component to the tissue layer.

24. The contact layer as set forth in claim 23 wherein the gripping component is torn upon application of a force greater than the threshold force.

25. The contact layer as set forth in claim 20 wherein the gripping component comprises an adhesive.

26. The contact layer as set forth in claim 20 wherein the sliding component comprises a lubricant.

27. The contact layer as set forth in claim 26 wherein the lubricant is selected from a group consisting of silicone, cyclomethicones;

dimethicones, dimethiconol, PEG dimethicone, alkyl silicones, phenyl silicones, silicone phospholipids, silicone gums, silicone oils, silicone waxes, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymers, and combinations thereof.

28. The contact layer as set forth in claim 19 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 5% to about 90% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

29. The article as set forth in claim 28 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 15% to about 70% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

30. The article as set forth in claim 29 wherein the static coefficient of the engagement surface in the first state is about 25% to about 50% greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state.

31. The contact layer as set forth in claim 18 wherein the contact layer is a topsheet for an absorbent article.