Topsheet For Absorbent Articles

• US 20080108962A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KAO Corporation
• Original Assignee: KAO Corporation
• Inventors: Furuta, Kazumitsu, Manabe, Yoko, Ishino, Yuichi, Nagahara, Shinsuke
• Application Number:
  US11/664,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108962A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/367
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15203 Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency chemical aspects A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15731 Treating webs, e.g. for giving them a fibrelike appearance, e.g. by embossing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51104 the top sheet having a three-dimensional cross-section, e.g. corrugations, embossments, recesses or projections
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5116 being formed of multiple layers A61F13/5123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15422 Density
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/1543 with a density gradient in the horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15487 Capillary properties, e.g. wicking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51178 with the combination of nonwoven webs
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/20 All layers being fibrous or filamentary
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0253 Polyolefin fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0261 Polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0284 Polyethylene terephthalate [PET] or polybutylene terephthalate [PBT]
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/04 Cellulosic plastic fibres, e.g. rayon
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/12 Conjugate fibres, e.g. core/sheath or side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/72 Density
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/726 Permeability to liquids, absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/728 Hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2555/02 Diapers or napkins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/28 characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet , i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane, e.g. corrugated, crumpled B32B29/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 Non-woven fabric
• 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: B32B 7/05 : the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection using interposed adhesives or bonding materials applied in spaced arrangements B32B7/14
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/559 : the fibres being within layered webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/608 : Including strand or fiber material which is of specific structural definition

Abstract

A topsheet for use on the skin facing side of an absorbent article. The topsheet includes a first nonwoven fabric layer 1 and a second nonwoven fabric layer 2 laminated and partly joined together by heat fusion bonding, forming fusion bonds 4. The first nonwoven fabric layer 1 forms a large number of projections 5 projecting toward the skin of a wearer in portions other than the fusion bonds 4. The projections 5 are arranged discretely in both a first planar direction (direction X) and a second planar direction perpendicular to the first planar direction (direction Y). The individual projections 5 are filled with staple fiber 3. The staple fiber 3 is substantially absent in the fusion bonds 4. The individual projections 5 of the topsheet have fiber densities in the following relationship: first nonwoven fabric layer 1<the staple fiber 3<the second nonwoven fabric layer 2.

Claims

1. A topsheet for use on the skin facing side of an absorbent article, comprising a first nonwoven fabric layer and a second nonwoven fabric layer laminated and partly joined together by heat fusion bonding at fusion bonds,

the first nonwoven fabric layer having a large number of projections projecting toward the skin of a wearer in portions other than the fusion bonds, the projections being arranged discretely in both a first planar direction and a second planar direction perpendicular to the first planar direction,

the individual projections being filled with staple fiber, the staple fiber being substantially absent in the fusion bonds, and

portions of the topsheet having the projections having an increasing fiber density in the order of the first nonwoven fabric layer, the staple fiber, and the second nonwoven fabric layer.

2. The topsheet for use in an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the staple fiber is less heat-fusion-bondable than the constituent fibers of the first and second nonwoven fabric layers.

3. The topsheet for use in an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the staple fiber is self-crimping fiber having developed a helical crimp.

4. A laminated nonwoven fabric comprising a first nonwoven fabric layer and a second nonwoven fabric layer laminated and partly joined together by heat fusion bonding at fusion bonds,

the first nonwoven fabric layer having a large number of projections projecting outward in portions other than the fusion bonds, the projections being arranged discretely in both a first planar direction and a second planar direction perpendicular to the first planar direction,

the individual projections being filled with staple fiber, the staple fiber being substantially absent in the fusion bonds, and

portions having the projections having an increasing fiber density in the order of the first nonwoven fabric layer, the staple fiber, and the second nonwoven fabric layer.