Disposable absorbent article

• US 20080221538A1
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Noel, John Richard, Arora, Kelyn Anne, Gray, Brian Francis, Gilbertson, Gary Wayne, Zhao, Jean Jianqun, McAffry, Karen Denise
• Granted Patent: US 8,502,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/367
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15707 Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47 Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins A61F13/49 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/536 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15422 Density
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530226 with polymeric fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530343 being natural fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530437 having a part with elevated absorption means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530868 characterized by the liquid distribution or transport means other than wicking layer A61F13/537 takes precedence

Abstract

An absorbent article that can be a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article comprises a topsheet joined to a backsheet and has an absorbent core material disposed therebetween, the absorbent core material being a fibrous absorbent material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions. The raised portions define a continuous network of channels, the channels defining a void region adjacent the topsheet of the sanitary napkin.

Claims

1. A sanitary napkin comprising a topsheet joined to a backsheet and having an absorbent core material disposed therebetween, said absorbent core material being a fibrous absorbent material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said topsheet of said sanitary napkin.

2. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said absorbent core material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid, and airlaid webs.

3. The sanitary napkin of claim 2, wherein said absorbent core material comprises airlaid fibers.

4. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said absorbent core comprises cellulosic fibers.

5. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said absorbent core material comprises absorbent gelling materials.

6. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, further comprising a secondary topsheet, said secondary topsheet comprising an absorbent fibrous web disposed adjacent to and between said topsheet and said absorbent core material.

7. The sanitary napkin of claim 6, wherein said secondary topsheet is an airlaid web comprising cellulosic fibers.

8. The sanitary napkin of claim 6, wherein said secondary topsheet comprises a plurality of apertures.

9. The sanitary napkin of claim 1, wherein said absorbent core material is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer.

10. A sanitary napkin comprising in layered order a topsheet, a secondary topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, at least said topsheet and backsheet being joined, and wherein said secondary topsheet is an absorbent fibrous web having discrete regions of distinct fiber disruption relative to adjacent regions, and wherein said absorbent core material is an absorbent fibrous material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said secondary topsheet.

11. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said absorbent core material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid, and airlaid webs.

12. The sanitary napkin of claim 11, wherein said absorbent core material comprises airlaid fibers.

13. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said absorbent core comprises cellulosic fibers.

14. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said absorbent core material comprises absorbent gelling materials.

15. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said secondary topsheet is an airlaid web comprising cellulosic fibers.

16. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said secondary topsheet comprises a plurality of apertures.

17. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said absorbent core material is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer.

18. The sanitary napkin of claim 10, wherein said secondary topsheet is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer.

19. An absorbent article comprising in layered order a topsheet, a secondary topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, at least said topsheet and said backsheet being joined, the layers being in a generally flat, layered relationship, said secondary topsheet being an absorbent airlaid fibrous web comprising cellulosic fibers, said secondary topsheet having discrete regions of distinct fiber disruption relative to adjacent regions, and wherein said absorbent core material is an airlaid absorbent fibrous material comprising cellulosic fibers and exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions being oriented toward said secondary topsheet and defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said secondary topsheet of said absorbent article.

20. The absorbent article of claim 19, wherein said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.