ABSORBENT ARTICLE INCLUDING AN ABSORBENT LAYER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED BEAM ELEMENTS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An absorbent article comprising:
- a longitudinally extending centerline;
a transversely extending centerline;
a cover layer having a body facing surface;
a first absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the layer comprising a plurality of beams and a plurality of material-free zones, each of the beams arranged in a spaced relationship to an adjacent beam and each of the beams being separated from an adjacent beam by a material-free zone, each of the material-free zones extending from the upper surface to the lower surface;
a second absorbent structure arranged below the first absorbent layer;
wherein the cover layer includes a plurality of first regions arranged in spaced relationship to the second absorbent structure and a plurality of second regions, each of the second regions located between two adjacent beams and arranged in surface to surface contact with the second absorbent structure; and
wherein the first absorbent layer, second absorbent layer and cover cooperate to define a plurality of longitudinally extending gutters in the body facing surface of the article.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to absorbent sanitary napkins and in particular to a sanitary napkin including an absorbent layer having a plurality of spaced beam elements for promoting enhanced fluid wicking within the sanitary napkin.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
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a longitudinally extending centerline; a transversely extending centerline; a cover layer having a body facing surface; a first absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the layer comprising a plurality of beams and a plurality of material-free zones, each of the beams arranged in a spaced relationship to an adjacent beam and each of the beams being separated from an adjacent beam by a material-free zone, each of the material-free zones extending from the upper surface to the lower surface; a second absorbent structure arranged below the first absorbent layer; wherein the cover layer includes a plurality of first regions arranged in spaced relationship to the second absorbent structure and a plurality of second regions, each of the second regions located between two adjacent beams and arranged in surface to surface contact with the second absorbent structure; and wherein the first absorbent layer, second absorbent layer and cover cooperate to define a plurality of longitudinally extending gutters in the body facing surface of the article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An absorbent article comprising:
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a cover layer having a body facing surface; a first absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the layer comprising a plurality of material-free zones, each of the material-free zones extending from the upper surface to the lower surface; a second absorbent structure arranged below the first absorbent system; wherein the cover layer includes a plurality of first regions arranged in spaced relationship to the second absorbent structure and a plurality of second regions, each of the second regions arranged in surface to surface contact with the second absorbent structure; and wherein the absorbent article has an RIF value greater than 15.0. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An absorbent article comprising:
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a longitudinally extending centerline; a transversely extending centerline; a cover layer having a body facing surface; a first absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the layer including at least one material-free zone, the material-free zone extending from the upper surface to the lower surface; a second absorbent structure arranged below the first absorbent layer; wherein the cover layer includes a plurality of first regions arranged in spaced relationship to the second absorbent structure and a second region, the second region located within the area defined by the material free zone and arranged in surface to surface contact with the second absorbent structure.
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25. An absorbent article comprising:
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a cover layer having a body facing surface; a first absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the layer comprising a plurality of material-free zones, each of the material-free zones extending from the upper surface to the lower surface; a second absorbent structure arranged below the first absorbent system; wherein the cover layer includes a plurality of first regions arranged in spaced relationship to the second absorbent structure and a plurality of second regions, each of the second regions arranged in surface to surface contact with the second absorbent structure; and wherein the absorbent article has an LTWR value greater than 3.5.
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Specification