Multiple layer absorbent cores for absorbent articles

• US 5,134,007 A
• Filed: 05/01/1991
• Issued: 07/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Clear, Sandra H., Bergman, Bruce H., Gomez-Santiago, Rolando, Guinn, Susan E., Reising, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): CANNON, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US07/697,917
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 428/78, 428/134, 428/138, 428/218, 428/283, 428/286, 428/287, 428/80, 604/385.1, 604/378
• US Class Current: 428/78
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/511 Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/535 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes A61F13/5323, A61F13/537 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53717 the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in the horizontal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53747 the layer is facing the topsheet layer is part of the topsheet A61F13/511
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/627 characterised by the loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00821 with hinge means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49031 being elastic in longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49076 as "I"-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530445 by defining a target or acquisition or vulnerability zone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530905 being hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53721 with capillary means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53765 characterized by its geometry
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53791 being resilient or elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53795 being a surge management layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5666 connected to itself A61F13/58 and A61F13/62 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24298 Noncircular aperture [e.g., slit, diamond, rectangular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 including nonapertured component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24992 Density or compression of components

Abstract

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent pads, sanitary napkins and the like that have multiple layer absorbent cores that are suitable for acquiring and containing liquids in an especially effective and efficient manner. The absorbent core comprises multiple layers including a first layer comprising hydrophilic fibrous material and having an acquisition zone of a relatively lower average density than the other portions of the first layer so that it quickly acquires discharged liquids; a liquid handling layer comprising a resilient material that is moisture insensitive so as to rapidly acquire liquid into itself through the acquisition zone and distribute the liquid throughout the liquid handling layer to a storage layer and the first layer; and a storage layer comprising a combination of fibrous material and discrete particles of absorbent gelling material that contains and stores the liquids deposited onto the absorbent core and allows the liquid handling layer to be "drained" of the liquids it has acquired so that the liquid handling layer may have sufficient capacity to acquire and distribute subsequent loadings of liquids.

Claims

1. A multiple layer absorbent core suitable for use in an absorbent article, said absorbent core comprising:

a first layer comprising hydrophilic fibrous material, a holding zone, and an acquisition zone having a lower average density than said holding zone, said holding zone at least partially laterally surrounding the perimeter of said acquisition zone so as to be in liquid communication with at least a portion of the lateral area of said acquisition zone;

a liquid handling layer positioned subjacent at least said acquisition zone of said first layer, said liquid handling layer comprising a resilient material having gush handling capacity to receive sufficient quantities of body exudates, said liquid handling layer being moisture insensitive and having a percentage void volume greater than about 80%; and

a storage layer positioned subjacent said liquid handling layer, said storage layer comprising a combination of hydrophilic fibrous material and discrete particles of absorbent gelling material.

2. The absorbent core of claim 1 wherein said liquid handling layer comprises a batt of synthetic fibers bonded into an open structure.

3. The absorbent core of claim 2 wherein said acquisition zone comprises an acquisition aperture.

4. The absorbent core of claim 3 wherein said first layer comprises from 0% to about 8%, by weight, of said first layer of discrete particles of absorbent gelling material.

5. The absorbent core of claim 4 wherein said batt of synthetic fibers has a caliper greater than about 0.25 mm and a void volume of at least about 0.5 cm³.

6. The absorbent core of claim 5 wherein said first layer is hourglass-shaped.