Absorbent pad with dryness characteristics

• US 5,318,553 A
• Filed: 11/20/1990
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands, LLC
• Original Assignee: James A. Minetola, Timothy G. Wagner, Weeks L. Jane
• Inventors: Minetola, James A., Weeks, L. Jane, Wagner, Timothy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gualtieri, Gina
• Application Number:
  US07/616,079
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 604/374-380, 604/385.1, 604/381
• US Class Current: 604/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49007 Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4946 the edge leakage prevention means being an absorbent medium A61F13/49426 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/511 Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15365 Dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15406 Basis weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15447 Fibre dimension, e.g. denier or tex
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15967 by meltblown technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51028 being bicomponent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51472 for reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530007 being made from pulp
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530364 of bamboo
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530445 by defining a target or acquisition or vulnerability zone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530868 characterized by the liquid distribution or transport means other than wicking layer A61F13/537 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530927 having longitudinal barriers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53734 with compressed lines
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53795 being a surge management layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5395 with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat

Abstract

A unitary sanitary disposable absorbent incontinence pad has an elongated absorbent member between a pervious cover topsheet and an impervious backsheet. The absorbent member includes an absorbent batt which contains a combination of cellulose fibers and thermally-bondable fibers. A melt-blown web is superimposed on the batt. A portion of each lateral side of the batt is slit and turned inwardly toward the center of the batt to form a pair of fluid-barriers or dams, creating a fluid channel therebetween. The melt-blown web lies between the dams on top of the batt. Preferably the melt-blown web includes inturned side edges which may create a second channel therebetween. The assembly of batt and web are particularly effective for moving fluid longitudinally in said pad and preventing leakage along the sides of the pad.

Claims

1. An absorbent disposable incontinence pad having a previous coversheet, and impervious backsheet, and an absorbent matt therebetween, said matt including:

a highly integrated batt of fibers,

said batt having an upper surface and containing cellulose fibers and thermally bondable polymer fibers,

said batt having terminal ends defining a length,

said batt having two lateral sides defining a width, a central portion between said side, and pair of slits disposed in each of said sides forming batt-portions which extend longitudinally between said slits,

said batt-portions on each side being folded upwardly and inwardly to create folded layers which lie on the upper surface on each side of said central portion of the batt and have inturned edges which define a first channel beneath the pervious coversheet,

said inturned edges of said folded layers providing abutments or dams adjacent the central portion of said batt to deter lateral movement of fluid deposited therebetween,

a liquid-moving flow-spreading web layer disposed between said inturned edge of said batt-portions,

said web having two lateral sides which are folded upwardly along said inturned edges of said first channel and inwardly to create folded layers which lie on an upper surface on each side of a central portion of said web, layer creating a second channel.

2. The absorbent pad of claim 1 wherein said web layer is hydrophobic, said hydrophobic web layer including includes melt-down fibers.

3. The absorbent pad of claim 1 wherein said web layer is hydrophobic, and is a multi-ply sheet.

4. The absorbent pad of claim 1 wherein said web layer is hydrophobic and has lateral edges said lateral edges are inturned along fold lines and a flat width greater than the distance between the inturned edges of said folded layers of said batt.

5. The absorbent pad of claim 4 wherein the fold lines of said hydrophobic web layer are in contact with the inturned edges of said folded layers of said batt-portions.

6. The absorbent pad of claim 5 wherein small tunnels (53), (54) are formed along fold lines.