Macroscopically expanded plastic web having improved fluid drainage

• US 5,368,910 A
• Filed: 04/02/1993
• Issued: 11/29/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Langdon, Fred M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, James J.
• Application Number:
  US08/042,365
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 428/131, 428/137, 428/284, 428/286, 428/296, 428/299, 428/913
• US Class Current: 428/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/512 characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5126 characterised by the planar distribution of the apertures, e.g. in a predefined pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51478 being a laminate, e.g. multi-layered or with several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15829 using pressure liquid jet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15926 for vacuum forming
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/4708 Panty-liner
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51009 characterized by the shape of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51014 characterized by the connection between the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51019 being cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51026 being in thermoplastic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51028 being bicomponent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51069 by hydrophilisation with plasma or corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51088 in very fine microtexture
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51165 with the combination of films and nonwovens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5127 characterized by the dimension of apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51355 for improving fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51441 being a fibrous material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5149 being embossed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530051 being made in cross-linked cellulosic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530167 : being crimped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530335 : being in peat moss
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530343 : being natural fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530445 : by defining a target or acquisition or vulnerability zone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530547 : positioned in a separate layer or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530802 : characterized by the foam or sponge other than superabsorbent A61F2013/530649 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53445 : from several sheets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/582 : with one strip on one place
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/586 : on lateral flaps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 : Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24273 : including aperture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24322 : Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/608 : Including strand or fiber material which is of specific structural definition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/676 : Vinyl polymer or copolymer sheet or film [e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/678 : Olefin polymer or copolymer sheet or film [e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene-butylene copolymer, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention provides a resilient, three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid-pervious, plastic web suitable for use as a topsheet on absorbent articles, especially catamenial articles. The web includes a first layer of polymeric material and a second layer of fibrous material secured to the inner surface of the first layer of polymeric material. The fibrous material of the intermediate layer extends below the second surface of the web, preferably into the absorbent core. In-use, fluid deposited on the topsheet drains or empties more readily as the fibrous material of the second layer breaks up the fluid meniscuses which form along the second surface of the web, thereby providing improved dryness and cleanliness for the user.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article, said web having a first surface and a second surface, said web comprising:

(a) a first layer of polymeric film material, said first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) a second layer of fibrous material secured to said inner surface of said first layer of polymeric material, said fibrous material extending below said second surface of said web; and

(c) a plurality of capillaries extending from said first surface of said web to said second surface of said web for the transmission of fluids through said web, each of said capillaries originating as an aperture in said first surface of said web and having a continuously interconnected sidewall between said first and said second surfaces, said continuously interconnected sidewall terminating to form an aperture in said second surface.

2. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said web is a topsheet on an absorbent article, said absorbent article including a backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the fibrous material of said second layer is in fluid-transporting contact with said absorbent core.

4. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes a plurality of microapertures.

5. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes a multiplicity of capillaries, said capillaries being substantially smaller in cross-section than said capillaries extending from said first surface to said second surface of said web.

6. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said second layer comprises capillary channel fibers.

7. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said second layer is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyetheylene, polypropylene, polyester, bicomponent binder fibers or cellulosic fibers.

8. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said second layer is secured to said first layer.

9. The fluid pervious web according to claim 8, wherein said second layer is thermally bonded to said first layer.

10. The fluid pervious web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer of polymeric material is a coextruded film.