Article having a non-absorbent resilient layer
First Claim
1. An absorbent article having a central longitudinal axis, a caliper of less than about 5 millimeters, and a total width adapted to span the width of a user'"'"'s labia majora, said absorbent article comprising:
- a) an absorbent means having a predetermined length and width, a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis of said absorbent article, said absorbent means having the capacity to absorb at least 10 grams of body fluid; and
b) a substantially resilient layer comprising a closed cell, polyethylene foam having a width ranging from 60% to 100% of the total width of said absorbent article, said resilient layer being sufficiently resilient to resist bunching, as indicated by a Circular Bend Flex in the range of from about 9 to about 42 grams at a rebound resiliency of 50%.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, has an absorbent and a substantially non-absorbent resilient layer adjacent to the absorbent. The absorbent is sufficiently stiff to resist twisting of the absorbent article during use. The resilient layer is sufficiently resilient to resist bunching during use. As a result, the absorbent article resists both twisting and bunching. The absorbent article has zones which vary in caliper, stiffness and absorbency. A central absorbent zone is thickest in caliper, more absorbent than the other zones and is stiffer than the other zones. An adjacent zone is less thick in caliper, less absorbent and less stiff. A peripheral zone, located near the outer side edges, is least thick in caliper, least absorbent and least stiff.
235 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An absorbent article having a central longitudinal axis, a caliper of less than about 5 millimeters, and a total width adapted to span the width of a user'"'"'s labia majora, said absorbent article comprising:
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a) an absorbent means having a predetermined length and width, a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis of said absorbent article, said absorbent means having the capacity to absorb at least 10 grams of body fluid; and b) a substantially resilient layer comprising a closed cell, polyethylene foam having a width ranging from 60% to 100% of the total width of said absorbent article, said resilient layer being sufficiently resilient to resist bunching, as indicated by a Circular Bend Flex in the range of from about 9 to about 42 grams at a rebound resiliency of 50%. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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2. An absorbent article adapted to receive and absorb body fluid and having a central longitudinal axis, said absorbent article comprising:
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a) an absorbent means having a predetermined length and width, a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis of said absorbent article, said absorbent means capable of absorbing at least 10 grams of the body fluid deposited on said absorbent article; and b) a substantially non-absorbent, substantially resilient layer positioned adjacent to said absorbent means, said resilient layer comprising a closed cell, polyethylene foam having a width greater than the predetermined width of said absorbent means and adapted to prevent bunching, as indicated by a Circular Bend Flex in the range of from about 9 to about 42 grams at a rebound resiliency of 50%, and wherein said absorbent article has a caliper of less than about 5 mm. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. A sanitary napkin having a garment-facing side, a caliper of less than about 5 millimeters, and a central longitudinal axis, said sanitary napkin comprising:
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a) a liquid-impermeable baffle disposed on said garment-facing side of said sanitary napkin, said baffle having a body-facing side; b) a substantially non-absorbent, resilient layer comprising a closed cell, polyethylene foam and being disposed on said body-facing side of said baffle, said resilient layer adapted to prevent bunching, as indicated by a Circular Bend Flex in the range of from about 9 to about 42 grams at a rebound resiliency of 50%, said resilient layer having a body-facing side; and c) an absorbent means disposed adjacent to said body-facing side of said resilient layer, said absorbent means having a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis of said napkin, said absorbent means adapted to resist twisting and capable of absorbing at least 10 grams of body fluid deposited on said napkin. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A sanitary napkin having a central longitudinal axis, a body-facing side and a total width transverse to said longitudinal axis defined by a distance from an outer side edge of the body-facing side of the sanitary napkin to an opposite outer side edge of the body-facing side, said sanitary napkin comprising:
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a. a liquid pervious cover sheet; b. an absorbent means having a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis of said napkin, said absorbent means capable of absorbing at least 10 grams of body fluid deposited on said napkin and being sufficiently stiff to resist twisting of the sanitary napkin during use; and c. a substantially resilient layer comprising a closed celled polyethylene foam having a width ranging from 60% to 100% of the total width of said body-facing side of the sanitary napkin and being sufficiently resilient to resist bunching as indicated by a Circular Bend Flex in the range of from 9 to about 42 grams at a rebound resiliency of about 50% and wherein said sanitary napkin has a caliper of less than about 5 mm. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification