Absorbent article having an absorbent with a variable density in the Z direction and a method of forming said article

• US 5,611,879 A
• Filed: 04/15/1991
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Morman, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHLE, KARIN M
• Application Number:
  US07/685,585
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 604/368, 604/376, 604/365, 604/366, 604/378-384, 604/385.1, 604/370, 604/774, 604/375, 604/387, 156/201, 156/308.2, 156/204, 156/209, 156/308.4, 156/301.6, 428/121, 428/130, 428/156, 428/170, 428/212, 428/213, 428/215, 428/216, 428/218, 428/220, 264/284
• US Class Current: 156/201
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15585 of babies' napkins, e.g. diapers A61F13/15617 - A61F13/15804 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51496 having visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/515 characterised by the interconnection of the topsheet and the backsheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/533 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/534 having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence; homogeneous cores with tissue wrapping A61F13/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53418 having a C-folded cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/536 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53786 with folds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/101 Prior to or during assembly with additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1015 Folding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1023 Surface deformation only [e.g., embossing]

Abstract

An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, training pants, an incontinent garment or a bedpad is disclosed for absorption of human exudate. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having a homogeneous composition with an essentially constant density in the x-y plane. The absorbent has at least two distinct portions which are integrally joined together by a junction line and each portion has a thickness different from an adjacent portion. The absorbent is folded on the junction line to obtain a variable density along the z axis. The folded absorbent also has a uniform capillary size in the x-y plane and a variable capillary size in the z direction. The absorbent article further includes a liquid-permeable cover which is positioned adjacent to at least one surface of the absorbent. A method of forming the article is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of forming an absorbent article for absorbing fluid, comprising the steps of:

a) compressing a sheet of absorbent into at least two compressed portions which are integrally joined to at least one noncompressed portion at two junction lines, each portion having a different thickness;

b) folding said absorbent at each of said junction lines to vertically align said compressed portions with said noncompressed portion to create a variable density in the z direction;

c) heating an external surface of at least one of said compressed portions to a sufficient temperature to fuse said surface and form a liquid-impermeable layer; and

d) enclosing said absorbent with a liquid-permeable cover.