Liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles
First Claim
1. A liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles comprising first, second and third sub-layers of nonwoven webs of substantially continuous microfibers,said microfibers of each of said sub-layers having a fiber alignment ratio of at least about 4:
- 1;
said microfibers comprising a fiber-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of hydrophilically modified polymers and hydrophilic polymers,wherein said first sub-layer comprises microfibers having a thicker average fiber diameter and a lower fiber alignment ratio than the microfibers of said second sub-layer, and said second sub-layer comprises microfibers having a thicker average fiber diameter and a lower fiber alignment ratio than the microfibers of said third sub-layer.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles which exhibits directional liquid distribution properties and has desirable physical integrity. The liquid distribution layer is a nonwoven web of substantially continuous microfibers that has its fibers substantially aligned along one planar dimension of the web, wherein the fibers are hydrophilically modified or hydrophilic. Additionally, the liquid distribution layer may have an increasing fiber alignment gradient as well as a decreasing fiber thickness gradient in the direction of the web thickness. Further provided are suitable processes for producing the liquid distribution layer.
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6 Claims
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1. A liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles comprising first, second and third sub-layers of nonwoven webs of substantially continuous microfibers,
said microfibers of each of said sub-layers having a fiber alignment ratio of at least about 4: - 1;
said microfibers comprising a fiber-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of hydrophilically modified polymers and hydrophilic polymers, wherein said first sub-layer comprises microfibers having a thicker average fiber diameter and a lower fiber alignment ratio than the microfibers of said second sub-layer, and said second sub-layer comprises microfibers having a thicker average fiber diameter and a lower fiber alignment ratio than the microfibers of said third sub-layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification