Absorbent composite and disposable absorbent garment comprising same

• US 5,843,059 A
• Filed: 11/15/1995
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Niemeyer, Michael John, Putzer, Melissa Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Polutta, Mark O.
• Application Number:
  US08/559,385
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/365, 604/367, 604/368, 604/374, 604/375, 604/378
• US Class Current: 604/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15203 Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency chemical aspects A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/531 having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530547 positioned in a separate layer or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530598 in aggregates
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5307 characterized by the quantity or ratio of superabsorbent material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530766 by the cross-link factor

Abstract

Disclosed is an absorbent composite suitable for use in disposable absorbent garments and an absorbent garment including such a composite. The composite includes a means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by the containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 kilograms (force)×millimeters. Further, the superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the containment means and the superabsorbent material.

Claims

1. An absorbent composite for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index, measuring the resistance to penetration of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material, of at least about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material;

said Gel Integrity Index being the resistance of a sample of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material to the introduction of a test probe into the sample, measured by

(1) mixing one part by weight of superabsorbent material having a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent and 50 parts of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, in a container having a 33 millimeter diameter and a height of 62 millimeters;

(2) allowing the superabsorbent material to swell for at least one hour until it appears to have generally reached equilibrium; and

(3) measuring the resistance of a sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to penetration to a test probe, by

(a) attaching a clear anodized aluminum test probe having a 1.27 centimeter diameter, a length of 11.43 centimeters, and a rounded end having a 6.35 millimeter radius, to descend downward from a load cell capable of determining the load exerted on the load cell by the test probe;

(b) raising the sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to the rounded end of the probe until a load greater than 0.1 gram but less than one gram is exerted on the load cell;

(c) lowering the test probe into the sample, for a distance of 40 millimeters at a constant speed of 16 inches per minute; and

(d) determining the resistance of the sample to the introduction of the test probe into the sample, as the probe penetrates from 15 to 40 millimeters into the sample.

2. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

3. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

4. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

5. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kg_f ×

mm.

6. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm.

7. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm.

8. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kg_f ×

mm.

9. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

10. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm to about 4500 Kg_f ×

mm.

11. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

12. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises a matrix of fibers.

13. The absorbent composite according to claim 12 wherein said matrix of fibers comprises cellulosic fibers.

14. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is shell crosslinked.

15. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water pervious and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.

56. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent is in particulate form;

and wherein, in measuring the Gel Integrity Index, the superabsorbent is screened to have a maximum cross-sectional diameter within the range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns, prior to mixing the superabsorbent with aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.

57. The absorbent composite according to claim 56 wherein the superabsorbent particles have a maximum cross-sectional diameter from about 50 microns to about 1000 microns.

58. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent is in fibrous form.

59. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein the Gel Integrity Index is measured by a method as set forth in the Test Methods section of the specification.

16. A disposable garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a bodyside liner superimposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said bodyside lines, said absorbent composite comprising;

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index, measuring the resistance to penetration of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material, of at least about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material;

said Gel Integrity Index being the resistance of a sample of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material to the introduction of a test probe into the sample, measured by

(1) mixing one part by weight of superabsorbent material having a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent and 50 parts of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, in a container having a 33 millimeter diameter and a height of 62 millimeters;

(2) allowing the superabsorbent material to swell for at least one hour until it appears to have generally reached equilibrium; and

(3) measuring the resistance of a sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to penetration to a probe, by

(a) attaching a clear anodized aluminum test probe having a 1.27 centimeter diameter, a length of 11.43 centimeters, and a rounded end having a 6.35 millimeter radius, to descend downward from a load cell capable of determining the load exerted on the load cell by the test probe;

(b) raising the sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to the rounded end of the probe until a load greater than 0.1 gram but less than one gram is exerted on the load cell;

(c) lowering the test probe into the sample, for a distance of 40 millimeters at a constant speed of 16 inches per minute; and

(d) determining the resistance of the sample to the introduction of the test probe into the sample, as the probe penetrates from 15 to 40 millimeters into the sample.

17. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

18. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

19. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

20. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kg_f ×

mm.

21. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm.

22. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm.

23. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kg_f ×

mm.

24. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

25. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm to about 4500 Kg_f ×

mm.

26. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

27. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said containment means comprises a matrix of fibers.

28. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 27 wherein said matrix of fibers comprises cellulosic fibers.

29. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material is shell crosslinked.

30. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water pervious and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.

60. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein the superabsorbent is in particulate form;

and wherein, in measuring the Gel Integrity Index, the superabsorbent is screened to have a maximum cross-sectional diameter within the range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns, prior to mixing the superabsorbent with aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.

61. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 60 wherein the superabsorbent particles have a maximum cross-sectional diameter from about 50 microns to about 1000 microns.

62. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein the superabsorbent is in fibrous form.

63. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein the Gel Integrity Index is measured by a method as set forth in the Test Methods section of the specification.

31. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

a fibrous matrix; and

a superabsorbent material present in said fibrous matrix, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index, measuring the resistance to penetration of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material, of at least about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm, said superabsorbent being present in said fibrous matrix in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said fibrous matrix and said superabsorbent material;

said Gel Integrity Index being the resistance of a sample of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material to the introduction of a test probe into the sample, measured by

(1) mixing one part by weight of superabsorbent material having a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent and 50 parts of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, in a container having a 33 millimeter diameter and a height of 62 millimeters;

(2) allowing the superabsorbent material to swell for at least one hour until it appears to have generally reached equilibrium; and

(3) measuring the resistance of a sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to penetration to a probe, by

(a) attaching a clear anodized aluminum test probe having a 1.27 centimeter diameter, a length of 11.43 centimeters, and a rounded end having a 6.35 millimeter radius, to descend downward from a load cell capable of determining the load exerted on the load cell by the test probe;

(b) raising the sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to the rounded end of the probe until a load greater than 0.1 gram but less than one gram is exerted on the load cell;

(c) lowering the test probe into the sample, for a distance of 40 millimeters at a constant speed of 16 inches per minute; and

(d) determining the resistance of the sample to the introduction of the test probe into the sample, as the probe penetrates from 15 to 40 millimeters into the sample.

32. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said matrix of fibers in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, based on total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

33. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said matrix of fibers in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

34. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kg_f ×

mm.

35. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm.

36. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm.

37. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kg_f ×

mm.

38. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

39. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm to about 4500 Kg_f ×

mm.

40. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

41. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said matrix of fibers comprises cellulosic fibers.

42. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein said superabsorbent material is shell crosslinked.

64. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein the superabsorbent is in particulate form;

and wherein, in measuring the Gel Integrity Index, the superabsorbent is screened to have a maximum cross-sectional diameter within the range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns, prior to mixing the superabsorbent with aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.

65. The absorbent composite according to claim 64 wherein the superabsorbent particles have a maximum cross-sectional diameter from about 50 microns to about 1000 microns.

66. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein the superabsorbent is in fibrous form.

67. The absorbent composite according to claim 31 wherein the Gel Integrity Index is measured by a method as set forth in the Test Methods section of the specification.

43. A disposable garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a bodyside liner superimposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said bodyside lines, said absorbent composite comprising;

a fibrous matrix; and

a superabsorbent material present in said fibrous matrix, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index, measuring the resistance to penetration of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material, of at least about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm, said superabsorbent being present in said fibrous matrix in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said fibrous matrix and said superabsorbent material;

said Gel Integrity Index being the resistance of a sample of a gel slurry containing the superabsorbent material to the introduction of a test probe into the sample, measured by

(1) mixing one part by weight of superabsorbent material having a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent and 50 parts of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, in a container having a 33 millimeter diameter and a height of 62 millimeters;

(2) allowing the superabsorbent material to swell for at least one hour until it appears to have generally reached equilibrium; and

(3) measuring the resistance of a sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to penetration to a probe, by

(a) attaching a clear anodized aluminum test probe having a 1.27 centimeter diameter, a length of 11.43 centimeters, and a rounded end having a 6.35 millimeter radius, to descend downward from a load cell capable of determining the load exerted on the load cell by the test probe;

(b) raising the sample of the mixture of swollen superabsorbent and aqueous solution of sodium chloride to the rounded end of the probe until a load greater than 0.1 gram but less than one gram is exerted on the load cell;

(c) lowering the test probe into the sample, for a distance of 40 millimeters at a constant speed of 16 inches per minute; and

(d) determining the resistance of the sample to the introduction of the test probe into the sample, as the probe penetrates from 15 to 40 millimeters into the sample.

44. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said matrix of fibers in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

45. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said matrix of fibers in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

46. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said matrix of fibers in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, based on total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

47. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kg_f ×

mm.

48. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm.

49. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm.

50. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kg_f ×

mm.

51. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

52. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kg_f ×

mm to about 4500 Kg_f ×

mm.

53. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kg_f ×

mm to about 5000 Kg_f ×

mm.

54. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said containment means comprises cellulosic fibers.

55. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material is shell crosslinked.

68. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein the superabsorbent is in particulate form;

and wherein, in measuring the Gel Integrity Index, the superabsorbent is screened to have a maximum cross-sectional diameter within the range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns, prior to mixing the superabsorbent with aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.

69. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 68 wherein the superabsorbent particles have a maximum cross-sectional diameter from about 50 microns to about 1000 microns.

70. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein the superabsorbent is in fibrous form.

71. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 43 wherein the Gel Integrity Index is measured by a method as set forth in the Test Methods section of the specification.