Self-texturing absorbent structures and absorbent articles made therefrom
First Claim
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
a liquid pervious topsheet;
an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and
a multifunctional transfer layer positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet, said multifunctional transfer layer comprising a stability layer and an expansion layer heterogeneously attached to said stability layer at a discrete number of attachment regions, wherein, upon wetting, said expansion layer expands laterally in at least one direction substantially more than said stability layer, such that the wetted expansion layer puckers to form a plurality of pockets between the expansion layer and stability layer.
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Abstract
A novel absorbent structure is disclosed in which an initially flat, dense structure becomes a three-dimensional, high bulk, channeled structure upon wetting. The structure offers unusually high directionality in fluid transport to improve the distribution of fluid in longitudinal articles. The self-bulking of the wetted article can also lead to improved fit in articles such as diapers and in general increases the void volume of the wetted article for high absorbent capacity.
203 Citations
52 Claims
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
a liquid pervious topsheet;
an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and
a multifunctional transfer layer positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet, said multifunctional transfer layer comprising a stability layer and an expansion layer heterogeneously attached to said stability layer at a discrete number of attachment regions, wherein, upon wetting, said expansion layer expands laterally in at least one direction substantially more than said stability layer, such that the wetted expansion layer puckers to form a plurality of pockets between the expansion layer and stability layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
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30. An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid pervious topsheet having an upper body-contacting surface and an opposed lower surface; and
an absorbent core positioned adjacent said lower surface of the topsheet, said absorbent core comprising a stability layer and a creped tissue expansion layer superposed on the stability layer and facing said lower surface of the topsheet, said expansion layer being heterogeneously attached to said stability layer at a discrete number of attachment regions, wherein upon wetting said expansion layer expands laterally in at least one direction substantially more than said stability layer, such that the wetted expansion layer puckers to form a plurality of pockets offering increased void volume, said absorbent article having an Expansion Height of at least about 2 mm. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- a liquid pervious topsheet having an upper body-contacting surface and an opposed lower surface; and
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35. An absorbent article for absorbing body fluids comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
an absorbent core deposed on said backsheet; and
a transfer layer deposed on said absorbent core remote from said backsheet, said transfer layer comprising an expansion layer in fluid communicating contact with said absorbent core and a soft, flexible, stability layer heterogeneously connected to said expansion layer and remote from said backsheet, wherein upon wetting said expansion layer expands laterally in at least one direction substantially more than said stability layer, such that the wetted expansion layer puckers to form a plurality of pockets offering increased void volume. - View Dependent Claims (36)
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
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42. An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
a liquid pervious topsheet;
an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and
a multifunctional transfer layer positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet, said transfer layer comprising an expansion layer and heterogeneous restraining means for restraining lateral expansion of said expansion layer during wetting such that the wetted expansion layer puckers to form a plurality of pockets for receiving and transporting fluids. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- a liquid impervious backsheet;
Specification