Disposable absorbent article with fit and fluid handling capabilities

• US 5,947,945 A
• Filed: 11/04/1996
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: David, Jennifer L., Cree, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): CUDDIHY, FRANCIS KEVIN
• Application Number:
  US08/743,061
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 604/372, 604/377, 604/378, 604/379, 604/380, 604/384, 604/385.1
• US Class Current: 604/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4702 having a reinforcing member
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47218 with a raised crotch region, e.g. hump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/47263 with activating means, e.g. elastic, heat or chemical activatable means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/511 Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/535 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes A61F13/5323, A61F13/537 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53747 the layer is facing the topsheet layer is part of the topsheet A61F13/511
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15943 by air-laid technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15951 by wet-laid technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/49063 the diaper having decoupled components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51361 with pleats or folds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51486 with specially shaped backsheets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530175 with capillary channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530343 being natural fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/5315 with a tissue-wrapped core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53765 characterized by its geometry

Abstract

An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet, an absorbent core of a combination of airlaid material, wetlaid material and superabsorbant, the core being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet to absorb fluid, and wherein the core includes an elongated, cylindrical, raised portion for improved contact with a user, and a scrim material surrounding at least a portion of the raised portion of the core.

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising:

a liquid-permeable topsheet;

a liquid-impermeable backsheet attached to said topsheet;

an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said core consists of a combination of air laid material, wet laid material and super absorbent, said core comprising an acquisition layer, a transfer layer and a storage layer, wherein said core is decoupled from said backsheet in a rear portion of said article for lift of said core with respect to said backsheet;

an elongated raised portion which acts as said acquisition layer of said core and contains fluid-transporting fibers;

a shaped strip of absorbent material lying within said elongated raised portion which acts as said transfer layer and provides a channel for said fluid from said raised portion to said storage layer such that said shaped strip has a cross-section selected from the group consisting of a laminate spike, an "I" shape, and a continuous strip connected within said raised portion; and

a plastic netting material surrounding at least a portion of said raised portion of said core, said netting material being cylindrical in shape and closely conforming to said elongated cylindrical, raised portion of said core, wherein said plastic netting material provides sustained resiliency of fit and enhanced fluid handling of said elongated, cylindrical, raised portion of said core.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said shaped strip has a laminate spike cross section and lies within said elongated raised portion.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said shaped strip has an "I" shaped cross section and lies within said elongated raised portion.

4. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said shaped strip is continuous and is connected with and lies within said elongated raised portion.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said backsheet is Z-folded to allow said core to decouple from said backsheet.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said core is decoupled from said backsheet by Z-folding said backsheet.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said core is decoupled from said backsheet by Z-folding said topsheet.

8. The absorbent article of claim 7 wherein said fluid transporting fibers are hydrophilic capillary channel fibers.

9. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said core further includes absorbent gelling material laminated within said core.