Absorbent article with comfortable and rapid acquisition topsheet
First Claim
1. An absorbent article comprising:
- a main body portion having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline defining a lateral direction, substantially longitudinally oriented edges and substantially laterally oriented edges, wherein said substantially longitudinally oriented edges and said substantially laterally oriented edges define a periphery for said main body portion and wherein at least one of said substantially laterally oriented edges is wider than the width of said main body portion at a location between said substantially laterally oriented edges, said main body portion comprising;
a composite liquid pervious topsheet having a central zone and a pair of longitudinally oriented side zones each said side zone being positioned between said central zone and one of said longitudinal edges of said main body, said composite topsheet comprising;
a) a nonapertured nonwoven outer layer which is able to acquire liquids deposited thereon, said nonwoven outer layer having a pair of longitudinally oriented inner edges in a predetermined spaced apart relationship wherein the lateral separation between said inner edges defines the lateral width of said central zone,b) an apertured thermoplastic film layer having longitudinal edges, said apertured thermoplastic film layer being positioned beneath said nonwoven outer layer so that said nonwoven outer layer overlies said apertured thermoplastic film layer in said side zones and said apertured thermoplastic film layer is exposed in at least a portion of said central zone, at least a portion of said thermoplastic film layer being treated with surfactant, whereinc) said nonwoven outer layer and said apertured thermoplastic film layer are joined by a pattern of intermittent fusion bonds;
a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet; and
an absorbent core having side edges, said absorbent core being positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, having an improved topsheet that provides improved skin comfort as well as superior fluid handling characteristics. Such absorbent articles comprise a main body portion preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The main body portion has longitudinal edges and lateral edges. The topsheet has a central zone and a pair of end zones extending laterally outwardly from and contiguous with the central zone. The topsheet comprises a nonwoven outer layer and an apertured thermoplastic film layer. The nonwoven outer layer has an opening positioned in the central zone. The apertured thermoplastic film layer is positoned beneath the nonwoven outer layer so that the apertured thermoplastic film layer and the nonwoven outer layer covers the end zones while the apertured thermoplastic film layer is exposed through the opening of the nonwoven outer layer in the central zone.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
a main body portion having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline defining a lateral direction, substantially longitudinally oriented edges and substantially laterally oriented edges, wherein said substantially longitudinally oriented edges and said substantially laterally oriented edges define a periphery for said main body portion and wherein at least one of said substantially laterally oriented edges is wider than the width of said main body portion at a location between said substantially laterally oriented edges, said main body portion comprising; a composite liquid pervious topsheet having a central zone and a pair of longitudinally oriented side zones each said side zone being positioned between said central zone and one of said longitudinal edges of said main body, said composite topsheet comprising; a) a nonapertured nonwoven outer layer which is able to acquire liquids deposited thereon, said nonwoven outer layer having a pair of longitudinally oriented inner edges in a predetermined spaced apart relationship wherein the lateral separation between said inner edges defines the lateral width of said central zone, b) an apertured thermoplastic film layer having longitudinal edges, said apertured thermoplastic film layer being positioned beneath said nonwoven outer layer so that said nonwoven outer layer overlies said apertured thermoplastic film layer in said side zones and said apertured thermoplastic film layer is exposed in at least a portion of said central zone, at least a portion of said thermoplastic film layer being treated with surfactant, wherein c) said nonwoven outer layer and said apertured thermoplastic film layer are joined by a pattern of intermittent fusion bonds; a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet; and an absorbent core having side edges, said absorbent core being positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An absorbent article comprising:
a main body portion having a longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline defining a lateral direction, substantially longitudinally oriented edges and substantially laterally oriented edges, wherein said substantially longitudinally oriented edges and said substantially laterally oriented edges define a periphery for said main body portion and wherein at least one of said substantially laterally oriented edges is wider than the width of said main body portion at a location between said substantially laterally oriented edges, said main body portion comprising; a liquid pervious composite topsheet having a central zone and a pair of longitudinally oriented side zones each said side zone being positioned between said central zone and one of said longitudinal edges of said main body, said composite topsheet comprising; a) a nonapertured nonwoven outer layer which is able to acquire liquids deposited thereon, said nonwoven outer layer comprising a bicomponent web and having a pair of longitudinally oriented inner edges in a predetermined spaced apart relationship wherein the lateral separation between said inner edges defines the lateral width of said central zone, b) an apertured thermoplastic film layer having longitudinal edges, said apertured thermoplastic film layer being positioned beneath said nonwoven outer layer so that said nonwoven outer layer overlies said apertured thermoplastic film layer in said side zones and said apertured thermoplastic film layer is exposed in at least a portion of said central zone, at least a portion of said thermoplastic film layer being treated with surfactant, wherein c) said nonwoven outer layer and said apertured thermoplastic film layer are joined by a pattern of intermittent fusion bonds; a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet; an absorbent core having side edges, said side edges extending outward such that said absorbent core is positioned between and joined to said topsheet and said backsheet about said periphery; and panty attachment means disposed on an outer surface of said backsheet in at least said central zone. - View Dependent Claims (14)
Specification