Absorbent article having imbricated superabsorbent tiles on a substrate

• US 6,290,686 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanzer, Richard Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIDWELL, MICHELE M
• Application Number:
  US09/384,976
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 604/385.01, 604/378, 604/359, 604/385.23, 604/385.101, 604/358, 604/367
• US Class Current: 604/385.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/532 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5323 having absorbent material located in discrete regions, e.g. pockets

Abstract

An absorbent article is provided with an absorbent composite including a plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities arranged on a substrate. The superabsorbent-containing entities are imbricated, meaning that the leading edge of each entity overlaps the trailing edge of each successive entity. When the absorbent article becomes wet and the superabsorbent expands, the adjacent entities slide over each other and the degree of overlap is increased. Accordingly, the expansion of the superabsorbent article causes the “Z” directional thickness of the absorbent composite to increase, and the effect of the expansion on the longitudinal and lateral (“X” and “Y”) dimensions is minimized.

Claims

1. An absorbent composite, comprising:

a substrate layer material; and

a plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities attached to the substrate, each discrete superabsorbent-containing entity being attached only to the substrate at an attachment point which leaves most of the entity free of binding so that adjacent entities may expand and slide relative to each other;

the superabsorbent-containing entities being imbricated so that a leading edge of at least some of the superabsorbent-containing entities overlaps a trailing edge of an adjacent superabsorbent-containing entity.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities further contain an odor absorbent.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities further contain a fragrance.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the substrate layer material comprises a plastic foam.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the substrate layer material comprises an elastic material.

6. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities comprise rectangular tiles.

7. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities comprise curved platelets.

8. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities are attached to the substrate using an adhesive.

9. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities are thermally bonded to the substrate.

10. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities are ultrasonically bonded to the substrate.

11. The absorbent composite of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent-containing entities are stitch-bonded to the substrate.

12. A diaper comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

13. Training pants comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

14. Absorbent underpants comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

15. Swim wear comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

16. An adult incontinence product comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

17. A feminine hygiene product comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

18. A medical absorbent product comprising the absorbent composite of claim 1.

19. An absorbent article, comprising:

a liquid-permeable body-side liner;

a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover; and

an absorbent composite between the body-side liner and the outer cover,

wherein the absorbent composite comprises a plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities arranged on a substrate having a central region and two end regions;

the substrate having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction;

each discrete superabsorbent-containing entity being attached only to the substrate at an attachment point which leaves most of the entity free of binding so that adjacent entities may expand and slide relative to each other;

the superabsorbent-containing entities in the central region being oriented in the longitudinal direction of the substrate;

the superabsorbent-containing entities in the two end regions being oriented in the lateral direction of the substrate.

20. An absorbent composite, comprising

a substrate layer material;

and

a plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities attached to the substrate, each discrete superabsorbent-containing entity being attached only to the substrate at an attachment point which leaves most of the entity free of binding so that adjacent entities may expand and slide relative to each other;

the superabsorbent-containing entities being imbricated so that a leading edge of at least some of the superabsorbent-containing entities overlaps a trailing edge of an adjacent superabsorbent-containing entity, and

wherein the plurality of discrete superabsorbent-containing entities are comprised of a structure wherein the substrate is folded in corrugated fashion to yield pockets which are filled with a superabsorbent material.