Absorbent article with high absorbency zone
First Claim
1. An absorbent structure having peripheral edges and a center region and comprising an integral absorbent element having an upper surface and a lower surface defining therebetween an absorbent element thickness, the absorbent element thickness having an upper 35% and a lower 65%, the absorbent element further comprising a high absorbency zone, the high absorbency zone having a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness comprising less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness and being located in at least a portion of the center region in the upper 35% of the absorbent element, the high absorbency zone comprising absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles, the superabsorbent polymer particles being present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter, the superabsorbent polymer particles being substantially separated from one another by absorbent fibers, and wherein the lower 65% is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising an integral absorbent element with an upper surface and a lower surface defining a thickness therebetween. The thickness has an upper 35% containing a high absorbency zone and a lower 65%. The high absorbency zone has a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness. The zone thickness is less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness. The high absorbency zone comprises absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles. The superabsorbent polymer particles are present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter and are separated from one another by the absorbent fibers. The lower 65% of the absorbent element thickness is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles.
106 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. An absorbent structure having peripheral edges and a center region and comprising an integral absorbent element having an upper surface and a lower surface defining therebetween an absorbent element thickness, the absorbent element thickness having an upper 35% and a lower 65%, the absorbent element further comprising a high absorbency zone, the high absorbency zone having a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness comprising less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness and being located in at least a portion of the center region in the upper 35% of the absorbent element, the high absorbency zone comprising absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles, the superabsorbent polymer particles being present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter, the superabsorbent polymer particles being substantially separated from one another by absorbent fibers, and wherein the lower 65% is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles.
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13. An absorbent article adapted to be worn in a crotch portion of a user'"'"'s undergarment, the article comprising:
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a liquid permeable layer adapted to contact the user when worn;
a liquid impermeable barrier layer; and
an absorbent structure positioned between the liquid permeable layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent structure having peripheral edges and a center region and comprising an integral absorbent element having an upper surface and a lower surface defining therebetween an absorbent element thickness, the upper surface being adjacent the liquid permeable layer, the absorbent element thickness having an upper 35% and a lower 65%, the absorbent element further comprising a high absorbency zone, the high absorbency zone having a first surface and a second surface separated by a zone thickness comprising less than about 35% of the absorbent element thickness and being located in at least a portion of the center region in the upper 35% of the absorbent element, the high absorbency zone comprising absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles, the superabsorbent polymer particles being present at a loading of no more than 75 grams per square meter, the superabsorbent polymer particles being substantially separated from one another by absorbent fibers, and wherein the lower 65% is substantially free of superabsorbent polymer particles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification