Absorbent article using continuous filaments and absorbent sheet

• US 6,657,102 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
• Inventors: Kaneko, Shinya, Hayashi, Hiroo, Igaue, Takamitsu, Furuya, Kodai
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): PLUCINSKI, JAMISUE A
• Application Number:
  US09/935,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20020029023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 604/368, 604/378, 604/379, 604/383, 604/384
• US Class Current: 604/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/513 characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect; having areas of different permeability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers

Abstract

Disclosed is an absorbent article including: a liquid permeable surface layer formed of continuous filaments individually extending over the entire length of the surface layer, the continuous filaments including at least heat-fusible continuous filaments; a backing sheet; and a fibrous absorbent core located between the surface layer and the backing sheet and containing heat-fusible fibers. Between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core, disposed is an absorbent sheet which is formed of superabsorbent polymer to have a plurality of through passages. The surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core are partially fusion-bonded to each other via the through passages formed in the absorbent sheet for retaining the absorbent sheet between the surface layer and the fibrous absorbent core.

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising:

a liquid permeable surface layer formed of continuous filaments individually extending over the entire length of said surface layer, said continuous filaments including at least heat-fusible continuous filaments;

a backing sheet; and

a fibrous absorbent core located between said surface layer and said backing sheet and containing heat-fusible fibers,

wherein between said surface layer and said fibrous absorbent core, disposed is an absorbent sheet which is formed of superabsorbent polymer to have a plurality of through passages, and said surface layer and said fibrous absorbent core are partially fusion-bonded to each other via said through passages formed in said absorbent sheet for retaining said absorbent sheet between said surface layer and said fibrous absorbent core.

2. The absorbent article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said absorbent sheet is formed with superabsorbent polymer fibers, and said surface layer and said fibrous absorbent core are fusion-bonded via gaps defined between fibers of said absorbent sheet.

3. The absorbent article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said absorbent sheet is a superabsorbent polymer film, and said surface layer and said fibrous absorbent core are fusion-bonded via openings or cuts formed in said film.

4. The absorbent article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heat-fusible continuous filaments in said surface layer and said heat-fusible fibers in said fibrous absorbent core are fusion-bonded at a plurality of fixing lines, which extend in a direction intersecting a direction along which said continuous filaments extend and are spaced apart from each other in the direction along which said continuous filaments extend.