Composites material with improved high viscosity fluid intake

• US 6,869,670 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: DeLucia, Mary Lucille, Tan, Sandy Chi-Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Bruce H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Camie S
• Application Number:
  US09/871,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20020182396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 428/297.4, 428/411.1, 428/373, 428/198, 428/397, 604/358, 604/367, 604/389, 264/45.1
• US Class Current: 428/297.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/495 with faecal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/512 characterised by its apertures, e.g. perforations
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/73 Hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2535/00 Medical equipment, e.g. bandage, prostheses or catheter
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2555/02 Diapers or napkins
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 13/02 Production of non-woven fabrics by partial defibrillation of oriented thermoplastics films
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24826 Spot bonds connect components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24994 Fiber embedded in or on the surface of a polymeric matrix
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2918 including free carbon or carbide or therewith [not as steel]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2929 Bicomponent, conjugate, composite or collateral fibers or filaments [i.e., coextruded sheath-core or side-by-side type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2973 Particular cross section

Abstract

A liner system suitable for use in personal care absorbent products having a composite material including a substructure applied to a first layer. The first layer and the substructure define a plurality of voids for accommodating passage of fluids through the composite material. In one embodiment, high viscosity fluids including the particles contained therein pass through a plurality of apertures in the first layer. The voids defined by the first layer and the substructure entrap the particles to accommodate passage of fluids through the composite material.

Claims

1. A composite material, comprising:

a first layer forming a plurality of apertures; and

a substructure bonded to the first layer at a plurality of bonding locations to form a plurality of compartments, the first layer apertures forming fluid communication between the first layer and the substructure and the compartments entrapping particles contained within a fluid which passes.

2. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the compartments have a triangular cross section.

3. The composite material of claim 1, wherein each compartment has a height of about 0.1 cm to about 2.0 cm.

4. The composite material of claim 1, wherein each compartment has a width of about 0.1 cm to about 2.0 cm.

5. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a film.

6. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a film and fiber combination.

7. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a spunbond material.

8. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

9. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer includes a plurality of apertures having a diameter of about 100 microns to about 10,000 microns.

10. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the first layer has a basis weight of about 0.3 osy to about 2.5 osy.

11. The composite material claim 1, wherein the first layer has a basis weight of about 0.44 osy to about 1.0 osy.

12. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure comprises a three-dimensional nonwoven material.

13. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure comprises a spunbond material.

14. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure comprises a melt spun material.

15. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure is pleated, corrugated, thermoformed or embossed.

16. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure is bonded to the first layer by one of point bonding, adhesive bonding and spiral bonding.

17. A personal care absorbent product comprising the composite material of claim 1.

18. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the material is one of a spacer layer, a fastener, a filter medium, an air filter, a liquid filter, a facemask, and a wipe.

19. A combination comprising:

a liquid permeable composite material of claim 1;

an outer cover bonded to the liner; and

an absorbent core positioned between the outer cover and the liner.

20. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the substructure is pleated.

21. A feminine hygiene product comprising the composite material of claim 1.

22. A wound care product comprising the composite material of claim 1.

23. A diaper comprising the composite material of claim 1.

24. Training pants comprising the composite material of claim 1.

25. Swim wear comprising the composite material of claim 1.

26. Absorbent underpants comprising the composite material of claim 1.

27. An adult incontinence article comprising the composite material of claim 1.