Absorbent barrier structures having a high convective air flow rate and articles made therefrom

• US 7,179,951 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Sprengard-Eichel, Cornelia, Schmidt, Mattias, Polat, Suna, McKibben, John Ferney, Krishnaswamy-Mirle, Srinivas
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, KESHIA L
• Application Number:
  US10/265,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 604/378, 604/367, 604/381
• US Class Current: 604/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51456 characterised by its properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5146 having apertures of perforations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51462 being defined by a value or parameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51478 being a laminate, e.g. multi-layered or with several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53704 the layer having an inhibiting function on liquid propagation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53756 the layer facing the back-sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/539 characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51411 being impervious to fluids but not for air or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51421 only in special places
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/02 in the form of fibres or filaments not used
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/22 characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles next to a foam layer B32B19/047, next to a layer made of particles B32B19/048, or next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B19/06; paper layer or cardboard layer next to a paper layer or cardboard layer B32B29/005, next to a foam layer B32B29/007, next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B29/02, or next to a particulate layer B32B29/04
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2164 Coating or impregnation specified as water repellent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2189 Fluorocarbon containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/659 Including an additional nonwoven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/66 Additional nonwoven fabric is a spun-bonded fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/696 Including strand or fiber material which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous compositions, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/697 Containing at least two chemically different strand or fiber materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/699 : Including particulate material other than strand or fiber material

Abstract

Absorbent articles which provide superior protection against wet through under impact or sustained pressure, and high convective air flow therethrough for skin health and comfort benefits. In particular, an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core and an absorbent barrier structure, wherein the absorbent barrier structure has a hydrohead value of at least about 10 mBars; a convective air permeability of at least about 10 Darcy/mm; and a liquid impact transmission value of less than about 20 g/m².

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising:

a. a topsheet;

b. an outer cover;

c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the outer cover;

d. an absorbent barrier structure is disposed between the absorbent core and the outer cover wherein the absorbent barrier structure has a hydrohead value of at least about 10 mBars;

a convective air permeability of at least about 10 Darcy/mm; and

a liquid impact transmission value of less than about 20 g/m² and wherein said absorbent barrier structure is substantially free of a film; and

wherein said barrier structure comprises;

1) a first barrier zone disposed adjacent to a garment-facing surface of the absorbent core and a reservoir zone disposed between the barrier zone and the outer cover;

2) a second barrier zone disposed at least partially between the reservoir zone and the outer cover

3) a dampness management means disposed between the absorbent barrier structure and the outer cover, or between the reservoir zone and one of the barrier zones

wherein a combination of the absorbent barrier structure and the outer cover has a hydrohead value of at least about 25 mBars;

a convective air permeability of at least about 10 Darcy/mm; and

a liquid impact transmission value of less than about 20 g/m².

2. The absorbent structure of claim 1 wherein the absorbent barrier structure, the dampness management means and the outer cover together has a MVTR of no more than 4500 g/m²/24 hrs.

3. The absorbent structure of claim 1 wherein the dampness management means is an apertured film having no more than about 20% open surface area.

4. An absorbent article comprising:

a. a topsheet;

b. an outer cover that is a nonwoven web or apertured film;

c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the outer cover; and

d. an absorbent barrier structure that is substantially free of a film is disposed between the absorbent core and the outer cover and comprising;

1) a first fibrous barrier zone that is a nonwoven web and is disposed adjacent to a garment-facing surface of the absorbent core;

2) a reservoir zone that is a cellulosic web and is disposed between the first fibrous barrier zone and the outer cover;

3) a second fibrous barrier zone disposed between the reservoir zone and the outer cover; and

wherein the barrier structure has

a convective air permeability of greater than about 10 Darcy/mm;

a liquid impact transmission value of less than about 20 g/m²; and

a post-compression air permeability decrease of no more than about 35%; and

wherein the combination of the absorbent barrier structure and the outer cover has

a hydrohead value of at least about 10 mBars;

a convective air permeability of at least about 10 Darcy/mm; and

a liquid impact transmission value of less than about 20.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4 further comprising a dampness management means disposed between the barrier structure and the outer cover or between the reservoir zone and one of the barrier zones.

6. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein the dampness management means is an apertured film having less than about 20% open surface area.