Absorbent article with center fill performance

• US 7,429,689 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2003
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Lindsay, Jeffrey D., Chen, Fung-jou, DiPalma, Joseph, Bednarz, Julie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAPMAN, GINGER T
• Application Number:
  US10/662,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 604/378, 604/358, 604/385.01, 604/383, 604/385.101, 604/385.08, 604/387, 428/131
• US Class Current: 604/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4751 the means preventing fluid flow in a transversal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4755 the means being a flat barrier on or inside the absorbent article, e.g. backsheet wrapped around the edges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/4758 the means preventing fluid flow in a longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51474 characterised by its structure
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53409 having a folded core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/535 inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes A61F13/5323, A61F13/537 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/536 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53704 the layer having an inhibiting function on liquid propagation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53743 characterised by the position of the layer relative to the other layers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53752 the layer is embedded in the absorbent core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5376 characterised by the performance of the layer, e.g. acquisition rate, distribution time, transfer time
• 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 2013/4568 three-dimensional; with split absorbent core
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53782 with holes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24273 including aperture

Abstract

An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a vertical direction substantially normal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a body side, the absorbent article comprising:

a) an absorbent core having a body side surface, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member having a void centrally disposed therein, the centrally disposed void open toward the body side of the absorbent article, and a central absorbent member disposed over the centrally disposed void of the outer absorbent member and extending into the centrally disposed void; and

b) a wicking barrier disposed between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, the wicking barrier comprising a vertical component and a horizontal component, the vertical component spanning a vertical distance between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, and the horizontal component spanning a horizontal distance on the body side surface of the absorbent core,

the absorbent article further comprising a topsheet, wherein the topsheet is provided with at least one fold to form an elevated runoff barrier.

2. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a vertical direction substantially normal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a body side, the absorbent article comprising:

a) an absorbent core having a body side surface, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member having a void centrally disposed therein, the centrally disposed void open toward the body side of the absorbent article, and a central absorbent member disposed over the centrally disposed void of the outer absorbent member and extending into the centrally disposed void; and

b) a wicking barrier disposed between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, the wicking barrier comprising a vertical component and a horizontal component, the vertical component spanning a vertical distance between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, and the horizontal component spanning a horizontal distance on the body side surface of the absorbent core,

wherein the central absorbent member comprises a composite having multiple vertical layers of barrier material alternating with layers of absorbent material.

3. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a vertical direction substantially normal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a body side, the absorbent article comprising:

a) an absorbent core having a body side surface, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member having a void centrally disposed therein, the centrally disposed void open toward the body side of the absorbent article, and a central absorbent member disposed over the centrally disposed void of the outer absorbent member and extending into the centrally disposed void;

b) a wicking barrier disposed between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, the wicking barrier at least in part is liquid pervious and comprising a vertical component and a horizontal component, the vertical component spanning a vertical distance between the outer absorbent member and the central absorbent member, and the horizontal component spanning a horizontal distance on the body side surface of the absorbent core; and

c) at least one of a topsheet and a backsheet disposed directly adjacent the absorbent core and

wherein the absorbent article comprises a topsheet provided with at least one fold to form an elevated runoff barrier.