Differentially expanding absorbent structure
First Claim
1. A single-layer absorbent structure, comprising:
- a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the single-layer absorbent structure lies flat in a dry state and expands along the second surface in the presence of a liquid so that the first surface increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure expands to a lesser extent along the first surface than the single-layer absorbent structure expands along the second surface in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater, and the single-layer absorbent structure has a thickness of about 10 millimeters or less in a dry state.
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Abstract
An absorbent structure expands to a greater extent along one surface than along an opposite surface when in the presence of a liquid. The absorbent structure may include a single layer, or two or more layers intimately bonded to one another. When in the presence of a liquid, the more expandable surface causes an increase in concavity in the X-Y plane of the structure, with the concavity being in the direction of the less expandable surface. One or both surfaces can be treated to adjust the respective level of expandability. By inducing a formed shape upon hydration swelling, a trough shape can be generated to facilitate absorbent properties, containment, and fit. The invention includes absorbent articles having such an absorbent structure incorporated therein.
76 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A single-layer absorbent structure, comprising:
a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the single-layer absorbent structure lies flat in a dry state and expands along the second surface in the presence of a liquid so that the first surface increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure expands to a lesser extent along the first surface than the single-layer absorbent structure expands along the second surface in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater, and the single-layer absorbent structure has a thickness of about 10 millimeters or less in a dry state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 40)
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12. An absorbent structure positioned between a bodyside liner and an outer cover, the absorbent structure, comprising:
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a first layer that expands less than 10% in the presence of a liquid, wherein the first layer is positioned adjacent the bodyside liner; and an absorbent second layer comprising polyurethane foam and having a basis weight between about 100 and about 1000 grams per square meter bonded to the first layer, wherein the absorbent second layer expands at least 20% in the presence of the liquid so that the second layer increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed along an interface of the first and second layers in the presence of the liquid, wherein the absorbent second layer is positioned adjacent the outer cover, and the absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 38)
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24. An absorbent article, comprising:
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a body side liner; an outer cover; and an absorbent structure comprising polyurethane foam and having a basis weight between about 50 and about 1000 grams per square meter positioned between the body side liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent structure includes a first surface opposite a second surface, the second surface of the absorbent structure is bonded to the outer cover, the absorbent structure expands along the second surface in the presence of a liquid so that the first layer increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed in the presence of the liquid, the absorbent structure expands to a lesser extent along the first surface than the absorbent structure expands along the second surface in the presence of the liquid, and the absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of at least about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39)
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35. A single-layer absorbent structure, comprising:
a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the absorbent structure lies flat in a dry state and expands along the second surface in the presence of a liquid so that the first surface increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure expands to a lesser extent along the first surface than the single-layer absorbent structure expands along the second surface in the presence of the liquid, the single-layer absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5cubic centimeters per second or greater, and at least one of the first and second surfaces undergoes anisotropic expansion in the presence of the liquid.
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36. An absorbent structure, comprising:
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a first layer having a basis weight between about 10 and about 150 grams per square meter that expands less than 10% in the presence of a liquid; and an absorbent second layer comprising polyurethane foam and bonded to the first layer, wherein the absorbent second layer lies flat in a dry state, wherein the absorbent second layer expands at least 20% in the presence of the liquid so that the second layer increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed along an interface of the first and second layers in the presence of the liquid, and the absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater measured using the Fluid Intake Rate Test.
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37. An absorbent structure, comprising:
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a first layer that expands less than 10% in the presence of a liquid; and an absorbent second layer comprising polyurethane foam and bonded to the first layer, wherein the absorbent second layer lies flat in a dry state, wherein the absorbent second layer expands at least 20% in the presence of the liquid so that the second layer increases concavity, wherein a pocket-like shape is formed along an interface of the first and second layers in the presence of the liquid, the absorbent structure has a fluid intake rate of about 0.5 cubic centimeters per second or greater, and only one of the first and second layers is elastomeric.
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Specification