Absorbent core for disposable absorbent article

• US 7,935,207 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Gray, Brian Francis, Gilbertson, Gary Wayne, Zhao, Jean Jianqun, McAffry, Karen Denise, Noel, John Richard, Arora, Kelyn Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin; Michael A
• Application Number:
  US11/713,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20080217809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 156/176, 156/181, 156/199, 156/200, 156/201, 156/263, 156/269, 604/378, 604/379, 604/380
• US Class Current: 156/199
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15699 Forming webs by bringing together several webs, e.g. by laminating or folding several webs, with or without additional treatment of the webs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15723 Partitioning batts; Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/464 having projections or knives, e.g. for cutting-out or for forming local depressions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/222 characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/46 Rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/046 for layered or coated substantially flat surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2313/00 Use of textile products or fabrics as reinforcement B29K2105/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0065 Permeability to gases
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/4878 Diapers, napkins
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/165 Roll constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/18 using profiled rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 3/005 Roll constructions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1007 Running or continuous length work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/101 Prior to or during assembly with additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/102 with deformation or cutting of corrugated lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1074 Separate cutting of separate sheets or webs

Abstract

A method of making an absorbent core for use in an absorbent article. The method comprising the steps of:

• • a. providing a first absorbent fibrous web material;
  • b. providing a second absorbent fibrous web material;
  • c. providing a pair of rolls forming a nip through which the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials can be processed, the pair of rolls being selected from the processes consisting of, ring rolling, SELF, micro-SELF, and rotary knife aperturing;
  • d. deforming portions of the first absorbent fibrous web material by processing through the pair of rolls;
  • e. deforming portions of the second absorbent fibrous web material by processing through the pair of rolls; and
  • f. combining the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials to form the absorbent core.

Claims

1. A method of making an absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first absorbent fibrous web material;

b. providing a second absorbent fibrous web material, the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, if combined into a web prior to deforming each of the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, forming a combined web having an initial permeability and an initial capillary pressure;

c. providing a pair of rolls forming a nip through which said first and second absorbent fibrous web materials can be processed, said pair of rolls being selected from the processes consisting of ring rolling, SELF, micro-SELF, and rotary knife aperturing;

d. deforming said first absorbent fibrous web material by processing through said pair of rolls;

e. deforming said second absorbent fibrous web material by processing through said pair of rolls; and

f. after deforming each of the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, combining said first and second deformed absorbent fibrous web materials to form said absorbent core, the absorbent core having a permeability higher than the initial permeability and a capillary pressure substantially equal to the initial capillary pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said deforming of said second absorbent fibrous web material is achieved by a pair of rolls in a process different from that of said first absorbent fibrous web material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first absorbent fibrous web material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid, and airlaid webs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said second absorbent fibrous web material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid and airlaid webs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein both said first absorbent fibrous web material and said second absorbent fibrous web material are air laid webs.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said combining step forms the first and second deformed absorbent fibrous web materials into a layered relationship.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said combining is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of:

adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, fiber entangling, latex bonding, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first or second absorbent fibrous webs comprise an airlaid web formed of discrete layers, each said layer comprising a different type or blend of fibers.

9. A method of making an absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first airlaid absorbent fibrous web material;

b. providing a second airlaid absorbent fibrous web material, the first and second airlaid absorbent fibrous web materials, if combined into a web prior to deforming portions of the first and second airlaid absorbent fibrous web materials, forming a combined web having an initial permeability and an initial capillary pressure;

c. providing a pair of rolls forming a nip through which said first and second absorbent fibrous web materials can be processed, said pair of rolls being selected from the processes consisting of, ring rolling, SELF, micro-SELF, and rotary knife aperturing;

d. deforming portions of said first airlaid absorbent fibrous web by processing through said pair of rolls;

e. deforming portions of said second airlaid absorbent fibrous web material by processing through said pair of rolls;

f. after deforming each of the first and second airlaid absorbent fibrous web materials, combining said first and second deformed absorbent fibrous web materials to form said absorbent core, the absorbent core having a permeability higher than the initial permeability and a capillary pressure substantially equal to the initial capillary pressure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said deforming of said second airlaid absorbent fibrous web material is achieved by a pair of rolls in a process different from that of said first airlaid absorbent fibrous web material.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said first or second airlaid absorbent fibrous webs comprise an airlaid web formed of discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein one of said first or second airlaid absorbent fibrous webs comprises a blend of cellulosic fibers and bicomponent fibers.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein one of said first or second airlaid absorbent fibrous webs comprises a layer of cellulosic fibers and a layer of a nonwoven web.

14. A method of making an absorbent article, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a topsheet material;

b. providing a backsheet material;

c. providing a first absorbent fibrous web material;

d. providing a second absorbent fibrous web material, the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, if combined into a web prior to deforming each of the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, forming a combined web having an initial permeability and an initial capillary pressure;

e. providing a pair of rolls forming a nip through which said first and second absorbent fibrous web materials can be processed, said pair of rolls being selected from the processes consisting of, ring rolling, SELF, micro-SELF, and rotary knife aperturing;

f. deforming portions of said first absorbent fibrous web material by processing through said pair of rolls;

g. deforming portions of said second absorbent fibrous web material by processing through said pair of rolls;

h. after deforming each of the first and second absorbent fibrous web materials, combining said first and second deformed absorbent fibrous web materials in a layered relationship to form a 2-layer absorbent core, the 2-layer absorbent core having a permeability higher than the initial permeability and a capillary pressure substantially equal to the initial capillary pressure; and

i. placing said 2-layer absorbent core between said topsheet and said backsheet and joining said layers in a layered relationship to form said absorbent article.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said deforming of said second absorbent fibrous web material is achieved by a pair of rolls in a process different from that of said first absorbent fibrous web material.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first absorbent fibrous web material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, and airlaid webs.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said second absorbent fibrous web material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, and airlaid webs.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein both said first absorbent fibrous web material and said second absorbent fibrous web material are airlaid webs.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said combining is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of:

adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, fiber entangling, latex bonding, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said first or second absorbent fibrous webs comprise an airlaid web formed of discrete layers, each said layer comprising a different type or blend of fibers.