Absorbent articles with improved odor control

• US 9,012,716 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2010
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Fell, David Arthur, Lan, Megan, Georger, William Anthony, Arehart, Kelly Davis, Do, Bao Trong, Martin, Stephanie Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Kidwell, Michele M
• Application Number:
  US12/826,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20100292661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 604359-360, 604/367
• US Class Current: 604/367
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15658 Forming continuous, e.g. composite, fibrous webs, e.g. involving the application of pulverulent material on parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/53 characterised by the absorbing medium A61F13/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/8405 Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15943 by air-laid technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530489 being randomly mixed in with other material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530671 being mixed with mineral or inert material, e.g. "introfying particles"
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8408 with odour control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8426 with metallic salts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8435 with plant derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8447 in using different incompatible substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8461 having petroleum derivative
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/18 containing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/46 Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/10 containing or releasing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/216 with other specific functional groups, e.g. aldehydes, ketones, phenols, quaternary phosphonium groups
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/014 containing sorbent material, e.g. activated carbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1084 of continuous or running length bonded web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2525 Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]

Abstract

A technique for incorporating odor control agent particles into an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, the odor control particles are “homogenously” distributed (e.g., in a substantially uniform manner) within an airformed fiber matrix of an absorbent core of an absorbent article. An absorbent core containing such a homogeneously distributed odor control particles may possess a greater surface area for contacting malodorous compounds, thereby increasing the likelihood of odor reduction.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having odor control properties, the article comprising an absorbent core that includes an airformed web, the airformed web containing a matrix of fluff pulp fibers in which odor control particles are homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix by binding along lengths of fibers used to form the matrix prior to formation of the matrix, wherein the binding is accomplished without the use of chemical binders or other attachment structures, wherein the pulp fibers are separated via fiberizing after odor control particle binding and the separated fibers then form the matrix, wherein the odor control particles are inorganic oxide particles, wherein the inorganic oxide particles have an average particle size of from about 1 nanometer to about 50 nanometers.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inorganic oxide particles contain silica, alumina, or both.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inorganic oxide particles are modified with a transition metal.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the odor control particles are present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 20 wt. % of the airformed web.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the odor control particles are present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of the airformed web.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core consists essentially of the airformed web.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is an incontinent article.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is a diaper.

9. An absorbent article having odor control properties, the article comprising an absorbent core that includes an airformed web, the airformed web containing a matrix of fluff pulp fibers in which odor control particles are homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix by binding along lengths of fibers used to form the matrix prior to formation of the matrix, wherein the binding is accomplished without the use of chemical binders or other attachment structures, wherein the pulp fibers are separated via fiberizing after odor control particle binding and the separated fibers then form the matrix, wherein the odor control particles contain an odor control agent applied to carrier particles, wherein the odor control agent contains inorganic oxide particles, wherein the inorganic particles have an average particle size of from about 1 nanometer to about 50 nanometers.

10. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the carrier particles are superabsorbent particles.

11. The absorbent article of claim 10, wherein the odor control agent is coated onto the superabsorbent particles.

12. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the odor control particles are present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 20 wt. % of the airformed web.

13. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the odor control particles are present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of the airformed web.

14. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the absorbent core consists essentially of the airformed web.

15. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the article is an incontinent article.

16. The absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the article is a diaper.