Absorbent composite

• US 5,601,542 A
• Filed: 03/25/1996
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Melius, Mark K., Byerly, Shannon K., Kellenberger, Stanley R., Putzer, Melissa C., Yarbrough, Sandra M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZUTTARELLI, ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US08/621,390
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/367-368, 604/372, 604/378, 604/385.1
• US Class Current: 604/368
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15203 Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency chemical aspects A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49009 with elastic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51 characterised by the outer layers wicking or transfer layers A61F13/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/514 Backsheet, i.e. the impermeable cover or layer furthest from the skin A61F13/15211, A61F13/15252 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/536 having discontinuous areas of compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530481 having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/53051 being only in particular parts or specially arranged
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530554 and being fixed to a web
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530569 characterized by the particle size
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530583 characterized by the form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530708 characterized by the absorbency properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530715 by the acquisition rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530744 by the absorbency under load

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to an absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment. The absorbent composite includes means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractable level of less than about 13 weight percent; a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds; or a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110. The superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the containment means and the superabsorbent material. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent garment including an outer cover, a body-side liner, and an absorbent composite such as that described above.

Claims

1. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 120 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

2. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 40 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

3. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

4. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

5. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

6. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 80 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

7. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 90 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

8. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

9. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 10 weight percent.

10. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 7 weight percent.

11. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 3 weight percent.

12. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises a fibrous matrix.

13. The absorbent composite according to claim 12 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises hydrophilic fibers.

14. The absorbent composite according to claim 13 wherein said hydrophilic fibers are cellulosic fibers.

15. The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water pervious and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.

16. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent.

17. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said mixture comprises from about 50 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture.

18. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 105.

19. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

20. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

21. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

22. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 10 weight percent.

23. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 7 weight percent.

24. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 3 weight percent.

25. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said fibers are hydrophilic fibers.

26. The absorbent composite according to claim 16 wherein said hydrophilic fibers are cellulosic fibers.

27. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

28. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

29. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

30. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 105.

31. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

32. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

33. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

34. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 10 weight percent.

35. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 7 weight percent.

36. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 3 weight percent.

37. The absorbent composite according to claim 27 wherein said water pervious layer is formed from hydrophilic fibers.

38. The absorbent composite according to claim 37 wherein said hydrophilic fibers are cellulosic fibers.

39. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 120 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

40. The absorbent composite according to claim 39 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

41. The absorbent composite according to claim 39 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

42. The absorbent composite according to claim 39 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

43. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 120 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds.

44. The absorbent composite according to claim 43 wherein said mixture comprises from about 50 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture.

45. The absorbent composite according to claim 43 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

46. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

47. The absorbent composite according to claim 46 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

48. The absorbent composite according to claim 47 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

49. The absorbent composite according to claim 47 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

50. The absorbent composite according to claim 47 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

51. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

52. The absorbent composite according to claim 51 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

53. The absorbent composite according to claim 51 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

54. The absorbent composite according to claim 51 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

55. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

56. The absorbent composite according to claim 55 wherein said mixture comprises from about 50 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture.

57. The absorbent composite according to claim 55 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

58. The absorbent composite according to claim 55 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

59. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprising:

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

60. The absorbent composite according to claim 59 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

61. The absorbent composite according to claim 59 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said pocket in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

62. The absorbent composite according to claim 59 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

63. The absorbent composite according to claim 59 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

64. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

65. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 64 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

66. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 64 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

67. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 64 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

68. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 67 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 7 weight percent.

69. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

70. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 69 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

71. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

means for containing a superabsorbent material; and

a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

72. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 71 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

73. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent.

74. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 73 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

75. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 73 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

76. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 73 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

77. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 76 wherein said superaborbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than 7 weight percent.

78. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds.

79. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

80. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

81. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

82. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising;

two layers of material which are joined to form a pocket adapted to contain a superabsorbent material, at least one of said layers being water pervious; and

a superabsorbent material contained in said pocket, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110, said superabsorbent material being present in said pocket in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said two layers of material and said superabsorbent material.

83. A disposable garment, said garment comprising:

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 13 weight percent.

84. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 83 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

85. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 83 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

86. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 83 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.

87. The disposable absorbent garment according to claim 85 wherein said superabsorbent material has a 16-hour extractables level of less than about 7 weight percent.

88. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprising;

an outer cover;

a body-side liner superposed on said outer cover;

a surge management layer; and

an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said body-side liner, said absorbent composite comprising a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material, said mixture comprising from about 30 to about 70 weight percent superabsorbent material based on the total weight of said mixture, said superabsorbent material having a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110.

89. A disposable absorbent garment according to claim 88 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 120.

90. A disposable absorbent garment according to claim 88 wherein said superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 140.