Layered absorbent structure with wicking performance
AssigneeEam Corporation
InventorPaul M. Ducker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a layered absorbent structure in the form of a laminate including liquid storage layers comprising particulate superabsorbent material and adhesive fibers. Notably, the absorbent structure includes a wicking layer positioned between the liquid storage layers, with the wicking layer desirably acting to improve fluid spreading and rewet performance of the absorbent structure. The wicking layer preferably comprises airlaid cellulosic fibrous material such as wood pulp, and may optionally include superabsorbent polymer. A bonding pattern of the wicking layer is oriented to enhance wicking and rewet performance.
Claims18
A layered absorbent structure, comprising:
- a central wicking layer, and a first liquid storage layer positioned in a liquid-transferring relationship on a first side of said central wicking layer,
- said central wicking layer comprising hydrogen-bonded cellulosic fibrous material that comprises a plurality of a cellulosic fibers bonded together by hydrogen bonds within the central wicking layer, said central wicking layer having a corduroy bonding pattern having parallel bonded lines and unbonded space between the parallel bonded lines, the parallel bonded lines having a width of approximately 1 millimeter (mm), and where an area of a surface of said central wicking layer that corresponds to the parallel bonded lines is 5% of a total area of the surface of said central wicking layer,
- said first liquid storage layer comprising a matrix of adhesive filaments and absorbent particles, said adhesive filaments adhering said first liquid storage layer to said first side of said central wicking layer,
- said first liquid storage layer comprising a cellulosic fiber tissue layer adhered to the matrix of adhesive filaments and absorbent particles on the side of the matrix opposite said central wicking layer.
A layered absorbent structure, comprising:
- a central wicking layer, and a first liquid storage layer positioned in a liquid-transferring relationship on a first side of said central wicking layer,
- said central wicking layer comprising hydrogen-bonded cellulosic fibrous material that comprises a plurality of a cellulosic fibers bonded together by hydrogen bonds within the central wicking layer,
- said first liquid storage layer comprising a matrix of adhesive filaments and absorbent particles, said adhesive filaments adhering said first liquid storage layer to said first side of said central wicking layer,
- said first liquid storage layer comprising a cellulosic fiber tissue layer adhered to the matrix of adhesive filaments and absorbent particles on the side of the matrix opposite said central wicking layer;
- where:
- a. the vertical delamination strength of the layered absorbent structure exceeds 4N;
- b. the central wicking layer has a corduroy bonding pattern having parallel bonded lines and unbonded space between the parallel bonded lines, the parallel bonded lines having a width of approximately 1 millimeter (mm), and an area of a surface of the central wicking layer that corresponds to the parallel bonded lines being 5% of a total area of the surface of the central wicking layer;
- c. the central wicking layer has a density in the range of 0.08 g/cc to 0.25 g/cc;
- and
- d. the caliper of the layered absorbent structure is 3 mm or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.