# US 10,864,120 B2 · Absorbent article with fluid control features

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- Number: US 10,864,120 B2
- Document ID: US10864120B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/628,072
- Filed: 2015-02-20
- Published: 2015-08-27
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-21
- Assignees: Attends Healthcare Products, Inc.
- Applicants: Attends Healthcare Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas A. Kaiser; Trenton T. Ottery; Steven D. Linton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864120B2

## CPC

- A61F 13/53: characterised by the absorbing medium (A61F13/20 takes precedence)
- A61F 13/15634: {Making fibrous pads between sheets or webs}
- A61F 13/532: inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
- A61F 2013/530379: {comprising mixtures of fibres}
- Y10T 156/1026: with slitting or removal of material at reshaping area prior to reshaping
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Absorbent cores for use in absorbent articles are presented. The absorbent cores include a low-density zone that is surrounded by zones having a higher density than that of the low-density zone. The low-density zone aids in fluid absorption, distribution and storage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising a mixture of cellulosic pulp and superabsorbent polymer, where the core comprising the mixture defines:
a single central zone comprising at least one insult area;
a single continuous low-density zone surrounding the central zone, wherein the low-density zone is lower in density as compared to that of the central zone;
a single perimeter zone surrounding the low-density zone, wherein the perimeter zone is higher in density as compared to that of the low-density zone; and
a single outboard zone surrounding the perimeter zone;
wherein the central zone, perimeter zone, and the outboard zone have the same density;
wherein the central zone, low-density zone, and perimeter zone have the same thickness; and
wherein the outboard zone has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the central zone, low-density zone and perimeter zone.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises a plurality of layers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the absorbent core comprises a base core layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the absorbent core comprises a target core layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a target area of the absorbent core is of uniform thickness.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises from about 5% to about 80% SAP.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises from about 20% to about 65% SAP.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises about 55% SAP.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises about 45% cellulose fibers.

### Claim 10

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising a mixture of cellulosic pulp and superabsorbent polymer, where the core comprising the mixture defines:
a single central zone comprising at least one insult area;
a single continuous low-density zone surrounding the central zone, wherein the low-density zone is lower in density as compared to that of the central zone;
a single continuous perimeter zone surrounding the low-density zone, wherein the perimeter zone is higher in density as compared to that of the low-density zone; and
a single outboard zone surrounding the perimeter zone, wherein the outboard zone has the same density as the perimeter zone;
wherein the thicknesses of the central zone, the low-density zone, and the perimeter zone are the same; and
wherein the outboard zone has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the central zone, low-density zone and perimeter zone.