Multi-core absorbent article
AssigneeDrylock Technologies NV
InventorsRicardo Borrero, Michael Wayne Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An absorbent article such as a diaper can include three or more absorbent core structures for improved acquisition speed, reduced bulkiness, increased retention capacity, and improved dryness, including over multiple insults. The three or more absorbent core structures can at least partially overlap in a stacked or layered configuration in an insult zone of the article. At least one of the core structures can include an absorbent polymer or airlaid material. The absorbent polymer can be located primarily in the insult zone, and one or more of the absorbent core structures can extend beyond the insult zone. In an example, each of the at least three absorbent core structures has a different body-side surface area.
Claims22
A disposable absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid-impervious backsheet;
- a body-side top sheet;
- and
- an absorbent core assembly positioned between the liquid-impervious backsheet and the body-side top sheet, the absorbent core assembly including:
- an insult zone corresponding to a body-side insult surface area of the absorbent core assembly, the body-side insult surface area being less than a total body-side surface area of the absorbent core assembly;
- and
- discrete top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures that are at least partially overlapping at the insult zone, wherein the top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures each comprise at least one of super absorbent polymer and fluff;
- wherein at least two of the absorbent core structures have different body-side surface areas;
- wherein a width of the bottom absorbent core structure is smaller than a width of the middle absorbent core structure;
- and
- wherein the bottom absorbent core structure has a lesser thickness than either of the top and middle absorbent core structures.
A method of making an absorbent article, the method comprising:
- providing a top absorbent core structure having a first area and a first composition;
- providing a middle absorbent core structure having a second area and a second composition, wherein the second area is greater than the first area;
- providing a bottom absorbent core structure having a third area and a third composition, wherein the third area is less than the second area;
- and
- assembling an absorbent core assembly by layering the middle absorbent core structure over the bottom absorbent core structure, and by layering the top absorbent core structure over the middle absorbent core structure, wherein the top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures each comprise at least one of super absorbent polymer (SAP) and fluff, and wherein a width of the bottom absorbent core structure is less than a width of the middle absorbent core structure;
- wherein the absorbent core assembly includes an insult zone where the top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures overlap;
- and
- wherein the absorbent core assembly provides a per-unit-volume absorption capacity in the insult zone that exceeds an absorption capacity of the absorbent core assembly outside of the insult zone.
A disposable absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid-impervious backsheet;
- an acquisition-distribution layer (ADL);
- a body-side top sheet;
- and
- an absorbent core assembly, wherein the absorbent core assembly is positioned between the liquid-impervious backsheet and the ADL, and wherein the ADL is positioned between the absorbent core assembly and the body-side top sheet, the absorbent core assembly including:
- an insult zone corresponding to a body-side insult surface area of the absorbent core assembly, the body-side insult surface area being less than a total body-side surface area of the absorbent core assembly;
- and
- discrete top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures that are at least partially overlapping at the insult zone, wherein the top, middle, and bottom absorbent core structures each comprise at least one of super absorbent polymer and fluff;
- wherein at least two of the absorbent core structures have different body-side surface areas;
- and
- wherein a length of the bottom absorbent core structure is at most 60% of a length of the middle absorbent core structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.