# US 11,076,998 B2 · Laminates for absorbent articles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,998 B2 - Document ID: US11076998B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/893,735 - Filed: 2018-02-12 - Published: 2018-08-16 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-13 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company - Inventors: Uwe Schneider; Farihah Ibrahim; Kyle James Raabe; Jan Michael Trinkaus; Hans Adolf Jackels; Gueltekin Erdem - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076998B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/51104: {the top sheet having a three-dimensional cross-section, e.g. corrugations, embossments, recesses or projections} - A61F 13/00995: {for mechanical treatments} - A61F 13/15203: {Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency (chemical aspects A61L15/00)} - A61F 13/15577: {Apparatus or processes for manufacturing} - A61F 13/15642: {by depositing continuous layers or pads of fibrous material on single sheets or webs} - A61F 13/49: specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers or nappies - A61F 13/51121: {characterised by the material} - A61F 13/5116: {being formed of multiple layers (A61F13/5123 takes precedence)} - A61F 13/5121: {characterised by the vertical shape of the apertures, e.g. three dimensional apertures, e.g. macro-apertures} - A61F 13/5123: {the apertures being formed on a multilayer top sheet} - A61F 13/51476: {being three-dimensional, e.g. embossed, textured, pleated, or with three-dimensional features, like gathers or loops} - A61F 13/51484: {being inhomogeneous in the plane of the sheet, i.e. having zones of different properties or structures} - A61F 13/51496: {having visual effects} - A61F 13/53: characterised by the absorbing medium (A61F13/20 takes precedence) - A61F 13/539: characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers - 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) ## Abstract Three-dimensional laminates and methods for making the same are provided. The three-dimensional laminates may be apertured and may have welds between various substrates. The three-dimensional laminates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example, as topsheets, as topsheets and acquisition layers, or as outer cover materials, for example. The three-dimensional laminates may be produced on an absorbent article manufacturing line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An absorbent article comprising: a lateral axis; a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the lateral axis; a liquid pervious, three-dimensional laminate; a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the three-dimensional laminate and the backsheet; wherein the three-dimensional laminate comprises: a first substrate having a first basis weight and a first lateral width, taken in a direction parallel to the lateral axis; a second substrate having a second basis weight and a second lateral width, taken in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, wherein the second lateral width is larger than the first lateral width, and wherein the first and second substrates are at least partially overlapped to form an area of overlap between the first substrate and the second substrate; three-dimensional elements formed only in the first substrate in the area of overlap; wherein the second substrate is generally planar; apertures defined in the first and second substrates in the area of overlap, wherein areas of the second substrate outside of the area of overlap are free of apertures; and a plurality of welds formed in the first and second substrates in the area of overlap and joining the first and second substrates. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the welds comprise ultrasonic welds. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the welds comprise bonds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional laminate forms a portion of a topsheet of the absorbent article, wherein the first substrate is hydrophobic, and wherein the second substrate is hydrophilic or less hydrophobic than the first substrate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first substrate comprises a first material, wherein the second substrate comprises a second material, and wherein the first material is different than the second material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein areas of the second substrate outside of the area of overlap are free of three-dimensional elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first basis weight is different than the second basis weight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional laminate comprises compressed regions in the first substrate, and wherein the compressed regions are formed in at least some of the three-dimensional elements or at least partially around portions of perimeters of at least some of the apertures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first substrate forms a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first substrate does not form a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. ### Claim 11 An absorbent article comprising: a lateral axis; a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the lateral axis; a liquid pervious, three-dimensional laminate; a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the three-dimensional laminate and the backsheet; wherein the three-dimensional laminate comprises: a first substrate having a first lateral width, taken in a direction parallel to the lateral axis; a second substrate having a second lateral width, taken in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, wherein the second lateral width is larger than the first lateral width, and wherein the first and second substrates are at least partially overlapped to form an area of overlap; three-dimensional elements formed in the first substrate, wherein areas in the second substrate outside of the area of overlap are free of the three-dimensional elements; apertures defined in the first and second substrates and in portions of the first substrate free of the three-dimensional elements; wherein the second substrate is generally planar; and a plurality of ultrasonic welds formed first and second substrates in the area of overlap and joining the first and second substrates. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the first substrate forms a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the first substrate does not form a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein areas in the second substrate outside of the area of overlap are free of the apertures. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the first substrate comprises compressed regions in the first substrate, and wherein the compressed regions are formed in at least some of the three-dimensional elements or at least partially around at least some of the apertures. ### Claim 16 An absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious, three-dimensional laminate; a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the three-dimensional laminate and the backsheet; wherein the three-dimensional laminate comprises: a first substrate having a first basis weight and a first lateral width, taken in a direction parallel to the lateral axis, wherein the first substrate overlaps a central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article; a second substrate having a second, basis weight and a second lateral width, taken in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, wherein the second lateral width is different than the first lateral width, and wherein the first and second substrates are overlapped to form an area of overlap; three-dimensional elements formed in the first substrate; apertures defined in the first and second substrates and in portions free of the three-dimensional elements; welds formed in the first and second substrates in the area of overlap and joining the first and second substrates; wherein the second substrate is generally planar; and compressed regions formed in the first substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the welds comprise ultrasonic welds. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the welds comprise bonds. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the compressed regions are formed in the first substrate in the area of overlap, and wherein the compressed regions are formed in at least some of the three-dimensional elements or at least partially around at least some of the apertures. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein areas in the second substrate outside of the area of overlap are free of the apertures and/or three-dimensional elements.