Reticulated absorbent composite
AssigneeWeyerhaeuser Company
InventorsPeter A. Graef, Fred B. Howard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An absorbent composite (10) having a fibrous matrix that includes absorbent material is disclosed. The fibrous matrix defines voids (14) and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material (18) is located within some of the voids (14). Absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. In a preferred embodiment, the composite's fibrous matrix includes resilient and matrix fibers (16). The composite optionally includes a wet strength agent.
Claims59
An absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids.
A method for forming an absorbent composite, comprising the steps of:
- combining resilient fibers, matrix fibers, and absorbent material in a dispersion medium to form a fibrous slurry;
- depositing the fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a wet composite;
- and
- drying the wet composite to form an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids.
A method for forming an absorbent composite, comprising the steps of:
- combining resilient fibers and matrix fibers in a first dispersion medium to form a first fibrous slurry;
- combining absorbent material with a second dispersion medium to form an absorbent material slurry;
- combining the absorbent material slurry with the first fibrous slurry to provide a second fibrous slurry;
- depositing the second fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a wet composite;
- and
- drying the wet composite to form an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids.
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids.
An absorbent article comprising:
- liquid pervious topsheet;
- a storage layer comprising an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids;
- and
- a liquid impervious back sheet.
An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid pervious topsheet;
- an acquisition layer for rapidly acquiring and distributing liquid;
- a storage layer comprising an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids;
- and
- a liquid impervious back sheet.
An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid pervious topsheet;
- an acquisition layer for rapidly acquiring and distributing liquid;
- a storage layer comprising an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids;
- an intermediate layer interposed between the acquisition layer and the storage layer;
- and
- a liquid impervious back sheet.
An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid pervious topsheet;
- an acquisition layer for acquiring and distributing liquid;
- a storage layer;
- and
- a liquid impervious back sheet;
- wherein the acquisition layer comprises an absorbent composite comprising a fibrous matrix and absorbent material,
- wherein the fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between voids distributed substantially throughout the matrix;
- wherein the absorbent material is located within some of the voids;
- and
- wherein the absorbent material located within the voids is expandable into the voids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.