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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsDavid W. Heyn, Matthew J. Barron, Sonya L. Eggen, Amber M. Fortune, Robert E. Gee, Eric D. Johnson, James M. Kaun, Dean M. Laux, Toan T. LeMinh, Billie D. Matelski, Shannon K. Melius, Melanie J. Milslagle, Angie M. Provost, Kenneth R. Schueler JR.
Estimating the term…
An absorbent structure can include a matrix of fibers, wherein the matrix is reinforced with a reinforcing member, such as scrim. Preferably, the scrim is secured to the fibrous matrix by entanglement of fibers with the scrim and entanglement of fibers in the matrix from opposite sides of the scrim with each other. The scrim layer can be restricted to a longitudinally extending, medial region of the absorbent. In a particular arrangement, the scrim has a cross-directional width dimension which is less than a narrowest width dimension of the fibrous matrix. The scrim can be located between two, opposed, major surfaces of the fibrous matrix.
An absorbent structure for absorbing liquid comprising an absorbent member including an upper region and a lower region, the upper and lower regions each being at least partially made of fibers, and a reinforcing member located between the upper region and the lower region for maintaining the structural integrity of the absorbent member, the reinforcing member being permeated by fibers from the upper region to the lower region and from the lower region to the upper region, at least some of the permeating fibers from each of the upper and lower regions being entangled with fibers in the other of the upper and lower regions to facilitate interconnection of the upper and lower regions and the reinforcing member.
An absorbent structure for absorbing liquid comprising an absorbent member including fibers, and a reinforcing member for maintaining the structural integrity of the absorbent member, the reinforcing member being permeated by fibers from the absorbent member, the reinforcing member having openings therein, at least some of the permeating fibers projecting through the openings in the reinforcing member and being entangled with the reinforcing member.
An absorbent structure for absorbing liquid comprising an absorbent member including fibers and a reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being substantially free of attachment to the absorbent structure except through at least one of:
An absorbent article adapted to be worn generally at the lower torso to capture body exudates, the absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable liner, a backsheet layer and an absorbent structure disposed between the liner and the backsheet layer, the absorbent structure comprising an absorbent core including fibers and reinforcing scrim, the scrim being connected to the fibers by entanglement of the fibers with the scrim, entanglement of fibers with other fibers entangled with the scrim and entanglement of fibers with each other where at least one of the entangled fibers passes through the scrim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.