Unitary fluid intake system for absorbent products and methods of making same
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsMargaret G. Latimer, John H. Conrad, Andrea S. Clewley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article includes a composite of at least two functional components for fluid intake. The two functional components include a fibrous, liner functional component and at least one fibrous, surge functional component. The functional components are positioned immediately adjacent one another within the composite and held together directly to one another.
Claims20
A unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article comprising:
- a composite of at least two functional components for fluid intake, wherein said two functional components include a fibrous, liner functional component and at least one fibrous, surge functional component, said functional components positioned immediately adjacent one another within said composite and held together directly in facing contact with one another.
A method for producing a unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article, the unitary fabric structure including a composite of at least two fibrous functional components for fluid intake, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) producing a fibrous, liner functional component from a first machine bank;
- b) producing at least one fibrous, surge functional component from at least a second machine bank;
- c) depositing one of said fibrous, functional components upon the other to form a composite;
- d) bonding or otherwise directly adhering, without the use of an adhesive layer said fibrous, functional components to form a unitary fabric structure.
A method for producing a unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article, the unitary fabric structure including a composite of at least three fibrous functional components for fluid intake, the method comprising the steps of:
- producing a fibrous, liner functional component from a first machine bank;
- producing at least one fibrous, surge functional component from at least a second machine bank;
- producing at least one fibrous, core wrap functional component from at least a third machine bank;
- depositing said fibrous, surge functional component or components upon said fibrous, liner functional component;
- depositing said fibrous, core wrap functional component upon said fibrous, surge functional component or components;
- bonding or otherwise directly adhering without the use of an adhesive layer, all of said fibrous, functional components to form a unitary fabric structure.
A method for producing a unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article, the unitary fabric structure including a composite of at least two fibrous functional components for fluid intake, the method comprising the steps of:
- producing a fibrous, liner functional component from a first machine bank;
- producing at least one fibrous, surge functional component from at least a second machine bank, wherein said at least one fibrous, surge functional component is produced through a process imparting machine direction orientation;
- depositing one of said fibrous, functional components upon the other to form a composite;
- bonding or otherwise directly adhering, without the use of an adhesive layer, said fibrous, functional components to form a unitary fabric structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.