Pulpless absorbent core and method of core forming
AssigneeCurt G. Joa, Inc.
InventorsWei Wei, Gottfried Jason Hohm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pulpless core is provided with flexibility for superabsorbent expansion by using elastic strands stretched and coupled to a nonwoven layer, and then relaxed partially to create receiving valleys (puckers) and the puckers are provided with superabsorbent polymer, and then a layer of nonwoven or acquisition film can be coupled on top of nonwoven/elastic/sap carrier layers to create an absorbent core laminate.
Claims17
A method of forming an absorbent core, the method comprising:
- providing a first material layer;
- coupling elastic strands to the first material layer at a first tension to form an elastic and material layer combination;
- performing a first tension let-off to partially relax the elastic strands to a second tension that is less than the first tension, wherein the partial relaxing of the elastic strands to the second tension deforms the first material layer to form a plurality of valleys in the first material layer;
- applying a superabsorbent polymer material onto the first material layer;
- and
- securing a second material layer to the elastic and material layer combination to capture the superabsorbent polymer material in the plurality of valleys.
A stretchable absorbent core formed by a process comprising:
- providing a first material layer;
- coupling elastic strands under tension to the first material layer to form an elastic and material layer combination;
- performing a first tension let-off to partially relax the elastic strands, wherein the partial relaxing of the elastic strands deforms the first material layer to form a plurality of valleys in the first material layer;
- applying a superabsorbent polymer material onto the first material layer;
- and
- securing a second material layer to the elastic and material layer combination to capture the superabsorbent polymer material in the plurality of valleys
The stretchable absorbent core of claim 13 wherein the plurality of lanes of the superabsorbent polymer material are applied intermittently to form gaps in the superabsorbent polymer material extending in the machine direction.
A stretchable absorbent core comprising:
- a first material layer;
- a series of elastic strand members coupled to the first material layer at a partially tensioned state that deforms the first material layer to form a plurality of valleys therein;
- a second material layer coupled to the elongated elastic strand members and over the first material layer;
- and
- a superabsorbent polymer material positioned in the plurality of valleys and between the first material layer and the second material layer, so as to be captured in the plurality of valleys.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.