Responsive absorbent articles
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorStephen M. LINDSAY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are responsive absorbent articles. The responsive absorbent articles are capable of producing unique topographies and features upon wetting that add or enhance functionality as compared to conventional absorbent articles. Compositions and methods described herein are useful in a variety of absorbent products.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the absorbent article comprising:
- an absorbent core comprising a superabsorbent material;
- and
- a stability layer, the absorbent core being heterogeneously attached to the stability layer;
- wherein upon wetting the absorbent core, the superabsorbent material of the absorbent core swells in the lateral direction of the absorbent article by at least about 20% such that the wetted absorbent core presents a responsive topography feature in a location where the absorbent core is not heterogeneously attached to the stability layer, wherein the swelling is such that the absorbent core is not in contact with the stability layer at locations spaced from where the absorbent core is attached to the stability layer.
An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the absorbent article comprising:
- a stability layer;
- an absorbent core heterogeneously coupled to the stability layer, the absorbent core comprising a superabsorbent material;
- and
- wherein upon wetting the absorbent core, the absorbent core swells in the lateral direction by at least about 20% such that the wetted absorbent core presents a responsive topography feature in a location where the absorbent core is not heterogeneously attached to the stability layer, wherein the swelling is such that the absorbent core is not in contact with the stability layer at locations where the absorbent core is not attached to the stability layer.
A method of using an absorbent article, the absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the absorbent article comprising:
- an absorbent core comprising a superabsorbent material;
- and
- a stability layer;
- wherein the absorbent core is heterogeneously attached to the stability layer;
- wherein upon wetting the absorbent core, the superabsorbent material of the absorbent core swells by at least about 20% in the lateral direction such that the wetted absorbent core presents a responsive topography feature in a location where the absorbent core is not heterogeneously attached to the stability layer, wherein the swelling is such that the absorbent core is not in contact with the stability layer at locations spaced from where the absorbent core is attached to the stability layer,
- the method comprising using the absorbent article in a consumer product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.