Disposable absorbent article having an intermediate layer interposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsNicholas A. Ahr, Douglas J. Smith
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Abstract
An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body exudates such as menstrual discharges. An apertured formed film topsheet having a layer of fibers affixed to the inner surface thereof overlays an intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries. The apertured formed film topsheet has a specified combination of caliper, percent open area and percent of apertures having an equivalent hydraulic diameter less than or equal to 0.025 inches (0.064 cm.) which impart a stain resistant character to the topsheet.
Claims10
A disposable absorbent article comprising:
- an absorbent core means for absorbing liquid, said absorbent core means having a first and a second opposed face;
- a liquid impermeable backsheet overlaying said first opposed face of said absorbent core means;
- a liquid permeable topsheet overlaying said second opposed face of said absorbent core means, said topsheet having an inner surface facing toward said absorbent core means;
- a layer of fibers affixed to said inner surface of said topsheet, said layer of fibers comprising a multiplicity of individual fibers, said layer of fibers weighing at least about 1.5 grams of said fibers per square meter of said topsheet;
- and
- an intermediate layer interposed between said layer of fibers and said absorbent core means, said intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries, each of said capillaries having a base opening in the plane of said intermediate layer and an apex opening remote from said plane of said intermediate layer, and having an angle of taper of from about 10.degree. to about 60.degree., said base opening dimension being from about 0.006 to about 0.250 inches and said apex opening dimension being from about 0.004 inches to about 0.100 inches, said base opening being in contact with said layer of fibers and said apex opening being in contact with said absorbent core means.
A catamenial pad comprising:
- an absorbent core means for absorbing liquid, said absorbent core means having a first and a second opposed face;
- a liquid impermeable backsheet overlaying said first opposed face of said absorbent core means;
- a liquid permeable topsheet overlaying said second opposed face of said absorbent core means, said topsheet having an inner surface facing toward said absorbent core means;
- a layer of fibers affixed to said inner surface of said topsheet, said layer of fibers comprising a multiplicity of individual fibers, said layer of fibers weighing at least about 1.5 grams of said fibers per square meter of said topsheet;
- and
- an intermediate layer interposed between said layer of fibers and said absorbent core means, said intermediate layer having a multiplicity of tapered capillaries, each of said capillaries having a base opening in the plane of said intermediate layer and an apex opening remote from said plane of said intermediate layer, and having an angle of taper of from about 10.degree. to about 60.degree., said base opening dimension being from about 0.006 to about 0.250 inches and said apex opening dimension being from about 0.004 inches to about 0.100 inches, said base opening being in contact with said layer of fibers and said apex opening being in contact with said absorbent core means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.