Flow distribution system for absorbent pads

An absorbent article comprising:

• (a) a liquid pervious liner designed to be positioned adjacent to the body of a wearer, said liner having a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough which are formed in a central area and spaced away from the longitudinal side edges thereof;
• (b) a liquid-impermeable backing member;
• (c) absorbent means for absorbing body fluids, said absorbent means being positioned between said liner and said backing member;
• and
• (d) a flow zone control layer having a first surface in contact with said perforated central area of said liner and a second surface in contact with said absorbent, said flow zone control layer facilitating dispersion of body fluid along the length thereof before allowing a substantial amount of said fluid to pass into said absorbent means, and wherein said first surface has a coefficient of friction with said liner of between about 0.7 and 1.1.

An absorbent pad comprising:

• (a) a liquid pervious liner designed to be positioned adjacent to the body of a wearer, said liner having a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough which are formed in a central area and spaced away from the longitudinal side edges thereof;
• (b) a liquid-impermeable backing member;
• (c) absorbent means for absorbing body fluids, said absorbent means being positioned between said liner and said backing member;
• and
• (d) a flow zone control layer lying beneath said perforated central area of said liner and positioned in direct contract with both said liner and said absorbent, said flow zone control layer having a distinctive shape and a surface area smaller than the total surface area of said perforated portion of said liner, said flow zone control layer facilitating dispersion of body fluid along the length thereof before allowing a substantial amount of said fluid to pass into said absorbent means, and said flow zone control layer having a coefficient of friction with said liner of between about 0.7 and 1.1.

An absorbent pad comprising:

• (a) a liquid pervious liner constructed of a spunbonded material and designed to be positioned adjacent to the body of a wearer, said liner having a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough which are formed in a central area and spaced away from the longitudinal side edges thereof;
• (b) a liquid-impermeable backing member;
• (c) absorbent means for absorbing body fluid, said absorbent means being positioned between said liner and said backing member;
• and
• (d) a flow zone control layer constructed of a meltblown material having a first surface in contact with said perforated central area of said liner and a second surface in contact with said absorbent, said flow zone control layer facilitating dispersion of body fluid along the length thereof before allowing a substantial amount of said fluid to pass into said absorbent means, and said flow zone control layer having a coefficient of friction with said liner of between about 0.7 and 1.1.

An absorbent article comprising:

• (a) a liquid pervious liner designed to be positioned adjacent to the body of a wearer, said liner having a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough which are arranged in a central area and spaced away from the longitudinal side edges thereof;
• (b) a liquid-impermeable backing member;
• (c) absorbent means for absorbing body fluids positioned between said liner and said backing member;
• and
• (d) flow zone control means for facilitating dispersion of body fluid along the length thereof before allowing said fluid to pass into said absorbent, said flow zone control means being positioned between said central area of said liner and said absorbent means, and the coefficient of friction between said perforated liner and said flow zone control means is about 15 to 45% higher than the coefficient of friction between a non-perforated liner and said flow zone control means.

An absorbent article comprising:

• (a) a liquid pervious liner designed to be positioned adjacent to the body of a wearer, said liner having a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough which are formed in a central area and spaced away from the longitudinal side edges thereof;
• (b) a liquid-impermeable backing member;
• (c) absorbent means for absorbing body fluids, said absorbent means being positioned between said liner and said backing member;
• and
• (d) a flow zone control layer having a first surface in contact with said perforated central area of said liner and a second surface in contact with said absorbent, said flow zone control layer facilitating dispersion of body fluid along the length thereof before allowing a substantial amount of said fluid to pass into said absorbent means, and the coefficient of friction between said perforated portion of said liner and said flow zone control layer is about 15 to 45% higher than the coefficient of friction between a non-perforated liner and said flow zone control layer.