Nonwoven web containing shaped fibers
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsRandy E. Meirowitz, Jerome W. Riese, Robert J. Phelan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180.degree.-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.
Claims26
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising:
- a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that
- .alpha.<180 degrees-2.theta. wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber;
- and
- a high-absorbency material, in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport;
- wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising:
- a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining two notches, said notches defining an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180 degrees-2.theta., wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber;
- and
- a high-absorbency material distributed in said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport, such that said high-absorbency material contacts said liquid in said area as intrafiber liquid transport, said high-absorbency material being present in said nonwoven web in an amount of from about 1 to about 95 weight percent based on total weight of said nonwoven web;
- wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and intrafiber liquid transport.
A disposable absorbent product capable of absorbing discharged body fluids, said absorbent product comprising:
- a fluid-impervious outer cover;
- a fluid-pervious bodyside liner adapted to contact the skin of a wearer, said bodyside liner being superposed on said outer cover;
- and
- an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising:
- a nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising:
- a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that .alpha.<180 degrees-2.theta., wherein .theta. is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber;
- and
- a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport;
- wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, wherein a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
A nonwoven for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web having a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport and comprising a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.