Absorbent structure having improved fluid surge management and product incorporating same
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsMargaret G. Latimer, Billie J. Matthews, Ann M. Shershin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An absorbent article includes a retention portion for storing absorbed liquids, and a distinctive surge management portion. The surge management portion, which has a selected basis weight, is constructed to rapidly uptake and temporarily hold at least three (3) successive surges of liquid directed into the target zone of the article and then release each of the surges to the retention portion. The retention portion desorbs each input of liquid from the surge management portion and stores the liquid. Particular functional and structural parameters can further characterize the surge management portion of the absorbent article.
Claims36
An absorbent article having a front waistband region, a back waistband region and a crotch region interconnecting said front and back waistband regions, said article comprising:
- a backsheet;
- a liquid permeable topsheet;
- a retention portion which is located and operably connected between said backsheet and topsheet for holding and storing a liquid, said retention portion having a length and a width;
- a separate surge management portion, which is located adjacent said topsheet and in liquid communication with said retention portion, for receiving said liquid and for temporarily holding and releasing said liquid to said retention portion, said surge management portion having a basis weight within a range of about 90-3000 gsm and having a length which is less than the length of said retention portion, and said surge management portion providing a fabric structure which, when wetted, resist collapsing and preserves a void volume capacity for successive receipts of said liquid, with an entirety of said surge management portion positioned over said retention portion.
An absorbent article having a front waistband region, a back waistband region and a crotch region interconnecting said front and back waistband regions, said article comprising:
- a backsheet;
- a liquid permeable topsheet;
- a retention portion which is located and operably connected between said backsheet and topsheet for holding and storing a liquid, said retention portion having a length and a width;
- a separate surge management portion, which is located adjacent said topsheet in liquid communication with said retention portion and which extends through an entire thickness of an absorbent structure provided by said retention portion and said surge management portion, said surge management portion constructed for receiving said liquid and for temporarily holding and releasing said liquid to said retention portion, said surge management portion having a basis weight within a range of about 90-3000 gsm and having a length which is less than the length of said retention portion, and said surge management portion providing a fabric structure which, when wetted, resists collapsing and preserves a void volume capacity for successive receipts of said liquid, with an entirety of said surge management portion positioned over said retention portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.