US 5,607,414 A · Catamenial absorbent structures having thermally bonded layers for improved handling of menstrual fluids, and their use in catamenial pads having improved fit and comfort

Abstract

Thermally bonded absorbent structures for catamenial products, in particular catamenial pads, that provide improved ability in acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, especially menstrual fluids, as well as better fit and comfort for the user of the products. These structures comprise an optional thermally bonded secondary topsheet, a thermally bonded absorbent core having a relatively higher capillary suction primary fluid distribution layer, an optional but preferred relatively lower capillary suction secondary distribution layer, a storage layer having absorbent gelling material, and an optional fibrous "dusting" layer. These thermally bonded absorbent structures are particularly useful with catamenial pads having a primary fluid pervious topsheet selected from apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets.

Claims67

Dependent claims

A catamenial pad capable of acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, which comprises:

(A) a fluid pervious topsheet selected from the group consisting of apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets;
(B) an absorbent core in fluid communication with said topsheet and having:
(1) a primary fluid distribution layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix;
(2) a fluid storage layer in fluid communication with said primary layer, and comprising from about 15 to 100% by weight of said storage layer of absorbent gelling material and from 0 to about 85% by weight of said storage layer of a carrier for said absorbent gelling material;
(D) a fluid impervious backsheet;
(E) wherein the pad has:
(1) a compressive force value in the dry state of about 300 g or less;
(2) an absolute recovery from compression value in the wet state of at least about 48 mm;
and
(3) a relative recovery from compression value in the wet state of at least about 65% of the initial pad width.

7 more elements

A catamenial pad capable of acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, which comprises:

(A) a fluid pervious topsheet selected from the group consisting of apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets;
(B) a fluid acquisition layer adjacent said topsheet, said acquisition layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix providing vertical wicking of from about 1 to about 6 cm of artificial menstrual fluid;
(C) an absorbent core in fluid communication with said fluid acquisition layer and having:
(1) a primary fluid distribution layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix providing vertical wicking of from about 8 to about 20 cm of artificial menstrual fluid;
(2) a secondary fluid distribution layer in fluid communication with, and which can acquire aqueous body fluids from, said primary distribution layer, said secondary distribution layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix providing vertical wicking of from about 1 to about 6 cm of artificial menstrual fluid;
(3) a fluid storage layer in fluid communication with said secondary distribution layer, and comprising from about 15 to 100% by weight of said storage layer of absorbent gelling material and from 0 to about 85% by weight of said storage layer of a carrier for said absorbent gelling material;
(4) a fibrous layer adjacent said storage layer and comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix;
(D) a fluid impervious backsheet.

5 more elements

A catamenial pad capable of acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, which comprises:

(A) a fluid pervious topsheet selected from the group consisting of apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets;
(B). a fluid acquisition layer adjacent said topsheet, said acquisition layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix;
(C) an absorbent core in fluid communication with said fluid acquisition layer and having:
(1) a primary fluid distribution layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix;
(2) a secondary fluid distribution layer in fluid communication with, and which can acquire aqueous body fluids from, said primary distribution layer, said secondary distribution layer comprising a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding said fibers together into a thermally bonded matrix;
(3) a fluid storage layer in fluid communication with said secondary distribution layer, and comprising from about 15 to 100% by weight of said storage layer of absorbent gelling material and from 0 to about 85% by weight of said storage layer of a carrier for said absorbent gelling material;
(D) a fluid impervious backsheet;
(E) wherein the pad has:
(1) a compressive force value in the dry state of about 300 g or less;
(2) an absolute recovery from compression value in the wet state of at least about 48 mm;
and
(3) a relative recovery from compression value in the wet state of at least about 65% of the initial pad width.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catamenial absorbent structures having thermally bonded layers for improved handling of menstrual fluids, and their use in catamenial pads having improved fit and comfort

Life of this patent

Catamenial absorbent structures having thermally bonded layers for improved handling of menstrual fluids, and their use in catamenial pads having improved fit and comfort

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims67