US 6,149,638 AGranted

Extensible absorbent article including folded layers adjacent the absorbent core

AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

InventorsRobert Eugene Vogt, Timothy James Blenke

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an extensible outer cover. The absorbent pad comprises an absorbent core surrounded by a first folded layer and optionally a second folded barrier layer. Folds of the first and second folded layers unfold and thereby open when an extensible bodyside liner and/or outer cover of the absorbent article are extended. The folds, when opened, extend the respective folded layers in a respective cross-direction or longitudinal direction. Extension of the folds of the first and second folded layers prevents tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad during extension of the absorbent article. The folds can comprise T-folds, C-folds, pleated arrangements, corrugations, or the like.

Claims36

Dependent claims

An absorbent pad for use in an absorbent article, said absorbent pad having a cross-direction extending across a width of said absorbent pad and a longitudinal direction extending along a length of said absorbent pad, said absorbent pad comprising:

(a) an absorbent core having an outer perimeter, a first side, and a second side opposing said first side;
(b) a first folded layer of non-extensible material, wherein said first folded layer includes at least one fold therein and said first folded layer is disposed adjacent said first side of said absorbent core;
(c) a second folded layer of non-extensible material acting as a barrier layer, wherein said second folded layer has at least one fold and said second folded layer is disposed adjacent said second side of said absorbent core, and wherein said first folded layer and said second folded layer extend in said cross-direction beyond said outer perimeter of said absorbent core;
and
(d) an adhesive securing first and second ends of said first folded layer to first and second ends of said second folded layer, respectively, wherein said first and second ends of said first and second folded layers are located outwardly of said outer perimeter of said absorbent core so that said first folded layer and said second folded layer enclose said absorbent core between said first and second ends thereof.

2 more elements

An absorbent article including a rear portion having a rear edge, a front portion having a front edge, and a crotch portion connecting said rear portion and said front portion, said absorbent article having a cross-direction extending across a width of said absorbent article and a longitudinal direction extending along a length of said absorbent article through said front, crotch, and rear portions, said absorbent article comprising:

(a) an absorbent pad including an absorbent core and at least one folded layer of material, wherein said absorbent core has an outer perimeter, a first side, a second side, and absorbent material located therewithin, and wherein said at least one folded layer is made of substantially non-extensible material, said at least one folded layer including at least one fold therein, said at least one folded layer having a first surface, and a second surface which opposes the first surface, the first surface of said at least one folded layer being unadheringly disposed immediately adjacent the first side of said absorbent core;
(b) an outer cover made of an extensible material, wherein said outer cover has a first surface and a second surface, the second surface of said outer cover opposing the first surface of said outer cover, the second surface of said at least one folded layer being disposed in surface-to-surface relationship with the first surface of said outer cover;
and
(c) a pattern of adhesive disposed at least in part between said at least one folded layer and said outer cover, wherein said pattern of adhesive mounts said at least one folded layer to said outer cover such that, in response to said extensible material of said outer cover being extended in the cross-direction of said absorbent article, said at least one folded layer can extend in the cross-direction of said absorbent article by opening of the at least one fold so that said at least one folded layer does not tear and thereby release said absorbent material from said absorbent core of said absorbent pad.

1 more element

An absorbent article including a rear portion having a rear edge, a front portion having a front edge, and a crotch portion connecting said rear portion and said front portion, said absorbent article having a cross-direction extending across a width of said absorbent article and a longitudinal direction extending along a length of said absorbent article through said front portion, said crotch portion, and said rear portion, said absorbent article comprising:

(a) an outer cover made of an extensible material, wherein said outer cover has a first surface, which is an inner surface, and a second surface which opposes the first surface and which is an outer surface;
(b) a bodyside liner made of an extensible material, wherein said bodyside liner has a first surface which is capable of contacting the body of a wearer of said absorbent article, and a second surface which opposes the first surface of said bodyside liner, and wherein the second surface of said bodyside liner is in surface-to-surface relationship with at least a portion of the first surface of said outer cover;
(c) an absorbent pad disposed between said bodyside liner and said outer cover, wherein said absorbent pad includes an absorbent core having an outer perimeter, a first side, a second side opposing said first side, a first folded layer of material disposed between said first side of said absorbent core and the first surface of said outer cover, and a second folded layer of material, which is a barrier layer and which is disposed between said second side of said absorbent core and the second surface of said bodyside liner;
and
(d) a pattern of adhesive disposed between one of a group consisting of (i) the second surface of said outer cover and the second surface of said first folded layer and (ii) the second surface of said bodyside liner and the second surface of said second folded layer, wherein the pattern of adhesive accommodates extending one of said first folded layer and said second folded layer when said extensible material of one of said outer cover and said bodyside liner is extended.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.