# US 6,177,607 B1 · Absorbent product with nonwoven dampness inhibitor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,177,607 B1 - Document ID: US6177607B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/344,025 - Filed: 1999-06-25 - Granted: 2001-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-25 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Carol Ann Blaney; Ann Louis McCormack; Susan Carol Paul - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6177607B1 ## CPC - A61F 13/51462: {being defined by a value or parameter} - A61F 2013/51011: {characterized by the count of the fibres, e.g. denier or tex} - Y10T 442/647: Including a foamed layer or component - Y10T 442/674: Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet - Y10T 442/678: Olefin polymer or copolymer sheet or film [e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene-butylene copolymer, etc.] - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top layer, an absorbent core layer, a breathable outer cover, and an inner nonwoven filament layer between the absorbent core and breathable outer cover. The outer cover includes a breathable film and an outer nonwoven filament layer. The inner nonwoven filament layer has a mean fiber denier which is higher than the mean fiber denier of the outer nonwoven filament layer. The inner nonwoven filament layer serves as a dampness inhibitor which reduces or prevents perceived dampness on the external surface of the outer cover by lowering thermal conductivity between the absorbent core and the outer cover surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An absorbent article, comprising: a liquid-permeable top layer; an absorbent core layer; a hydrophobic inner nonwoven filament web; and a breathable outer cover having a WVTR of at least about 300 grams/m2-24 hours; the breathable outer cover including at least a breathable film and an outer nonwoven filament web having a mean fiber denier; wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier higher than the mean fiber denier of the outer nonwoven filament web. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier of at least 2.0. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier of about 2.2-10. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier of about 2.5-6.0. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the outer nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier less than 2.0. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the outer nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier of about 0.1-1.8. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the outer nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier of 0.5-1.5. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier at least about 10% higher than the mean fiber denier of the outer nonwoven filament web. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier at least about 20% higher than the mean fiber denier of the outer nonwoven filament web. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a mean fiber denier at least about 30% higher than the mean fiber denier of the outer nonwoven filament web. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the breathable outer cover has a WVTR of at least about 1500 grams/m2-24 hours. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the breathable outer cover has a WVTR of at least about 3000 grams/m2-24 hours. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the outer cover is positioned with the breathable film facing the inner nonwoven filament web. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of mainly ethylene and C3-C12 alpha-olefins (commonly known as linear low density polyethylene), copolymers of mainly propylene with ethylene and/or C4-C12 alpha-olefins, flexible polyolefins including propylene-based polymers having both atactic and isotactic propylene groups in the main polypropylene chain, polyamides, polyesters, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, copolyether esters, polyamide polyether block copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, block copolymers having the general formula A-B-A′ or A-B such as copoly (styrene/ethylene-butylene), styrene-poly (ethylene-propylene)-styrene, styrene-poly (ethylene-butylene)-styrene, polystyrene/poly(ethylene-butylene)/polystyrene, poly (styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene), and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a polyolefin. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin. ### Claim 18 An absorbent article, comprising: a liquid-permeable top layer; an absorbent core layer; a hydrophobic inner nonwoven filament web having a first mean fiber denier, and a breathable outer cover having a WVTR of at least about 300 grams/m2-24 hours; the breathable outer cover including a breathable film facing the inner nonwoven filament web and an outer nonwoven filament web having a second mean fiber denier, facing away from the inner nonwoven filament web; wherein the first mean fiber denier is at least about 10% higher than the second mean fiber denier. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a basis weight of about 0.1-4.0 osy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a basis weight of about 0.3-2.0 osy. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web has a basis weight of about 0.4-1.0 osy. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a spunbond web. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a meltblown web. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a bonded carded web. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises an air laid web. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The absorbent article of claim 18, wherein the inner nonwoven filament web comprises a plurality of nonwoven layers. ### Claim 27 An absorbent article, comprising: a liquid-permeable top layer; an absorbent core layer; a hydrophobic inner nonwoven filament web having a basis weight of about 0.1-4.0 osy and a first mean fiber denier; and a breathable outer cover including a breathable microporous film facing the inner nonwoven filament web, and an outer nonwoven filament web facing away from the inner nonwoven filament web and having a second mean fiber denier; wherein the first mean fiber denier is higher than the second mean fiber denier. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a diaper. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a training pant. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising an adult incontinence garment. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising swim wear. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The absorbent article of claim 27, comprising a medical absorbent product.