Absorbent components having a sustained acquisition rate capability upon absorbing multiple discharges of aqueous body fluids

An absorbent article capable of absorbing discharged aqueous body fluids, the absorbent article comprising:

• A) a fluid pervious topsheet;
• B) a backsheet;
• C) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising:
• (1) two upper fluid storage components capable of expanding in the z-direction when contacted with aqueous body fluids positioned in direct fluid communication with the topsheet, the two upper fluid storage components being in the form of strips that run longitudinally in the absorbent core and being spaced apart so as to form a fluid acquisition zone upon contact with aqueous body fluids, and wherein both fluid storage components comprise a material selected from the group consisting of (i) from about 70 to 100% by weight of said fluid storage component, of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer having an Absorptive Capacity of at least about 25 grams of synthetic urine per gram of polymer material;
• (ii) a fluid stable aggregate macrostructure comprising an aggregate of interconnected, hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particles having interparticle bonds so as to be bonded together such that said aggregate is fluid stable;
• and (iii) a polymeric foam material derived from a high internal phase water in oil emulsion;
• (2) a fluid acquisition zone capable of receiving aqueous body fluids, said fluid acquisition zone being at least partially surrounded by the two upper fluid storage components;
• (3) a fluid acquisition/distribution component capable of acquiring and transporting aqueous body fluids, at least a portion of this fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath and in fluid communication with the two upper fluid storage components, and at least a portion of the fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath the fluid acquisition zone, wherein the fluid acquisition/distribution component comprises chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers that are thermally bonded with a thermoplastic material;
• and
• (4) a lower fluid storage component positioned underneath the fluid acquisition/distribution component and in fluid communication therewith, the lower fluid storage component being wider than the fluid acquisition zone, wherein the lower fluid storage component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a fluid stable aggregate macrostructure of interconnected, hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer particles bonded together and a polymeric foam material derived from a high internal phase water and oil emulsion.

An absorbent article useful for absorbing discharged aqueous body fluids, the absorbent article comprising:

• A) a fluid pervious topsheet;
• B) a backsheet;
• C) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising:
• (1) at least one upper fluid storage component capable of expanding in the z-direction when contacted with aqueous body fluids to form a fluid acquisition zone, said at least one upper fluid storage component being in direct fluid communication with the topsheet, said at least one upper fluid storage component comprising a polymeric foam material derived from a high internal phase water in oil emulsion;
• (2) a fluid acquisition zone capable of receiving aqueous body fluids, said fluid acquisition zone being at least partially surrounded by at said least one upper fluid storage component and positioned at least partially beneath a fluid discharge region of the absorbent core;
• and
• (3) a fluid acquisition/distribution component capable of acquiring and transporting aqueous body fluids, at least a portion of this fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath and in fluid communication with said at least one upper fluid storage component, and at least a portion of the fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath the fluid acquisition zone wherein the fluid acquisition/distribution component of the absorbent core comprises chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers.

An absorbent article useful for absorbing discharged aqueous body fluids, the absorbent article comprising:

• A) a fluid pervious topsheet;
• B) a backsheet;
• C) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising:
• (1) at least one upper fluid storage component capable of expanding in the z-direction when contacted with aqueous body fluids to form a fluid acquisition zone, said at least one upper fluid storage component being in direct fluid communication with the topsheet, said at least one upper fluid storage component comprising a polymeric foam material derived from a high internal phase water in oil emulsion;
• (2) a fluid acquisition zone capable of receiving aqueous body fluids, said fluid acquisition zone being at least partially surrounded by said at least one upper fluid storage component and positioned at least partially beneath a fluid discharge region of the absorbent core;
• (3) a fluid acquisition/distribution component capable of acquiring and transporting aqueous body fluids, at least a portion of this fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath and in fluid communication with said at least one upper fluid storage component, and at least a portion of the fluid acquisition/distribution component being positioned underneath the fluid acquisition zone;
• and
• (4) at least one lower fluid storage component positioned underneath the fluid acquisition/distribution component and in fluid communication therewith, at least a portion of this lower storage component being positioned underneath the fluid acquisition zone and wherein the lower fluid storage component of the absorbent core comprises from about 70 to 100%, by weight of the lower storage component, of hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer.