Absorbent article containing a foam-formed unitary stratified composite
AssigneeWeyerhaeuser Company
InventorsPeter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Matthews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.
Claims28
An absorbent article, comprising:
- (a) a liquid pervious topsheet;
- (b) a foam-formed absorbent composite, comprising a first stratum, a second stratum, and a transition zone intermediate and coextensive with the first stratum and the second stratum;
- the first stratum comprising hydrophobic fibers and a binder;
- the second stratum comprising a binder and fibers selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and mixtures thereof;
- and
- the transition zone comprising fibers from the first stratum and the second stratum commingled substantially uniformly across the composite's width and along the composite's length;
- (c) a storage stratum comprising an absorbent fibrous material;
- (d) an intermediate stratum interposed between the absorbent composite and the storage stratum;
- and
- (e) a liquid impervious backsheet.
An absorbent article, comprising:
- (a) a liquid pervious topsheet;
- (b) a foam-formed absorbent composite, comprising a first stratum, a second stratum, and a transition zone intermediate and coextensive with the first stratum and the second stratum;
- the first stratum comprising first fibers and a binder;
- the second stratum comprising second fibers and a binder;
- and
- the transition zone comprising fibers from the first stratum and the second stratum commingled substantially uniformly across the composite's width and along the composite's length;
- (c) a storage stratum comprising an absorbent fibrous material;
- (d) an intermediate stratum interposed between the absorbent composite and the storage stratum;
- and
- (e) a liquid impervious backsheet.
An absorbent article, comprising:
- (a) a liquid pervious topsheet;
- (b) a foam-formed absorbent composite, comprising a first stratum, a second stratum, and a transition zone intermediate and coextensive with the first stratum and the second stratum;
- the first stratum comprising synthetic fibers and a binder;
- the second stratum comprising crosslinked cellulosic fibers and a binder;
- and
- the transition zone comprising fibers from the first stratum and the second stratum commingled substantially uniformly across the composite's width and along the composite's length;
- (c) a storage stratum comprising an absorbent fibrous material;
- (d) an intermediate stratum interposed between the absorbent composite and the storage stratum;
- and
- (e) a liquid impervious backsheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.