# US 7,465,373 B2 · Unitary stratified composite > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,465,373 B2 - Document ID: US7465373B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/381,693 - Filed: 2006-05-04 - Published: 2006-09-14 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 1996-12-06 - Assignees: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization - Inventors: Peter A. Graef; Colin Elston; Daniel T. Bunker; Fred B. Howard; Jeffrey D. Mathews; Shahrokh A. Naieni; Charles E. Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465373B2 ## CPC - B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)} - A61F 13/531: having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad (A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence) - A61F 13/534: having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad (A61F13/538, A61F13/539 take precedence) - A61F 13/537: characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer {(A61F13/538 takes precedence)} - A61F 13/539: characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers - B32B 5/04: characterised by a layer being specifically extensible by reason of its structure or arrangement {, e.g. by reason of the chemical nature of the fibres or filaments} - B32B 2262/0253: Polyolefin fibres - B32B 2262/0261: Polyamide fibres - B32B 2262/0284: Polyethylene terephthalate [PET] or polybutylene terephthalate [PBT] - B32B 2262/04: Cellulosic plastic fibres, e.g. rayon - B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption - B32B 2307/73: Hydrophobic - B32B 2555/02: Diapers or napkins - Y10T 428/249943: Fiber is nonlinear [e.g., crimped, sinusoidal, etc.] - Y10T 428/249949: Two or more chemically different fibers - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - 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 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 severs as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet, (b) an 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 a superabsorbent polymer; and (d) a liquid impervious backsheet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic fibers comprise synthetic fibers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic fibers comprise crosslinked cellulosic fibers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the binder is at least one of a bicomponent fiber or a wet strength agent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is at least one of an infant diaper or an adult incontinence product. ### Claim 6 An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet; (b) an 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 a superabsorbent polymer; and (d) a liquid impervious backsheet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the first fibers comprise synthetic fibers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the second fibers comprise crosslinked cellulosic fibers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the binder is at least one of a bicomponent fiber or a wet strength agent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the article is at least one of an infant diaper or an adult incontinence product. ### Claim 11 An absorbent article, comprising: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet, (b) an 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 a superabsorbent polymer; and (d) a liquid impervious backsheet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the binder is at least one of a bicomponent fiber or a wet strength agent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the article is at least one of an infant diaper or an adult incontinence product.