# US 9,138,360 B1 · Disposable absorbent article with unitary topsheet and unitary absorbent article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,138,360 B1 - Document ID: US9138360B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/528,244 - Filed: 2014-10-30 - Granted: 2015-09-22 - Earliest claimed: 2002-04-24 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company - Inventors: Pietro Febo; Luigi Marinelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9138360B1 ## CPC - 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 13/53708: {the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in at least one direction} - A61F 13/53713: {the layer having a promotional function on liquid propagation in the vertical direction} - A61F 13/53752: {the layer is embedded in the absorbent core} - A61F 13/539: characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers - A61F 13/47: Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins (A61F13/49 takes precedence) - A61F 13/49: specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers or nappies - A61F 13/53: characterised by the absorbing medium (A61F13/20 takes precedence) - A61F 13/535: inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes ({A61F13/5323,} A61F13/537 take precedence) - A61F 13/5611: {using fastening strips, e.g. adhesive, on the undergarment-facing side} - A61F 13/622: {Fabric strip fastener elements, e.g. hook and loop} - A61F 2013/530007: {being made from pulp} - A61F 2013/530036: {being made in chemically-modified cellulosic material, e.g. Rayon} - A61F 2013/530233: {being thermoplastic fibres} - A61F 2013/53024: {being bicomponent fibres} - A61F 2013/530386: {with pulp and polymeric} - A61F 2013/530481: {having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials} - A61F 2013/530547: {positioned in a separate layer or layers} - A61F 2013/53721: {with capillary means} - A61F 2013/53908: {with adhesive} - A61F 2013/5395: {with thermoplastic agent, i.e. softened by heat} - A61F 2013/53991: {by ultrasonic method} - A61L 15/28: Polysaccharides or their derivatives {(A61L15/225 takes precedence)} - 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) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and sweat pads. According to the present invention the absorbent article in the region designated for liquid deposition on its wearer facing surface has a single layer topsheet onto which liquid to be absorbed is provided during use of the article. The absorbent article includes a backsheet forming the liquid barrier surface and a unitary absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. Importantly the unitary core provides improved liquid handling to the absorbent article and increases the masking, i.e. ability to hide stains due to absorbed liquid, of the article. This is particularly beneficial in the context of articles for absorption of liquids with high color intensity, such as menstrual liquid or urine of older adults. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disposable absorbent article, comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet comprising an apertured polymeric film; a backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the absorbent core is a unitary structure comprising a plurality of strata; wherein the absorbent core comprises an outer wearer facing surface and an opposing outer garment facing surface; wherein a capillarity gradient exists in the absorbent core from the wearer facing surface towards the garment facing surface; and wherein the plurality of strata comprises: a first stratum forming the wearer facing surface and comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and bi-component fibers; a second stratum adjacent the first stratum and comprising cellulose fibers and absorbent gelling material; and a third stratum forming the garment facing surface and comprising cellulose fibers and a binder material; wherein the first stratum comprises 60%-95% by weight of the first stratum of bi-component fibers and 5%-40% by weight of the absorbent core of cellulose fibers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the bi-component fibers in the first stratum comprise a polypropylene central portion and a polyethylene outer portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the binder material in the third stratum comprises latex. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the second stratum further comprises bi-component fibers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The disposable absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the second stratum comprises, by weight of the second stratum, 30% of absorbent gelling material, 60% of non-softened cellulose fibers, and 10% of bi-component fibers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is a sanitary napkin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is a panty liner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is an adult incontinence article. ### Claim 9 A disposable absorbent article, comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the absorbent core is a unitary structure comprising a plurality of strata; wherein the absorbent core comprises an outer wearer facing surface and an opposing outer garment facing surface; wherein a capillarity gradient exists in the absorbent core from the wearer facing surface towards the garment facing surface; and wherein the plurality of strata comprises: a first stratum forming the wearer facing surface and comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and bi-component fibers; a second stratum adjacent the first stratum and comprising bi-component fibers or polyethylene fibers; a third stratum adjacent the second stratum and comprising cellulose fibers and absorbent gelling material; and a fourth stratum forming the garment facing surface and comprising cellulose fibers and a binder material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the binder material in the fourth stratum comprises latex. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the third stratum further comprises bi-component fibers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the article is a sanitary napkin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the article is a panty liner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the article is an adult incontinence article. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the liquid pervious topsheet comprises an apertured polymeric film. ### Claim 16 A disposable absorbent article, comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the absorbent core is a unitary structure comprising a plurality of strata; wherein the absorbent core comprises an outer wearer facing surface and an opposing outer garment facing surface; wherein a density gradient exists in the absorbent core from the wearer facing surface towards the garment facing surface; and wherein the plurality of strata comprises: a first stratum forming the wearer facing surface and comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and bi-component fibers; a second stratum adjacent the first stratum and comprising bi-component fibers or polyethylene fibers; a third stratum adjacent the second stratum and comprising cellulose fibers and absorbent gelling material; and a fourth stratum forming the garment facing surface and comprising cellulose fibers and a binder material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The disposable absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the article is a sanitary napkin. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The disposable absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the article is a panty liner. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The disposable absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the article is an adult incontinence article.