Absorbent article including a fluid distributing structure
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsRussell Joseph Brumm, Andrew Mark Long, Sandra Kay Knight
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid-distributing structure includes a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, and a plurality of directional fluid barriers. The fluid reservoirs are fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body. Each fluid barrier is associated with one of the openings defined in the body, and is configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction.
Claims19
A fluid-distributing structure comprising:
- a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, the fluid reservoirs being fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body;
- and
- a plurality of directional fluid barriers, each fluid barrier being associated with one of the openings defined in the body and configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction, each of the fluid barriers being moveable between an opened position and a closed position in response to deformation of the absorbent structure.
A fluid-distributing structure comprising:
- a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, the fluid reservoirs being fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body;
- and
- a plurality of directional fluid barriers, each fluid barrier being associated with one of the openings defined in the body and configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction, wherein at least one fluid barrier comprises a valve member moveable between an opened position in which the valve member permits fluid flow in the downstream direction, and a closed position in which the valve member inhibits fluid flow in the upstream direction.
An absorbent article comprising:
- a bodyside liner;
- an outer cover;
- and
- an absorbent structure disposed between the liner and the outer cover, the absorbent structure comprising:
- a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, the fluid reservoirs being fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body;
- and
- a plurality of directional fluid barriers, each fluid barrier being associated with one of the openings defined in the body and configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction, wherein each of the fluid barriers is moveable between an opened position and a closed position in response to deformation of the absorbent structure.
A fluid-distributing absorbent structure comprising:
- a flexible body having a plurality of voids defined therein, wherein the voids are in fluid communication with one another;
- and
- a plurality of directional fluid barriers, each fluid barrier disposed between a pair of adjoining voids and configured to permit fluid flow into a first void of the pair of voids and to restrict fluid flow into a second void of the pair voids, wherein at least one fluid barrier comprises a valve member moveable between an opened position in which the valve member permits fluid flow into the first void, and a closed position in which the valve member restricts fluid flow into the second void.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.