Absorbent article with multi-layer folded absorbent core

#The present invention relates generally to absorbent garments and, particularly, absorbent garments having multi-layer folded thin absorbent cores.

#Absorbent articles, such as baby diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products and other such absorbent products include a topsheet that is closest to the wearer, an outer, moisture-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core. Over time the absorbent cores have become increasingly thinner with superabsorbent materials being included in ever-increasing amounts in place of traditional cellulosic pulp and other fillers and absorbents. While these thinner, superabsorbent-containing cores provide advantages, such as, generally offering a better fit to the wearer, they also present various challenges. One such challenge relates to the acquisition and distribution of liquid insults. In conventional core designs the liquid spreads radially from the point where it strikes, or insults, the core. Thus, rather than being dispersed across the core surface generally, its transport is localized. This challenge is exacerbated by the issue of gel blocking. Gel blocking refers to the blocking of liquid transport through the core by the swelling and gelling of the superabsorbent material as it absorbs and retains liquid and swells. Gel blocking often leads to leakage from the absorbent article since the core does not have the ability to absorb and retain liquid at the rate desired.

#Prior designs have attempted, to varying degrees of success and in a variety of ways, to address these issues. These efforts have involved the selection of superabsorbent materials based on the materials' properties, the addition of acquisition and distribution layers on top of the cores, and the positioning of the superabsorbent materials in the core in a variety of designs and arrangements.

#The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure may not be labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an absorbent laminate.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a multi-layer folded absorbent laminate according to one aspect of the present invention.

#Various features and advantageous details of the present invention are explained more fully in the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments section. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure.

#In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

#The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise.