Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-03
2001-06-12
Nguyen, Anhtuan T. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245051
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to absorbent articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an absorbent article having a distinctive liquid-distribution member which more effectively transports liquids for more efficient retention and storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The performance objectives of disposable absorbent articles, such as infant diapers, include leakage prevention, dry feel to the wearer, and a comfortable fit throughout the product life. Accordingly, absorbent articles have typically contained an absorbent core to provide liquid handling and other absorbent functionalities required to meet the product performance objectives. The absorbent core of a conventional absorbent article has typically been composed of absorbent fibers, and a superabsorbent material has typically been combined with the absorbent fibers to increase the liquid absorbent capacity. The absorbent core has been formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The absorbent core has also been formed in an hourglass shape, a T-shape, or similar configuration with a reduced absorbent width in the central crotch region for improved fit and comfort.
Such conventional absorbent articles have included elasticized leg openings, elasticized waistbands, and elasticized inner containment flaps at the leg and waist areas of the article to improve fit and reduce leakage. In addition, the articles have included wicking layers or distribution layers for directing and moving liquids to appointed regions of the absorbent structure. Typically, such distribution layers extend from one waistband end of the article, through a crotch region of the article, and into a longitudinally opposed waistband end of the article.
Such conventional absorbent articles, however, have not provided desired levels of liquid distribution and desired efficiencies of liquid storage. The absorbent articles frequently leak before the total liquid absorbent capacity of the entire article is fully utilized. A contributing cause of this premature leakage is an inability of the absorbent system to adequately transport discharged liquids from a liquid-intake area of the article to more remote, end regions of the absorbent structure. The absorbent systems have not transported adequate amounts of liquid at adequate transport rates away from the intake area of the article, particularly during the course of multiple liquid discharges into article. Typically, the article intake area includes the relatively narrower crotch region of the absorbent system. As a result, the crotch region of the absorbent becomes excessively saturated, is unable to accommodate additional discharges of liquid, and prematurely leaks. While this is happening, the absorbent material positioned at the more remote areas of the absorbent, particularly at the back waistband region of the absorbent, remains only partially utilized.
Consequently, there remains a need for absorbent structures which can provide desired combinations of liquid distribution, controlled liquid storage and leakage resistance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally stated, the present invention provides an absorbent article, such as the representatively shown diaper, has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, a first waistband portion, a second waistband portion and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second waistband portions. The article includes a backsheet layer; a liquid permeable top sheet layer; and an absorbent structure sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The absorbent structure includes a retention portion having a first retention section and a longitudinally opposed second retention section. A liquid distribution, waist belt component has a belt first end region, a belt second end region and a belt medial region interconnecting the belt first and second end regions. The belt first end region is joined to the article in liquid communication with the first retention section, and the distribution belt component has sufficient lateral length to extend along a wearer's waist area to position the belt second end region in liquid communication with the second retention section when the article is worn.
The various aspects of the present invention can be employed alone or in combination, and can advantageously provide a distinctive absorbent structure which can more efficiently store liquid in areas that are remote from the intake region of the absorbent structure. The configurations of the invention can more effectively reduce a wet-thickness of the absorbent structure, can reduce the bulkiness in the crotch region of the article, and can improve the fit, comfort and aesthetics of the article. As a result, the absorbent structures and articles of the invention can provide improved fit, reduced leakage, and a more efficient utilization of the total amount of absorbent material in the article.
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Everett Rob David
La Wilhelm Hoa
Zenker David Louis
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Nguyen Anhtuan T.
Yee Paul
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