Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Patent
1997-01-17
1998-11-17
Weiss, John G.
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
604378, A61F 1315, A61F 1320
Patent
active
058369295
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to absorbent bodies comprising fibrous material and superabsorbent material whereby the absorbent bodies can handle relatively large amounts of discharged body fluids, as well as absorbent articles including such bodies, for instance disposable diapers, incontinence articles and training pants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Absorbent articles of this kind generally comprise a liquid pervious topsheet that is located adjacent the wearer's body, a liquid impervious backsheet that is located distant from the wearer's body and adjacent the wearer's clothing, and an absorbent core or other body interposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet.
It is well established that the construction of the article, and in particular the construction of the absorbent body, should desirably be such that the article is capable of rapidly acquiring and distributing relatively large volumes of body liquid initially discharged on to the topsheet, and of storing such discharges. It is also desirable that the absorbent body should not release stored liquid when subjected to pressure or prolonged storage. For instance the absorbent body should be such as to minimise rewetting of the topsheet by discharge of liquid that has been stored in the body.
In order to promote distribution of liquid discharges throughout the body, it is desirable to construct the body so that the discharges are transported away from the area of initial deposition, both laterally (in the XY plane) and vertically (in the Z direction).
It is known that different fibrous and other materials promote different performance characteristics. For instance it is known that a relatively low density stiff and/or hydrophobic fibrous structure may serve as a useful upper acquisition layer for rapidly acquiring and distributing liquid discharges, but that such a material may have inadequate storage properties.
It is known that the inclusion of superabsorbent material (often alternatively referred to as polymeric gelling material, hydrogel-forming material or superabsorbent polymer) can be included in absorbent bodies so as to result in a significant increase in the storage capacity. However it is also known that the use of significant amounts of superabsorbent material may tend to be accompanied by a phenomenon referred to as gel blocking. Gel blocking occurs when the superabsorbent material swells in such a manner as to reduce significantly the rate of permeation of liquid that has been applied to the absorbent structure. This can be minimised by appropriate techniques for incorporating the superabsorbent material within a fibrous matrix (for instance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 issued to Weisman & Goldman 9th Sep. 1986) and improved quality superabsorbent materials available in recent years has also reduced the problem. However it can still be a significant problem, particularly when it is desired to incorporate a high density of superabsorbent material in a small volume, i.e., as a layer consisting wholly or mainly of superabsorbent material.
It is desirable to construct the absorbent body such that it has high absorption capacity per unit volume, and in particular such that it has good absorption properties despite being relatively thin.
In order to attempt to obtain optimum properties, there have been numerous proposals in the literature for manufacturing multi-layer absorbent bodies utilising various combinations of fibres and superabsorbent materials.
For instance in WO91/11163 an absorbent body is described comprising, inter alia, a particular type of upper fluid acquisition and distribution layer and a lower layer containing superabsorbent material. Additionally, there have been many proposals to incorporate at least two layers which include superabsorbent material. In some instances the same material is used in both layers but in other instances different superabsorbent materials are proposed. For instance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,371 issued 6th Jul. 1982 to Dawn an absorb
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patent: 4988823 (1991-01-01), Kaulen
patent: 5176668 (1993-01-01), Bernardin
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patent: 5399371 (1995-03-01), Harris
Bewick-Sonntag Christopher Phillip
Plischke Manfred
Schmidt Mattias
Linman E. Kelly
O Ki Yong
Rasser Jacobus C.
Roof Carl J.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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