Center-fill absorbent article with a central rising member

Details Center-fill absorbent article with a central rising member Center-fill absorbent article with a central rising member

1999-10-01

2003-12-09

Lo, Weilun (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06660903

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To prevent leakage of body exudates from absorbent articles such as feminine care pads or napkins and disposable diapers, it is desirable that the exudates not reach the edges of the absorbent material in the article. A “center fill” strategy is desirable for leakage control, wherein fluids are preferentially held in a central region of the article. Unfortunately, in traditional absorbent articles, there is generally no means to maintain good fit of the article against the body of the wearer in use, especially once the article is wet. Though simple articles with deflection elements have been proposed, improved deflection means in cooperative relationship with multiple discrete elements of an absorbent core do not appear to be known. What is needed is an article with good center fill performance that can maintain good body fit even when the article is wet. Further, what is needed is an article with multiple absorbent elements offering excellent body fit through a three-dimensional topography that becomes more pronouncedly three-dimensional when the article is worn and compressed between the legs of the wearer while still maintaining comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been discovered that improved body fit and leakage control can be obtained in absorbent articles by providing an absorbent core comprising two discrete absorbent members operatively associated with a central rising member. The central rising member, described more fully hereafter, is an element which deflects upwards when laterally compressed from the side. The two discrete members of the absorbent core are the central absorbent member, which serves as the primary intake member and body-contacting element, and the outer absorbent member which surrounds the central absorbent member at least along the longitudinal sides thereof. The outer absorbent member can be both wider and longer than the central absorbent member, and has a central void therein for receiving at least a portion of the central absorbent member and optionally for receiving the central rising member. The absorbent members of the absorbent core can be formed from any known absorbent material such as cellulosic fibrous webs and the like.
In the target zone of the article where fluid intake occurs, a break exists between the central absorbent member and the outer absorbent member which assists in governing effective deformation of the article when the article is compressed laterally and when the central rising member deflects upwardly. Upward deflection of the central rising member is sufficient to deflect the central absorbent member toward the body, desirably without substantially deflecting the outer absorbent member. Lateral compression of the article by the body of the user thus establishes a W-shaped cross-section of the article in the target zone as the outer sides of the outer absorbent member deflect like the outer legs of a “W” and the central absorbent member is deflected in the shape of an inverted “V” or inverted “U” to generally give an overall “W”-shape characteristic to the article, which is particularly valuable for good conformance to female anatomy. Thus, the interaction between the discrete members of the absorbent core and the central rising member during conditions of use result in an article with excellent body fit characteristics during use.
The absorbent article further comprises a topsheet and a backsheet connected to the topsheet, with the absorbent core and central rising member disposed therebetween.
The outer absorbent member typically serves as a frame or shaping element for the absorbent article and serves as a backup absorbent reservoir to receive fluid from the central absorbent member. Desirably, the outer absorbent member has a pore size greater than the pore size of the central absorbent member in the regions where the two members are likely to contact to encourage fluid to remain in the central absorbent member. Alternatively, the contact region between the two members may be treated with hydrophobic matter such as a silicone spray, impregnated wax, nonwetting fibers, or other means to reduce wicking between the two members, thus forming a wicking impediment.
The central rising member is disposed below the central absorbent member or can form part of the central absorbent member itself, being disposed therein. In use, the central rising member is capable of upwardly deflecting the absorbent material in the central absorbent member that lies above the central rising member.
Further improvements in body fit and deformation of the article in use can be achieved by adding additional features to the articles of the present invention. For example, improved deformation can also be promoted or assisted by one or more shaping lines and/or one or more crease lines in the absorbent core. A crease line lies away from the longitudinal centerline and promotes downward folding or bending of the article along the crease line (e.g., a valley fold) during lateral compression from the longitudinal sides of the article. A shaping line resides in the central absorbent member and promotes upward folding or bending (e.g., a mountain fold) during lateral compression from the longitudinal sides of the article. A shaping line coupled with at least two crease lines works to establish a W-fold geometry in the article when laterally compressed, offering good control over the upward deflection of a central absorbent member in the absorbent core. Crease lines and shaping lines, as defined therein, will be generally referred to hereafter as “bending lines.”
Hence, in one aspect, the invention resides in an absorbent article having two longitudinal sides and a target zone, comprising:
a) a liquid impervious backsheet;
b) a liquid pervious topsheet attached to the backsheet;
c) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member and a central absorbent member, the outer absorbent member having a width in the target zone greater than the width of the central absorbent member in the target zone and having a central void for receiving at least a portion of the central absorbent member, the absorbent core further comprising a central rising member disposed beneath the central absorbent member, whereby lateral compression of the absorbent core from the longitudinal sides causes the central rising member to deflect the central absorbent member away from the backsheet.
In another aspect, the invention resides in an absorbent article for use on the body of a wearer, the article having two longitudinal sides and a target zone, comprising:
a) a liquid impervious backsheet;
b) a liquid pervious topsheet attached to the backsheet;
c) an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member and a central absorbent member, the outer absorbent member having a width in the target zone greater than the width of the central absorbent member in the target zone and having a central void for receiving at least a portion of the central absorbent member, the absorbent core further comprising a central inflatable member disposed within the absorbent core adapted to deflect the central absorbent member away from the backsheet when activated by the wearer.
In another aspect, the invention resides in an absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet, the absorbent core comprising an outer absorbent member and a central absorbent member operatively associated with a central rising member, the central rising member having longitudinal sides and a longitudinally central hinge dividing the central rising member into a first portion and second portion, the article further comprising attachment means in cooperative relationship with the central rising member, wherein application of inwardly lateral compressive force to the longitudinal sides of the central rising member causes the central rising member to deflect u

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