Disposable diaper having a humidity transfer region,...

Details Disposable diaper having a humidity transfer region,... Disposable diaper having a humidity transfer region,...

1993-06-30

2001-11-13

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material

Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...

C604S378000, C604S385010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06316687

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an absorbent garment article for absorbing body fluids and exudates, such as urine. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent garments, such as disposable diapers and adult incontinence garments, which are configured to absorb body exudates while also helping to provide reduced skin hydration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Breathable polymer films have been employed as outer covers for absorbent garments, such as disposable diapers. The breathable films are typically constructed with micropores to provide desired levels of liquid impermeability and vapor permeability. Other disposable diaper designs have been arranged to provide some level of breathability at the leg cuff regions of the diaper. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,207 issued Jan. 13, 1987 to K. Buell.
Diapers and plastic pant overgarments for covering diapers have employed perforated regions to help ventilate the garment. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,772 issued Mar. 19, 1963 to H. Brooks et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 2,544,069 issued Mar. 6, 1951 to H. Cutler.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,216 issued Jul. 27, 1982 to M. Obenour describes a disposable diaper provided with a two-element breathable backsheet. The two elements are a vapor pervious, relatively liquid impervious outer sheet, and a liquid impervious inner panel.
Other disposable garment designs have employed additional layers of material under the bodyside liner. For example, European Patent Application No. EP 0 165 807 A1 of T. Osborn III published Dec. 27, 1985 describes a sanitary napkin which includes an apertured topsheet and a resilient, reservoir layer underlying the topsheet. The absorbent structure can also include a wicking layer between the apertured topsheet and the resilient layer, an absorbent core underlying the resilient layer, and a moisture barrier located against the outermost side of the absorbent core.
Various types of diaper structures have employed hydrophilic wicking layers to conduct fluid within an absorbent structure. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,371 issued Jul. 6, 1982 to F. Dawn et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,958 issued Apr. 7, 1981 to R. Goodbar; and UK Patent Application No. GB 2 170 108 A of L. Bowman et al. published Jul. 30, 1986.
Still other diaper configurations have employed embossed layers configured to provide raised regions that separate the user from the absorbent pad. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,247 issued Apr. 13, 1986 to M. Aziz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,951 issued Aug. 16, 1977 to L. Sanford; U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,386 issued Mar. 23, 1976 to E. Anczurowski et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,032 issued Nov. 1, 1983 to L. Hartmann et al.
Disposable absorbent articles have also employed an isolating layer between a topsheet layer and an absorbent layer. For example, UK Patent Application No. 2 193 625 A of M. Suzuki et al. published Feb. 17, 1988 includes an isolating layer composed of polyester fibers and having a selected compressive elastic recovery rate under wet conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,000 issued Oct. 30, 1984 to I. Watanabe et al. describes an absorbent article which includes a web comprised of polyester fiber which is placed on top of an absorbent core layer. The absorbent article is described as being able to absorb fluid at an enhanced rate and to have a feeling of dryness even after such absorption.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,792 issued Oct. 26, 1976 to J. Hernandez et al. describes a disposable diaper comprising a water-pervious layer, a spongy, resilient and compressible hydrophobic fibrous layer, an absorbent core, and a water-impervious layer. The hydrophobic fibrous layer is pervious to fluids in the uncompressed condition, but is impervious to fluids when compressed. The description indicates that when compressed, the hydrophobic fibers intermesh to form a seal or barrier.
Conventional absorbent articles, such as those described above, have not been completely satisfactory. For example, articles which employ a microporous outercover can exhibit a cold and clammy feeling when the garment is wetted and moisture is evaporating through the microporous film. The articles which employ perforated films can exhibit excessive leakage of liquids from the article, and can excessively soil the wearer's outergarments. In addition, when the absorbent material of the article becomes loaded with liquid, the wet absorbent can block the escape of moisture from the wearer's skin. Other absorbent garment designs which include additional layers between the bodyside liner layer and the absorbent core layer have not been able to sufficiently reduce the hydration of the wearer's skin. As a result, the wearer's skin has remained susceptible to abrasion and irritation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an absorbent article, which generally delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects said front and rear waistband sections. The article comprises a substantially vapor impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer positioned in facing relation with said backsheet layer, and an absorbent body for storing absorbed liquid. The absorbent body is located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer and includes an absorbent material which provides for a level of moisture retention therein. The absorbent body has a humidity transfer zone portion, and the humidity transfer zone portion can include a substantially hydrophobic, nonwettable fibrous material. The fibrous material can have a basis weight within the range of about 5-300 gsm and can have a density of not more than about 0.1 gm/cc. The nonwettable fibrous material is configured to limit a presence and wicking therein of liquid and to limit an occluding of said nonwettable fibrous material by liquid. The humidity transfer zone portion can thereby exhibiting a relatively lower level of moisture retention as compared to other areas of said absorbent body where said liquid is normally stored. A vapor permeable panel is substantially liquid impermeable, and is connected to said backsheet layer in at least one of said waistband sections. The vapor permeable panel is arranged in an operable adjacent registry with at least a portion of said nonwettable fibrous material of said humidity transfer zone portion to extend at least partially thereover. The connection of said vapor permeable panel to said backsheet layer and the registry of said vapor permeable panel with the humidity transfer zone portion is arranged to allow movement of air into said nonwettable fibrous material through said vapor permeable panel.
In another aspect of the present invention, the absorbent article generally delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects the front and rear waistband sections. The article comprises a substantially fluid impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer positioned in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. Spacing means, such as one or more liquid permeable separation layers, are located between the topsheet layer and the absorbent body, and are configured to readily allow fluid transfer between the topsheet layer and the absorbent body. The separation layers are composed of a substantially hydrophobic material and have a total bulk caliper of at least about 0.04 cm (measured at a pressure of 0.0207 kPa). A vapor permeable panel is connected to the backsheet layer at a waistband section of the article, and is arranged in an overlying registry with at least a portion of the absorbent body.
The absorbent article of the invention can advantageously provide improved separation between the wearer's skin and the absorbent body. In addition, the absorbent article can provide a more effective dissipation of water vapor away from the wearer's skin and out from the interior of the absorbent article. As a result, th

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