Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid

US5509915A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Inc. · US

Inventors

• William D. Hanson · Neenah, US
• Lynn Brud · Middleton, US
• Shannon Kathleen Byerly · Appleton, US
• Clifford Jackson Ellis · Woodstock, US
• Rob David Everett · Appleton, US
• Barbara Ann Gossen · Neenah, US
• Violet May Grube · Greenville, US
• David Gerard Iwanski · Davenport, US
• David K. LeMahieu · Appleton, US
• Jian Qin · Appleton, US
• Robert A. Stevens · Appleton, US
• Tom Wentzel · Kimberly, US
• Sandra M. Yarbrough · Menasha, US
• David Zenker · Neenah, US
• MaryAnn Zunker · Oshkosh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 22, 1993
• Grant date: Apr 23, 1996
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2013/8491
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Generally stated, the present invention provides a distinctive absorbent article comprising a backsheet layer, and a topsheet layer which is disposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer. An absorbent body is interposed between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The absorbent body includes a retention portion which comprises a matrix of substantially hydrophilic fibers having a distribution of high-absorbency particulate material therein. The hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency particles can be provided in a fiber-to-particle weight ratio within the range of about 70:30 to about 30:70. A surge management layer, comprising bicomponent fibers having a denier of not more than about 3 d, is located adjacent at least one major, facing surface of the topsheet layer, and can cooperate with the article components to provide for a liquid Penetration Rate index of not less than about 2.67 ml/sec.