Absorbent article with improved fluid acquisition system and method of making the same

US6566578B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Tyco Healthcare Retail Services AG · CH

Inventors

• Frank Glaug · Chester Springs, US
• William H. Cook · Fairport, US
• Joan Rodgers · Brookhaven, US
• Ruth Levy · Skippack, US
• Andrew Waksmundzki · Jackson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 2, 2000
• Grant date: May 20, 2003
• Expiry date: May 2, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/24331
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article, e.g., a diaper, and a method of making it. The article is arranged to be worn by a wearer to trap and collect fluid waste products, e.g., urine, of the wearer. The article has a flexible chassis and plural tabs for holding the diaper in place on the wearer. The chassis is made up of a top-sheet, a fluid acquisition system, and a fluid absorbent core. The top sheet is formed of a fluid pervious material, e.g., a fibrous material. The core includes fast acting fluid absorbing material, e.g., fluff, and a slow acting fluid absorbing and retaining material, e.g., SAP. The fluid acquisition system comprises a first fluid acquisition layer formed of apertured polymeric, e.g., three dimensional, film and a second fluid acquisition layer, e.g., a fibrous material, secured together and located between the top-sheet and the core, with the first fluid acquisition layer facing the top-sheet and the second fluid acquisition layer facing the core. The fluid acquisition system serves to facilitate the transference of fluid into the core, e.g., spread out the fluid over the core and providing it to the core at a rate at which the materials of the core can accommodat…