High-strength, stabilized absorbent article

US6608237B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Yong Li · Tacoma, US
• Wendy Van Dyke · Appleton, US
• Gary D. Williams · Neenah, US
• Anthony John Wisneski · Kimberly, US
• Bernhardt E. Kressner · Appleton, US
• Sridhar Ranganathan · Suwanee, US
• Michael Kalmon · Fredericktown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 3, 2000
• Grant date: Aug 19, 2003
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/15658
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An absorbent article (10) includes a backsheet layer (30), a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and an absorbent body (32) sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The absorbent body (32) includes a first fibrous stratum (52) having a first quantity of absorbent fibers, a second fibrous stratum (54) having a second quantity of absorbent fibers, and at least a third fibrous stratum (56) which is located between and integrally formed with the first and second fibrous strata (52, 54). In particular aspects, the third fibrous stratum (56) includes an operative quantity of a substantially hydrophilic, wet-strength agent. In other aspects, the wet-strength agent is distributed in the third quantity of absorbent fibers to render the third fibrous stratum (56) substantially non-dispersible.