Absorbent article with a fluid-entangled body facing material including a plurality of hollow projections

US9480609B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Scott S.C. Kirby · Hornsby, AU
• David Glen Biggs · Neenah, US
• Andrew Thomas Hammond · Appleton, US
• Eric D. Johnson · Larsen, US
• Robert Lee Popp · Hortonville, US
• Daniel Robert Schlinz · Appleton, US
• Kendell Jean Williams · Greenville, US
• Niall Finn · Lethbridge, AU
• Andy R. Butler · Albert Park, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2016
• Expiry date: Aug 6, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/5125
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates can include a fluid-entangled body facing material including a support layer and a projection layer. The fluid-entangled body facing material can include a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of fibers in the projection layer. The hollow projections can extend from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.