Absorbent article having enhanced leakage protection

US9968494B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Franz Aschenbrenner · Burgkirchen an der Alz, DE
• Priscilla Eng Choo Goh · Singapore, SG
• Xueen George Hao · Melbourne, AU
• DooHong Kim · Singapore, SG
• Sangwook Lee · Seoul, KR
• Lin Miao · Higashiosaka, JP
• Meijia Ng · Singapore, SG
• YeinSze Ong · Singapore, SG
• Chunlei Pu · Beijing, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2011
• Grant date: May 15, 2018
• Expiry date: Sep 13, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/10
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) capable of inhibiting leakage of a fluid insult generally extends in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) contains fluid-shrinkable members (60,61), a topsheet (11;611;711;811), and a base pad (12;812) that includes a baffle (28;828) and an absorbent core (30) positioned between the topsheet (11;611;711;811) and the baffle (28;828). The topsheet (11;611;711;811) extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end (153) and an opposing proximal end (152). At least a portion of the proximal end (152) remains generally unbonded to the baffle (28;828). The fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) so that at least a portion of the fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) are located adjacent to the proximal end (152) of the topsheet (11;611;711;811). Thus, when the fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) contract upon contacting a fluid insult, the proximal end (152) of the topsheet (11;611;711;811) can raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020). T…