Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Andrew Thomas Hammond

Niall Finn

Andy R Butler

Robert Lee Popp

Eric Donald Johnson

Daniel Robert Schlinz

David Glen Biggs

Kendell Jean Williams

Scott S C Kirby

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

Sarah A Kleuskens

Stacy Elaine Evenson

Leila Joy Roberson

Suzanne Marie Schmoker

Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins

Kyle Mark Barriger

Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung

Russell Joseph Brumm

Kimberly Marie Downs

Ellen Elizabeth Pelky

Michael Donald Sperl

Mark John Beitz

Patrick Dean Abney

Kevin Gerald Dolan

Scott Sc Kirby

Michael John Faulks

Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii

David Fleger Bishop

David John Enz

Davis Dang H Nhan

Prasad Shrikishna Potnis

Kroy Donald Johnson

Antonio J Carrillo Ojeda

Robert Michael Hill, Jr

Sarah Anne Olson

Phil Penaia

Kendell Jean Wendrick

Pat Abney

Qianxiang Feng

James P King

Heather Ann Diffey

Amy Q Feng

Danielle Kirby

Michael Douglas Sperl

An absorbent article () can include a body facing liner (), a backsheet (), and an absorbent body () disposed between the body facing liner () and the backsheet (). The body facing liner () can include at least one embossment (). The absorbent article () can also include an acquisition layer () including a body facing surface () and a garment facing surface (). The acquisition layer () can include at least one recess (). The at least one recess () can receive the at least one embossment () in a nested configuration. In some embodiments, the embossment () can include an intersecting slit formation ().

Absorbent article with three dimensional shape retaining structure

Undergarment

An absorbent article is described that includes leg elastics that form the outermost edges of the product. The leg elastics can include an increased number of elastomeric strands and can extend outboard of the chassis. In this manner, the leg elastics can form a proper seal with the legs of the wearer without interference and can be visually inspected by a caregiver. Placing the leg elastics outboard of the chassis also provides for an efficient manner of producing the garment by attaching multiple elastic components to the garment along a vertical bonding seam.

Process for making absorbent articles with extended leg elastics

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. 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. In one aspect, the absorbent article comprises a body facing material having a first layer and a second layer with fibers of the layers entangled with each other. The body facing material can further comprise projections and land areas adjacent to the projections along with apertures in the land area.

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

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. 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. The benefits of the absorbent article are achieved, in part, by a body facing material having features that help minimize contact of body exudates with the wearer's skin while also being constructed so that the body facing material does not stick to the wearer's skin in use. The body facing material includes a plurality of hollow projections, a plurality of apertures and bonded areas. The bonded areas may be formed with adhesive or by mechanical bonds.

Incorporation of apertured area into an absorbent article

An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.

Absorbent article with an exudate management layer

Absorbent articles with extended leg elastics

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. 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. In one example, the article can include an outer cover, a body facing material, and an absorbent body. The body facing material can include a plurality of projections with a land area disposed between the plurality of projections, wherein the land area has an open area greater than about 10% open area in a chosen area.

The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for formation of a fluid-entangled laminate web. The laminate web includes a support layer and a nonwoven projection web having a plurality of projections which are preferably hollow. The laminate web also includes a plurality of apertures interspersed with the projections. As a result of the fluid-entangling process, entangling fluid is directed through the support layer and into the projection web which is situated on a forming surface. The force of the entangling fluid causes the two layers to be joined to one another and the fluid causes a portion of the fibers in the projection web to be forced into openings present in a forming surface thereby forming the hollow projections. The force of the entangling fluid also causes the fibers of the two layers to be moved around protrusions present in the forming surface thereby forming the apertures.

Process for making fluid-entangled laminate webs with hollow projections and apertures

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. 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.

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

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Andrew Thomas Hammond