Kimberly-clark Corporation

Catherine J. Heimbach

Leo J. Bernardin

Leo J Bernardin

James John Hlaban

Leonard M Kaczmarzyk

Catherine J Heimbach

Eleanor J Fendler

Patti J Rhode

An absorbent structure designed for use in absorbent pads such as diapers is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the invention, absorbent pads are provided which comprise at least two layers of cellulosic fibers (fluff) of different densities or average pore size ranges. When the absorbent structure is incorporated in a diaper, the lower density element extends to the full length and width dimensions of the normal absorbent component of the diaper. The higher density element lies beneath at least a portion of the lower density element. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it can run as a strip from the target zone to the back waist of a diaper, it can run along a central portion extending the whole length of the diaper, or it can underlie the entirety of the lower density element. The higher density element (or the element having a lower average pore size) wicks waste fluid from a lower central portion of the diaper, and thereby transports the fluid upwardly and also transfers it to the lower density element (or the element of greater average pore size). According to a second aspect of the invention, which may be incorporated with the first aspect just described, a portion of superabsorbent material is placed beneath the higher density layer, (or layer of lower average pore size), such that an additional reservoir for absorbing waste fluid is provided.

Absorbent structure designed for absorbing body fluids

An absorbent web formed from inflated cellulose fibers said webs possessing improved vertical wicking properties compared to a similar web of cellulose fibers. The webs have been found to be particularly well suited for use in forming absorbent products such as diapers and the like. In one aspect of the present invention, the inflated cellulose fibers are generally free of a surface finish. In a second aspect the inflated cellulose fibers are crosslinked.

Inflated cellulose fiber web possessing improved vertical wicking

An absorbent structure designed for use in absorbent pads such as diapers is disclosed. According to a first aspect of the invention, absorbent pads are provided which comprise at least two layers of cellulosic fibers (fluff) of different densities or average pore size ranges. When the absorbent structure is incorporated in a diaper, the lower density element extends to the full length and width dimensions of the normal absorbent component of the diaper. The higher density element lies beneath at least a portion of the lower density element. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it can run as a strip from the target zone to the back waist of a diaper, it can run along a central portion extending the whole length of the diaper, or it can underlie the entirety of the lower density element. The higher density element (or the element having a lower average pore size) wiscks waste fluid from a lower central portion of the diaper, and thereby transports the fluid upwardly and also transfers it to the lower density element (or the element of greater average pore size). According to a second aspect of the invention, which may be incorporated with the first aspect just described, a portion of superabsorbent material is placed beneath the higher density layer, (or layer of lower average pore size), such that an additional reservoir for absorbing waste fluid is provided.

In a disposable absorbent garment, an absorbent structure includes liquid absorbing material comprising an upper layer comprising preferably softwood fibers and having a density from about 0.03 to about 0.14 g/cc, a lower layer comprising preferably hardwood fibers, formed substantially separately from and underlying at least a portion of the upper layer, the second layer having top and bottom surfaces, a density from about 0.14 to about 0.3 g/cc, a total void volume greater than about 80%, an average pore size distribution generally less than the average pore size distribution of the upper layer. There is an overlap in the pore size distributions of the upper and lower layers such that the smallest pores in the upper layer are smaller than the largest pores in the lower layer and front and rear fluid storage pouches, preferably spaced from one another at the front one-third and rear one-third of the absorbent structure, respectively, each pouch comprise superabsorbent material disposed in a hydrophilic web. The spaced fluid storage pouches are preferably located underlying the bottom surface of the lower layer so that the absorbent structure is substantially free of superabsorbent material in the middle one-third thereof.

An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and a multilayered absorbent structure (22). The multilayered absorbent structure (22) has a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) and an absorbent composite (38). The absorbent composite (38) can comprise a uniform composition of fluff or a mixture of a hydrogel and absorbent material. Alternately, the absorbent composite (38) can comprise a first and second layer of absorbent materials (37) (39) differing by densities or differing by pore sizes. The absorbent composite can further comprise a layer of a hydrogel (45). Further, the absorbent composite can comprise a mixture of a hydrogel and a filler material which can be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material which may be treated with a surfactant.

Form-fitting self-adjusting disposable garment with a multilayered

An anatomically form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable garment with a stretchable outer cover (20), fixed position fasteners (70) (72) (74) (76) attached to the outer cover (20) and a multilayered absorbent structure (22). The multilayered absorbent structure (22) has a liquid permeable bodyside liner (42), a liquid impermeable barrier (44) and an absorbent composite (38). The absorbent composite (38) can comprise a uniform composition of fluff or a mixture of a hydrogel and absorbent material. Alternately, the absorbent composite (38) can comprise a first and second layer of absorbent materials (37) (39) differing by densities or differing by pore sizes. The absorbent composite can further comprise a layer of a hydrogel (45). Further, the absorbent composite can comprise a mixture of a hydrogel and a fiber material which can be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material which may be treated with a surfactant.

An absorbent pad containing a nonwoven hydrophilic thermoplastic filamentary microfibrous web as part of the absorbent material is provided. The microfibrous web exhibits good wicking and fluid retention properties.

Absorbent pad including a microfibrous web

This invention is directed to a compressed catamenial tampon made up of a mass of absorbent fibers having intermixed therein a quantity of carboxymethylcellulose fibers containing free-acid carboxyl radicals and characterized by a high capacity for absorbing and retaining menstrual fluids. These carboxymethylcellulose fibers are modified by heat treatment to shorten the time it takes for such fibers to absorb a specified amount of fluid and thereby more effectively utilize their high capacity. The particular high capacity fibers are defined as carboxymethylcellulose fibers having a degree of substitution in the normally soluble range of about 0.4 to about 2.0 in which a part of the carboxyl groups are in free-acid form with the remainder in salt form.

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Leo J Bernardin