Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Meijia Ng

Franz Aschenbrenner

DooHong Kim

YeinSze Ong

SangWook Lee

Priscilla Eng Choo Goh

Yein Sze Ong

Kwee Ling Cheng

Adrienne Rae Loyd

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

Carmen Lira

Katie Ann Boland

Sohyun Sara Park

Lin Miao

Xueen George Hao

Chunlei Pu

Priscilla Goh Eng Goh

Katie McMillen

Eng Choo Priscilla Goh

Cheng Kwee Ling

Doo Hong Kim

Cai Shan Tan

Jina Gwag

An absorbent article () 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 () contains fluid-shrinkable members (), a topsheet (), and a base pad () that includes a baffle () and an absorbent core () positioned between the topsheet () and the baffle (). The topsheet () extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end () and an opposing proximal end (). At least a portion of the proximal end () remains generally unbonded to the baffle (). The fluid-shrinkable members () extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article () so that at least a portion of the fluid-shrinkable members () are located adjacent to the proximal end () of the topsheet (). Thus, when the fluid-shrinkable members () contract upon contacting a fluid insult, the proximal end () of the topsheet () can raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article (). The raised area creates a barrier to the leakage of fluids from the center of the absorbent article () towards its end. Contraction of the fluid-shrinkable members can also cause an outer region of the topsheet () to raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article () to create a barrier to the leakage of fluid from the center of the absorbent article () towards the side edge. Because such barriers are generally created only after contact with a fluid insult, their effectiveness is not diminished through use of the article prior to the insult.

Absorbent article having enhanced leakage protection

The present invention discloses and claims an absorbent article which utilizes an absorbent portion that includes superabsorbent yarn as part of the absorbent portion, such that liquid is wicked to the perimeter or select regions of the absorbent portion, or the perimeter of the absorbent article itself, taking full advantage of either the depth, width, length or combination of dimensions of the absorbent portion, or absorbent article. The superabsorbent yarn can be one or more of several types, including encapsulated yarn, multilayered encapsulated yarn, coated yarn and sliver-formed yarn as long as such yarn includes at least two components, those being a superabsorbent polymer and a second material which promotes distribution of liquid along the yarn length. In alternatives of the invention, such absorbent article utilizing the superabsorbent yarn provides passive visual signals to consumers, of article saturation levels prior to leakage.

Absorbent article including superabsorbent yarn

An absorbent article has non-uniform dimensioned side barrier features and includes a lower structure. The article also includes an upper structure in fluid communication with the lower structure. The upper structure is adjacent and bonded to the lower structure. Embossment channels or embossment features and said side barrier feature lateral-most edges define side barrier features having either non-uniform lateral width dimensions or a combination of non-uniform lateral width and non-uniform height dimensions along the longitudinal direction of said article.

Absorbent article with non-uniform dimensioned side barriers

An absorbent article that is capable of inhibiting leakage of a fluid insult is provided. The absorbent article contains a fluid-shrinkable member, topsheet, and a base pad that includes a baffle and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the baffle. The fluid-shrinkable member extends in a longitudinal direction of the article so that at least a portion of the member is located adjacent to an end of the topsheet. At least a portion of the end of the topsheet remains generally unbonded to the baffle. Thus, when the fluid-shrinkable member contracts upon contacting a fluid insult, the end of the topsheet can rise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article. The raised area creates a barrier to the leakage of fluids from the center of the article towards its end. In certain embodiments, contraction of the fluid-shrinkable member can also cause an outer region of the topsheet to rise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article to create a barrier to the leakage of fluids from the center of the article towards the side edge. Notably, because such barriers are generally created only after contact with a fluid insult, their effectiveness is not diminished through use of the article prior to the insult.

An absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a first major surface which forms a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, and a second major surface disposed distally from the first major surface which forms a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The article includes an absorbent core positioned between the first major surface and the second major surface. The article also includes at least one barrier structure having an inward-facing side and an outward-facing side, and at least one liquid shrinkable string. The at least one barrier structure is disposed on the first major surface, and the inward-facing side of the at least one barrier structure is attached to the absorbent article. In addition, a first portion of the at least one liquid shrinkable string is attached to the at least one barrier structure.

Article with fluid-activated barriers

An absorbent article that contains a topsheet having embossed regions is provided. The embossed regions propagate in a longitudinal direction of the article in the form of a wave having one or more alternating crests (peaks) and troughs (valleys). Such a wave pattern helps slow down the flow of bodily fluid by directing it along a tortuous path defined by the densified edges rather than in a straight line. Among other things, this reduction in flow rate can help provide sufficient time for the absorbent core to absorb the fluid, which is particularly helpful when it is already partially filled with fluid. Nevertheless, bodily fluids can still sometimes pool near the crests and/or troughs and result in leakage. To help counteract this tendency, the present inventors have discovered that a plurality of apertures can be employed in the topsheet that are arranged in a column that generally extends in a longitudinal direction of the article. At least a portion of the apertures are located proximate to contiguous crests and/or contiguous troughs of the embossed region. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the registration of the apertures with contiguous crests and/or contiguous troughs of the embossed region puts them in a better position to receive bodily fluids that tend to pool around the embossed regions and thus reduce the likelihood of leakage.

Absorbent article containing apertures arranged in registration with an embossed wave pattern

The present disclosure provides an absorbent article including an absorbent core and at least one barrier structure having a fluid shrinkable string attached thereto, wherein insult of the fluid shrinkable string by the user causes deformation of the peripheral edge of the barrier structure in the z-direction forming a leakage barrier between the user and the peripheral edge of the barrier structure.

Absorbent article configured for controlled deformation

In a body adhering absorbent article, an absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell supports the absorbent structure at the vaginal region and has an adhesive on a body-facing surface thereof for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. A placement aid is disposed on at least one of the absorbent structure and the shell to facilitate placement on the wearer. Securement components may be provided for securing the article in a folded configuration during wear and/or to the wearer's undergarment. Detachment components may also be provided to facilitate detachment of the article from the wearer.

Body adhering absorbent article

An absorbent article for preventing leakage is provided, the article including an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter, and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element includes a dimension change member adapted to dimensionally change upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the absorbent article between an activated state and an un-activated state, thereby producing a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent article also provides an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element including a stored energy device and a dimension change member, the dimension change member disposed along a portion of the perimeter, wherein the dimension change member is adapted to break upon liquid contact to produce a transition in the leakage warning element from an un-activated state to an activated state.

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Meijia Ng