Generally stated, the present invention provides a distinctive absorbent article comprising a backsheet layer, and a topsheet layer which is disposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer. An absorbent body is interposed between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The absorbent body includes a retention portion which comprises a matrix of substantially hydrophilic fibers having a distribution of high-absorbency particulate material therein. The hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency particles can be provided in a fiber-to-particle weight ratio within the range of about 70:30 to about 30:70. A surge management layer, comprising bicomponent fibers having a denier of not more than about 3 d, is located adjacent at least one major, facing surface of the topsheet layer, and can cooperate with the article components to provide for a liquid Penetration Rate index of not less than about 2.67 ml/sec.

Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid

A distinctive absorbent article includes a backsheet layer which has a width dimension and a length dimension, and which includes a front waistband section, a back waistband section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the front and back waistband sections. An absorbent body is superposed on the backsheet layer, and an intermediate transfer layer, which is liquid permeable, is disposed in facing relation with the absorbent body to generally sandwich the absorbent body between the backsheet and transfer layer. The transfer layer has an appointed bodyside, inner surface, and a bodyside liner layer is located on the inner surface of the transfer layer. The bodyside liner comprises a bonded carded web which has a basis weight within the range of about 15-40 gsm and is composed of bicomponent fibers having a fiber denier within the range of about 1.0-3.0 dpf. The bodyside liner is constructed to provide for a Penetration rate index of at least about 1.5 ml/sec and a Retention index of not more than about 0.8 gm.

Absorbent article having a liner which exhibits improved softness and dryness, and provides for rapid uptake of liquid

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent pads, sanitary napkins and the like that have multiple layer absorbent cores that are suitable for acquiring and containing liquids in an especially effective and efficient manner. The absorbent core comprises multiple layers including a first layer comprising hydrophilic fibrous material and having an acquisition zone of a relatively lower average density than the other portions of the first layer so that it quickly acquires discharged liquids; a liquid handling layer comprising a resilient material that is moisture insensitive so as to rapidly acquire liquid into itself through the acquisition zone and distribute the liquid throughout the liquid handling layer to a storage layer and the first layer; and a storage layer comprising a combination of fibrous material and discrete particles of absorbent gelling material that contains and stores the liquids deposited onto the absorbent core and allows the liquid handling layer to be "drained" of the liquids it has acquired so that the liquid handling layer may have sufficient capacity to acquire and distribute subsequent loadings of liquids.

Absorbent articles with multiple layer absorbent cores

A shaped sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin of this invention has an absorbent means, such as an absorbent core, and two flaps extending outwardly from the absorbent means. Each flap is associated with the absorbent means along a nonlinear line of juncture and each has two axes of flexibility. In use, the absorbent means is secured in the crotch of a panty and the flaps are secured about the elastic edges of the panty so that, when the panty is worn, the absorbent means is held adjacent the body while the flaps form a wall at each side of the absorbent means and seals against the body. Both the walls and the seals serve to prevent soiling of the body and clothing by menstrual fluid.

Shaped sanitary napkin with flaps

An absorbent article includes a retention portion for storing absorbed liquids, and a distinctive surge management portion. The surge management portion, which has a selected basis weight, is constructed to rapidly uptake and temporarily hold at least three (3) successive surges of liquid directed into the target zone of the article and then release each of the surges to the retention portion. The retention portion desorbs each input of liquid from the surge management portion and stores the liquid. Particular functional and structural parameters can further characterize the surge management portion of the absorbent article.

Absorbent structure having improved fluid surge management and product incorporating same

Non-woven fabrics comprising yarn-like fiber groups of parallel and tightly compacted fiber segments, which groups include fiber segments circumferentially wrapped around at least a portion of the fiber groups. The groups are interconnected at junctures by fibers common to the plurality of such groups.

Non-woven fabric and method and apparatus for making the same

Non-woven fabrics comprising yarn-like fiber groups of parallel and tightly compacted fiber segments, which define apertures in the fabric. The apertures have substantially improved clarity and the yarn-like fiber groups have increased density.

Apertured non-woven fabric

Nonwoven, air-laid fabrics formed predominantly of textile length, synthetic, resilient fibers of staple length, the fabric being resin-bonded and having a density less than about 0.06 gm/cc at 0.16 lb/sq. in. load and a weight less than 3 oz/sq. yd. The fabric is resin-bonded using a bonding solution providing less than 180% solution pickup and more than 15% dry solids add-on. The fabric is used as a facing or covering for disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, tampons and the like.

Nonwoven fibrous product and method of making same

A fabric (50) comprises a multiplicity of yarn-like fiber bundles (51), which extend between and are interconnected at junctures (52). These fiber bundles and junctures define a pattern of openings (53) with the openings having a generally square configuration. Each of the fiber bundles comprises fiber segments which have been densified and compacted, In these fiber bundles many of the fiber segments are parallel to each other. As may be seen in the drawing, substantially at the center of the fiber bundle between adjacent junctures, there is a further entangled area (54) wherein the fibers tend to be circumferentially wrapped about the periphery of the parallel compacted fiber segments. As may be seen, the fiber bundle projects, from the opposite sides of the circumferentially entangled area. This configuration is hereinafter referred to as a "bow tie" or "bow tie area".

James William

Papers

Non-woven fabric and method and apparatus for making the same

Apertured non-woven fabric

Nonwoven fibrous product and method of making same

Novel apertured non-woven fabric