Absorbent article and process for making it

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9532906-B2
Application number	US-201214353342-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2012
Priority date	Oct 24, 2011
Publication date	Jan 3, 2017
Grant date	Jan 3, 2017

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a liquid-absorbing article comprising:
a first sheet layer presenting an array of absorbent receiving pockets; masses of superabsorbent material, which masses are placed in said absorbent receiving pockets; a second sheet layer placed on top of the first layer; bonding beads placed between the respective pockets.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An absorbent article ( 1 ) comprising:
a first sheet layer ( 2 ) presenting an array of absorbent receiving pockets ( 4 , 4 a );
masses ( 6 ) of superabsorbent material, which masses are placed in said absorbent receiving pockets ( 4 , 4 a );
a second sheet layer ( 7 ) placed on top of the first sheet layer;
bonding beads ( 5 ) placed between the respective pockets ensuring structural strength;
the first sheet layer ( 2 ) forming a number of pleats ( 10 ) on the masses ( 6 ) of superabsorbent material, the pleats being present in an area that extends about the periphery of the pocket thus formed, wherein the number of pleats ( 10 ) is from 2 to 20 pleats per pocket ( 4 , 4 a ), and the pleats are built substantially parallel to a plane of the first and second sheet layers,
wherein the first sheet layer ( 2 ) is impervious to liquids and the second sheet layer ( 7 ) allows penetration of liquids into the masses of superabsorbent material.

2. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , comprising:
a first adhesive layer or a second adhesive layer between the first and second layers bonded in the area ( 9 ) in the vicinity of the beads ( 5 );
wherein the first and second adhesive layers delaminate in said area ( 9 ) upon exerting a pressure by the superabsorbent expansion.

3. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 2 , comprising two adhesive layers ( 3 ) and ( 8 ) applied respectively on the first and second sheet layers.

4. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the bonding beads comprise adhesive beads in both machine and transverse directions.

5. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the bonding beads ( 5 ) define draining zones in the part of the sheet layers in correspondence to said beads.

6. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the bonding beads ( 5 ) are adhesive beads.

7. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the masses of superabsorbent material further comprise an adhesive.

8. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first sheet layer ( 2 ) or the second sheet layer ( 7 ) is non-woven.

9. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first sheet layer ( 2 ) is a bottom layer and the second sheet layer ( 7 ) is a top layer.

10. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 2 , wherein the first and second adhesive layers and the bonding beads are non hydrosoluble.

11. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material comprises less than 30% fibers.

12. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity of at least 24 g/g.

13. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material has an absorbency under load of at least 22 g/g, the absorbency being measured under a load of 49.2 g/cm 2 according to EDANA test method No. WSP 242.2-05 “Absorption under Pressure”.

14. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material has a saline flow conductivity of at least 25×10 −7 cm 3 s/g.

15. The absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , further comprising an acquisition/distribution layer.

16. A diaper, training pant, sanitary napkin, incontinence garment or bandage comprising the absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 .

17. A process for the manufacture of the absorbent article ( 1 ) of claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a first sheet layer ( 2 ),
(2) applying bonding beads ( 5 ) ensuring structural strength,
(3) forming pockets ( 4 , 4 a ) into said first sheet layer ( 2 ),
(4) filling the pockets with masses of superabsorbent material, the mass of superabsorbent material ( 6 ) representing, in volume, less than 70% of the volume defined by the pockets before pleating step ( 7 ),
(5) providing a second sheet layer ( 7 ), wherein the first sheet layer ( 2 ) is impervious to liquids and the second sheet layer ( 7 ) allows penetration of liquids into the masses of superabsorbent material,
(6) affixing the second sheet layer ( 7 ) on the first sheet layer ( 2 ) carrying the pockets ( 4 , 4 a ), and
(7) pleating the first sheet layer ( 2 ) on the masses ( 6 ) of superabsorbent material, the pleats ( 10 ) being present in a zone that extends about the periphery of the pocket thus formed.

18. The process of claim 17 , wherein the pleats ( 10 ) are formed by applying pressure in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the layers so that the pleats ( 10 ) are built substantially parallel to the plane of the layers.

19. The process of claim 17 , wherein the pleats ( 10 ) are formed from the parts of the sheets of the pockets that are perpendicular to the plane of the layers.

Assignees

• Bostik Inc
• Basf Se

Inventors

• Bauduin Christophe
• Chartrel Jean-Francois
• Daniel Thomas
• Liger Julien
• Wuestefeld Renate

Classifications

• A61F13/539

  characterised by the connection of the absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers · CPC title

• A61F2013/53958

  with separate adhesive layer · CPC title

• A61F13/15707

  Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping · CPC title

• A61F2013/53933

  with water-soluble binder · CPC title

• A61F13/15658

  Forming continuous, e.g. composite, fibrous webs, e.g. involving the application of pulverulent material on parts thereof · CPC title