Absorbent articles having pockets and related methods therefor
The present disclosure provides articles having an absorbent core with a plurality of segmented volumes defined by a network of filaments, with an absorbent material therein. Suitable articles which may be formed with this absorbent core include, for example, diapers such as infant diapers, juvenile diapers and training pants, feminine hygiene products such as menstrual pads, adult incontinence products such as adult briefs, protective underwear, pads and bladder control pads, pet training pads, and other disposable products utilized to absorb fluids.
1 . An absorbent article with an absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising:
a fluid permeable layer;
a second layer;
a network of filament portions disposed between the fluid permeable layer and the second layer, wherein the network of filament portions are bonded to the fluid permeable layer and the second layer to define a plurality of pockets in the absorbent core, the plurality of pockets containing a fluff material and superabsorbent material therein; and
a fluff material with a superabsorbent material dispersed therein contained within the plurality of pockets formed by the network of filament portions bonded to the fluid permeable layer and the second layer;
wherein the network of filament portions form a net having a stretched state and a relaxed state, and wherein the net is applied to at least one of the fluid permeable layer and the second layer in the stretched state so that the fluff material between the network of filament portions, and contained within the plurality of pockets, pillows between the filament portions when the net is in the relaxed state.
2 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the filament portions comprise a polymeric material having a melting point less than a melting point of a material comprising the fluid permeable layer.
3 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the network of filament portions comprises a polymer selected from a group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or polyamide.
4 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the network of filament portions are bonded via adhesive securement to the fluid permeable layer and to the second layer.
5 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of pockets is substantially about the same size.
6 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material comprises starch-graft polymers and cross-linked polyacrylate polymers.
7 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material is a polymer selected from a group consisting of polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polysuccinimide, or hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile.
8 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of pockets is sized to have at least one dimension in a range of from about 0.125 inch to about 1 inch.
9 . The absorbent article of claim 1 having at least a portion of said plurality of pockets with a first area and at least a portion of said plurality of pockets with a second area, said first area greater than the second area, and wherein said at least a portion of said plurality of pockets with said first area disposed at a peripheral zone of the absorbent article.
10 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the filament portions comprise an elastomeric material.
11 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is selected from a group consisting of diapers or protective undergarments.
12 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material is contained within at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets.
13 . The absorbent article of claim 12 , wherein the superabsorbent material is contained within each pocket of the plurality of pockets.
14 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is substantially coextensive with the fluid permeable layer.
15 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a fluid impermeable layer and is opposed to the fluid permeable layer.
16 . An absorbent article with an absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising:
a fluid permeable layer;
a second layer;
a network of elastic filament portions disposed between the fluid permeable layer and the second layer, wherein the network of elastic filament portions are bonded to the fluid permeable layer and the second layer to define a plurality of pockets in the absorbent core, the plurality of pockets configured to contain a fluff material and superabsorbent material therein; and
a fluff material with the superabsorbent material dispersed therein contained within the plurality of pockets, wherein the network of filament portions form a net having a stretched state and a relaxed state, and wherein the net is applied to at least one of the fluid permeable layer and the second layer in the stretched state so that the fluff material between the network of filament portions, and contained within the plurality of pockets, pillows between the elastic filament portions when the net is in the relaxed state.
17 . The absorbent article of claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric material has a diameter in a range of from about 250 microns to about 500 microns.
18 . The absorbent core of claim 1 , wherein the network of filament portions is bonded to the fluid permeable layer and the second layer via at least one of an adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, heat pressure sealing, or hot air knife bonding.
19 . The absorbent article of claim 16 , wherein the network of filament portions is bonded to the fluid permeable layer and the second layer via at least one of an adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, heat pressure sealing, or hot air knife bonding.