IP Library Granted Patent US 8,603,622
Granted Patent B2
US 8,603,622 · App. 13/481,512 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Absorbent structure

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,603,622
App. No.
13/481,512
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An absorbent structure with a sequence of two layers includes at least one liquid absorption layer, a subsequent liquid storage layer with super absorbent polymer particles and super absorbent polymer fibers, and a subsequent liquid distribution layer. The layers are connected and form a sheet structure. The liquid storage layer has its super absorbent polymer extending from the liquid storage layer into the liquid distribution layer in order to generate a return suction effect for the liquid that has passed through the liquid absorption layer and liquid storage layer into the liquid distribution layer.

Claims (22)

1. An absorbent structure with a sequence of layers, comprising:

at least one liquid absorbent layer;

a subsequent liquid storage layer with super absorbent polymer selected from the group consisting of super absorbent polymer particles and super absorbent polymer fibers; and

a subsequent liquid distribution layer, wherein the layers are connected and form a layer structure,

wherein at least the liquid storage layer and the liquid distribution layer at least respectively include an air laid material comprising pores as a main component, wherein a portion of the air laid material in the liquid distribution layer has smaller pores than the pores of a portion of the air laid material in the liquid storage layer, wherein more than 20% of the super absorbent polymer arranged in the liquid storage layer extends from the liquid storage layer into the liquid distribution layer for generating a reverse suction effect for liquid which has entered through the liquid absorption layer and the liquid storage layer into the liquid distribution layer.

2. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid absorption layer includes an air laid material.

3. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid absorption layer includes thermo plastic fibers.

4. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid absorption layer includes a voluminous fleece including thermo plastic fibers.

5. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the super absorbent polymer protrudes into the liquid distribution layer from the liquid storage layer while displacing fibers of the liquid distribution layer.

6. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the super absorbent polymer extends into the liquid distribution layer from the liquid storage layer in an uneven manner.

7. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least a third of a longitudinal extension of the super absorbent polymer particles or the super absorbent polymer fibers extend into the liquid storage layer.

8. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein more than 40% of the super absorbent polymer particles or the super absorbent polymer fibers arranged in the liquid storage layer extend into the liquid distribution layer.

9. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein more than 40% but less than 70% of the super absorbent polymer particles or the super absorbent polymer fibers arranged in the liquid storage layer extend into the liquid distribution layer.

10. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the super absorbent polymer extending into the liquid distribution layer after liquid absorption expand more in the liquid storage layer than in the liquid distribution layer.

11. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the super absorbent polymer particles or the super absorbent polymer fibers extending into the liquid distribution layer have at least partially retreated back into the liquid distribution layer after liquid absorption.

12. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the layer structure defines cavities within at least one of the liquid distribution layer, the liquid storage layer, the liquid absorption layer, in a boundary portion between the liquid distribution layer, the liquid storage layer and the liquid absorption layer.

13. The absorbent structure according to claim 12 , wherein any cavities defined in the liquid storage layer are configured larger than cavities defined in the liquid absorption layer or the liquid distribution layer.

14. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the air laid material includes cellulose fibers.

15. The absorbent structure according to claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of any cellulose fibers of the liquid distribution layer, the liquid storage layer or the liquid absorption layer is intermixed with one another in a boundary portion respectively arranged therebetween.

16. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the air laid material of the liquid distribution layer and the liquid storage layer transition into one another within a boundary portion therebetween.

17. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of any air laid material within the liquid distribution layer, the liquid storage layer and the liquid absorption layer is not to be differentiatable from one another within the layer structure.

18. The absorbent structure according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution layer includes a first and second surface, the first surface is in contact with the liquid storage layer, and the liquid distribution layer is compressed to a greater extent at its second surface than at its first surface.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2023
From: GLATFELTER DRESDEN GMBH; GLATFELTER FALKENHAGEN GMBH; GLATFELTER GERNSBACH GMBH; GLATFELTER HOLDING (SWITZERLAND) AG
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063398/0064 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2012
From: ROTTGER, HENNING; VOLKMER, RENO
To: GLATFELTER FALKENHAGEN GMBH
Reel/Frame 028745/0313 →