IP Library Granted Patent US 10,687,992
Granted Patent B2
US 10,687,992 · App. 15/299,067 · Granted Jun 23, 2020

Formed film acquisition distribution layer and absorptive device therewith

Inventor: Paul Eugene Thomas (Terre Haute, IN)
Assignee: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS LLC
A61F13/513A61F13/15731A61F13/537A61F2013/15926A61F2013/51078A61F2013/51147A61F2013/51165A61F2013/51338A61F2013/51355B29C59/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,687,992
App. No.
15/299,067
Granted
Jun 23, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An absorptive device includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition distribution layer between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisition distribution layer includes a formed film having a plurality of lands that contact a bottom surface of the topsheet and define an irregular array of cells.

Claims (39)

1. An absorptive device comprising:

a topsheet;

a backsheet;

an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet; and

an acquisition distribution layer between the topsheet and the absorbent core, the acquisition distribution layer comprising a formed film having a plurality of lands that contact a bottom surface of the topsheet and define a first irregular array of cells,

wherein the first irregular array of cells is comprised of a random variety of shapes forming no regular geometric shapes,

wherein the first irregular array of cells is configured to render the plurality of lands invisible to a naked eye when the absorptive device is viewed from above the topsheet, and

wherein at least some of the first irregular array of cells have an inscribed circle diameter of between about 800 microns and about 1400 microns.

2. The absorptive device according to claim 1 , wherein the topsheet is a nonwoven topsheet.

3. The absorptive device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of lands is invisible by being camouflaged with the nonwoven topsheet.

4. The absorptive device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition distribution layer has a loft of at least about 775 microns.

5. The absorptive device according to claim 4 , wherein the acquisition distribution layer has a loft of about 1400 microns.

6. The absorptive device according to claim 1 , wherein top surfaces of the plurality of lands generally lie in a plane and have a combined surface area that provides low skin occlusion and low residual wetness.

7. The absorptive device according to claim 6 , wherein the combined surface area is less than about 25% of an overall area of the acquisition distribution layer.

8. The absorptive device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition distribution layer has multiple tiers, and wherein top surfaces of the plurality of lands define an upper tier.

9. The absorptive device according to claim 8 , wherein at least one lower tier relative to the upper tier is comprised of a second irregular array of cells.

10. The absorptive device according to claim 8 , wherein a lower tier relative to the upper tier is comprised of a regular pattern of geometrically shaped cells having a repetitive pattern.

11. The absorptive device according to claim 8 , wherein the multiple tiers includes the upper tier having a loft of about 950 microns, a middle tier having a loft of about 690 microns, and a lower tier having a loft of about 220 microns.

12. An acquisition distribution layer, comprising:

a plurality of lands; and

a plurality of cells surrounded by the plurality of lands,

wherein the plurality of lands define an array of the plurality of cells, and

wherein each of the plurality of cells in the array of the plurality of cells are irregularly shaped, such that the plurality of cells comprises a random variety of shapes forming no regular geometric shapes,

wherein the plurality of lands comprises a surface area that is <25% of a total area of the acquisition distribution layer, and

wherein at least some of the plurality of cells have an inscribed circle diameter of between about 800 microns and about 1400 microns.

13. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of lands have a loft of about 1400 microns.

14. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 12 , further comprising:

a first tier defining a first plurality of lands;

a first plurality of cells surrounded by the first plurality of lands in the first tier;

a second tier defining a second plurality of lands; and

a second plurality of cells surrounded by the second plurality of lands in the second tier,

wherein the first plurality of lands define a first array of the first plurality of cells,

wherein the second plurality of lands define a second array of the second plurality of cells,

wherein each of the first plurality of cells in the first array are irregularly shaped, and

wherein each of the second plurality of cells in the second array are irregularly shaped.

15. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 14 , wherein at least some of the first plurality of cells and some of the second plurality of cells have an inscribed circle diameter of between about 800 microns and about 1400 microns.

16. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of lands and the second plurality of lands have a loft of about 1400 microns.

17. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of lands comprises a surface area that is 8.5% to 25% of a total area of the acquisition distribution layer.

18. The acquisition distribution layer of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of lands comprises a surface area that is 10.5% to 12.5% of a total area of the acquisition distribution layer.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 14, 2021
From: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS LLC
To: FITESA FILM PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 054984/0795 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 29, 2020
From: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 052521/0105 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2016
From: THOMAS, PAUL EUGENE
To: TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040157/0297 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62243964 · Oct 20, 2015
Related Publication 20170105887A1 · Apr 20, 2017