Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet; and a layered absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, characterised in that said absorbent core comprises (i) a base layer positioned adjacent said backsheet and (ii) at least two side margin layers disposed one in each side of the absorbent article in spaced relation to each other adjacent said topsheet; and at least two liquid impervious shelves disposed one in each side of the absorbent article in spaced relation to each other between said base layer and said side margin layers, the maximum transverse width of each of said shelves being five-twelfths of the total transverse width of the absorbent article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An absorbent article comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet associated with said topsheet; and a layered absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, characterised in that said absorbent core comprises (i) a base layer positioned adjacent said backsheet and (ii) at least two side margin layers disposed one in each side of the absorbent article in spaced relation to each other adjacent said topsheet; and at least two liquid impervious shelves disposed one in each side of the absorbent article in spaced relation to each other between said base layer and said side margin layers, the maximum transverse width of each of said shelves being five-twelfths of the total transverse width of the absorbent article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An absorbent article according to Claim 1 wherein the maximum transverse width of each of said liquid impervious shelves is one-fourth preferably one eighth of the total transverse width of the absorbent article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An absorbent article according to either one of Claims 1 & 2 wherein said liquid impervious shelves are each formed from a portion of said backsheet arranged in a multiplicity of shelf layers, said shelf layers being formed by longitudinally extending folds in said backsheet, said shelves having at least a first shelf layer and a second shelf layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An absorbent article according to Claim 3 wherein said backsheet extends around at least the bottom and sides of the absorbent article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 1-4 additionally comprising a first liquid distribution layer disposed between said side margin layers and said topsheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An absorbent article according to Claim 5 additionally comprising a second liquid distribution layer disposed between said base layer and said shelves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
216 words
An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 1-6 wherein said layered absorbent core comprises a unified web arranged in a multiplicity of core layers, said core layers being formed by longitudinally extending folds in said web, the folds alternating in a zig-zag sequence in each side of the absorbent article, said core layers being (i) a base layer positioned adjacent said backsheet, (ii) at least two first support layers disposed. one on each side of the absorbent article in a spaced relation to each other, (iii) at least two first side margin layers disposed one on each side of the absorbent article in a spaced relation to each other, (iv) at least two second support layers disposed one on each side of the absorbent article in a spaced relation to each other, and (v) at least two second side margin layers disposed one on each side of the absorbent article in a spaced relation to each other; at least two first liquid impervious shelves being disposed one on each side of the absorbent article between said first support layers and said first side margin layers, and at least two second liquid impervious shelves being disposed one on each side of the absorbent article between said second support layers and said second side margin layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An absorbent article according to Claim 7 when dependent on Claims 5 & 6 wherein said first liquid distribution layer is disposed between said first side margin layers and said topsheet; and said second liquid distribution layer is disposed between said second side margin layers and said first support layers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An absorbent article according to Claim 8 wherein said topsheet extends around the entire absorbent article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 5-9 additionally comprising at least two moisture insensitive, resilient shaping members disposed between said first liquid distribution layer and said topsheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 3-10 additionally comprising an anti-bunching bead disposed on each side of the absorbent article between each of said first shelf layers and said second shelf layers of said second shelves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An absorbent article according to any one of Claims 3-11 additionally comprising an anti-bunching bead disposed on each side of the absorbent article between each of said first shelf layers and said second shelf layers of said first shelves.