US5149335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Absorbent structure
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1990-02-23
•
Granted: 1992-09-22
•
Expires: 2010-02-23
Abstract
Abstract One aspect of the present invention relates to an absorbent structure and garment comprising a superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least 15 g/g. The superabsorbent material is contained by containment means, such as a fibrous matrix, such that the superabsorbent material is present in said absorbent structure in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent based on the total weight of the containment means and superabsorbent material. A second aspect relates to an absorbent garment including containment means containing a high concentration of a superabsorbent material and defining a dry volume less than about 180 cubic centimeters. The absorbent garment has a saturated retention capacity of at least about two times the dry volume, and wherein the containment means and superabsorbent material account for at least about 60 volume percent of said saturated retention capacity.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley R. Kellenberger
- 👤 Wen-Huey Shih-Schroeder
- 👤 Anthony J. Wisneski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/531; A61F13/532; A61F13/5323; A61F13/15203; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F2013/15284; A61F2013/15365; A61F2013/15373; A61F2013/15382; A61F13/45; A61F2013/4512; A61F2013/4568; A61F2013/4581; A61F2013/51059; A61F2013/51066; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530226; A61F2013/530299; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; A61F2013/530547; A61F2013/530562; A61F2013/530569; A61F2013/530671; A61F2013/5307; A61F2013/530708
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises a fibrous matrix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 2 wherein said fibrous matrix is formed from a hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 3 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises less than about 10 weight percent of cellulosic fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water-pervious, and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent material has a free-swell rate of less than about 40 seconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent material has a free-swell rate of less than about 30 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material has a five-minute AUL of at least about 18 g/g.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 8 wherein said superabsorbent material has a five-minute AUL of at least about 21 g/g.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material comprises generally non-friable particles of agglomerated fines of a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble polyacrylic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent structure according to claim wherein said absorbent structure has an average thickness of less than about 0.2 inches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 11 wherein said absorbent structure has a fluid uptake value of less than about 30 seconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 12 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
An absorbent garment, said garment comprising: an outer cover; and an absorbent structure superposed on said outer cover, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
An absorbent garment, said garment comprising: an outer cover; and an absorbent structure superposed on said outer cover, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said containment means comprises a fibrous matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 15 wherein said fibrous matrix is formed from a hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 16 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises less than about 10 weight percent cellulosic fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water-pervious, and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein the superabsorbent material has a free-swell rate of less than about 40 seconds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein the superabsorbent material has a free-swell rate of less than about 30 seconds.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said superabsorbent material has a five-minute AUL of at least about 18 g/g.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 21 wherein said superabsorbent material has a five-minute AUL of at least about 21 g/g.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said superabsorbent material comprises generally non-friable particles of agglomerated fines of a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble polyacrylic acid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said absorbent garment has an average thickness of less than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 24 wherein said absorbent garment has an average thickness of less than about 0.20 inches.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said absorbent garment has a fluid uptake value of less than about 30 seconds.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the absorbent structure to the surface area of the absorbent garment is within the range of from about 3:10 to about 8:10.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 14 further comprising a body-side liner, said absorbent structure being located between said body-side liner and said outer cover.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
118 words
A thin, disposable diaper, said diaper comprising: a body-side liner; an outer cover superposed in facing relation with said liner; and an absorbent structure located between said liner and outer cover, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material; said absorbent garment having an average thickness of less than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
118 words
A thin, disposable diaper, said diaper comprising: a body-side liner; an outer cover superposed in facing relation with said liner; and an absorbent structure located between said liner and outer cover, said absorbent structure comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a free-swell rate of less than about 60 seconds and a five-minute AUL of at least about 15 g/g, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on a total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material; said absorbent garment having an average thickness of less than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The disposable diaper according to claim 30 wherein said diaper consists essentially of said body-side liner, said outer cover, and said absorbent structure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The disposable diaper according to claim 30 wherein said diaper cover is water-pervious.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
The diaper according to claim 30 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The diaper according to claim 30 wherein said diaper has an average thickness of less than about 0.20 inches.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
119 words
An absorbent garment, said absorbent garment comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said means, said superabsorbent material being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of the containment means and said superabsorbent material, said containment means and superabsorbent material defining a dry volume of less than about 180 cubic centimeters, said absorbent garment having a saturated retention capacity of at least about 2 times the dry volume of said containment means and superabsorbent material with the containment means and superabsorbent material accounting for at least about 60 volume percent of said saturated retention capacity of said absorbent garment.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
119 words
An absorbent garment, said absorbent garment comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; and superabsorbent material contained by said means, said superabsorbent material being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of the containment means and said superabsorbent material, said containment means and superabsorbent material defining a dry volume of less than about 180 cubic centimeters, said absorbent garment having a saturated retention capacity of at least about 2 times the dry volume of said containment means and superabsorbent material with the containment means and superabsorbent material accounting for at least about 60 volume percent of said saturated retention capacity of said absorbent garment.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said containment means comprises a fibrous matrix.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 36 wherein said fibrous matrix is formed from a hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 37 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises less than about 10 weight percent cellulosic fibers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said containment means comprises two layers of material, at least one layer being water-pervious, and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 39 wherein said two layers form a compartment in which the superabsorbent material is contained.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said superabsorbent material comprises generally non-friable particles of agglomerated fines of a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble polyacrylic acid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said absorbent garment has an average thickness of less than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 42 wherein said absorbent garment has an average thickness of less than about 0.20 inches.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said absorbent garment has a fluid uptake value of less than about 30 seconds.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 44 wherein said absorbent garment has a fluid uptake value of less than about 20 seconds.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 further comprising a body-side liner and an outer cover, said containment means being located between said body-side liner and said outer cover.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein the dry volume of the containment means and superabsorbent material is less than about 150 cubic centimeters.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 48 wherein the dry volume of the containment means and superabsorbent material is less than about 120 cubic centimeters.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 49 wherein the dry volume of the containment means and superabsorbent material is less than about 100 cubic centimeters.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein the absorbent garment has a saturated retention capacity of at least about 3 times the dry volume of the containment means and superabsorbent material.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 51 wherein the absorbent garment has a saturated retention capacity of at least about 5 times the dry volume of the containment means and superabsorbent material.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 35 wherein the containment means and superabsorbent material accounts for at least about 75 volume percent of the saturated retention capacity of said absorbent garment.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent garment according to claim 53 wherein the containment means and superabsorbent material accounts for at least about 85 volume percent of the saturated retention capacity of said absorbent garment.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
108 words
A thin disposable diaper, said diaper consisting essentially of: a body-side liner; an outer cover superposed in facing relation with said liner; means for containing a superabsorbent material said means being located between said liner and outer cover; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent based on a total weight of the containment means and superabsorbent material, said containment means and superabsorbent material having an average thickness of less than about 0.2 inch, said diaper having a saturated retention capacity of at least about 300 grams.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
108 words
A thin disposable diaper, said diaper consisting essentially of: a body-side liner; an outer cover superposed in facing relation with said liner; means for containing a superabsorbent material said means being located between said liner and outer cover; and superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 60 to about 100 weight percent based on a total weight of the containment means and superabsorbent material, said containment means and superabsorbent material having an average thickness of less than about 0.2 inch, said diaper having a saturated retention capacity of at least about 300 grams.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diaper according to claim 55 wherein said containment means and superabsorbent material has an average thickness of less than about 0.18 inch.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The diaper according to claim 55 wherein said containment means and superabsorbent material defines a dry volume of less than about 180 cubic centimeters.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
42 words
The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 70 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-22 | 1996-03-23 | 1996-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-22 | 2000-03-23 | 2000-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-22 | 2004-03-23 | 2004-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |