Absorbent structure comprising a fibrous matrix having dual z-directional gradient

Claim 2

An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, said fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 3

An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 4

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 5

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 6

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material.

Claim 7

The absorbent structure according to claim 2 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 8

The absorbent structure according to claim 3 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material.

Claim 9

The absorbent structure according to claim 4 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 10

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix and has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 11

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material and has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix and has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 12

The absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises first and second separately formed fibrous layers containing a high-absorbency material, said first fibrous layer containing said first major planar surface and having a lower average density and a greater concentration of high-absorbency material than said second fibrous layer containing said second major planar surface.

Claim 13

The absorbent structure according to claim 11 wherein said first fibrous layer contains from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the first fibrous layer and high-absorbency material present in said first fibrous layer and said second fibrous layer contains from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the second fibrous layer and high-absorbency material present in said second fibrous layer.

Claim 14

The absorbent structure according to claim 12 wherein said first fibrous layer has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and said second fibrous layer has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 15

The absorbent structure according to claim 12 wherein said high-absorbency material is substantially uniformly dispersed in said first and second fibrous layers.

Claim 16

The absorbent structure according to claim 11 wherein said first fibrous layer has a basis weight of from about 150 to about 1500 grams per square meter and said second fibrous layer has a basic weight of from about 100 to about 1250 grams per square meter, wherein the basis weight of said first fibrous layer is greater than the basis weight of said second fibrous layer.

Claim 17

The absorbent structure of claim 1 wherein said fibrous matrix is a single, integrally formed layer containing a high-absorbency material.

Claim 18

The absorbent structure according to claim 16 wherein the concentration of high-absorbency material decreases from said first major planar surface to said second major planar surface in a nonstepwise manner.

Claim 19

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 20

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 21

The absorbent article according to claim 18 wherein said first major planar surface is closer to said bodyside liner than said second major planar surface.

Claim 22

The absorbent article according to claim 20 wherein said second half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 23

The absorbent article according to claim 19 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 24

The absorbent structure according to claim 19 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 25

The absorbent article according to claim 19 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 26

The absorbent article according to claim 19 wherein said fibrous matrix comprises first and second separately formed fibrous layers containing a high-absorbency material, said first fibrous layer containing said first major planar surface and having a lower average density and a greater concentration of high-absorbency material than said second fibrous layer containing said second major planar surface.

Claim 27

The absorbent article according to claim 24 wherein said first fibrous layer contains from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the first fibrous layer and high-absorbency material present in said first fibrous layer and said second fibrous layer contains from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the second fibrous layer and high-absorbency material present in said second fibrous layer.

Claim 28

The absorbent article according to claim 24 wherein said first fibrous layer has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and said second fibrous layer has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 29

The absorbent article according to claim 24 wherein said high-absorbency material is substantially uniformly dispersed in said first and second fibrous layers.

Claim 30

The absorbent article according to claim 19 wherein said fibrous matrix is a single integrally formed layer containing a high-absorbency material.

Claim 31

The absorbent article according to claim 28 wherein the concentration of said high-absorbency material decreases from said first major planar surface to said second major planar surface in a nonstepwise manner.

Claim 32

An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, said fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 33

An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, said fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 34

The absorbent structure according to claim 30 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 35

The absorbent structure according to claim 30 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 36

The absorbent structure according to claim 30 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 37

The absorbent structure according to claim 30 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 38

The absorbent structure according to claim 31 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material.

Claim 39

The absorbent structure according to claim 32 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 40

An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, said fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 41

An absorbent structure, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, said fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 42

The absorbent structure according to claim 37 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 43

The absorbent structure according to claim 37 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 44

The absorbent structure according to claim 37 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 45

The absorbent structure according to claim 37 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material.

Claim 46

The absorbent structure according to claim 38 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 47

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 48

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said first one-half and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 49

The absorbent article according to claim 43 wherein said first major planar surface is closer to said bodyside liner than said second major planar surface.

Claim 50

The absorbent article according to claim 43 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix, and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 51

The absorbent article according to claim 43 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 52

The absorbent structure according to claim 43 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix, and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 53

The absorbent article according to claim 43 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 54

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 55

An absorbent article, said article comprising: an outer cover; a liquid-permeable bodyside liner; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a fibrous matrix having a first one-half comprising a first major planar surface, and a second one-half comprising a second opposed major planar surface, said fibrous matrix containing a high-absorbency material, the fibrous matrix being characterized in that the first one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said first major planar surface comprises a greater concentration of high-absorbency material and has a lower average density than the second one-half of said fibrous matrix containing said second major planar surface and wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said second one-half of the fibrous matrix.

Claim 56

The absorbent article according to claim 49 wherein said first major planar surface is closer to said bodyside liner than said second major planar surface.

Claim 57

The absorbent article according to claim 49 wherein said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 58

The absorbent structure according to claim 49 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent of said high-absorbency material based on a total weight of the fibrous matrix and high-absorbency material present in said first one-half of the fibrous matrix, and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix comprises from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of said high-absorbency material.

Claim 59

The absorbent article according to claim 49 wherein said first one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.05 to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter and said second one-half of said fibrous matrix has a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter.