US5368909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid-pervious plastic web having improved fluid drainage
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1993-04-02
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2013-04-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a resilient, fluid-pervious, laminate, plastic web suitable for use as a topsheet on absorbent articles, especially catamenial articles. The web includes a first layer of polymeric material, a second layer of polymeric material and an intermediate layer of fibrous material. The fibrous material of the intermediate layer extends below the second surface of the web, preferably into the absorbent core. In-use, fluid deposited on the topsheet drains or empties more readily as the fibrous material of the intermediate layer breaks up the fluid meniscuses which form along the second surface of the web, thereby providing improved dryness and cleanliness for the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred M. Langdon
- 👤 John B. Burchnall
- 👤 Gregory B. Hyde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:55
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B38/00; B32B38/0032; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15707; A61F13/15731; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/512; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/26; A61F13/5116; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F2013/15821; A61F2013/51002; A61F2013/51009; A61F13/51121; A61F2013/51147; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/674; Y10T442/678
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A fluid pervious laminate web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article, said web having a first surface and a second surface, said web comprising: (a) a first layer or polymeric film material; (b) a second layer of polymeric film material secured to and underlying said first layer of polymeric film material; (c) an intermediate layer of fibrous material positioned between said first layer and said second layer forming a laminate structure, said fibrous material extending below said second surface of said web; and (d) a plurality of capillaries extending from said first surface to said second surface of said web for the transmission of fluids through said web.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid pervious laminate web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article, said web having a first surface and a second surface, said web comprising: (a) a first layer or polymeric film material; (b) a second layer of polymeric film material secured to and underlying said first layer of polymeric film material; (c) an intermediate layer of fibrous material positioned between said first layer and said second layer forming a laminate structure, said fibrous material extending below said second surface of said web; and (d) a plurality of capillaries extending from said first surface to said second surface of said web for the transmission of fluids through said web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said web is a topsheet on an absorbent article, said absorbent article including a backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure according to claim 2, wherein the fibrous material of said intermediate layer is in fluid-transporting contact with said absorbent core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said web is macroscopically expanded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said web is a substantially planar structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer of polymeric material comprises a coextruded material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said second layer of polymeric film material comprises a coextruded material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes a plurality of microapertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes a multiplicity of capillaries, said capillaries being substantially smaller in cross-section than said capillaries extending from said first surface to said second surface of said web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer comprises capillary channel fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyetheylene, polypropylene, polyester, bicomponent binder fibers or cellulosic fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
A three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article, said web having a first surface and a second surface, said web comprising: (a) a first layer of polymeric film material; (b) a second layer of polymeric film material, secured to and underlying said first layer of polymeric film material; (c) an intermediate layer of fibrous material positioned between said first layer and said second layer forming a laminate structure, said fibrous material extending below said second surface of said web; and (d) a plurality of capillaries extending from said first surface of said web to said second surface of said web for the transmission of fluids through said web, each of said capillaries originating as an aperture in said first surface of said web and having a continuously interconnected sidewall between said first and said second surfaces, said continuously interconnected sidewall terminating to form an aperture in said second surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
159 words
A three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web suitable for use as a topsheet on an absorbent article, said web having a first surface and a second surface, said web comprising: (a) a first layer of polymeric film material; (b) a second layer of polymeric film material, secured to and underlying said first layer of polymeric film material; (c) an intermediate layer of fibrous material positioned between said first layer and said second layer forming a laminate structure, said fibrous material extending below said second surface of said web; and (d) a plurality of capillaries extending from said first surface of said web to said second surface of said web for the transmission of fluids through said web, each of said capillaries originating as an aperture in said first surface of said web and having a continuously interconnected sidewall between said first and said second surfaces, said continuously interconnected sidewall terminating to form an aperture in said second surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said web is a topsheet on an absorbent article, said absorbent article including a backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure according to claim 13, wherein the fibrous material of said intermediate layer is in fluid-transporting contact with said absorbent core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said first layer of polymeric film material comprises a coextruded material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said second layer of polymeric film material comprises a coextruded material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said first layer includes a plurality of microapertures.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said first layer includes a multiplicity of capillaries, said capillaries being substantially smaller in cross-section than said capillaries extending from said first surface to said second surface of said web.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said intermediate layer comprises capillary channel fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The three-dimensional, macroscopically expanded, fluid pervious laminate web according to claim 12, wherein said intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyetheylene, polypropylene, polyester, bicomponent binder fibers or cellulosic fibers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |