Patent US5514120A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5514120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid management member for absorbent articles
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1993-08-22
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2013-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Absorbent article comprising an optional liquid permeable topsheet, an optional, sometimes liquid impermeable, backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, if any, and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids, the liquid management member and core being in contact. Also, liquid management members which comprise a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes directional spreading of liquids. The surface has a plurality of V-shaped grooves having an angular width of Alpha, Alpha being between about 10 DEG and about 120 DEG . The hydrophilic surface has a contact angle with water of Theta, Theta being equal to or less than (90 DEG -Alpha/2).
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond P. Johnston
- 👤 Leigh E. Wood
- 👤 Allen L. Noreen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F13/53704; A61F13/53743; A61F13/53752; A61F13/45; A61F13/47; A61F13/4702; A61F13/15577; A61F2013/15821; A61F2013/4512; A61F13/51; A61F2013/51059; A61F2013/51066; A61F2013/51069; A61F2013/51078; A61F2013/51088; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530226; A61F2013/530299; A61F13/53708; A61F2013/53721; A61F2013/53734; A61F2013/53765; A61F2013/53778; A61F2013/53795
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, each of said channels having at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel having a radius of curvature of about 25 microns or less, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, each of said channels having at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel having a radius of curvature of about 25 microns or less, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member is embedded within said absorbent core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said notches have a radius of curvature of about 10 microns or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said notches have a radius of curvature of about 5 microns or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said notches have a geometric discontinuity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the walls of said channels have a convex surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the walls of said channels have a concave surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said liquid management member is impermeable to aqueous liquids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said article is a diaper and said liquid management member has a thickness of between about 10 and 1500 microns,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 9 wherein said liquid management member has a thickness of between about 125 and 1000 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said article is a bed pad and has a thickness of between about 10 and 3000 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member has one or more apertures therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member is made of one or more polyolefins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said backsheet is liquid impermeable,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member is substantially coextensive with said absorbent core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said channels are substantially parallel throughout their length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member is elongate, said channels are oriented along the longitudinal axis of said liquid management member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the lateral spacing of said channels varies along their longitudinal axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The article of claim 18 wherein the lateral spacing of said channels is at a minimum in a longitudinally interior region of said channels and wherein the lateral spacing of said channels is wider than said minimum at an exterior region of said channels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said sheet is flexible.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said article is an adult incontinent device and said liquid management member has a thickness of between about 10 and 1500 microns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said absorbent core and said liquid management member are both elongate and oriented in the same general direction and said channels are oriented along the longitudinal axis of said absorbent core and said liquid management member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said channels are oriented in a plane generally parallel to said absorbent core and said liquid management member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said liquid management member does not extend beyond said absorbent core.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing-hydrophalic surface with a plurality of V-shaped grooves therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing-hydrophalic surface with a plurality of V-shaped grooves therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the angular width of said grooves is between about 10° and about 120°.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the angular width of said grooves is between about 10° and about 90°.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the angular width of said grooves is between about 20° and about 60°.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 25 wherein said grooves are between about 5 and about 3000 microns deep.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 25 wherein said grooves are between about 100 and about 1500 microns deep.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 25 wherein said grooves are between about 200 and about 1000 microns deep.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the angular width of said grooves is Alpha, Alpha being between about 10° and about 120°, and said hydrophilic surface has a contact angle with water of Theta, Theta being equal to or less than (90°-Alpha/2).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
79 words
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent mass and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids each of, said channels having at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel having a radius of curvature of about 25 microns or less, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
79 words
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent mass and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film of impermeable material having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids each of, said channels having at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel having a radius of curvature of about 25 microns or less, said hydrophilic surface and said absorbent core being in contact.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent article of claim 33 further comprising an attachment member on at least one side.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
76 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least on a liquid management member which comprises a sheet having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, said hydrophic surface and said absorbent core being in contact said hydrophilic surface disposed on the interior surface of said backsheet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, wherein said article comprises at least on a liquid management member which comprises a sheet having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface with a plurality of channels therein that promotes direction spreading of liquids, said hydrophic surface and said absorbent core being in contact said hydrophilic surface disposed on the interior surface of said backsheet.
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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) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |