Absorbent article

Claim 2

An absorbent article comprising a moisture-permeable first outer layer, an absorbent layer adjacent said outer layer, said absorbent layer including at least one discrete pocket therein, at least a portion of said pocket being moisture permeable, said pocket containing therewithin a substantially dry uniform admixture of discrete particulate water-insoluble hydrocolloid material and discrete water-insoluble introfying paticles, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of the hydrocolloid particles and which introfying particles maintain the particles of hydrocolloid material in spaced relationship relative to one another, and introfying particles having sufficient structural integrity to substantially retain their size and shape when subjected to compressive forces exerted by said hydrocolloid particles as they swell and expand when wetted and a second outer layer at the side of said absorbent layer opposite from said first outer layer.

Claim 3

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer includes a plurality of discrete pockets each containing an admixture of hydrocolloid and introfying particles.

Claim 4

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 2 wherein said absorbent layer includes a cellulosic fibrous batt of loosely compacted fibers adjacent to said pockets.

Claim 5

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second outer layer is moisture impermeable.

Claim 6

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said absorbent article is a diaper, said first and second layers being coterminous and secured to one another, and said absorbent layer being smaller than said first and second outer layers and disposed inwardly of the periphery thereof.

Claim 7

A disposable diaper comprising a moisture-permeable facing layer, a moisture-impermeable backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel being a cellulosic fibrous batt of loosely compacted fibers and including a plurality of discrete pockets therein, at least a portion of each of said pockets being moisture permeable, and each of said pockets containing therewithin a substantially dry uniform admixture of discrete particles of water-insoluble hydrocolloid material and discrete water-insoluble introfying particles, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by said discrete water-insoluble introfying particles disposed within each pocket, said introfying particles having sufficient structural integrity to substantially retain their size and shape when subjected to compressive forces exerted by said hydrocolloid particles as they well and expand when wetted.

Claim 8

A disposable diaper comprising a moisture-permeable facing layer, a moisture-impermeable backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel being a cellulosic fibrous batt of loosely compacted fibers and including a plurality of discrete pockets therein, at least a portion of each of said pockets being moisture permeable, and each of said pockets containing therewithin a substantially dry uniform admixture of discrete particles of water-insoluble hydrocolloid material and discrete water-insoluble introfying particles, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by said discrete water-insoluble introfying particles disposed within each pocket, said introfying particles having sufficient structural integrity to substantially retain their size and shape when subjected to compressive forces exerted by said hydrocolloid particles as they well and expand when wetted.

Claim 9

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pockets are spaced from one another.

Claim 10

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pockets are interconnected.

Claim 11

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein each pocket includes a moisture permeable membrane surrounding said hydrocolloid and introfying particles.

Claim 12

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said absorbent layer includes wicking means on the face thereof adjacent said moisture impermeable layer.

Claim 13

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 10 wherein said wicking means is integral with said batt and comprised of a densified, compacted, porous, absorbent fibrous region having relatively high cohesive strength, relatively good capillarity, relatively good shape and volume stability and relatively high fluid retentivity.

Claim 14

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said fibrous batt includes a plurality of openings extending between said facing and backing layers, each opening having a pocket therein.

Claim 15

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pockets are disposed between said facing layer and fibrous batt.

Claim 16

A disposable diaper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pockets are disposed between said fibrous batt and backing layer.

Claim 17

An absorbent article comprising a moisture permeable facing layer, a backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel including at least one discrete pocket therein, at least a portion of said pocket being moisture permeable, and said pocket containing therewithin a plurality of substantially dry discrete particles of water-insoluble hydrocolloid material, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by discrete water-insoluble introfying particles disposed within said pocket, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said hydrocolloid particles and said introfying particles being present in said pocket in a uniform admixture which has a bulk volume from about 4 to 60 times as great as the bulk volume of said hydrocolloid particles therein.

Claim 18

An absorbent article comprising a moisture permeable facing layer, a backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel including at least one discrete pocket therein, at least a portion of said pocket being moisture permeable, and said pocket containing therewithin a plurality of substantially dry discrete particles of water-insoluble hydrocolloid material, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by discrete water-insoluble introfying particles disposed within said pocket, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said hydrocolloid particles and said introfying particles being present in said pocket in a uniform admixture which has a bulk volume from about 4 to 60 times as great as the bulk volume of said hydrocolloid particles therein.

Claim 19

An absorbent article comprising a moisture permeable facing layer, a backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel including at least one discrete pocket therein, at least a portion of said pocket being moisture permeable, and said pocket containing therewithin a plurality of substantially dry discrete particles of hydrocolloid material, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by discrete introfying particles disposed within said pocket, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said introfying particles having sufficient structural integrity to substantially retain their size and shape when subjected to compressive forces exerted by said hydrocolloid particles as they swell and expand when wetted, said hydrocolloid particles and said introfying particles being present in said pocket in a uniform admixture which has a bulk volume from about 4 to about 60 times as great as the bulk volume of the hydrocolloid particles therein.

Claim 20

An absorbent article comprising a moisture permeable facing layer, a backing layer, and an absorbent panel sandwiched between said facing and backing layers, said absorbent panel including at least one discrete pocket therein, at least a portion of said pocket being moisture permeable, and said pocket containing therewithin a plurality of substantially dry discrete particles of hydrocolloid material, said particles of hydrocolloid material being retained in spaced relationship relative to one another by discrete introfying particles disposed within said pocket, each of said introfying particles being physically separate from and not chemically or otherwise bound or joined to any of said hydrocolloid particles, said introfying particles having sufficient structural integrity to substantially retain their size and shape when subjected to compressive forces exerted by said hydrocolloid particles as they swell and expand when wetted, said hydrocolloid particles and said introfying particles being present in said pocket in a uniform admixture which has a bulk volume from about 4 to about 60 times as great as the bulk volume of the hydrocolloid particles therein.

Claim 21

An absorbent article as set forth in claims 16 wherein said hydrocolloid and introfying particles occupy only a portion of internal volume of said pocket.

Claim 22

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 16 wherein at least a portion of said pocket is defined by an expansible membrane.

Claim 23

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 16 wherein said pocket is formed by a bag formed of a porous, high wet strength, light-weight filter paper.

Claim 24

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 19 wherein said bag is formed of two sheets of filter paper secured to one another round their periphery.

Claim 25

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 16 wherein said introfying particles have a bulk density less than about 0.05 gr./ml.

Claim 26

An absorbent article as set forth in claim 16 wherein said bulk volume of said uniform admixture is from about 20 to about 50 times the bulk volume of the hydrocolloid particles therein. .Iadd.

Claim 27

An absorbent panel structure for an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent layer comprising loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material; and pocket means provided within said absorbent layer medially of upper and lower portions of said loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material of said absorbent layer, said pocket means comprising discrete individual pockets of superabsorbent hydrocolloid material, said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer being embossed toward each other throughout the thickness of each of said upper and lower portions, at embossed areas, said pockets of hydrocolloid material being spaced and physically separated from each other by said embossed area between adjacent ones of said pockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 23, including a densified, paper-like wicking layer comprising cellulosic fibrous material formed integrally with said absorbent layer at a surface of one of said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 24, wherein said densified wicking layer is provided at one of the outer surfaces of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 25, wherein said densified wicking layer is provided at the outer surface of the lower

Claim 28

portion of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 23, including a plurality of said embossed areas arranged in spaced, parallel relation to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 27, including at least one of said embossed areas extending perpendicularly to said parallel ones of said embossed area. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 28, including a plurality of said embossed areas extending in spaced apart, perpendicular relation to said parallel ones of said embossed areas. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 23, wherein said discrete pockets of superabsorbent hydrocolloid material are each bound by said embossed areas of said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 23, including a moisture-permeable facing layer, and a moisture-impermeable backing layer, said absorbent layer and said pocket means being sandwiched between

Claim 29

said facing layer and said backing layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. An absorbent panel structure for an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent layer comprising absorbent loosely compacted fibrous material; and superabsorbent hydrocolloid material positioned within said absorbent layer medially of upper and lower portions of said loosely compacted fibrous material of said absorbent layer, said absorbent panel structure comprising means for retaining said superabsorbent hydrocolloid material in position medially of said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer including embossed areas at which said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer are embossed toward each other throughout the thickness of each of said upper and lower portions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 32, including a plurality of said embossed areas arranged in spaced parallel relation to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 33, including at least one of said embossed areas extending transversely of said spaced parallel ones of said embossed areas. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 34, including a plurality of said embossed areas extending transversely of said spaced parallel ones of said embossed areas. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 32, including a densified wicking layer comprising fibrous material formed integrally with said absorbent layer at a surface of one of said upper and lower

Claim 30

portions of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. An absorbent panel structure for an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent layer comprising loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material; and pocket means provided within said absorbent layer medially of upper and lower portions of said loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material of said absorbent layer, said pocket means comprising discrete individual pockets of superabsorbent hydrocolloid material, said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer being embossed toward each other, throughout the thickness of each of said upper and lower portions, at embossed areas, said pockets of hydrocolloid material being spaced and physically separated from each other by said embossed area between adjacent ones of said pockets, wherein said pocket means includes fluid permeable membrane means for containing said individual pockets of hydrocolloid material. .Iaddend.

Claim 31

portions of said absorbent layer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. An absorbent panel structure for an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent layer comprising loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material; and pocket means provided within said absorbent layer medially of upper and lower portions of said loosely compacted cellulosic fibrous material of said absorbent layer, said pocket means comprising discrete individual pockets of superabsorbent hydrocolloid material, said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer being embossed toward each other, throughout the thickness of each of said upper and lower portions, at embossed areas, said pockets of hydrocolloid material being spaced and physically separated from each other by said embossed area between adjacent ones of said pockets, wherein said pocket means includes fluid permeable membrane means for containing said individual pockets of hydrocolloid material. .Iaddend.

Claim 32

.Iadd.38. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 37, wherein each said individual pocket comprises an admixture of said hydrocolloid material and discrete water-insoluble introfying particles. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. An absorbent panel structure for an absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent layer comprising absorbent loosely compacted fibrous material; and superabsorbent hydrocolloid material positioned within said absorbent layer medially of upper and lower portions of said loosely compacted fibrous material of said absorbent layer, said absorbent panel structure comprising means for retaining said superabsorbent hydrocolloid material in position medially of said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer including embossed areas at which said upper and lower portions of said absorbent layer are embossed toward each other, throughout the thickness of each of said upper and lower portions, wherein said retaining means comprises fluid permeable membrane means for containing said superabsorbent material in discrete individual pockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. An absorbent panel structure in accordance with claim 39, wherein each said individual pocket comprises an admixture of said superabsorbent material and discrete water-insoluble introfying particles. .Iaddend.