Patent ID: 7235708
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable upper surface; and an absorbent structure having a planar extension; wherein the absorbent structure comprises an acquisition layer and at least one storage layer; wherein the acquisition layer comprises a plurality of fragments of a liquid-absorbing, open-celled, polyacrylate-based foam material; wherein each fragment has a planar extension having a transversal direction and a longitudinal direction, and a thickness direction extending perpendicularly to the planar extension of the fragment; wherein the width in the transversal direction of each fragment in a dry condition does not exceed 10 millimeters; wherein the total area of the fragments in dry condition in the planar extension is lower than the area of the absorbent structure in the planar extension; and at least most of the fragments are arranged such that they are not touching adjacent fragments wherein at least most of the fragments are separated by spaces; for each fragment, a distance to an adjacent one of the fragments is at least two times the width of the fragment; for each fragment, said distance to an adjacent one of the fragments is not larger than five times the width of the fragment; each fragment is highly compressed in a dry condition; each fragment is dimensioned and configured such that upon wetting, either the volume of the fragment increases by at least 500%, or the area in the planar extension of the fragment increases by at least 300%; and each fragment expands in three dimensions upon wetting.