Patent ID: 6152904
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A personal care product comprising an absorbent system having functions of intake, controlled release, distribution, transfer and final storage and comprising a surge layer, a distribution layer and a retention layer which are in sufficient contact to transfer liquid between them, wherein said surge layer is capable of handling an incoming liquid insult of between about 60 and 100 cc at a volumetric rate of from about 5 to 20 cc/sec and has a capillary tension,said distribution layer has a capillary tension higher than the capillary tension of said surge layer and an equilibrium wicking height capillary tension of at least about 15 cm as measured by the wicking of a 8.5 g/l saline solution according to the Vertical Liquid Flux rate test throughout a life cycle of the absorbent system,said retention layer absorbs liquid quickly and efficiently from said distribution layer in a controlled manner such that liquid may be stored in a desired pattern and has a capillary tension higher than the capillary tension of the distribution layer throughout the life cycle of the absorbent system and is mechanically stabilized,said absorbent system divided transversely into a center zone adjacent two intermediate zones which are each adjacent an end zone wherein said zones are about equally sized, and said absorbent system having a ratio of an amount of liquid stored in the center zone to an amount of liquid stored in at least one of said end zones 30 minutes after each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test which defines a fill ratio of less than 5:1, and a fully saturated capacity of less than 450 g.