TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an absorbent layer for a disposable absorbent article having carded staple fiber nonwovens having improved performance characteristics.

BACKGROUND

Disposable absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene products, taped diapers, pant-type diapers and incontinence products are designed to absorb fluids from the wearer's body. Users of such disposable absorbent articles have several concerns when selecting their desired product. For example, leakage from products like catamenial pads, diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinence pads is a significant concern. Additionally, comfort and the feel of the product against the wearer's body is also a concern. To provide better comfort, current disposable absorbent articles are typically provided with a topsheet that is flexible, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The topsheet does not itself hold the discharged fluid. Instead, the topsheet is fluid-permeable to allow the fluids to flow into an absorbent core.

Regarding comfort, some consumers may desire a product that is thin and flexible enough to not impair their movements. Yet, other consumers may desire an article which has sufficient thickness and stiffness to provide the desirable amount of protection. Unfortunately, these objectives become even more challenging when considering the dynamic nature of the absorbent article. For example, as fluid enters the article, the weight, thickness, and flexibility of the absorbent article may all change. Hence, an article that may meet a consumer’s requisite criteria before use may no longer be comfortable, flexible, or have the desired stiffness to the user after a given amount of fluid has been absorbed by the absorbent article.

As such there is a need to create an absorbent article that accounts for possible tradeoffs such that it is both comfortable while maintaining performance. In particular, there exists a need to create an absorbent article that balances performance and comfort. Accordingly, the development of new and improved absorbent article and absorbent article absorbent core is of continued interest. SUMMARY

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure comprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. A fluid management layer is disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The fluid management layer comprises an integrated, carded, staple fiber nonwoven material comprising a plurality of fibers.

In one specific example, a fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 115 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 250 gsm; a plurality of absorbent fibers; a plurality of stiffening fibers; and a plurality of resilient fibers. The absorbent fibers make up from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of the fluid management layer. The stiffening fibers have a dtex of between 4 and 10, and the resilient fibers have a dtex of between 3 and 12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Some of the figures may have been simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearly showing other elements. Such omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of particular elements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as may be explicitly delineated in the corresponding written description. None of the drawings are necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a disposable absorbent article constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. IB is a schematic representation of an absorbent system of the disposable absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 A;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a process which can be utilized to construct fluid management layer of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an elevation view of a fluid management layer constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 4-6B are schematic representations showing an apparatus for carrying out the Repetitive Acquisition Time and Rewet test method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter:

“Absorbent article” refers to wearable devices, which absorb and/or contain liquid, and more specifically, refers to devices, which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles can include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence undergarments ( e.g . , liners, pads and briefs) and/or feminine hygiene products.

The“longitudinal” direction is a direction running parallel to the maximum linear dimension, typically the longitudinal axis, of the article and includes directions within 45° of the longitudinal direction. “Length” of the article or component thereof, when used herein, generally refers to the size/distance of the maximum linear dimension, or typically to the size/distance of the longitudinal axis, of an article or part thereof.

The“lateral” or“transverse” direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the same plane of the majority of the article and the longitudinal axis, and the transverse direction is parallel to the transverse axis. “Width” of the article or of a component thereof, when used herein, refers to the size/distance of the dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the article or component thereof, i.e. orthogonal to the length of the article or component thereof, and typically it refers to the distance/size of the dimension parallel of the transverse axis of the article or component.

The“Z-direction” is orthogonal to both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

"Machine Direction" or "MD" as used herein means the direction parallel to the flow of the carded staple fiber nonwoven through the nonwoven making machine and/or absorbent article product manufacturing equipment.

“Cross Machine Direction" or "CD" as used herein means the direction parallel to the width of the carded staple fiber nonwoven making machine and/or absorbent article product manufacturing equipment and perpendicular to the machine direction.

The term“integrated” as used herein is used to describe fibers of a nonwoven material which have been intertwined, entangled, and/or pushed / pulled in a positive and/or negative Z-direction (direction of the thickness of the nonwoven material). Some exemplary processes for integrating fibers of a nonwoven web include spunlacing and needlepunching. Spunlacing uses a plurality of high- pressure water jets to entangle fibers. Needlepunching involves the use of needles to push and/or pull fibers to entangle them with other fibers in the nonwoven. And this type of integration obviates the need for adhesive or a binding agent to hold the fibers of the fluid management layer together.

The term “carded” as used herein is used to describe structural features of the fluid management layers described herein. A carded nonwoven utilizes fibers which are cut to a specific length, otherwise known as“staple length fibers.” Staple length fibers may be any suitable length. For example, staple length fibers may have a length of up to 120 mm or may have a length as short as 10 mm. However, if a particular group of fibers are staple length fibers, for example viscose fibers, then the length of each of the viscose fibers in the carded nonwoven is predominantly the same, i.e. the staple length. It is worth noting that where additional staple fiber length fiber types are included, for example, polypropylene fibers, the length of each of the polypropylene fibers in the carded nonwoven is also predominantly the same. But, the staple length of the viscose and the staple length of the polypropylene may be different.

In contrast, continuous filaments such as by spunbonding or meltblowing processes, do not create staple length fibers. Instead, these filaments are of an indeterminate length and are not cut to a specific length as noted regarding their staple fiber length counterparts.

A carded, integrated, nonwoven as disclosed herein can be used in a variety of disposable absorbent articles, but is particularly useful in diapers, feminine hygiene products and incontinence products such as sanitary napkins and incontinence pads. The integrated, carded, nonwovens of the present disclosure can be particularly effective as a fluid management layer in the above absorbent articles. A schematic cross-section of an exemplary absorbent article is shown in Figure 1 A.

As shown, absorbent articles 10 in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a topsheet 20, a backsheet 50, and an absorbent core 40 disposed between the topsheet 20 and the backsheet 50. A fluid management layer 30 is disposed between the topsheet 20 and the absorbent core 40. The absorbent article has a wearer-facing surface 60 and an opposing garment-facing surface 62. The wearer-facing surface 60 primarily comprises the topsheet 20 while the garment-facing surface 62 primarily comprises the backsheet 50. Additional components may be included in either the wearer facing surface 60 and/or the garment-facing surface 62. For example, where the absorbent article is an incontinent pad, a pair of barrier cuffs which extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the absorbent article 10, may also form a portion of the wearer-facing surface 60. Similarly, a fastening adhesive may be present on the backsheet 50 and form a portion of the garment-facing surface 62 of the absorbent article. Referring now to FIGS. 1 A and IB, the fluid management layer 30 comprises opposing end edges 32A and 32B which may extend generally parallel to a transverse axis T. And, the fluid management layer 30 comprises side edges 31A and 32B which may extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Similarly, the absorbent core 40 comprises opposing end edges 42A and 42B which may extend generally parallel to the transverse axis T. And, the absorbent core 40 may comprise side edges 41A and 41B which extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

As shown, each of the end edges 32A and 32B of the fluid management layer 30 may be disposed longitudinally outboard of the absorbent core 40. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, the end edges 32A and/or 32B may be coextensive with the absorbent core 40 or the end edges 32A and/or 32B may be disposed longitudinally inboard of the end edges 42A and/or 42B of the absorbent core 40.

Similarly, the side edges 31A and/or 3 IB may be disposed transversely outboard of the side edges 41 A and/or 41B of the absorbent core 40. Or, the side edges 31 A and/or 3 IB may be coextensive with the side edges 41 A and/or 41B of the absorbent core 40.

As noted previously, the fluid management layers of the present disclosure are integrated, carded, nonwovens. A schematic representation of a carding and integrating process suitable for creating the fluid management layer 30 of the present disclosure is provided in FIG. 2. As shown, a plurality of carding machines 210, 220, and 230 may each create a carded nonwoven web, e.g. 214, 224, and 234, respectively, which is transferred to a carrier belt 240. Each of the carded nonwoven webs 214, 224, and 234, may be provided to the carrier belt 240 via a web chute 212, 222, 232, respectively. It is also worth noting that after the carded nonwoven 214 is deposited on the carrier belt 240, the carded nonwoven 224 is then deposited on the first carded nonwoven 214 on the carrier belt 240. Similarly, the third carded nonwoven web 234 deposited on the second carded nonwoven 224 and the first carded nonwoven 214 on the carrier belt 240. Subsequently, each of the first, second, and third carded nonwoven webs 214, 224, and 234 are then provided to an integration process 250 which utilizes either needles and/or high pressure water streams to entangle the fibers of the first, second, and third carded nonwoven webs. Both carding and integration processes are well known in the art.

Additional carding machines may be utilized. Or alternatively, the first carded nonwoven web may be re-looped under the carding machine to create an additional stratum on the first carded nonwoven web. The same may be done to the second carded nonwoven web. The resultant structure would be a nonwoven web with four strata. It is worth noting that with the arrangement provided in schematic diagram of FIG. 2, a wide variety of configurations for a fluid management layer may be achieved. However, it is important that the fluid management layer of the present disclosure have adequate openness to allow for quick acquisition of fluid yet also have the ability to lock away liquid insults to reduce the likelihood of rewet. With this in mind, the carded webs, i.e. 214, 224, and/or 234, may be different from one another. For example, one of the carded webs may comprise a different fiber blend than the others. Specifically, assuming the first carded web would be closest to the wearer-facing surface in an absorbent article, the fiber selection for the first carded web 214 may be such that there is more openness associated with this web. The second carded web 224 may be similarly configured. In contrast, the third carded web 234 may be configured to reduce the likelihood of false positives by vision systems which“see” open areas as defects. The third carded web 234 may be configured to effectively distribute liquid insults to the subjacent absorbent core - in conjunction or independent of the reduction of false positives. Where at least two strata have different fiber makeups, this is termed a heterogeneous configuration. Where all strata have the same fiber makeup, this is termed a homogeneous configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-3, the first carded nonwoven 214, the second carded nonwoven 224 (optional, as previously mentioned), and the third carded nonwoven 234 are integrated. Once they are integrated, they cannot be manually separated - at least not without substantial effort and time. Each carded nonwoven web forms a stratum in the overall fluid management layer 30. Each stratum can maintain its unique properties for at least a portion of the stratum along the z-direction, even when integrated into a larger fluid management layer 30. The fluid management layer 30 provides capillary suction to“pull” fluid through the topsheet 20, which is competing for trickle/low flow conditions. The fluid management layer 30 also can contain a gush by providing distribution functions to efficiently utilize the absorbent core 40, as well as provide intermediate storage until the absorbent core 40 can accept fluid.

The fluid management layer 30 has a first surface 300 A and an opposing second surface 300B. Between the first surface 300A and the second surface 300B, the fluid distribution layer 30 comprises of two or more strata along the Z-direction. The fluid management layer 30 can have a basis weight of up to 250 grams per square meter (gsm); or a basis weight of up to 200 gsm; or a basis weight in the range of greater than about 115 gsm to about 250 gsm; or in the range of greater than about 120 gsm to about 200 gsm; or in the range of greater than about 125 gsm to about 190 gsm, including any values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the fluid management layer 30 may have a basis weight of greater than about 115 gsm.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 A-3, due to the fiber integration, the fluid management layer 30 does not require adhesives or latex binders for stability. Additionally, the carded staple fiber nonwoven of the fluid management layer 30 can be manufactured from an assortment of suitable fiber types that produce the desired performance characteristics. For example, the fluid management layer 30 may comprise a combination of stiffening fibers, absorbent fibers and resilient fibers.

In order to enhance the stabilizing effect of the integration, crimped fibers may be utilized. As discussed in additional detail below, the fluid management layer of the present disclosure may comprise absorbent fibers, stiffening fibers, and resilient fibers. One or more of these fibers may be crimped prior to integration. For example, where synthetic fibers are utilized, these fibers may be mechanically crimped via intermeshing teeth. And for the absorbent fibers, these fibers may be mechanically crimped and/or may have a chemically induced crimp due to the variable skin thickness formed during creation of the absorbent fibers.

As noted previously, several samples were created and evaluated based upon a number of different criteria. A listing of samples is shown below. It is worth noting that the basis weight in the “GSM” column was a target gsm. The measured gsm of each of the Samples is provided in Table 2.

Table 1

Fluid management layers of the present disclosure may comprise from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight, more preferably from about 21 percent to about 50 percent by weight, or most preferably from about 22 percent to about 45 percent by weight, specifically including any values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby of absorbent fibers.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the numbering of the strata does not necessarily translate into which stratum forms a wearer-facing surface of the fluid management layer and a garment-facing surface of the fluid management layer. For example, for Samples 1-5, the final web (fluid management layer web) created comprised stratum 2 forming a wearer-facing surface and stratum 3 forming a garment-facing surface of the web. Stratum 1 was positioned between stratum 2 and stratum 4.

Similarly, fluid management layers of the present disclosure may comprise from about 25 percent to about 70 percent, more preferably from about 30 percent to about 60 percent, or most preferably from about 35 percent to about 50 percent by weight of resilient fibers, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the fluid management layer 30 may comprise from about 35 percent to about 43 percent by weight resilient fibers.

And, the fluid management layers of the present disclosure may comprise from about 15 percent to about 60 percent, more preferably from about 20 percent to about 50 percent, or most preferably from about 25 percent to about 40 percent of stiffening fiber, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the fluid management layer 30 may comprise 25 percent to about 35 percent by weight stiffening fibers.

Regardless of whether the fluid management layer is utilized in an adult incontinence article or a menstrual article, of critical importance is the ability of the fluid management layer to acquire liquid insults from the topsheet and to pull the liquid far enough from the topsheet, such that the topsheet does not feel wet. To accomplish this, the inventors have found that while absorbent fibers adjacent to the topsheet can help pull liquid from the topsheet, too many absorbent fibers can lead to a wet feeling topsheet. As such, the amount of absorbent fibers in the strata closest to the topsheet is of critical importance. Namely too many absorbent fibers in the first carded nonwoven web 214 and/or second carded nonwoven web 224, can lead to a wet feeling topsheet 20 (assuming the first carded nonwoven 214 and the second carded nonwoven 224 are more proximal to the topsheet 20 than the third carded nonwoven 234).

Additionally, while a higher weight percentage of absorbent fibers may be beneficial for fluid insults that are more viscous, e.g. menstrual fluid, the introduction of a higher weight percentage of absorbent fibers can also negatively impact resiliency and stiffness of the fluid management layer. And, too low of a weight percentage of absorbent fibers can result in a more‘wet feeling’ topsheet which can create a negative impression of the product in consumers’ minds.

Additionally, the inventors have found that adjacent the topsheet, the fluid management layer may comprise a sufficient void volume to allow for quick fluid acquisition. Generally, for a given basis weight, larger diameter fibers can provide more void volume between adjacent fibers as compared to their smaller diameter counterparts. As such, the fiber size of the fibers in the strata closes to the topsheet is also of critical importance. Namely, if the diameters of too many of the fibers in the first carded nonwoven 214 and/or the second carded nonwoven 224 are too small, this could detrimentally impact the void volume that is created for rapid fluid acquisition (assuming the first carded nonwoven 214 and the second carded nonwoven 224 are more proximal to the topsheet than the third carded nonwoven 234). This could also lead to a wet feeling topsheet.

Overall, the fluid management layer of the present disclosure may have a ratio of absorbent fibers to resilient fibers of from about 1 :4 to about 3 : 1, more preferably from about 1 :3 to about 2: 1, or most preferably from about 1 :2.5 to about 1.5: 1, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. Similarly, a ratio of absorbent fibers to stiffening fibers may be in a range of from about 1 :3 to about 4: 1, more preferably from about 1 :2 to about 2.5: 1, or most preferably from about 1 : 1.5 to about 1.2: 1, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 A-3, with the above in mind, the inventors have carefully selected not only the fibers types in each of the strata in the fluid management layer but have also carefully selected the diameters (or linear densities) of the fiber types. The fiber types of the individual strata are discussed in additional detail hereafter. It worth noting that the discussion below regarding fiber types in the strata of the fluid management layers of the present disclosure assumes that the first carded nonwoven web 214 is nearer to the topsheet than the third carded nonwoven web 234, unless otherwise noted.

The first carded nonwoven 214 (or first stratum 214) may comprise absorbing fibers, stiffening fibers, and resilient fibers. To achieve sufficient void volume and to ensure that liquid insults are removed from the topsheet in a timely manner, the first stratum 214 may comprise from about 5 percent to about 35 percent, from about 6 percent to about 30 percent, or from about 10 percent to about 25 percent by weight, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby, of absorbent fibers. In one specific example, the first stratum 214 may comprise from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of absorbing fibers.

The first stratum 214 may further comprise from about 20 percent to about 60 percent, from about 25 percent to about 50 percent, from about 30 percent to about 45 percent by weight, specifically including all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby of resilient fibers. In one specific example, the first stratum 214 may comprise from about 35 to about 45 percent by weight of resilient fibers.

The first stratum 214 may further comprise from about 25 percent to about 60 percent, from about 30 percent to about 55 percent, from about 35 percent to about 50 percent by weight, specifically including all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby of stiffening fibers. In one specific example, the first stratum 214 may comprise from about 40 percent to about 45 percent by weight of stiffening fibers.

The second carded nonwoven 224 (or second stratum 224) may be constructed similar to the first stratum 214. Such a construction for the second stratum 224 would facilitate manufacturing to some extent. Recall also that the second stratum 224 is optional. However, as the second stratum 224 is disposed more distal from the topsheet 20 than the first stratum 214, void volume could be adjusted slightly downward. So, smaller diameter fibers may be utilized in the second stratum 224 to help establish a capillary gradient which guides fluid away from the topsheet.

Regarding the third carded nonwoven 234 (or third stratum 234), the configuration of this stratum can vary. In order to appropriately deliver the acquisition and distribution attributes desired, absorbent fibers can be utilized. So, the third stratum 234 may comprise from about 40 percent to about 100 percent, from about 50 percent to about 75 percent, or from about 55 percent to about 65 percent by weight, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby, of absorbent fibers. In one specific example, the third stratum 234 may comprise 65 percent absorbing fibers.

Regarding the stiffening fibers and resilient fibers in the third stratum 234, as noted the third layer should be provided with the ability to acquire and distribute fluid from the void volume of the first stratum 214 and the second stratum 224. Additionally, the third stratum may comprise between 10 percent to about 45 percent, from about 15 percent to about 40 percent, or from about 20 percent to about 35 percent by weight, specifically including all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby of stiffening and/or resilient fibers.

Where a fourth stratum, as described previously, is included, a suitable combination of absorbing, stiffening and/or resilient fibers may be utilized. For example, the fourth stratum may comprise from between about 5 percent to about 50 percent, 7 percent to about 40 percent, or from about 10 percent to about 30 percent by weight of absorbing fibers. In one specific example, the fourth stratum comprises between about 10 percent to about 30 percent by weight of absorbing fibers. The fourth stratum may comprise from between 15 percent to about 65 percent, from about 20 percent to about 55 percent, or from about 30 percent to about 50 percent of resilient and/or stiffening fibers. In one specific example, the fourth stratum comprises between about 30 percent to about 45 percent of stiffening and/or resilient fibers.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-3, where absorbent fibers are utilized, any suitable diameter of absorbing fiber may be utilized. A suitable measure of diameter can be linked to linear density. For the first stratum 214 and/or second stratum 224, larger linear density values may be utilized as increased void volume can be desirable. For example, in the first stratum 214 and/or the second stratum 224 the absorbent fiber linear density may range from about 1 dtex to about 4 dtex, about 2.0 dtex to about 3.7 dtex, or from about 2.5 dtex to about 3.5 dtex, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the absorbent fiber may comprise a dtex of about 1.7 dtex.

The linear density of the absorbent fibers in the third stratum 234 may range from about 1 dtex to about 3 dtex, about 1.4 dtex to about 2.7 dtex, or from about 1.7 dtex to about 2.0 dtex, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the absorbent fibers in the third stratum 234 may comprise a dtex of about 1.7. In another example, the third stratum 234 may comprise absorbing fibers having two different cross sectional shapes, e.g. round and trilobal, and/or having two different dtex values, e.g. 1.7 dtex and 3.3 dtex. The fourth stratum may be configured as described above regarding either the first and the second strata or the third stratum.

Where the fluid management layers of the present disclosure comprise a variety of linear densities of absorbent fibers, a ratio of the first linear density absorbent fiber to the second linear density absorbent fiber can be from about 1.5: 1 to about 1 : 1.5, more preferably from 1.3 : 1 to about 1 : 1.3, or most preferably from about 1.2: 1 to about 1 : 1.2, specifically including all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. The ratio of absorbent fibers can be determined by the SEM Method to Determine Quantity of Cellulosic Fibers method disclosed herein. And, where multiple linear densities of absorbent fibers are utilized, a plurality of first fibers may have a dtex that is different than a dtex of a plurality of second fibers. For example, the plurality of first fibers may have a dtex of less than 3 while the plurality of second fibers may have a dtex of greater than 3.

The absorbent fibers of the fluid management layer 30 may have any suitable shape. Some examples include trilobal,“H,”“Y,”“X,”“T,” or round. Further, the absorbing fibers can be solid, hollow or multi-hollow. Other examples of suitable multi-lobed, absorbent fibers for utilization in the carded staple fiber nonwovens detailed herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,333, 108 to Wilkes et al, U.S. Patent No. 5,634,914 to Wilkes et ak, and U.S. Patent No. 5,458,835 to Wilkes et al. The trilobal shape can improve wicking and improve masking. Suitable trilobal rayon is available from Kelheim Fibres and sold under the trade name Galaxy. While each stratum may comprise a different shape of absorbing fiber, much like mentioned above, not all carding equipment may be suited to handle such variation between / among strata. In one specific example, the fluid management layer comprises round absorbent fibers.

Any suitable absorbent fibers may be utilized. Some conventional absorbent fibers include cotton, rayon or regenerated cellulose or combinations thereof. In one example, the fluid management layer 30 may comprise viscose cellulose fibers. The absorbing fibers may comprise staple length fibers. The staple length of the absorbing fibers can be in the range of about 20 mm to about 100 mm, or about 30 mm to about 50 mm or about 35 mm to about 45 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

As noted previously, in addition to absorbent fibers, fluid management layer 30 may also comprise stiffening fibers. Stiffening fibers may be utilized to help provide structural integrity to the fluid management layer 30. The stiffening fibers can help increase structural integrity of the fluid management layer 30 in a machine direction and in a cross machine direction which can facilitate web manipulation during processing of the fluid management layer for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article. With that in mind, the constituent material of the stiffening fibers, the weight percentage of the stiffening fibers, and heat of processing should be carefully selected. The heat stiffening process is discussed hereafter.

Any suitable stiffening fiber may be utilized. Some examples of suitable stiffening fibers include bi-component fibers comprising polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate components or polyethylene terephthalate and co-polyethylene terephthalate components. The components of the bi component fiber may be arranged in a core sheath arrangement, a side by side arrangement, an eccentric core sheath arrangement, a trilobal arrangement, or the like. In one specific example, the stiffening fibers may comprise bi-component fibers having polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate components arranged in a concentric, core - sheath arrangement where the polyethylene is the sheath. As another example, monocomponent fibers may be utilized, and the constituent material of the monocomponent may comprise polypropylene or polylactic acid (PLA). It is worth noting that these components, e.g. polypropylene and polylactic acid can also be utilized in bi-component fibers as well.

The stiffening fibers can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, or other suitable non- cellulosic fibers known in the art. The staple length of the stiffening fibers can be in the range of about 28 mm to about 100 mm, or in the range of about 37 mm to about 50 mm. Some carded staple fiber nonwovens include stiffening fibers with a staple length of about 38 mm to 42 mm. The PET fibers can have any suitable structure or shape. For example, the PET fibers can be round or have other shapes, such as spiral, scalloped oval, trilobal, scalloped ribbon, and so forth. Further, the PET fibers can be solid, hollow or multi-hollow. In some embodiments of the carded staple fiber nonwoven, the stiffening fibers may be fibers made of hollow/spiral PET. Optionally, the stiffening fibers may be spiral-crimped or flat-crimped. The stiffening fibers may have a crimp value of between about 4 and about 12 crimps per inch (cpi), or between about 4 and about 8 cpi, or between about 5 and about 7 cpi, or between about 9 and about 10 cpi. Particular non-limiting examples of stiffening fibers can be obtained from Wellman, Inc. Ireland under the trade names H1311 and T5974. Other examples of suitable stiffening fibers for utilization in the carded staple fiber nonwovens detailed herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,767,598 to Schneider et al.

Other suitable examples of stiffening fibers include polyester/co-extruded polyester fibers. The stiffening fibers may be so-called bi-component fibers, where individual fibers are provided from different materials, usually a first and a second polymeric material. The two materials may be chemically different (hence the fibers are chemically heterogeneous) or they may differ only in their physical properties while being chemically identical (hence the fibers are chemically homogeneous). For example, may the intrinsic viscosity of the two materials be different, which has been found to influence the crimping behavior of the bi-component fibers. Bi-component fibers that are suitable as stiffening fibers are side-by-side bi-component fibers as disclosed for example in WO 99/00098. The stiffening fibers may also be a blend of bi -component fibers with polyester fibers.

With specific reference to bicomponent fibers comprised of a polypropylene/polyethylene fiber composition, in a cross-sectional view of a fiber, the material with a higher softening temperature can provide the central part (i.e, the core) of the fiber. The core typically is responsible for the bicomponent fiber’s ability to transmit forces and have a certain rigidity or otherwise provide structures with resiliency. The outer coating on the core (i.e., the sheath) of the fiber can have a lower melting point and is used to facilitate thermally bonding of substrates comprising such fibers. In one embodiment, a polypropylene core is provided with a polyethylene coating on the outside, such that about 50%, by weight, of the fiber material is polypropylene and 50%, by weight, of the fiber material is polyethylene. Other quantitative amounts can of course be selected. For example, bicomponent fibers can have a composition from about 30% to about 70%, by weight, polyethylene, while others have about 35% to about 65%, by weigh polyethylene. In some embodiments, bicomponent fibers can have a composition from about 40% to about 60% or about 45% to about 55%, by weight, polyethylene.

Another suitable bi-component stiffening fiber is a fiber of circular cross section with a hollow space in the centre that is spiral crimped. Between 10-15% of the cross sectional area may be hollow, or between 20-30% of the cross sectional area are hollow. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the spiral crimping of fibers is beneficial for their liquid acquisition and distribution behaviour. It is assumed that the spiral crimp increases the void space in an acquisition member formed by such fibers. Often, an absorbent article, when being worn, is exposed to a certain pressure exerted by the wearer, which potentially decreases the void space in the acquisition member. Having good permeability and sufficient void space available are important for good liquid distribution and transport. It is further believed that the bi-component spiral-crimped fibers as described above are suitable to maintain sufficient void volume even when an acquisition member is exposed to pressure. Also, spiral-crimped fibers believed to provide for good permeability as for a given fiber dtex value, the hollow fiber cross-section allows for a larger outer diameter of the fiber as compared to a compact cross-section. The outer diameter of a fiber appears to determine the permeability behavior of an acquisition member formed by such fibers.

Any suitable size of stiffening fiber may be utilized in the strata of the fluid management layer. Suitable linear densities of stiffening fiber may be from about 1.7 dtex to about 12 dtex, from about 4 dtex to about 10 dtex, or from about 5 dtex to about 7 dtex, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the stiffening fibers may comprise 7 dtex polyethylene terephthalate / co-polyethylene terephthalate fibers. Similar to the absorbing fibers, it is contemplated that the stiffening fibers also comprise varying dtex’s amongst and/or within a stratum.

As noted previously, the fluid management layer 30 may be heat treated (heat stiffened). This heat treatment can create connection points amongst the stiffening fibers of the fluid management layer 30. So, where there is a higher percentage of stiffening fibers, more connection points may be created. Too many connection points can yield a much stiffer fluid management layer which may negatively impact comfort. As such, the weight percentage of the stiffening fibers is of critical importance when designing an absorbent article.

With regard to the heat stiffening process, any suitable temperature may be utilized. And, the suitable temperature may be impacted, in part, by the constituent chemistry of the stiffening fibers as well as by the processing fluid management layer web. The fluid management layer web may be heat stiffened at a temperature of 132 degrees Celsius. It is also worth noting, that in order to provide a uniform stiffness property across the fluid management layer, any heating operation should be set up to provide uniform heating to the fluid management layer web. Even small variations in temperature can greatly impact the tensile strength of the fluid management layer.

As noted previously, the fluid management layer of the present disclosure may additionally comprise resilient fibers. The resilient fibers can help the fluid management layer maintain its permeability. Any suitable size fiber may be utilized. For example, the resilient fibers can have a linear density of about 4 dtex to about 12 dtex, from about 6 dtex to about 11 dtex, or from about 8 dtex to about 10 dtex, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the resilient fibers may comprise a linear density of from about 6.7 dtex to about 10 dtex hollow spiral polyethylene terephthalate fibers. In another specific example, the fluid management layer may comprise resilient fibers having variable cross sections, e.g round and hollow spiral, and/or may comprise resilient fibers having variable dtex’s.

It is worth noting, that if smaller fiber sizes are utilized, the resiliency of the fluid management layer would be expected to decrease. And, with the decreased size at the same weight percentage, a higher number of fibers per gram would equate to a decrease in permeability of the fluid management layer.

The resilient fibers can be any suitable thermoplastic fiber, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate, or other suitable thermoplastic fibers known in the art. The staple length of the resilient fibers can be in the range of about 20 mm to about 100 mm, or about 30 mm to about 50 mm or about 35 mm to about 45 mm. The thermoplastic fibers can have any suitable structure or shape. For example, the thermoplastic fibers can be round or have other shapes, such as spiral, scalloped oval, trilobal, scalloped ribbon, and so forth. Further, the PP fibers can be solid, hollow or multi-hollow. The resilient fibers may be solid and round in shape. Other suitable examples of resilient fibers include polyester/co-extruded polyester fibers. Additionally, other suitable examples of resilient fibers include bi-component fibers such as polyethylene / polypropylene, polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene / polyethylene terephthalate. These bi-component fibers may be configured as a sheath and a core. The bi-component fibers may provide a cost-effective way to increase basis weight of the material while additionally enabling optimization of the pore size distribution.

It is worth noting that the stiffening fibers and resilient fibers should be carefully selected. For example, while the constituent chemistries of the stiffening fibers and the resilient fibers may be similar, resilient fibers should be selected such that their constituent materiaTs melting temperature is higher than that of the stiffening fibers. Otherwise, during heat treatment, resilient fibers would bond to stiffening fibers and vice versa and could create an overly rigid structure. Note that where the stiffening fibers comprise bicomponent fibers, i.e. core / sheath configuration, the resilient fibers may comprise the constituent chemistry of the core.

As noted previously, a variety of attributes were tested regarding Samples 1-5. Table 2 provides a listing of the attributes tested.

Table 2

Table 3 is a listing of data regarding simulated menstrual stain size on the Samples described heretofore along with some conventional samples. Each of the Samples and Conventional Samples were incorporated into absorbent articles which comprised a topsheet which was an apertured film. The Conventional Sample absorbent articles further comprised an airlaid core. Specifically, the Conventional Sample 1 absorbent article comprised an airlaid core having a basis weight of 170 gsm, and the Conventional Sample 2 absorbent article comprised an airlaid core having a basis weight of 163 gsm. Conventional Sample 1 and 2 were fluid management layers having a basis weight of 50 gsm and three strata of homogeneous construction. Each of the strata comprised 40 percent by weight, 1.7 dtex viscose rayon; 20 percent by weight, 4.4 dtex polyethylene terephthalate; and 40 percent by weight 1.7 polypropylene / polyethylene bicomponent fibers. Each of Samples 1-5 comprised a storage layer disposed opposite the topsheet. The storage layer was a laminate material comprising AGM sandwiched between two liquid permeable fibrous layers, e.g. tissue layers and having an AGM basis weight of between 30 and 50 gsm. Storage layers are discussed in additional detail hereafter.

Table 3

As the data for Table 3 illustrates, absorbent article constructed in accordance with the present disclosure which included the fluid management layer of either Sample 1 or Sample 2 demonstrated significantly reduced stains over the other Samples. Absorbent articles constructed in accordance with the present disclosure exhibited stains which were less than 5000 mm ^A 2, more preferably less than 4500 mm ^A 2, or most preferably less than 4200 mm ^A 2, specifically reciting all values within this range and any range created thereby.

Table 4 includes data regarding acquisition speed for multiple gushes.

Table 4

As the data of Table 4 demonstrates, the acquisition times associated with the absorbent articles which incorporated Samples 1 and 2 were greatly reduced versus those of the remaining samples. And in the case of rewet, Samples 1 and 2 were better than most of the other Samples tested or at least on par with Sample 3. The absorbent article which incorporated Sample 2 demonstrated the best rewet characteristics of all of the absorbent articles.

Absorbent articles constructed in accordance with the present disclosure can exhibit an acquisition time of less than 10 seconds for each of a first, second and third gush, more preferably less than 9, or most preferably less than 8.5 seconds, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. Absorbent articles constructed in accordance with the present disclosure can exhibit an acquisition speed on the first gush of less than 4.5 seconds, specifically reciting all values in this range and any ranges created thereby. Absorbent articles constructed in accordance with the present disclosure can exhibit an acquisition speed of less than 8 seconds, more preferably less than 7 seconds, or most preferably less than 6 seconds for the second gush, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

Absorbent articles constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may exhibit an acquisition speed

Absorbent Articles

Referring back to FIGS. 1 A and IB, as mentioned previously, disposable absorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise the topsheet 20 and the backsheet 50. Sandwiched therebetween may be the fluid management layer 30 and the absorbent core 40. Additional layers may be positioned between the topsheet 20 and the backsheet 50.

The topsheet 20 may be joined to the backsheet 50 by attachment methods (not shown) such as those well known in the art. The topsheet 20 and the backsheet 50 may be joined directly to each other in the article periphery and may be indirectly joined together by directly joining them to the absorbent core 40, the fluid management layer 30, and/or additional layers disposed between the topsheet 20 and the backsheet 50. This indirect or direct joining may be accomplished by attachment methods which are well known in the art. The topsheet 20 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Suitable topsheet materials include a liquid pervious material that is oriented towards and contacts the body of the wearer permitting bodily discharges to rapidly penetrate through it without allowing fluid to flow back through the topsheet to the skin of the wearer. The topsheet, while being capable of allowing rapid transfer of fluid through it, may also provide for the transfer or migration of the lotion composition onto an external or internal portion of a wearer's skin.

A suitable topsheet 20 can be made of various materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; apertured film materials including apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and fiber-entangled apertured films; hydro-formed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; thermoplastic scrims; or combinations thereof.

Apertured film materials suitable for use as the topsheet include those apertured plastic films that are non-absorbent and pervious to body exudates and provide for minimal or no flow back of fluids through the topsheet. Nonlimiting examples of other suitable formed films, including apertured and non-apertured formed films, are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246, issued to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314, issued to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984; U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,609,518, issued to Curro et al. on September 2, 1986; and U.S. Patent No. 4,629,643, issued to Curro et al. on December 16, 1986.

Nonlimiting examples of woven and nonwoven materials suitable for use as the topsheet include fibrous materials made from natural fibers, e.g. cotton, including 100 percent organic cotton, modified natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. These fibrous materials can be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, but it is preferable that the topsheet be hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic. As an option, portions of the topsheet can be rendered hydrophilic, by the use of any known method for making topsheets containing hydrophilic components. Nonwoven fibrous topsheets 20 may be produced by any known procedure for making nonwoven webs, nonlimiting examples of which include spunbonding, carding, wet-laid, air-laid, meltblown, needle-punching, mechanical entangling, thermo-mechanical entangling, and hydroentangling.

The topsheet 20 may be formed from a combination of an apertured film and a nonwoven. For example, a film web and a nonwoven web can be combined as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,700,463. Alternatively, a film may be extruded onto a nonwoven material which is believed to provided enhanced contact between the film layer and the nonwoven material. Exemplary processes for such a combination are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,849,602 and 9,700,463.

The backsheet 50 may be positioned adjacent a garment-facing surface of the absorbent core 40 and may be joined thereto by attachment methods such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 50 may be secured to the absorbent core 40 by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Alternatively, the attachment methods may comprise using heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment methods or combinations of these attachment methods as are known in the art.

The backsheet 50 may be impervious, or substantially impervious, to liquids (e.g., urine) and may be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials which are compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body. The backsheet 207 may prevent, or at least inhibit, the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 205 from wetting articles of clothing which contact the incontinence pad 10 such as undergarments. However, the backsheet 50 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core 40 (i.e., is breathable) while in some cases the backsheet 50 may not permit vapors to escape (i.e., non-breathable). Thus, the backsheet 50 may comprise a polymeric film such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene. A suitable material for the backsheet 50 is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), for example. Any suitable backsheet known in the art may be utilized with the present invention.

The backsheet 50 acts as a barrier to any absorbed bodily fluids that may pass through the absorbent core 40 to the garment surface thereof with a resulting reduction in risk of staining undergarments or other clothing. A preferred material is a soft, smooth, compliant, liquid and vapor pervious material that provides for softness and conformability for comfort, and is low noise producing so that movement does not cause unwanted sound.

Exemplary backsheets are described in US Patent Nos. 5,885,265 (Osborn, III.) issued March 23, 1999; 6,462,251 (Cimini) issued October 8, 2002; 6,623,464 (Bewick-Sonntag) issued September 23, 2003 or US Patent No. 6,664439 (Arndt) issued December 16, 2003. Suitable dual or multi-layer breathable backsheets for use herein include those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,489, U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,216, U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,068, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,600, EP 203 821, EP 710 471, EP 710 472, and EP 793 952.

Suitable breathable backsheets for use herein include all breathable backsheets known in the art. In principle there are two types of breathable backsheets, single layer breathable backsheets which are breathable and impervious to liquids and backsheets having at least two layers, which in combination provide both breathability and liquid imperviousness. Suitable single layer breathable backsheets for use herein include those described for example in GB A 2184 389, GB A 2184 390, GB A 2184 391, U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,523, U.S. Pat. No. 3 989 867, U.S. Pat. No. 3, 156,242 and WO 97/24097.

The backsheet may be a nonwoven web having a basis weight between about 20 gsm and about 50 gsm. In one embodiment, the backsheet is a relatively hydrophobic 23 gsm spunbonded nonwoven web of 4 denier polypropylene fibers available from Fiberweb Neuberger, under the designation FI 02301001. The backsheet may be coated with a non-soluble, liquid swellable material as described in US Patent No. 6,436,508 (Ciammaichella) issued August 20, 2002.

The backsheet has a garment-facing side and an opposite body -facing side. The garment-facing side of the backsheet comprises a non-adhesive area and an adhesive area. The adhesive area may be provided by any conventional means. Pressure sensitive adhesives have been commonly found to work well for this purpose.

The absorbent core 40 of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable shape including but not limited to an oval, a discorectangle, a rectangle, an asymmetric shape, and an hourglass. For example, in some forms of the present invention, the absorbent core 205 may comprise a contoured shape, e.g. narrower in the intermediate region than in the end regions. As yet another example, the absorbent core may comprise a tapered shape having a wider portion in one end region of the pad which tapers to a narrower end region in the other end region of the pad. The absorbent core 40 may comprise varying stiffness in the MD and CD.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 40 may vary (e.g., the absorbent core 40 may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zones). Further, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 40 may also be varied to accommodate a variety of wearers. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 40 should be compatible with the design loading and the intended use of the disposable absorbent article or incontinence pad 10. In some forms of the present invention, the absorbent core 40 may comprise a plurality of multi-functional layers that are in addition to the first and second laminates. For example, the absorbent core 40 may comprise a core wrap (not shown) useful for enveloping the first and second laminates and other optional layers. The core wrap may be formed by two nonwoven materials, substrates, laminates, films, or other materials. In a form, the core wrap may only comprise a single material, substrate, laminate, or other material wrapped at least partially around itself.

The absorbent core 40 of the present disclosure may comprise one or more adhesives, for example, to help immobilize the SAP or other absorbent materials within the first and second laminates.

Absorbent cores comprising relatively high amounts of SAP with various core designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 to Goldman et al., EP 1,447,066 to Busam et al., WO 95/11652 to Tanzer et al., U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2008/0312622 A 1 to Hundorf et al., and WO 2012/052172 to Van Malderen. These may be used to configure the superabsorbent layers.

Additions to the core of the present disclosure are envisioned. In particular, potential additions to the current multi-laminate absorbent core are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678, entitled "High- Density Absorbent Structures" issued to Weisman et al., on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402, entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores", issued to Weisman et al., on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231, entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer", issued to Angstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled "High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones", issued to Alemany et al., on May 30, 1989. The absorbent core may further comprise additional layers that mimic the dual core system containing an acquisition/distribution core of chemically stiffened fibers positioned over an absorbent storage core as detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,423, entitled "Absorbent Article With Elastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency" issued to Alemany et al., on Aug. 10, 1993; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345. These are useful to the extent they do not negate or conflict with the effects of the below described laminates of the absorbent core of the present invention.

Some examples of a suitable absorbent cores 40 that can be used in the absorbent article of the present disclosure is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018/0098893 and 2018/0098891.

As noted previously, the absorbent articles comprising the fluid management layers of the present disclosure comprised a storage layer. Referring back to FIGS. 1 A and IB, the storage layer would generally be positioned where the absorbent core 40 is described. The storage layer may be constructed as described regarding absorbent cores. The storage layer can contain conventional absorbent materials. In addition to conventional absorbent materials such as creped cellulose wadding, fluffed cellulose fibers, Rayon fibers, wood pulp fibers also known as airfelt, and textile fibers, the storage layer often includes superabsorbent material that imbibes fluids and form hydrogels. Such materials are also known as absorbent gelling materials (AGM) and may be included in particle form. AGM is typically capable of absorbing large quantities of body fluids and retaining them under moderate pressures. Synthetic fibers including cellulose acetate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, acrylics (such as ORLON), polyvinyl acetate, non-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides (such as nylon), polyesters, bicomponent fibers, tricomponent fibers, mixtures thereof and the like can also be used in the secondary storage layer. The storage layer can also include filler materials, such as PERLITE, diatomaceous earth, VERMICULITE, or other suitable materials, that lower rewet problems.

The storage layer may have absorbent gelling material (AGM) in a uniform distribution or may have AGM in a non-uniform distribution. The AGM may be in the in the form of channels, pockets, stripes, criss-cross patterns, swirls, dots, or any other pattern, either two or three dimensional, that can be imagined by man. The AGM may be sandwiched between a pair of liquid permeable fibrous cover layers, e.g. tissue layers. Or AGM may be encapsulated, at least in part, by a single fibrous cover layer. An exemplary storage layer comprising super absorbent polymer (SAP), e.g. AGM, particles may have the particles laminated between liquid permeable layers, such as conventional paper tissue layers, e.g., at basis weights of 18 g/m ² , or hydrophilic nonwoven materials, such as conventionally used for topsheets in absorbent articles. Such materials are commercially available, such as from Gel ok International, OH, US, under the trade designation Gelok® laminate, or from Domtar, SC, US, under the trade designation NovaZorb®. The storage layer may comprise a first and second cellulose layer with super absorbent materials disposed there between. In this case, the storage layer may be laminated with mechanical compression (rather than with use of adhesives).

Portions of the storage layer can be formed only of superabsorbent material or can be formed of superabsorbent materials dispersed in a suitable carrier such as cellulose fibers in the form of fluff or stiffened fibers. One example of a non-limiting storage layer is a first layer formed only of superabsorbent material that is disposed on a second layer that is formed from a dispersion of superabsorbent material within cellulose fibers. Particularly suitable materials for the storage layer have been described in EP2872097, and are commercially available from Glatfelter Falkenhagen, Germany, under the trade desig nation eC ore™”, e.g. eCore™ 100, or eCore™ 270, or eCore™ 400. Such materials comprise an airlaid mixture of cellulose fibers and SAP particles, encased by surface layers of latex sprayed onto the cellulose, creating a highly absorbent yet thin, flexible and nondusting structure.

Detailed examples of absorbent cores formed of layers of superabsorbent material and/or layers of superabsorbent material dispersed within cellulose fibers that may be utilized in the absorbent articles (e.g., sanitary napkins, incontinence products) detailed herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0228209 Al . Absorbent cores comprising relatively high amounts of SAP with various core designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 to Goldman et al., EP 1,447,066 to Busam et al., WO 95/11652 to Tanzer et al., U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2008/0312622A1 to Hundorf et al., WO 2012/052172 to Van Malderen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,466,336 to Carlucci, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,693,910 to Carlucci. These may be used to configure the secondary storage layer.

It is worth noting that where fluid management layers of the present disclosure are utilized in the basis weight ranges mentioned, the storage layers may be reduced in capacity to some extent. For example, in the case of menstrual products, the storage layer may have a basis weight of from between 15 gsm to about 130 gsm, more preferably from about 15 gsm to about 90 gsm, or most preferably from about 15 gsm to about 75 gsm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In the context of incontinence products, the storage layer may have a basis weight in the range of about 120 gsm to about 500 gsm, more preferably in a range of about 120 gsm to about 400 gsm, or most preferably in a range of about 120 gsm to about 300 gsm, specifically including all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

The absorbent article 10 may further comprise barrier cuffs. Some examples of other suitable barrier cuffs are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,695,278; U.S. Patent No. 4,704, 115; U.S. Patent No. 4,795,454; U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0312730. Additional suitable barrier cuffs are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018/0098893 and 2018/0098891.

Additional Examples:

Example A Al . An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, a storage layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fluid management layer disposed between the storage layer and the topsheet, wherein the fluid management layer comprises an integrated, carded, nonwoven having a basis weight of between 115 grams per square meter and about 250 gsm, wherein the fluid management layer comprises a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers, wherein a ratio of absorbent fibers to resilient fibers is in a range of about 1 :4 to about 3 : 1 and wherein a ratio of absorbent fibers to stiffening fibers is in a range of about 1 :3 to about 4: 1.

A2. The absorbent article of Example Al, wherein the ratio of absorbent fibers to resilient fibers is from about 1 :3 to about 2: 1, or most preferably from about 1 :2.5 to about 1.5: 1.

A3. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A2, wherein the ratio of absorbent fibers to stiffening fibers is from about 1 :2 to about 2.5: 1, or most preferably from about 1 : 1.5 to about 1.2: 1.

A4. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A3, wherein the absorbent article has an acquisition time of less than 10 seconds for each of a first, second, and third gush, more preferably less than 9 seconds, or most preferably less than 8.5 seconds in accordance with the Repetitive Acquisition and Rewet method.

A5. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A4, wherein the absorbent article can exhibit an acquisition speed on the first gush of less than 4.5 seconds.

A6. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A5, wherein the absorbent article can exhibit an acquisition speed of less than 8 seconds, more preferably less than 7 seconds, or most preferably less than 6 seconds for the second gush.

A7. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A6, wherein the absorbent fibers comprise a plurality of first fibers having a first dtex value and a plurality of second fibers having a second dtex value, wherein the first dtex value is less than the second dtex value. A8. The absorbent article of Example A7, wherein the first dtex value is less than three and the second dtex value is greater than 3.

A9. The absorbent article of any of Examples A7-A8, wherein the first dtex value is 1.7 and the second dtex value is 3.3.

A10. The absorbent article of any of Examples A7-A9, wherein a ratio of the plurality of first fibers to the plurality of second fibers is from about 1.5: 1 to about 1 : 1.5, more preferably from 1.3 : 1 to about 1 : 1.3, or most preferably from about 1.2: 1 to about 1 : 1.2, as determined via the SEM Method to Determine Quantity of Cellulosic Fibers method.

Al l . The absorbent article of any of Examples A7-A10, wherein the plurality of first fibers has a different cross-sectional shape than does the plurality of second fibers.

A12. The absorbent article of any of Examples Al-Al 1, wherein the fluid management layer further comprises from about 21 percent to about 50 percent by weight or most preferably from about 22 percent to about 45 percent by weight of absorbent fibers.

A13. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A12, wherein the fluid management layer further comprises about 25 percent to about 70 percent, more preferably from about 30 percent to about 60 percent, or most preferably from about 35 percent to about 50 percent by weight of resilient fibers as determined by the Material Composition Analysis method.

A14. The absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A13, wherein the fluid management layer further comprises from about 15 percent to about 60 percent, more preferably from about 20 percent to about 50 percent, or most preferably from about 25 percent to about 40 percent of stiffening fiber, as determined by the Material Composition Analysis method.

A15. The disposable absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A14, wherein the absorbent article exhibits a stain size of less than 5000 mm ^A 2, more preferably less than 4500 mm ^A 2, or most preferably less than 4200 mm ^A 2as determined by the Stain Size Measurement method. A16. The fluid management layer of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid management layer comprises a spunlace nonwoven.

A17. The disposable absorbent article of any of Examples A1-A16, wherein the storage layer comprises absorbent gelling material disposed between two liquid permeable fibrous layers.

A18. The disposable absorbent article of Examples A1-A17, wherein the basis weight of the AGM in the storage layer is between 30 gsm to 50 gsm.

Test Methods

Fiber Decitex (Dtex)

Textile webs (e.g. woven, nonwoven, airlaid) are comprised of individual fibers of material. Fibers are measured in terms of linear mass density reported in units of decitex. The decitex value is the mass in grams of a fiber present in 10,000 meters of that fiber. The decitex value of the fibers within a web of material is often reported by manufacturers as part of a specification. If the decitex value of the fiber is not known, it can be calculated by measuring the cross-sectional area of the fiber via a suitable microscopy technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of the fiber with suitable techniques such as FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy and/or DSC (Dynamic Scanning Calorimetry), and then using a literature value for density of the composition to calculate the mass in grams of the fiber present in 10,000 meters of the fiber. All testing is performed in a room maintained at a temperature of 23° C ± 2.0° C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2% and samples are conditioned under the same environmental conditions for at least 2 hours prior to testing.

If necessary, a representative sample of web material of interest can be excised from an absorbent article. In this case, the web material is removed so as not to stretch, distort, or contaminate the sample.

SEM images are obtained and analyzed as follows to determine the cross-sectional area of a fiber. To analyze the cross section of a sample of web material, a test specimen is prepared as follows. Cut a specimen from the web that is about 1.5 cm (height) by 2.5 cm (length) and free from folds or wrinkles. Submerge the specimen in liquid nitrogen and fracture an edge along the specimen’s length with a razor blade (VWR Single Edge Industrial Razor blade No. 9, surgical carbon steel). Sputter coat the specimen with gold and then adhere it to an SEM mount using double-sided conductive tape (Cu, 3M available from electron microscopy sciences). The specimen is oriented such that the cross section is as perpendicular as possible to the detector to minimize any oblique distortion in the measured cross sections. An SEM image is obtained at a resolution sufficient to clearly elucidate the cross sections of the fibers present in the specimen. Fiber cross sections may vary in shape, and some fibers may consist of a plurality of individual filaments. Regardless, the area of each of the fiber cross sections is determined (for example, using diameters for round fibers, major and minor axes for elliptical fibers, and image analysis for more complicated shapes). If fiber cross sections indicate inhomogeneous cross-sectional composition, the area of each recognizable component is recorded and dtex contributions are calculated for each component and subsequently summed. For example, if the fiber is bi-component, the cross-sectional area is measured separately for the core and sheath, and dtex contribution from core and sheath are each calculated and summed. If the fiber is hollow, the cross- sectional area excludes the inner portion of the fiber comprised of air, which does not appreciably contribute to fiber dtex. Altogether, at least 100 such measurements of cross-sectional area are made for each fiber type present in the specimen, and the arithmetic mean of the cross-sectional area ak for each are recorded in units of micrometers squared (pm ² ) to the nearest 0.1 pm ² .

Fiber composition is determined using common characterization techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy. For more complicated fiber compositions (such as polypropylene core/polyethylene sheath bi-component fibers), a combination of common techniques (e.g. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC) may be required to fully characterize the fiber composition. Repeat this process for each fiber type present in the web material.

The decitex dk value for each fiber type in the web material is calculated as follows:

d _k = 10 000 m x a _k x p _k x 10 ⁶

where dk is in units of grams (per calculated 10,000 meter length), ak is in units of pm ² , and pk is in units of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm ³ ). Decitex is reported to the nearest 0.1 g (per calculated 10,000 meter length) along with the fiber type (e.g. PP, PET, cellulose, PP/PET bico).

Basis Weight

The basis weight of a test sample is the mass (in grams) per unit area (in square meters) of a single layer of material and is measured in accordance with compendial method WSP 130.1. The mass of the test sample is cut to a known area, and the mass of the sample is determined using an analytical balance accurate to 0.0001 grams. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity and test samples are conditioned in this environment for at least 2 hours prior to testing.

Measurements are made on test samples taken from rolls or sheets of the raw material, or test samples obtained from a material layer removed from an absorbent article. When excising the material layer from an absorbent article, use care to not impart any contamination or distortion to the layer during the process. The excised layer should be free from residual adhesive. To ensure that all adhesive is removed, soak the layer in a suitable solvent that will dissolve the adhesive without adversely affecting the material itself. One such solvent is THF (tetrahydrofuran, CAS 109-99-9, for general use, available from any convenient source). After the solvent soak, the material layer is allowed to thoroughly air dry in such a way that prevents undue stretching or other deformation of the material. After the material has dried, a test specimen is obtained. The test specimen must be as large as possible so that any inherent material variability is accounted for.

Measure the dimensions of the single layer test specimen using a calibrated steel metal ruler traceable to NIST, or equivalent. Calculate the Area of the test specimen and record to the nearest 0.0001 square meter. Use an analytical balance to obtain the Mass of the test specimen and record to the nearest 0.0001 gram. Calculate Basis Weight by dividing Mass (in grams) by Area (in square meters) and record to the nearest 0.01 grams per square meter (gsm). In like fashion, repeat for a total of ten replicate test specimens. Calculate the arithmetic mean for Basis Weight and report to the nearest 0.01 grams/square meter.

The measurements for air permeability provided herein were obtained by using Worldwide Strategic Partners (WSP) Test Method 70.1. For the later tested samples a pressure drop of 125 Pa and an orifice 38.3 square centimeters was used.

Caliper

The caliper, or thickness, of a material is measured as the distance between a reference platform on which the material rests and a pressure foot that exerts a specified amount of pressure onto the material over a specified amount of time. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity and test samples are conditioned in this environment for at least 2 hours prior to testing. Caliper is measured with a manually-operated micrometer equipped with a pressure foot capable of exerting a steady pressure of 0.50 kPa ± 0.01 kPa onto the test sample. The manually- operated micrometer is a dead-weight type instrument with readings accurate to 0.001 mm. A suitable instrument is Mitutoyo Series 543 ID-C Digimatic, available from VWR International, or equivalent. The pressure foot is a flat ground circular movable face with a diameter that is smaller than the test sample and capable of exerting the required pressure. A suitable pressure foot has a diameter of 56 mm, however a smaller or larger foot can be used depending on the size of the sample being measured. The test sample is supported by a horizontal flat reference platform that is larger than and parallel to the surface of the pressure foot. The system is calibrated and operated per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Obtain a test sample by removing it from an absorbent article, if necessary. When excising the test sample from an absorbent article, use care to not impart any contamination or distortion to the test sample layer during the process. The test sample is obtained from an area free of folds or wrinkles, and it must be larger than the pressure foot.

To measure caliper, first zero the micrometer against the horizontal flat reference platform. Place the test sample on the platform with the test location centered below the pressure foot. Gently lower the pressure foot with a descent rate of 3.0 mm ± 1.0 mm per second until the full pressure is exerted onto the test sample. Wait 5 seconds and then record the caliper of the test sample to the nearest 0.01 mm. In like fashion, repeat for a total of five replicate test samples. Calculate the arithmetic mean for all caliper measurements and report as Thickness to the nearest 0.01 mm.

Material Compositional Analysis

The quantitative chemical composition of a test specimen comprising a mixture of fiber types is determined using ISO 1833-1. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity.

Analysis is performed on test samples taken from rolls or sheets of the raw material, or test samples obtained from a material layer removed from an absorbent article. When excising the material layer from an absorbent article, use care to not impart any contamination or distortion to the layer during the process. The excised layer should be free from residual adhesive. To ensure that all adhesive is removed, soak the layer in a suitable solvent that will dissolve the adhesive without adversely affecting the material itself. One such solvent is THF (tetrahydrofuran, CAS 109-99-9, for general use, available from any convenient source). After the solvent soak, the material layer is allowed to thoroughly air dry in such a way that prevents undue stretching or other deformation of the material. After the material has dried, a test specimen is obtained and tested as per ISO 1833-1 to quantitatively determine its chemical composition.

Repetitive Acquisition Time and Rewet

Acquisition time is measured for an absorbent article dosed with Artificial Menstrual Fluid (AMF) as described herein, using a strikethrough plate and an electronic circuit interval timer. The time required for the absorbent article to acquire a series of doses of AMF is recorded. Subsequent to the acquisition test, a rewet test is performed. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6B, the strikethrough plate 9001 is constructed of Plexiglas with an overall dimension of 10.2 cm long by 10.2 cm wide by 3.2 cm tall. A longitudinal channel 9007 that runs the length of the plate is 13 mm deep, 28 mm wide at the top plane of the plate, with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15 mm wide base. A central test fluid well 9009 is 26 mm long, 24 mm deep, 38 mm wide at the top plane of the plate with lateral walls that slope downward at 65° to a 15 mm wide base. At the base of the test fluid well 9009, there is an“H” shaped test fluid reservoir 9003 open to the bottom of the plate for the fluid to be introduced onto the underlying test sample. The test fluid reservoir 9003 has an overall length of 25 mm, width of 15 mm, and depth of 8 mm. The longitudinal legs of the reservoir are 4 mm wide and have rounded ends with a radius 9010 of 2 mm. The legs are 3.5 mm apart. The central strut has a radius 9011 of 3 mm and houses the opposing electrodes 6 mm apart. The lateral sides of the reservoir bow outward at a radius 9012 of 14 mm bounded by the overall width 2013 of 15 mm. Two wells 9002 (80.5 mm long x 24.5 mm wide x 25 mm deep) located outboard of the lateral channel, are filled with lead shot (or equivalent) to adjust the overall mass of the plate to provide a constraining pressure of 0.25 psi (17.6 g/cm ² ) to the test area. Electrodes 9004 are embedded in the plate 9001, connecting the exterior banana jacks 9006 to the inside wall 9005 of the fluid reservoir 9003. A circuit interval timer is plugged into the jacks 9006, and monitors the impedance between the two electrodes 9004, and measures the time from introduction of the AMF into reservoir 9003 until the AMF drains from the reservoir. The timer has a resolution of 0.01 sec. For the rewet portion of the test, the pressure applied to the test sample is 1.0 psi. The rewet weight is constructed such that the dimensions of the bottom face of the weight match the dimensions of the strikethrough plate, and the total mass required is calculated to give a pressure of 1.0 psi over the bottom face of the weight. Thus, the bottom face of the weight is 10.2 cm long by 10.2 cm wide, and constructed of a flat, smooth rigid material (e.g. stainless steel) to give a mass of 7.31 kg.

For each test sample, seven plies of filter paper cut to 150 mm diameter are used as the rewet substrate. The filter paper is conditioned at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity for at least 2 hours prior to testing. A suitable filter paper has a basis weight of about 74 gsm, a thickness of about 157 microns with medium porosity, and is available from VWR International as grade 413.

Test samples are removed from all packaging using care not to press down or pull on the products while handling. No attempt is made to smooth out wrinkles. The test samples are conditioned at 23 °C ± 2 C° and 50% ± 2% relative humidity for at least 2 hours prior to testing. Determine the dose location as follows. For symmetrical samples (i.e. the front of the sample is the same shape and size as the back of the sample when laterally divided along the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the sample), the dose location is the intersection of the midpoints of the longitudinal axis and lateral axis of the sample. For asymmetrical samples (i.e. the front of the sample is not the same shape and size as the back of the sample when laterally divided along the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the sample), the dose location is the intersection of the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of the sample and a lateral axis positioned at the midpoint of the sample’s wings.

The required mass of the strikethrough plate must be calculated for the specific dimensions of the test sample such that a constraining pressure of 0.25 psi is applied. Measure and record the lateral width of the core at the dose location to the nearest 0.1 cm. The required mass of the strikethrough plate is calculated as the core width multiplied by the length of the strikethrough plate (10.2 cm) multiplied by 17.6 g/cm ² and recorded to the nearest 0.1 g. Add lead shot (or equivalent) to the wells 9002 in the strikethrough plate to achieve the calculated mass.

Connect the electronic circuit interval timer to the strikethrough plate 9001 and zero the timer. Place the test sample onto a flat, horizontal surface with the body side facing up. Gently place the strikethrough plate 9001 onto the center of the test sample ensuring that the“H” shaped reservoir 9003 is centered over the predetermined dose location.

Using a mechanical pipette, accurately pipette 3.00 mL ± 0.05 mL of AMF into the test fluid reservoir 9003. The fluid is dispensed, without splashing, along the molded lip of the bottom of the reservoir 9003 within a period of 3 seconds or less. Immediately after the fluid has been acquired, record the acquisition time to the nearest 0.01 seconds and start a 5 minute timer. In like fashion, apply a second and third dose of AMF into the test fluid reservoir, with a 5 minute wait time between each dose. Record the acquisition times to the nearest 0.001 seconds. Immediately after the 3 ^rd dose of AMF has been acquired, start a 5 minute timer and prepare the filter papers for the rewet portion of the test.

Obtain the mass of 7 plies of the filter paper and record as Dry Massfp to the nearest 0.001 grams. When 5 minutes have elapsed after the third acquisition, gently remove the strikethrough plate from the test sample and set aside. Place the 7 plies of pre-weighed filter paper onto the test sample, centering the stack over the dosing location. Now place the rewet weight centered over the top of the filter papers and start a 15 second timer. As soon as 15 seconds have elapsed, gently remove the rewet weight and set aside. Obtain the mass of the 7 plies of filter paper and record as Wet Massfp to the nearest 0.001 grams. Subtract the Dry Massfp from the Wet Massfp and report as Rewet Value to the nearest 0.001 grams. Thoroughly clean the electrodes 9004 and wipe off any residual test fluid from the bottom faces of the strikethrough plate and rewet weight prior to testing the next sample.

Immediately following the rewet portion of the test, proceed to the Stain Size method using the dosed test sample, as described herein.

In like fashion, repeat the entire procedure on ten replicate samples. The reported value is the arithmetic mean of the ten individual recorded measurements for Acquisition Times (first, second and third) to the nearest 0.001 seconds and Rewet Value to the nearest 0.001 grams.

Artificial Menstrual Fluid (AMF) Preparation

The Artificial Menstrual Fluid (AMF) is composed of a mixture of defibrinated sheep blood, a phosphate buffered saline solution and a mucous component. The AMF is prepared such that it has a viscosity between 7.15 to 8.65 centistokes at 23 °C.

Viscosity of the AMF is performed using a low viscosity rotary viscometer (a suitable instrument is the Cannon LV-2020 Rotary Viscometer with UL adapter, Cannon Instrument Co., State College, PA, or equivalent). The appropriate size spindle for the viscosity range is selected, and instrument is operated and calibrated as per the manufacturer. Measurements are taken at 23 °C ± 1 C° and at 60 rpm. Results are reported to the nearest 0.01 centistokes. Reagents needed for the AMF preparation include: defibrinated sheep blood with a packed cell volume of 38% or greater (collected under sterile conditions, available from Cleveland Scientific, Inc., Bath, OH, or equivalent), gastric mucin with a viscosity target of 3-4 centistokes when prepared as a 2% aqueous solution (crude form, available from Sterilized American Laboratories, Inc., Omaha, NE, or equivalent), 10% v/v lactic acid aqueous solution, 10% w/v potassium hydroxide aqueous solution, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous (reagent grade), sodium chloride (reagent grade), sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate (reagent grade) and deionized water, each available from VWR International or equivalent source.

The phosphate buffered saline solution consists of two individually prepared solutions (Solution A and Solution B). To prepare 1 L of Solution A, add 1.38 ± 0.005 g of sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 8.50 ± 0.005 g of sodium chloride to a 1000 mL volumetric flask and add deionized water to volume. Mix thoroughly. To prepare 1 L of Solution B, add 1.42 ± 0.005 g of sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous and 8.50 ± 0.005 g of sodium chloride to a 1000 mL volumetric flask and add deionized water to volume. Mix thoroughly. To prepare the phosphate buffered saline solution, add 450 ± 10 mL of Solution B to a 1000 mL beaker and stir at low speed on a stir plate. Insert a calibrated pH probe (accurate to 0.1) into the beaker of Solution B and add enough Solution A, while stirring, to bring the pH to 7.2 ± 0.1.

The mucous component is a mixture of the phosphate buffered saline solution, potassium hydroxide aqueous solution, gastric mucin and lactic acid aqueous solution. The amount of gastric mucin added to the mucous component directly affects the final viscosity of the prepared AMF. To determine the amount of gastric mucin needed to achieve AMF within the target viscosity range (7.15 - 8.65 centistokes at 23 °C) prepare 3 batches of AMF with varying amounts of gastric mucin in the mucous component, and then interpolate the exact amount needed from a concentration versus viscosity curve with a least squares linear fit through the three points. A successful range of gastric mucin is usually between 38 to 50 grams.

To prepare about 500 mL of the mucous component, add 460 ± 10 mL of the previously prepared phosphate buffered saline solution and 7.5 ± 0.5 mL of the 10% w/v potassium hydroxide aqueous solution to a 1000 mL heavy duty glass beaker. Place this beaker onto a stirring hot plate and while stirring, bring the temperature to 45 °C ± 5 C°. Weigh the pre-determined amount of gastric mucin (± 0.50 g) and slowly sprinkle it, without clumping, into the previously prepared liquid that has been brought to 45 °C. Cover the beaker and continue mixing. Over a period of 15 minutes bring the temperature of this mixture to above 50 °C but not to exceed 80 °C. Continue heating with gentle stirring for 2.5 hours while maintaining this temperature range. After the 2.5 hours has elapsed, remove the beaker from the hot plate and cool to below 40 °C. Next add 1.8 ± 0.2 mL of the 10% v/v lactic acid aqueous solution and mix thoroughly. Autoclave the mucous component mixture at 121°C for 15 minutes and allow 5 minutes for cool down. Remove the mixture of mucous component from the autoclave and stir until the temperature reaches 23 °C ± 1 C°.

Allow the temperature of the sheep blood and mucous component to come to 23 °C ± 1 C°. Using a 500 mL graduated cylinder, measure the volume of the entire batch of the previously prepared mucous component and add it to a 1200 mL beaker. Add an equal volume of sheep blood to the beaker and mix thoroughly. Using the viscosity method previously described, ensure the viscosity of the AMF is between 7.15 - 8.65 centistokes. If not the batch is disposed and another batch is made adjusting the mucous component as appropriate.

The qualified AMF should be refrigerated at 4 °C unless intended for immediate use. AMF may be stored in an air-tight container at 4 °C for up to 48 hours after preparation. Prior to testing, the AMF must be brought to 23 °C ± 1 C°. Any unused portion is discarded after testing is complete.

Stain Size Measurement Method

This method describes how to measure the size of a fluid stain visible on an absorbent article. This procedure is performed on test samples immediately after they have been dosed with test liquid according to a separate method, as described herein (e.g. the Repetitive Acquisition and Rewet method). The resultant test samples are photographed under controlled conditions. Each photographic image is then analyzed using image analysis software to obtain measurements of the size of the resulting visible stain. All measurements are performed at constant temperature (23 °C ± 2 C°) and relative humidity (50% ± 2%).

The test sample along with a calibrated ruler (traceable to NIST or equivalent) are laid horizontally flat on a matte black background inside a light box that provides stable uniform lighting evenly across the entire base of the light box. A suitable light box is the Sanoto MK50 (Sanoto, Guangdong, China), or equivalent, which provides an illumination of 5500 LUX at a color temperature of 5500K. A Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera with manual setting controls (e.g. a Nikon D40X available from Nikon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, or equivalent) is mounted directly above an opening in the top of the light box so that the entire article and ruler are visible within the camera’s field of view.

Using a standard 18% gray card (e.g., Munsell 18% Reflectance (Gray) Neutral Patch / Kodak Gray Card R-27, available from X-Rite; Grand Rapids, MI, or equivalent) the camera’ s white balance is custom set for the lighting conditions inside the light box. The camera’s manual settings are set so that the image is properly exposed such that there is no signal clipping in any of the color channels. Suitable settings might be an aperture setting of f/11, an ISO setting of 400, and a shutter speed setting of 1/400 sec. At a focal length of 35 mm the camera is mounted approximately 14 inches above the article. The image is properly focused, captured, and saved as a JPEG file. The resulting image must contain the entire test sample and distance scale at a minimum resolution of 15 pixels/mm.

To analyze the image, transfer it onto a computer running an image analysis software (a suitable software is MATLAB, available from The Mathworks, Inc, Natick, MA, or equivalent). The image resolution is calibrated using the calibrated distance scale in the image to determine the number of pixels per millimeter. The image is analyzed by manually drawing the region of interest (ROI) boundary around the visibly discernable perimeter of the stain created by the previously dosed test liquid. The area of the ROI is calculated and reported as the Overall Stain Area to the nearest 0.01 mm ² along with notation as to which method was used to generate the test sample being analyzed (e.g. Repetitive Acquisition and Rewet).

This entire procedure is repeated on all of the replicate test samples generated from the dosing method(s). The reported value is the average of the individual recorded measurements for the Overall Stain Area to the nearest 0.01 mm ² along with notation as to which method was used to generate the test samples that were analyzed (e.g. Repetitive Acquisition and Rewet).

Density

Density is calculated based upon the basis weight and caliper with appropriate unit conversion to arrive at g/cc.

SEM Method to Determine Quantity of Cellulosic Fibers

A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to obtain images of both the first side and second side of a material test sample. From these images, the quantity of the cellulosic filaments on each side of the test sample is determined using image analysis. All testing is performed in a room maintained at a temperature of 23° C ± 2.0° C and a relative humidity of 50% ± 2% and samples are conditioned under the same environmental conditions for at least 2 hours prior to testing.

Obtain a test sample by removing it from an absorbent article, if necessary. When excising the sample from an absorbent article, use care to not impart any contamination or distortion to the sample layer during the process. The test sample is obtained from an area free of folds or wrinkles. A total of 6 replicate test samples are obtained. The test region on each test sample is marked in such a way that will allow for the same area to be analyzed on each side. One suitable way to mark the sidedness of the test region is to use an asymmetrical notch.

Secondary Electron (SE) images are obtained using an SEM such as the FEI Quanta 450 (available from FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR), or equivalent. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions prior to use to ensure an accurate distance scale. The test region on the first side of the test sample is viewed at a low magnification (e.g. 200X; horizontal field width about 1 mm) such that a representative number of the cellulosic based filaments are clearly visualized for counting purposes, and an image is acquired. At the same test region, images of the second side of the test sample are acquired using the same low magnification used for the first side.

The low magnification image of the first side of the test sample is opened on a computer running image analysis software, such as Image Pro Plus (available from Media Cybernetics, Rockville, MD), or equivalent. All of the filaments having a crenulated outer surface (e.g. viscose fibers) and a first shape within the image are manually counted and the number recorded as Filaments

1. The crenulated surface is shown along with the distinctive ends of the viscose fibers. To prevent counting a filament more than once, each counted filament is“marked” on the image. In like fashion, the number of filaments having a crenulated surface and a second shape are counted on the low magnification image of the test sample at the same test region, and the number recorded as Filaments

2. Calculate the Filament Ratio by dividing Filaments 2 by Filaments 1 and record to the nearest 1 unit.

In like fashion, repeat all measurements for a total of 6 replicate test samples. Calculate the arithmetic mean for Filament Ratio obtained for all 6 replicates and report to the nearest 1 unit.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as“40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.” Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.