Liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles

• Main Authors: PAUL, SUSAN CAROL, MCDOWALL, DEBRA JEAN, WRIGHT, ROBERT DAVID, SAWYER, LAWRENCE HOWELL, VARONA, EUGENIO GO, LEVY, RUTH LISA, SHULTZ, JAY SHELDON
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 09.10.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BRAIDING; COTTON-WOOL; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS,NON-WOVEN FABRICS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; KNITTING; LACE-MAKING; MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARYMATERIAL; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; NON-WOVEN FABRICS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; TEXTILES; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; TRIMMINGS; WADDING

The present invention provides a liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles which exhibits directional liquid distribution properties and has desirable physical integrity. The liquid distribution layer is a nonwoven web of substantially continuous microfibers that has its fibers substantially aligned along one planar dimension of the web, wherein the fibers are hydrophilically modified or hydrophilic. Additionally, the liquid distribution layer may have an increasing fiber alignment gradient as well as a decreasing fiber thickness gradient in the direction of the web thickness. Further provided are suitable processes for producing the liquid distribution layer.