US 12,220,304 B2
Expandable absorbent core and method of manufacture
Christopher J. Nelson, Plymouth, WI (US); Scott A. Roehrborn, Sheboygan, WI (US); and Troy L. Bruckschen, Howards Grove, WI (US)
Assigned to Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US)
Filed by Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US)
Filed on Oct. 9, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/596,843.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/746,963, filed on Oct. 17, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0121525 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. A61F 13/537 (2006.01); A61F 13/15 (2006.01); A61F 13/53 (2006.01); A61F 13/534 (2006.01); A61F 13/551 (2006.01); A61F 13/56 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/53708 (2013.01) [A61F 13/15739 (2013.01); A61F 13/53409 (2013.01); A61F 13/5376 (2013.01); A61F 13/5514 (2013.01); A61F 13/5611 (2013.01); A61F 2013/530481 (2013.01); A61F 2013/530883 (2013.01); A61F 2013/53765 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An expandable absorbent structure comprising:
an expansion loop core configured to expand in response to absorption of a liquid;
an expansion loop material structure directly surrounding the expansion loop core and having a trough therein, wherein the trough is formed from a first portion of the expansion loop material structure folded over a second portion of the expansion loop material structure at a first elbow of the expansion loop material structure, and wherein the expansion loop material structure has a first leg joined to a second leg; and
a bond formed between the first leg and the second leg in close proximity to an end of the first leg and an end of the second leg;
wherein, in response to an increase in size of the expansion loop core, the expansion loop core presses against the expansion loop material structure to cause a length of the trough to decrease.