US 11,969,322 B2
Absorbent article with an exudate management layer
Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Oshkosh, WI (US); Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Neenah, WI (US); Andrew Thomas Hammond, Grand Chute, WI (US); Kyle Mark Barriger, Neenah, WI (US); Michael Donald Sperl, Waupaca, WI (US); Russell J. Brumm, Menasha, WI (US); Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung, Chicago, IL (US); Ellen E. Pelky, De Pere, WI (US); and Kimberly M. Downs, Ripon, WI (US)
Assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., Neenah, WI (US)
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/963,221.
Application 17/963,221 is a continuation of application No. 16/492,204, granted, now 11,523,946, previously published as PCT/US2018/025140, filed on Mar. 29, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/479,890, filed on Mar. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0053299 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 13/49 (2006.01); A61F 13/511 (2006.01); A61F 13/53 (2006.01); A61F 13/537 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/49011 (2013.01) [A61F 13/53747 (2013.01); A61F 13/51104 (2013.01); A61F 2013/530445 (2013.01); A61F 13/53708 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An absorbent article comprising:
a) a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction;
b) a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline;
c) an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region positioned between the anterior region and the posterior region;
d) an anterior region transverse direction end edge, a posterior region transverse direction end edge, and a pair of longitudinal direction side edges extending between and connecting the anterior region transverse direction end edge and the posterior region transverse direction end edge;
e) a topsheet layer defining a body facing surface of the absorbent article, a liquid impermeable layer defining a garment facing surface of the absorbent article, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer; and
f) an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer; the exudate management layer comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein at least one of the first opening or the second opening is further connected to a barrier component via a barrier component fold, the barrier component extending from the barrier component fold in the longitudinal direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article,
wherein the exudate management layer comprises a first component at least partially defining the first opening and the second opening.