US 12,097,140 B2
Method of manufacturing an exudate management layer for use in an absorbent article
Matthew D. Woods, Winneconne, WI (US); David J. Nickel, Menasha, WI (US); Jason G. Csida, Appleton, WI (US); Palani Raj R. Wallajapet, Neenah (IN); and Hwa Y. Kim, Greenville, WI (US)
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
Appl. No. 17/041,240
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 29, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/025081
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 24, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/190521, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 3, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0007879 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 5/443 (2006.01); A61F 13/15 (2006.01); A61F 13/537 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/443 (2013.01) [A61F 13/15577 (2013.01); A61F 2013/15821 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming an exudate management layer having a first component and a second component, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a base material;
b) partitioning the base material into at least a first exudate management layer pre-form and a second exudate management layer pre-form;
c) partitioning the base material within the first exudate management layer pre-form to delineate a first portion of the base material that will form a perimeter of an opening within the first component and to delineate a second portion of the base material that will form the second component;
d) placing the second portion of the base material that will form the second component of the exudate management layer into an overlapping configuration with a third portion of the base material that will form a section of the first component and in an overlapping configuration with a portion of the second exudate management layer pre-form, wherein said second portion is folded to extend beyond an outer perimeter of the third portion; and
e) separating the first exudate management layer pre-form from the second exudate management layer pre-form to form the exudate management layer.