US 11,771,605 B2
Absorbent article with an exudate management layer
Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Oshkosh, WI (US); Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Neenah, WI (US); Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung, Chicago, IL (US); Ellen E. Pelky, De Pere, WI (US); Kimberly M. Downs, Ripon, WI (US); Andrew Thomas Hammond, Grand Chute, WI (US); Kyle Mark Barriger, Neenah, WI (US); Michael Donald Sperl, Waupaca, WI (US); and Russell J. Brumm, Menasha, WI (US)
Assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., Neenah, WI (US)
Appl. No. 16/492,209
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 29, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/025066
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 9, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/183627, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 4, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/479,830, filed on Mar. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0008988 A1, Jan. 9, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 13/513 (2006.01); A61F 13/537 (2006.01); A61F 13/511 (2006.01); A61F 13/51 (2006.01); A61F 13/53 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/53747 (2013.01) [A61F 13/5116 (2013.01); A61F 13/51121 (2013.01); A61F 2013/51078 (2013.01); A61F 2013/51383 (2013.01); A61F 2013/530802 (2013.01); A61F 2013/530883 (2013.01)] 17 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) a liquid permeable exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer and disposed between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core, the exudate management layer comprising a first component comprising an outer peripheral edge and an opening in the exudate management layer, the opening located inward from the outer peripheral edge and having a perimeter partially defined by an inner edge of the first component, and a second component connected to the first component via a primary fold, the primary fold defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening.