Ultrathin fluid management article

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid management article to be worn adjacent a user's perineum for collecting and/or absorbing low volumes of bodily fluids encountered both menstrually and intermenstrually. The article is particularly useful for everyday use, that is, for managing daily perspiration, vaginal discharge, post intercourse drainage, and other bodily fluids due to various conditions, such as infection.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Fluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising a liquid permeable cover; a barrier layer; and an absorbent core intermediate the cover and the barrier layer; the article having a total capacity of 1.2 grams or less.  
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  having a total capacity of 1.0 grams or less.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  having a caliper of 3.0 millimeters or less.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 3  having a caliper of 1.1 millimeters or less.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  having a flexural resistance of 120 grams or less.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent core comprises 0.7 grams or less of absorbent material.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6  which is substantially free of hydrogel-forming polymers.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the absorbent material comprises cellulosic.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 8  wherein the cellulosic is wood pulp.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the liquid permeable cover is a nonwoven web comprising polyolefin fibers.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the polyolefin fibers are polypropylene fibers of at least two different deniers.  
     
     
         12 . A fluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising an absorbent-free, liquid permeable structure having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof; and a barrier layer covering at least a portion of the second surface.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  having a total capacity of 1.2 grams or less.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 12  further comprising a liquid permeable cover overlaying the first surface.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 12  having a caliper of 3.0 millimeters or less.  
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15  having a caliper of 1.1 millimeters or less.  
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the liquid permeable structure is an apertured film.  
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17  wherein the apertured film is an apertured formed film  
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18  wherein the apertures have tapered capillaries.  
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the liquid permeable structure is a nonwoven web.  
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20  wherein the nonwoven web comprises polyester fibers.  
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 20  wherein the nonwoven web comprises polyolefin fibers.  
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the first surface is hydrophobic and the second surface is hydrophilic.  
     
     
         24 . A fluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising a liquid permeable cover; a barrier layer; and an absorbent core intermediate the cover and the barrier; the absorbent core comprising 0.7 grams or less of absorbent material.  
     
     
         25 . The article of  claim 24  comprising 0.3 grams or less of absorbent material.  
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 24  which is substantially free of hydrogel-forming polymers.