Assembled intermediate comprising a coiled-filament nonwoven web and articles

Abstract

An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of coiled filaments having an average diameter of 200 to 500 microns interengaged by means of intermittent bonds. The web preferably has certain properties such as a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.02 to 0.10, and a work of compression of no greater than 20 kJ/m 3 . Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

1 . An absorbent assembled intermediate comprising a thermoplastic nonwoven web proximate an absorbent material; wherein the thermoplastic nonwoven web comprises a plurality of coiled filaments having an average diameter of 200 to 500 microns interengaged by means of intermittent bonds and the web has a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.02 to 0.10 g/cm 3 , and a work of compression no greater than 20 kJ/m 3 . 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the coiled filaments are continuous in one direction. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the intermittent bonds comprise melt-bonds. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the web has a work of compression of no greater than 15 kJ/m 3 . 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 4  wherein the web has a work of compression of no greater than 10 kJ/m 3 . 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the web has a basis weight ranging from 200 gsm to 400 gsm. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the web has a thickness no greater than 10 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the web has a density ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the web exhibits a load of less than 25 newtons at 25% extension. 
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web has exhibits a vertical wicking of saline solution of no greater than 5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web is free of hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web exhibits any one or combination of fluid transport rate properties selected from
 a fluid transport rate of no greater than 10 seconds with a weight of 4 kg; 
 a fluid transport rate of no greater than 15 seconds with a weight of 12 kg; and 
 a fluid transport rate of no greater than 20 seconds with a weight of 24 kg. 
 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web is a stretched web. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web comprises a first major face and a second opposing major face substantially parallel to the first major face and a thickness in a direction orthogonal to the first and second major face; wherein the thickness define lateral edges and the absorbent material is in contact with at least one lateral edge. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 20  wherein all the lateral edges of the nonwoven web are in contact with the absorbent material. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material comprises cellulosic fibers and superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         25 . The absorbent assembled intermediate component of  claim 24  wherein the absorbent component exhibits any one or combination of fluid uptake rate properties selected from
 a fluid uptake rate of no greater than 10 seconds with a weight of 4 kg; 
 a fluid uptake rate of no greater than 50 seconds with a weight of 12 kg; and 
 a fluid uptake rate of no greater than 50 seconds with a weight of 24 kg. 
 
     
     
         26 . The absorbent assembled intermediate component of  claim 24  wherein the absorbent component exhibits any one or combination of length of longitudinal fluid distribution properties selected from
 a length of longitudinal fluid distribution of at least 100 mm with a weight of 4 kg; 
 a length of longitudinal fluid distribution of at least 100 mm with a weight of 12 kg; and 
 a length of longitudinal fluid distribution of at least 125 with a weight of 24 kg. 
 
     
     
         27 . The absorbent assembled intermediate component of  claim 25  where the absorbent component exhibits the fluid uptake property and/or length of longitudinal fluid distribution property with one or two fluid challenges. 
     
     
         28 . An absorbent article comprising the absorbent assembled intermediate of  claim 1 , wherein the article is not a personal hygiene article. 
     
     
         29 - 31 . (canceled)