Absorbent core for use in absorbent articles

Abstract

An absorbent core includes a first carrier substrate and a second carrier substrate; a discontinuous layer of superabsorbent polymer material disposed between the first and second carrier substrates. The superabsorbent polymer material may be disposed in a plurality of superabsorbent material stripes. Two of the stripes are separated by an interstice. The interstice has little or no superabsorbent polymer material and extends from the first carrier substrate to the second carrier substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent core comprising:
 a first carrier substrate and a second carrier substrate;   a discontinuous layer of superabsorbent polymer material disposed between the first and second carrier substrates, comprising a plurality of superabsorbent material stripes;   two of the stripes being separated by an interstice;   wherein the interstice comprises little or no superabsorbent polymer material and wherein the interstice extends from the first carrier substrate to the second carrier substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the superabsorbent polymer material forms multiple stripes on the first carrier substrate to form a first lower laminate layer, and 
 the superabsorbent polymer material forms multiple stripes on the second carrier substrates to form a second, upper laminate layer, 
 the stripes on each layer being spaced apart from each other to form gaps between neighboring stripes, 
 the second laminate layer being positioned on the first laminate layer with the first and second carrier substrates facing outwardly, such that the superabsorbent polymer material stripes of the second laminate layer are overlaying the gaps formed in the first laminate layer and the superabsorbent polymer material stripes of the first laminate layer are overlaying the gaps formed in the second laminate layer; and 
 wherein the interstice is formed by one of the gaps being wider than the superabsorbent polymer stripe lying above or below said one of the gaps. 
 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent core according to  claim 2  wherein the one of the gaps is at least 2 mm wider than the superabsorbent polymer stripe lying above or below said one of the gaps. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent core according to  claim 2  wherein the interstice is formed by one of the gaps in the first laminate layer being wider than the superabsorbent polymer material stripe of the second laminate layer lying above the gap. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent core according to  claim 2 , wherein the interstice is formed by one of the gaps in second laminate layer being wider than the superabsorbent polymer material stripe of the first laminate layer lying below the gap. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1  wherein the two superabsorbent material stripes are straight. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent polymer material is at least partially immobilized by an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent core according to  claim 2 , wherein a second adhesive is applied onto the first and second carrier substrate such that the second adhesive is applied in the gaps between the superabsorbent polymer material stripes and below the superabsorbent polymer material stripes of each laminate layer. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1  comprising less than 5% by weight of cellulose fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1  wherein the material stripes extend longitudinally. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent core according to  claim 1  wherein the material stripes extend laterally. 
     
     
         12 . An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, backsheet and an absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core comprises:
 a first carrier substrate and a second carrier substrate;   a discontinuous layer of superabsorbent polymer material disposed between the first and second carrier substrates, comprising a plurality of superabsorbent material stripes;   two of the superabsorbent material stripes being separated by a interstice;   wherein the interstice comprises little or no superabsorbent polymer material and wherein the interstice extends from the first carrier substrate to the second carrier substrate.