Absorbent articles having improved longitudinal fluid movement

Abstract

The present invention provides absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, containing a flow regulator positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core. In-use, fluid deposited on the topsheet is internally moved in the longitudinal direction by the flow regulator before being released to the absorbent core. By moving substantial amounts of fluid in the longitudinal direction the flow regulator provides a more effective use of the absorbent core.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a z-direction, said absorbent article comprising: (a) a fluid pervious topsheet;   (b) a fluid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;   (c) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having an uppermost surface facing said topsheet and a lowermost surface facing said backsheet; and   (d) a flow regulator positioned between said topsheet and said absorbent core said flow regulator enhancing movement of fluid in the longitudinal direction while controlling movement of fluid in the transverse and z-directions.   
     
     
       2. The absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein said flow regulator comprises a secondary topsheet and a plurality of fibers having external capillary channels. 
     
     
       3. The absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein said secondary topsheet is arranged in a plurality of pleats extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said absorbent article. 
     
     
       4. The absorbent article according to claim 3 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are formed into a yarn and positioned within the pleats of said secondary topsheet. 
     
     
       5. The absorbent article according to claim 3 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are formed into a nonwoven web, said nonwoven web is superposed upon said secondary topsheet. 
     
     
       6. The absorbent article according to claim 5 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels of said nonwoven web are oriented such that their channels lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said article. 
     
     
       7. The absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are hydrophilic. 
     
     
       8. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a z-direction, said absorbent article comprising: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet;   (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;   (c) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having an uppermost surface facing said topsheet and a lowermost surface facing said backsheet;   (d) a secondary topsheet positioned between said topsheet and said absorbent core, said secondary topsheet being arranged in a plurality of pleats extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said absorbent article; and   (e) a plurality of fibers having external capillary channels being positioned between said topsheet and said secondary topsheet within said pleats of said secondary topsheet.   
     
     
       9. The absorbent article according to claim 8 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are formed into a yarn. 
     
     
       10. The absorbent article according to claim 9 wherein the capillary channel fibers are hydrophilic. 
     
     
       11. The absorbent article according to claim 10 wherein the capillary channel fibers have a "H"-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
       12. The absorbent article according to claim 9 wherein the yarn of fibers having external capillary channels is twisted. 
     
     
       13. The absorbent article according to claim 8 wherein said absorbent core comprises absorbent gelling material disposed between the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of said core. 
     
     
       14. The absorbent article according to claim 8 wherein said secondary topsheet is a tissue. 
     
     
       15. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a z-direction, said absorbent article comprising: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet;   (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;   (c) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core having an uppermost surface facing said topsheet and a lowermost surface facing said backsheet;   (d) a secondary topsheet having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said secondary topsheet being arranged in a plurality of pleats extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said absorbent article; and   (e) a nonwoven web of fibers having external capillary channels being positioned between said topsheet and said secondary topsheet and being superposed on the body facing surface of said secondary topsheet.   
     
     
       16. The absorbent article according to claim 15 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are oriented such that their channels lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of said article. 
     
     
       17. The absorbent article according to claim 16 wherein said fibers having external capillary channels are hydrophilic. 
     
     
       18. The absorbent article according to claim 15 wherein said absorbent core comprises absorbent gelling material disposed between the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of said core. 
     
     
       19. The absorbent article according to claim 15 wherein said secondary topsheet is at issue.