WO2000000127A1 - Element de transport de liquides a flux eleve comprenant deux regions de permeabilites differentes - Google Patents

Element de transport de liquides a flux eleve comprenant deux regions de permeabilites differentes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000000127A1
WO2000000127A1 PCT/US1998/013449 US9813449W WO0000127A1 WO 2000000127 A1 WO2000000127 A1 WO 2000000127A1 US 9813449 W US9813449 W US 9813449W WO 0000127 A1 WO0000127 A1 WO 0000127A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
region
transport member
liquid transport
member according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/013449
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger
Mattias Schmidt
Fred Desai
Karl Michael Schumann
Gary Dean Lavon
Gerald Alfred Young
Donald Carroll Roe
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to AU82716/98A priority Critical patent/AU8271698A/en
Priority to PCT/US1998/013449 priority patent/WO2000000127A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014648 priority patent/WO2000000141A2/fr
Priority to JP2000556864A priority patent/JP2003523840A/ja
Priority to CA002335625A priority patent/CA2335625A1/fr
Priority to US09/857,742 priority patent/US6683229B1/en
Priority to AU47258/99A priority patent/AU4725899A/en
Priority to AU48412/99A priority patent/AU4841299A/en
Priority to US09/720,164 priority patent/US6500337B1/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/014632 priority patent/WO2000000118A2/fr
Priority to EP99932014A priority patent/EP1091714B1/fr
Priority to EP99930806A priority patent/EP1096996A1/fr
Priority to CA002335622A priority patent/CA2335622A1/fr
Priority to CA002333697A priority patent/CA2333697C/fr
Priority to JP2000557048A priority patent/JP2003526746A/ja
Priority to JP2000556704A priority patent/JP2003527877A/ja
Priority to AU48410/99A priority patent/AU4841099A/en
Priority to JP2000556971A priority patent/JP2003523894A/ja
Priority to CA002335639A priority patent/CA2335639A1/fr
Priority to EP99932015A priority patent/EP1089696A2/fr
Priority to AU48405/99A priority patent/AU4840599A/en
Priority to JP2000556727A priority patent/JP2003523779A/ja
Priority to EP99932012A priority patent/EP1091713A2/fr
Priority to CA002333765A priority patent/CA2333765A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014641 priority patent/WO2000000139A2/fr
Priority to JP2000556726A priority patent/JP2003523778A/ja
Priority to US09/720,191 priority patent/US6545194B1/en
Priority to US09/720,225 priority patent/US6506960B1/en
Priority to EP99932011A priority patent/EP1091887A1/fr
Priority to AU48413/99A priority patent/AU4841399A/en
Priority to EP99930807A priority patent/EP1093539A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014795 priority patent/WO2000000149A2/fr
Priority to CA002334158A priority patent/CA2334158C/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014634 priority patent/WO2000000701A1/fr
Priority to US09/720,186 priority patent/US6673057B1/en
Priority to JP2000556728A priority patent/JP2003515357A/ja
Priority to AU47251/99A priority patent/AU4725199A/en
Priority to CA002333719A priority patent/CA2333719C/fr
Priority to AU47256/99A priority patent/AU4725699A/en
Priority to DE69908776T priority patent/DE69908776T2/de
Priority to EP99930804A priority patent/EP1093351A2/fr
Priority to AT99932014T priority patent/ATE242621T1/de
Priority to AU47257/99A priority patent/AU4725799A/en
Priority to CA002334180A priority patent/CA2334180A1/fr
Priority to EP99930799A priority patent/EP1099030A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014796 priority patent/WO2000000146A2/fr
Priority to AU48475/99A priority patent/AU4847599A/en
Priority to CA002355149A priority patent/CA2355149A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014644 priority patent/WO2000000702A1/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014642 priority patent/WO2000000016A1/fr
Priority to US09/720,224 priority patent/US6659992B1/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/014646 priority patent/WO2000000140A2/fr
Priority to JP2000556725A priority patent/JP2003525646A/ja
Priority to JP2000556735A priority patent/JP2003527140A/ja
Priority to JP2000556732A priority patent/JP2003527249A/ja
Priority to AU47259/99A priority patent/AU4725999A/en
Priority to CA002333760A priority patent/CA2333760C/fr
Priority to EP99932088A priority patent/EP1091715A2/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014649 priority patent/WO2000000142A2/fr
Priority to JP2000557047A priority patent/JP2003526535A/ja
Priority to CA002334162A priority patent/CA2334162A1/fr
Priority to JP2000556612A priority patent/JP2003525577A/ja
Priority to CA002336019A priority patent/CA2336019C/fr
Priority to PCT/US1999/014643 priority patent/WO2000000281A1/fr
Priority to AU49638/99A priority patent/AU4963899A/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/014647 priority patent/WO2001010371A1/fr
Priority to US09/720,167 priority patent/US6727403B1/en
Priority to EP99930805A priority patent/EP1091640A1/fr
Priority to EP99933618A priority patent/EP1119327A2/fr
Priority to EP99932007A priority patent/EP1093347A2/fr
Priority to AU48409/99A priority patent/AU4840999A/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/014645 priority patent/WO2000000406A1/fr
Priority to CA002335589A priority patent/CA2335589A1/fr
Priority to US09/720,192 priority patent/US6764476B1/en
Priority to PE1999000588A priority patent/PE20000967A1/es
Priority to PE1999000604A priority patent/PE20000796A1/es
Priority to PE1999000587A priority patent/PE20000723A1/es
Priority to PE1999000597A priority patent/PE20000651A1/es
Priority to PE1999000603A priority patent/PE20000793A1/es
Priority to AU48411/99A priority patent/AU4841199A/en
Priority to PE1999000586A priority patent/PE20000732A1/es
Priority to ARP990103164A priority patent/AR017489A1/es
Priority to TW088117684A priority patent/TW495587B/zh
Priority to TW088117685A priority patent/TW482665B/zh
Publication of WO2000000127A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000000127A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
    • A61F13/534—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad
    • A61F13/537—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15203—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/36—Surgical swabs, e.g. for absorbency or packing body cavities during surgery
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
    • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
    • B65D47/2031—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to liquid transport members useful for a wide range of applications requiring high flow and/or flux rate, wherein the liquid can be transported through such a member, and/ or be transported into or out of such a member.
  • Such members are suitable for many applications, as - without being limited to - disposable hygiene articles, water irrigation systems, spill absorbers, oil/water separators and the like.
  • the invention further relates to liquid transport systems comprising said liquid transport members and articles utilizing these.
  • the transport will happen from a liquid source through a liquid transport member to a liquid sink, for example from a reservoir through a pipe to another reservoir.
  • a liquid source for example from a reservoir through a pipe to another reservoir.
  • There can be differences in potential energy between the reservoirs such as hydrostatic height
  • there can be frictional energy losses within the transport system such as within the transport member, in particular if the transport member is of significant length relative to the diameter thereof.
  • liquid transport elements or members can be found in fields like water irrigation such as described in EP-A-0.439.890, or in the hygiene field, such as for absorbent articles like baby diapers both of the pull-on type or with fastening elements like tapes, training pants, adult incontinence products, feminine protection devices.
  • capillary flow members such as fibrous materials like blotting paper, wherein the liquid can wick against the gravity.
  • materials are limited in their flow and/or flux rates, especially when wicking height is added as an additional requirement.
  • An improvement particularly towards high flux rates at wicking heights particularly useful for example for application in absorbent articles has been described in EP-A-0.810.078.
  • Other capillary flow members can be non-fibrous, but yet porous structures, such as open celled foams.
  • hydrophilic polymeric foams In particular for handling aqueous liquid, hydrophilic polymeric foams have been described, and especially hydrophilic open celled foams made by the so called High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) polymerization process have been described in US-A-5.563.179 and US-A- 5.387.207.
  • HIPE High Internal Phase Emulsion
  • liquid transport members that can transport liquid against gravity at very high flux rates.
  • liquid is not homogeneous in composition (such as a solution of salt in water), or in its phases (such as a liquid/solid suspension), it can be desired to transport the liquid in its totality, or only parts thereof.
  • composition such as a solution of salt in water
  • phases such as a liquid/solid suspension
  • filtration technology exploits the higher and lower permeability of a member for one material or phase compared to another material or phase.
  • permeability There is abundance of art in this field, in particular also relating to the so called micro-, ultra-, or nano-filtration.
  • Some of the more recent publications are: US-A-5.733.581 relating to melt-blown fibrous filter;
  • US-A-A-5.728.292 relates to non-woven fuel filter; WO-A- 97/47375 relating to membrane filter systems; WO-A- 97/35656 relating to membrane filter systems; EP-A-0.780.148 relating to monolithic membrane structures; EP-A-0.773.058 relating to oleophilic filter structures.
  • Such membranes are also disclosed to be used in absorbent systems.
  • fluid absorbent materials can have osmotic effects, or can be gel- forming absorbent substances enclosed in semipermeable membranes, such as cellulose, regenerated cellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate.
  • semipermeable membranes such as cellulose, regenerated cellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate.
  • polycarbonate, polyamide, fiberglass, polysulfone, of polytetrafluoroethylene having pore sizes of between 0.001 ⁇ m and 20 ⁇ m, preferably between 0.005 ⁇ m and 8 ⁇ m, especially about 0.01 ⁇ m.
  • the permeability of the membrane is intended to be such that the absorbed liquid can penetrate, but such that the absorbent material is retained.
  • membranes having a high permeability K and a low thickness d so as to achieve a high liquid conductivity k/d of the layer, as being described herein after.
  • promoters with higher molecular weight e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone with a molecular weight of 40,000
  • the maximum pore size stated therein to be useful for this application is less than 0.5 ⁇ m, with pore sizes of about 0.01 ⁇ m or less being preferred.
  • the exemplified materials allow the calculation of K/d values in the range of 3 to 7 * 10- 14 m.
  • the absorbent body can further comprise for rapid discharge of fluids a liquid acquisition means, such as conventional acquisition means to provide interim storage of the fluids before these are slowly absorbed.
  • a liquid acquisition means such as conventional acquisition means to provide interim storage of the fluids before these are slowly absorbed.
  • an osmotic promoter namely a high-ionic strength material such as NaCl, or other high osmolality material like glucose or sucrose is placed inside a membrane such as made from cellulosic films.
  • a membrane such as made from cellulosic films.
  • fluid can enter the body through any part of the jacket, and no means is foreseen for liquid to leave the body.
  • the promoter materials provide an osmotic driving force to pull the liquid through the membranes.
  • the membranes are characterized by having a low permeability for the promoter, and the packets achieve typical rates of 0.001 ml/cm2/min.
  • US-A-5.082.723 discloses an osmotic material like NaCl which is enclosed by superabsorbent material, such as a copolymer of acrylic acid and sodium acrylate, thereby aiming at improving absorbency, such as enhanced absorptive capacity on a "gram per gram” basis and absorption rate.
  • liquid transport member composed of at least two regions exhibiting a difference in permeability. It is a further object to provide liquid transport members exhibiting improved liquid transport, as expressed in significantly increased liquid flow rates, and especially liquid flux rates, i.e. the amount of liquid flowing in a time unit through a certain cross-section of the liquid transport member.
  • the present invention is a liquid transport member with at least one bulk region having an average permeability K b , and a wall region that completely circumscribes the bulk region, and which further has at least one port region having a thickness d and an average permeability K p throughout this thickness, wherein the bulk region has an average fluid permeability K b which is higher than the average fluid permeability K p of the port regions and that said port region has a ratio of fluid permeability to thickness in the direction of fluid transport, K p /d p of at least 10 ⁇ 7 m.
  • the port region has a ratio of fluid permeability to thickness in the direction of fluid transport, K p /d p of at least 5*10 "7 m, preferably of at least 10 6 m, more preferably of at least 10 5 m.
  • the bulk region has a fluid permeability of at least 10 "11 m 2 , preferably of at least 10 ⁇ 8 m 2 , more preferably of at least 10 "7 m 2 , most preferably at least 10 "5 m 2 .
  • the port region has a fluid permeability of at least 6*10 '20 m 2 , preferably of at least 7*10 18 m 2 , more preferably of at least 3*10 '14 m 2 , even more preferably of at least 1.2*10 "11 m 2 . or at least 7*10 " m 2 , and most preferably of at least 10 "9 m 2 .
  • the present invention is a liquid transport member which further has an outer region that is in contact with the wall region, preferably having a capillary pressure for absorbing the liquid that is lower than the bubble point pressure of said member.
  • This outer layer may comprise a softness layer.
  • the ratio of permeability of the bulk region and the permeability of the port region is at least 10, preferably at least 100, more preferably at least 1000, and even more preferably at least 10000.
  • the member has a bubble point pressure of at least 1 kPa, preferably of at least 2 KPa, more preferably at least 4.5 KPa, even more preferably 8 KPa, most preferably 50 KPa.
  • the port region has a bubble point pressure of at least 1 kPa, preferably of at least 2 KPa, more preferably at least 4.5 KPa, even more preferably 8 KPa, most preferably 50 KPa.
  • the bulk region has a larger average pore size than said port regions, such that the ratio of average pore size of the bulk region and the average pore size of the port region is preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 50, even more preferably at least 100, or even at least 500, and most preferably at least 1000.
  • the bulk region has an average pore size of at least 200 ⁇ m, preferably at least 500 ⁇ m, more preferably of at least 1000 ⁇ m, and most preferably of at least 5000 ⁇ m. In another preferred embodiment, the bulk region has a porosity of at least
  • the port region has a porosity of at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably of at least 30%, and most preferably of at least 50%.
  • the port regions have an average pore size of no more than 100 ⁇ m, preferably no more than 50 ⁇ m, more preferably of no more than 10 ⁇ m, and most preferably of no more than 5 ⁇ m. It is also preferred, that the port regions have a pore size of at least 1 ⁇ m, more preferably at least 3 ⁇ m. In another preferred embodiment, the port regions have an average thickness of no more than 100 ⁇ m, preferably no more than 50 ⁇ m, more preferably of no more than 10 ⁇ m, and most preferably of no more than 5 ⁇ m.
  • the bulk regions and the wall regions have a volume ratio (bulk to wall region) of at least 10, preferably at feast 100, more preferably at least 1000, and even more preferably at least 10000.
  • the port region is hydrophilic, and preferably is made of materials having a contact angle for the liquid to be transported less than 70 degrees, preferably less than 50 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees, and even more preferably less than 10 degrees.
  • the port regions do not substantially decrease the liquid surface tension of the liquid that is to be transported.
  • the port region is oleophilic, and preferably is made of materials having a contact angle for the liquid to be transported less than 70 degrees, preferably less than 50 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees, and even more preferably less than 10 degrees.
  • the bulk region can be deformable and may expand during liquid transport.
  • the member can have a sheet-like, or cylindrical shape, optionally the cross-section of the member along the direction of liquid transport being not constant.
  • port regions can have a larger area than the average cross-section of the member along the direction of liquid transport., preferably port regions have an area that is larger than the average cross-section of the member along the direction of liquid transport by at least a factor of 2, preferably a factor of 10, most preferably a factor of 100.
  • the member comprises bulk or port material which can expand and recollapse during liquid transport, and preferably has a volume expansion factor of at least 5 between the original state and when being activated, i.e. fully immersed in liquid.
  • the bulk region comprises a material selected from the groups of fibers, particulates, foams, spirals, films, corrugated sheets, or tubes.
  • the wall region comprises a material selected from the groups of fibers, particulates, foams, spirals, films, corrugated sheets, tubes, woven webs,woven fiber meshes, apertured films, or monolithic films.
  • the bulk or wall region may an open cell reticulated foam, preferably a foam selected from the group of cellulose sponge, polyurethane foam, HIPE foams.
  • the liquid transport member comprises fibers, which are made of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamids, polyethers, polyacrylics, polyurethanes, metal, glass, cellulose, cellulose derivatives.
  • the liquid transport member is made by a porous bulk region that is wrapped by a separate wall region.
  • the member may comprise water soluble materials, for example to increase permeability or pore size upon contact with the liquid in the bulk or port regions.
  • the liquid transport member is initially wetted by or essentially filled with liquid, or is under vacuum.
  • a liquid transport member can be particularly suitable to transport of water- based liquids, of viscoelastic liquids, or for bodily exudates such as urine, blood, menses, feces or sweat.
  • a liquid transport member can also be suitable for transport of oil, grease, or other non-water based liquids, and it can be particularly suitable for selective transport of oil or grease, but not water based liquids.
  • the port regions may be hydrophobic.
  • the properties or parameter of any of the regions of the member or of the member itself need not to be maintained during the transport of the member from its production to the intended use, but that these are established just prior to or at the time of liquid handling. This may be achieved by having an activation of the member, such as contact with the transported liquid, pH, temperature, enzymes, chemical reaction, salt concentration or mechanical activation.
  • Another aspect of the present invention concerns the combination of a liquid transport member with either a source of liquid and/or the sink of liquid, with at least one of these being positioned outside of the member.
  • a liquid absorbent system comprising a liquid transport member according to the present invention, has an absorption capacity of at least 5 g/g, preferably at least 10 g/g, more preferably at least 20 g/g, on the weight basis of the sink material.
  • the liquid transport system contains a sink having an absorption capacity of at least 10 g/g, preferably at least 20 g/g and more preferably at least 50 g/g, and / a capillary suction of at least 4kPa, preferably at least 10kPa.
  • the liquid transport member also contains superabsorbent materials or foam made according to the High Internal Phase emulsion polymerization.
  • An even further aspect of the present invention relates to an article comprising a liquid transport member according to the present invention, such as an absorbent article or a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid transport member.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention such as an absorbent article or a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid transport member.
  • An application, which can particularly benefit from using members according to the present invention is a disposable absorbent hygiene article, such a baby or adult incontinence diaper, a feminine protection pad, a pantiliner, a training pant. Other suitable applications can be found for a bandage, or other health care absorbent systems.
  • the article can be a water transport system or member, optionally combining transport functionality with filtration functionality, e.g. by purifying water which is transported.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention can also be a oil or grease absorber, or can be used for separation of oily and aqueous liquids.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the method " of making a liquid transport member, wherein the method comprises the steps of a) providing a bulk or inner material; b) providing a wall material comprising a part region; c) completely enclosing said bulk region material by said wall material; d) providing a transport enablement means selected from d1) vacuum; d2) liquid filling; d3) expandable elastics / springs;
  • the method can comprise the step of e) applying activation means of e1) liquid dissolving port region; e2) liquid dissolving expandable elastication / springs.
  • the method may comprise the steps of a) wrapping a highly porous bulk material with a separate wall material that contains at least one permeable port region, b) completely sealing the wall region, and c) evacuating the member essentially of air.
  • the method further comprises the step wetting the member, or partially of essentially fully filling the member with liquid.
  • FIG. 1 Schematic diagram of conventional open siphon.
  • Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of a liquid transport member according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 A, B Conventional Siphon system, and liquid transport member according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 Schematic cross-sectional view through a liquid transport member.
  • Fig. 5 A, B, C Schematic representation for the determination of port region thickness.
  • Fig. 6 Correlation of permeability and bubble point pressure.
  • Fig. 7 to 12 Schematic diagrams of various embodiments of liquid transport member according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 13 Liquid Transport Systems according to the present invention.
  • Fig 14 Schematic diagram of an absorbent article.
  • Fig 15 to 16 Absorbent Article comprising a liquid transport member.
  • Fig 17 to 18 Specific embodiments of liquid transport member.
  • Fig 19 to 20 Liquid permeability test.
  • Fig 21 Capillary absorption test.
  • a “liquid transport member” refers to a material or a composite of materials, which is able to transport liquids. Such a member contains at least two regions, an “inner” region, for which the term “bulk” region can be used interchangeably, and a wall region comprising at least one "port” region.
  • the terms “inner” and “outer” refer to the relative positioning of the regions, namely meaning, that the outer region generally circumscribes the inner region, such as a wall region circumscribing a bulk regon.
  • the term "Z-dimension” refers to the dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the liquid transport member or article.
  • the Z-dimension usually corresponds to the thickness of the liquid transport member or the article.
  • the term "X-Y dimension” refers to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the member, or article.
  • the X-Y dimension usually corresponds to the length and width, respectively, of the liquid transport member, or article.
  • the term layer also can apply to a member, which - when describing it in spherical or cylindrical co-ordinates - extends in radial direction much less than in the other ones.
  • the skin of a balloon would be considered a layer in this context, whereby the skin would define the wall region, and the air filled center part the inner region.
  • the term “layer” refers to a region whose primary dimension is X-Y, i.e., along its length and width. It should be understood that the term layer is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of material. Thus the layer can comprise laminates or combinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite type of materials. Accordingly, the term “layer” includes the terms “layers” and “layered”. For purposes of this invention, it should also be understood that the term
  • upper refers to members, articles such as layers, that are positioned upwardly (i.e. oriented against the gravity vector) during the intended use.
  • a liquid transport member intended to transport liquid from a "lower” reservoir to an “upper” one, this is meant to be transport against gravity.
  • this term for example to absorbent articles, this means that the upper elements are positioned towards the wearer during the intended use.
  • absorbent articles refers to devices which absorb and contain body exudates, and, more specifically, refers to devices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body.
  • body fluids includes, but is not limited to, urine, menses and vaginal discharges, sweat and feces.
  • absorbent articles which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).
  • the term "absorbent core” refers to the component of the absorbent article that is primarily responsible for fluid handling properties of the article, including acquiring, transporting, distributing and storing body fluids. As such, the absorbent core typically does not include the topsheet or backsheet of the absorbent article.
  • a member or material can be described by having a certain structure, such as a porosity, which is defined by the ratio of the volume of the solid matter of the member or material to the total volume of the member or material.
  • a porosity can be calculated from the weigth, the caliper and the specific weight (density) of the polypropylene:
  • activatable refers to the situation, where a certain ability is restricted by a certain means, such that upon release of this means a reaction such as a mechanical response happens. For example, if a spring is held together by a clamp (which thus would be activatable), releasing of the clamp results in activating the expansion of the spring.
  • the expansion can be defined by the elastic modulus , as well known in the art.
  • the liquid In materials, for which the liquid transport is based on capillary pressure as the driving force, the liquid is pulled into the pores that were initially dry by the interaction of the liquid with the surface of the pores. Filling the pores with liquid replaces the air in these pores. If such a material is at least partially saturated and if further a hydrostatic, capillary, or osmotic suction force is applied to at least one region of that material, liquid will be desorbed from this material if the suction pressure is larger than the capillary pressure that retains the liquid in the pores of the materials (refer e.g., to "Dynamics of fluids in porous media" by J. Bear, Haifa, publ. Dover Publications Inc., NY, 1988).
  • a conventional capillary flow material is connected at one end to a liquid source (e.g., a reservoir) and on the other end to a liquid sink (e.g., a hydrostatic suction), the liquid transport through this material is based on the absorption / desorption and re-absorption cycle of the individual pores with the capillary force at the liquid / air-interface providing the internal driving force for the liquid through the material.
  • a liquid source e.g., a reservoir
  • a liquid sink e.g., a hydrostatic suction
  • Siphon analogy A simplifying explanation for the functioning of the present invention can start with comparing it to a siphon (refer to Fig. 1), well known from drainage systems as a tubing in form of a laying "S" (101).
  • the principle thereof is, that - once the tubing (102) is filled with liquid (103) - upon receipt of further liquid (as indicated by 106) - entering the siphon at one end, almost immediately liquid leaves the siphon at the other end (as indicated by 107), as - because the siphon is being filled with incompressible liquid - the entering liquid is immediately displacing liquid in the siphon forcing the liquid at the other end to exit the siphon, if there is a pressure difference for the liquid between the point of entry and the point of exit of said siphon.
  • liquid is entering and leaving the system through an open surface inlet and outlet "port regions" (104 and 105 respectively).
  • the driving pressure to move liquid along the siphon can be obtained via a variety of mechanisms. For example, if the inlet is at a higher position than the outlet, gravity will generate a hydrostatic pressure difference generating liquid flow through the system.
  • the outlet port is higher than the inlet port, and the liquid has to be transported against gravity, the liquid will flow through this siphon only if an external pressure difference larger than hydrostatic pressure difference is applied.
  • a pump could generate enough suction or pressure to move liquid through this siphon.
  • liquid flow through a siphon or pipe is caused by an overall pressure difference between its inlet and outlet port region. This can be described by well known models, such as expressed in the Bernoulli equation.
  • the liquid transport member 201 does not need to be s-shaped, but can be a straight tube (202).
  • the liquid transport member can be filled with liquid (203), if the inlet and outlet of the transport member are covered by inlet port materials (204) and outlet port materials (205).
  • inlet port materials (204) and outlet port materials (205) Upon receipt of additional liquid (indicated by 206) which readily penetrates through the inlet port material (204), liquid (207) will immediately leave the member through the outlet region (205), via the outlet port material.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention can be combined with one or more liquid source(s) and/or s ⁇ nk(s) to form a liquid transport system.
  • liquid sources or sinks can be attached to the transport member such as at inlet and/or outlet regions or the sink or the source can be integral with the member.
  • a liquid sink can be - for example - integraf with the transport member, when the transport member can expand its volume thereby receiving the transported liquid.
  • FIG. 3 A shows a further simplifying analogy to the a siphon system in comparison to a Liquid Transport System
  • a liquid (source) reservoir (301) with a lower (in the direction of gravity) liquid (sink) reservoir (302) by a conventional tube or pipe with open ends (303) in the shape on an inverted "U” (or "J")
  • liquid can flow from the upper to the lower reservoir only if the tube is kept full with liquid by having the upper end immersed in liquid. If air can enter the pipe such as by removing the upper end (305) from the liquid, the transport will be interrupted, and the tube must be refilled to be functional again.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention would look very similar in an analog arrangement, except for the ends of the transport member, inlet (305) and outlet port (306), comprising inlet and outlet port materials with special permeability requirements as explained in more detail hereinafter instead of open areas.
  • the inlet and outlet materials prevent air or gas from penetrating into the transport member, and thereby maintain the liquid transport capability even if the inlet is not immersed into the liquid source reservoir. If the transport member is not immersed into the liquid source reservoir, liquid transport will obviously stop, but can commence immediately upon re-immersion.
  • the present invention is concerned with liquid transport, which is based upon direct suction rather than on capillarity.
  • the liquid is transported through a region through which substantially no air (or other gas) should enter this member (or at least not in a significant amount).
  • the driving force for liquid flowing through such a member can be created by a liquid sink and liquid source in liquid communication with the member, either externally, or internally.
  • liquid refers to fluids consisting of a continuous liquid phase, optionally comprising a discontinuous phase such as an immiscible liquid phase, or solid or gases, so as to form suspension, emulsions or the like.
  • the liquid can be homogeneous in composition, it can be a mixture of miscible liquids, it can be a solution of solids or gases in a liquid, and the like.
  • Non-limiting examples for liquids that can be transported through members according to the present invention include water, pure or with additives or contaminants, salt solutions, urine, blood, menstrual fluids, fecal material over a wide ranged of consistencies and viscosities, oil, food grease, lotions, creams, and the like.
  • transport liquid refers to the liquid which is actually transported by the transport member, i.e., this can be the total of a homogeneous phase, or it can be the solvent in a phase comprising dissolved matter, e.g., the water of a aqueous salt solution, or it can be one phase in a multiphase liquid, or it can be that the total of the multicomponent or multiphase liquid.
  • liquid the respective liquid properties e.g., the surface energy, viscosity, density, etc., are relevant in for various embodiments.
  • the liquid entering the liquid transport member will be the same or of the same type as the liquid leaving the member or being stored therein, this does not necessarily need to be the case.
  • the aqueous phase may leave the " member first.
  • the aqueous phase could be considered "replaceable liquid”.
  • a liquid transport member in the sense of the present invention has to comprise at least two regions - a "bulk region” and a "wall region” comprising at least one liquid permeable "port region”.
  • the bulk / inner regions and the wall region are distinctively different and non-overlapping geometric regions that can be defined by the following characterization (refer to Fig.4): Let A be a point within the bulk region (403), and B a point in the wall region
  • a member according to the present invention must satisfy a) that any continuous curve that connects A and C will cross or intersect the wall region; and b) that at least one continuous curve exists, which connects B and C which does not cross or intersect the bulk region. and c) at least one curve connecting point A and point C will cross/intersect through the wall region through a port region.
  • region refers to three-dimensional regions, which can be of any shape. Often, but not necessarily, the thickness of the region can be thin, such that the region appears like a flat structure, such as a thin film.
  • membranes can be employed in a film form, which - depending on the porosity - can have thickness of 100 ⁇ m or much less, thus being much smaller than the extension of the membrane perpendicular thereto (i.e. length and width dimension).
  • a region can be described by having at least one property to remain within certain limits so as to define the common functionality of the subregions of this region, other properties may well change within this regions.
  • regions should be read to also encompass the term “region”, i.e. if a member comprises certain “regions”, the possibility of comprising only one such region should be included in this term, unless otherwise explicitly mentioned.
  • a transport member according to the present invention has at least one region satisfying the requirements for the "inner region” and one region satisfying the requirements for the "port region”, (which in fact can have an very small thickness relative to its extension in the other two dimensions, and thus appear more as a surface than a volume).
  • the port region may comprise sub-regions, in particular the inlet and outlet regions.
  • the transport path can be defined as the path of a liquid entering a port region and the liquid exiting a port region, whereby the liquid transport path runs through the bulk region.
  • the transport path can also be defined by the path of a liquid entering a port region and then entering a fluid storage region which is integral within the inner region of the transport member, or alternatively defined as the path of a liquid from a liquid releasing source region within the inner region of the transport member to an outlet port region.
  • the transport path of an liquid transport member can be of substantial length, a length of 100 m or even more can be contemplated, alternatively, the liquid transport member can also be of quite short length, such as a few millimeters or even less. Whilst it is a particular benefit of the present invention to provide high transport rates and also enable large amounts of liquid to be transported, the latter is not a requirement. It can also be contemplated, that only small amounts of liquid are transported over relatively short times, for example when the system is used to transmit signals in the form of liquids in order to trigger a certain response to the signal at an alternative point along the transport member.
  • the liquid transport member may function as a real-time signaling device.
  • the transported liquid may perform a function at the outlet port, such as activating a void to release mechanical energy and create a three-dimensional structure.
  • the liquid transport member may deliver a triggering signal to a responsive device comprising a compressed material that is held in vacuum compression within a bag, at least a portion of which is soluble (e.g., in water).
  • a threshold level of the signaling liquid (e.g., water) delivered by the liquid transport member dissolves a portion of the water soluble region and discontinuously releases the vacuum, the compressed material expands to form a three dimensional structure.
  • the compressed material may be a resilient plastic foam that has a shaped void of sufficient volume to capture bodily waste.
  • the compressed material may be an absorbent material that functions as a pump by drawing fluid into its body as it expands (e.g., may function as a liquid sink as described below).
  • the liquid transport can take place along a single transport path or along multiple paths, which can split or re-combine across the transport member.
  • the transport path will define a transport direction, allowing definition of the transport cross sectional plane which is perpendicular to said path.
  • the inner / bulk region configuration will then define the transport cross sectional area, combining the various transport paths.
  • a certain region can consist of one homogeneous material, or a region can comprise such a homogeneous material.
  • a material can have varying properties and/ or parameters, and thus comprise more than one region. The following description will focus on describing the properties and parameters for the functionally defined regions.
  • the present invention is concerned with liquid transport member, which is based upon direct suction rather than on capillarity.
  • the liquid is transported through a region into which substantially no air (or other gas) should enter (at all or at least not in a significant amount).
  • the driving force for liquid flowing through such a member can be created by a liquid sink or liquid source in liquid communication with the transport member, either externally, or internally.
  • the direct suction is maintained by ensuring that substantially no air or gas enters the liquid transport member during transport.
  • a liquid transport member must have a certain liquid permeability (as described hereinafter). A higher liquid permeability provides less flow resistance, and thus is preferred from this point of view.
  • the liquid transport member should be substantially impermeable for air or gas during the liquid transport.
  • liquid transport is generally controlled by the interaction of pore size and permeability, such that open, highly permeable structures will generally be comprised of relatively large pores. These large pores provide highly permeable structures, however these structures have very limited wicking heights for a given set of respective surface energies, i.e., a given combination of type of material and liquids. Pore size can also affect liquid retention under normal use conditions.
  • the liquid transport member has an inner region with a liquid permeability which is relatively high to provide maximum liquid transport rate.
  • the permeability of a port region which can be a part of the wall region circumscribing the bulk region, is substantially less. This is achieved by port regions having a membrane functionality, designed for the intended use conditions.
  • the membrane is permeable to fluids, but not to gases or vapors. Such a property is generally expressed by the bubble point pressure parameter, which is - in short - defined by the pressure up to which gas or air does not penetrate through a wetted membrane.
  • the property requirements have to be fulfilled at the time of liquid transport. It can be, however, that these are created or adjusted by activating a transport member, e.g., prior to usage, which - without or prior to such activation - would not satisfy the requirements but so after activation.
  • a transport member e.g., prior to usage, which - without or prior to such activation - would not satisfy the requirements but so after activation.
  • a member can be elastically compressed or collapsed, and expand upon wetting to then create a structure with the required properties.
  • capillary flow transport is dominated by surface energy effects mechanisms and pore structure, which is determined by number of pores, as well as the shape, size, and also pore size distribution.
  • liquid is removed at one end of a capillary system such as by a suction means, this liquid is desorbed out of the capillaries closest to this suction device, which are then at least partially filled by air, and which are then refilled through capillary pressure by liquid from adjacent capillaries, which are then filled by liquid from following adjacent capillaries and so on.
  • liquid transport through a conventional capillary flow structure is based upon absorption - desorption and re-absorption cycle of the individual pores.
  • the flow respectively flux is determined by the average permeability along the pathway and by the suction at the end of the transport path.
  • Such a local suction will generally also be dependent on the local saturation of the material, i.e. if the suction device is able to reduce the saturation of the region close to it, the flow/flux will be higher.
  • capillary tubes which can be described as parallel pipes " with the inner tube diameter and wall thickness defining the overall openness (or porosity) of the system.
  • Such systems will have a relative large flux against a certain height if these are "mono-porous", i.e., if the pores have the same, optimal pore size. Then the flow is determined by the pore structure, the surface energy relation, and the cross-sectional area of the porous system, and can be estimated by well know approximations.
  • Realistic porous structures such as fibrous or foam type structures, will not transport as the ideal structures of capillary tubes.
  • Realistic porous structures have pores that are not aligned, i.e. not straight, as the capillary tubes and the pore sizes are also non-uniform. Both of these effects reduce the transport efficiency of such capillary systems.
  • the transport member with different pore sizes there are at least two regions within the transport member with different pore sizes, namely the one or more port region(s) having smaller pore sizes (which in conventional systems would result in very low flow rates) and the inner region having a substantially larger pore sizes (which in conventional systems would result in very low achievable transport heights).
  • the overall flow and transport height through the transport member are synergistically improved by the high porosity of the inner region (which therefore can be relatively long whilst having small cross- sectional areas), and by the relatively high bubble point pressure of the port regions (which can have sufficiently large surfaces, and/ or small thickness).
  • the high bubble point pressure of the port regions is obtained by the capillary pressure of the small pores of said port region, which will - once wetted - prevent from air or gas from entering the transport member.
  • very high fluid transport rates can be achieved through relatively small cross-sectional areas of the transport member.
  • the present invention is concerned with liquid transport members, which - once activated, and/or wetted - are selective with regards to the fluids they transport.
  • the port regions of the transport member are " - up to a certain limit as can be expressed by the bubble point pressure - closed for the ambient gas (like air), but relatively open for the transport liquid (like water).
  • the port regions do not require a specific directionality of their properties, i.e. the materials used therein can be used in either orientation of liquid flow there through.
  • the membranes it a requirement for the membranes to have different properties (such as permeability) with regard to certain parts or components of the liquid. This is in contrast to the membranes such as described for osmotic absorbent packets in US-A-5.108.383 (White et al.), where the membranes have to have a low permeability for the promoter material, such a salt, respectively salt-ions.
  • a key requirement for the bulk region is to have a low average flow resistance, such as expressed by having a permeability K of at least 10 11 m 2 , preferably more than 10 ⁇ 8 m 2 ., more preferably more thant 10 "7 m 2 , and most preferably more than 10 s m 2 .
  • One important means to achieve such high permeabilities for the inner regions can be achieved by utilizing material providing relatively high porosity.
  • Such a porosity which is commonly defined as the ratio of the volume of the materials that makes up the porous materials to the total volume of the porous materials, and as determined via density measurements commonly known, should be at least 50 %, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90 %, or even exceeding 98%, or 99%. In the extreme of the inner region essentially consisting of a single pore, void space, the porosity approaches or even reaches 100%.
  • the inner region can have pores, which are larger than about 200 ⁇ m, 500 ⁇ m, 1 mm or even 9 mm in diameter or more.
  • the inner region can have pores as large as 10 cm - e.g. when the inner region is a void tube.
  • Such pores may be smaller prior to the fluid transport, such that the inner region may have a smaller volume, and expand just prior or at the liquid contact.
  • a volumetric expansion factor of at least 5, preferably more than 10.
  • Such an expansion can be achieved by materials having an elastic modulus of more than the external pressure which, however, must be smaller than the bubble point pressure.
  • High porosities can be achieved by a number of materials, well known in the art as such.
  • fibrous members can readily achieve such porosity values.
  • Non-limiting examples for such fibrous materials that can be comprised in the bulk region are high-loft non-wovens, e.g., made from polyolefin or polyester fibers as used in the hygienic article field, or car industry, or for upholstery or HVAC industry.
  • Other examples comprise fiber webs made from cellulosic fibers.
  • Such porosities can further be achieved by porous, open celled foam structures, such as - without intending any limitation - for example pulyurethane reticulated foams, cellulose sponges, or open cell foams as made by the High Internal Phase Emulsion Polymerization process (HIPE foams), all well known from a variety of industrial applications such as filtering technology, upholstery, hygiene and so on.
  • HIPE foams High Internal Phase Emulsion Polymerization process
  • Such porosities can be achieved by wall regions (such as explained in more detail hereinafter) which circumscribe voids defining the inner region, such as exemplified by pipes. Alternatively, several smaller pipes can be bundled.
  • Such porosities can further be achieved by "space holders", such as springs, spacer, particulate material, currugated structures and the like.
  • space holders such as springs, spacer, particulate material, currugated structures and the like.
  • the inner region pore sizes or permeabilities can be homogeneous throughout the inner region, or can be inhomogeneous.
  • the high porosity of the inner region is maintained throughout all stages between manufacture and use of the liquid transport 5 member, but the voids within the inner region can be created shortly " before or during its intended use.
  • bellow like structures held together by suitable means can be activated by a user, and during its expansion, the liquid penetrates through a port region into the expanding inner region, thereby filling the transport member 0 completely or at least sufficiently to not hinder the liquid flow.
  • open celled foam materials such as described in (US-A- 5.563.179 or US-A-5.387.207) have the tendency to collapse upon removal of water, and the ability to re-expand upon re-wetting.
  • foams can be transported from the manufacturing site to the user in a relatively dry, and hence 5 thin (or low-volume), and only upon contact with the source liquid increase their volume so as to satisfy the void permeability requirements.
  • the inner regions can have various forms or shapes.
  • the inner region can be cylindrical, ellipsoidal, sheet like, stripe like, or can have any irregular shape.
  • the inner regions can have constant cross-sectional area, with constant or o varying cross-sectional shape, like rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical, or irregular.
  • a cross-sectional area is defined for the use herein as a cross-section of the inner region, prior to addition of source liquid, when measured in the plane perpendicular to the flow path of the transport liquid, and this definition will be used to determine the average inner region cross-sectional area by averaging 5 the individual cross-sectional areas all over the flow path(s).
  • the absolute size of the inner region should be selected to suitably match the geometric requirements of the intended use. Generally, it will be desirable to have the minimum dimension for the intended use.
  • the benefit of the designs according to the present invention is to allow much smaller cross-sectional areas 0 than conventional materials.
  • the dimensions of the inner region are determined by the permeability of said inner region, which can be very high, due to possible large pores, as the inner region does not have to be designed under the contradicting requirements of high flux (i.e. large pores) and high vertical liquid transport (i.e. small pores). Such large pemeabilities allow much smaller cross- sections, and hence very different designs.
  • the length of the inner region can be significantly larger than for conventional systems, as also with regard to this parameter the novel transport member can bridge longer distances and also greater vertical liquid transport heights.
  • the inner region can be essentially non-deformable, i.e. maintains its shape, form, volume under the normal conditions of the intended use. However, in many uses, it will be desirable, that the inner region allows the complete member to remain soft and pliable.
  • the inner region can change its shape, such as under deforming forces or pressures during use, or under the influence of the fluid itself.
  • the deformability or absence thereof can be achieved by selection of one or more materials in the inner region (such as a fibrous member), or can be essentially determined by the circumscribing regions, such as by the wall regions of the transport member.
  • One such approach is to utilize elastomeric materials as the wall material.
  • the voids of the inner region can be confined by wail regions only, or the inner region can comprise internal separations therein.
  • the inner region is made up of parallel pipes, with impermeable cylindrical walls, these would be considered to be such internal separations, thereby possibly creating pores which are unitary with the inner, hollow opening of the pipes, and possibly other pores created by the interstitial spaces between the pipes.
  • the inner region comprises a fibrous structure, the fiber material can be considered to form such internal separations.
  • the internal separations of the inner region can have surface energies adapted to the transported liquid.
  • the separations or parts thereof can be hydrophilic.
  • the separations or parts thereof can be oleo- or lipophilic.
  • the confining separations of the inner region may further comprise materials which significantly change their properties upon wetting, or which even may dissolve upon wetting.
  • the inner region may comprise an open cell foam material having a relatively small pore at least partially being made of soluble material, such as polyvinylalcohol or the like. The small porosity can draw in liquid at the initial phase of liquid transport, and then rapidly dissolve so as to then leave large voids filled with liquid.
  • the inner region can comprise soluble materials, such as poly(vinyl) alcohol or poly(vinyl) acetate.
  • soluble materials such as poly(vinyl) alcohol or poly(vinyl) acetate.
  • Such materials can fill the voids, or support a collapsed state of the voids before the member is contacted with liquid. Upon contact with fluid, such as water, these materials may dissolve and thereby create empty or expanded voids.
  • the voids of the inner region (which can make up essentially the complete inner region) are essentially completely filled with an essentially incompressible fluid.
  • most of the void volume preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95%, and even more preferably more than 99%, including 100%, is filled with the liquid.
  • the inner region can be designed so as to enhance accumulation of gas or other liquid in parts of the region where it is less detrimental.
  • the remainder of the voids can then be filled with other fluid, such as residual gas or vapors, or immiscible liquid like oil in an inner region filled with aqueous liquids, or can be solids, like particulates, fibers, films.
  • the liquid comprised in the inner region can be of the same type as the liquid being intended to be transported.
  • the inner region of the transport member can be filled with water - or if oil is the intended transport liquid, the inner region can be filled with oil.
  • the liquid in the inner region can also be different - whereby these differences can be relatively small in nature (such as when the intended transport liquid is water, the inner region liquid can be an aqueous solution, and vice versa).
  • the intended transport liquid can be quite different in its properties, when compared to the liquid which has been pre-filled into the inner region, such as when the source liquid is oil, which is transported through a pipe initially filled with water and closed by suitable inlet and outlet ports, whereby the water leaves the member by a suitable outlet port region, and the oil enters the member by a suitable inlet port region.
  • the total amount of transported liquid is limited by the amount which can be received within the member respectively the amount of liquid exchanged, unless there were, for example, outlet port regions comprising materials with properties compatible with the liquids so as to allow functionality with one or both of the liquids.
  • the liquid of the inner region and the liquid to be transported can be mutually soluble, such as salt solutions in water.
  • the inner region can be filled with water.
  • the inner region comprises a vacuum, or a gas or vapor below the corresponding equilibrium, ambient or external, pressure at the respective temperatures, and volumetric conditions.
  • the liquid can enter into the inner region by the permeable port regions (as described hereinafter), and then fill the voids of the inner region to the required degree. Thereafter, the now filled inner region functions like a "pre- filled" region as described in the above.
  • a simple and yet very descriptive example for an inner region is an empty tube defined by impermeable or semi-permeable walls, as already discussed and depicted in Fig. 2.
  • the diameter of such tubes can be relatively large compared to diameters commonly used for transport in capillary systems. The diameter of course depends highly on the specific system and intended use.
  • Pieces of glass tubes can provide the right functionality, however, for certain applications such structures may have some mechanical strength constraints.
  • Suitable tubes can also be made of silicon, rubber, PVC, etc. e.g Masterflex 6404-17 by Norton, distributed by the Barnant
  • 0.340.763 relating to highly porous fibrous structures or sheets, such as made from PET fibers.
  • Other materials can be suitable even when they do not satisfy all the above requirements at the same time, if this deficiency can be compensated by other design elements.
  • Filtren (Filtren TM10 blue, Filtren TM20 blue, Filtren TM30 blue, Filtren Firend 10 black, Filtren Firend 30 black, Filtren HC 20 grey, Filtren Firend HC 30 grex,
  • Another material having relatively large pores - even though the porosity is not particularly high - is sand with particles larger than 1 mm, specifically sand with particles larger than 5 mm
  • Such fibrous or other materials may , for example become very useful by being corrugated, however, excessive compression should be avoided. Excessive compression can result in a non-homogeneous pore size distribution with small pores within the web, and sufficiently open pores between the corrugations.
  • the inner region may comprise absorbent materials, such as super absorbent gelling materials or other materials as described for being suitable as a liquid sink material herein after. Further, the promoter materials of Membrane
  • Signals can be suitable for being used in the inner region.
  • the inner region may further be constructed form several materials, i.e. for example from combinations of the above.
  • the inner region may also comprise stripes, particulates, or other in- homogeneous structures generating large voids between themselves and acting as space holders.
  • the liquid transport member according to the present invention comprises in addition to the inner regions a wall region circumscribing this inner region.
  • This wall region must comprise at least one port region, as described hereinafter.
  • the wall region can further comprise materials, which are essentially impermeable to liquids and/or gases, thereby not interfering with the liquid handling functionality of the port regions, and also preventing ambient gases or vapors from penetrating into the liquid transport member.
  • Such walls can be of any structure or shape, and can re present the key structural element of the liquid transport member.
  • Such walls can be in the shape of a straight or bent pipe, of a flexible pipe, or of cubical shape and so on.
  • the walls can be thin, flexible films, circumscribing the inner region.
  • Such walls can be expandable, either permanently via deformation or elastically via elastomeric film, or upon activation.
  • wall regions as such are an essential element for the present invention, this is particularly true for the port region comprised in such walls, and described in the following.
  • the properties of the remaining parts of the wall regions can be important for the overall structure, for resilience, and other structural effects, however, these other parts do not contribute to the primary fluid handling functionality of the transport member.
  • the port regions can generally be described to comprise materials which have different permeabilities for different fluids, namely they should be permeable for the transport liquid, but not for the ambient gas (like air), under otherwise same conditions (like temperature, or pressure, ...) and once they are wetted with / filled with the transport liquid or similarly functioning liquid. Often, such materials are described as membranes with respective characteristic parameters.
  • a membrane is generally defined as a region, that is permeable for liquid, gas or a suspension of particles in a liquid or gas.
  • the membrane may for example comprise a microporous region to provide liquid permeability through the capillaries.
  • the membrane may comprise a monolithic region comprising a block-copolymer through which the liquid is transported via diffusion.
  • membranes will often have selective transport properties for liquids, gases or suspensions depending on the type of medium to be transported. They are therefore widely used in filtration of fine particles out of suspensions (e.g. in liquid filtration, air filtration).
  • Other type of membranes show selective transport for different type of ions or molecules and are therefore found in biological systems (e.g. cell membranes, molecular sieves) or in chemical engineering applications (e.g. for reverse osmosis).
  • Microporous hydrophobic membranes will typically allow gas to permeate, while water-based liquids will not be transported through the membrane if the driving pressure is below a threshold pressure commonly referred to as “breakthrough” or “bridging” pressure.
  • hydrophilic microporous membranes will transport water based liquids. Once wetted, however, gases (e.g. air) will essentiallynot pass through the membrane if the driving pressure is below a threshold pressure commonly referred to as "bubble point pressure”.
  • Hydrophilic monolithic films will typically allow water vapor to permeate, while gas will not be transported rapidly through the membrane.
  • membranes can also be used for non-water based liquids such as oils.
  • most hydrophobic materials will be in fact oleophilic.
  • a hydrophobic microporous membrane will therefore be permeable for oil but not for water and can be used to transport oil, or also separate oil and water.
  • Membranes are often produced as thin sheets, and they can be used alone or in combination with a support layer (e.g. a nonwoven) or in a support element
  • membranes include but are not limited to polymeric thin layers directly coated onto another material, bags, corrugated sheets.
  • membranes are "activatable” or “switchable” membranes that can change their properties after activation or in response to a stimulus. This change in properties might be permanent or reversible depending on the specific use.
  • a hydrophobic microporous layer may be coated with a thin dissolvable layer e.g. made from poiy(vinyl)aclohol.
  • a thin dissolvable layer e.g. made from poiy(vinyl)aclohol.
  • Such a double layer system will be impermeable to gas.
  • the poly(vinyl)alcohol film once wetted and the poly(vinyl)alcohol film has been dissolved, the system will be permeable for gas but still impermeable for liquid.
  • a hydrophilic microporous membrane is initially dry. In this state the membrane is permeable for air. Once wetted with water, the membrane is no longer air permeable.
  • a reversible switching of a membrane in response to a stimulus is a microporous membrane coated with a surfactant that changes its hydrophilicity depending on temperature. For example the membrane will then be hydrophilic for warm liquid and hydrophobic for cold liquid. As a result, warm liquid will pass through the membrane while cold liquid will not.
  • Other examples include but are not limited to microporous membranes made from an stimulus activated gel that changes its dimensions in response to pH, temperature, electrical fields, radiation or the like.
  • the port regions can be described by a number or properties and parameters.
  • a key aspect of the port region is the permeability.
  • a volumetric flow dV/dt through the membrane is caused by an external pressure difference ⁇ p (driving pressure), and the permeability function K may depend on the type of medium to be transported (e.g. liquid or gas), a threshold pressure, and a stimulus or activation. Further relevant parameters impacting on the liquid transport are the cross-section A and the length L of the transport regions, and the viscosity ⁇ of the transported liquid.
  • the macroscopic transport properties are mainly depending on the pore size distribution, the porosity, the tortuosity and the surface properties such as hydrophilicity.
  • the permeability of the port regions should be high so as to allow large flux rates there through.
  • typical permeability values for port regions or port region materials will range from about 6 * 10 '20 m 2 , to 7 * 10 "18 m 2 , or
  • a further parameter relevant for port regions and respective materials is the bubble point pressure, which can be measured according to the method as described hereinafter.
  • Suitable bubble point pressure values depend on the type of application in mind.
  • the table below lists ranges of suitable port region bubble point pressure (BPP) for some applications: Application BPP (KPa) broad range typical range
  • the port region of a liquid transport member is defined as the part of the wall having the highest permeability.
  • the port region is also defined by having the lowest relative permeability when looking along a path from the bulk region to a point outside the transport member.
  • the port region can be constructed by readily discernible materials, and then both thickness and size can be readily determined.
  • the port region can, however, have a gradual transition of its properties either to other, impermeable regions of the wall region, or to the bulk region. Then the determination of the thickness and of the size can be made as described hereinafter.
  • a segment of the wall region such as depicted in Figure 5A, this will have a surface, defined by the comerpoints ABCD, which is oriented towards the inner or bulk region, and a surface EFGH oriented towards the outside of the member.
  • the thickness dimension is oriented along the lines AE, BF, and so on, i.e. when using Cartesian co-ordinates, along the z-direction.
  • the wall region will have the major extension along the two perpendicular directions, i.e. x-, and y- direction.
  • the port region thickness can be determined as follows: a) In case of essentially homogeneous port region properties at least in the direction through the thickness of the region, it is the thickness of a material having such a homogeneous permeability (such as when a membrane film); b) It is the thickness of the membrane if this is combined with a carrier (be this carrier inside or outside of the membrane) - i.e. this refers to a non- continuous / step change function of the properties along this path.
  • the "upper port region permeability" is determined as being 10 times the value of K m ⁇ n c3) As the curve has a minimum at K m ⁇ n there will be two corresponding r ⁇ nner and r outer , defining the inner and outer limit of the port region respectively. c4) The distance between the two limits defines the thickness, and the average K port average will be determined across this]. If this approach fails due to indeterminable gradient permeability, porosity or pore size, the thickness of the port region will be set to 1 micrometer.
  • Typical thickness values are in the range of less than 100 ⁇ m, often less than 50 ⁇ m, 10 ⁇ m, or even less than 5 ⁇ m.
  • the x-y extension of the port region can be determined.
  • which part of the wall region are port regions.
  • the local permeability curves along the x- and y direction of the wall region can be determined, and plotted analogous to Figure 5B as shown in Figure 5C.
  • the maximum permeability in the wall region defines the port regions, hence the maximum will be determined, and the region having permeabilities of not less than a tenth of the maximum permeability surrounding this maximum is defined as the port region.
  • permeability to thickness ratio which in the context of the present invention is also referred to as "membrane conductivity”.
  • a material having a lower permeability compared to the same material having a decrease in thickness shows that thickness can compensate for this permeability deficiency (when regarding high rates a being desirable).
  • this parameter can be very useful for designing the port region materials to be used.
  • Suitable k/d depends on the type of application in mind.
  • the table below lists ranges of typical K/d for some exemplary applications: Application K/d (10 9 m) broad range typical range
  • the port regions have to be wettable by the transport fluid, and the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity should be designed appropriately, such as by using hydrophilic membranes in case of transporting aqueous liquids, or hydrophobic membranes in case of lipophilic or oily liquids.
  • the surface properties in the port region can be permanent, or they can change with time, or usage conditions.
  • the receiding contact angle for the liquid to be transported is less than 70°, more preferably less than 50°, even more preferred less than 20° or even less than 10°. Further, it is preferred, that the material has no negative impact on the surface tension of the transported liquid.
  • a lipohilic membrane may be made from lipophilic polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene and such membranes will remain liphophilic during use.
  • lipophilic polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene
  • a hydrophilic material allowing aqueous liquids to be transported. If a polymer like polyethylene or polypropylene is to be used, this has to be hydrophilized, such as by surfactants added to the surface of the material or added to the bulk polymer, such as adding a hydrophilic polymer prior to forming the port material. In both instances, the imparted hydrophilicity may be permanent or not, e.g. it could be washed away with the transport liquid passing therethrough.
  • the port regions remain in a wetted state so as to prevent gas passing through, the lack of hydrophilizer will not be significant once the port regions are wetted. Maintaining liquid filling of membrane For a porous membrane to be functional once wetted (permeable for liquid, not-permeable for air) at least a continuous layer of pores of the membrane always need to be filled with liquid and not with gas or air. Therefore, evaporation of the liquid from the membrane pores must be minimized, either by a decrease of the vapor pressure in the liquid or by an increase the vapor pressure in the air. Possible ways to do this include - without any limitation:
  • the membrane Sealing of the membrane with a impermeable wrap to avoid evaporation between production and usage.
  • the port region may be sealed with soluble polymers, such as poly vinyl alcohol, or poly vinyl acetate, which are dissolved upon contact with liquids and which thereby activate the functionality of the transport member.
  • the port regions should satisfy certain mechanical requirements.
  • the port regions should not have any negative effect on the intended use conditions. For example when such members are intended in hygienic absorbent articles, the comfort and safety must not be negatively impacted.
  • the port regions are soft, and flexible, but this may not always be the case.
  • the port region should be sufficiently strong to withstand practical use stress, such as tear stress or puncturing stress or the like.
  • the port region materials it might be desirable for the port region materials to be extensible or collapsible, or bendable.
  • a single hole in the membrane e.g. caused by puncturing during use
  • a failure in membrane sealing e.g. owing to production
  • the membrane tearing e.g. due to in-use pressure being exerted
  • this can be used as a destructive test method to determine if a materials or member functions according the present invention, this is not desirable during its intended use. If air or another gas penetrates into the inner region, this may block the liquid flow path within the region, or it may also interrupt the liquid connection between the bulk and port regions.
  • a possibility to make an individual member more robust is to provide in certain parts of the inner region remote from the main liquid flow path, a pocket where air that enters the system is allowed to accumulate without rendering the system non functional.
  • a further way to address this issue is to have several liquid transport member in a (functionally or geometrically) parallel arrangement instead of a single liquid transport member. If one of the members fails, the others will maintain the functionality of the "liquid transport member battery".
  • the above functional requirements of the port regions can be satisfied by a wide range of materials or structures described by the following structural properties or parameters.
  • the pore structure of the region, respectively of the materials therein, is an important parameter impacting on properties like permeability and bubble point pressure.
  • pore size Two key aspects of the pore structure are the pore size, and pore size distribution.
  • a suitable method to characterize these parameters at least on the surface of the region is by optical analysis.
  • permeability is influenced by the pore size and the thickness of the regions, respectively the part of the thickness which is predominantly determining the permeability.
  • the pores have preferably an average size of less than 100 ⁇ m, preferably less than 50 ⁇ m, more preferably less than 10 ⁇ m or even less than 5 ⁇ m. Typically, these pores are not smaller than 1 ⁇ m.
  • bubble point pressure It is an important feature for example of the bubble point pressure, that this will depend on the largest pores in the region, which are in a connected arrangement therein. For example, having one larger pore embedded in small ones does not necessarily harm the performance, whilst a "cluster" of larger pores together might very well do so.
  • pore walls such as pore wall thickness
  • the pores should be well connected to each other, to allow liquid passing through readily.
  • the preferred port region materials can be thin membrane materials, these in themselves may have relatively poor mechanical properties. Henceforth, such membranes can be combined with a support structure, such as a coarser mesh, a non-woven or the like.
  • Such a support structure could be combined with the membrane such that it is positioned towards the inner / bulk region or towards the outside of the member.
  • the size of the port regions is essential for the overall performance of the transport member, and needs to be determined in combination with the "permeability to thickness" (K/d) rat , 0 of the port region.
  • the size has to be adapted to the intended use, so as to satisfy the liquid handling requirements.
  • the flux of the port regions will generally be lower than the flux through the inner region, it may be preferred to design the port regions larger in size (surface) than the cross-section of the inner region.
  • the exact design and shape of the port regions can vary over a wide range.
  • the port regions can be relatively small, such as about the size of the cross-section of the inner region, such that a substantially smaller transport member results.
  • the member when liquids are to be quickly captured and transported, distributed or stored, the member can be shaped for example in the shape of a , dog bone with relatively large port regions at either end of the transport member or alternatively, the port regions can be spoon shaped so as to increase the receiving area.
  • the port regions can be non-flat, such as for example corrugated, or folded, or having other forms so as to create relative large surface area to volume ratios.
  • the inlet port and the outlet port can be designed to satisfy the same basic requirements, and thus can be one and the same material, this does not need to be the case.
  • the inlet and outlet port regions can be different with regard to one or more material or performance parameters.
  • the different port regions can be readily discernible, such as by being represented by different " materials and/or by being separated by other materials, or the port regions can differ by a property or parameter gradient, which can be continuous or stepwise.
  • One essentially continuous material can have a gradient of properties along either the surface of the material, in the thickness dimension, or both, so as to be able to represent several inlet/outlet/wall regions.
  • the port region properties may be constant over time, or they may change with time, such as being different before and during use.
  • the port regions can have properties unsuitable for functioning in members according to the present invention until the point of use.
  • the port regions may be activated, for example by manual activation, intervention by the person using the member, or by an automatic activation means, such as by wetting of the transport member.
  • Other alternative mechanisms for activation of the port regions can include heat, for example the body temperature of a wearer, or pH, for example of the transport liquid, or an electrical or mechanical stimulus.
  • membranes useful for the present invention have no specific requirement of a certain salt impermeability.
  • Suitable materials can be open celled foams, such as High Internal Phase
  • Emulsion foams can be Cellulose Nitrate Membranes, Cellulose Acetate
  • Membranes Polyvinyldifluorid films, non-wovens, woven materials such as meshes made from metal, or polymers as m Polyamide, or Polyester.
  • Other suitable materials can be apertured Films, such as vacuum formed, hydroapertured, mechanically or Laser apertured, or films treated by electron, ion or heavy-ion beams
  • Cellulose acetate membranes such as also disclosed in US 5,108,383 (White, Allied-Signal Inc.), Nitrocellulose membranes such as available from e.g. from Advanced Microdevices (PVT) LTD, Ambala Cantt.
  • PVT Advanced Microdevices
  • CNJ- 0 Lit # F 030328
  • CNJ-20 Lit # F 024248
  • Cellulose acetat membranes Cellulose nitrate membranes, PTFE membranes, Polyamide membranes, Polyester membranes as available e.g. from Sartorius in G ⁇ ttingen, Germany and Miliipore in Bedford USA, can be very suitable.
  • microporous films such as PE PP film filled with CaCO 3 particles, or filler containing PET films as disclosed in EP-A-0.451.797.
  • port region materials can be ion beam apertured polymer films, such as made from PE such as described in "Ion Tracks and Microtechnoiogy - Basic Principles and Applications” edited by R.Spohr and
  • Suitable materials are woven polymeric meshes, such as polyamide or polyethylene meshes as available from Verseidag in Geldem-Waldbeck,
  • hydrophilized wovens such as known under the designation DRYLOFT ® from Goretex in Newark, DE 19711 , USA.
  • non-woven materials are suitable, such as available under the designation CoroGard ® from BBA Corovin, Peine, Germany, can be used, namely if such webs are specially designed towards a relatively narrow pore size distribution.
  • metal filter meshes of the appropriate pore size can be suitable, such as HIGHFLOW of Haver& Bocker, in Oelde,
  • liquid transport member according to the present invention can optionally contain other elements, such as liquid impermeable walls or separations, in addition to the wall region with one or more port regions.
  • elements outside of the wall regions such as materials to provide enhanced physical strength, or improved tactile feel or the like. Whilst such external elements might be arranged such that liquid flows there-through, they do not contribute to the essential functionality of the liquid transport member. Thus, such elements should not be a flow limiting factor, and may not function as a port region. Such elements can be integral with the wall region.
  • liquid transport member there can be elements attached to or integral with the liquid transport member to aid its implementation into an absorbent system, or an article comprising an liquid transport member.
  • both liquid transport members according to the present invention do not draw air into their respective structures, for conventional materials, fibrous materials or conventional foams, the liquid pulled into the structure displaces air within the structure.
  • conventional porous materials such as fibrous structures, typically do draw air into themselves during desorption, air enters as liquid is drawn out of the structure.
  • the liquid transport member according to the present invention does not draw air into the structure under normal usage conditions.
  • the property that determines the point at which air will enter the system is referred to herein as bubble point pressure. Air will not enter the transport member until the bubble point pressure (bpp) is reached, due to the membrane functionality of the port region(s) material.
  • a further property of the liquid transport member is the permeability K (liquid transport member) as the average permeability along the flow path of the transported liquid.
  • the liquid transport member according to the present invention has a permeability which is higher than the permeability of a capillary system with equal liquid transport capability. This property is referred to as the a "critical permeability".
  • the critical permeability of the liquid transport member of the present invention is preferably at least twice as high as a capillary system with equal vertical liquid transport capability more preferably at least four times as high, and most preferably at least ten times greater than a capillary system with equal vertical liquid transport capability.
  • the permeability K ⁇ crit ⁇ can be determined via the adhesion tension as derived from Darcy's law as follows:
  • K ⁇ crit ⁇ is the critical permeability in units of [m 2 ]
  • ⁇ ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ is the average porosity of the liquid transport member [-];
  • ⁇ ⁇ liqu ⁇ is the viscosity of the liquid in [cP] ⁇ *cos( ⁇ ) defines the adhesion tension in [cP].
  • bpp ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ is the bubble point pressure of the liquid transport member, expressed in [kPa], as discussed in the above.
  • K ⁇ crit, max ⁇ ( ⁇ ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ 12 )* ⁇ ⁇ iiquid ⁇ **2 / ( bpp ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ ) **2
  • Another way to express the K ⁇ crit ⁇ is via the ability of the member to transport liquid vertically at least against a hydrostatic pressure corresponding to a certain height:
  • K ⁇ crit, max ⁇ ( ⁇ ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ /2) * ⁇ liqu ⁇ ** 2 / (p ⁇ liqu ⁇ * g * h) ** 2.
  • the permeability of a material or transport member can be determined by using the vertical permeability test as described hereinafter, and then compared to the critical permeability as calculated from the above equations.
  • bpp property has already been discussed in the context of the port regions, also the complete transport member can be described thereby. Accordingly, suitable bpp for the member depends on the intended use, and suitable as well as typical values and ranges are essentially the same for the member as for the port region as described above.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention can also be described by being substantially air impermeable up to a certain bpp, whereby the liquid transport member of the present invention has an overall permeability which is higher than the permeability for a given material having a homogeneous pore size distribution and an equivalent bpp.
  • Liquid transport member Yet another way to describe the functionality of a Liquid transport member is by using the average fluid permeability K b of the bulk/inner region, and the bubble point pressure of the member.
  • the liquid transport member according to the present invention should have a relatively high bpp ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ and a high K ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ at the same time. This can be graphically represented when plotting K ⁇ liquid transport member ⁇ over bbp in a double logarithmic diagram (as in fig 6 wherein the bbp is expressed in "cm height of water column", which then can be readily converted into a pressure).
  • Members according to the present invention are have properties in the upper right region (I) above the separation line (L), whilst properties of conventional materials are much more in the left lower corner in the region (II), and have the limitations of the pure capillary transport mechanism, as schematically indicated by the straight line in the log-log diagram.
  • liquid transport members according to the present invention the driving force is independent from the flow resistance as long as the pressure differential is less than the bpp of the transparent member.
  • the flux is proportional to the driving pressure (up to the bpp).
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention can further be described by having high flux rates, as calculated on the cross-sectional area of the inner region.
  • the member should have an average flux rate at 0.9kPa additional suction pressure differential to the height H 0 when tested in the vertical liquid transport test at a height H 0 , as described herein after, of at least 0.1 g/s/cm 2 , preferably of at least 1g/cm 2 /sec, more preferably at least 5 g/cm 2 /sec, even more preferably at least 10 g/cm 2 /sec, or even at least 20 g/cm 2 /sec, and most preferably at least 50 g/cm 2 /sec.
  • the liquid transport member should have a certain mechanical resistance against external pressure or forces.
  • the mechanical resistance to external pressures or forces can be relatively high to prevent squeezing liquid out of , the transport member, which for example, can be achieved by using stiff / non-deformable material in the inner region.
  • this resistance can be in a medium range, thus allowing exploitation of external pressure or forces on the transport member for creating a "pumping effect".
  • the permeability requirement can be satisfied by the membrane itself, i.e. not considering the effect of the support structure, if the support structure is sufficiently open to have no negative impact on the " overall permeability or on the liquid handling properties thereof.
  • the thickness of the port region refers to the thickness of the membrane only - i.e. not including the thickness of the support structure. It will become apparent in the specific context, if for example such a support structure should be seen as an element of the port region having no significant impact on the port region properties, or - for example if the support structure has a significant thickness and thus impacts on the permeability for the liquid after the port region is penetrated - whether the support structure should be considered as a part of the inner region.
  • the support structure becomes more extended in thickness, still remaining connected with the membrane, it yet can be considered as functionally belonging to the inner region, such as when the permeability of the composite "support - inner void" is significantly impacted by the permeability of the support structure.
  • both the inner/bulk region and the port regions can be determined independently, it is preferred that one or both of the port regions have a lower liquid permeability than the inner region.
  • a liquid transport member should have a ratio of the permeability of the bulk region to the port region of preferably at least 10:1 , more preferably at least 100:1 , even more preferably at least 1000:1 , even ratios of 10000:1 are acceptable .
  • At least a portion of the port region(s) have to be in liquid communication with the inner region, so as to allow fluid to be transferred thereto.
  • the inner/bulk region should comprise larger pores than the wall region.
  • the pore size ratio of inner pores to port region pores are preferably at least 10:1 , more preferably at least 30:1, even more preferably at least 100:1 and most preferable at least 350:1.
  • the area of the port regions will typically be larger than the cross-section of the inner regions, thereby considering the respective regions together, namely - if present - the inlet regions or respectively the outlet regions. In most instance, the port regions will be twice as large as said inner region cross-section, often four times as large, or even 10 times as large.
  • the various regions can have , similar structural properties or different, possibly complementing structural properties, such as strength, flexibility, and the like.
  • all regions can comprise flexible material designed to cooperatively deform, whereby the inner region comprises a thin-until-wet material which expands upon contact with the transported liquid, the port region(s) comprise flexible membranes, and the walls can be made of liquid impermeable flexible film.
  • the liquid transport member can be made of various materials, whereby each region may comprise one or more materials.
  • the inner region may comprise porous materials, " the walls may comprise a film material, and the ports may comprise a membrane material.
  • the transport member may consist essentially of one material with different properties in various regions, such as a foam with very large voids to provide the functionality of the inner region, with membrane type materials to function as port materials.
  • One way to look at a liquid transport member is to see the inner region being enclosed by at least one wall and/or port region.
  • a very simple example for this is the above mentioned tube filled with liquid and closed by membranes at both ends, as indicated in Figure 7.
  • Such members can be considered to be a "Closed Distribution Member", as the inner region (703) is "enclosed” by the wall region (702) comprising port regions (806, 807). It is characteristic for such systems, that - once the transport member is activated, or equilibrated - a puncturing of the outer region can interrupt the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism can be maintained if only a small amount of air , enters the system. This small quantity of air can be accumulated in an area of the inner region wherein it is not detrimental to the liquid transport mechanism.
  • the liquid transport member may comprise several inlet and/or several outlet port regions, for example as can be achieved by connecting a number of tubes (802) together and closing several end openings with inlet ports 806 and an outlet port 807, thereby circumscribing the inner region 803, or a "split" system where fluid is transported simultaneously to more than one location (more than one exit port).
  • the transport to different locations may be selective (e.g., the voids in a transport material on the route to one port may be filled with a water soluble material, and the voids in the transport material on the route to a second port may be filled with an oil soluble material.
  • the transport medium may be hydro- and/or oleophilic to further enhance the selectivity.
  • the inner region (903) can be segmented into more than one region, such as can be visualized by looking a bundle of parallel pipes, held in position by any suitable fixation means (909), circumscribed by a wall region (902), comprising port regins (906. 907), and the inner separation means (908). It also can be contemplated, that at least some of the membrane material is placed inside the inner/bulk regions, and the membrane material can even form the walls of the pipes.
  • the outer wall region consists essentially of pe ⁇ neable port region (1006), i.e., the inner region (1003) is not circumscribed by any impermeable region at all.
  • the port regions may have the same permeability, or can have a different degree of permeability.
  • the inner region may be wrapped by a membrane material.
  • the port region and the inner region can be connected by a gradual transition region, such that the transport member appears to be a unitary material with varying properties.
  • the liquid transport member can have one or more port regions (1106), these being either inlet or outlet port regions, i.e., the member is designed to receive and/or release liquid.
  • parts of the wall region (1102) can be deformable, such that the total member can increase the volume of the inner region (1103), so as to accommodate the additionally received volume of liquid, or so as to accommodate the initially contained liquid, which then can be released through the port region(s).
  • a liquid sink or source can be integrally combined with the liquid transport member.
  • the liquid transport member can have a liquid sink or source " integrally incorporated therein, such as depicted by elements (1111) in Fig. 11.
  • a further embodiment can comprise highly absorbent materials such as superabsorbent materials or other highly absorbent materials as described in more detail in (high suction application number), combined with a port region made of a suitable membrane, and flexibly expandable walls to allow for an increase in the volume of the storage member.
  • highly absorbent materials such as superabsorbent materials or other highly absorbent materials as described in more detail in (high suction application number)
  • a port region made of a suitable membrane, and flexibly expandable walls to allow for an increase in the volume of the storage member.
  • a further embodiment of such an system with a liquid sink integral with the liquid transport member is a "Thin-until- wet" material in combination with a suitable membrane.
  • Such materials are well known such as from US-A-5.108.383, which are open celled porous hydrophilic foam materials, such as produced by High Internal Phase Emulsion process.
  • the pore size, polymer strength (T g ) and the hydrophilic properties are designed such that the pores collapse when they are dewatered and at least partially dried, and expand upon wetting.
  • a specific embodiment is a foam layer, which can expand its caliper upon absorption of liquid.
  • the inner region can be void of liquid at the beginning of the liquid transport process (i.e. contains a gas at a pressure less than the ambient pressure surrounding the liquid transport member). In such cases, the liquid supplied by a liquid source can penetrate through the inlet port region(s) to first fill the voids of the membrane and then the inner region. The wetting then initiates the transport mechanisms according to the present invention thereby wetting, and penetrating the outlet port region.
  • the inner regions may not be completely filled with the transport fluid, but a certain amount of residual gas or vapor may be retained. If the gas or vapor is soluble in the transported liquid, it is possible that after some liquid passes through the member, that substantially all of the initially present gas or vapor is removed, and the inner regions become substantially free of voids. Of course, in cases with some residual gas or vapor being present in the inner region, this may reduce the effective available cross-section of the fluid member, unless specific measures are taken, such as indicated in Fig.12, with wall region (1202) comprising port regions (1206 and 1207) circumscribing the inner region (1203) and with region (1210) to allow gas to accumulate.
  • the member can be filled with an aqueous based liquid, and the transport mechanism is such, that a non-aqueous, possibly immiscible liquid (like oil) enters the liquid transport member via the inlet port while the aqueous liquid leaves the member via the outlet port.
  • a non-aqueous, possibly immiscible liquid like oil
  • a Liquid Transport System within the scope of the present invention comprises the combination of at least one liquid transport member with at least one further liquid sink or source in liquid communication with the member.
  • the source can be any form of free liquid or loosely bound liquid so as to be readily available to be received by the transport member.
  • a pool of liquid or a freely flowing volume of liquid, or an open porous structure filled with liquid.
  • the sink can be any form of a liquid receiving region. In certain embodiments, it is preferred to have the liquid more tightly bound than the liquid in the liquid source.
  • the sink can also be an element or region containing free liquid, such that the liquid would be able to flow freely or gravity driven away from the member.
  • the sink can contain absorbent, or superabsorbent material, absorbent foams, expandable foams, alternatively it can be made of a spring activated bellows system, or it can contain osmotically functioning material, or combinations thereof.
  • Liquid communication in this context refers to the ability of liquids to transfer or to be transferred from the sink or source to the member, such as can be readily achieved by contacting the elements, or bringing the elements so closely together, that the liquid can bridge the remaining gap.
  • a liquid transport system comprises a liquid transport member according to the above description plus at least one liquid sink or source.
  • the liquid transport member can have liquid releasing or receiving properties in addition to a sink or source outside of the member. At least a portion of the port region(s) must be in liquid communication with the source liquid and where applicable the sink material.
  • One approach is to have the port region material form the outer surface of the liquid transport member, in part or as the whole outer surface, so as to allow liquids such as liquids of the liquid source or sink to readily contact the port regions.
  • the effective port region size can be determined by the size of the liquid communication with the sink or source respectively. For example, the total of the port regions can be in contact with the sink or source, or only a part thereof.
  • this can be distinguished into separate effective inlet port regions and effective outlet port regions where the port region is in contact with the liquid sink an/or source.
  • a liquid source for a liquid transport member according to the present invention can be a free flowing liquid, such as urine released by a wearer, or a open water reservoir.
  • a liquid source region can also be an intermediate reservoir, such as a liquid acquisition member in absorbent articles...
  • a liquid sink can be a free flow channel, or an expanding reservoir, e.g., a bellowed element combined with mechanical expansion or spacer means, such as springs.
  • a liquid sink region can also be an ultimate liquid storage element of absorbent members, such as being useful in absorbent articles and the like.
  • Two or more liquid transport systems according to the present invention can also be arranged in a "cascading design" (Fig. 13), with wail regions (1302), port regions (1306) and liquid sink materials (1311). Therein, the overall fluid flow path will go through one liquid transport system after the next. Thereby, the inlet port region of a subsequent liquid transport system can take over the sink functionality of a previous system, such as when the inlet and outlet port regions are in fluid communication with each other. Such a fluid communication can be direct contact, or can be via an intermediate material.
  • a specific embodiment of such a "cascade” can be seen in connecting two or more "membrane osmotic packets" comprising membranes of appropriate properties, whereby the osmotic suction power increases with subsequent packets.
  • Each of the packets can then be considered a liquid transport member, and the connection between the packets will define the inlet and outlet port regions of each packet or member.
  • the packets can be enclosed by one material (such as one type of flexible membrane), or even several packets can have a unitary membrane element.
  • a liquid transport system has an absorption capacity of at least 5g/g, preferably at least 10g/g, more preferably at least 50g/g and most preferably at least 75 g/g on the basis of the weight of the sink material.
  • the liquid transport system contains a sink having an absorption capacity of at least 10 g/g, preferably at least 20 g/g and more preferably at least 50 g/g, on the basis of the weight of the sink material, and / a capillary suction of at least 4kPa, preferably at least 10kPa.
  • the liquid transport member also contains superabsorbent materials or foam made according to the High Internal Phase Emulsion polymerization, such as described in PCT application US98/05044. Typically, the suction of the liquid sink material will not exceed the bubble point pressure of the port region.
  • the article can be a water transport system or member, optionally combining transport functionality with filtration functionality, e.g. by purifying water which is transported. Also, the member can be useful in cleaning operation, so as by removing liquids or as by releasing fluids in a controlled manner.
  • a liquid transport member according to the present invention can also be a oil or grease absorber.
  • the inlet port can be immersed into a reservoir, and the transport member can be in the form of a long tube.
  • known irrigation systems such as known under BLUMAT as available from Jade @ National Guild, PO Box 5370, Mt Crested Butte, CO 81225
  • the system according to the present invention will not loose its functionality upon drying of the reservoir, but remain functional until and after the reservoir is refilled.
  • air conditioning systems with a similar advantage as described for the irrigation systems.
  • this system would be easier to clean than conventional wetting aids, such as porous clay structures, or blotter paper type elements.
  • miniature pumps such as can be envisaged in biological systems, or even in the medical field.
  • a liquid transport member can be used to transfer the oil into a further reservoir.
  • oil can be transported into a liquid transport member comprising therein a sink functionality for oil.
  • liquid transport member according to the present invention uses the liquid transport member according to the present invention as a transmitter for a signal.
  • the total amount of transported liquid does not need to be very large, but rather the transport times should be short.
  • This can be achieved, by having a liquid filled transport member, which upon receipt of even a little amount of liquid at the inlet port practically immediately releases liquid at the outlet port.
  • This liquid can then be used to stimulate further reaction, such as a signal or activated a response, e.g., dissolving a seal to release stored mechanical energy to create a three dimensional change in shape or structure.
  • a particularly useful application for such liquid transport members can be seen in the field of absorbent articles, such as disposable hygiene articles, such as baby diapers or the like, for disposable absorbent article.
  • An absorbent article generally comprises:
  • an absorbent core or core structure (which may comprise the improved fluid transport members according to the present invention, and which may consist of additional sub-structures);
  • Figure 14 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article of the invention which is a diaper.
  • the diaper 1420 is shown in Figure 14 in its flat-out, uncontracted state (i.e. with elastic induced contraction pulled out except in the side panels wherein the elastic is left in its relaxed condition) with portions of the structure being cut-away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 1420 and with the portion of the diaper 1420 which faces away from the wearer, the outer surface 1452, facing the viewer.
  • the diaper 1420 comprises a containment assembly 1422 preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet 1424, a liquid impervious backsheet 1426 joined with the topsheet 1424, and an absorbent core 1428 positioned between the topsheet 1424 and the backsheet 1426; elasticized side panels 1430; elasticized leg cuffs 1432; an elastic waist feature 1434; and a closure system comprising a dual tension fastening system generally multiply designated as 1436.
  • the dual tension fastening system 1436 preferably comprises a primary fastening system 1438 and a waist closure system 1440.
  • the primary fastening system 1438 preferably comprises a pair of securement members 1442 and a landing member 1444.
  • the waist closure system 1440 is shown in Figure 14 to preferably comprise a pair of first attachment components 1446 and a second attachment component 1448.
  • the diaper 1420 also preferably comprises a positioning patch 1450 located subjacent each first attachment component 1446.
  • the diaper 1420 is shown in Figure 14 to have an outer surface 1452 (facing the viewer in Figure 14), an inner surface 1454 opposed to the outer surface 1452, a first waist region 1456, a second waist region 1458 opposed to the first waist region 1456, and a periphery 1460 which is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 1420 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 1462 and the end edges are designated 1464.
  • the inner surface 1454 of the diaper 1420 comprises that portion of the diaper 1420 which is positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e. the inner surface 1454 generally is formed by at least a portion of the topsheet 1424 and other components joined to the topsheet 1424).
  • the outer surface 1452 comprises that portion of the diaper 1420 which is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e. the outer surface 1452 generally is formed by at least a portion of the backsheet 1426 and other components joined to the backsheet 1426).
  • the first waist region 1456 and the second waist region 1458 extend, respectively, from the end edges 1464 of the periphery 1460 to the lateral centerline 1466 of the diaper 1420.
  • the waist regions each comprise a central region 1468 and a pair of side panels which typically comprise the outer lateral portions of the waist regions.
  • the side panels positioned in the first waist region 1456 are designated 1470 while the side panels in the second waist region 1458 are designated 1472.
  • the side panels 1472 positioned in the second waist region 1458 can be elastically extensible in the lateral direction (i.e. elasticized side panels 1430).
  • the lateral direction (x direction or width) is defined as the direction parallel to the lateral centreline 1466 of the diaper 1420; the longitudinal direction (y direction or length) being defined as the direction parallel to the longitudinal centreline 1467; and the axial direction (Z direction or thickness) being defined as the direction extending through the thickness of the diaper 1420).
  • Figure 14 shows a specific of the diaper 1420 in which the topsheet 1424 and the backsheet 1426 have length and width dimensions generally larger than those of the absorbent core 1428.
  • the topsheet 1424 and the backsheet 1426 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 1428 to thereby form the periphery 1460 of the diaper 1420.
  • the periphery 1460 defines the outer perimeter or, in other words, the edges of the diaper 1420.
  • the periphery 1460 comprises the longitudinal edges 1462 and the end edges 1464.
  • each elasticized leg cuff 1432 may be configured so as to be similar to any of the leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs described above, it is preferred that each elasticized leg cuff 1432 comprise at least an inner barrier cuff 1484 comprising a barrier flap 1485 and a spacing elastic member 1486 such as described in the above-referenced US Patent 4,909,803.
  • the elasticized leg cuff 1432 additionally comprises an elastic gasketing cuff 14104 with one or more elastic strands 14105, positioned outboard of the barrier cuff 1484 such as described in the above-references US Patent 4,695,278.
  • the diaper 1420 may further comprise an elastic waist feature 1434 that provides improved fit and containment.
  • the elastic waist feature 1434 at least extends longitudinally outwardly from at least one of the waist edges 1483 of the absorbent core 1428 in at least the central region 1468 and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 1464 of the diaper 1420.
  • the elastic waist feature 1434 comprises that portion of the diaper at least extending from the waist edge 1483 of the absorbent core 1428 to the end edge 1464 of the diaper 1420 and is intended to be placed adjacent the wearer's waist.
  • Disposable diapers are generally constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, one positioned in the first waist region and one positioned in the second waist region.
  • the elasticized waist band 1435 of the elastic waist feature 1434 may comprise a portion of the topsheet 1424, a portion of the backsheet 1426 that has preferably been mechanically stretched and a bi-laminate material comprising an elastomeric member 1476 positioned between the topsheet 1424 and backsheet 1426 and resilient member 1477 positioned between backsheet 1426 and elastomeric member 1476.
  • the absorbent core should be generally compressible, conformable, non- irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and other certain body exudates.
  • the absorbent core has a garment surface ("lower” or “bottom” part), a body surface, side edges, and waist edges.
  • the absorbent core may - in addition to the liquid transport member according to the present invention - comprise a wide variety of liquid-absorbent or liquid handling materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as - but not limited to - comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates.
  • the absorbent core can be a unitary core structure, or it can be a combination of several absorbent structures, which in turn can consist of one or more sub-structures.
  • Each of the structures or sub-structures can have an essentially two-dimensional extension (i.e. be a layer) or a three-dimensional shape.
  • the liquid transport member according to the present invention can comprise at least one inlet port region, which should be located in the loading zone of the article.
  • This port region can be made from flexible membrane material satisfying the requirements as described herein, which can be connected to a high resiliency, open fibrous structure forming the inner region, which can be wrapped in flexible impermeable films to form the wall regions which can be adhesively closed at all edges except for the port region.
  • the impermeable film can overlap the port region somewhat so as to allow also adhesive bonding there between.
  • Figure 15 shows a specific embodiment of an article as shown in Figure 14,
  • an absorbent core (1528/1628) is made of suitable liquid handling member which is constructed from a wall region (1502,1602), port regions (1506, 1507, 1606, 1607), and inner region (1503, 1603).
  • the member may be connected to a liquid sink (1511 , 1611), and optionally a topsheet (1512, 1612) is attached.
  • the sink (1511 , 1611) can comprise ultimate storage material, such as superabsorbent material, or highly absorbing porous material.
  • the inner regions can be filled with liquid, such as water, so as to be ready for liquid transport there through immediately after receipt of the liquid at the inlet port.
  • the inner region can be under a vacuum, which can suck in liquid through the inlet port such as upon activation of a barrier film like a polyvinyl alcohol film which can dissolve upon wetting.
  • the embodiment as shown in Figure 16B differs from the one of Figure 16A in that the inner regions comprise ultimate liquid storage material, such as superabsorbent material, or highly absorbing porous material therein.
  • ultimate liquid storage material such as superabsorbent material, or highly absorbing porous material therein.
  • promotor materials for enhancing osmotic liquid storage mechanisms - such as disclosed in the hereinbefore mentioned US-publication US-A-5.108.383 (White, Allied Signal) - can be within the inner region.
  • the absorbent core can be designed so as to not require any further fluid handling element.
  • the area of the inlet port region can be adjusted to its permeability and caliper so as to enable the port region to immediately acquire the liquid at the gush rate, and the inner region can be adjusted by its permeability and cross-sectional area so as to immediately transmit the liquid to the ultimate storage region .
  • the absorbent core may comprise other fluid handling elements, such as acquisition regions, or interim storage regions, or the like.
  • the "cascading liquid transport member" or “MOP” can be suitable elements within the core construction.
  • the liquid transport members according to the present invention can be produced by various methods, which have to have in common the essential steps of combining a bulk or inner region with a wall region comprising port regions with appropriate selection of the respective properties as described in the above. This can be achieved by starting from a homogeneous material, and imparting therein different properties. For example, if a member is a polymeric foam material, this can be produced form one monomer with varying pore sizes, which will then be polymerized to form a suitable member.
  • a wall material can be provided, which may have homogeneous or varying properties
  • a bulk material can be provided, which can be open porous material, or a void space can be defined to represent the bulk region.
  • the two materials can the be combined my suitable techniques, such as by wrapping or enveloping as well known in the art, such that the wall material completely circumscribes the bulk region or bulk region material.
  • the bulk region can be filled with liquid, or can be subjected to vacuum, or can be equipped with other aids so as to created vacuum, or liquid filling.
  • the method of forming a member according to the present invention can comprise the step of applying activation means, which can be of the mechanical type.
  • This activation means can also comprise materials which react upon the transport liquid, such as dissolve. Such materials may be applied in the port regions, e.g. to open the port regions upon use, or such materials may be applied to the bulk regions, such as to allow expansion of these regions upon wetting.
  • the making of members according to the present invention can be done in an essentially continuous way, such as by having various materials provided in roll form, which are then unwound and processed, or any of the materials can be provided in discrete form, such as foam pieces, or particulates.
  • S-1.1 - Woven filter mesh HIFLO ®, type 20 such as available from Haver & Boecker, Oelde, Germany, made from stainless steel, having mesh dimensions of 165 * 1100, designed for filtering down to 19 ⁇ m to 20 ⁇ m, at a porosity of 61 %, and a caliper of 0.09 mm.
  • S-1.2a Polyamide mesh Monodur Type MON PA 42.5 N such as available from Verseidag in Geldern-Waldbeck, Germany.
  • S-1.3 Polyester mesh such as 07-20/13 of SEFAR in R ⁇ schlikon,
  • S-1.3a Polyamide mesh 03-15/10 of SEFAR in R ⁇ schlikon, Switzerland.
  • S-1.3b Polyamide mesh 03-20/14 of SEFAR in R ⁇ schlikon, Switzerland.
  • S-1.3c Cellulose acetate membranes such as described in US 5,108,383 (White, Allied-Signal Inc.).
  • S-2.1 Flexible adhesive coated film, such as commercially available under the trade name "d-c-fix” from Alkor, Grafelfing, Germany.
  • S-2.2 Plastic funnel Catalog # 625 617 20 from Fisher Scientific in Nidderau, Germany.
  • S-2.5 Conventional polyethylene film such as used as backsheet material in disposable diapers, such as available from Nuova Pansac SpA in Milano, Italy under the code BS code 441118.
  • S-4.1 Osmotic pressure gradient materials according to the teachings of US -A-5, 108,383 (White, Allied Signal).
  • S-4.2 Height difference between inlet and outlet generating a hydrostatic height generated pressure difference.
  • S-4.3 Various partially saturated porous materials (Absorbent foams, superabsorbent materials, particles, sand, soils) generating a capillary pressure difference.
  • S-4.4 Difference in air pressure at the inlet and the outlet as e.g. generated by a vacuum pump (airtight sealed) to the outlet.
  • a port region material may be connected to the lower end of the tube and be sealed in a air tight way.
  • the device is filled with water by putting it under water and removing the air inside the device with a vacuum pump tightly connected to the port region.
  • the lower end does not need to be sealed with a port region, but then the lower end needs to be in contact with water or needs to be the lowest part of the device in order to not allow air to enter the system.
  • A-2) Two circular (e.g. of a diameter of about 1.2 cm) port region materials as in S-1.1 are sealed in an air tight way (e.g. by heating the areas intended to become the port regions and pressing the ends of S-2.3 onto these areas, such that the plastic material of S-2.3 starts melting, thereby creating a good connection) at the two ends of a ca 1 m long tube as the one of S-2.3.
  • One end of the tube is dropped into water, the other end is connected to a vacuum pump creating an air pressure substantially smaller than atmospheric pressure. The vacuum pump draws air from the tube until effectively all air is removed from the tube and replaced by the liquid. Then the pump is disconnected from the port and thus the member is created.
  • a ca 10 cm X 10 cm rectangular sheet of foam material (S-3.3, Filtren TM 10 blue) "sandwiched" on one side by a wall material as S-2.5 of dimensions ca 12 cm X 12 cm, on the other side by a port region material of dimensions ca 12 cm X 12 cm as S-1.3.
  • the wall material S-2.5 and the port region material S- 1.3 are sealed together in the overlap region in a convenient air tight way, e.g by gluing with the above mentioned commercially available Pattex TM adhesive of Henkel KGA, Germany.
  • the device is immersed under water, and by squeezing the device, air is forced out. Releasing squeezing pressure from the device whilst keeping it under liquid, the inner region is filled with liquid.
  • a vacuum pump can suck the remaining air inside the device through the port region while the device is under water.
  • Figure 17 schematically shows a distribution member (x17.10), suitable for example for absorbent articles, such as a disposable diapers.
  • the inlet port region (1706) is made of port region material such as S-1.3a
  • the outlet port region (1705) is made of port region material such as S-1.3b.
  • each of the port regions forms a pouch, which can have dimensions of about 10cm by 15 cm cm for the inlet port region respectively 20 cm by 15 cm for the outlet port region.
  • the port materials of the pouches overlap in the crotch region (1790) of the article, and a tube (1760) is positioned therein.
  • the inner regions within the pouches (1740, 1750) can be S-3.3 (Filtren TM10 blue), and the inlet and outlet regions respectively inner regions enclosed by them, can be connected by tubes (1760) such as S-2.6 of an inner diameter of about 8 mm.
  • Wall and port material (1702, 1707, 1706) must be sufficiently larger than the inner material to allow airtight sealing of wall material to port material. Sealing is done by overlapping of a ca 1.5 cm wide stripe of wall and port material and can be done in any convenient air tight way e.g. by using the above mentioned Pattex TM adhesive. Sealing of the tubes to the inner regions (1740 and 1750) is not required, if the tube (1760) is attached to the wall regions (1702, 1706, 1705) such that the distance between the tubing (1760) and the inner regions is such that a void space will be maintained therebetwen during use. The rest of the operation to create a functioning liquid distribution member is also analogous to A-3. Optionally the device can be filled with other liquids in a similar fashion.
  • FIG. 18 a further example for a liquid distribution member (1810), also useful for construction of disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, is schematically depicted, omitting other elements such as adhesives and the like.
  • inlet (1806) and outlet port (1807) regions having a dimensin of about 8 cm by 12 cm are made from sheets of port material S-1.2, the other wall regions are made of wall material S-2.1.
  • Inner material (1840) are stripes of material S-3.3 (Bulpren S10 black) having dimension of about 0.5 cm by 0.5 cm by 10 cm, placed at a distance of about 1 cm to each other, under the inlet and outlet regions (1806, 1807 respectively) and spacer springs S-3.2 (1812) in the remaining areas.
  • Individual layers (wall and port material) are sealed and further filled with water as described in A-3.
  • the device can be filled with other liquids in a similar fashion.
  • Spacer materials such as springs according to S-3.2 are positioned between an upper and a lower sheet of port material S-1.2a, having a dimension of 10 cm by 50 cm, such that the springs are equally distributed over the area in a region of about 7 cm times 47 cm leaving the outer rim of about 1.5 cm free of springs, with a of about 2 mm between the individual springs.
  • Upper and lower port material are sealed in an air tight way by overlapping ca 1.5 cm and sealing in a convenient air tight way such as by gluing with the above mentioned Pattex TM adhesive.
  • the device is immersed under the testing liquid, by squeezing the device air is forced to leave the interior of the device. Releasing the squeezing pressure while being immersed, the member will be filled with liquid.
  • a vacuum pump can suck the remaining air from inside the member through the port region while the device is under water.
  • Example B for Transport system i.e. member and (source and/or sink)
  • a liquid transport member according to A-1) is combined with particulate superabsorbent material, such a available under the designation W80232 from HULS-Stockhausen GmbH, Marl, Germany, with coarse particles being removed by sieving through a 300 ⁇ m metal sieve. 7.5 g of this material have been evenly sprinkled over the outlet port region of A-1 , thereby creating a liquid sink.
  • particulate superabsorbent material such as available under the designation W80232 from HULS-Stockhausen GmbH, Marl, Germany
  • a sheet of three layers of HIPE foam produced as for S-1.4 each having a thickness of about 2 mm, and a corresponding basis weigth of about 120 g/m 2 are positioned on the outlet port of a liquid transport member according to A-1.
  • the sheets were cut circular with a diameter of about 6 cm, and a segment of about 10° was cut out to provide better conformity to the port region surface.
  • a weight corresponding to a pressure of about 0.2 psi can be applied to enhance liquid contact between outlet and sink material.
  • the liquid transport member according to A-1 has been combined with a circular cut out section of ca 6 cm diameter taken from a commercially available diaper core, consisting of a essentially homogeneous blend of superabsorbent material such as ASAP2300 commercially available from CHEMDAL Corp. UK, and conventional airfelt at a 60 % by weight superabsorber concentration and a basis weight of the superabsorbent of about 400 g/m 2 ).
  • This cut out is placed in liquid communication with the outlet port region of A-1 to create a liquid transport system.
  • the liquid transport member of A-2 has been positioned between a liquid source reservoir and a flower pot, such that a portion of the inlet port region is immersed in the liquid reservoir, and the outlet port being put into the soil of the flower pot.
  • the relative height of the reservoir and the flower pot is of no relevance for this length of the member, and would not be up to a length of the member of about 50 cm.
  • a further application of a liquid transport system with an integral liquid sink which can be constructed by creating a liquid transport member as in A-3, but filling it with oil (instead of water).
  • oil instead of water.
  • the system will rapidly absorb the oil in the pan.
  • the structure can function as a absorbent pad, whereby the urine as released by the wearer can be seen to provide the liquid source.
  • activation means, that the member is put into the in use condition, such as by establishing a liquid communication along a flow path, or such as by initiating a driving pressure differential, and this can be achieved by mechanical activation simulating the pre-use activation of a user (such as the removal of a constraining means such as a clamp, or a strip of a release paper such as with an adhesive, or removal of a package seal, thereby allowing mechanical expansion optionally with creation of a vacuum within the member).
  • a constraining means such as a clamp, or a strip of a release paper such as with an adhesive, or removal of a package seal
  • Activation can further be achieved by another stimulus transmitted ton the activation means, such as pH or temperature change, by radiation or the like. Activation can also be achieved by interaction with liquids, such as having certain solubility properties, or changing concentrations, or are carrying activation ingredients like enzymes. This can also be achieved by the transport liquid itself, 0 and in these instances, the member should be immersed in testing liquid which should be representative for the transport liquid, optionally removing the air by means of a vacuum pump, and allowing equilibration for 30 minutes. Then, the member is removed from the liquid, a put on a coarse mesh (such as a 14 mesh sieve) to allow dripping off of excess liquid. 5
  • a coarse mesh such as a 14 mesh sieve
  • the test provides a simple to execute tool to assess if a transport material or member satisfies the principles of the present invention. It should be noted, o that it is not useful to exclude materials or members, i.e. if a material or members does not pass the Closed System Test, it may or may not be a liquid transport member according to the present invention.
  • test specimen is activated as described herein above, and the 5 weight is monitored.
  • the wall region is opened to a size which is sufficient to allow liquid flowing out without adding pressure or squeezing.
  • the opening should be done at a location of the material or member which is not positioned at the upper end of the member, as then no liquid could leave o the member or material in analogy to a glass or cup which is open.
  • the opening can be done by any suitable means, such as by using a pair of scissors, a clipping tongue, needle, a sharp knife or a scalpel and the like.
  • liquid will flow through the opening.
  • the weight thereof is being monitored (such as by catching the liquid in a Petri dish, which is put on a scale.
  • the weight of the material or member can be determined after 10 minutes and compared to the initial weight.
  • the tested material or member has passed this test, and is a liquid transport member according to the present invention.
  • the port region respectively the port region material is connected with a funnel and a tube as described in example A-1.
  • the lower end of the tube is left open i.e. not covered by a port region material.
  • the tube should be of sufficient length, i.e. up to 10m length may be required.
  • the test material is very thin, or fragile, it can be appropriate to support it by a very open support structure (as e.g. a layer of open pore non- woven material) before connecting it with the funnel and the tube.
  • the funnel may be replaced by a smaller one (e.g. Catalog # 625 616 02 from Fisher Scientific in Nidderau).
  • test specimen is too large size, a representative piece can be cut out so as to fit the funnel.
  • the device is filled with testing liquid (e.g. distilled water, or oil depending on the intended use) by immersing it in a reservoir of sufficient size filled with the testing fluid and by removing the remaining air with a vacuum pump.
  • testing liquid e.g. distilled water, or oil depending on the intended use
  • the part of the funnel with the port region is taken out of the liquid. If appropriate - but not necessarily - the funnel with the port region material should remain horizontally aligned.
  • the height Whilst slowly continuing to raise the port material above the reservoir, the height is monitored, and it is carefully observed through the funnel or through the port material itself (optionally aided by appropriate lighting) if air bubbles start to enter through the material into the inner of the funnel. At this point, the height above the reservoir is registered to be the bubble point height.
  • BPP p-g - H with the liquid density p, gravity constant g (g « 9.81 m/s 2 ).
  • bubble point pressures exceeding about 50 kPa an alternative determination can be used, such as commonly used for assessing bubble point pressures for membranes used in filtration systems.
  • the membrane is separating two liquid filled chambers, when one is set under an increased gas pressure (such as an air pressure), and the point is registered when the first air bubbles "break through".
  • an increased gas pressure such as an air pressure
  • Bubble point pressure liquid transport membeh For measuring the bubble point pressure of a liquid transport member (instead of a port region or a port region material), the following procedure can be followed.
  • the member is activated as described above.
  • a part of a port region under evaluation is connected to a vacuum pump connected by a tightly sealed tube/pipe (such as with Pattex TM adhesive as described above).
  • the vacuum pump should allow to set various pressures p vac , increasing from atmospheric pressure P atm to about 100 kPa .
  • the amount of pressure increase will depend on the desired accuracy, with typical values of 0.1 kPa providing acceptable results.
  • the flow will be monitored over time, and directly after the increase of ⁇ p, the flow will increase primarily because of removing gas from the tubing between the pump and the membrane. This flow will however, rather quickly level off, and upon establishing an equilibrium ⁇ p, the flow will essentially stop. This is typically reached after about 3 minutes.
  • This step change increase is continued up to the break through point, which can be observed by the gas flow not decreasing after the step change of the pressure, but remaining after reaching an equilibrium level essentially constant over time.
  • the pressure ⁇ p one step prior to this situation is the BPP of the LTM.
  • the ambient pressure surrounding the test specimen For materials having bubble point pressures in excess of about 90 kPa, it will be advisable or necessary to increase the ambient pressure surrounding the test specimen by a constant and monitored degree, which is the added to ⁇ p as monitored.
  • Liquid Transport Test The following test can be applied to liquid transport members having defined inlet and outlet port regions with a certain transport path length H 0 between inlet and outlet port regions.
  • these regions may be defined by considering the intended use thus defining the respective port regions.
  • the liquid transport member should be activated if necessary, as described in the above.
  • the test specimen is placed into the vertical liquid transport test equipment
  • the decrease of the weight reservoir is monitored, preferably by connecting a scale measuring the weight of the reservoir to a computing equipment. After an initial unsteady decrease (typically taking not more than about one minute), the weight decrease in the reservoir will become constant (i.e. showing a straight line in a graphical data presentation).
  • This constant weight decrease over time is the flow rate (in g/s) of the liquid transport member at suction of 0.9 kPa and a height H 0 .
  • the corresponding flux rate of the liquid transport member at 0.9 KPa suction and a height H 0 is calculated from the flow rate by dividing the flow rate with the average cross section of the liquid transport member along a flow path, expressed in g/s/cm 2 .
  • the effective permeability of the LTM can be calculated by dividing the flux rate by the average length along a flow path and the driving pressure difference (0.9 KPa).
  • test should be carried out with a suitable test fluid representing the transport fluid.
  • a suitable test fluid representing the transport fluid.
  • Jayco SynUrine ss available from Jayco
  • the formula for the synthetic urine is: 2.0 g/: of KCl; 2.0 g/l of Na2SO4; 0.85 g/l of (NH4)O4; 0.15 g/l (NH4)O4; 0.19 g/l of CaCI2; ad 0.23 g/l of MgCI2. All of the chemicals are of reagent grade.
  • the pH of the synthetic Urine is in the range of 6.0 to 6.4. Also for such applications, it has been found useful to carry
  • Test specimen are stored under these conditions for at least 24 hours before testing, and - if applicable - activated as described in the above.
  • the present Permeability Test provides a measure for permeability for two
  • Either the permeability can be measured for a wide range of porous materials (such as non-wovens made of synthetic fibres, or cellulosic structures) at 100% saturation, or for materials, which reach different degrees of saturation with a proportional change in caliper without being filled with air (respectively the outside vapour phase), such as the collapsible polymeric foams, for which the permeability at varying degrees of saturation can readily be measured at various thicknesses.
  • porous materials such as non-wovens made of synthetic fibres, or cellulosic structures
  • permeability can be calculated - for a fixed or given sample cross- sectional area and test liquid viscosity - by measurement of pressure drop and the volumetric flow rate through the sample:
  • the test can be executed in two modifications, the first referring to the transplanar permeability (i.e. the direction of flow is essentially along the thickness dimension of the material), the second being the in-plane permeability (i.e. the direction of flow being in the x-y-direction of the material).
  • the test set-up for the transplanar permeability test can be see in Figure 19 which is a schematic diagram of the overall equipment and - as an insert diagram - a partly exploded cross-sectional, not to scale view of the sample cell.
  • the test set-up comprises a generally circular or cylindrical sample cell (19120), having an upper (19121) and lower (19122) part. The distance of these parts can be measured and hence adjusted by means of each three circumferentially arranged caliper gauges (19145) and adjustment screws (19140). Further, the equipment comprises several fluid reservoirs (19150, 19154, 19156) including a height adjustment (19170) for the inlet reservoir (19150) as well as tubings (19180), quick release fittings (19189) for connecting the sample cell with the rest of the equipment, further valves (19182, 19184, 19186, 19188).
  • the differential pressure transducer (19197) is connected via tubing (19180) to the upper pressure detection point (19194) and to the lower pressure detection point (19196).
  • a Computer device (19190) for control of valves is further connected via connections (19199) to differential pressure transducer (19197), temperature probe (19192), and weight scale load cell (19198).
  • the circular sample (19110) having a diameter of 1 in (about 2.54 cm) is placed in between two porous screens (19135) inside the sample cell (19120), which is made of two 1 in (2.54 cm) inner diameter cylindrical pieces (19121 , 19122) attached via the inlet connection (19132) to the inlet reservoir (19150) and via the outlet connection (19133) to the outlet reservoir (19154) by flexible tubing (19180), such as tygon tubing. Closed cell foam gaskets (19115) provide leakage protection around the sides of the sample.
  • the test sample (19110) is compressed to the caliper corresponding to the desired wet compression, which is set to 0.2 psi (about 1.4 kPa) unless otherwise mentioned.
  • Liquid is allowed to flow through the sample (19110) to achieve steady state flow.
  • volumetric flow rate and pressure drop are recorded as a function of time using a load cell (19198) and the differential pressure transducer (19197).
  • the experiment can be performed at any pressure head up to 80 cm water (about 7.8 kPa). which can be adjusted by the height adjusting device (19170). From these measurements, the flow rate at different pressures for the sample can be determined.
  • the equipment is commercially available as a Permeameter such as supplied by Porous Materials, Inc, Ithaca, New York, US under the designation PMI Liquid Permeameter, such as further described in respective user manual of 2/97.
  • This equipment includes two Stainless Steel Frits as porous screens (19135), also specified in said brochure.
  • the equipment consists of the sample cell (19120), inlet reservoir (19150), outlet reservoir (19154), and waste reservoir (19156) and respective filling and emptying valves and connections, an electronic scale, and a computerized monitoring and valve control unit (19190).
  • the gasket material (19115) is a Closed Cell Neoprene Sponge SNC-1
  • Soft such as supplied by Netheriand Rubber Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, US.
  • a set of materials with varying thickness in steps of 1/16" (about 0.159 cm) should be available to cover the range from 1/16" -1/2" (about 0.159 cm to about 1.27 cm) thickness.
  • Test fluid is deionized water. The test is then executed by the following steps:
  • test it is determined, if one or more layers of the test sample are required, wherein the test as outlined below is run at the lowest and highest pressure. The number of layers is then adjusted so as to maintain the flow rate during the test between 0.5 cm 3 /seconds at the lowest pressure drop and 15 cm 3 /second at the highest pressure drop. The flow rate for the sample should be less than the flow rate for the blank at the same pressure drop. If the sample flow rate exceeds that of the blank for a given pressure drop, more layers should be added to decrease the flow rate.
  • Sample size Samples are cut to 1" (about 2.54 cm) diameter, by using an arch punch, such as supplied by McMaster-Carr Supply Company, Cleveland,
  • a conventional low basis weight support means can be added, such as a PET scrim or net.
  • At least two samples are precut. Then, one of these is saturated in deionized water at the temperature the experiment is to be performed (70 ° F, (31 ° C) unless otherwise noted).
  • the caliper of the wet sample is measured (if necessary after a stabilization time of 30 seconds) under the desired compression pressure for which the experiment will be run by using a conventional caliper gauge (such as supplied by AMES, Waltham, MASS, US) having a pressure foot diameter of 1 1/8 " (about 2.86 cm), exerting a pressure of 0.2 psi (about 1.4 kPa) on the sample (19110), unless otherwise desired.
  • gasketing foam (19115) is between 150 and 200% of the thickness of the wet sample (note that a combination of varying thicknesses of gasket material may be needed to achieve the overall desired thickness).
  • the gasket material (19115) is cut to a circular size of 3" in diameter, and a 1 inch (2.54 cm) hole is cut into the center by using the arch punch.
  • the sample should be cut such that the required diameter is taken in the wet stage. This can also be assessed in this preparatory test, with monitoring of the respective dimensions. If these change such that either a gap is formed, or the sample forms wrinkles which would prevent it from smoothly contacting the porous screens or frits, the cut diameter should be adjusted accordingly.
  • test sample (19110) is placed inside the hole in the gasket foam (19115), and the composite is placed on top of the bottom half of the sample cell, ensuring that the sample is in flat, smooth contact with the screen (19135), and no gaps are formed at the sides.
  • test cell (19121) The top of the test cell (19121) is laid flat on the lab bench (or another horizontal plane) and all three caliper gauges (19145) mounted thereon are zeroed.
  • the top of the test cell (19121) is then placed onto the bottom part (19122) such that the gasket material(19115) with the test sample (19110) lays in between the two parts.
  • the top and bottom part are then tightened by the fixation screws (19140), such that the three caliper gauges are adjusted to the same value as measured for the wet sample under the respective pressure in the above.
  • sample cell (19120) is positioned into the permeameter unit with Quick Disconnect fittings (19189).
  • the sample cell (19120) is filled by opening the vent valve (19188) and the bottom fill valves (19184, 19186). During this step, care must be taken to remove air bubbles from the system, which can be achieved by turning the sample cell vertically, forcing air bubbles - if present - to exit the permeameter through the drain.
  • the liquid outlet flow is automatically diverted from the waste reservoir (19156) to the outlet reservoir (19154), and pressure drop, and temperature are monitored as a function of time for several minutes.
  • the computerized unit provides the recorded data (in numeric and/or graphical form). If desired, the same test sample can be used to measure the permeability at varying pressure heads, with thereby increasing the pressure from run to run.
  • the equipment should be cleaned every two weeks, and calibrated at least once per week, especially the frits, the load cell, the thermocouple and the pressure transducer, thereby following the instructions of the equipment supplier.
  • the differential pressure is recorded via the differential pressue transducer connected to the pressure probes measurement points (19194, 19196) in the top and bottom part of the sample cell. Since there may be other flow resistances within the chamber adding to the pressure that is recorded, each experiment must be corrected by a blank run. A blank run should be done at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 cm requested pressure, each day.
  • the permeameter will output a Mean Test Pressure for each experiment and also an average flow rate.
  • the flow rate is recorded as Blank Corrected Pressure by the computerized unit (19190), which is further correcting the Mean Test Pressure (Actual Pressure) at each height recorded pressure differentials to result in the Corrected Pressure.
  • This Corrected Pressure is the DP that should be used in the permeability equation below.
  • Permeability can then be calculated at each requested pressure and all permeabilities should be averaged to determine the k for the material being tested.
  • the transplanar sample cell (19120) of figure 19 is replaced by the in-plane simplified cell (20220), which is designed so that liquid can flow only in one direction (either machine direction or cross direction depending on how the sample is placed in the cell). Care should be taken to minimize channeling of liquid along the walls (wall effects), since this can erroneously give high permeability reading.
  • the test procedure is then executed quite analogous to the transplanar test.
  • the sample cell (20220) is designed to be positioned into the equipment essentially as described for the sample cell (20120) in the above transplanar test, except that the filling tube is directed to the inlet connection (20232) the bottom of the cell (20220).
  • Figure 20A shows a partly exploded view of the sample cell
  • Figure 20B a cross-sectional view through the sample level.
  • the test cell (20220) is made up of two pieces: a bottom piece (20225) which is like a rectangular box with flanges, and a top piece (20223) that fits inside the bottom piece (20225) and has flanges as well.
  • the test sample is cut to the size of 2" in x 2"in (about 5.1 cm by 5.1 cm) and is placed into the bottom piece.
  • the top piece (20223) of the sample chamber is then placed into the bottom piece (20225) and sits on the test sample (20210).
  • An incompressible neoprene rubber seal (20224) is attached to the upper piece (20223) to provide
  • the test liquid flows from the inlet reservoir to the sample space via Tygon tubing and the inlet connection (20232) further through the outlet connection (20233) to the outlet reservoir.
  • the sample is kept at the desired test o temperature by the heating device (20226), whereby thermostated water is pumped through the heating chamber (20227).
  • the gap in the test cell is set at the caliper corresponding to the desired wet compression, normally 0.2 psi ( about 1.4 kPa).
  • Shims (20216) ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 20.0 mm are used to set the correct caliper, optionally using combinations of several shims.
  • test cell (20220) is rotated 90° (sample is vertical) and the test liquid allowed to enter slowly from the bottom. This is necessary to ensure that all the air is driven out from the sample and the inlet/outlet connections (20232/20233).
  • the test cell (20220) is rotated back to its original position so as to make the sample (20210) horizontal.
  • the o subsequent procedure is the same as that described earlier for transplanar permeability, i.e. the inlet reservoir is placed at the desired height, the flow is allowed to equilibrate, and flow rate and pressure drop are measured. Permeability is calculated using Darcy's law. This procedure is repeated for higher pressures as well.
  • Optical determination of pore size is especially used for thin layers of porous system by using standard image analysis procedures know to the skilled artisian.
  • a thin layer of the sample material is prepared by either slicing a thick sample into thinner sheets or if the sample itself is thin by using it directly.
  • the term "thin” refers to achieving a sample caliper low enough to allow a clear cross-section image under the microscope. Typical sample calipers are below 200 ⁇ m.
  • a microscopic image is obtained via a video microscope using the appropriate magnification. Best results are obtained if about 10 to 100 pores are visible on said image.
  • the image is then digitized by a standard image analysis package such as OPTIMAS by BioScan Corp. which runs under Windows 95 on a typical IBM compatible PC.
  • Frame grabber of sufficient pixel resolution should be used to obtain good results.
  • the image is converted to a binary image using an appropriate threshold level such that the pores visable on the image are marked as object areas in white and the rest remains black. Automatic threshold setting procedures such as available under OPTIMAS can be used.
  • the areas of the individual pores (objects) are determined. OPTIMAS offers fully automatic determination of the areas.
  • the average pore size can then be determined from the pore size distribution using standard statistical rules. For materials that have a not very uniform pore size it is recommended to use at least 3 samples for the determination.
  • test should be carried out with a suitable test fluid representing the transport fluid.
  • a suitable test fluid representing the transport fluid.
  • the formula for the synthetic urine is: 2.0 g/: of KCl; 2.0 g/l of Na2SO4; 0.85 g/l of (NH4)2HPO4; 0.15 g/l (NH4)H2PO4; 0.19 g/l of CaCI2; ad 0.23 g/l of MgCI2. All of the chemicals are of reagent grade.
  • the pH of the synthetic Urine is in the range of 6.0 to 6.4.
  • Test specimen are stored under these conditions for at least 24 hours before testing, and - if applicable - activated as described in the above.
  • the present Permeability Test provides a measure for permeability for two special conditions: Either the permeability can be measured for a wide range of porous materials (such as non-wovens made of synthetic fibres, or cellulosic structures) at 100% saturation, or for materials, which reach different degrees of saturation with a proportional change in caliper without being filled with air (respectively the outside vapour phase), such as the collapsible polymeric foams, for which the permeability at varying degrees of saturation can readily be measured at various thicknesses.
  • porous materials such as non-wovens made of synthetic fibres, or cellulosic structures
  • permeability can be calculated - for a fixed or given sample cross- sectional area and test liquid viscosity - by measurement of pressure drop and the volumetric flow rate through the sample:
  • the test can be executed in two modifications, the first referring to the transplanar permeability (i.e. the direction of flow is essentially along the thickness dimension of the material), the second being the in-plane permeability (i.e. the direction of flow being in the x-y-direction of the material).
  • Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the overall equipment and - as an insert diagram - a partly exploded cross-sectional, not to scale view of the sample cell.
  • the test set-up comprises a generally circular or cylindrical sample cell (19120), having an upper (19121) and lower (19122) part. The distance of these parts can be measured and hence adjusted by means of each three circumferentially arranged caliper gauges (19145) and adjustment screws (19140). Further, the equipment comprises several fluid reservoirs (19150, 19154, 19156) including a height adjustment (19170) for the inlet reservoir (19150) as well as tubings (19180), quick release fittings (19189) for connecting the sample cell with the rest of the equipment, further valves (19182, 19184, 19186, 19188).
  • the differential pressure transducer (19197) is connected via tubing (19180) to the upper pressure detection point (19194) and to the lower pressure detection point (19196).
  • a Computer device (19190) for control of valves is further connected via connections (19199) to differential pressure transducer (19197), temperature probe (19192), and weight scale load cell (19198).
  • the circular sample (19110) having a diameter of 1 in (about 2.54 cm) is placed in between two porous screens (19135) inside the sample cell (19120), which is made of two 1 in (2.54 cm) inner diameter cylindrical pieces (19121, 19122) attached via the inlet connection (19132) to the inlet reservoir (19150) and via the outlet connection (19133) to the outlet reservoir (19154) by flexible tubing (19180), such as tygon tubing. Closed cell foam gaskets (19115) provide leakage protection around the sides of the sample.
  • the test sample (19110) is compressed to the caliper corresponding to the desired wet compression, which is set to 0.2 psi (about 1.4 kPa) unless otherwise mentioned.
  • Liquid is allowed to flow through the sample (19110) to achieve steady state flow.
  • volumetric flow rate and pressure drop are recorded as a function of time using a load cell (19198) and the differential pressure transducer (19197).
  • the experiment can be performed at any pressure head up to 80 cm water (about 7.8 kPa), which can be adjusted by the height adjusting device (19170). From these measurements, the flow rate at different pressures for the sample can be determined.
  • the equipment is commercially available as a Permeameter such as supplied by Porous Materials, Inc, Ithaca, New York, US under the designation PMI Liquid Permeameter, such as further described in respective user manual of 2/97.
  • This equipment includes two Stainless Steel Frits as porous screens (19135), also specified in said brochure.
  • the equipment consists of the sample cell (19120), inlet reservoir (19150), outlet reservoir (19154), and waste reservoir (19156) and respective filling and emptying valves and connections, an electronic scale, and a computerized monitoring and valve control unit (19190).
  • the gasket material (19115) is a Closed Cell Neoprene Sponge SNC-1 (Soft), such as supplied by Netherland Rubber Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, US.
  • Soft such as supplied by Netherland Rubber Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, US.
  • a set of materials with varying thickness in steps of 1/16" (about 0.159 cm) should be available to cover the range from 1/16" -1/2" (about 0.159 cm to about 1.27 cm) thickness.
  • Test fluid is deionized water.
  • a preparatory test it is determined, if one or more layers of the test sample are required, wherein the test as outlined below is run at the lowest and highest pressure. The number of layers is then adjusted so as to maintain the flow rate during the test between 0.5 cm 3 /seconds at the lowest pressure drop and 15 cm 3 /second at the highest pressure drop. The flow rate for the sample should be less than the flow rate for the blank at the same pressure drop. If the sample flow rate exceeds that of the blank for a given pressure drop, more layers should be added to decrease the flow rate.
  • Sample size Samples are cut to 1" (about 2.54 cm) diameter, by using an arch punch, such as supplied by McMaster-Carr Supply Company, Cleveland, OH, US. If samples have too little internal strength or integrity to maintain their structure during the required manipulation, a conventional low basis weight support means can be added, such as a PET scrim or net.
  • At least two samples (made of the required number of layers each, if necessary) are precut. Then, one of these is saturated in deionized water at the temperature the experiment is to be performed (70 ° F, (31 ° C) unless otherwise noted).
  • the caliper of the wet sample is measured (if necessary after a stabilization time of 30 seconds) under the desired compression pressure for which the experiment will be run by using a conventional caliper gauge (such as supplied by AMES, Waltham, MASS, US) having a pressure foot diameter of 1 1/8 " (about 2.86 cm), exerting a pressure of 0.2 psi (about 1.4 kPa) on the sample (19110), unless otherwise desired.
  • a conventional caliper gauge such as supplied by AMES, Waltham, MASS, US having a pressure foot diameter of 1 1/8 " (about 2.86 cm), exerting a pressure of 0.2 psi (about 1.4 kPa) on the sample (19110), unless otherwise desired.
  • gasketing foam (19115) is between 150 and 200% of the 5 thickness of the wet sample (note that a combination of varying thicknesses of gasket material may be needed to achieve the overall desired thickness).
  • the gasket material (19115) is cut to a circular size of 3" in diameter, and a 1 inch (2.54 cm) hole is cut into the center by using the arch punch.
  • the sample 0 should be cut such that the required diameter is taken in the wet stage. This can also be assessed in this preparatory test, with monitoring of the respective dimensions. If these change such that either a gap is formed, or the sample forms wrinkles which would prevent it from smoothly contacting the porous screens or frits, the cut diameter should be adjusted accordingly. 5
  • the test sample (19110) is placed inside the hole in the gasket foam
  • test cell (19121) The top of the test cell (19121) is laid flat on the lab bench (or another o horizontal plane) and all three caliper gauges (19145) mounted thereon are zeroed.
  • the top of the test cell (19121) is then placed onto the bottom part (19122) such that the gasket material(19115) with the test sample (19110) lays in between the two parts.
  • the top and bottom part are then tightened by the fixation 5 screws (19140), such that the three caliper gauges are adjusted to the same value as measured for the wet sample under the respective pressure in the above.
  • the sample cell (19120) is positioned into the permeameter unit with Quick Disconnect fittings (19189). 6) The sample cell (19120) is filled by opening the vent valve (19188) and the bottom fill valves (19184, 19186). During this step, care must be taken to remove air bubbles from the system, which can be achieved by turning the sample cell vertically, forcing air bubbles - if present - to exit the permeameter through the drain. Once the sample cell is filled up to the tygon tubing attached to the top of the chamber (19121), air bubbles are removed from this tubing into the waste reservoir (19156).
  • the liquid outlet flow is automatically diverted from the waste reservoir (19156) to the outlet reservoir (19154), and pressure drop, and temperature are monitored as a function of time for several minutes.
  • the computerized unit provides the recorded data (in numeric and/or graphical form).
  • the same test sample can be used to measure the permeability at varying pressure heads, with thereby increasing the pressure from run to run.
  • the equipment should be cleaned every two weeks, and calibrated at least once per week, especially the frits, the load cell, the thermocouple and the pressure transducer, thereby following the instructions of the equipment supplier.
  • the differential pressure is recorded via the differential pressue transducer connected to the pressure probes measurement points (19194, 19196) in the top and bottom part of the sample cell. Since there may be other flow resistances within the chamber adding to the pressure that is recorded, each experiment must be corrected by a blank run.
  • a blank run should be done at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 cm requested pressure, each day.
  • the permeameter will output a Mean Test Pressure for each experiment and also an average flow rate. For each pressure that the sample has been tested at, the flow rate is recorded as Blank Corrected Pressure by the computerized unit (19190), which is further correcting the Mean Test Pressure (Actual Pressure) at each height recorded pressure differentials to result in the Corrected Pressure.
  • This Corrected Pressure is the DP that should be used in the permeability equation below.
  • Permeability can then be calculated at each requested pressure and all permeabilities should be averaged to determine the k for the material being tested.
  • the measuring of the in-plane permeability under the same conditions as the above described transplanar permeability can be achieved by modifying the above equipment such as schematically depicted in Figures 20A and 20B showing the partly exploded, not to scale view of the sample cell only.
  • Equivalent elements are denoted equivalently, such that the sample cell of Figure 20 is denoted (20210), correlating to the numeral (19110) of figure 19, and so on.
  • the transplanar simplified sample cell (19120) of figure 19 is replaced by the in-plane simplified sample cell (20220), which is designed so that liquid can flow only in one direction (either machine direction or cross direction depending on how the sample is placed in the cell). Care should be taken to minimize channeling of liquid along the walls (wall effects), since this can erroneously give high permeability reading.
  • the test procedure is then executed quite analogous to the transplanar simplified test.
  • the sample cell (20220) is designed to be positioned into the equipment essentially as described for the sample cell (20120) in the above transplanar test, except that the filling tube is directed to the inlet connection (20232) the bottom of the cell (20220).
  • Figure 20A shows a partly exploded view of the sample cell
  • Figure 20B a cross-sectional view through the sample level.
  • the test cell (20220) is made up of two pieces: a bottom piece (20225) which is like a rectangular box with flanges, and a top piece (20223) that fits inside the bottom piece (20225) and has flanges as well.
  • the test sample is cut to the size of 2" in x 2"in (about 5.1 cm by 5.1 cm) and is placed into the bottom piece.
  • the top piece (20223) of the sample chamber is then placed into the bottom piece (20225) and sits on the test sample (20210).
  • An incompressible neoprene rubber seal (20224) is attached to the upper piece (20223) to provide tight sealing.
  • the test liquid flows from the inlet reservoir to the sample space via Tygon tubing and the inlet connection (20232) further through the outlet connection (20233) to the outlet reservoir.
  • the sample is kept at the desired test temperature by the heating device (20226), whereby thermostated water is pumped through the heating chamber (20227).
  • the gap in the test cell is set at the caliper corresponding to the desired wet compression, normally 0.2 psi ( about 1.4 kPa).
  • Shims (20216) ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 20.0 mm are used to set the correct caliper, optionally using combinations of several shims.
  • test cell (20220) is rotated 90° (sample is vertical) and the test liquid allowed to enter slowly from the bottom. This is necessary to ensure that all the air is driven out from the sample " and the inlet/outlet connections (20232/20233).
  • test ceil (20220) is rotated back to its original position so as to make the sample (20210) horizontal.
  • the subsequent procedure is the same as that described earlier for transplanar permeability, i.e. the inlet reservoir is placed at the desired height, the flow is allowed to equilibrate, and flow rate and pressure drop are measured. Permeability is calculated using Darcy's law. This procedure is repeated for higher pressures as well.
  • capillary Sorption Purpose The purpose of this test is to measure the capillary sorption absorbent capacity, as a function of height, of storage absorbent members of the present invention. In the Capillary Sorption experiment, capillary sorption absorbent capacity is measured as a function of fluid pressure due to the height of the sample relative to the test fluid reservoir. The method for determining capillary sorption is well recognized. See Burgeni, A.A.
  • a porous glass frit is connected via an uninterrupted column of fluid to a fluid reservoir on a balance.
  • the sample is maintained under a constant confining weight during the experiment.
  • the weight loss in the balance fluid reservoir is recorded as fluid uptake, adjusted for uptake of the glass frit as a function of height and evaporation.
  • the uptake or capacity at various capillary suctions is measured. Incremental absorption occurs due to the incremental lowering of the frit (i.e., decreasing capillary suction).
  • Reagents Test Liquid Synthetic urine is prepared by completely dissolving the following materials in distilled water. Compound F.W. Concentration (g/L1 KCl 74.6 2.0
  • the Capillary Sorption equipment, depicted generally as 2120 in Figure 2A , used for this test is operated under TAPPI conditions (50% RH, 25°C).
  • a test sample is placed on a glass frit shown in Figure 2A as 2102 that is connected via a continuous column of test liquid (synthetic urine) to a balance liquid reservoir, shown as 2106, containing test liquid.
  • This reservoir 2106 is placed on a balance 2107 that is interfaced with a computer (not shown).
  • the balance should be capable of reading to 0.001 g; such a balance is available from Mettler Toledo as PR1203 (Hightstown, NJ).
  • the glass frit 2102 is placed on a vertical slide, shown generally in Figure 2A as 2101, to allow vertical movement of the test sample to expose the test sample to varying suction heights.
  • the vertical slide may be a rodless actuator which is attached to a computer to record suction heights and corresponding times for measuring liquid uptake by the test sample.
  • a preferred rodless actuator is available from Industrial Devices (Novato, CA) as item 202X4X34N-1D4B-84-P-C-S-E, which may be powered by motor drive ZETA 6104-83-135, available from CompuMotor (Rohnert, CA).
  • Capillary sorption absorbent capacity data may be readily generated for each test sample.
  • computer interface to actuator 2101 may allow for controlled vertical movement of the glass frit 2102.
  • the actuator may be directed to move the glass frit 2102 vertically only after "equilibrium" (as defined below) is reached at each suction height.
  • the bottom of glass frit 2102 is connected to Tygon® tubing 2103 that connects the frit 2105 to three-way drain stopcock 2109. Drain stopcock
  • Glass tubing 2111 connects fluid reservoir 2105 with balance fluid reservoir 2106, via stopcock 2110.
  • Balance liquid reservoir 2106 consists of a lightweight 12 cm diameter glass dish 2106A and cover 2106B.
  • the cover 2106B has a hole through which glass tubing 2111 contacts the liquid in the reservoir 2106.
  • the glass tubing 2111 must not contact the cover 2106B or an unstable balance reading will result and the test sample measurement cannot be used.
  • the glass frit diameter must be sufficient to accommodate the piston/cylinder apparatus, discussed below, for holding the test sample.
  • the glass frit 2102 is jacketed to allow for a constant temperature control from a heating bath.
  • the frit is a 350 ml fritted disc funnel specified as having 4 to 5.5 ⁇ m pores, available from Corning Glass Co. (Corning, " NY) as #36060-350F.
  • the pores are fine enough to keep the frit surface wetted at capillary suction heights specified (the glass frit does not allow air to enter the continuous column of test liquid below the glass frit).
  • the frit 2102 is connected via tubing to fluid reservoir 2105 or balance liquid reservoir 2106, depending on the position of three-way stopcock 2110.
  • Glass frit 2102 is jacketed to accept water from a constant temperature bath. This will ensure that the temperature of the glass frit is kept at a constant temperature of 88°F (31 °C) during the testing procedure.
  • the glass frit 2102 is equipped with an inlet port 2102A and outlet port 2102B, which make a closed loop with a circulating heat bath shown generally as 2108.
  • the glass jacketing is not depicted in Figure 2A. However, the water introduced to the jacketed glass frit 2102 from bath 2108 does not contact the test liquid and the test liquid is not circulated through the constant temperature bath. The water in the constant temperature bath circulates through the jacketed walls of the glass frit 2102.
  • Reservoir 2106 and balance 2107 are enclosed in a box to minimize evaporation of test liquid from the balance reservoir and to enhance balance stability during performance of the experiment.
  • This box shown generally as 2112, has a top and walls, where the top has a hole through which tubing 2111 is inserted.
  • the glass frit 2102 is shown in more detail in Figure 2B.
  • Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the glass frit, shown without inlet port 2102A and outlet port 2102B.
  • the glass frit is a 350 ml fritted disc funnel having specified 4 to 5.5 ⁇ m pores.
  • the glass frit 2102 comprises a cylindrical jacketed funnel designated as 2150 and a glass frit disc shown as 2160.
  • the glass frit 2102 further comprises a cylinder/piston assembly shown generally as 2165 (which comprises cylinder 2166 and piston 2168), which confines the test sample, shown as 2170, and provides a small confining pressure to the test sample.
  • a Teflon ring shown as 2162 is placed on top of the glass frit disc 2160.
  • the Teflon® ring 2162 is 0.0127 cm thick (available as sheet stock from McMasterCarr as # 8569K16 and is cut to size) and is used to cover the frit disc surface outside of the cylinder 2166, and thus minimizes evaporation from the glass frit.
  • the ring outer diameter and inner diameter is 7.6 and 6.3 cm, respectively.
  • the inner diameter of the Teflon® ring 2162 is about 2 mm less than the outer diameter of cylinder 2166.
  • a Viton® O-ring (available from McMasterCarr as # AS568A-150 and AS568A-151) 2164 is placed on top of Teflon® ring 2162 to seal the space between the inner wall of cylindrical jacketed funnel 2150 and Teflon® ring 2162, to further assist in prevention of evaporation. If the O-ring outer diameter exceeds the inner diameter of cylindrical jacketed funnel 2150, the O-ring diameter is reduced to fit the funnel as follows: the O-ring is cut open, the necessary amount of O-ring material is cut off, and the O-ring is glued back together such that the O-ring contacts the inner wall of the cylindrical jacketed funnel 2150 all around its periphery.
  • assembly 2165 confines the test sample and provides a small confining pressure to the test sample 2170.
  • assembly 2165 consists of a cylinder 2166, a cup-like Teflon® piston indicated by 2168 and, when necessary, a weight or weights (not shown) that fits inside piston 2168. (Optional weight will be used when necessary to adjust the combined weight of the piston and the optional weight so a confining pressure of 0.2 psi is attained depending on the test sample's dry diameter.
  • the cylinder 2166 is Lexan® bar stock and has the following dimensions: an outer diameter of 7.0 cm, an inner diameter of 6.0 cm and a height of 6.0 cm.
  • the Teflon® piston 2168 has the following dimensions: an outer diameter that is 0.02 cm less than the inner diameter of cylinder 2166. As shown in Figure 2D, the end of the piston 2168 that does not contact the test sample is bored to provide a 5.0 cm diameter by about 1.8 cm deep chamber 2190 to receive optional weights (dictated by the test sample's actual dry diameter) required to attain a test sample confining pressure of 0.2 psi (1.4 kPa).
  • the total weight of the piston 2168 and any optional weights (not shown in figures) divided by the test sample's actual diameter (when dry) should be such that a confining pressure of 0.2 psi is attained.
  • Cylinder 2166 and piston 2168 (and optional weights) are equilibrated at 31 °C for at least 30 minutes prior to conducting the capillary sorption absorbent capacity measurement.
  • a non-surfactant treated or incorporated apertured film (14 cm x 14 cm) (not shown) is used to cover the glass frit 2102 during Capillary Sorption experiments to minimize air destablization around the sample. Apertures are large enough to prevent condensation from forming on the underside of the film during the experiment.
  • the test sample can be obtained by punching out a 5.4 cm diameter circular-shaped structure from a storage absorbent member.
  • the member is a component of an absorbent article, other components of the article must be removed prior to testing.
  • the test sample is prepared by combining all the materials that constitute the member such that the combination is representative of the member in question.
  • the test sample is a 5.4 cm diameter circle and is obtained by cutting with an arch punch.
  • the dry weight of the test sample (used below to calculate capillary sorption absorbent capacity) is the weight of the test sample prepared as above under ambient conditions.
  • the glass frit 2102 is leveled and secured in place. Also, ensure that the glass frit is dry.
  • Air bubbles may be removed by inverting glass frit 2102 and allowing air bubbles to rise and escape through the drain of stopcock 2109. (Air bubbles typically collect on the bottom of the glass frit disc 2160.) Relevel the frit using a small enough level that it will fit inside the jacketed funnel 2150 and onto the surface of glass frit disc 2160.
  • a test sample is at some specified height from the reservoir of fluid.
  • the fluid reservoir is on a balance, such that a computer can read the balance at the end of a known time interval and calculate the flow rate (Delta reading/time interval) between the test sample and reservoir.
  • the test sample is considered to be at equilibrium when the flow rate is less than a specified flow rate for a specified number of consecutive time intervals. It is recognized, that for certain material, actual equilibrium may not be reached when the specified "EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT" is reached.
  • the time interval between readings is 5 seconds.
  • the number of readings in the delta table is specified in the capillary sorption menu as "EQUILIBRIUM SAMPLES”.
  • the maximum number of deltas is 500.
  • the flow rate constant is specified in the capillary sorption menu as "EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT".
  • the Equilibrium Constant is entered in units of grams/sec, ranging from 0.0001 to 100.000.
  • double delta static double deltas [500] /* table to store up to 500 deltas */ double value ; double prev_value ; clock_t next time ; int
  • deltas [1] 999J., /* initialize all values in the delta table to 9999.
  • Hydrostatic Head Parameters 200, 180, 160, 140, 120, 100, 90, 80,
  • the capillary sorption procedure is conducted using all the heights specified above, in the order stated, for the measurement of capillary sorption absorbent capacity. Even if it is desired to determine capillary sorption absorbent capacity at a particular height (e.g., 35 cm), the entire series of hydrostatic head parameters must be completed in the order specified. Although all these heights are used in performance of the capillary sorption lest to generate capillary sorption isotherms for a test sample, the present disclosure describes the storage absorbent members in terms of their absorbent properties at specified heights of 200, 140, 100, 50, 35 and 0 cm.
  • the glass frit disc 2160 is a porous structure
  • the glass frit (2102) capillary sorption absorption uptake (blank correct uptake) must - be determined and subtracted to get the true test sample capillary sorption absorption uptake.
  • the glass frit correction is performed for each new glass frit used. Run the capillary sorption procedure as described above, except without test sample, to obtain the Blank Uptake (g). The elapsed time at each specified height equals the Blank Time (s).
  • the glass frit is forward flushed (i.e., test liquid is introduced into the bottom of the glass frit) with 250 ml test liquid from liquid reservoir 2105 to remove residual test sample from the glass frit disc pores.
  • test liquid is introduced into the bottom of the glass frit
  • the glass frit With o stopcocks 2109 and 2110 open to liquid reservoir 2105 and closed to balance liquid reservoir 2106, the glass frit is removed from its holder, turned upside down and is rinsed out first with test liquid, followed by rinses with acetone and test liquid (synthetic urine). During rinsing, the glass frit must be tilted upside down and rinse fluid is squirted onto the test sample 5 contacting surface of the glass frit disc.
  • the glass frit After rinsing, the glass frit is forward flushed a second time with 250 ml test liquid (synthetic urine). Finally, the glass frit is reinstalled in its holder and the frit surface is leveled. b. Monitoring glass frit performance
  • the glass frits Periodically, (see monitoring frit performance, above) the glass frits are cleaned thoroughly to prevent clogging. Rinsing fluids are distilled water, acetone, 50% Clorox Bleach® in distilled water (to remove bacterial growth) o and test liquid. Cleaning involves removing the glass frit from the holder and disconnecting all tubing. The glass frit is forward flushed (i.e., rinse liquid is introduced into the bottom of the glass frit) with the frit upside down with the appropriate fluids and amounts in the following order: 1. 250 ml distilled water. 2. 100 ml acetone.
  • Blank Correct Uptake (g) Blank Uptake(g) -
  • IEUR Initial Effective Uptake Rate at 200 cm
  • IEUR CSAC at 200 cm (g/g)
  • the Capillary Sorption Absorption Efficiency at a certain height z (CSAE z) expressed in %, which is the ratio of the values for CSAC 0 and CSAC z. If two materials are combined (such as the first being used as acquisition / distribution material, and the second being used as liquid storage material), the CSAC value (and hence the respective CSAE value) of the second material can be determined for the CSDH x value of the first material . Teabag Centrifuge Capacity Test (TCC test)
  • the Teabag Centrifuge Capacity test measures the Teabag Centrifuge Capacity values, which are a measure of the retention of liquids in the absorbent materials.
  • the absorbent material is placed within a "teabag", immersed in a 0.9% by weight sodium chloride solution for 20 minutes, and then centrifuged for 3 minutes.
  • the ratio of the retained liquid weight to the initial weight of the dry material is the absorptive capacity of the absorbent material.
  • the teabag pouch has dimensions 6.5 cm x 6.5 cm and is available from Teekanne in D ⁇ sseldorf, Germany.
  • the pouch is heat sealable with a standard kitchen plastic bag sealing device (e.g. VACUPACK2 PLUS from Krups, Germany).
  • VACUPACK2 PLUS from Krups, Germany.
  • the teabag is opened by carefully cutting it partially, and is then weighed. About 0.200g of the sample of the absorbent material, accurately weighed to +/- 0.005g, is placed in the teabag.
  • the teabag is then closed with a heat sealer. This is called the sample teabag.
  • An empty teabag is sealed and used as a blank.
  • the sample teabag and the blank teabag are then laid on the surface of the saline solution, and submerged for about 5 seconds using a spatula to allow complete wetting (the teabags will float on the surface of the saline solution but are then completely wetted).
  • the timer is started immediately. After 20 minutes soaking time the sample teabag and the blank teabag are removed from the saline solution, and placed in a Bauknecht WS130, Bosch 772 NZK096 or equivalent centrifuge (230 mm diameter), so that each bag sticks to the outer wall of the centrifuge basket. The centrifuge lid is closed, the centrifuge is started, and the speed increased quickly to 1 ,400 rpm. Once the centrifuge has been stabilised at 1 ,400 rpm the timer is started. After 3 minutes, the centrifuge is stopped.
  • the sample teabag and the blank teabag are removed and weighed separately.
  • TCC Teabag Centrifuge Capacity
  • specific parts of the structures or the total absorbent articles can be measured, such as "sectional” cut outs, i.e. looking at parts of the structure or the total article, whereby the cutting is done across the full width of the " article at determined points of the longitudinal axis of the article.
  • the definition of the "crotch region” as described above allows to determine the "crotch region capacity”.
  • Other cut-outs can be used to determine a "basis capacity” (i.e. the amount of capacity contained in a unit area of the specific region of the article. Depending on the size of the unit area (preferably 2 cm by 2 cm) the defines how much averaging is taking place - naturally, the smaller the size, the less averaging will occur.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à un élément de transport de liquides, dont la capacité de prise en charge des liquides a été sensiblement améliorée et qui comporte au moins une région centrale ou interne ayant une perméabilité moyenne élevée, complètement entourée par une région paroi. La région paroi comporte en outre au moins une région à ports ayant une perméabilité plus faible que la région interne et un rapport entre sa perméabilité et son épaisseur supérieur ou égal à 10-7 m.
PCT/US1998/013449 1998-06-29 1998-06-29 Element de transport de liquides a flux eleve comprenant deux regions de permeabilites differentes WO2000000127A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (84)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU82716/98A AU8271698A (en) 1998-06-29 1998-06-29 High flux liquid transport members comprising two different permeability regions
PCT/US1998/013449 WO2000000127A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1998-06-29 Element de transport de liquides a flux eleve comprenant deux regions de permeabilites differentes
PCT/US1999/014648 WO2000000141A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif d'evacuation de liquides corporels par effet de siphon
JP2000556864A JP2003523840A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 液体を吸収または収集するためのデバイス
CA002335625A CA2335625A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Procede et dispositif d'elimination et de transport des huiles
US09/857,742 US6683229B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Disposable absorbent article storing liquid in a constant pattern
AU47258/99A AU4725899A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Device for absorbing or collecting a liquid
AU48412/99A AU4841299A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Device for handling body liquids which transports body liquid by siphoning
US09/720,164 US6500337B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Device for oil removal and transport
PCT/US1999/014632 WO2000000118A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption et permeabilite elevees
EP99932014A EP1091714B1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif d'evacuation de liquides corporels par effet de siphon
EP99930806A EP1096996A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif permettant d'absorber ou de collecter un liquide
CA002335622A CA2335622A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif permettant d'absorber ou de collecter un liquide
CA002333697A CA2333697C (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de gestion de fluides corporels contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption qui se dilate lors de l'absorption de liquides et qui se contracte lors de la liberation de liquides
JP2000557048A JP2003526746A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 オイル除去および輸送のための方法ならびにオイル除去および輸送のための装置
JP2000556704A JP2003527877A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 高い吸引力と高い透過性を有する液体処理部材を備える吸収体
AU48410/99A AU4841099A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article instantaneously storing liquid in a predefined pattern
JP2000556971A JP2003523894A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 取り出し手段を備える容器入り製品および用具
CA002335639A CA2335639A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Produit emballe et dispositif pourvu d'un organe de distribution
EP99932015A EP1089696A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant avec taux de collecte eleves soutenus
AU48405/99A AU4840599A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article comprising a liquid handling member having high suction and high permeability
JP2000556727A JP2003523779A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 サイフォン吸い上げにより体液を輸送する体液処理用装置
EP99932012A EP1091713A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant permettant de stocker instantanement un liquide selon un schema predefini
CA002333765A CA2333765A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant permettant de stocker instantanement un liquide selon un schema predefini
PCT/US1999/014641 WO2000000139A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de gestion de fluides corporels contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption qui se dilate lors de l'absorption de liquides et qui se contracte lors de la liberation de liquides
JP2000556726A JP2003523778A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 指定のパターンにおいて液体を瞬時に保存する吸収体
US09/720,191 US6545194B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Device for managing body fluids comprising a fast acquiring liquid handling member that expands upon liquid acquisition and contracts upon liquid release
US09/720,225 US6506960B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article comprising a liquid handling member having high suction and high permeability
EP99932011A EP1091887A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Produit emballe et dispositif pourvu d'un organe de distribution
AU48413/99A AU4841399A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article exhibiting high sustained acquisition rates
EP99930807A EP1093539A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Procede et dispositif d'elimination et de transport des huiles
PCT/US1999/014795 WO2000000149A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant comprenant un element de traitement du liquide distribuant rapidement le liquide accepte
CA002334158A CA2334158C (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant avec taux de collecte eleves soutenus
PCT/US1999/014634 WO2000000701A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Element de transport de liquides a debit volumique eleve entre une zone d'orifice et une ouverture
US09/720,186 US6673057B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 High flux liquid transport members comprising two different permeability regions
JP2000556728A JP2003515357A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 高い持続性捕捉速度を示す吸収体
AU47251/99A AU4725199A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Liquid transport member for high flux rates between a port region and an opening
CA002333719A CA2333719C (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant comprenant un element de traitement du liquide distribuant rapidement le liquide accepte
AU47256/99A AU4725699A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Device for managing body fluids comprising a fast acquiring liquid handling member that expands upon liquid acquisition and contracts upon liquid release
DE69908776T DE69908776T2 (de) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Vorrichtung zur handhabung von körperflüssigkeiten, die körperflüssigkeiten durch absaugen transportiert
EP99930804A EP1093351A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de gestion de fluides corporels contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption qui se dilate lors de l'absorption de liquides et qui se contracte lors de la liberation de liquides
AT99932014T ATE242621T1 (de) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Vorrichtung zur handhabung von körperflüssigkeiten, die körperflüssigkeiten durch absaugen transportiert
AU47257/99A AU4725799A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Liquid transfer device, and use of the device for irrigation
CA002334180A CA2334180A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Element de transport de liquides a debit volumique eleve entre une zone d'orifice et une ouverture
EP99930799A EP1099030A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Element de transport de liquides a debit volumique eleve entre une zone d'orifice et une ouverture
PCT/US1999/014796 WO2000000146A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Elements servant a transporter des flux de liquide importants et comprenant deux zones de permeabilite differente
AU48475/99A AU4847599A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article comprising a liquid handling member that rapidly distributes acquired liquid
CA002355149A CA2355149A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant jetable stockant le liquide dans une configuration constante
PCT/US1999/014644 WO2000000702A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Procede et dispositif d'elimination et de transport des huiles
PCT/US1999/014642 WO2000000016A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de transfert de liquide et utilisation dudit dispositif pour irrigation
US09/720,224 US6659992B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article instanteously storing liquid in a predefined pattern
PCT/US1999/014646 WO2000000140A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant permettant de stocker instantanement un liquide selon un schema predefini
JP2000556725A JP2003525646A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 液体捕捉時に膨張し、液体放出時に収縮する高速捕捉液体処理部材を備える体液を管理するための装置
JP2000556735A JP2003527140A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 捕捉された液体を速やかに分布させる液体処理部材を備える吸収品。
JP2000556732A JP2003527249A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 ２つの異なる透過率領域を備えた、高流束の液体輸送部材
AU47259/99A AU4725999A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Method for oil removal and transport, and device for oil removal and transport
CA002333760A CA2333760C (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption et permeabilite elevees
EP99932088A EP1091715A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant comprenant un element de traitement du liquide distribuant rapidement le liquide accepte
PCT/US1999/014649 WO2000000142A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant avec taux de collecte eleves soutenus
JP2000557047A JP2003526535A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 孔領域と開口部間の高流束のための液体輸送部材
CA002334162A CA2334162A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif d'evacuation de liquides corporels par effet de siphon
JP2000556612A JP2003525577A (ja) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 液体移送装置、および、配水のための前記装置の使用
CA002336019A CA2336019C (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Elements servant a transporter des flux de liquide importants et comprenant deux zones de permeabilite differente
PCT/US1999/014643 WO2000000281A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif permettant d'absorber ou de collecter un liquide
AU49638/99A AU4963899A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 High flux liquid transport members comprising two different permeability regions
PCT/US1999/014647 WO2001010371A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant jetable stockant le liquide dans une configuration constante
US09/720,167 US6727403B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article exhibiting high sustained acquisition rates
EP99930805A EP1091640A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de transfert de liquide et utilisation dudit dispositif pour irrigation
EP99933618A EP1119327A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Elements servant a transporter des flux de liquide importants et comprenant deux zones de permeabilite differente
EP99932007A EP1093347A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Article absorbant contenant un element de traitement de liquides a haute capacite d'absorption et permeabilite elevees
AU48409/99A AU4840999A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Packaged prodcut and device with dispensing means
PCT/US1999/014645 WO2000000406A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Produit emballe et dispositif pourvu d'un organe de distribution
CA002335589A CA2335589A1 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Dispositif de transfert de liquide et utilisation dudit dispositif pour irrigation
US09/720,192 US6764476B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Absorbent article comprising a liquid handling member that rapidly distributes acquired liquid
PE1999000588A PE20000967A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Articulo absorbente de almacenamiento instantaneo de liquido en un patron predefinido
PE1999000604A PE20000796A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Miembro de transporte de liquido para velocidades de flujo altas entre una region de membrana y una apertura
PE1999000587A PE20000723A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Dispositivo para el manejo de fluidos corporales que comprende un elemento para el manejo de la adquisicion rapida de liquido, que se expande con la adquision de liquido y se contrae con la liberacion de liquido
PE1999000597A PE20000651A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Dispositivo para el manejo de liquidos corporales que comprende un elemento para el manejo liquido que distribuye rapidamente el liquido adquirido
PE1999000603A PE20000793A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Articulo absorbente que exhibe altas proporciones sostenidas de recoleccion
AU48411/99A AU4841199A (en) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Disposable absorbent article storing liquid in a constant pattern
PE1999000586A PE20000732A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-06-30 Miembro de transporte de liquido para velocidades de flujo altas entre dos regiones de membrana
ARP990103164A AR017489A1 (es) 1998-06-29 1999-07-29 Miembro para transporte de liquidos, disposicion y articulo para transporte de liquidos que tienen dicho miembro y metodo para fabricar dicho miembro
TW088117684A TW495587B (en) 1998-06-29 1999-10-13 Liquid transport member for high flux rates between a port region and an opening
TW088117685A TW482665B (en) 1998-06-29 1999-10-13 Device for managing body fluids comprising a fast acquiring liquid handling member that expands upon liquid acquisition and contracts upon liquid release

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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PCT/US1999/014796 WO2000000146A2 (fr) 1998-06-29 1999-06-29 Elements servant a transporter des flux de liquide importants et comprenant deux zones de permeabilite differente

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JP (5) JP2003523894A (fr)
AR (1) AR017489A1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE242621T1 (fr)
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US7799967B2 (en) 2004-04-08 2010-09-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Differentially expanding absorbent structure
US9662246B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2017-05-30 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US9877872B2 (en) 2011-07-14 2018-01-30 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US10076449B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2018-09-18 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US10201644B2 (en) 2005-09-07 2019-02-12 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Self contained wound dressing with micropump
US10507141B2 (en) 2012-05-23 2019-12-17 Smith & Nephew Plc Apparatuses and methods for negative pressure wound therapy
US10610414B2 (en) 2014-06-18 2020-04-07 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
CN112098298A (zh) * 2020-09-15 2020-12-18 安徽明天氢能科技股份有限公司 一种测试燃料电池碳纸各向异性渗透率的装置及方法
US11559437B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2023-01-24 Smith & Nephew Plc Multi-layered wound dressing and method of manufacture

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EP1110517A1 (fr) 1999-12-23 2001-06-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Collecteur d'urine compressible
EP1112728A1 (fr) 1999-12-23 2001-07-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Système de drainage de liquide qui assure une surface de contact plus séche
FI128507B (fi) * 2016-06-20 2020-06-30 Mikkelin Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy Menetelmä ja laite kuitususpension jauhatusasteen määrittämiseksi

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US10201644B2 (en) 2005-09-07 2019-02-12 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Self contained wound dressing with micropump
US11737925B2 (en) 2005-09-07 2023-08-29 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Self contained wound dressing with micropump
US11278658B2 (en) 2005-09-07 2022-03-22 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Self contained wound dressing with micropump
US10231874B2 (en) 2010-11-08 2019-03-19 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US11510819B2 (en) 2011-07-14 2022-11-29 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
USRE48535E1 (en) 2011-07-14 2021-04-27 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US9877872B2 (en) 2011-07-14 2018-01-30 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US10130519B2 (en) 2011-07-14 2018-11-20 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US10039673B2 (en) 2011-07-14 2018-08-07 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
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US10507141B2 (en) 2012-05-23 2019-12-17 Smith & Nephew Plc Apparatuses and methods for negative pressure wound therapy
US10667955B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2020-06-02 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
USD914887S1 (en) 2012-08-01 2021-03-30 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing
US10076449B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2018-09-18 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US9662246B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2017-05-30 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US11801338B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2023-10-31 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US11864981B2 (en) 2012-08-01 2024-01-09 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US10610414B2 (en) 2014-06-18 2020-04-07 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US11596552B2 (en) 2014-06-18 2023-03-07 Smith & Nephew Plc Wound dressing and method of treatment
US11559437B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2023-01-24 Smith & Nephew Plc Multi-layered wound dressing and method of manufacture
CN112098298A (zh) * 2020-09-15 2020-12-18 安徽明天氢能科技股份有限公司 一种测试燃料电池碳纸各向异性渗透率的装置及方法

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AR017489A1 (es) 2001-09-05
WO2000000146A3 (fr) 2001-05-25
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CA2333765A1 (fr) 2000-01-06
JP2003523894A (ja) 2003-08-12
CA2335639A1 (fr) 2000-01-06
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CA2336019A1 (fr) 2000-01-06
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CA2333719A1 (fr) 2000-01-06
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EP1119327A2 (fr) 2001-08-01
AU8271698A (en) 2000-01-17
CA2334158C (fr) 2007-02-13
CA2333697C (fr) 2006-10-03
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CA2335589A1 (fr) 2000-01-06
CA2334162A1 (fr) 2000-01-06

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