Absorbent article including superabsorbent yarn

Abstract

The present invention discloses and claims an absorbent article which utilizes an absorbent portion that includes superabsorbent yarn as part of the absorbent portion, such that liquid is wicked to the perimeter or select regions of the absorbent portion, or the perimeter of the absorbent article itself, taking full advantage of either the depth, width, length or combination of dimensions of the absorbent portion, or absorbent article. The superabsorbent yarn can be one or more of several types, including encapsulated yarn, multilayered encapsulated yarn, coated yarn and sliver-formed yarn as long as such yarn includes at least two components, those being a superabsorbent polymer and a second material which promotes distribution of liquid along the yarn length. In alternatives of the invention, such absorbent article utilizing the superabsorbent yarn provides passive visual signals to consumers, of article saturation levels prior to leakage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article having a longitudinal and transverse direction, and comprising an absorbent portion consisting essentially of free strand superabsorbent yarn including superabsorbent and fluid permeable components, said fluid permeable components for either distributing fluid within said yarn length or alternatively for retaining fluid, wherein said free strand superabsorbent yarn is encapsulated superabsorbent yarn, and in which absorbent article there are no other fluid retention layers. 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein said encapsulated superabsorbent yarn is comprised of multi-layered encapsulated superabsorbent yarn having at least two layers including an outer layer which functions as a topsheet. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent article consists essentially of said absorbent portion. 
     
     
         4 . An absorbent article having a longitudinal and transverse direction, and comprising a fluid permeable topsheet, a fluid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent portion positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, characterized in that said absorbent portion comprises superabsorbent yarn including superabsorbent and fluid permeable components said fluid permeable components for either distributing fluid within said yarn length or alternatively for retaining fluid, and wherein said absorbent article further includes an upper layer located between said fluid permeable topsheet and said superabsorbent yarn, said upper layer defining a hole-like structure for directing body exudates down to the absorbent portion, and through which said superabsorbent yarn is visible. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein said upper layer is opaque such that said superabsorbent yarn is prevented from being viewed outside of said hole-like structure. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein said article has an article center, said hole-like structure is located at said article center, and further, wherein said superabsorbent yarn is free strand superabsorbent yarn. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein said article upper layer has a perimeter, and wherein said upper layer includes numerous hole-like structures about the upper layer perimeter through which said superabsorbent yarn is visible.