Claims
- 1. An absorbent structure, comprising:
fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5%; and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 25%.
- 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 50%.
- 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 90%.
- 5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount of between 0.25% and 2.5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount of between 0.4% and 1.2%, by weight of the fiber.
- 8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent cation is a transition metal ion.
- 9. The structure of claim 1 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 10. The structure of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent cation is in the +3 or +4 oxidation state.
- 11. The structure of claim 1 wherein said compound is a polyvalent metal salt.
- 12. The structure of claim 9 wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of hydroxides of aluminum, iron and tin, and mixtures thereof.
- 13. The structure of claim 9 wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of water soluble salts of aluminum, iron and tin, and mixtures thereof.
- 14. The structure of claim 1, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber.
- 15. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is present in an amount of between 0.5% and 10%, by weight of the fiber.
- 16. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is an organic acid having at least two carboxylic acid groups.
- 17. The structure of claim 16 wherein said acid is a selected from the group consisting of C2 to C12 organic acids.
- 18. The structure of claim 16 wherein said acid is citric acid.
- 19. The structure of claim 18 wherein the citric acid is present in an amount of between 0.5% and 3%, by weight of the fiber.
- 20. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is a polymeric carboxylic acid.
- 21. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is a sulfonic acid.
- 22. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is a polymeric sulfonic acid.
- 23. The structure of claim 14 wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, butanetetracarboxylic acid, aspartic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, para-toulenesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof.
- 24. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fiber is at least 80% alpha cellulose and has a water retention value of at least 80%.
- 25. The structure of claim 24 wherein said fiber is at least 95% alpha cellulose, has a curl of at least 25% and has a water retention value of less than 90%.
- 26. The structure of claim 24 wherein said fiber is crosslinked, has a curl of greater than 50% and has a water retention value of less than 60%.
- 27. The structure of claim 24 wherein said fiber is a cellulose fiber selected from the group consisting of softwood cellulose, hardwood cellulose, cotton, esparto grass, bagasse, hemp, flax, chemically modified cellulose, physically modified cellulose, regenerated cellulose, bacterially generated cellulose, lyocell, cellulose acetate and mixtures thereof.
- 28. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fiber is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic fibers treated with a surfactant, hydrophobic fibers treated with silica, surface-oxidized hydrophobic fibers, and mixtures thereof.
- 29. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a reducing agent bound to said fiber.
- 30. The fiber complex of claim 29 wherein said reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium hypophosphite, sodium bisulfite and mixtures thereof.
- 31. The structure of claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 32. The structure of claim 1 wherein the fiber and polymer are in the form of a mixture.
- 33. The structure of claim 1 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 40% by weight of said fibers and particles.
- 34. The structure of claim 33 wherein said particles are present in an amount of between 60% and 80% by weight of said fibers and particles.
- 35. An absorbent structure, comprising:
an acquisition stratum; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said storage stratum including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5% and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 36. The structure of claim 35 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 37. The structure of claim 35 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 38. The structure of claim 35, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber.
- 39. The structure of claim 35 further comprising a reducing agent bound to said fiber.
- 40. The structure of claim 35 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 41. The structure of claim 35 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 40% by weight of said fibers and particles.
- 42. An absorbent structure, comprising:
an acquisition stratum; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said storage stratum including hydrophilic fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 43. The structure of claim 42 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 44. The structure of claim 42 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 45. The structure of claim 42, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber.
- 46. The structure of claim 42 further comprising a reducing agent bound to said fiber.
- 47. The structure of claim 42 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 48. The structure of claim 42 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 40% by weight of said fibers and particles.
- 49. A disposable absorbent article, comprising:
a chassis including a liquid pervious topsheet, and a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent structure between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent structure including:
an acquisition stratum in fluid communication with said topsheet; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said storage stratum including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5% and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 50. The article of claim 49 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 51. The article of claim 49 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 52. The article of claim 49, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber.
- 53. The article of claim 49 further comprising a reducing agent bound to said fiber.
- 54. The article of claim 49 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 55. The article of claim 49 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 56. The article of claim 49, wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of infant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence briefs, and feminine hygiene pads.
- 57. A disposable absorbent article, comprising:
a chassis including a liquid pervious topsheet, and a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent structure between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent structure including:
an acquisition stratum in fluid communication with said topsheet; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said storage stratum including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 58. The article of claim 57 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 59. The article of claim 57 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 60. The article of claim 57, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber.
- 61. The article of claim 57, further comprising a reducing agent bound to said fiber.
- 62. The article of claim 57 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 63. The article of claim 57 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber.
- 64. The article of claim 57, wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of infant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence briefs, and feminine hygiene pads.
- 65. A disposable absorbent article, comprising:
a chassis including a liquid pervious topsheet, and a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent structure between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent structure including:
an acquisition stratum in fluid communication with said topsheet, said acquisition stratum including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said storage stratum including fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 66. The article of claim 65 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber in the storage stratum.
- 67. The article of claim 65 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 68. The article of claim 65, further comprising an ionizable acid present in the acquisition stratum.
- 69. The article of claim 65, further comprising a reducing agent bound to fiber in the acquisition stratum.
- 70. The article of claim 65 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 71. The article of claim 65 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber in the storage stratum.
- 72. The article of claim 65 wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of infant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence briefs, and feminine hygiene pads.
- 73. A disposable absorbent article, comprising:
a chassis including a liquid pervious topsheet, and a liquid impervious backsheet; and an absorbent structure between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent structure including:
an acquisition stratum in fluid communication with said topsheet; a distribution stratum in fluid communication with the acquisition stratum, said distribution stratum including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and a storage stratum in fluid communication with the distribution stratum, said storage stratum including fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 74. The article of claim 73 wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber in the storage stratum.
- 75. The article of claim 73 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, tin and mixtures thereof.
- 76. The article of claim 73, further comprising an ionizable acid bound to the fiber of the distribution stratum.
- 77. The article of claim 73 further comprising a reducing agent bound to the fiber of the distribution stratum.
- 78. The article of claim 73 wherein said superabsorbent polymer is selected from the group consisting of starch-acrylate graft co-polymers, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof.
- 79. The article structure of claim 73 wherein said particles are present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber in the storage stratum.
- 80. The article of claim 73 wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of infant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence briefs, and feminine hygiene pads.
- 81. A method of preparing an absorbent structure, comprising:
adjusting the pH of a slurry of cellulose fibers to between 3.8 and 4.2; introducing aluminum sulfate to said slurry; agitating the fiber slurry and increasing the pH to between 5.5 and 5.9; forming a web from said fibers; applying an ionizable acid in an amount of between 0.5% and 5% by weight of the fibers to said web; drying and individualizing the fibers; and introducing superabsorbent polymer particles to the fibers to form an absorbent structure.
- 82. The method of claim 81 wherein said acid is applied by a method selected from the group consisting of spraying, painting and foaming.
- 83. The method of claim 81 further comprising the step of applying a reducing agent to the web.
- 84. The method of 83 wherein said reducing agent is applied after said application of said acid.
- 85. A method of preparing an absorbent structure, comprising:
adjusting the pH of a slurry of cellulose fibers to between 3.8 and 4.2; introducing aluminum sulfate to said slurry; agitating the fiber slurry and increasing the pH to between 5.5 and 5.9; forming a web from said fibers; applying aluminum sulfate in an amount of between 6.2% and 6.8% by weight of fibers to said web; drying and individualizing the fibers; and introducing superabsorbent polymer particles to the fibers to form an absorbent structure.
- 86. The method of claim 85 wherein said aluminum sulfate is applied by a method selected from the group consisting of spraying, painting and foaming.
- 87. The method of claim 85 further comprising the step of applying a reducing agent to the web.
- 88. The method of 85 wherein said reducing agent is applied after said application of said aluminum sulfate application.
- 89. A method of preparing an absorbent structure, comprising:
mixing superabsorbent polymer particles with an aqueous solution of a polyvalent cation containing compound; drying said mixture above 100° C. until a dry mixture is formed; crushing the dry mixture to form particles; and introducing said particles into an absorbent structure containing fibers.
- 90. A method of preparing an absorbent structure, comprising:
forming a slurry of cellulose fibers; forming a web from from said fibers; applying aluminum sulfate in an amount of between 6.2% and 7.0% by weight of fibers to said web; drying and individualizing the fibers; and introducing superabsorbent polymer particles to the fibers to form an absorbent structure.
- 91. The method of claim 90 wherein said aluminum sulfate is applied by a method selected from the group consisting of spraying, painting and foaming.
- 92. The method of claim 90 further comprising the step of applying a reducing agent to the web.
- 93. The method of 92 wherein said reducing agent is applied after said application of said aluminum sulfate application.
- 94. An absorbent structure, comprising:
fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount greater than 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5%; and superabsorbent polymer particles present in an amount of between 50 and 80% by weight of the fibers and particles, said absorbent structure having a permeability factor of greater than 16.
- 95. The absorbent structure of claim 94, wherein the permeability factor is greater than 140.
- 96. The absorbent structure of claim 1 wherein said fibers form a topsheet.
- 97. A absorbent structure, comprising:
a non-woven material including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5%; and superabsorbent polymer particles.
- 98. An absorbent structure, comprising:
fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound, wherein the polyvalent cation is present in an amount between 0.25% to 5%, by weight of the fiber, said fibers exhibiting an ion extraction factor of at least 5%; and superabsorbent polymer particles, present in an amount of between 50 and 80% by weight of the fibers and particles, said absorbent structure having a horizontal wicking factor greater than 10 g/g.
- 99. The absorbent structure of claim 98 wherein said polyvalent cation is present in an amount between 3.25% and 3.75% by weight of the fiber, and the structure has a horizontal wicking factor greater than 40 g/g.
- 100. A method of preparing an absorbent structure, comprising:
mixing superabsorbent polymer particles with an non-aqueous solution of a polyvalent cation containing compound; drying said mixture until a dry mixture is formed; and introducing said particles into an absorbent structure containing fibers.
- 101. The method of claim 100, wherein said non-aqueous solution is prepared with a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, acetone and mixtures thereof.
- 102. The method of claim 100, wherein the drying step is conducted at a temperature of less than 100° C.
- 103. The method of claim 100, wherein the drying step is conducted at a temperature of less than 40° C.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119, based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/117,565, filed Jan. 27, 1999, and Provisional Application Serial No. 60/113,849, filed Dec. 24, 1998, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60117565 |
Jan 1999 |
US |
|
60113849 |
Dec 1998 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09469930 |
Dec 1999 |
US |
Child |
10360147 |
Feb 2003 |
US |