Superthin absorbent product

Claim 2

An absorbent compressed composite comprising: a first fibrous layer having a given thickness dimension in uncompressed form, superabsorbent material within said first layer and co-operating with the fibers of said first layer to retain said first layer in ` a compressed form with a thickness dimension less than said given thickness dimension, and a second layer discrete from but united to said first layer, said second layer having no superabsorbent material therewithin and being denser than said first layer prior to the incorporation of the superabsorbent therein, to provide preferential wicking of liquid within said second layer, whereby liquid wetted upon said composite in a given area is transported in said second layer away from said given area and distributed to portions of said first layer remote from said given area, said superabsorbent material upon swelling permitting said first fibrous layer to expand from said compressed form upon absorption of liquid in said superabsorbent material to thereby provide increased liquid holding capacity within said first layer.

Claim 3

An absorbent compressed composite comprising a first absorbing layer, a transition zone and a second wicking layer, said absorbing layer comprising a fibrous web having a dry bulk recovery of at least 30 percent, an initial dry bulk of at least 20 cc/gm, and a weight of less than 34g.m 2 (2 oz/yd 2 ), said wicking layer comprising particles consisting of cellulosic fibers, peat moss, rayon fibers or mixtures thereof, some of said particles extending into and becoming integral with said absorbing layer to -provide said transition zone, said absorbing layer having interspersed therein superabsorbent material present in an amount between about 200 percent and 1,500 percent dry weight basis based on said fibrous web dry weight basis, said composite in its compressed form.

Claim 4

An absorbent compressed composite comprising a first absorbing layer, a transition zone and a second wicking layer, said absorbing layer comprising a fibrous web having a dry bulk recovery of at least 30 percent, an initial dry bulk of at least 20 cc/gm, and a weight of less than 34g.m 2 (2 oz/yd 2 ), said wicking layer comprising particles consisting of cellulosic fibers, peat moss, rayon fibers or mixtures thereof, some of said particles extending into and becoming integral with said absorbing layer to -provide said transition zone, said absorbing layer having interspersed therein superabsorbent material present in an amount between about 200 percent and 1,500 percent dry weight basis based on said fibrous web dry weight basis, said composite in its compressed form.

Claim 5

An absorbent compressed composite comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a transition zone integrally and intimately connecting said first and second layers and being substantially coextensive therewith, said first layer comprising a fibrous web having a dry bulk recovery of at least 30 percent, an initial dry bulk of at least 20 cc/gm, and a weight less than 34 g.m -2 (2 oz/yd 2 ), and a plurality of particles or globules of superabsorbent material disposed intermittently throughout said first layer, said particles or globules being present in at least 200 percent dry-add-on basis, said second layer comprising substantially uniformly disposed, frictionally engaged hydrophilic particles of cellulosic fibers, peat moss, rayon fibers or mixtures thereof, said particles being sufficientlyclosely spaced to adjacent particles to promote rapid movement of liquid along the plane of said layer, and said transition zone comprising portions of said engaged particles extending into and becoming integral with said first layer with portions of said engaged particles in intimate contact with said superabsorbent material, said composite laminate being compressed to substantially reduce its thickness.

Claim 6

An absorbent compressed composite comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a transition zone integrally and intimately connecting said first and second layers and being substantially coextensive therewith, said first layer comprising a fibrous web having a dry bulk recovery of at least 30 percent, an initial dry bulk of at least 20 cc/gm, and a weight less than 34 g.m -2 (2 oz/yd 2 ), and a plurality of particles or globules of superabsorbent material disposed intermittently throughout said first layer, said particles or globules being present in at least 200 percent dry-add-on basis, said second layer comprising substantially uniformly disposed, frictionally engaged hydrophilic particles of cellulosic fibers, peat moss, rayon fibers or mixtures thereof, said particles being sufficientlyclosely spaced to adjacent particles to promote rapid movement of liquid along the plane of said layer, and said transition zone comprising portions of said engaged particles extending into and becoming integral with said first layer with portions of said engaged particles in intimate contact with said superabsorbent material, said composite laminate being compressed to substantially reduce its thickness.

Claim 7

The compressed composite of claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the superabs'orbent material is present in an amount from 200 percent to 1,500 percent, dry weight, based on the dry weight of said fibrous web.

Claim 8

The compressed composite of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first layer is a nonwoven fibrous web.

Claim 9

The compressed composite of claim 5, wherein the web is of synthetic staple " fibers.

Claim 10

The compressed composite of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the nonwoven web is of polyester fibers.

Claim 11

The compressed composite of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second layer is chemically delignified wood pulp fibers.

Claim 12

The compressed composite of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second layer is peat moss.

Claim 13

10 . The absorbent composite of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said second layer is rayon fibers.

Claim 14

The compressed composite of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said superabsorbent material is present in an amount from 400 percent to 1,200 percent dry weight basis based on said fibrous web dry weight basis.

Claim 15

A disposable diaper containing an absorbent pad which is a compressed composite according to any one of claims I to 11.

Claim 16

The disposable diaper of claim 12 wherein said absorbent pad is comprised of two or more absorbent compressed composites.

Claim 17

The disposable diaper of claim 12, wherein in said composite first layer is sandwiched between two second layers.

Claim 18

A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent structure partially encompassed by a liquid barrier with a moisture-permeable overwrap, wherein the absorbent structure comprises a compressed composite according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Claim 19

The sanitary napkin of claim 15 wherein said absorbent structure comprises two compresse3composites superimposed one upon the other with the absorbing layers immediately adjacent one another.

Claim 20

A tampon having as its absorbent portion a compressed composite according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Claim 21

The tampon of claim 17, wherein in said composite· the first layer is sandwiched between two second layers.

Claim 22

A wipe comprising a compressed composite according to any one of claims 1 to 11.