Layered absorbent structure

Claim 2

A product for absorbing body fluids having an absorbent element consisting of a plurality of absorbent layers and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said ground wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; whereof said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 3

The product of claim 1 wherein said peat moss is bleached peat moss having a lightness of at least about 70 as measured on the Hunter Colour Scale System "C".

Claim 4

The product of claim 1 wherein said second layer also comprises long fibered absorbent material.

Claim 5

The product of claim 3 wherein said long fibered absorbent material is chemical wood pulp.

Claim 6

The product of claim 3 wherein said long fibered absorbent material is rayon.

Claim 7

The product of claim 1 wherein said finely ground mechanical wood pulp is groundwood pulp.

Claim 8

The product of claim 1 wherein said finely ground mechanical wood pulp is refiner wood pulp.

Claim 9

The product of claim 1 wherein said finely ground mechanical wood pulp is thermomechanical wood pulp.

Claim 10

The product of claim 1 wherein said finely ground wood pulp has a Canadian Standard Freeness Value of from about 60-300.

Claim 11

The product of claim 1 wherein said plurality of absorbent layers includes at least a third absorbent layer and said second layer is sandwiched between said first and third layers.

Claim 12

A disposable diaper comprising an impervious backing sheet, a pervious facing sheet and an absorbent element smaller than said sheets and disposed therebetween, said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; whereof said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 13

A disposable diaper comprising an impervious backing sheet, a pervious facing sheet and an absorbent element smaller than said sheets and disposed therebetween, said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; whereof said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 14

A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent element having cover enveloping said element, said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; wherein said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 15

A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent element having cover enveloping said element, said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; wherein said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 16

A catamenial tampon comprising an absorbent element said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers compressed together and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; wherein said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.

Claim 17

A catamenial tampon comprising an absorbent element said absorbent element comprising a plurality of absorbent layers compressed together and including at least first and second adjacent absorbent layers; said first layer comprising cellulose fibers and said second layer comprising, in admixture, peat moss and finely divided ground mechanical wood pulp in a weight ratio of at least about 0.35 grams of said mechanical wood pulp per gram of said peat moss; said mechanical wood pulp having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from about 30 to about 600; wherein said second layer preferentially absorbs at least about twice the weight of absorbed fluid as said first layer.