Absorbent products containing hydrogels with ability to swell against pressure

Claim 2

An absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least 27 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent, sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter, provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 3

The absorbent composite according to claim 1, wherein the porous fiber matrix is formed from wood pulp fluff.

Claim 4

The absorbent composite according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent composite has a density of from about 0.03 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 5

The absorbent composite according to claim 3, wherein the absorbent composite has a density of from about 0.1 to abut 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 6

The absorbent composite according to claim 1, wherein the composite comprises the superabsorbent material in an amount of from about 5 to about 80 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent composite.

Claim 7

The absorbent composite according to claim 5, wherein the composite comprises the superabsorbent material in an amount of from about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on total weight of the absorbent composite.

Claim 8

The absorbent composite according to claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles.

Claim 9

The absorbent composite according to claim 7, wherein at least about 50%, by weight, of the superabsorbent material has a particle size of at least about 100 microns.

Claim 10

The absorbent composite according to claim 7, wherein at least about 50%, by weight, of the superabsorbent material has a particle size of at least about 150 microns.

Claim 11

The absorbent composite according to claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent material is in the form of fibers having a length to diameter ratio of at least 5:1, further wherein at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent fibers have a geometric mean diameter of at least about 33 microns.

Claim 12

The absorbent composite according to claim 10, wherein at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent fibers have a geometric means diameter of at least about 67 microns.

Claim 13

The absorbent composite according to claim 7 wherein at least about 80%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 14

The absorbent composite according to claim 12, wherein at least about 50%, by weight, of the superabsorbent material has a size of at least about 100 microns.

Claim 15

An absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said porous fiber matrix comprises at least about 3%, by weight, based on porous fiber matrix weight, of a synthetic polymeric fiber, and wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least about 24 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent, sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 16

An absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said porous fiber matrix comprises at least about 3%, by weight, based on porous fiber matrix weight, of a synthetic polymeric fiber, and wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least about 24 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent, sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 17

The absorbent composite according to claim 14 wherein the absorbent composite has a density within the range of from about 0.03 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 18

The absorbent composite according to claim 14 wherein the absorbent composite comprises the superabsorbent material in an amount of from about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, based on total weight of the absorbent composite.

Claim 19

The absorbent composite according to claim 14 wherein the superabsorbent material is present in the form of discrete particles and wherein at least about 50% by weight, of the super-absorbent particles have a particle size of at least about 100 microns.

Claim 20

The absorbent composite according to claim 17 wherein at least about 80%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix, when wet.

Claim 21

The absorbent composite according to claim 18 wherein the superabsorbent material is present in the form of discrete particles having a size of at least about 100 microns.

Claim 22

A diaper, said diaper comprising: a liquid-permeable facing material; an absorbent composite adjacent said liquid-permeable facing material, said absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of a superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least 27 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter, provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a particle size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet; and a liquid-impermeable backing material adjacent said absorbent composite and located opposite said liquid-permeable facing material.

Claim 23

A diaper, said diaper comprising: a liquid-permeable facing material; an absorbent composite adjacent said liquid-permeable facing material, said absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of a superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least 27 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter, provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a particle size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet; and a liquid-impermeable backing material adjacent said absorbent composite and located opposite said liquid-permeable facing material.

Claim 24

The diaper according to claim 20 wherein the porous fiber matrix is formed from wood pulp fluff.

Claim 25

The diaper according to claim 22 wherein the absorbent composite has a density of from about 0.03 to about 0.4 grams per cubic centimeter.

Claim 26

The diaper according to claim 20 wherein the absorbent composite comprises the superabsorbent material in an amount of from about 5 to about 80 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent composite.

Claim 27

The diaper according to claim 20 wherein, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 80%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a particle size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix.

Claim 28

A diaper, said diaper comprising: a liquid-permeable facing material; an absorbent composite adjacent said liquid-permeable facing material, said absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of a superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said porous fiber matrix comprises at least about 3%, by weight, based on porous fiber matrix weight of a fiber formed from a synthetic polymeric material, and further wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least about 24 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent, sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 29

A diaper, said diaper comprising: a liquid-permeable facing material; an absorbent composite adjacent said liquid-permeable facing material, said absorbent composite comprising a porous fiber matrix and an amount of a superabsorbent material present in said porous fiber matrix, wherein said porous fiber matrix comprises at least about 3%, by weight, based on porous fiber matrix weight of a fiber formed from a synthetic polymeric material, and further wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least about 24 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent, sodium chloride, per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter provided that, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 50%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix when wet.

Claim 30

The diaper according to claim 25 wherein the porous fiber matrix comprises at least about 5%, by weight, of a fiber formed from a synthetic polymeric material.

Claim 31

The diaper according to claim 25 wherein the porous fiber matrix comprises wood pulp fluff.

Claim 32

The diaper according to claim 25 wherein the absorbent composite comprises the superabsorbent material in an amount of from about 5 to about 80 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent composite.

Claim 33

The diaper according to claim 25 wherein, when said superabsorbent material is in the form of discrete particles, at least about 80%, by weight, of said superabsorbent material has a size greater than the median pore size of said porous fiber matrix.

Claim 34

The absorbent composite according to claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 29 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 35

The absorbent composite according to claim 30 wherein said superabsorbent material can absorb at least 32 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 36

The absorbent composite according to claim 14 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 27 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 37

The absorbent composite according to claim 32 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 29 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 38

The absorbent composite according to claim 14 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 32 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 39

The diaper according to claim 20 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 29 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 40

The diaper according to claim 35 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 32 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 41

The diaper according to claim 25 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 27 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 42

The diaper according to claim 37 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 29 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 43

The diaper according to claim 38 wherein the superabsorbent material can absorb at least 32 milliliters of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of superabsorbent material while under a restraining pressure of at least 21,000 dynes per square centimeter.

Claim 44

The absorbent composite according to claim 3, wherein the absorbent composite has a density of from about 0.08 to about 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter.