A method for the manufacture of an absorbent core and/or article comprising the steps of: (i) providing a first, preferably substantially continuous, nonwoven web having a first void volume; (ii) selectively applying heat to said first nonwoven web such that a deposition area of said first nonwoven web increases its void volume to a second void volume that is greater than said first void volume; (iii) depositing absorbent material comprising, preferably consisting of, superabsorbent particles onto the deposition area of said first nonwoven web; (iv) passively or actively cooling the deposition area of said first nonwoven web so that the void volume reduces to substantially the first void volume; (v) optionally combining the first nonwoven web with second and third nonwoven webs such that said first nonwoven web is interposed between said second and third nonwoven webs preferably by joining said webs by mechanical bonding selected from hot pressing and/or ultrasonic bonding; wherein the first nonwoven web consists of a high loft fibrous nonwoven layer that is free of cellulose fibers; said high loft fibrous nonwoven layer comprising, preferably consisting of, a carded air-through bonded nonwoven or drylaid thermobonded nonwoven.

An absorbent core for use in an absorbent articles, wherein the absorbent core extends in a transversal direction and a longitudinal direction, and comprises: a fluid-permeable top layer; a bottom layer; one or more central layers sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, each central layer having a front edge, a back edge and two longitudinally extending side edges, wherein the central layer is a high loft fibrous nonwoven layer which is free of cellulose fibers; wherein the high loft fibrous nonwoven layer comprises, preferably consisting of, a carded air-through bonded nonwoven or drylaid thermobonded nonwoven; and wherein the central layer is impregnated with superabsorbent particles such that said particles are comprised through a thickness of said central layer, said thickness extending perpendicular to both the transversal direction and a longitudinal direction, and wherein the high loft fibrous nonwoven layer is substantially free of hotmelt adhesive for immobilizing said superabsorbent particles.

A thin absorbent composite is provided wherein a nonwoven support sheet is hydro-entangled with a carded fiber web to provide a nonwoven substrate. The nonwoven substrate is coated with an absorbent layer comprising microfibrillated cellulose-coated superabsorbent polymer particles. A cover layer is placed above the absorbent layer to provide the absorbent composite. A process for manufacturing the absorbent composite and an absorbent article containing the absorbent composite are also provided.

A thin absorbent composite is provided wherein a nonwoven support sheet is hydro-entangled with a carded fiber web to provide a nonwoven substrate. The nonwoven substrate is coated with an absorbent layer comprising microfibrillated cellulose-coated superabsorbent polymer particles. A cover layer is placed above the absorbent layer to provide the absorbent composite. A process for manufacturing the absorbent composite and an absorbent article containing the absorbent composite are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.

Provided is a method for producing an absorbent article comprising a water-absorbing resin having an excellent initial water absorption speed under load even substantially without adding a liquid permeability enhancer. The method steps for producing the water-absorbing resin includes the step of polymerizing a monomer while adding certain polyalkylene glycol thereto so as to generate, during or after the polymerization, a crosslinked hydrogel polymer containing the polyalkylene glycol of a specific molecular weight, wherein the crosslinked hydrogel polymer has a centrifuge retention capacity within a given range and a final water-absorbing resin to be obtained has various physical properties (CRC, AAP, SFC, FSR) being within given ranges.

An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article is provided and comprises a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising superabsorbent polymer particles. The core wrap comprises a top side and a bottom side. The absorbent core comprises one or more area(s) substantially free of absorbent material through which the top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap (i.e. core wrap bond(s)), so that when the absorbent material swells, the core wrap forms one or more channel(s) along the area(s) substantially free of absorbent material. The superabsorbent polymer particles have a value of Effective Capacity (EFFC) of at least 27 g/g. The Effective Capacity (EFFC) is calculated via the formula below: EFFC=(CRC+AAP)/2. The Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) is measured according to the Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) test method and the Absorption Against Pressure (AAP) is measured according to the Absorption Against Pressure (AAP) test method. The superabsorbent polymer particles have a bulk density of at least 0.5 g/ml according to the Bulk Density Test Method.

An absorbent article including a wearer-facing topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that the absorbent core includes: a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate, and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles; a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer deposited on the second substrate, the mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers, the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer being combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer, and wherein the first absorbent layer is placed closer to the topsheet than the second layer.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.

Water-absorbing resin particles, in which a light transmittance at a wavelength of 425 nm when the water-absorbing resin particles are swollen 30 times with a physiological saline solution is 20% or more, are disclosed.