A nonwoven fabric structure for absorbent articles comprising a first layer, a second layer and superabsorbent particles, said first layer comprising endless filaments, —which comprise at least a first polymeric material (A) and a second polymeric material (B) having its melting point lower than the first polymeric material (A), —wherein the second polymeric material (B) extends in the longitudinal direction of the filament and forms at least a part of the surface of the filament and—the first layer contains filament-to-filament bonds formed of the second polymeric material (B), —void volume between the filaments of the first layer forms at least 65% of the volume of the first layer, the second layer comprising endless filaments, wherein the superabsorbent particles are arranged at least between the first layer and the second layer and within some of the voids of the first layer and/or the second layer.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to multi-layer nonwoven materials and their use in absorbent articles, e.g., as absorbent cores and/or acquisition distribution layers (ADL). More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to layered structures that provide for improved liquid acquisition, distribution, storage and rewet properties while allowing for the use of less synthetic materials, such as superabsorbent polymers (SAP) than other commercially available materials.

A layered product including at least one natural fiber layer including a web of natural fibers and at least one SAP layer including a non-woven substrate including a thermoplastic polymer fibers and a superabsorbent polymer adhered to thermoplastic polymer fibers, wherein the non-woven substrate is a high loft fabric, for example an airlaid or spunlaid non-woven, and wherein the natural fiber layer and the SAP layer are connected to each other by needle punching, stitch bonding or using an adhesive. A process to prepare the layered product and the use of the layered product in for example horticulture.

The present invention provides a liquid-absorbing material and a preparation method thereof, an absorbent core and an absorbent product, and belongs to the technical field of liquid-absorbing materials. The present invention can at least partially address the problem of poor absorption performance of existing absorbent cores. The liquid-absorbing material of the present invention comprises: polymer fiber, comprising a polymer fiber comprising a polymer material capable of melting when heated, wherein the polymer fiber has been partially molted; and an absorbent particle having liquid absorbing capacity, wherein when the polymer fiber is in the partially molten state, the absorbent particle is in contact with the polymer fiber, thereby bonding to the polymer fiber after the polymer fiber is cured.

Absorbent cores comprising a layered structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent body may comprise a top layer comprising a liquid permeable web material, a bottom layer comprising a web material, and a reinforcement layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The absorbent body may further comprise a first absorbent layer disposed between the reinforcement layer and the bottom layer, the first absorbent layer comprising absorbent material which comprises substantially only superabsorbent material and a second absorbent layer disposed between the top layer and the reinforcement layer, the second absorbent layer comprising absorbent material which comprises absorbent material. The body may also comprise adhesive disposed between the top layer and the second absorbent layer, between the second absorbent layer and the reinforcement layer, and between the first absorbent layer and the bottom layer.

An absorbent member (10) according to the present invention includes: a plurality of fiber clusters (11) containing synthetic fibers (11F); and a plurality of absorbent fibers (12F). The fiber clusters (11) are entangled with each other, or the fiber clusters (11) and the absorbent fibers (12F) are entangled. Each of the fiber clusters (11) includes two opposing base surfaces (111) and a body surface (112) that connects the two base surfaces (111). The number of fiber end portions per unit area in the body surface (112) is greater than the number of fiber end portions per unit area in each of the base surfaces (111).

A fiber assembly including fibrils including a fibril which is a part of a fiber extending in a direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and including a network structure formed with a binding portion resulting at least any from binding between fibrils and binding between a fibril and a fiber in at least any end portion in the direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a fiber assembly which is excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside and includes fibrils and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fiber assembly can be provided.

A layered product including at least one natural fiber layer including a web of natural fibers and at least one SAP layer including a non-woven substrate including a thermoplastic polymer fibers and a superabsorbent polymer adhered to thermoplastic polymer fibers, wherein the non-woven substrate is a high loft fabric, for example an airlaid or spunlaid non-woven, and wherein the natural fiber layer and the SAP layer are connected to each other by needle punching, stitch bonding or using an adhesive. A process to prepare the layered product and the use of the layered product in for example horticulture.

An absorbent body for an absorbent article includes: an absorbent core comprising a polymer absorbing agent; and core wraps. The core wraps include: (i) a first hydrophilic fiber-containing layer that is adjacent to the absorbent core and contains first hydrophilic fibers having an average fiber length of 25 mm to 75 mm; (ii) a pulp fiber-containing layer that is adjacent to the first hydrophilic fiber-containing layer and contains pulp fibers and (iii) a second hydrophilic fiber-containing layer that is adjacent to the pulp fiber-containing layer and contains second hydrophilic fibers having an average fiber length of 25 mm to 75 mm. Some of the pulp fibers pass through the first hydrophilic fiber-containing layer and are in contact with the absorbent core.

A fiber assembly including fibrils including a fibril which is a part of a fiber extending in a direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and including a network structure formed with a binding portion resulting at least any from binding between fibrils and binding between a fibril and a fiber in at least any end portion in the direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a fiber assembly which is excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside and includes fibrils and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fiber assembly can be provided.