Targeted on-line stabilized absorbent structures

Abstract

A nonwoven structure or web is provided where a binder fiber contains an energy receptive additive. The fiber provides rapid heating when subjected to dielectric energy such as radio frequency or microwave radiation. The energy receptive additive has a dielectric loss of at between 0.5, preferably 0.1 and most preferably 5, and 15.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A nonwoven structure comprising binder fibers and having a center and an outer surface wherein said structure has less than 5 times more oxidation at said outer surface than at said center.  
     
     
         2 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 1  wherein said structure has less than 3 times more oxidation at said outer surface than at said center.  
     
     
         3 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 1  further comprising superabsorbent.  
     
     
         4 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 3  further comprising natural fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 1  which has been thermally bonded with electromagnetic radiation.  
     
     
         6 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 6  wherein said electromagnetic radiation is microwave radiation.  
     
     
         7 . The nonwoven structure of  claim 1  wherein said binder fiber has an energy receptive additive.  
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber has a dielectric loss of between 0.5 to 15.  
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber has a dielectric loss of between 1 to 15.  
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber has a dielectric loss of between 5 to 15.  
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said energy receptive additive is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, magnetite, silicon carbide, calcium chloride.  
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said energy receptive additive is present in an amount between 2 and 40 weight percent of said binder fiber.  
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said energy receptive additive is present in an amount between 5 and 15 weight percent of said binder fiber.  
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber is a bicomponent fiber selected from the type consisting of sheath/core and island in the sea.  
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber is a sheath/core bicomponent fiber and said additive is present in said sheath.  
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 7  wherein said binder fiber is a sheath/core bicomponent fiber and said additive is present in said core.  
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 4  wherein said superabsorbent, natural fibers and binder fibers are homogeneously mixed.  
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 4  wherein said superabsorbent, natural fibers and binder fibers are heterogeneously mixed.  
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 18  wherein said binder fibers vary in concentration in an X-Y plane.  
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 18  wherein said binder fibers vary in concentration in a Z direction.  
     
     
         21 . The structure of  claim 4  having a density, wherein said density varies in an X-Y plane.  
     
     
         22 . The structure of  claim 4  having a density, wherein said density varies in a Z-direction.  
     
     
         23 . The structure of  claim 4  having a thickness, wherein said thickness varies in an X-Y plane.  
     
     
         24 . A nonwoven structure comprising superabsorbent, pulp, and binder fiber, said binder fiber having energy receptive additive in an amount between 5 and 15 weight percent and having a dielectric loss of at least 0.5, wherein said structure has been subjected to microwave radiation to activate said binder fiber and bond said structure.