Unitary Absorbent Core

Abstract

A unitary absorbent core includes a nonwoven layer which has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. At least a portion of a first binding agent is impregnated into the garment-facing surface. A superabsorbent material is located on the impregnated surface, and a second binding agent is located on the superabsorbent material and can be superimposed onto the first binding agent. The unitary absorbent core can be utilized for absorbing viscous fluids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A unitary absorbent core made by the process comprising:
 providing a nonwoven layer having a body-facing surface and an opposing garment-facing surface;   applying a first binding agent to said garment-facing surface so that said first binding agent at least partially impregnates into said garment-facing surface;   applying a superabsorbent material to said garment-facing surface; and   applying a second binding agent to said superabsorbent material.   
     
     
         2 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  further comprising at least partially drying said first binding agent before applying said superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         3 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 2  wherein said drying is selected from the group consisting of heated air, infrared, microwave, and vacuum. 
     
     
         4 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  wherein applying said superabsorbent material and applying said second binding agent may be alternately repeated. 
     
     
         5 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  further comprising adding at least one odor reducing agent. 
     
     
         6 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  further comprising adding at least one fluid modifying additive. 
     
     
         7 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  wherein said process is continuous. 
     
     
         8 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 1  wherein said process is selected from the group consisting of airlaid nonwoven process and bonded carded web process. 
     
     
         9 . A unitary absorbent core made by a continuous bonded carded web process comprising:
 providing a nonwoven layer having a body-facing surface and an opposing garment-facing surface;   applying a first binding agent to said garment-facing surface so that said first binding agent at least partially impregnates into said garment-facing surface;   applying a superabsorbent material to said garment-facing surface; and   applying a second binding agent to said superabsorbent material.   
     
     
         10 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 9  further comprising at least partially drying said first binding agent before applying said superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         11 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 9  wherein applying said superabsorbent material and applying said second binding agent may be alternately repeated. 
     
     
         12 . A unitary absorbent core made by a continuous airlaid nonwoven process comprising:
 providing a nonwoven layer having a body-facing surface and an opposing garment-facing surface;   applying a first binding agent to said garment-facing surface so that said first binding agent at least partially impregnates into said garment-facing surface;   applying a superabsorbent material to said garment-facing surface; and   applying a second binding agent to said superabsorbent material.   
     
     
         13 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 12  further comprising at least partially drying said first binding agent before applying said superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         14 . The unitary absorbent core of  claim 12  wherein applying said superabsorbent material and applying said second binding agent may be alternately repeated.