Superabsorbent, continuous filament web

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel absorbent article that includes immobilized superabsorbent particulate in a fiber structure of high integrity. More particularly, a continuous filament web loaded with the superabsorbent particulate, is provided. Cellulose ester tow having crimped filaments, is advantageously used as a starting material. Also provided is a process for adhering superabsorbent particulate to opened tow by use of a tackifying agent.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for making a superabsorbent fiber web comprising the steps of: providing opened, continuous filament, cellulose ester tow having crimped filaments; and   applying superabsorbent polymer particulate and an effective amount of a tackifying agent to said opened tow, said tackifying agent being selected from the group consisting of: acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, glacial acetic acid, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, formic acid and mixtures thereof including combinations with a minor amount of other volatile liquids having a boiling point of about 100° C. or less at atmospheric pressures; and cyclohexanone, benyl alcohol, and glycerol derivatives, said glycerol derivatives including glycerol triacetate, triethylglycerol diacetate, and glycol monoethyl ether acetate, whereby there is produced a superabsorbent fiber web comprising said superabsorbent polymer particulate adhered to a surface of said filaments of said tow.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer particulate is applied subsequent to said tackifying agent. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2, wherein said tackifying agent tackifies said tow. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 2, wherein said tackifying agent tackifies said superabsorbent polymer particulate. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer particulate and said tackifying agent are simultaneously applied to said opened tow. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 5, wherein said tackifying agent tackifies said tow. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1, wherein said tackifying agent is triacetin. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1, wherein said cellulose ester is cellulose acetate. 
     
     
       9. A superabsorbent fiber web for use in an absorbent article, made by the process of claim 1. 
     
     
       10. An absorbent article comprising a continuous filament, cellulose ester web having crimped filaments and loaded with superabsorbent polymer particulate adhered to the surface of said filaments. 
     
     
       11. The absorbent article of claim 10, wherein said loading of said particulate is about 50 to 95 wt. %, based on the combined weight of said particulate and of said filaments. 
     
     
       12. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein said loading of said particulate is at least about 75 wt. %. 
     
     
       13. The absorbent article of claim 10, wherein said cellulose ester is cellulose acetate. 
     
     
       14. The absorbent article of claim 10, further comprising a non-volatile tackifying agent. 
     
     
       15. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein said non-volatile tackifying agent is triacetin. 
     
     
       16. The absorbent article of claim 10, further comprising a matrix of discontinuous absorbent fibers. 
     
     
       17. The absorbent article of claim 16 wherein said discontinuous absorbent fibers are cellulosic.