Importance

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Abstract

An absorbent material and method for making same comprising a fiber web, including a fiber blend comprising from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a fiber having fineness less than about 3 denier and from about 25 to about 50 weight percent of a fiber having fineness ranging from about 3 to about 5 denier wherein the fiber web is bound together by fiber bundles transverse to the plane of the web. The fiber blend may further comprise from about 3 to about 7 percent by weight of a fiber having fineness greater than about 5 denier. The fibers comprising the fiber blend may be entirely hydrophobic, or the about 3 to about 5 denier fiber may be hydrophilic. The absorbent material exhibits a high degree of absorption and fluid retention and does not wet back even under compression. The transverse fiber bundles formed during the mechanical bonding of the web function as wicks for transferring fluid from the surface of the material to the inner portion of the material. The fiber bundles also act as support structures resisting compression and maintaining void space and absorbent surface area within the material, even when wet. The material is reusable and is strong enough to withstand numerous washings. The material is useful as a component of reusable absorbent products further comprising an outer layer or body-side layer. The outer layer may be fluid impermeable, gas permeable or both.

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First Claim