Environmentally-friendly absorbent article and process of making

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the superabsorbent particles (9) are mechanically restrained and/or immobilized by a fiber network (10) of the high loft fibrous nonwoven layer.

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the superabsorbent particles (9) are impregnated in a pattern comprising one or more areas substantially free of said superabsorbent particles arranged such to form one, two, or more longitudinally extending channels (11) substantially free of superabsorbent particles (9) wherein said channels extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (y).

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fibers (10) of the high loft fibrous nonwoven layer comprise or consist of a material selected from the group consisting of:

• polylactic acid or derivatives thereof, polylactic-co-glycolic acid or derivatives thereof, polyhydroxyalkanoates or derivatives thereof, bio-polyethylene, bio-polypropylene, and mixtures thereof, preferably polylactic acid or derivatives thereof.

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the central layer (4) is different from the top and bottom layers (2, 3), preferably wherein the top and bottom layers (2, 3) comprise, preferably consist of, a multilayer nonwoven comprising spunbond and/or meltblown fibers.

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the superabsorbent particles comprise a blend of superabsorbent particles comprising a first superabsorbent particles (SAP1) and a second superabsorbent particles (SAP2), wherein the first superabsorbent particles (SAP1) have an AUL that is greater than the AUL of the second superabsorbent particles (SAP2), and wherein the first superabsorbent particles (SAP1) have an AUL of greater than 15 g/g, according to the test method herein, preferably wherein the first superabsorbent particles (SAP1) have a particle size distribution that is greater than that of the second superabsorbent particles (SAP2).

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the high loft fibrous nonwoven layer is free of hotmelt adhesive and preferably free of channels being substantially free of absorbent material within the deposition area (AD), and preferably is substantially free of adhesive.

An absorbent core (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the central layer(s) comprises from 20% wt to 60% wt of stiffening fibers, preferably having a linear density of about 1 dtex to about 6 dtex;

• and/or wherein the central layer(s) comprises stiffening fibers selected from bi-component fibers comprising polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate components or polyethylene terephthalate and co-polyethylene terephthalate components.

An absorbent article (12) comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (13), a liquid impermeable backsheet (14) and an absorbent core (1) sandwiched therebetween, wherein the absorbent core (1) is according to any of the preceding claims, and preferably further comprising an acquisition distribution layer (15) positioned between the topsheet (13) and the absorbent core (1), wherein said acquisition distribution layer (15) is a carded, spunbond and/or spunlaced nonwoven, preferably a carded air-through bonded nonwoven or spunlaced nonwoven;

• and/or wherein the acquisition distribution layer (15) has a basis weight of from 15 to 55 g/m2 and comprises fibres having an average diameter of from 10 to 35 microns, preferably from 15 to 30 microns, more preferably from 17 to 27 microns.