Absorbent structures containing specific particle size distributions of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming materials mixed with inorganic powders

The absorbent structure of claim I wherein said particulate material composition is uniformly distributed throughout the absorbent structure.

The absorbent structure of claim I wherein said primary structure comprises two or more webs of nonwoven material and said particulate material composition is disposed between said nonwoven webs.

An absorbent structure comprising a primary structure and a particulate material composition in said primary structure, said particulate material composition comprising an inorganic powder intermixed with particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material, said particles of polymer material being formed by solution polymerization, which particles are of such size that at least about 70% of said polymer material particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S. Standard 170 mesh sieve with 88 micron openings when said particles are tested according to the Sieving Test, wherein the 10.2 cm. .times.10.2 cm. portion of said absorbent structure having the highest concentration of particles of polymer material has t90 z-direction and x-y plane demand absorbency rates of less than or equal to about 500 seconds when said portion is tested according to the Demand Absorbency Test.

An absorbent article comprising:

• a liquid pervious topsheet;
• a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;
• an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core comprising a primary structure and a particulate material composition in said primary structure, said particulate material composition comprising an inorganic powder intermixed with particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material, said particles of polymer material being formed by solution polymerization, said polymer material particles being of such size that at least about 80% of said particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S. Standard 140 mesh sieve with 105 micron openings when said particles are tested according to the Sieving Test.

An absorbent article comprising:

• a liquid pervious topsheet;
• a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;
• an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core comprising a primary structure and a particulate material composition in said primary structure, said particulate material composition comprising an inorganic powder intermixed with particles of substantially water insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material, said particles of polymer material being formed by solution polymerization, said polymer material particles being of such size that at least about 80% of said particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S. Standard 120 mesh sieve with 125 micron openings when said particles are tested according to the Sieving Test.

An absorbent article comprising:

• a liquid pervious topsheet;
• a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet;
• an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said absorbent core comprising a primary structure and a particulate material composition in said primary structure, said particulate material composition comprising an inorganic powder intermixed with particles of substantially water insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material, said particles of polymer material being formed by solution polymerization, said polymer material particles being of such size that at least about 80% of said particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S. Standard 100 mesh sieve with 149 micron openings when said particles are tested according to the Sieving Test.