Absorbent articles with absorbent free-flowing particles and methods for producing the same

A method for producing cellulosic nits useful in an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a slurry of papering fibers at consistency of about 18% or greater;
• b) adding a nit conditioner for modification of nit particle size distribution;
• c) disperging the fibers to create nits;
• and
• d) drying the fibrous nits,
• the method further comprising sorting the nits by at least one of particle size and density to create two or more fractions, and incorporating less than all of the two or more fractions into an absorbent article.

A method for producing cellulosic nits useful in an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a slurry of papermaking fibers at consistency of about 18% or greater;
• b) adding a nit conditioner for modification of nit particle size distribution;
• c) disperging the fibers to create nits and
• d) drying the fibrous nits,
• the method further comprising treating the nits with at least one of a debonder, a silicone compound, a lubricant, or a wax, wherein treating the nits is performed after said steps of adding a nit conditioner and disperging the fibers to create nits.

A method for producing cellulosic nits useful in an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a slurry of papermaking fibers at consistency of about 18% or greater,
• b) adding a nit conditioner for modification of nit particle size distribution;
• c) disperging the fibers to create nits;
• and
• d) drying the fibrous nits,
• wherein the disperging is performed at a power level of about 90 kilowatt-hours per metric ton or greater.

A method for producing cellulosic nits useful in an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a slurry of papermaking fibers at consistency of about 18% or greater;
• b) adding a nit conditioner for modification of nit particle size distribution;
• c) disperging the fibers to create nits;
• and
• d) drying the fibrous nits,
• the method further comprising adding a crosslinker to the slurry.

A method for producing cellulosic nits useful in an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a slurry of papermaking fibers at consistency of about 18% or greater;
• b) adding a nit conditioner for modification of nit particle size distribution;
• c) disperging the fibers to create nits;
• and
• d) drying the fibrous nits,
• the method further comprising adding to the slurry a cationic wet strength agent.

A method for producing absorbent fibrous nits, comprising:

• a) preparing moist papermaking fibers;
• b) disperging the fibers a first time under a first set of conditions;
• c) disperging the fibers a second time under a second set of conditions to form nits;
• and
• d) dying the nits, and
• wherein the first set of conditions comprise a first fiber consistency and the second set of conditions comprise a second fiber consistency greater than about 18%.

A method of producing an absorbent article, comprising:

• a) preparing a first kind of cellulosic nits;
• b) preparing a second kind of cellulosic nits,
• c) disposing the first kind and second kind of cellulosic nits in an absorbent article;
• and
• d) sealing the nits within the article to prevent escape from the article.

A method for producing an absorbent article having a body-conforming central section filled with fibrous nits, comprising:

• a) disperging cellulosic fibers at a consistency greater than about 20% to form fibrous nits;
• b) drying and agitating the fibrous nits to provide dry nits substantially free of clumps;
• c) providing a backsheet;
• d) providing an outer absorbent member having a central void therein;
• e) attaching the outer absorbent member to the backsheet;
• f) disposing a quantity of the dried fibrous nits in the central void of the outer absorbent member;
• g) disposing a topsheet over the fibrous nits;
• and
• h) attaching the topsheet to at least one of the outer absorbent member and the backsheet.

A method for procing an absorbent article having a body-conforming central section filled with fibrous nits, comprising:

• a) disperging cellulosic fibers at a consistency greater than about 20% to form fibrous nits;
• b) drying and agitating the fibrous nits to provide dry nits substantially free of clumps;
• c) providing a backsheet;
• d) providing an outer absorbent member having a central void therein;
• e) attaching the outer absorbent member to the backsheet;
• f) disposing a quantity of the dried fibrous nits in the central void of the outer absorbent member;
• g) disposing a topsheet over the fibrous nits;
• and
• h) attaching the topsheet to at least one of the outer absorbent member and the backsheet,
• the method further comprising removing at least one fraction of the nits and forming a retained fraction of the nits wherein the removed fraction of nits differ from the retained fraction of the nits by one of mean particle size, particle density, and particle surface area.

A method for producing an absorbent article having a body-conforming central section filled with fibrous nits, comprising:

• a) disperging cellulosic fibers at a consistency greater than about 20% to form fibrous nits;
• b) drying and agitating the fibrous nits to provide dry nits substantially free of clumps;
• c) providing a backsheet;
• d) providing an outer absorbent member having a central void therein;
• e) attaching the outer absorbent member to the backsheet;
• f) disposing a quantity of the dried fibrous nits in the central void of the outer absorbent member;
• g) disposing a topsheet over the fibrous sits;
• and
• h) attaching the topsheet to at least one of the outer absorbent member and the backsheet, and
• wherein the disperging is performed at a power level of about 90 kilowatt-hours per metric ton or greater.