Superabsorbent polymers used in personal care products are desi- gned to absorb body fluids, such as urine, blood, menses and the like. Generally, body fluids are containing malodorous compo- nents. Such odor develops in contact with air and bacteria for prolonged periods. Furthermore, absorbed exudates are converted to ammonia by urease produced by skin-florea, which can lead to skin irritations. Odor control materials have already been used in superabsorbent polymers. Odor control materials known in the art include zeolites, silica, activated carbon, chelants, antimi- crobial agents, perfuming ingredients, masking agents, enzymes, peroxides, hydrogencarbonats, extracts of vegetables, etherical oils, bor derivatives, poly-alpha-aminoacids, imides, polyimides, pvp-jode, chitosane, polyglycoside, and cyclophanes.

U. S. Patent 5,037,412 describes the use of odor control material which absorbs odor compounds of each level of pH. Materials for absorption of acidic odors are anorganical carbonates, bicarbona- tes, phosphates, biphosphates, sulfates, bisulfate or mixtures thereof with pH of higher than 7. These inorganic compounds are present in the odor control material from 40 bis 65 % of the whole mixture. Absorption of odors of pH of higher than 7 is done by materials of pH of lower than 7, e. g. ascorbic acid, stearic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, polyacrylic acid. These compounds are added from 30-45 % to the mixture. Neutral odors are absor- bed by activated carbon, silica, polystyrene derivatives, zeoli- tes, molecular sieve and starch with contents up to 10 % of the whole mixture. The application of said dry mixture has the advan- tage of no special production or handling compared to fluid pro- ducts (deodorants). The odor control material is incorporated in personal care products as a separat unit beside the superabsor- bent material. Unfortunately, in such products the absorption ca- pacity of the superabsorbent polymer is reduced.

U. S. Patent 4,795,482 and EP-B-0,297,543 propose molecular sieve of typus Si02/Al203 of molar ratio from 35 to infinity, preferably from 200 bis 500, for use in odor control. At least 90 % of the structure has to be built from the tetrahedral structure of si- lica. The average diameter of the pores should be at least 0.55 Unfortunately structures disclosed in these patents show only

small absorption capacities of lower than 10 % by weight (tested with water).

WO-A-98/28478 describes layered structures of personal care pro- ducts comprising hydrophilic fibers prepared and stabilized by addition of latices. Odor control material and superabsorbent ma- terial is added. Odor control compounds are for example disclosed in U. S. Patent 3,093,546 (antimicrobial agents, e. g. halogenated phenylene), U. S. Patent 4,385,632 (copper derivatives, preferably copper acetate), U. S. Patent 4,525,410 (zeolite), U. S. Patent 5,037,412 (acidic compounds as ascorbic acid, stearic acid, ci- tric acid, maleic acid, polyacrylic acid). Mixtures of silica: zeolite: superabsorbent material are for instance used in the ratio 1: 5: 1 to 1: 1: 5.

EP-A-0,894,502 relates to the use of a-cyclodextrin of particle size 12 to 800 gm as odor control material in an absorbent arti- cle containing a fluid-absorbing material such as superabsorbent polymer particles or an absorbent foam. According to WO-A-00/66187 odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer particles contain an odor-controlling compound such as cyclodextrin, tri- closan, an amphoteric surfactant, a water-insoluble phosphate or mixtures thereof homogeneously distributed throughout the parti- cle.

As already mentioned above, using odor-control materials and su- perabsorbents separately leads to an absorption profile both for body fluid and odor which is far away from each compound used alone. Further such high loadings with odor control material re- sults in a worse absorption profile of the superabsorbent poly- mers.

EP-A-0 341 951, US-A-4 990 338 and US-A-5 035 892 teach the addi- tion of silica in preparation of antimicrobial polymers. Gene- rally the addition of silica to superabsorbent particles results in covering the surface area of the particles and therefore in- fluences only the properties of the surface of superabsorbent po- lymers and not the intrinsic absorption properties of the hydro- gel particles. Thus the addition of silica-compounds leads to hy- drophilation or hydrophobation of the superabsorbent particles and influences at first the absorption rate. Polymer particles powdered with silica-compounds have small permeabilities and the- refore an insufficient transportation profile for body fluids.

U. S. Serial No. 09/495209 relates to an absorbent article which is prepared by forming a sprayable blend comprising (a) one or more superabsorbent-forming monomers, (b) superabsorbent polymer

particles, (c) water, and (d) one or more initiators, spraying said sprayable blend onto a fibrous web, and subjecting said fi- brous web to conditions under which the superabsorbent forming monomer will polymerize. The absorbent articles are used in dis- posable hygiene products.

It is an object of the invention to provide an absorbent struc- ture which may contain an absorbent layer having a relatively high concentration of high-absorbency material but which absor- bent structure is capable of quickly absorbing body fluids ap- plied thereto and which exhibits odor control properties. It is a further object of the invention to provide an absorbent structure which retains most of its absorption profile after the applica- tion of an odor control material.

The objects of the invention are achieved with an odor control agent containing absorbent article obtained by (a) forming a blend comprising one or more monomers forming su- perabsorbent polymers, superabsorbent particles, water, one or more initiators, said blend having a viscosity of at least 20 mPas (measured at 20°C in a Brookfield viscometer, spindle 02,20 rpm), (b) applying said blend onto a fibrous web and (c) carrying out the polymerization of the monomers forming su- perabsorbent polymers in the presence of at least one odor control means, which may be present in either of the blend formed in step (a) and/or the fibrous web, by subjecting said fibrous web to conditions under which the monomers forming superabsorbent polymers will polymerize or polymerizing the blend on the fibrous web and adding thereafter an odor con- trol agent to the absorbent article.

The objects are also achieved with an absorbent article which is obtained by carrying out the above steps (a) to (c), when the blend formed in step (a) further comprises a crosslinking agent.

The odor control means can be present in the blend formed in step (a), i. e. one or more odor control agent is added to the spraya- ble blend and/or may be contained in the superabsorbent polymer. particles or in the softening agent. If an odor controlling agent is added together with a constituent of the sprayable blend, it is then preferred to used odor control means containing superab- sorbent polymer particles. The fibrous web of step (b) may also contain one or more odor control means. It is also possible that

the fibrous web as well as the sprayable blend contain one or more odor controlling means.

The obtained absorbent structure has a capability of effectively control odors related to absorbed fluids. The addition of one or more softening agents enables a production of soft and improved skin feel personal care products. Moreover, the whole absorbent web can be rendered to a soft absorbent structure of high flexi- bility with odor control properties. Nevertheless, said absorbent structure shows good absorbency and good strength. The improved webs retain most of the absorption profile of the absorbent poly- mers.

The odor control agent containing absorbent article may be prepa- red by (a) forming a blend comprising one or more monomers forming su- perabsorbent polymers, superabsorbent polymer particles, wa- ter, and one or more initiators, said blend having a viscos- ity of at least 20 mPas (measured at 20°C in a Brookfield viscometer, spindle 02,20 rpm), (b) spraying said sprayable blend onto a fibrous web and (c) carrying our the polymerization of the monomers forming su- perabsorbent polymers in the presence of at least one odor control means, which may be present in either of the blend formed in step (a) and/or the fibrous web, by subjecting said fibrous web to conditions under which the monomers forming superabsorbent polymers will polymerize or polymerizing the blend on the fibrous web and adding thereafter an odor con- trol agent to the absorbent article.

In one embodiment of the above process the sprayable blend formed in step (a) further comprises a crosslinking agent. In another embodiment of the process of the present invention the superab- sorbent polymer particles contain one or more odor control means.

Detailed description of the invention Monomers forming superabsorbent polymers Superabsorbent-polymer-forming monomers, as used herein, are po- lymerizable compounds which contribute to the absorbency of the polymers formed therefrom. Suitable monomers forming superabsor- bent polymers useful in the present invention include monoethyle- nically unsaturated compounds (or compounds having a polymeriza-

ble double bond), having at least one hydrophilic radical, such as carboxyl, carboxylic acid anhydride, carboxylic acid salt, sulfonic acid, sulfonic acid salt, hydroxyl, ether, amide, amino or quaternary ammonium salt groups. Examples of suitable monno- mers forming superabsorbent polymers are as follows: 1. Carboxyl group-containing monomers: monoethylenically unsatu- rated mono-or polycarboxylic acids, such as (meth) acrylic acid (meaning acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, similar nota- tions are used hereinafter), maleic acid, fumaric acid; cro- tonic acid, sorbic acid, itaconic acid, and cinnamic acid.

2. Carboxylic acid anhydride group-containing monomers: mono- ethylenically unsaturated polycarboxylic acid anhydrides (such as maleic anhydride); 3. Carboxylic acid salt-containing monomers: water-soluble salts (alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, etc.) of monoethylenically unsaturated mono-or polycarboxylic acids [such as sodium (meth) acrylate, trimethylamine (meth) acrylate, triethanolamine (meth) acrylate, sodium maleate, methylamine maleate] ; 4. Sulfonic acid group-containing monomers: aliphatic or aroma- tic vinyl sulfonic acids (such as vinylsulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyltoluenesulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid), (meth) acrylic sulfonic acids [such as sulfopropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3- (meth) acryloxy propyl sulfonic acid) ; 5. Sulfonic acid salt group-containing monomers: alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts of sulfonic acid group- containing monomers as mentioned above.

6. Hydroxyl group-containing monomers: monoethylenically unsatu- rated alcohols [such as (meth) allyl alcohol], monoethyleni- cally unsaturated ethers or esters of polyols (alkylene gly- cols, glycerol, polyoxyalkylene polyols), such as hydroxye- thyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, triethy- lene glycol (meth) acrylate, poly (oxyethylene oxypropylene) glycol mono (meth) allyl ether (in which hydroxyl groups may be etherified or esterified).

7. Amide group-containing monomers: vinylformamide, (meth) acry- lamide, N-alkyl (meth) acrylamides (such as N-methylacryla- mide, N-hexylacrylamide), N, N-dialkyl (meth) acrylamides (such as N, N-dimethylacrylamide, N, N-di-n-propylacrylamide), N-hy-

droxyalkyl (meth) acrylamides [such as N-methylol (meth) acryla- mide, N-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylamide], N, N-dihydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylamides [such as N, N-dihydroxyethyl (meth) acryla- mide], vinyl lactams (such as N-vinylpyrrolidone); 8. Amino group-containing monomers: amino group-containing esters (e. g. dialkylaminoalkyl esters, dihydroxyalkylaminoal- kyl esters, morpholinoalkyl esters, etc.) of monoethyleni- cally unsaturated mono-or dicarboxylic acid [such as dime- thylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acry- late, morpholinoethyl (meth) acrylate, dimethyl aminoethyl fu- marate], heterocyclic vinyl compounds [such as vinyl pyridi- nes (e. g. 2-vinyl pyridine, 4-vinyl pyridine, N-vinyl pyri- dine), N-vinyl imidazol] ; and 9. Quaternary ammonium salt group-containing monomers: N, N, N-trialkyl-N- (meth) acryloyloxyalkylammonium salts [such as N, N, N-trimethyl-N- (meth) acryloyloxyethylammonium chloride, N, N, N-triethyl-N- (meth) acryloyloxyethylammonium chloride, 2-hydroxy-3- (meth) acryloyloxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chlo- ride], and monomers as mentioned in British patent specifica- tion No. 1,034,296.

Suitable monomers which become water-soluble by hydrolysis, for use in this invention instead of or in conjunction with the wa- ter-soluble monomers, include monoethylenically unsaturated com- pounds having at least one hydrolyzable group, such as esters, amide and nitrile groups. Such monomers having an ester group include for example, lower alkyl (C1-C4) esters of monoethyleni- cally unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as methyl (meth) acry- late, ethyl (meth) acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate; and esters of monoethylenically unsaturated alcohols [vinyl esters, (meth)-allyl ester, etc.], such as vinyl acetate and (meth) allyl acetate. Suitable nitrile group-containing monomers include (meth) acrylonitrile.

Among these monomers having a polymerizable double bond which are water-soluble or become water-soluble by hydrolysis, water-solu- ble monomers which do not need hydrolysis after polymerization are preferred from the viewpoint of providing an easy process for producing water-absorbing resins. Further, from the viewpoint of providing water-absorbing resins having higher water-absorbance, the preferred water-soluble monomers are carboxyl group-contai- ning monomers such as (meth)-acrylic acid and maleic acid anhy- dride; carboxyl acid salt group-containing monomers such as so- dium (meth) acrylate, trimethylamine (meth) acrylate and triethano- lamine (meth) acrylate, and quaternary ammonium salt group-contai-

ning monomers such as N, N, N-trimethyl-N- (meth) acryloyloxyethylam- monium chloride. Most preferred superabsorbent forming monomers in the present invention include, for example, acrylic acid, me- thacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, sorbic acid, itaconic acid, cinnamic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl toluene sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, sulfo (meth) acrylate, sulfopropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-acryla- mid-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acryloyl- phosphate, phenyl-2-acryloyloxyethylphosphate, the sodium, potas- sium and ammonium salts thereof, maleic anhydride and combina- tions thereof. It is also preferred that the superabsorbent for- ming monomer in the sprayable blend is at least partially neutra- lized, preferably neutralized to a level of from 1 to 100 mole percent, more preferably from 10 to 80 mole percent, and most preferably from 15 to 75 mole percent. Most preferably, the su- perabsorbent forming monomer is neutralized acrylic acid.

The monomers forming superabsorbent polymers are present in the blends formed in step (a) at a level of from about 15 to 50 per- cent by weight, preferably from 17 to 40 percent by weight, most preferably from 20 to 35 percent by weight. If the level of the monomers forming superabsorbent polymers in said blend is too low, the resulting web is likely to have poor performance charac- teristics. Within the preferred ranges, the conversion of super- absorbent-polymer-forming monomers into polymer, when subjected to polymerization conditions, is generally much better. Also, in- creasing the relative amount of the monomers forming superabsor- bent polymers in the blend formed in step (a) generally reduces the amount of water in the blend. This is beneficial since it re- quires time, energy and expense to remove additional water from the final web. When partially neutralized acrylic acid is used as monomer forming superabsorbent polymers, e. g. 75% neutralized, it is preferred to use the partially neutralized acrylic acid in the blend in a concentration of no more than 38% by weight.

Superabsorbent polymer particles Superabsorbent polymer particles are lightly crosslinked polymers capable of absorbing several times their own weight in water and/ or saline. Superabsorbent polymer particles can be made by any conventional process for preparing superabsorbent polymers and are well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable process for preparing superabsorbent polymer particles include the processes described in U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,076,663; 4,286,082; 4,654,039 and 5,145,906 which describe the solution polymerization method and U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,340,706; 4,497,930; 4,666,975; 4,507,438 and 4,683,274 which describe the inverse suspension polymerization

method, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by refe- rence. Preferred superabsorbent polymer particles have an average particle size which is small enough so that the particles do not clog the spray equipment, preferably below about 150 microns, more preferably below about 100 microns. Such particle size can be obtained directly as a result of the polymerization process, or superabsorbent polymers can be sieved, ground, pulverized, at- tritted or a combination thereof to achieve superabsorbent poly- mer particles having the desired average particle size. The mean particle size diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles is, for example, in the range of from 10 to 130 Mm, preferably 15 to 100 Mm and most preferably 40 to 90 pm.

The superabsorbent polymer particles are present in the blends formed in step (a) at a level of from about 1 to 20 percent by weight, preferably from 2 to 15 percent by weight, most prefera- bly from 5 to 10 percent by weight. It has been observed that if the level of superabsorbent polymer particles is too high, prema- ture polymerization can occur in the blend even in the absence of any initiators.

Superabsorbent polymer particles useful in the present invention are prepared form one or more monoethylenically, unsaturated, wa- ter-soluble carboxyl or carboxylic acid anhydride containing mo- nomers and the alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof wherein said monomers comprise 50 to 99.9 mole percent of said polymer.

Exemplary monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride and the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts thereof. The preferred monomer is acrylic acid.

Monoethylenically, unsaturated monomers are polymerized in the presence of an internal crosslinking compound to provide a lightly crosslinked base polymer wherein the crosslinking is sub- stantially uniform throughout the polymer particles. These inter- nal crosslinkers are well known in the art. Suitable crosslinkers are those compounds having two or more groups capable of reacting with the monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and which are at least partially water soluble or water dispersible, or at least partially soluble or dispersible in an aqueous monomer mixture.

The internal crosslinking compound may be selected form a polyun- saturated monomer such as divinylbenzene, a compound having at least two functional groups which are reactive with the monoethy- lenically unsaturated monomer such as ethylendiamine, a compound having at least one unsaturated bond and at least one reactive functional group such as glycidyl acrylate.

Exemplary internal crosslinkers are: tetraallyloxyethane, N, N'- methylene bisacrylamide, N, N'-methylene bismethacrylamide, trial- lylamine, trimethylol propane triacrylate, glycerol propoxy tria- crylate, divinylbenzene, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol metha- crylamide, glycidyl methacrylate, polyethylene polyamines, ethyl diamine, ethyl glycol, glycerine and the like. Preferred internal crosslinking monomers are those containing at least two allyl groups, most preferably three or four allyl groups. Preferred in- ternal crosslinkers are tetraallyloxyethane and triallyl ether of pentaerythritol. The amount of internal crosslinker employed in the invention will depend on the internal crosslinker and the po- lymerization method. Generally the amount of internal crosslinker will vary from about 0.005 to about 1.0 mole percent based on mo- les of ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Optional components used in the preparation of the superabsorbent polymer particles are water soluble hydroxy group containing po- lymers, such as polysaccharides and vinyl or acrylic polymers.

Examples of water soluble polysaccharides are starches, water so- luble celluloses and polygalactomannans. Suitable starches inc- lude the natural starches, such as sweet potato starch, potato starch, wheat starch, corn starch, rice starch, tapioca starch and the like. Processed or modified starches, such as dialdehyde starch, alkyl-etherified starch, allyl-etherified starch, oxyal- kylated starch, aminoethyl-etherified starch, and cyanomethyl- etherified starch are also suitable. Polyvinyl alcohol and poly- vinyl alcohol copolymers are also suitable.

The water-soluble celluloses useful in this invention are those obtained from such sources as wood, stems, bast, seed fluffs and the like which are then deriviatized to form hydroxyalkyl cellu- lose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and the like.

Suitable polygalactomannans are guar gum and locust bean gums as well as their hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and aminoalkyl deriva- tives. Water soluble vinyl and acrylic polymers include polyvinyl alcohol and poly (hydroxyethyl acrylate). The preferred polysac- charide for use in this invention is natural starch, such as wheat starch, corn starch and alpha starches. These optional pre- formed hydroxy containing polymers may be used in an amount from about 1 to 15 percent, preferably about 1 to 10 percent, most preferably about 1 to 5 percent.

The superabsorbent polymer particles useful in the present inven- tion may be prepared by well known polymerization methods. The polymerization reaction is conducted in the presence of, for ex- ample, redox initiators and thermal initiators. The redox initia-

tors can be used as the primary initiator with the thermal poly- merization initiators being used if desired to reduce the free monomer content of the final polymerization product below 0.1 percent by weight. Optionally, thermal initiators or redox in- itiators may be used as the sole initiator system. Examples of different initiator systems are found in U. S. Pat. No. 4,497,930 which discloses a two component initiator system comprising a persulfate and a hydroperoxide and U. S. Pat. No. 5,145,906 which discloses a three component initiator system; i. e. redox system plus thermal initiator.

Any of the well known water soluble reducing agents and oxidizing agent can be used in this invention as the redox initiator. Exam- ples of reducing agents include such compounds as ascorbic acid, alkali metal sulfites, alkali metal bisulfites, ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite, alkali metal hydrogen sulfite, ammonium hy- drogen sulfite, ferrous metal salts, e. g. ferrous sulfates, su- gars, aldehydes, primary and secondary alcohols, and the like.

Oxidizing agents include such compounds as hydrogen peroxide, al- kali metal persulfates, ammonium persulfates, alkylhydroperoxi- des, peresters, diacryl peroxides, silver salts, and the like. A particularly preferred redox initiator pair is ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The reducing agent is used, for example, in an amount of about 2 x 10-5 to about 2 x 10-2 mole percent based on moles of acrylic acid.

In order to ensure complete polymerization of the unsaturated mo- nomer and the crosslinking monomer, a thermal initiator may be included in the polymerization process. Useful thermal initiators are the"azo"initiators, i. e. compounds which contain the-N=N- structure. Any of the azo compounds which have solubility in wa- ter or in a monomer-water mixture and which have an 10 hour half life at 30 °C or above can be used. Examples of useful azo initia- tors are 2,2'-azobis (amidino) propane dihydrochloride, 4,4'-azo- bis (cyanovaleric acid), 4,4'-butylazo-cyanovaleric acid, 2,2'-azobis (isobutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis (2- (2-imidazole-2-yl)- ) propane dihydrochloride, and the like. Other thermal initiators include the persulfates and hydroperoxides when used in the ab- sence of a reducing agent, e. g. sodium, potassium and ammonium persulfates, t-butylhydroperoxide and the like. A preferred azo initiator for use in this invention is 2,2'-azobis (amidino) pro- pane dihydrochloride. The thermal initiators are used in the amount of 0 to about 1 mole percent based on the weight of unsa- turated monomer.

The superabsorbent polymer may be prepared by the solution or the inverse suspension polymerization method or any suitable bulk po- lymerization method. The solution polymerization and inverse po- lymerization methods are well known in the art; see for example U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,076,663; 4,286,082; 4,654,039 and 5,145,906 which describe the solution polymerization method and U. S. Pat.

Nos. 4,340,706; 4,497,930; 4,666,975; 4,507,438 and 4,683,274 which describe the inverse suspension polymerization method. The teachings of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

In the solution polymerization method, the water soluble monomer is polymerized at a monomer concentration from about 5 to about 30 percent in aqueous solution at a temperature from about 5°C to about 150°C depending upon the polymerization initiator system. A detailed description of the solution polymerization method is gi- ven in U. S. Pat. No. 5,145,906; The teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In the inverse suspension polymerization process, the unsaturated monomer in an aqueous solution (about 35 to 60 percent monomer to 65 to 40 percent water) is dispersed in an alicyclic or aliphatic hydrocarbon suspension medium in the presence of a dispersing agent, such as a surfactant or protective colloid such as polyvi- nyl alcohol. A surfactant having a HLB value of 8 to 12 such as a sorbitan fatty acid ester may be employed as the dispersing agent. The inverse suspension polymerization method is described in detail in U. S. Pat. No. 4,340,706; The teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The carboxylic acid groups or the unsaturated monomer used in the polymerization may be neutralized prior to or subsequent to the polymerization. Suitable neutralizing agents include an alkali such as sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like, and the appropriate degree of neutralization is 50- 98 mole percent; preferably 60-75 mole percent. The degree of neutralization is preferably at least 50 mole percent. Low neu- tralization levels (less than 50 mole percent) tend to result in superabsorbent polymers having lower absorbency properties.

The polymer is prepared by either the solution or inverse suspen- sion polymerization method dried and screened to provide a super- absorbent particle with an appropriate particle size distribution and particle shape. Generally the superabsorbent particle size distribution (mean particle diameter) should be between 10 and 300 im, preferably between 45 and 150 zm and most preferably 50 to 90 pm. Large particles over 300 microns are undesired since they may tend to clog the nozzle of spray equipment used to spray the

sprayable blend. Also, large particles may cause the absorbent article to have an abrasive feel.

Although many of the conventional teachings in this area prefer to avoid the use of small particle size superabsorbent polymer particles, we have found that these particles work quite well in the present invention. Superabsorbent polymer particles having particle sizes in the range of from 10 to 300 microns tend to work well with the spray equipment, produce sprayable blends ha- ving manageable viscosities, and result in absorbent articles ha- ving discrete superabsorbent particles attached to the fibrous web.

The superabsorbent polymer particles described above may optio- nally be further treated with a crosslinker solution containing from about 0.5 to about 3.5 weight percent water, from about 1.0 to 2.5 weight percent of a water miscible solvent selected from a C3 to C6 diol and a crosslinker having at least two functional groups that can react with the carboxyl, carboxylate or other re- active groups in the superabsorbent polymer chain to crosslink the polymer chains on or in the vicinity of the surface of super- absorbent polymer particles. The term"diol"is intended to mean a dihydroxy aliphatic compound which may be a linear or branched compound, i. e. a glycol. The term"surface crosslinking"is used to describe this process of crosslinking the polymer chains on or in the vicinity of the particle's surface. The terms,"surface crosslinker"and"surface crosslinker solution"are likewise used to describe the crosslinking compound and the solution used to effect this surface crosslinking process. The crosslinking com- pound is used, for example, in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 3 weight percent, preferably 0.1 to 1.5 weight percent and most preferably 0.25 to 1 weight percent, based upon the weight of the superabsorbent polymer. The surface crosslinker may be se- lected from diglycidyl ethers, haloepoxy, isocyanate, aziridinyl, azetidinium group containing compounds, oxazolidone, polyamine, polyamine-polyamide, polyamine-epichlorohydrin adducts and amine- polymer-epichlorohydrin adducts and the like. Preferred crosslin- kers are diglycidyl ether compounds having a molecular weight of at least 200 and the polymeric epichlorohydrin adducts having a molecular weight average in excess of 2000.

Exemplary surface crosslinkers are poly (ethylene glycol) diglyci- dyl ethers, poly (propylene glycol) diglycidyl ethers, epichloro- hydrin substituted compounds, methyl-epichlorohydrin substituted compounds, hexamethylene diisocyanate, triethylene triamine, po- lyethylene amine, 2-oxazolidone, 2,2-bishydroxymethylbutanol- tris [3- (l-azindinyl) propionate], polyamine epichlorohydrin ad-

ducts, polyethylene-polyamine-epichlorohydrin adducts, and the like.

When used, the preferred surface crosslinkers are the higher mo- lecular weight diglycidyl ether compounds, polyamide (polyamide- polyamine) epichlorohydrin adducts, polyamine-epichlorohydrin ad- ducts and amine polymer epichlorohydrin adducts. Polyamide-epich- lorohydrin adducts are prepared by reacting epichlorohydrin with the polycondensation product of a polyalkylene polyamine with a polycarboxylic acid such as diethylene triamine with a dibasic acid such as adipic acid. Polyamine epichlorohydrin adducts are made by condensing a polyalkylene polyamine directly with epich- lorohydrin. These adducts include polyalkylene polyamines which are linked together with dihalides to form higher polyamines be- fore reacting them with epichlorohydrin. Amine polymer epichloro- hydrin adducts include resins in which the monomeric amine is po- lymerized to a polyamine precursor which is then alkylated and reacted with epichlorohydrin. They include amines substituted po- lymers of vinyl, allyl, acrylate or epoxy monomers. The epichlo- rohydrin adducts whether the polymer is polyamide, a polyamine or an amine polymer react with the epichlorohydrin by different rou- tes. If the amino group in the polymer chain is a primary amine, two epichlorohydrin molecules reacted with the nitrogen and form a disubstituted chlorohydroxypropyl substituted amine group. Se- condary amine groups react with epichlorohydrin to form a ter- tiary aminochlorohydrin group which gives a reactive 3-hydroxya- zetidinium salt moiety. This is a preferred reactive group. Ter- tiary amine groups react with epichlorohydrin to form a glycidyl; (2,3-epoxypropyl) ammonium salt. Preferably the reactive group is an azetidinium moiety. However, these adducts may contain a mix- ture of chlorohydroxypropyl, epoxy and azetidinium groups. Prefe- rably the epichlorohydrin adducts have a molecular weight of at least 2.000; preferably 300.000 to 500.000 and wherein at least 50 mole percent of the reactive groups in the adduct are the aze- tidinium groups. A preferred polymer is one in which about 90% of the substitution is in the form of an azetidinium group and about 10% as an epoxide group. Exemplary products are Reten. RTM. 204LS and Kymene. RTM. 736 epichlorohydrin adducts; available from Hercu- les Inc., Wilmington, Del. These products are sold as an aqueous solution of the reactive epichlorohydrin adduct. The Re- ten. RTM. 204LS product as a 38% aqueous solution.

The surface crosslinker solution should have a surface tension not greater than about 55 dynes per cm; preferably not greater than about 50 dynes per cm; e. g. about 40 to 50 dynes per cm. In the event the surface tension of the crosslinker solution is hig- her than about 55 dynes per cm; the surface crosslinked polymer

has inferior absorbency as evidenced by a low 0.6 psi AUL value.

While not being bound to any theory, it is believed that when the surface tension of the crosslinker solution is higher than about 55 dynes per cm, the solution is not uniformly distributed on the surface of the polymer particles and a lower absorbency value re- sults. Optionally, a surfactant may be used to reduce the surface tension of the crosslinker solution.

The desired surface tension is achieved by adding the C3 to C6 di- hydroxy compound to water component of the crosslinker solution to achieve a surface tension below about 55 dynes per cm range.

The amount of each solvent is determined by simple experimenta- tion. Generally the crosslinker has a negligible effect on the surface tension of the crosslinker solution. The diols useful in the invention are propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentanediol and hexanediol. Ethylene glycol was found to be an undesired sol- vent because it tends to swell the superabsorbent polymer parti- cles and their surface becomes tacky which results in undesired particle agglomeration. In addition, ethylene glycol is undesira- ble because of its toxicity and biodegradability properties. The C3 to C6 diol is used in an amount of from about 1 percent by weight to about 2.5 percent by weight based upon the weight of superabsorbent polymer; preferably about 1 to about 2 percent by weight. The water component of the crosslinker solution comprises about 0.5 to 3.5 percent by water based upon the weight of the polymer, preferably about 1.5 to 2.0 percent.

The total amount of crosslinker solution used depends upon the type of equipment and the method used to coat the base polymer with the surface crosslinking solution. Generally the amount of crosslinker solution should be about 1.5% minimum based of the weight of the polymer. The crosslinker solution is applied to the base polymer particles in a manner such that the solution is uni- formly distributed on the surface of the base polymer particle.

Any of the known methods for dispersing a liquid can be used; preferably by dispersing the crosslinker solution into fine dro- plets; e. g. by use of a pressurized nozzle or a rotating disc.

Uniform crosslinker dispersion on the base polymer can be achie- ved in a high intensity mechanical mixer or a fluidized mixture which suspends the base polymer in a turbulent gas stream. Methods for the dispersion of a liquid onto the superabsorbent base poly- mer's surface are known in the art; see for example U. S. Pat. No.

4,734,478; the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by re- ference; in particular column 6, line 45 to column 7, line 35.

Exemplary commercially available equipment for conducting the crosslinker solution dispersion step of the invention are high speed variable intensity paddle mixers such as the"Turbulizer" mixer of the Bepex Corporation, Rolling Meadows, Ill. Or the high speed variable intensity vertical mixer sold by Bepex under the tradename,"Turboflex". These machines are generally operated in a continuous manner using a short residence time in the order of 2 seconds to 2 minutes, typically 2-30 seconds. Dispersion may be effected batchwise in a high intensity mixer such as a Henschel mixer or in liquid-solid V-blender equipped with a liquid disper- sion device. In any event, whether a batchwise or continuous dis- persion method is used, simple experimentation can be conducted to determine the best process conditions for the particular ma- chine employed in the process. Preferably, the surface crosslin- ker is coated onto the polymer particles under high intensity mi- xing conditions.

After effecting dispersion of the surface crosslinker on the base polymer particle the crosslinking reaction is effected and the polymer particle dried. The crosslinking reaction may be effected at a temperature from about 70 °C to about 180 °C.

Odor control means In one embodiment of the invention superabsorbent polymer parti- cles contain odor control means. Each of the odor control materi- als known in the art can be used. Further it is possible to use mixtures thereof. Odor control materials known in the art include zeolites, silica, carbon, chelants, antimicrobial agents, perfu- ming ingredients, masking agents, and mixtures thereof, for exam- ple: - Inorganic materials for odor control and absorption at the same time (e. g. zeolites, activated carbon, bentonite, sil- ica (AEROSIL or CAB-O-SIL@), aerosile) have relatively high surface areas. They are added in form of powder or granulate to the surface of superabsorbent polymer particles.

- Chelants prevent malodors by complexing organic molecules or metal ions present in body fluids. Preferably ethylene diami- netetraacetic acid, cyclodextrin (alpha-cyclodextrin, beta- cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin and/or their derivatives and/or mixtures thereof) are used. Most preferably mixtures of cyclodextrins are used. Generally, cyclodextrins may have particle sizes between 12 to 150 pm or are added in particle sizes of lower than 12 im to have highest surface areas for odor control. Further chelants are aminopolycarbonic acids

and their salts, ethylenediamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid, ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid, amino- phosphate, polyfunctional aromates, N, N-disuccinic acid.

Perfuming ingredients. Nonlimiting examples of preferred vol- atile perfume ingredients are Allo-ocimene, allyl caproate, allyl cyclohexaneacetate, allyl cyclohexanepropionate, allyl heptanoate, amyl acetate, amyl propionate, anethol, anixic aldehyde, anisole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl ace- tone, benzyl alcohole, benzyl butyrate, benzyl formate, ben- zyl isovalerate, benzyl propionate, ß-y-hexenol, butyl ben- zoate, butyl caproate, 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl formate, cam- phene, camphor gum, carvacrol, laevo-carveol, d-carvone, laevo-carvone, cinnamyl formate, cis-jasmone, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl butyrate, cis-3-hexenyl caproate, cis-3-hexenyl tiglate, cis-3-hexenyl valerate, citral, citro- nellol, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl formate, citronellyl isobutyrate, citronellyl nitrile, citronellyl oxyacetalde- hyde, citronellyl propionate, cuminic alcohol, cuminic alde- hyde, Cyclal C, cyclohexyl ethylacetate, a-damascone, 2-dece- nale, decyl aldehyde, dihydro myrcenol, dihydro myrcenyl ace- tate, dimethyl benzyl carbinol, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl ace- tate, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl propionate, dimethyl phenyle- thyl carbinyl acetate, 3,7-dimethyl octanal, dimethyl octa- nol, diphenyl oxide, ethyl acetate, ethyl aceto acetate, ethyl amyl ketone, ethyl benzoate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl he- xyl ketone, ethyl phenyl acetate, eucalyptol, fenchyl ace- tate, fenchyl alcohole, a-methyl-ionon, a-nonalactone, gera- niol, geranyl acetate, geranyl acetoacetate, geranyl buty- rate, geranyl formate, geranyl isobutyrate, geranyl nitrile, geranyl propionate, heptyl acetate, heptyl isobutyrate, hep- tyl propionate, hexenol, hexenyl acetate, hexenyl isobuty- rate, hexyl acetate, hexyl formate, hexyl isobutyrate, hexyl isovalerate, hexyl neopentanoate, hexyl tiglate, hydratropic alcohol, hydroxy citronellal, a-ionone, (3-ionone, y-ionone, a-irone, isoamyl alcohol, isobornyl acetate, isobornyl pro- pionate, isobutyl benzoate, isobutyl caproate, isononyl ace- tate, isononyl alcohol, isomenthol, isomenthone, isononyl acetate, isopulegol, isopulegyl acetate, isoquinoline, lauric aldehyde, lavandulyl acetate, ligustral, d-limonene, lina- lool, linalool oxide, linalyl acetate, linalyl butyrate, li- nalyl isobutyrate, linalyl formate, linalyl propionate, men- thone, menthyl acetate, methyl acetophenone, methyl amyl ke- tone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl benzyl acetate, methyl chavicol, methyl eugenol, methyl heptenone, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl heptyl ketone, methyl hexyl ketone, methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, a-iso"y"methyl ionone,

methyl octyl acetaldehyde, methyl octylketone, methyl phenyl carbinyl acetate, methyl salicylate, myrcene, myrcenyl ace- tate, neral, nerol, neryl acetate, nonalactone, nonyl buty- rate, nonyl alcohol, nonyl acetate, nonyl aldehyde, octalac- tone, octyl acetate, octyl alcohol, octyl aldehyde, orange terpenes, p-cresol, p-cresyl methyl ether, p-cymene, p-iso- propyl-p-methyl acetophenone, phenethyl anthranilate, phenoxy ethanol, phenyl acetaldehyde, phenyl ethyl acetate, phenyl ethyl alcohol, phenyl ethyl dimethyl carbinol, a-pinene, 0-pinne, prenyl acetate, propyl butyrate, pulegone, rose ox- ide, safrole, a-terpinene, y-terpinene, 4-terpineol, terpi- neol, terpinolene, terpinyl acetate, terpinyl propionate, te- trahydro linalool, tetrahydro myrcenol, thymol, tricyclo de- cenyl acetate, tricyclo decenyl propionate, b-undecalactone, y-undecalactone, undecanal, undecenal, undecyl alcohol, Vera- trol, Verdox, Vertenex, viridine.

Antimicrobial agent may be any chemical capable of preventing the growth of or killing microorganisms, and is capable of prefarably binding to the surface superabsorbent material.

Preferred antimicrobials are those that can prevent the growth of or kill microorganisms typically found in body fluids, more preferably those body fluids typically collected by a disposable absorbent article. Preferred antimicrobials include, but are not limited to, quarternary ammonium, phe- nolic, amide, acid, and nitro compounds, and mixtures thereof; more prefereably quarternary ammonium, acid and phe- nolic; more preferably still quarternary ammonium com- pounds. Preferred quarternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to, 2- (3-anilinovinylul) 3,4-dimethyl-oxazoli- nium iodide, alkylisoquinolium bromide, benzalkonium chlo- ride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlor- hexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, lauryl tri- methyl ammonium compounds, methylbenzethonium chloride, stea- ryltrimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof; more preferably benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, and 3- (trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammoniumchlo- ride.

Preferred phenolic compounds include, but are not limited to, benzyl alcohol, p-chlorophenol, chlorocresol, chloroxylenol, cresol, o-cymene-5-ol (BIOSOL), hexachlorophene, hinokitiol, isopropylmethylphenol, parabens (having methyl, ethyl, pro- pyl, butyl, isobutyl, isopropyl, and/or sodium methyl substi- tuents), phenethyl alcohol, phenol, phenoxyethanol, o-phynyl- phenol, resorcin, resorcin monoacetate, sodium parabens, so- dium phenolsulfonate, thioxolone, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydrox-

idiphenyl ether, zinc phenolsuflonate, di-tert.-butyl phe- nole, hydrochinone, and mixtures thereof, more preferably so- dium parabens.

Preferred amides include, but are not limited to, diazolidi- nyl urea, 2,4-imidazolidinedione (HYDATOIN), 3,4,4'-trichlo- rocarbanilide, 3-trifluoromethyl-4,4'-dichlorocarbanilide, undecylenic acid monoethanolamide, and mixtures thereof, more preferably still 2,4-imidazolidinedione.

Preferred acids include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid, benzoate, benzoic acid, citric acid, dehydroacetic acid, potassium sorbate, salicylic acid derivatives (acetyl salicylic acid, salicylic acid aldehyde), sodium citrate, so- dium dehydroacetate, sodium salicylate, sodium salicylic acid, sorbic acid, undecylenic acid, zinc undecylenate, and mixtures thereof, more preferably benzoic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid and sorbic acid, more preferably still citric acid and sorbic acid.

Preferred nitro compounds include, but are not limited to, 2-bromo-2-nitro-2,3-propanediol (BRONOPOL), and methyldibromo glutaronitrile and propyulene glycol (MERGUARD), and mixtures thereof.

Further preferred antimicrobial agents are 2,5-dimethoxy te- trahydrofurane, 2,5-diethoxy tetrahydrofurane, 2,5-dime- thoxy-2,5-dihydrofurane, 2,5-diethoxy-2,5-dihydrofurane, suc- cine dialdehyde, glutar dialdehyde, glyoxale, glyoxylic acid, hexahydrotriazine, tetrahydro-3,5-dimethyl-2H-1,3,5-thiadia- zine-2-thione (Dazomet), 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, benzal- konium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, triclosan.

Masking agents: coazervate perfume encapsulation is a com- monly known encapsulation method. Small amounts of one or more perfume ingredients listed above are enclosed in a solid wall material. Water-soluble cellular marix microcapsules are described in detail in U. S. Patent 5,429,628 which is incor- porated herein by reference. Water-soluble cellular marix mi- crocapsules are used for time-delay release of the perfume ingredient.

Addition of compounds of transition metals such as Cu, Ag, Zn.

Addition of enzymes (Urease-inhibitors)

Further compounds for odor control are low pH-derivatives, per- oxides, hydrogencarbonats, extracts of vegetables, etherical oils, boron derivatives, poly-alpha-aminoacids, imides, polyimi- des, pvp-jode, chitosane, polyglycoside, cyclophanes.

Odor control means in particle and/or powder form and/or aqueous solution comprising - optionally a solubilized uncomplexed cyclodextrin to absorb malodors - optionally a antimicrobial agent to reduce growth of bacteria - optionally a perfume ingredient, optionally with masking agents: Small amounts of one or more perfume ingredients listed above are enclosed in water-soluble cellular marix mi- crocapsules for timed release of the perfume ingredient.

- optionally an enzyme to improve odor control benefit.

Preferably used odor control means are selected from the group consisting of zeolites, bentonite, silica, cyclodextrins, amino- polycarboxylic acids, perfumes, antimicrobial agents, and enzy- mes.

Another group of odor control means are polymers containing aci- dic groups and/or anhydride groups. These polymers differ from superabsorbent polymers in that they are not crosslinked. Their pH is below 6.5, preferably below 5.5, for example in the range of from pH 4.2 to pH 5.0.

Suitable monomers for the preparation of the uncrosslinked, aci- dic and/or anhydride groups containing polymers are those listed above under Superabsorbent-polymer-forming monomer. Preferred are polymerizable, unsaturated, acidic groups containing monomers.

Examples of olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and carbox- ylic acid anhydride monomers are monoethylenically unsaturated C3- bis C25-carboxylic acids or anhydrides as acrylic acid, methacry- lic acid, ethacrylic acid, crotonic acid, a-acryloxypropionic acid, sorbic acid, a-stearylacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid anhy- dride and maleic acid anhydride.

Examples for olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acid and phospho- nic acid monomers include aliphatic or aromatic vinyl sulfonic acids such as vinylsulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl to-

luene sulfonic acid and styrene sulfonic acid; acrylic and metha- crylic sulfonic acid such as sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethyl me- thacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, sty- rene sulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-acryloxypropyl sulfonic acid 2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropyl sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-me- thylpropane sulfonic acid; vinylphosphonic acid, allylphosphonic acid and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monomers are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinylsul- fonic acid, 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and mixtu- res thereof, such as mixtures of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, mixtures of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid or mixtures of acrylic acid and vinylsulfonic acid.

Suitable odor controlling agents include copolymers of an acidic group containing monomer with one or more other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. The above acidic monomers can be copolyme- rized, for example, with amides or nitriles of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, N-methyl-vinylacetamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile. Other comonomers are vinylester of saturated C1-bis C4-carboxylic acids such as vinylformiate, vinylacetate, vinylpropionate; alkyl vinylether compounds with at least 2 C-atoms within the alkyl-group such as ethyl vinylether, butyl vinylether; esters of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-to C6-carboxylic acids such as esters from primary C1-to Clg-alco- hols and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, halfe- sters of maleic acid such as maleic acid monomethylester, N-vi- nyllactames such as N-vinylpyrrolidone or N-vinylcaprolactame, acrylic acid-or methacrylic acid esters of alkoxylated primary saturated alcohols such as alcohols with 10 to 25 C-atoms which are reacted with 2 to 200 mol ethylenoxide and/or propylenoxide per mole of alcohol, monoacrylic acid esters and monomethacrylic acid esters of polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol up to a molecular weight of 2000. Further monomers are styrene and al- kylsubstituted styrene compounds such as ethyl styrene or tert.- butyl styrene.

The copolymers may contain the non-acidic monomers, for example, in an amount of from 0 to 60 % by weight, preferably less than 20 % by weight.

Preferred polymers used as odor control means are homopolymers of acrylic acid, homopolymers of methacrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and ma- leic acid and copolymers of methacrylic acid and maleic acid.

These polymers may have an average molecular weight Mw of from 1,000 to 5 million, preferably of from 1,500 to 150,000.

Examples of suitable odor controlling means are amphiphilic copo- lymers which contain units of (a) hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, maleic anhy- dride, monoethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids, mono- ethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acids or mixtures thereof.

These amphiphilic copolymers are prepared, for example, by poly- merizing in an aqueous medium in the presence of at least one in- itiator at least one hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomer (a) selected from the group consisting of styrene, methylstyrene, ethylstyrene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, C2-to C18-olefins, esters of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-to C5-carboxylic acids and monohydric alcohols, vinyl alkyl ethers, vinyl esters or mixtures thereof. From this group of monomers, isobutene, diisobutene, styrene and acrylic esters, such as ethyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate and sec-butyl acrylate, and at least one hydrophilic monomers (b) selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, metha- crylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, 2-acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid, acrylamidopropane-3-sulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, styrenesulfonic acid, vinylphos- phonic acid or mixtures thereof in polymerized form.

If the amphiphilic copolymers are not sufficiently water-soluble in the form of the free acid, they are used in the form of water- soluble salts; for example, the corresponding alkali metal, alka- line earth metal and ammonium salts are used. These salts are prepared, for example, by partial neutralization of the free acid groups of the amphiphilic copolymers with bases; for example, so- dium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, magnesium oxide, ammonia or amines, such as triethanolamine, ethanolamine, morpholine, triethylamine or butylamine, are used for the neutra- lization. Preferably, the acid groups of the amphiphilic copoly- mers are neutralized with sodium hydroxide or ammonia. The pH of

the neutralized polymer solutions is for example less than 6.5, preferably less than 5.0. The average molecular weight Mw of the amphiphilic copolymers is, for example, from 1000 to 5,000,000, preferably from 1500 to 150,000.

Particularly preferred amphiphilic copolymers contain (a) from 95 to 45% by weight of isobutene, diisobutene, styrene or mixtures thereof and (b) from 5 to 55% by weight of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, monoesters of maleic acid or mixtures thereof as polymerized units. These copolymers may additionally contain (c) further monomers as polymerized units. The copolymers can, if required, contain units of monoesters of maleic acid as polymerized further mono- mers (c). Such copolymers are obtainable, for example, by copoly- merizing copolymers of styrene, diisobutene or isobutene or mix- tures thereof with maleic anhydride in the absence of water and reacting the copolymers with alcohols after the polymerization, from 5 to 50 mol% of a monohydric alcohol being used per mole of anhydride groups in the copolymer. Suitable alcohols are, for ex- ample, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol and tert-butanol. However, it is also possible to re- act the anhydride groups of the copolymers with polyhydric alco- hols, such as glycol or glycerol. Here, however, the reaction is continued only until only one OH group of the polyhydric alcohol reacts with the anhydride group. If the anhydride groups of the copolymers are not all reacted with alcohols, the anhydride groups not reacted with alcohols undergo ring opening as a result of the addition of water.

Other suitable odor controlling polymers may be obtained by graf- ting of synthetic or natural polymers with one or more of the above acidic monomers. Suitable backbones for grafting are, for example, starch, cellulose and derivatives thereof, polysacchari- des and oligosaccharides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyalkylene oxides (preferably polyethylene oxide and/or polypropylene oxide), po- lyamines, polyamides, hydrophilic polyesters, galactomannans, guar derivatives and alginates. Grafted copolymers also include hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, partially neu- tralized hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, and partially neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers. Other suitable odor con-

trolling agents are, for example, saponified vinyl acetate-acry- lic ester copolymers, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile polymers and hy- drolyzed acrylamide copolymers. These polymers may be used either independently or in the form of a mixture with two or more other monomers.

The blend formed in step (a) contains at least one odor control means, for example, in an amount of from 0.01 to 30 % by weight.

In the alternative it does not contain an odor control means which is then added to the coated fabric after polymerization.

The effective concentration range varies widely depending on the mechanism of the odor control means, for example, antimicrobials are used in amounts of from 0.01 to 1 % by weight, whereas the amounts of inorganic materials, pH-controlling materials and che- lants are usually in the range of from 1 to 30 % by weight.

Initiators The blend formed in step (a) contains one or more initiators.

Suitable initiators include the initiators and initiator combina- tions described above as being useful in the production of super- absorbent polymer particles. In addition, it may be desirable to use initiators designed to decompose when subjected to ultravio- let light and/or electron-beam ("e-beam") irradiation. Preferred initiators include water-soluble azo compounds such as 2,2'-azo- bis (2- (2-imidazole-2-yl)) propane dihydrochloride and 2,2'-azo- bis (amidino) propane dihydrochloride, water soluble benzophenones such as 4-benzoyl-N, N, N-trimethylbenzenemethanaminium chloride, 2-hydroxy-3- (4-benzoylphenoxy)-3-N, N, N-trimethyl-l-propanaminium chloride monohydrate, 2-hydroxy-3- (3, 4-dimethyl-9-oxo-9H-thioa- xanthon-2-yloxy-N, N, N-trimethyl-l-propanaminium chloride, 2-hy- droxy-1- [4- (hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone, 2-hy- droxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one, and 4-benzoyl-N, N-dimethyl- N- [2- (1-oxo-2-propenyl) oxy] ethylbenzenemethaminium chloride. In general, the sprayable blend contains one or more initiators at a level sufficient to initiate polymerization of the superabsor- bent-forming monomer in the blend. The blend contains one or more initiators at a level sufficient to result in the complete poly- merization of the superabsorbent polymer forming monomer in the said blend, generally at a level within the range of from 0.01 to 5.0, most preferably at a level from 0.2 to 2.0 percent by weight of superabsorbent-forming monomer in the blend. When using a com- bination of initiators in the blend, such as redox package, it is possible to incorporate one of the initiators, such as the redu- cing agent, into the blend along with the other components of the blend and incorporate one or more additional initiators, such as an oxidizing agent, into the blend just before the sprayable

blend exits, for example, the nozzle of a spray equipment which is used to spray the sprayable blend onto the fibrous web. A par- ticularly preferred combination of initiators includes both an azo initiator and 2-hydroxy-l- [4, (hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]-2-me- thyl-1-propanone.

Water In addition to the superabsorbent polymer particles, monomers forming superabsorbent polymers and one or more initiators, the blend contains water. Generally, the blend contains sufficient water to render the Brookfield viscosity of the blend to at least 20 mPas, for example in the range of from 20 to 1.000 mPas. The level of water in the blend is generally in the range from 40 to 80 percent by weight, more preferably from 50 to 60 percent by weight of the blend. Blends having the above viscosities are sprayable and are preferably applied onto the web by spaying through a nozzle.

Softening agent If desired, a softening agent may be added to the foregoing com- ponents of the blend formed in step (a). The amount of softening agent used in the blend may be of from 0.2 to 20 percent by weight. Softening agents include such compounds as quaternary am- monium compounds (e. g. di (hydrogenated) tallow dimethylammonium chloride, di (hydrogenated) tallow dimethylammonium methyl sul- phate) and/or polyhydroxy compounds selected from glycerol, po- lyglycerols, polyoxyethylene glycols, polyoxypropylene glycols, or mixtures thereof. If a softening agent is added to the blend, Glycerol is preferably used as softening agent.

Crosslinker It is generally desirable to include in the blend formed in step (a) one or more crosslinkers. It is particularly preferred to use one or more crosslinkers in this blend, for example thermal, re- dox and/or W initiators. Suitable crosslinkers include those described above for the preparation of the superabsorbent polymer particles. Preferred crosslinkers include ethoxylated and propo- xylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate derivatives such as SR-9035 and SR-492 available from Sartomer Co., Inc. of Exton, PA. When used, the crosslinkers are present in the blend formed in step (a), for example, in an amount of from 0.05 to 5.0, pre- ferably 0.1 to 1.0 percent by weight, based on the weight of the monomers forming the superabsorbent polymer.

The blend In the process a blend is is formed in step (a) by combining mo- nomer forming superabsorbent polymers, superabsorbent polymer particles, optionally odor control means or mixtures thereof, wa- ter, optionally softening agents or mixtures thereof and initia- tor. Although the order of combining these materials is not par- ticularly important, for safety reasons it is preferred to add the initiator last. The amounts of the individual components of the blend are set forth above and are generally selected so that the Brookfield viscosity (measured at 20°C, 20 rpm, spindle 02) is at least 20 mPas. The blend formed in step (a) may have, for ex- ample, a viscosity of from 20 to 1,000 mPas, preferably of from 20 to 400 mPas, more preferably from 30 to 150 mPas, most prefe- rably from 40 to 100 mPas. Many factors will influence the visco- sity of the blend, including the chemical nature and size of the superabsorbent polymer particles and odor control means, the ex- tent of neutralization of the superabsorbent polymer particles, the extent of neutralization of the one or more superabsorbent- polymer-forming monomers, and the concentration of the superab- sorbent polymer particles.

After the blend has been prepared, it is applied onto a fibrous web in step (b). The blend can be printed onto a web and is pre- ferably sprayed in step (b) onto a fibrous web. As used herein, spraying is intended to include any suitable means for generating and delivering droplets of liquid. The spraying can be achieved by any conventional spray equipment. The equipment can be air- less, air-assisted airless or can utilize pressurized air. One or more inert gases, such as nitrogen, argon or helium, may be sub- stituted for some or all of the air to assist in the removal of oxygen form the sprayable blend during the spraying process.

The loading level of the blend applied to the fibrous web is highly dependent on the application of the absorbent article. For example, a blend having a solids content of 46 % by weight is ap- plied to a fibrous web in an amount of from 20 to 1,500 g/m2. If the absorbent article is used as an absorbent core of a hygiene article the amount of the blend having a concentration of 46 % by weight is, for example, of from 1,000 to 1,500 g/m2. Blends having another solids content are used in such amounts that a correspon- ding solids content is achieved on the coated web. The blend is preferably applied by spraying to the fibrous web. For example, a sprayable blend having a viscosity of from 20 to 400 mPas (measu- red at 20°C, 20 rpm, spindle 02) and having a solids content of 46 % by weight is sprayed onto the web in amounts of up to 1,500, preferably of from 20 to 800 g/m2 and most preferably of from 60

to 300 g/m2. The spray equipment should be adjusted to vary the droplet size of the spray taking into account such factors as the size of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the sprayable blend and the desired particle size of superabsorbent polymer particles on the final product.

The blend can be applied homogeneously to a web on one or both sides or can also be applied to it in a pattern which corresponds to a desired distribution. For example, the edges of the web may have a higher loading than the other parts of the web or it may contain a homogeneous coating having several strips of higher loadings.

In order to apply different loadings of a sprayable blend on a fibrous web, there are, for example, several possibilities: a) changing the spraying angle by electronical variation of the opening of the spray nozzle for different loadings in x/y di- rection b) changing the spraying angle by variation of the distance be- tween spray nozzle and web for different loadings in x/y di- rection c) raising the amount of sprayable blend at certain regions of the web for different loadings in z direction. The continuous feed to the inlet tubes (spray nozzles) is changed at certain intervals by raising the flow velocity of the sprayable blend in such a way that the resulting loading of the web is in- creased. d) stopping the web at certain intervals during the continuous process for different loadings in z direction. The constant web transport velocity is interrupted or slowed down at cer- tain intervals.

The spray equipment should be adjusted to vary the droplet size of the spray taking into account such factors as the size of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the sprayable blend and the desired particle size of superabsorbent polymer particles in the final product.

In regions of higher loading, a sprayable blend having a solids content of 46 % by weight is sprayed onto a fibrous web in an amount of from 200 to 1,200 g/m2, preferably of from 250 to 800 g/m2, most preferably from 300 to 500 g/m2. These loading are representative for the preparation of absorptive cores used in hygiene articles.

The Web Suitable fibrous webs for the present invention include those made using synthetic polymeric fibers. The synthetic polymeric fibers may be formed from any polymeric material capable of for- ming fibers which fibers can be formed into a fibrous web. Suita- ble polymeric material from which the synthetic polymeric fibers may be formed include polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypro- pylene, and the like; polyesters such as polyethylene terephtha- late and the like; polyamides such as nylon 6, nylon 6,6, poly (iminocarboxylpentamethylene) and the like; acrylics, and mo- dified cellulosic material, such as cellulose acetate and rayon; as well as mixtures and copolymers thereof.

The synthetic polymeric fibers may be formed by meltblowing, through a spunbond process, by extrusion and drawing, or other wet, dry and melt spinning methods known to those skilled in the art. The synthetic polymeric fibers from which the web is formed may have a ^discrete length or may be substantially continuous.

For example, if the synthetic polymeric fibers are formed by meltblowing, the fibers may be substantially continuous (few vi- sible ends). If the fibers are formed by extrusion and drawing to produce a tow, the tow may be used as produced or cut into staple fibers having a length, for example of from about 25 millimeters to about 75 millimeters or short cut into length of from about 1 millimeter to about 25 millimeters. The synthetic polymeric fi- bers may suitably have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of from about 0.5 micrometer to about 50 micrometers as determined by microscopic measurement using an optical microscope and a ca- librated stage micrometer or by measurement from Scanning Elec- tron photomicrographs.

The fibrous web may be formed directly through a spunbond or meltblown process, or by carding or air-laying staple or short cut fibers. Other methods of forming fibrous webs known to those skilled in the art may be suited for use in the present inven- tion. The web may subsequently be bonded to enhance structural integrity. Methods of bonding fibrous webs are known to those skilled in the art and include thermal bonding, point bonding, powder bonding, ultrasonic bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical entanglement, and the like. The fibers may be homogenous fibers or may be a core/sheath or side-by-side fibers known in the art as bicomponent fibers.

The fibrous web may be formed from a single type of synthetic po- lymeric fiber or may contain synthetic polymeric fibers formed from different polymeric materials, having different fiber

lengths or maximum cross-sectional dimensions. For example, the web may comprise a mixture of (1) bicomponent fibers having a po- lyethylene sheath and a polypropylene core which bicomponent fi- bers have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of about 20 micro- meters and a length of about 38 millimeters and (2) polyester fi- bers (polyethylene terephthalate) having a maximum cross-sectio- nal dimension of about 25 micrometers and a length of about 38 millimeters. Fibers 1 and 2 may be combined in a weight ratio of from 1: 99 to 99: 1. The fibers may be uniformly mixed or may be concentrated at opposite planar surfaces of the fibrous web.

The web suitably comprises from about 10 to 100 weight percent, beneficially of from about 20 to 100 weight percent, preferably of from about 25 to 100 weight percent, and most preferably of from about 50 to 100 weight percent synthetic polymeric fibers.

In addition to the synthetic polymeric fibers, the web may con- tain from about 90 to 0 weight percent of a nonsynthetic polyme- ric fiber such as wood pulp fluff, cotton liners, cotton, and the like.

In one preferred embodiment, the web contains synthetic polymeric fibers which are formed from a polymeric having a high wet modu- lus. The importance of the modulus of a material is discussed in the book"Absorbency"edited by P. K. Chatterjee (Elsevier, N. Y., 1985). A polymeric material will be considered to have a high wet modulus when it has a wet modulus greater than about 80 percent of its dry modulus as determined by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) test method D 2101-91 using modified gauge lengths. It is often desired to form the synthetic polymeric fi- bers of the web from a polymeric material having a high wet modu- lus because such material generally form fibrous webs which pos- sess a relatively high degree of wet resiliency. The wet resi- lience of a fibrous web is related to the pore structure (while under load) of the fibrous web. As will be discussed in greater detail below, it is often desired that the web have a relatively high degree of wet resilience.

The pore structure (while under load) of a fibrous structure for- med from fibers of a polymeric material will, as discussed above, relate to the wet and/or dry modulus of the constituent fibers.

Wet modulus of the constituent fibers should be considered for fibers that may likely be wetted during use. For the purposes of estimating the effect of load on the pore structure of a fibrous structure formed from fibers of a polymeric material the tensile modulus of the fiber which can be related to the flexural rigi- dity of the fiber as shown in the book"Physical Properties of

Textile Fibers"by W. E. Morton and J. W. S. Hearl (The Textile Institute, London, 1975) can be used.

As a general rule, the polymeric materials from which the synthe- tic polymeric fibers of the web are formed will be inherently hy- drophobic. As used herein, the term"hydrophobic"describes a ma- terial which has a contact angle of water-in-air of greater then 90 degrees. The term"hydrophilic"refers to a material which has a water-in-air contact angle of less than 90 degrees. The water- in-air contact angle is suitably determined as set forth in the book"Absorbency"edited by P. K-Chatterjee (Elsevier, N. Y., 1985). As used herein, a polymeric material will be considered as "inherently"hydrophobic or hydrophilic when the polymeric mate- rial, free from any surface modifications or treatments, e. g., surface active agent, spin fishes, blooming agents, etc., is hy- drophobic or hydrophilic, respectively.

When the synthetic polymer fibers of the web are formed from a polymeric material which is inherently hydrophobic, it is often desirable to treat the fibers with a surface modifying material to render the surface of the fiber hydrophilic. For example, a surfactant may be applied to the fibers.

The web suitably has a basis weight of from about 20 to about 200 g/m2, beneficially of from about 50 to about 150 g/m2, and preferably of from about 25 to about 125 g/m2.

The web suitably has a density of from about 0.005 to about 0.20 g/cm3, beneficially of from about 0.01 to about 0.16 g/cm3, and preferably of from about 0.08 to about 0.14 g/cm3.

The fibrous web may also comprise hydrophilic fibers. The hydro- philic materials may be inherently hydrophilic such as cellulosic fibers such as wood pulp fluff, cotton linters, and the like; re- generated cellulose fibers such as rayon; or certain nylon copo- lymers such as poly (pentamethylenecarbonamide) (nylon-6)/polyethy- lene oxide. Alternatively, the hydrophilic fibers may be obtained from hydrophobic fibers by treatment with a hydrophilizing agent.

For example, the fibers may be formed from a polyolefin material which is subsequently coated with a surface active agent such that the fiber itself is hydrophilic as described herein. Other methods of hydrophilizing fibers formed from hydrophobic materi- als are known and suited for use in the present invention.

Methods of providing inherently hydrophilic fibers such as wood pulp fluff are known. If the hydrophilic fibers are obtained from hydrophobic fibers which have been treated to possess a hydrophi-

lic surface, the fibers will suitably have a fiber length and a maximum cross-sectional dimension as set forth above. If the hy- drophilic fibers are inherently hydrophilic such as wood pulp fluff, rayon, cotton, cotton linters and the like, the fibers will generally have a length of from about 1.0 millimeters to ab- out 50 millimeters and a maximum cross-sectional dimension of from about 0.5 micrometers to about 100 micrometers.

The fibrous web suitably comprises from about 10 to 100 weight percent, beneficially from about 30 to 100 weight percent, and preferably from about 55 to 100 weight percent of hydrophilic fi- bers, preferably inherently hydrophilic fibers. In addition to the hydrophilic fibers, the web may contain form about 90 to 0 weight percent of high wet modulus, preferably inherently hydro- phobic fibers. The web may be formed form a single type of hydro- philic fiber or may contain hydrophilic fibers having different compositions, lengths and maximum cross-sectional dimensions.

In one preferred embodiment, the web is formed from air laid cel- lulosic fibers such as wood pulp fluff. Wood pulp fluff fibers are preferred for use due to their ready availability and due to the fact that the fibers are relatively inexpensive compared to synthetic fibers.

Curing/Polymerizing After the blend has been applied onto the fibrous web, this com- posite is subjected to conditions under which the monomer forming the superabsorbent polymer will polymerize. Depending upon the type of initiator used in the blend, these conditions may inc- lude, for example, subjecting the fibrous web to which the blend was applied to heat, ultraviolet radiation, e-beam radiation, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the composite can be subjec- ted to static or continuous conditions such as by moving the com- posite along a conveyor through regions of radiation or heat.

For thermal curing there are no particular limitations on the type of reaction vessel used. For batch polymerizations, sprayed webs may be cured in an oven in an air or inert atmosphere, and optionally under vacuum. In the case of a continuous process, the web may be passed through a dryer, such as an infrared ("IR"), through air or the like. The polymerization temperature can vary depending on the thickness of the substrate, the concentration of monomer and the type and amount of thermal initiator used in the blend. The polymerization is typically carried out in the tempe- rature range, for example, of from 20°C to 150°C and preferably of from 40°C to 100°C. The polymerization time depends on the polyme-

rization temperature, but is typically several seconds to 2 hours and preferably several seconds to 10 minutes. After polymeriza- tion is completed, the web can then be dried to the desired moi- sture content.

UV curing of webs coated with the sprayable blends may be conduc- ted by the use of a conventional W lamp. The conditions under which the irradiation is conducted, such as radiation intensity and time may differ depending on the type of fibrous substrate used, the amount of monomer applied to the substrate and the li- ke. However, irradiation is generally conducted using a W lamp with an intensity in the range of from 100 to 700 watts per inch ("W/in"), preferably in the range of from 400 to 600 W/in for 0.1 seconds to 10 minutes, with the distance between the UV lamp and the substrate being 2 to 30 centimeters. The irradiation of the composite with ultraviolet rays may be conducted under vacuum, in the presence of an inorganic gas, such as nitrogen, argon, helium and the like, or in air.

The temperature during irradiation is not critical, and the irra- diation of the sprayed web can be satisfactorily conducted at room temperature.

Electron beam curing can be accomplished using a commercially available electron beam accelerator, such as the Electrocurtain@ CB 175 (Energy Sciences, Inc., Wilmington, MA). Accelerators ope- rating in the 150 to 300 kilovolt range are acceptable. The beam current on such systems, typically 1 to 10 milliamperes, can be adjusted to obtain the desired dose of ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation dose employed will vary somewhat, depending on factors such as the presence or absence of crosslinking monomers, desired degree of polymerization of the polymer, degree of cross- linking desired, and the like. In general, it is desirable to ir- radiate the coated web with doses from about 1 to 16 megarads, more preferably 2 to 8 megarads. Particularly when using lower doses, it is desirable to purge oxygen from the sprayable blend (as by bubbling nitrogen through the solution). The maximum dose would be that dose at which degradation of the fibers begins.

After irradiation, the coated web may be dried to remove water by such means as forced air ovens, infrared lamps and the like.

Acquisition Layer The absorbent structures according to the present invention are suitable for use in disposable absorbent products such as dia- pers, training pants, adult incontinence products, feminine care

products, wound dressings and the like. Methods of forming such absorbent products and the absorbent products formed thereby are known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.: 4,944,735 issued Jul. 31,1990 to Mokry; 4,798,603 issued Jan. 17,1989, to Meyer et al.; 4,710,187 issued Dec. 1,1987, to Boland et al.; 4,770,656 issued Sep. 13,1988, to Proxmire et al.; and 4,762,521 issued Aug. 9, 1988, to Roessler et al.; the disclosures of which are incorpora- ted herein to the extent they are consistent herewith.

The absorbent structures of the present invention suitably form an acquisition layer of a disposable absorbent product. Such an acquisition layer core is suitably sandwiched between, and in li- quid communication with, a bodyside liner (also known as a top sheet), and an absorbent core atop a liquid impervious outer co- ver. In order to function well as an acquisition layer, an absor- bent structure should exhibit rapid uptake of fluid, good trans- fer properties, good uptake upon repeated insults with fluid, and good skin compatibility.

The absorbent structures of the present invention exhibit these properties and also have further advantages. Because the absor- bent structures of the present invention can be prepared with su- perabsorbent polymer particles that are at least partially neu- tralized, and because the superabsorbent forming monomer used in the sprayable blend can be at least partially neutralized, it is possible to control the pH of the resulting absorbent structure formed by polymerizing the sprayable blend sprayed onto the fi- brous web. By controlling the pH of the absorbent structure, par- ticularly within the range of from about 4.3 to about 5.5, seve- ral advantages can result. For example, an absorbent structure having a pH within that range should be compatible with skin, should exhibit reduced bacterial growth, should reduce fecal pro- teolytic activity and lipolylic enzymatic activity, should con- trol odor and contain ammonia. The benefits associated with the control of pH in a top sheet of a disposable hygienic article are discussed, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 4,657,537, the disclo- sure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Similar bene- fits are expected to result from an acquisition layer having a pH in the range of from about 4.3 to about 5.5. Although the partial neutralization of the superabsorbent polymer particles and super- absorbent forming monomer will tend to reduce the overall absorp- tive capacity of the absorbent structure of the present inven- tion, total absorptive capacity is not a critical feature when using the structures as an acquisition layer in a disposable hy- giene product. Rather, the diminished total absorptive capacity

contributes to the transfer properties which are beneficial in an acquisition layer.

It is further believed that the absorbent structures of the pre- sent invention perform well as acquisition layers in a disposable diaper because the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer parti- cles is capable of expanding the fibrous web, particularly if the webs were compressed, so that the interstitial pore volume of the webs increases after an insult of liquid. This increase in the interstitial pore volume of the web contributes to the rapid up- take of fluids in the web. Accordingly, enhancing the speed at which the interstitial pore volume is generated, such as by the rapid swelling of the superabsorbent polymer particles, further contributes to the rapid uptake of fluids in the web. The free- swell expansion volume ("FSEV") test and the expansion volume un- der load ("EVUL") test described below are an indirect measure of the rate of formation of the interstitial pore volume in the web.

In general, it is desirable to maximize the values of the FSEV and EWL in designing a high performing superabsorbent article.

At a minimum the absorbent structures of the present invention have free-swell expansion volumes and/or expansion volumes under load of at least about 0.1 milliliters within about 5 minutes, preferably within about 30 seconds, and most preferably within about 5 seconds. Preferably, the absorbent structures of the pre- sent invention have free-swell expansion volumes of at least ab- out 0.5 milliliters within about 5 minutes, preferably within ab- out 30 seconds, and most preferably within about 5 seconds. Most preferably, the absorbent structures of the present invention ge- nerally have free-swell expansion volumes of at least about 1.0 milliliters within about 5 minutes, preferably within about 30 seconds, and most preferably within about 5 seconds. Preferably, the absorbent structures of the present invention generally have expansion volumes under load of at least about 0.2 milliliters within about 5 minutes, preferably within about 30 seconds, and most preferably within about 5 seconds. Most preferably, the ab- sorbent structures of the present invention generally have expan- sion volumes under load of at least about 0.3 milliliters within about 5 minutes, preferably within about 30 seconds, and most preferably within about 5 seconds.

The absorbent core comprises means for containing a high-absor- bency material, and a high-absorbency material contained by such means for containing a high-absorbency material. The high-absor- bency material is present in the absorbent structure in an amount of from about 50 to about 100, preferably of from about 60 to ab-

out 95, and most preferably of from about 70 to about 90 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent core.

Means of containing high-absorbency materials are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the means for containing the high-absorbency material may comprise a fibrous web, a porous sponge-like material, a substrate to which the high-absorbency material is attached or adhered, multiple sheets of material bet- ween which the high-absorbency material is located, and the like.

Any means of containing of the high-absorbency material is suited for use in the present invention.

As used herein, the term"high-absorbency material"refers to a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble material capable of absorbing at least about 10, desirably about 20, and preferably about 50 times or more its weight in water. The high-absorbency material may be formed from organic material, which may include natural materials such as agar, pectin, and guar gum, as well as synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel polymers. Synthe- tic hydrogel polymers include, for example, carboxymethyl cellu- lose, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvi- nyl ethers, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl morpholinone, po- lymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic acid, polyacrylates, po- lyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinylamines, and the like.

Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhy- dride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel polymers are preferably lightly crosslinked to render the materials substan- tially water insoluble. Crosslinking may, for example, be by ir- radiation or covalent, ionic, van der Waals, or hydrogen bonding.

Suitable materials are available from various commercial vendors such as the Dow Chemical Company, BASF Corporation, Nippon Shoku- bai., and Stockhausen Inc. The high-absorbency material may be in the form of particles, spheres, flakes, fibers, rods, films or any of a number of geometric forms. When in the form of particles or spheres, it may be desired that the particles or spheres have a maximum cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 micrometers to about 2000 micrometers, preferably from about 60 micrometers to about 1000 micrometers.

In one embodiment it is desired that the high-absorbency material have the ability to absorb a liquid while under a load. The ab- ility of a high-absorbency material to absorb a liquid while un- der a load is quantified as the Absorbency Against Pressure (AAP) value. Specifically, the AAP value is the amount (in grams) of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride, a

gram of the high-absorbency material can absorb in 60 minutes un- der a load of 0.3 pound per square inch. As a general rule, it is desired that the high-absorbency material have an AAP value of at least about 10, desirably at least about 15, and preferably at least about 25.

The absorbent core suitably has a basis weight of from about 200 to about 1000 g/m2, beneficially of from about 250 to about 750 g/m2, and preferably of from about 300 to about 500 g/m2. The absorbent layer suitably has a density of from about 0.06 to ab- out 0.40 g/cm3, beneficially of from about 0.12 to about 0.35 g/cm3, and most preferably of from about 0.15 to about 0.30 g/cm3.

A further advantage of locating the acquisition layer between the body of a wearer and the absorbent layer is that the acquisition layer, may have a relatively dry feel even after it has been wet- ted. This is because the acquisition layer includes synthetic po- lymeric fibers, is resilient and may be more easily desorbed by the absorbent layer. Thus, a relatively dry surface may be pre- sented for contacting a wearer's skin. In contrast, the absorbent layer including cellulosic or other inherently hydrophilic fibers can have a relatively wet feel. This wet surface is located re- mote from the body of a wearer and is spaced therefrom by the ac- quisition layer.

It is well known to those in the art of disposable hygienic pro- ducts that the insertion of thick, lofty fabric structures bet- ween the topsheet and the absorbent core aids in the rate of up- take of fluid insults from the surface of the article. U. S. Pa- tent No. 5,364,382 discloses a number of key properties of these acquisition layers, such as the wet and/or dry modulus of the constituent fibers, the hydrophillicity of the fibers and resi- liency of the fabric structure, that contribute to the ability of these materials to rapidly uptake fluids in an absorbent article.

Such properties contribute to the acquisition layer's ability to: stay open under load, maintain void volume, resist collapse when wetted, enhance the desorption properties of the fabric, and pre- serve void volume capacity after successive insults of fluid.

One advantage of the absorbent articles of the present invention is the rate of formation of void volume following compression of the absorbent article. In many current, commercially manufactured absorbent products a considerable amount of pressure is applied during manufacture to produce an"ultrathin"product. Acquisition materials used in these current products have no real mechanism to reopen after being compressed other than the memory effects

preserved within the fibers themselves. The incorporation of dis- crete superabsorbent particles into a fibrous web, as provided in the present invention, provides such a mechanism through the swelling of the superabsorbent particles following an insult of fluid. Two important performance parameters of an acquisition layer in a disposable hygienic article are (1) the degree of ex- pansion and (2) the rate of expansion. Both of these parameters are indirectly measured by FSEV and EVUL. The degree of expansion is an indication of the pore volume available for fluid uptake (i. e. larger volume correlates with better performance) and by increasing the speed at which this pore volume is generated the likelihood of leakage upon insult is diminished. Both of these properties maybe be influenced by adjusting such parameters as: the degree loading of superabsorbent polymer particles on the web, the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer particles, the degree of swelling of the superabsorbent polymer particles, the degree of neutralization of the superabsorbent forming mono- mer in the sprayable blend, the degree of crosslinking and the like.

It has also been observed that webs, after being sprayed with a sprayable blend and subjected polymerization conditions, have other beneficial properties. As mentioned above, certain web ma- terials are subjected to compression at one or more times during the construction of a disposable hygienic article such as a dia- per. After a web material has been compressed, there is a ten- dency for the fibers to relax, and expand somewhat thereby in- creasing the thickness of the web. However, this relaxation phe- nomenon is much less pronounced in articles prepared in accor- dance with the present invention which tend to remain stably in a compact state until subjected to an insult of fluid.

Rewet and strikethrough testing of absorbent articles are common quality assurance tests used in the hygiene industry to measure surface dryness and the rate of fluid uptake, respectively, fol- lowing successive fluid insults; therefore, these tests are use- ful for the evaluation of the performance of acquisition materi- als in absorbent products. A common undesirable trend seen among most commercially available diapers on the market today is the fact that strikethrough times tend to increase with successive doses of fluid during rewet testing. With conventional fluff-ba- sed absorbent structures the cellulosic fibers can lose resi- liency and collapse when wetted. As a result, the liquid uptake rate of the wetted structures may become too low to adequately accommodate subsequent, successive fluid insults. Where absorbent gelling particles are incorporated between the fibers to hold them apart, the gelling particles swell and do not release the

fluid. Swelling of the particles can then diminish the void vo- lume of the absorbent structure and reduce the ability of the structure to rapidly uptake fluid. The degree to which the swel- ling of the absorbent gelling particle negatively impacts the rate of fluid uptake is dependent upon a number of factors such as the concentration of superbsorbent used in the absorbent core, the degree of cross-linking, the uniformity of the distribution of SAP within the structure, the particle size distribution, the hydrophobicity of the particle and the like. Each of these fac- tors are easily controlled with the present invention and may be optimized to achieve the desired performance properties for a gi- ven absorbent article, particularly when used as an acquisition layer in an absorbent article.

In general, it can be seen that these acquisition materials mini- mize or eliminate the trend of increasing srikethrough times with successive insults of fluid. This desired beneficial effect may be controlled and optimized with the present invention with dor control means and through the control of such parameters as: the concentration of superabsorbent polymer particles applied to the web structure, the particle size distribution of the resulting superabsorbent polymer particles, the rate of swelling of the particles, the degree of swelling of the particles and the like.

A further observed beneficial effect is the reduction in rewet values. This effect may also be controlled through the above des- cribed parameters. In addition, it is further believed that lowe- ring the degree of neutralization of the superabsorbent particles formed on the web, thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of the particles, further enhances this effect by increasing it's ten- dency to be drained by the underlying wood fluff pulp/superabsor- bent polymer absorbent core.

Acquisition materials produced by the present invention may be prepared to contain from 1.0 to 10 meq./gram of ion-exchanging functionality.

Examples Test methods The centrifuge retention capacity (, CRC") is a measure of the amount of fluid retained after being centrifuged. The CRC of the fabrics prepared in the Examples was determined as follows: a 5 centimeter diameter circle of the fabric was cut in half and one of the halves was placed into a teabag (6 cm x 8.5 cm); the weight of the fabric prior to placing in the teabag was recorded; the teabag was sealed and placed in 0.9 % saline solution for 20

minutes then centrifuged for three minutes at 1350 revolutions per minute. The weight of the centrifuged teabag was measured and the CRC, in grams per square meter, was determined using the fol- lowing formula: CRC = (Wt. 2-Wt. l-Blank)/A Wt. 1 = sample wt.

Wt. 2 = teabag wt after centrifuged Blank = wt average of two measurements of an empty teabag after centrifuging A = area of sample in square meters [(z2)/2] or 0.000982.

The free swell expansion volume (FSEV) was determined by measur- ing the height (thickness) change, in millimeters, of a com- pressed web material during hydration. The FSEV of the fabrics indicated below, were determined as follows: the fabrics were compressed in a Carver Laboratory Press Model #2697 at 7000 pounds of applied load for 48 seconds with the top platen heated to 50°C ; a 5 centimeter diameter circle of the fabric was cut from the fabric and the thickness was measured before compression at approximately 4.5 millimeters and after compression at approxi- mately 0.67 millimeters using a Fowler Ultra-digit gauge. The weight of the circle was recorded and the circle was placed in a dry sample holder; a single 20 milliliter dose of 0.9 % saline was poured on top of the circle; height measurements were taken, with the help of software designed for this purpose, over a ten- minute timeframe every 1.5 seconds. The change in the height of the fabric was measured with a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT, Schaevitz MP-1000) and the data are reported in the specification and in the Examples below in milliliters (volume).

The expansion volume under load (EVUL) is determined by measuring the volume change of a sample as height (thickness) change, in millimeters, of a compressed web material during hydration while under a load. The EVUL was determined in a similar manner as the FSEV except that a 55.93 gram weight (0.5 psi load) is applied to the fabric. The EVUL values of the fabrics indicated in the spe- citivation and in the Examples were determined in this manner and the data are reported in milliliters (volume).

The viscosity was measured in a Brookfield viscometer at a temperature of 20°C at 20 rpm with spindle 02.

The term superabsorbent polymer particles-used in the Examples means a crosslinked polyacrylic acid with a degree of neutraliza- tion of 70 % by mole, said particles were partially neutralized with sodium hydroxide.

Example 1 Acquisition layer containing an odor control agent An aqueous solution of acrylic acid was prepared by combining 306 grams of acrylic acid, 334 grams of deionized water, 250 grams of 50 % w/w sodium hydroxide, 9.1 grams of SR-9035 avail- able from Sartomer (ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate), 0.75 grams of 4- (2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl- (2-hydroxy-2-propyl) keto- ne (Irgacure 2959 from Ciba) 0.45 g of ammonium persulfate and 0.75 grams of 2,2'-azobis [2- (2-imidazolin-2-yl) propane] dihydroch- loride. To the monomer mixture 15.3 g of technical grade beta-cy- clodextrin BW7 (available from Wacker Biochemicals) was added as an odor control agent. The aqueous solution of acrylic acid was purged with nitrogen. Superabsorbent polymer particles were sieved through a 100 mesh screen and the particles passing through (having particle sizes below 150 microns, mean particle diameter was 80 Rm) were collected. A sprayable blend was prepared by adding 23 grams of the collected superabsorbent polymer par- ticles to the aqueous acrylic acid solution prepared above and stirring. The resulting sprayable mixture had a brookfield vis- cosity of 53 mPas. the sprayable mixture was sprayed using a com- mercial airless paint spraying apparatus onto both sides of a 0.056 m2 piece of a polyester non-woven fabric (HDK-210) having a basis weight of 55 grams per square meter. The total amount of sprayable mixture retained by the fabric was 10.1 grams (wet load). The fabric was then cured by ultraviolet radiation ("UV") by passing the fabric under a 600 watt/in mercury vapor lamp, us- ing a conveyor operating at 24 feet per minute. The fabric was passed under the lamp twice, turned over and passed under the lamp another two times for a total exposure of 3.75 Joules of UVA radiation per square centimeter on each side. Following the W cure, the fabric was dried in an oven for 10 minutes at 150°C. The weight of polymer in the resulting fabric was 82.9 g/m2 (60 wt%).

The resulting web hat a CRC of 7.8 g/g or 1.076 g/m2. The FSEV and EVUL after 5 seconds for the web were 1.9 and 0.8 ml, respec- tively.

Example 2 An acquisition layer was prepared indentical to that in Example 1 except that 54.0 g of Bioshield AM 5001 (available from Bioshield Technologies, Inc. in Norcross Ga.) was substituted for beta-cy- clodextrin. The active ingredient in Bioshield AM 500 I is 3- (trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.

Example 3 An acquisition layer was prepared identical to that in Example 1 except that no odor control agent was added to the sprayable blend prior to polymerization. A solution was prepared by dis- solving 0.10 g of Irgaguard B 1000 (Triclosan, available from Ciba) in 100 ml of a 50/50 (v/v) propylene glycol/water solution.

The solution was placed in a thin layer chromatography atomizing sprayer and 3.0 g of the solution was applied to each side of the web. The coated web was then dried in an over for 10 minutes at 150°C.

Example 4 A 0.056 m2 piece of a polyester non-woven fabric (HDK-210) having a basis weight of 55 g/m2 was coated with the Irgaguard B 1000 solution as described in Example 3. The resulting Triclosan treated web was then used to prepare an acquisition layer as de- scribed in Example 1.

Example 5 Layered absorbent structure containing an acquisition layer in combination with a storage layer incorporating odor control agents (a) Preparation of Acquisition layer An acquisition layer was prepared as described in Example 2.

(b) Preparation of Storage layer An aqueous solution of acrylic acid was prepared by combining 306 grams of acrylic acid, 334 grams of deionized water, 250 grams of 50 % w/w sodium hydroxide, 1.8 grams of SR-344 available from Sartomer (polyethylene glycol diacrylate 400), 1.15 grams of, the mean particle diameter was 45 Mm (Darocur 1173 from Merck), 0.15 g of ammonium persulfate and 0.75 grams of 2,2'-azobis [2- (2-imidazolin-2-yl) propane] dihydroch-

loride. To the monomer mixture 54.0 g of Bioshield AM 500 1 (available from Bioshield Technologies, Inc. in Norcross Ga.) was added as an odor control agent. The aqueous solution of acrylic acid was purged with nitrogen. Superabsorbent polymer particles were sieved through a 100 mesh screen and the par- ticles passing through (having particle sizes below 150 mi- crons, the mean particle diameter was 45 Zm) were collected.

A sprayable blend was prepared by adding 23 grams of the col- lected superabsorbent polymer particles to the aqueous acry- lic acid solution prepared above and stirring. The resulting sprayable mixture had a brookfield viscosity of 56 mPas. The sprayable mixture was sprayed using a commercial airless paint spraying apparatus onto both sides of a 0.056 square meter piece of a polyester non-woven fabric (HP-15 available from Hobbs Industries) having a basis weight of 80 g/m2. The total amount of sprayable mixture retained by the fabric was 55 grams ("wet load"). The fabric was then cured by ultravio- let radiation ("W") and dried as described above. The weight of polymer in the resulting fabric was 453 grams per square meter (85 wt%). The resulting web hat a CRC of 23.0 g/g or 12.259 grams per square meter. The FSEV and EVUL after 30 minutes for the web were 27 and 18 ml, respectively.

(c) Preparation of Layered Absorbent Core Structure The acquisition and storage layers prepared as described above were laid a top one another and compressed in a Carver Laboratory Press Model #2697 at 7000 pounds of applied load for 48 seconds with the top platen heated to 50°C. The re- sulting compressed two layered absorbent composite structure had a thickness of 2.1 mm which was maintained until hydra- tion. The profiled absorbent structure hat a CRC of 12.988 grams per square meter and a FSEV and EVUL after 5 seconds of 3.8 and 2.0 ml, respectively. FSEV and EVUL values after 30 minutes were 34 and 19.5, respectively.