Crosslinked cellulosic product

Abstract

The present invention provides a bonded cellulosic fibrous product that includes crosslinked cellulosic fibers. Methods for forming the bonded cellulosic fibrous product and personal care absorbent products that include the bonded product are also provided.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for making a cellulosic fibrous product, comprising: 
 (a) airlaying crosslinked cellulosic fibers to provide a fibrous web;    (b) treating the web with an amount of a bonding agent effective to provide a bonded product; and    (c) heating the web to effect bonding between the fibers to provide a bonded cellulosic fibrous product.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a latex.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a wet strength agent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising airlaying thermoplastic fibers with the crosslinked fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises absorbent material.  
     
     
         7 . A bonded cellulosic fibrous product, comprising airlaid crosslinked cellulosic fibers treated with an amount of a bonding agent effective to provide a bonded cellulosic fibrous product.  
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 7 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a latex.  
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 7 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a wet strength agent.  
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 7 , wherein the bonding agent comprises thermoplastic fibers.  
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 7  further comprising other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 7  further comprising absorbent material.  
     
     
         13 . A method for making a cellulosic fibrous product, comprising: 
 (a) airlaying cellulosic fibers to provide a fibrous web, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fibers are treated with an amount of crosslinking agent effective to provide a bonded product; and    (b) heating the web to provide a bonded cellulosic fibrous product.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising airlaying thermoplastic fibers with the cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises absorbent material.  
     
     
         17 . A bonded cellulosic fibrous product, comprising airlaid cellulosic fibers, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fibers are treated with an amount of crosslinking agent effective to provide a bonded product.  
     
     
         18 . The product of  claim 17  further comprising thermoplastic fibers.  
     
     
         19 . The product of  claim 17  further comprising other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         20 . The product of  claim 17  further comprising absorbent material.  
     
     
         21 . A method for making a cellulosic fibrous product, comprising: 
 (a) airlaying cellulosic fibers to provide a fibrous web, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fibers are treated with an amount of crosslinking agent effective to provide a bonded product;    (b) treating the web with an amount of a bonding agent effective to provide a bonded product; and    (c) heating the web to provide a bonded cellulosic fibrous product.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a latex.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a wet strength agent.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising airlaying thermoplastic fibers with the cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the fibrous web further comprises absorbent material.  
     
     
         27 . A bonded cellulosic fibrous product, comprising airlaid cellulosic fibers treated with an amount of a bonding agent effective to provide a bonded cellulosic fibrous product, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fibers are treated with a crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         28 . The product of  claim 27 , wherein the bonding agent comprises thermoplastic fibers.  
     
     
         29 . The product of  claim 27 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a latex.  
     
     
         30 . The product of  claim 27 , wherein the bonding agent comprises a wet strength agent.  
     
     
         31 . The product of  claim 27  further comprising other cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         32 . The product of  claim 27  further comprising absorbent material.  
     
     
         33 . A personal care absorbent product comprising the product of any one of claims  7 ,  17 , or  27 .  
     
     
         34 . The product of  claim 33 , wherein the product is at least one of an infant diaper, adult incontinence product, and a feminine hygiene product.