Substrates comprising flocked Fibers of superabsorbent polymer

Abstract

A substrate having flocked fibers of superabsorbent polymer thereon is provided. The substrate may be one of a variety of materials, such as nonwoven materials, polymer films, apertured films, absorbent layers, netting, woven fabrics, foams, reticulated films and the like.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A substrate having flocked fibers of superabsorbent polymer thereon.  
     
     
         2 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of superabsorbent polymer are selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, grafted cellulose, and maleic acid.  
     
     
         3 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising flocked fibers of a second hydrophilic material thereon.  
     
     
         4 . The substrate of  claim 3 , wherein the second hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of wettable materials, absorbent materials, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising flocked fibers of a hydrophobic material thereon.  
     
     
         6 . The substrate of  claim 5 , wherein the hydrophobic material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, olefins, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise a combination of superabsorbent polymer, another hydrophilic material, and a hydrophobic material.  
     
     
         8 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of nonwoven materials, polymer films, breathable materials, apertured films, absorbent layers, netting, woven fabrics, foams, and reticulated films.  
     
     
         9 . An apertured film having flocked fibers of superabsorbent polymer thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The apertured film of  claim 9  having a top surface and an underside surface and comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein said flocked fibers are adhered to the underside surface of the film.  
     
     
         11 . The apertured film of  claim 10 , wherein each of said apertures originates in the top surface of the film and is defined by a sidewall projecting from the underside surface of the film, each sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said flocked fibers are also adhered to the outer surfaces of the aperture sidewalls.  
     
     
         12 . The apertured film of  claim 9  having a top surface and an underside surface and comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein said flocked fibers are adhered to the top surface of the film.  
     
     
         13 . The apertured film of  claim 9 , wherein the fibers of superabsorbent polymer are selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, grafted cellulose, and maleic acid.  
     
     
         14 . The apertured film of  claim 9  further comprising flocked fibers of a second hydrophilic material thereon.  
     
     
         15 . The apertured film of  claim 14 , wherein the second hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of wettable materials, absorbent materials, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The apertured film of  claim 9  further comprising flocked fibers of a hydrophobic material thereon.  
     
     
         17 . The apertured film of  claim 16 , wherein the hydrophobic material is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, olefins and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The apertured film of  claim 9 , wherein the fibers comprise a combination of superabsorbent polymer, a second hydrophilic material, and a hydrophobic material.  
     
     
         19 . An absorbent article comprising a substrate having flocked fibers of superabsorbent polymer thereon.  
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of nonwoven materials, polymer films, breathable materials, apertured films, absorbent layers, netting, woven fabrics, foams, and reticulated films.  
     
     
         21 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein the substrate is an apertured film.  
     
     
         22 . A sanitary napkin according to  claim 19 .  
     
     
         23 . A pantiliner according to  claim 19.