Attachment of superabsorbent materials to fibers using oil

Abstract

Oil is used in absorbent structures to promote the retention of superabsorbent materials within the absorbent structures that are formed from fibers and the superabsorbent material. The oil is applied to either the fibers or the superabsorbent material or both prior to or during the formation of the components into an absorbent structure. Acquisition rates and fluid retention levels of the absorbent structures are described.

1 . An article for absorbing an aqueous fluid, comprising: 
 cellulose fibers;    superabsorbent material; and    an oil applied to the cellulose fibers or the superabsorbent material.    
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil has a melting point below about 25° C.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil comprises a triglyceride.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is a fatty acid.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is olive oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, tung oil, castor oil, coconut oil, canola oil, corn oil, or jojoba oil.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is a saturated or unsaturated alkane, alkene, alkyne, cycloalkane, cycloalkene, cycloalkyne or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is petroleum derived.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7 , wherein the oil is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, hexadecane, squalane, and squalene.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is present on the fibers in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to 20 wt. % based on the weight of oven-dried fibers.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is present on the superabsorbent material in an amount ranging from about 0.01 to less than 10 wt. % based on the weight of the superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         11 . Treated fibers comprising: 
 cellulose fibers; and    an oil applied to the fibers, the oil having a melting point below the temperature at which the oil is applied to the fibers.    
     
     
         12 . The treated fibers of  claim 11 , wherein the cellulose fibers are wood pulp fibers.  
     
     
         13 . The treated fibers of  claim 11 , wherein the oil is petroleum derived.  
     
     
         14 . The treated fibers of  claim 11 , wherein the oil comprises a triglyceride.  
     
     
         15 . Treated superabsorbent material comprising: 
 superabsorbent material; and    an oil applied to the superabsorbent material, the oil having a melting point below the temperature at which the oil is applied to the superabsorbent material.    
     
     
         16 . The treated superabsorbent material of  claim 15 , wherein the oil is petroleum derived.  
     
     
         17 . The treated superabsorbent material of  claim 15 , wherein the oil comprises a triglyceride.  
     
     
         18 . A method for retaining superabsorbent material within a web of cellulose fibers comprising: 
 providing cellulose fibers having an oil applied thereto, the oil having a melting point below the temperature at which the oil is applied to the fibers; and    contacting a superabsorbent material with the cellulose fibers treated with an oil.    
     
     
         19 . A method for retaining superabsorbent material within a web of cellulose fibers comprising: 
 providing superabsorbent material having an oil applied thereto, the oil having a melting point below the temperature at which the oil is applied to the superabsorbent material; and    contacting cellulose fibers with the superabsorbent material treated with an oil.