Flexible, highly absorbent material

Abstract

An absorbing structure has a sequence of layers, including at least first and second outer layers with at least a liquid storage layer disposed therebetween. The layers are disposed on top of one another and form a layered structure. At least the liquid storage layer has a cellulose material, preferably cellulose fibers, and a super absorbing polymer SAP, preferably SAP particles and / or SAP fibers. The liquid storage layer uses at least less binder material than the other liquid storing plies of the absorbing structure. The liquid storing plies are adjacent to the liquid storage layer. Preferably, the liquid storage layer does not have binder material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The invention relates to a multilayer absorbing structure including at least one liquid storage layer, preferably with a liquid acquisition layer, a liquid storage layer and a liquid distribution layer using cellulose fibers and a super absorbing polymer. The invention also relates to a method and an apparatus for producing the structure.[0003]2. Description of the Background Art[0004]Multilayer absorbing structures using cellulose and super absorbing polymers abbreviated as SAP, e.g. in the form of SAP particles or SAP fibers have been known for many years and are being used as a layer material in disposable products, e.g. in hygiene products, medical products and industrial products.[0005]Fiber layers with absorbent layer in which binder materials are being used for stabilizing the absorbent layer and for avoiding abrasion of the fibers are known. The layers of such layer material include binder materials, e.g. in the form o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a product, a method and an apparatus for producing an absorbing product which facilitates better properties during use, in particular increased flexibility.

[0129]A dosing of the SAP particles and / or SAP fibers can vary over a width of the material. Also, there is the possibility to dispose different SAP materials over the width of the material at various locations and also at identical locations, in particular to lay them. An embodiment provides that SAP particles are disposed differently in a layer over a thickness of the material. A position control is performed e.g. through an oriented alignment of the SAP supply. There is also the possibility to perform this position control automatically, e.g. through sensors, image analyzing processing or similar. Also, there is the possibility to test the position of the SAP particles and / or the SAP fibers in the layer automatically, e.g. through detecting the SAP particles and / or SAP fibers. Thus, SAP particles and / or SAP fibers can include e.g. a detectable identifier, e.g. a particular material, a color or another identifier. This facilitates e.g. a correction while the production process is running.

Problems solved by technology

However, such products tend to have considerable deficiencies with respect to wearing comfort.

For known relatively compact liquid storage layers thus the capacity for absorbing additional liquid is substantially reduced which impairs wearing comfort.

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