Alkali neutralizing acquisition and distribution structures for use in personal care articles

摘要

Disclosed herein are nonwoven fibrous structures for use as body fluid acquisition/distribution elements in personal care products. Such structures comprise natural and/or synthetic fibers wherein the fibers have been consolidated by application thereto, and by cross-linking of, a certain type of cross-linkable, vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) emulsion copolymer latex binder. The VAE latex binder is one which also comprises an added organic acidulant such as citric acid. Consolidation of the structures with VAE-based binders to which the organic acidulant has been added imparts to the resulting structures the ability to lower the pH of body fluids such as urine passing through the structures. This effect, in turn, provides odor control and skin care benefits to the absorbent articles, e.g., diapers and adult incontinence products, using such structures as acquisition/distribution elements.

主权项

1. A nonwoven fibrous structure for use as a body fluid acquisition/distribution element in a personal care product, said structure comprising natural or synthetic fibers, or combinations of said fibers, which fibers have been consolidated by application thereto, and by cross-linking of, a cross-linkable, vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) emulsion copolymer latex binder, said latex binder comprising from about 1.0 wt % to about 5.0 wt % based on total monomer content of said copolymer of an organic acidulant.