THIN UNTIL WET STRUCTURES FOR ACQUIRING BODY FLUIDS

摘要

Disclosed are thin until wet materials that are suitable for use as acquisition members for absorbent articles (e.g., diapers, catamenial products, and adult incontinence devices). Preferred materials according to the present invention are either: (1) fibrous assemblies that utilize wet strength means to stabilize the material or (2) compressed regenerated cellulosic sponges so that, when the material is saturated with an aqueous fluid, it has an expanded wet density of between 0.04 grams/cm<3> and about 0.4 grams/cm<3> and an expanded capillary desorption height of less than about 25 cm and a temporary binding means that helps maintain the material at a compressed dry density between about 0.06 grams/cm<3> and about 1.2 grams/cm<3> until the material is exposed to an aqueous fluid. The ratio of the compressed dry density to the expanded wet density is also greater than about 1.5:1. A suitable process for making the materials and absorbent structures using the materials are also disclosed.