MXPA98003531A - Composite absorbent and disposable absorbent garment understanding my - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent composition suitable for use in disposable absorbent garments and an absorbent garment including such a composite is disclosed. The composite includes means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 kilograms (force) x millimeters. In addition, the superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of the containment media and the superabsorben material.

Description

ABSORBENT COMPOUND AND DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT GARMENT UNDERSTANDING THE SAME Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates to absorbent compositions comprising an absorbent material and to absorbent garments comprising such compounds.

Description of Related Art Absorbent composites suitable for use in disposable absorbent garments such as diapers, adult incontinent products, women's care products, training underpants, and the like are known. Generally, such absorbent composites comprise means for containing a high-absorbency material and a high-absorbency material. Suitable means for containing the high-absorbency material include fibrous matrices such as those formed of air-laid cellulose fibers or a coform material comprising cellulose fibers and melt-blown polyolefin fibers. A wide variety of high-absorbency materials (also known as superabsorbent materials) are known to those skilled in the art.

Disposable absorbent garments formed of absorbent composites are intended to carry out many uses. For example, disposable absorbent garments in the form of infant diapers are placed over children and are intended to absorb body fluids for a given period of time. During daytime use, caregivers are generally available and will frequently change the diaper to the infant after a single discharge or perhaps after discharges of fluid. In contrast, the same diaper can be placed on an infant before the infant goes to bed at night. This diaper can remain on the infant until the next morning, for a period of eight or more hours. Therefore, a diaper intended for nighttime use will have its absorbent ability tested to a greater extent than a diaper that is for the purpose of being worn during the day.

Similarly, cultural differences between different groups of people have been found to produce different habits regarding diapers. That is, some cultural groups tend to change diapers more or less frequently than others. In certain cultures, even during the day in the day, a diaper must undergo three, four or more discharges of fluid.

Unfortunately, diapers that function in a completely satisfactory manner in circumstances where they undergo only one or possibly two discharges of liquid can function unsatisfactorily when subjected to three, four or more discharges of liquid. This is, of course, undesirable.

It is possible to design specific diapers for the use during the day and specific diapers for the use during the night. Unfortunately, this puts a burden on the consumer to maintain adequate supplies of both types of diapers. In addition, the added letter is placed on the consumer to change the diapers over time so that the night diaper is on the infant when the infant goes to sleep during the night. Such a solution to the problem described has generally been found unacceptable.

It is desirable to provide an absorbent compound which is capable of exhibiting excellent runoff performance in both low load use situations and high load use situations. This is the objective to which the present invention is directed.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an absorbent composition suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment. The absorbent composite comprises means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 kilograms (force) x millimeters (Kgf x mm). The superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said containment means and said absorbent material. In a specific embodiment, the containment means comprise a fibrous matrix and the superabsorbent material is present in said fibrous matrix.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent garment. The disposable absorbent garment comprises an outer cover, a side-to-body liner superimposed on said outer cover, and an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said side-to-body liner. The absorbent composite comprises means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 Kgf x mm. The superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said containment means of said superabsorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, the containment means comprises a fibrous matrix and the superabsorbent material is present in said fibrous matrix.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the test probe used to conduct the Gel Integrity Index test described in relation to the examples.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a test apparatus used to carry out the fluid intake evaluation described in relation to the examples.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the apparatus of Figure 3 in operation.

Figures 5-14 graphically illustrate the data set out in Table 3.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Incorporation In one aspect, the present invention relates to absorbent and disposable absorbent garments having desirable and improved characteristics achieved through the careful selection and use of the superabsorbent material used in forming such absorbent composites and disposable absorbent garments.

Specifically, in one aspect, the present invention relates to an absorbent composite comprising means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an absorbent compound comprising a fibrous matrix and a superabsorbent material present in said fibrous matrix.

As used herein, the term "superabsorbent material" refers to an organic or inorganic material soluble in water and swellable in water capable under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight, and preferably, at least less about 30 times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 percent by weight of sodium chloride. Organic materials suitable for use as a superabsorbent material of the present invention may include natural materials such as agar, pectin, guar gum, and the like, as well as synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel polymers. Such hydrogel polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl morpholinone and polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulphonic acid, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridines, and the like. Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel polymers are preferably lightly degraded to render the material essentially insoluble in water. The degradation can, for example, be done by irradiation or by covalent, ionic, Van der Waals or hydrogen bonding. The preferred superabsorbent materials are shell degraded so that the outer surface or shell of the superabsorbent particle, of the fiber, of the leaflet, of the sphere, etc., has a density of degradation superior to that of the internal part of the superabsorbent. The superabsorbent materials may be in any suitable form for use in the absorbent composites including the particles, fibers, flakes, spheres and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent material comprises hydrocolloid particles, preferably an ionic hydrocolloid.

Although a wide variety of superabsorbent materials are known, the present invention relates in one aspect to the suitable selection of a superabsorbent material to enable the formation of improved absorbent composites and disposable absorbent garments.

Applicants have discovered that the operation of a superabsorbent material in the absorbent compounds intended for use at night or other situations of use, in which the absorbent compounds will be subjected to high levels of liquid loading, depends, at least in part , of the gel characteristics of the superabsorbent material contained in the compound. As used herein, the gel characteristics of a superabsorbent material refer to the Gel Integrity Index described herein in greater detail in relation to the examples. Generally stated, the Gel Integrity Index is a measure of the resistance to flow as measured by resistance to penetration of the gel solution formed when the superabsorbent material is subjected to a high level of liquid charge.

Specifically, the Gel Integrity Index measures the penetration resistance of the gel solution formed by allowing a superabsorbent material to swell freely in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 percent by weight of sodium chloride in which the superabsorbent material and the sodium chloride solution are present in a ratio by weight of 1:50, respectively.

Superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present invention have a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 Kgf × mm, alternatively of about 1600 Kgf × mm, alternatively of at least about 1700 Kg × x mm , alternatively of at least 1900 Kgf x mm, alternatively of at least 2100 Kg × x mm. In specific embodiments, superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present invention have a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm, alternately from about 1900 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm, still alternately from around 1700 Kgf x mm to around 4500 Kgf x mm.

Applicants have discovered that the superabsorbent materials, possessing a Gel Integrity Index as described above, are capable of producing absorbent and disposable absorbent garments comprising such compounds which are particularly well suited for both day use (low liquid fillers). ) and night (high liquid loads), or for daytime uses where the absorbent compounds will be subjected to a high level of liquid loads. Such high levels of liquid loads may result from the period of time by which the disposable absorbent garment is in use on a wearer or from the particular physical characteristics of the wearer.

Examples of the specific superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present invention are the polyacrylate materials obtained from Allied-Colloids under the designation DP6-6664, Loading 1, 2, 4, 11, and 12.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the superabsorbent material is in the form of particles, which in the non-swollen state, have a maximum cross-sectional diameter within the range of from about 50 microns to about 1000 microns, preferably within the range of about 100 microns to about 800 microns, as determined by the screen analysis according to test method D-1921 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). It is understood that particles of superabsorbent material falling within the ranges described above may comprise solid particles, porous particles, or may be agglomerated particles comprising many smaller particles agglomerated into particles within the size ranges described.

In addition to the superabsorbent materials described above, the absorbent compounds according to the present invention comprise means for containing the superabsorbent material. Any means capable of containing the described superabsorbent materials, which means are capable besides being located in a disposable absorbent garment are suitable for use in the present invention. Many such containment means are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the containment means may comprise a fibrous matrix such as a wet-laid or air-laid fabric of cellulosic fibers, a blown fabric with synthetic polymer fiber fusion, a fabric bonded with spinning of synthetic polymer fibers, a coform matrix comprising cellulosic fibers and fibers formed from synthetic polymer material, heat-melt fabrics, air-laid synthetic polymer materials, open cell foams, and the like.

Alternatively, the containment means may comprise two layers of material which are joined together to form a bag or compartment, more particularly, a plurality of bags, which bags contain a superabsorbent material. In such a case, at least one of the layers of material must be permeable to water. The second layer of material may be water permeable or water impermeable. The layers of material may be woven or non-woven fabric type, open or closed cell foams, perforated films, elastomeric materials, or may be fibrous fabrics of material. When the containment means comprise layers of material, the material must have a porous structure sufficiently small or tortuous enough to contain the majority of the superabsorbent material. The containment means may also comprise a laminate of two layers of material between which the superabsorbent material is placed and contained.

In addition, the containment means may comprise a support structure, such as a polymeric film on which the superabsorbent material is fixed. The superabsorbent material may be attached to one or both sides of the support structure which may be water permeable or water impermeable.

The superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent, alternately from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, alternately from about 50 to about of 100 percent by weight, alternately from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight based on the total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

In a specific embodiment, the containment means comprise a fiber matrix. The superabsorbent material is mixed with the fibers of the matrix to form a mixture. The superabsorbent material is present in the mixture of fibers and superabsorbent materials in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight, alternately from about 30 to about 100 percent by weight, alternatively, from about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, alternately from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the fiber matrix and said superabsorbent material. Any fibers capable of forming a means capable of containing a superabsorbent material and of forming a compound when they are in combination with the superabsorbent material are believed to be suitable for use in the present invention. It is often preferred that the fibers be hydrophilic. As used herein, a fiber will be considered "hydrophilic" when it has a contact angle of water in air of less than 90 degrees. For the purposes of this application, contact angle measurements were determined as established by Good and Stromberg in the work "Surface and Colloidal Science", volume 11 (Plenum Press, 1979).

Suitable fibers for use in the present invention include cellulosic fibers such as wood pulp fluff, cotton, cotton lint, rayon, cellulose acetate, and the like, as well as synthetic polymer fibers. The synthetic polymeric fibers may be formed of inherently hydrophilic polymeric materials and may be formed of inherently hydrophobic polymeric materials (water at an air contact angle of more than SJ degrees) whose fibers are then treated to render at least the outer surface of the fibers hydrophilic. fibers. For example, the hydrophilic fibers can be formed of an intrinsically hydrophilic polymer such as a nylon block copolymer, for example, nylon-6 and a polyethylene oxide diamine. Such block copolymers are commercially available from Allied Signal Inc. under the trade designation HYDROFIL Brand. Alternatively, the fibers may be formed of an intrinsically hydrophobic polymer such as polyolefin polyester which has been surface modified to provide a generally non-fugitive hydrophilic surface.

When hydrophilic fibers are formed by applying a hydrophilic surface treatment to a generally hydrophobic polymer, it is believed that it is desirable to employ a generally non-fugitive surface treatment in order to obtain the desired performance standards. The absorbent structures employed in absorbent garments such as diapers are, as discussed above, frequently subjected to multiple liquid insults. If the surface treatment is fugitive, it can wash away from the initial insult, thus exposing the hydrophobic fiber surface. The hydrophobic fiber surface can prevent the absorption function of the absorbent structure. Of course, there are instances where the hydrophobic fibers can be used depending in part on the fluid that is to be absorbed.

Synthetic polymeric fibers suitable for use in the present invention can be suitably formed through a melt extrusion process wherein the fibers of a polymeric material are extruded and attenuated to produce fibers having a desired diameter. Alternatively the fibers can be formed through a spinning process. Any fiber production process known to those skilled in the art is believed to be suitable for use in the present invention.

The fibers suitable for use in the present invention generally have a length of at least about 1 millimeter. The fibers can have a maximum length approaching infinity. That is, the fibers can be essentially continuous, such as those fibers formed through a meltblowing process under certain conditions known to those skilled in the art.

The reference to a "mixture" is intended to refer to a combination of fibers and superabsorbent material in which the superabsorbent material is in direct contact with the fibers or is essentially prevented from migrating on contact with the fibers. Thus, for example, in a multi-layer absorbent core in which the first layer comprises an air-laid mixture of wood pulp and superabsorbent material and the second layer comprises only air-laid waste, only the first layer it is considered a "mixture" provided that substantial dry migration of the superabsorbent material between the two layers is avoided. Methods for preventing such migration are known and include separating the layers with a tissue wrapping sheet, a high density fiber layer, or similar means to prevent substantial dry migration of the absorbent material between the two layers. The mixture of the superabsorbent materials and the fibers can be relatively homogeneous or relatively non-homogeneous. In the case of an inhomogeneous mixture, the superabsorbent may be arranged in a gradient or may be layered with the fibers.

When the containment means comprises a mixture of fibers and a superabsorbent material, the mixture of fibers and the superabsorbent material can be formed in a wide variety of ways. For example, the mixture can be formed by placing by air or wetting the fibers in the superabsorbent material, according to the processes known in the art, to form blocks of the mixture. Air placement of the mixture of fibers and superabsorbent material is intended to encompass both the situation where the preformed fibers are placed by air with the superabsorbent material as well as the situation in which the superabsorbent material is mixed with the fibers to be The fibers are formed, such as through a meltblowing process.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the absorbent material is employed in a relatively high concentration, 30 percent by weight or greater, the absorbent compounds according to the present invention can have an average thickness of less than about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), particularly less than around 0.3 inches (7.6 mm) and more particularly, less than around 0.15 inches (3.8 mm).

As used herein, the reference to the average thickness of an absorbent composite is intended to refer to the average number of thickness measurements taken under an applied load of about 0.2 pounds per square inch. The number of thickness measurements taken is sufficient to represent the average thickness of the complete absorbent composite.

The absorbent compounds of the present invention generally have an average basis weight of from about 50 to about 1000 grams per square meter, particularly from about 100 to about 900 grams per square meter. The average basis weight of an absorbent composite can be determined by weighing the absorbent compound, determining the surface air of the main planar surface of the absorbent compound and converting to standard units such as grams per square meter.

The absorbent compounds according to the present invention are suitable for absorbing many fluids, including body fluids such as urine, menstrual fluids, and blood; and are suitable for use in absorbent garments such as diapers, incontinent adult products, bed pads, and the like; in catamenial devices such as sanitary napkins, tampons and the like, and in other absorbent products such as cleansers, bibs, wound dressings, food packaging and the like. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent garment comprising a compound as described above, a wide variety of absorbent garments are known to those skilled in the art. The absorbent composites of the present invention can be incorporated into such known absorbent garments. Examples of absorbent garments are generally described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,710,187 issued December 1, 1987 to Boland et al .; 4,762,521 issued on August 9, 1988 to Roessler et al .; 4,770,656 granted on September 13, 1988 to Proxmire and others; 4,798,603 granted on January 17, 1989 to Meyer et al .; 5,411,497 issued May 2, 1995 to Tanzer et al .; 5,433,715 issued on July 18, 1995 to Tanzer and others; 5,425,725 issued June 20, 1995 to Tanzer et al .; and commonly assigned United States patent applications No. 08 / 096,654, filed July 22, 1993 and September 11, 1991, in the name of Hanson et al. (EP 0539703) and serial application No. 08 / 369,558 filed January 6, 1995 in the name of Tanzer et al., All of which are incorporated herein by reference. As a general ruleDisposable absorbent garments according to the present invention comprise a body-side liner adapted to make contact with a user's skin, an outer cover superimposed in a front relation with said liner, and an absorbent composite, such as those described above, superimposed on said outer cover and located between the side-to-body liner and the outer cover. Those skilled in the art will recognize suitable materials to be used as a side-to-body liner and an outer cover. Examples of materials suitable for use as the body-side liner are polypropylene or polyethylene bonded with hydrophilized yarn with a basis weight of from about 15 to about 25 grams per square meter, and the like. Examples of materials suitable for use as the outer cover are water impervious materials such as polyolefin films, as well as water permeable or water vapor permeable materials.

Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a disposable diaper according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disposable diaper 10 includes an outer cover 12, a side-to-body liner 14, and an absorbent composite 16 between the side-to-body liner 14 and the outer cover 12. The absorbent composite 16 comprises an air-laid mixture of fiber wood pulp and superabsorbent material. The absorbent composite is surrounded by a piece-piece wrapping sheet comprising the upper wrapping sheet layer 18 and the lower wrapping sheet layer 20. The absorbent composite 16 has a profiled thickness to define an area 22 of an increased basis weight. The two-piece wrapping sheet extends beyond the edges of the absorbent composite 6 to define the perimeter 24 which can be sealed to prevent the superabsorbent material from migrating out of the diaper.

Attached to the outer cover 12 are the waist elastics 26, the fastening tapes 28, and the leg elastics 30. The leg elastics 30 comprise a carrier sheet 32 and the individual elastic threads 34.

The body side liner 14 includes the containment fins 36 having the proximal edges 38 and the distant edges 40. An emergence handling material 42 is located between the body side liner 14 and an upper wrap layer 18 associated with the body. the absorbent compound 16.

The exact construction method and diaper materials illustrated in Figure 1 are set forth in greater detail in commonly assigned United States Patent Application No. 08 / 096,654, filed July 22, 1993, in the name of of Hanson et al., previously incorporated herein by reference. Possible modifications to the diaper illustrated in Figure 1 are set forth in commonly assigned US Pat. Nos. 5,364,382 issued November 15, 1994 to Lati er et al. And 5,429,629 issued July 4, 1995 to Latimer. and others. Such possible modifications include placing the emergence management layer 42 between the near edges 38 of the containment fins 36 and reducing the length of the emergence management layer to extend the length of the absorbent composite (reduced length and basis weight). increased) of the emergence management layer in the diaper area where liquid waste initially accumulates (target zone).

Test Methods Moisture Content of Superabsorbent Material The following test method is suitably used to determine the moisture content of the superabsorbent material.

Used equipment : 1. An electronic balance accurate to 0.001 grams, such as that available from the Sartorius Company under the trade designation BP310S. 2. A forced air oven capable of maintaining an internal temperature of 105QC + 2 ° C. Such a furnace is commercially available from Blue M under the designation Stabil-Therm. 3. A desiccant containing fresh calcium chloride. Such a desiccant can be obtained from Baxter Scientific Company, under the designation Pyrex Knot Top Desiccant. 4. A 60 mm aluminum weighing pan, such as that available from the Sargent Welch Company under the designation # S 25725.

Test Procedure 1. A preheated oven at 105oC ± 2oC. 2. Weigh the plate to weigh aluminum and record the weight as Wl. 3. Place 8-10 grams of superabsorbent material on the weighing plate. 4. Weigh the weighing plate and the superabsorbent material and record the weight as W2.

. Place the weighing pan and the superabsorbent material in a preheated oven for 3 hours. 6. Remove the weighing plate and superabsorbent material from the oven and place it in the desiccant. Allow it to cool for approximately 30 minutes. 7. Remove the weighing plate and the superabsorbent material from the desiccant and immediately weigh the cooled weighing pan and the superabsorbent material. Record the weight as W3. 8. The percent moisture was calculated by the formula % humidity = 100 x (W2-W3) / (W2-W1) Gel Integrity Index Used equipment 1. An electronic balance accurate to 0.001 grams, such as that available from the Sartorius Company under the trade designation BP310S. 2. 30-mesh and 50-mesh screens from the United States standard, automatic screen agitator, such as the Ro-Tap Screen Agitator commercially available from Baxter Scientific. 3. Air-proof glass containers, such as those available from Baxter Scientific under the trade designation Qorpak Bottles AP-21034. 0.87 percent commercially available aqueous salt water solution from Baxter Scientific under the Salt Water trade designation of Banco de Sangre.

. A polystyrene bottle of 55 milliliters capacity, 33 millimeters in diameter pro 62 millimeters in height, such as the one commercially available from Baxter Scientific under the trade designation Continental Glass and Plastic Co. Flask Cap Spring Polystyrene. 6. A Voltage Tester, such as that commercially available from Instron under the trade designation Model # 1122. The Voltage Tester is connected to a personal computer including the WindowsMarca program and TestWorksMarca for Windows. 7. A load cell of 2000 grams of compression for the Voltage Tester of No. 6, whose load cell is commercially available from Instron. 8. A Test Works program commercially available from Sintech under the trade designation Test Works for Windows. 9. A test probe of transparent anodized aluminum of 1.27 centimeters in diameter (d) as illustrated in figure 2. With reference to figure 2, the test probe 50 has a length A of 11.43 centimeters. The test probe 50 has a threaded part 52 having a length B of 1 centimeter. The threaded portion 52 is adapted to be screwed into the load cell of number 7 above. The end of the probe 50 opposite the threaded part 52 is rounded (a beam of 0.635 centimeters).

. A laboratory cat. 11. A polystyrene weight boat, commercially available from Baxter Scientific under the trade designation S / P Brand dispo Weight Boat Containers.

Sample Preparation 1. To take a quantity of the superabsorbent material such as this is received from the superabsorbent supplier, but having a moisture content of less than 10 percent by weight, and prescribes according to Test Method ASTM D-1921. If the superabsorbent material has a moisture content greater than 10 percent by weight, it should dry to at least about 105oC until it has a moisture content of less than 10 percent by weight. Fibrous superabsorbent materials do not require pre-screening but must have (or be dried to have) a moisture content of less than 10 percent by weight. Transfer the superabsorbent material that passes through a grid of 30 standard meshes of the United States of North America and that is retained on a grid of 50 standard meshes of the United States of North America (part of 300-600 microns) of the superabsorbent material in the air-proof container to prevent moisture pick-up. 2. Transfer 40 milliliters (± 0.01 milliliters) of 0.87 percent salt water from Baxter Blood Bank to the polystyrene bottle. 3. Measure 0.80 grams of the superabsorbent material obtained under No. 1 above (particle size 300-600 microns) on the polystyrene weight boat. Transfer the superabsorbent material from the weight boat to the polystyrene bottle, place the cap on the bottle, and turn gently for 10 seconds. After spinning, allow the superabsorbent material to swell undisturbed at room temperature for one to eight hours. The superabsorbent is allowed to swell until it appears that it has generally reached equilibrium (it has stopped swelling). One hour is usually sufficient to reach this apparent equilibrium phase. Transfer the container with as little movement as possible to the tension tester platform. Triplicated samples were prepared for each superabsorbent material to be tested.

Test Placement 1. Connect the load cell to 2000 grams of compression on the voltage tester and let it warm for at least 30 minutes. 2. Turn on the personal computer and enter the WindowsMarca program. 3. Enter the TestworksMarca program. 4. Put the following parameters in the compression master preset: Calculation Entries Entry of 4 Label Units Missing Panel Attribute 0 Meter Length mm 75.00 Displayed N 1 Meter United In / In 1.00 HIDDEN N 2 Removal Point Pulg 1.00 HIDDEN N 3% Fall to break 3, 100.0 HIDDEN N 4 Elongation Falling In 0.001 HIDDEN N Breakage 5 Load Value Pound 50.00 HIDDEN N Breakdown 6 Angie Performance deg 0.00 HIDDEN N 7% SegLen Performance% 10.00 HIDDEN N 8 Tol Inclination% 98.00 HIDDEN N 9% SegLen Inclination% 10.00 HIDDEN N Load Inclination Min Pound 0.00 HIDDEN N 11 Load Inclination Max Pound 10000.00 HIDDEN N 12 Tension Min Inclination PSI 0.00 HIDDEN N 13 Voltage Max Inclination PSI 1000.00 HIDDEN N 14% Voltage Puntol 3. 29,160 OPTIONAL N % Voltage Point2% 5.00 HIDDEN N 16 START mm 15 DISPLAYED N 17 FIN mm 40.00 DISPLAYED N 18 Voltage Puntol PSI 100.0 HIDDEN N 19 Voltage Point2 PSI 200.0 HIDDEN N Surrender Decentralized% 2 HIDDEN N 21 Preload Loose Gm 5.00 OPTIONAL N 22% Stress Point3 g. 2.92 OPTIONAL N Test Inputs Input from 1 Label Units Missing Panel Attribute 0 Initial Speed In / Min 16.00 HIDDEN N 1 Speed In / Min 16.00 OPTIONAL N 2% Voltage Limit "í 100.0 HIDDEN N 3 Lim Deformation 52.00 OPTIONAL N 4 Load Limit High Gm 2000 OPTIONAL N Load Limit Low Pound -5000 HIDDEN N 6 Extension Limit High Pulg 3.000 OPTIONAL N 7 Low Limit Extension In -20.0 HIDDEN N 8 Voltage High Limit% 3000000.1 HIDDEN N 9 Voltage Low Limit 3. -300000.0 HIDDEN N Voltage Limit High PSI 0.00 HIDDEN N 11 Voltage Low Limit PSI 10000.00 HIDDEN N 12 # of Cycles (None) 0.00 HIDDEN N 13 Second Limit Time 1000.00 HIDDEN N 14 Sensitivity to 29,160 OPTIONAL N Breakdown 15 RETURN POINT In 5.00 HIDDEN N Required Markers £ Category Code Attribute 1 BREAK POINT Fg / Min HIDDEN 2 PERFORMANCE POINT AND HIDDEN 3 BEGIN MODULE B HIDDEN 4 FINISH MODULE M HIDDEN Markers Optional t Cateqory Code Attribute Formula Inputs POINT MIDDLE 0 HIDDEN 6 IN PIP 1 HIDDEN 7 IN PIP 2 HIDDEN 8 IN PIP 3 HIDDEN 9 IN PIP 4 HIDDEN 10 FREE B FIXED © INDEX (EXT, C16) 11 FREE AND FIXED © INDEX (EXT, C17) 12 FREE 7 HIDDEN © INDEX (LOAD, PEAK) 13 FREE 8 HIDDEN © INDEX (LOAD, PEAK) 14 FREE 9 HIDDEN © INDEX (LOAD, PEAK) Required Calculations I Category Procedure Inputs 0 REA INACTIVE 1 VOLTAGE l / AREA 2 Primary Voltage 1/100 3 Secondary Voltage 1/100 4 Breakdown INACTIVE 5 Performance Point INACTIVE 6 Primary Tilt INACTIVE 7 Offset Offset Performance OFF Nominal Offset Length Adjustment INACTIVE Measuring Sample Naming Format Alias Sample ID Length * 30 Alias Length = 0 Alias Length = 0 Alias Length = 0 Alias Length = 0 Channel Drawing Label Class of Unit State Formula [0] EXTENSION ACTIVE DIMENSION PO [1] TIME ACTIVE TIME Pl [2] LOAD LOAD ACTIVE P2 [3] LOGIC 3 DIMENSION INACTIVE P3 [4] LOGIC 4 INACTIVE LOAD P4 Display Units Load Gm Extension Inch Speed In / Min Area Inch Square Stress * Time Min Voltage PSI Specimen Entries Entry of Label Units Missing Attribute Panel Diameter In. 0.500 HIDDEN N Length In. 0.125 OPTIONAL N Height In. 2.00 HIDDEN N Area In. Square 2.00 HIDDEN N Entry Mise. 1 (None) 1.00 HIDDEN N Entry Mise. 2 (None) 1.00 HIDDEN N Entry Mise. 3 (None) 1.00 HIDDEN N Entry Mise. 4 (None) 1.00 HIDDEN N Meter Removal [N] Pause for Meter Removal [N] Reference Name: Reference Loaded: None Configuration Load Address TOP Extension Address UP Docility No End of Test Action IR to Method Type STANDARD Move Segments Type RETURN EXTENSION State ENABLE Direction WITHOUT CHANGE Acquisition INACTIVE Data Points 0 Complete Action CONTINUE STANDARD Message Move Segments Type TARA TENSION 1 EXTENSION State DISABLE Direction WITHOUT CHANGE Acquisition INACTIVE Data Points 0 Complete Action CONTINUE Message Type TARA VOLTAGE 2 EXTENSION State DISABLE Direction WITHOUT CHANGE Acquisition INACTIVE DATA Points 0 End Action CONTINUE Message Type GO TO VOLTAGE @ CONSTANT SPEED State DISABLE Direction WITHOUT CHANGE Acquisition ACTIVE Data Points 500 End Action CONTINUE Message Initial Speed at% voltage point Type IR TO VOLTAGE ® CONSTANT SPEED State ENABLE Direction DOWN (Test Down of the Cross Head) Acquisition ACTIVE Data Points 500 Complete High Action Message _ £ Label Missing Attribute 0 User Input 1 User Default l HIDDEN 1 User input 2 User failure 2 HIDDEN 2 User input 3 User failure 3 HIDDEN 3 User Input 4 User Lack 4 OPTIONAL 4 User Input 5 User's Lack 5 HIDDEN User Input 6 User's Error 6 HIDDEN 6 User Input 7 User's Lack 7 HIDDEN 7 User Input 8 User's Lack 8 HIDDEN 8 User Input 9 User Default 9 HIDDEN 9 User Input 10 User's Lack 10 HIDDEN 5. Calibrate the load cell within 1 percent according to the calibration procedure supplied with the Voltage Tester. 6. Once calibrated, mount the load cell on the Tension Tester frame and attach the 1.27 cm diameter test probe to the load cell.

Test Procedure 1. Click on "sample" at the top of the screen and type in a sample description. Press enter. 2. Zero the load on the load cell. 3. Remove the lid of one of the polystyrene bottles containing the swollen superabsorbent material prepared as described above and place it on a laboratory jack located below the test probe that has been screwed into the load cell. 4. Upload the sample with the laboratory cat until a load greater than 0.1 gram but less than 1 gram is exerted on the load cell.

. Re-zero the load on the load cell and then press "run" at the top of the screen. 6. The Instron machine will then lower the test probe of 1.27 centimeters in diameter over the sample by a distance of 40 millimeters at a constant speed of 16 feet per minute. 7. When the probe stops, press "return" on the Instron panel and raise the sample probe. Clean the probe. Test the two remaining samples of the same material in the manner described above. Print the results of the test. The Gel Integrity Index is the area under the curve generated by the Initial Tension Tester team of the final procedure test procedure for the three test samples. The value is reported as the average energy of three replications in kilogram (force) x millimeters.

Fluid intake evaluation Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the test apparatus used to carry out the fluid intake evaluation. With reference to figure 3, a test sample of 4 inches x 10 inches (show on ghost at point 60).

The test sample 60 is placed flat and smooth under a cylinder plate assembly 62 so that the cylinder 64, which has an internal diameter of 5.1 centimeters, is positioned on the center 66 of the lower plate 68 and the platform 70. The plate 62 and the Plate 68 are 14 inches long and 8 inches wide and are made of a material such as Plexiglas. The raised platform 70 is 1/2 inch high (d) by 6 inches long (e) by 3 inches wide (f). The cylinder 64 extends for a distance (g) of about 1/32 inch below the cylinder plate assembly 62. This can be seen with reference to Figure 4. The funnel 72 is sized to fit in the cylinder 64 and has a receiving end which is 7 centimeters in diameter and an outlet end which is 1.2 centimeters in diameter.

The fluid intake evaluation is carried out as follows. The test sample of 4 inches by 10 inches 60 is ed on the elevated form 70 so that it is centered on it. Two 3-inch by 11-inch strips of blotting paper were provided. The blotting paper is a commercially available 100 lbs. Blotter paper from James River Corporation under the trade designation Paper Secador de 100 libras Verigood. Each strip of blotting paper was passed and its weight recorded. A strip of blotter paper was ed immediately to the side but not touching, each longitudinal side (10 inches) of the test sample 60. The cylinder e assembly 62 is ed on top of the bottom e 68 so that they are superimposed on one another. Two cylindrical weights are ed in the areas marked with an "x" (figure 3) so that a weight of 0.836 pounds per square inch was applied to the 3-inch x 6-inch part of the test sample 60 located on the form lifted 70, (minus the area under cylinder 64). The total weight applied is approximately 12.4 pounds (5623 grams).

Sixty milliliters of a 0.87 percent aqueous salt water solution commercially available from Baxter Scientific under the trade designation Blood Bank Saline was poured through funnel 72 into cylinder 64 to reach test sample 60. The time required for that the 60 milliliter saltwater solution disappears from the surface of test sample 60. After the fluid disappears from the surface of the test sample, the blotter strips are removed and weighed to determine the amount of liquid absorbed by the blotting paper strips. New blotter strips were weighed and ed close to the test sample and a second 60 milliliter discharge was applied through the funnel 10 minutes after the first discharge had been applied. Again, the time required to make the fluid disappear from the surface of the test sample was recorded. The blotter strips were removed and weighed to determine the amount of liquid absorbed by the blotter strips. The procedure to ree the blotter strips with new strips, unloading the test sample with 60 milliliters of Blood Bank Saline, determining the amount of time necessary for the fluid to disappear from the surface of the test sample 60 and determining the amount of the liquid absorbed by the blotting paper strips was repeated for a total of 5 discharges. Each download occurred 10 minutes after the first insult. The amount of runoff for each insult was determined by subtracting the dry blotter weights from the wet blotter weights for the blotter strips used for that blot. The toir.a rate of each insult was determined by subtracting the 60 milliliter insult drain and dividing by the intake time [(60 ml - runoff / intake time (min)].

Examples The following superabsorbent materials were tested. All the superabsorbent materials were in particulate form.

TABLE 1 Shows No Manufacturer Designation Dow Chemical Co. AFA65- 4 Allied Colloids DP6-6664 Load 2 Allied Colloids DP6-6664 Load 4 Allied Colloids DP6-6664 Load 3 Hoechst Celanese IM3900 Lot 3175E2 Allied Colloids DP6-6664 Load 1 Allied Colloids DP6-6664 Load 12 Dow Chemical Co. Schooner 1 Dow Chemical Co. BK 94003 10 Stockhausen Inc. T 5209 All the superabsorbent materials tested were superabsorbents of polyacrylic acid. The superabsorbent materials described in Table 1 were tested to determine their gel integrity index. The results of this test are set forth in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Shows No Gel Integrity Index (Kg, x mm) 1 2084. 3 2 1757. 3 3 1350. 3 4 1186 5 619 .4 6 1788 .4 7 1409. 1 ? 1200 1 9 1044. 6 10 392 .4 The superabsorbent materials described in Table 1 were then formed into absorbent composites. The absorbent compounds were formed by placing a mixture of superabsorbent material and wood pulp flux by air. The wood pulp fluff was a softwood kraft pulp available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation under the trade designation CR1654. The absorbent composites were placed by air so that the superabsorbent material was generally distributed homogeneously within the absorbent compound. The absorbent composites comprised 39 percent by weight of superabsorbent material based on the total weight of the absorbent compound. The absorbent compounds had a basis weight of 700 grams per square meter and were densified in a press to have a density of 0.20 grams per cubic centimeter. The absorbent compounds, after air placement and densification, were cut to the size of 4 inches x 10 inches. The absorbent compounds thus formed were then subjected to the fluid intake evaluation test described above. The results of this test are set out in Table 3 and represent the average of three applications.

TABLE 3 Suoerab- sorbent Mueetra la. Download 2a. Download 3a. Download 4a. Download 5a. Desearga Mo. Drain1 Drain - Drain - Drain - Drain Drain - Drain - Drain Drain - Drain - Drain 1 114.74 0 31.38 258.28 0 13.94 283.0 0 12.72 283.84 0.02 12.64 336.97 29.92 5.36 2 104.29 0 34.52 168.29 0 21.39 213.61 0 16.85 294.72 0 12.21 305.07 10.97 9.64 3 118.33 0 30.42 191.98 0 18.75 226.31 1.05 15.63 231.67 2.4 14.92 224.03 23.57 9.76 4 117.13 0 30.74 207.1 0 17.38 270.44 0.043 13.30 285.99 1.88 12.19 296.76 13.34 9.43 112.71 0 31.94 194.2 0 18.54 245.85 0 14.64 250.17 0.51 14.27 254.04 22.71 8.81 6 113.72 0 31.66 209.28 0 17.20 275.45 0 13.07 270.49 0 13.31 283.61 14.57 9.61 7 105.19 0 34.22 218.35 0 16.49 305.83 0 11.77 315.61 0 11.41 299.16 20.83 7.86 8 97.95 0 36.75 232.83 0 15.46 330.01 0 10.91 339.2 0 10.61 383.64 14.66 7.09 9 126.4 0 28.48 299.54 0 12.02 442.95 0 8.13 485.5 0.44 7.36 552.46 11.79 5.24 130.66 0 27.55 302.23 0 11.91 365.69 0 9.84 393.78 0.57 9.06 432.19 33.98 3.61 1 From Table 1 2 Taking time in seconds 3 Runoff in milliliters 4 Rate in milliliters per minute The data shown in Table 3 appear in the graphical form in figures 5-14. As can be seen from the reference to Table 3 and Figures 9-14, absorbent composites made of superabsorbent materials having a relatively high gel integrity index possess improved picking rates particularly over discharges, third, fourth and fifth. This is important since the third, fourth and fifth discharges tend to simulate situations in use that correspond to a high level of liquid loading (for example, night use). Therefore, even though Gil does not seem to strongly affect the rate of taking the first insult, the second, third, fourth and fifth insult rate does, Increasingly, it seems that they are affected by the gel integrity index.

Even though the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon obtaining an understanding of the foregoing, that alterations, variations and equivalents of these modalities can easily be conceived. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be established as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims (55)

R E I V I ND I C A C I O N S

1. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprises: means for containing a superabsorbent material; a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index of less than about 1500 Kgf x mm, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

2. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of said means of containment and of said superabsorbent material.

3. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said means of containment and of said superabsorbent material.

4. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said means of containment and of said superabsorbent material.

5. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kgf x mm.

6. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kgf x mm.

7. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kgf x mm.

8. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kgf x mm.

9. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm.

10. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kgf x mm to about 4500 Kgf x mm.

11. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kg × x mm to about 5000 Kgf × mm.

12. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said containment means comprise a fiber matrix.

13. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that said fiber matrix comprises cellulosic fibers.

14. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the superabsorbent material is degraded from the shell.

15. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said containment means comprise two layers of material, at least one layer being permeable to water and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.

16. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprises: an outer cover; a liner side to body superimposed on said outer cover; Y an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said side-to-body liner, said absorbent compound comprising: means for containing a superabsorbent material; Y a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 Kgf × mm, said superabsorbent being present in said containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of said containment means and said superabsorbent material.

17. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent, based on the total weight of said materials. containment means and said superabsorbent material.

18. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said materials. containment means and said superabsorbent material.

19. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said absorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said absorbent materials. containment means and said superabsorbent material.

20. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kgf x mm.

21. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kgf × mm.

22. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kgf × mm.

23. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kgf × mm.

24. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kgf × mm to about 5000 Kgf × mm.

25. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kgf x mm to about 4500 Kgf x mm.

26. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm.

27. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said containment means comprise a fiber matrix.

28. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the fiber matrix comprises cellulosic fibers.

29. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is a degraded shell.

30. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said containment means comprise two layers of material, at least one layer being permeable to water and wherein said superabsorbent material is located between said two layers of material.

31. An absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment, said absorbent composite comprises: a fiber matrix; Y a superabsorbent material present in said fibrous matrix, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 Kg × x mm, said superabsorbent being present in said fibrous matrix in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of said fibrous matrix and said superabsorbent material.

32. The absorbent composite as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

33. The absorbent composite as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

34. The absorbent composite as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kgf mm.

35. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kgf mm.

36. The absorbent composite as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kgf mm.

37. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kgf mm.

38. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm.

39. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kgf x mm to about 4500 Kgf x mm.

40. The absorbent composite as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from 1900 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kg. X mm.

41. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said fiber matrix comprises cellulosic fibers.

42. The absorbent compound as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is a degraded shell.

43. A disposable absorbent garment, said garment comprises: an outer cover; a liner side to body superimposed on said outer cover; Y an absorbent composite located between said outer cover and said liner from side to body, said absorbent compound comprises: a fiber matrix; Y a superabsorbent material present in said fiber matrix, said superabsorbent material having a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 Kgf × mm, said superabsorbent being present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 percent by weight based on the total weight of said fiber matrix and said superabsorbent material.

44. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said material. matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

45. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 50 to about 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said material. matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

46. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material is present in said fiber matrix in an amount of from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said matrix of fibers and said superabsorbent material.

47. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1600 Kgf x mm.

48. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1700 Kgf x mm.

49. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1900 Kgf x mm.

50. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 2100 Kgf x mm.

51. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1500 Kgf x mm to about 5000 Kgf x mm.

52. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1700 Kgf × mm to about 4500 Kg × x mm.

53. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of from about 1900 Kgf × mm to about 5000 Kg × x mm.

54. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said containment means comprises cellulosic fibers.

55. The disposable absorbent garment as claimed in clause 43, characterized in that said absorbent material is a degraded cover. SUMMARY An absorbent composition suitable for use in disposable absorbent garments and an absorbent garment including such a composite is disclosed. The composite includes means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Gel Integrity Index of at least about 1500 kilograms (force) x millimeters. In addition, the superabsorbent material is present in the containment means in an amount of from about 10 to about 100 weight percent based on the total weight of the containment means and the superabsorbent material.