Patent ID: 6479061
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: B32B,D04H,Y10T

Abstract:
A thin, calendered multi-layered absorbent structure comprising:a) a thin, calendered airlaid composite further comprising: i) pulp fiber; and ii) at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber having a first polymer component and a second polymer component, wherein said first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of said second polymer component, and further wherein said bicomponent fibers are integrally mixed and evenly dispersed with said pulp fibers and said first polymer component is bonded to many of said pulp fibers and bicomponent fibers; wherein percent by weight is based on the total weight of i) and ii); and at least one sheet layer; wherein said multi-layered absorbent structure has a drape stiffness of at least about 5 cm, an absorbency of at least about 12 g/g, and a dry tensile strength of at least about 1300 grams, and still further wherein calendering is carried out while the airlaid composite comprises about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight moisture.