Patent ID: 7037394

Claim:
A process for manufacturing an absorbent dryformed paper web having a plurality of layers, with an optional center layer containing a superabsorbent material comprising: a. laying a web of cellulose fibers, admixed with thermobonding fibers, onto a forming wire, wherein the thermobonding fibers comprise about 3–25 wt % of the total fiber content, wherein the thermobonding fibers are distributed such that there is a gradual increase in thermobonding fiber concentration nearer the surface of the web; b. applying a binder to form binder layers on the top surface and bottom surface of the web of cellulose fibers, wherein the amount of dry matter in the binder is from about 0.5–15 wt % and the amount of dry matter applied to the surface of the web is from about 0.5–20 g. of dry matter per square meter of web surface; and c. heating the web to a temperature sufficient to melt the thermobonding fibers and increase the tensile strength of the finished product.