Patent ID: 7999147

Claim:
A method of preparing an absorbent article comprising a superabsorbent power (SAP), the method comprising treating the SAP with an additive in an amount effective to reduce the malodor of a bodily fluid later absorbed by the absorbent article, wherein the additive is a quaternary ammonium salt that is water soluble at 37° C., comprises a C 16 -C 21 chain, and contains at least two oxygen atoms in the anionic portion of the salt, the additive comprising 0.001-10 wt. % of an absorbent portion of the article, wherein the additive has Formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently a straight or branched C 1 -C 21 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, dialkylamido, alkylthio, (polyalkyl)aryl, cycloalkyl or an N- or O-containing ring, optionally further comprising an N, O or S, wherein one of R1, R2, R3 or R4 comprises an alkyl C 16 -C 21 chain, wherein the moiety having the alkyl C 16 -C 21 chain is a mixture of alkyl C 16 and C 18 chains, wherein any two of R1, R2, R3 or R4 may be joined to form a ring, wherein X is OSO 3 , ONO, OCO 2 or COO, and wherein the absorbent article is a diaper, incontinence pad, pantiliner, sanitary napkin, wipe or perspiration pad.