Patent ID: 8502012

Claim:
An absorbent article comprising an absorbent layer comprising: a) a thermoplastic adhesive component having a viscosity of from 800 to 4000 mPa·s, at 175° C. (as defined herein) and comprising: (i) a thermoplastic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 8000 g/mole; and (ii) a plasticizer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 3000 g/mole; and wherein the thermoplastic adhesive component is substantially free of plasticizers having a weight average molecular weight below 3000 g/mole, wherein the thermoplastic adhesive component is free of waxes; b) surface-modified water-absorbing polymeric particles comprising: a surface modification agent including a coating agent, forming a coating or partial coating on the particles; and c) wherein the thermoplastic adhesive component contacts the surface-modified water-absorbing polymeric particles, wherein the thermoplastic adhesive material forms a coating on and a fibrous matrix for the surface-modified water-absorbing polymeric particles.