Patent ID: 7642207

Claim:
A unitary absorbent core comprising: I) a first fibrous absorbent layer comprising: a) from about 15 to about 95 percent by weight natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a mixture thereof, b) from 0 to about 80 percent by weight superabsorbent material; and c) from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of a binder which is a synthetic binder fiber or powder, a hydrophilic emulsion polymer binder or a mixture thereof, and, the fibrous absorbent layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface in contact, optionally coextensively in contact, with II) an upper surface of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven synthetic carrier having a basis weight of from about 9 gsm to about 30 gsm, which has a lower surface integral with III) a first vapor-transmissive moisture barrier, wherein the moisture barrier is hydrophobic or hydrophilic; wherein the unitary absorbent core has a basis weight of about 45 gsm or greater and, wherein the unitary absorbent core has an air permeability of from about 3 to about 7 m 3/ min/m 2 (11-22 ft 3/ min/ft 2 ).