Thin absorbent articles containing gelling agent

Abstract

The present invention provides absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, which utilize a particular type of stiffened cellulose fibers and a particlar type and form of polymeric gelling agent particles to enhance the absorbency characteristics of such articles. In these articles, the gelling agent material, combined in particulate form of a certain size with stiffened cellulose fiber material, is primarily placed in a lower fluid storage layer of the absorbent core of the article. Such a fluid storage lower layer of the absorbent core is placed underneath an upper, generally larger, fluid acquisition/distribution layer which also contains stiffened cellulose fibers and gelling agent particles of a certain size. This lower fluid storage layer is generally positioned toward the front of the absorbent article. Absorbent articles of this type can be fashioned into especially thin, compact, nonbulky diapers.