03.16.04
A body fluid absorbent panel, comprising a liquid pervious sheet, a second sheet and a core disposed between the first and second sheets has been patented. The core is comprised of component fibers defining a three-dimensional network structure and absorbent polymer particles distributed in the network structure. The polymer particles are contained within the network structure by being held between component fibers or bonded to the component fibers. The component fibers comprise the fibers of lower and higher melting points. The network structure contains spots where the first fibers are fused together and spots where the first fibers are fused to the second fibers. Bonds between the first fibers at the first spots are stronger than bonds between the first and second fibers at the second spots.