| abstract |
In a method of manufacturing an absorbent structure comprising a plurality of absorbent polymeric particles (12,12') a crosslinking (17,24) agent is reacted with the particles such that regions of different degrees of crosslinking are formed. Absorbent structures may be formed in this way comprising liquid-directing channels (13,13') or other liquid-directing patterns in a layer of polymeric particles. The polymeric particles may have varying degrees of interparticle crosslinking or may comprise varying degrees of surface crosslinking. |