Reduction of odors in absorbent articles

1. An absorbent article for retaining a malodorous bodily fluid, the absorbent article comprising a superabsorbent powder (SAP) and an additive disposed in the SAP, the additive being present in an amount effective to reduce the malodor of the bodily fluid, wherein the additive is a quaternary ammonium salt that is water soluble at 37° C., the additive comprises 0.001-10 wt. % of an absorbent portion of the article; wherein the additive comprises an alkyl C16-C21 chain, and contains at least two oxygen atoms in the anionic portion of the salt and has a general Formula I:

wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently a straight or branched C 1 -C 21 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, dialkylamido, alkylthio, (polyalkyl)aryl, cycloalkyl or an N- or O-containing ring, optionally further comprising an N, O or S, wherein one of R1, R2, R3 or R4 comprises an alkyl C 16 -C 21 chain, wherein the moiety having the alkyl C 16 -C 21 chain is a mixture of alkyl C 16 and C 18 chains; wherein any two of R1, R2, R3 or R4 may be joined to form a ring; and X is OSO3, ONO, OCQ or COO; and wherein the absorbent article is a diaper, incontinence pad, pantiliner, sanitary napkin, wipe or perspiration pad.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein X is OSO 3 .

3. The article of claim 1 , wherein R5 is a methyl group or an ethyl group.

4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the additive has Formula II

5. The article of claim 4 , wherein R1 is a mixture of alkyl C 16 and C 18 chains.

6. The article of claim 4 , wherein R5 is a methyl group or an ethyl group.

7. The article of claim 1 , wherein the additive has a formula selected from the group consisting of

wherein R6 comprises an alkyl C 16 -C 21 chain,

8. The article of claim 7 , wherein R1 or R6 is a mixture of alkyl C 16 and C 18 chains.

9. The article of claim 8 , wherein the additive has the formula

10. The article of claim 8 , wherein the additive has the formula

11. The article of claim 8 , wherein the additive has the formula

12. The article of claim 8 , wherein the additive has the formula

13. The article of claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises 0.01-3 wt. % of the absorbent portion of the article.

14. The article of claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises 0.05-1 wt. % of the absorbent portion of the article.

15. The article of claim 1 , wherein the article is disposable.

16. The article of claim 15 , wherein the article is a diaper, incontinence pad, pantiliner or sanitary napkin.

17. The article of claim 15 , wherein the article is a diaper.

18. The disposable article of claim 15 , comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core.

19. The disposable article of claim 18 , wherein the additive is in the absorbent core.

20. The disposable article of claim 18 , wherein the absorbent core comprises cellulose fluff pulp fibers mixed with the superabsorbent powder (SAP).

21. The disposable article of claim 15 , wherein the SAP is a partially neutralized polyacrylic acid with a pH of 5.0-5.5.

22. The disposable article of claim 18 , further comprising a liquid distribution layer.

23. The disposable article of claim 16 , wherein the additive has the formula

wherein R1 is a mixture of alkyl C 16 and C 18 chains.

24. The disposable article of claim 23 , wherein the article is a diaper.

25. The article of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional compound that reduces odors.

26. The article of claim 25 , wherein the at least one additional compound is selected from the group consisting of an acid, a fragrance, an adsorbent, a chelating agent, and an antimicrobial.

27. The article of claim 25 , wherein the at least one additional compound is selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve, silica, activated charcoal, sodium bicarbonate, and disodium EDTA.