Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion. The method has the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion, curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment, and forming a saturated polymeric foam material. The water-in-oil emulsion has an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component.

Abstract: This application relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric foam material. The process has the steps of: preparing an oil phase and water phase and mixing the phases to make a water-in-oil emulsion wherein the emulsion has a volume to weight ratio of water phase to oil phase of at least about 4:1 and from about 20% to about 80% of the final volume to weight ratio of water phase to oil phase; increasing the volume to weight ratio of water phase to oil phase in the emulsion to 100% of the final volume to weight ratio of water phase to oil phase by the mixing of additional amount of water phase with the emulsion and curing the monomer component in the oil phase of the water-in-oil emulsion using a polymerization reaction to form a saturated polymeric foam material.

Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. These absorbent members comprise at least one osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) and a high surface area material, and have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at high capillary heights, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming a continuous web from a block of material. The block material has a base and a central axis extending generally orthogonally from the base. The apparatus preferably comprises a bath including a fluid into which the block of material can be at least partially submersed. Further, the apparatus preferably includes means for rotating the block about the central axis, a cutting device and means for linearly decreasing the predetermined distance of the cutting blade from the central axis. The cutting device is preferably positioned so as to make a cut into the block at a predetermined distance from the central axis, the cut being generally parallel to the central axis of the block. The material cut form the block preferably forms a continuous web.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable training pants, pull-up diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper holders, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, having extensible side panel features that improve the dynamic fit of the diaper around the legs and waist of the wearer. Such absorbent articles include a containment assembly including a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and extensible side panels, each including a waist panel and a thigh panel disposed along each longitudinal edge of the containment assembly in the first waist region. The waist panel and the thigh panel are operatively associated so that the waist panel has a primary direction of extensibility in one direction and the thigh panel has a primary direction of extensibility in a different direction.

Abstract: An improvement in a continuous process for making high internal phase emulsions that are typically polymerized to provide microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials capable of absorbing aqueous fluids, especially aqueous body fluids such as urine. The improvement involves recirculating a portion (about 50% or less) of the emulsion withdrawn from the dynamic mixing zone of this continuous process. This increases the uniformity of the emulsion ultimately obtained from this continuous process in terms of having the water droplets homogeneously dispersed in the oil phase. This also improves the stability of the HIPE and expands the temperature range for pouring and curing this HIPE during subsequent emulsion polymerization. The improvement also eliminates the need for a static mixer outside the dynamic mixing zone, and allows for processing where relatively low pressure drops are required across the mixing zone.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide sustained dynamic fit about the wearer during use as well as to improve the containment of body exudates and wearer comfort/mobility. Such an absorbent article has an absorbent core preferably designed to fit within the low motion zone of the wearer so that dynamic forces imparted by movements of the wearer on the absorbent core are minimized. The absorbent article is also provided with a closure system for anchoring the absorbent article on the wearer to sustain the dynamic fit of the absorbent article throughout wearing. The closure system is designed so that a primary line of tension, fitting at an angle to the body, is formed to secure the absorbent article on a wearer.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polymeric foam materials for insulation. These polymeric foams are prepared by polymerization of certain water-in-oil emulsions having a relatively high ratio of water phase to oil phase, commonly known in the art as high internal phase emulstions, or "HIPEs." The HIPE-derived foam materials used in the present invention comprise a generally hydrophobic, flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid nonionic polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells. These foam structures have:A) a specific surface area per foam volume of at least about 0.01 m.sup.2 /cc;B) a density of less than about 0.05 g/cc; andC) a glass transition temperature (Tg) of between about -20.degree. and 90.degree. C.The foams can be used as thermal, acoustic, and/or mechanical insulation materials.In a preferred embodiment, the foams used can be prepared, packaged, and shipped in a compressed, high density state and will "spring back" upon activation (e.g. heat) to the original density of the foam.

Abstract: Absorbent foam materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Absorbent foam materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: Relatively thin, collapsed, i.e. unexpanded, polymeric foam materials that, upon contact with aqueous body fluids, expand and absorb such fluids, are disclosed. A process for consistently obtaining such relatively thin, collapsed polymeric foam materials by polymerizing a specific type of water-in-oil emulsion, commonly known as High Internal Phase Emulsions or "HIPE", is also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, designed to provide sustained dynamic fit about the wearer during use as well as to improve the containment of body exudates and wearer comfort/mobility. Such an absorbent article has an absorbent core preferably designed to fit within the low motion zone of the wearer so that dynamic forces imparted by movements of the wearer on the absorbent core are minimized. The absorbent article is also provided with a closure system for anchoring the absorbent article on the wearer to sustain the dynamic fit of the absorbent article throughout wearing. The closure system is designed so that a primary line of tension, fitting at an angle to the body, is formed to secure the absorbent article on a wearer.

Abstract: Normally hydrophobic foams, such as polyurethane foams and polymerized water-in-oil emulsion foams, are rendered hydrophilic by means of treatment with simple surfactants and hydrophilizing agent salts. Thus, a surfactant-containing foam is treated with a solution of, for example, calcium chloride, and is dried to leave a substantially uniformly distributed residue of hydrated or hydratable calcium chloride on the surfactant-containing internal foam surfaces. In-use, the combination of surfactant and calcium chloride hydrate provides a hydrophilic surface to the foam. Other hydratable calcium or magnesium salts such as magnesium chloride can be used. The resulting hydrophilized foams are suitable for use in absorbent devices, including diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Normally hydrophobic foams, such as polyurethane foams and polymerized water-in-oil emulsion foams, are rendered hydrophilic by means of treatment with sorbitan monolaurate. Thus, a polymeric foam can be prepared or treated with sorbitan monolaurate and thereafter dried to leave a substantially uniformly distributed residue of sorbitan monolaurate on the internal foam surfaces. The resulting treated foams are rendered hydrophilic and are thus suitable for use in absorbent devices, including diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent foam materials suitable for use as or in the absorbent cores of absorbent articles, such as diapers which absorb and retain aqueous body fluids. Such foam materials comprise hydrophilic, flexible open-celled structures which are preferably prepared by polymerizing high internal phase (HIPE) water-in-oil emulsions. Such foam materials have a pore volume of from about 12 to 100 mL/g, and a capillary suction specific surface area of from about 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2 /g. These materials also exhibit a resistance to compression deflection such that a confining pressure of 5.1 kPa produces after 15 minutes a strain of from about 5% to 95% compression when the material is saturated at 37.degree. C. to its free absorbent capacity with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous preparation of high internal phase emulsions which are suitable for subsequent polymerization into polymeric foam materials that, upon dewatering, act as absorbents for aqueous body fluids. The process involves continuous introduction of a certain type of monomer-containing oil phase and a certain type of electrolyte-containing water phase into a dynamic mixing zone at relatively low water to oil phase ratios. Flow rates are then steadily adjusted to increase the water to oil ratio of the streams fed to the dynamic mixing zone while subjecting the dynamic mixing zone contents to shear agitation which is sufficient to thereby form a high internal phase emulsion that, upon subsequent polymerization, provides a foam having an average cell size of from about 5 to 100 microns. The formation of such a stable high internal phase emulsion is completed by feeding the contents of the dynamic mixing zone to and through a static mixing zone.