Abstract: The invention addresses problems with liquid absorbent pads having at least about 50% of their absorption capacity represented by water absorbent (including water-swellable) material capable of absorbing at least about 5 times its own dry weight of aqueous liquid. By openings of specified area, present in undulating layer(s) of such absorbent material in specified numbers and total area per unit area of said layer(s), and/or through forming such openings as hinges and displaced flap members for locking the layers of a moving composite together for bending into said undulating configuration, and/or through use of sheath members of material which substantially retain their structural integrity in contact with aqueous liquids, and have open or openable portion(s), pads are formed with both high absorption rate and capacity and/or ready disposability and/or rapid production characteristics, ideally suited for urinary incontinence care and other uses.

Abstract: A structure for trapping hazardous dust in a work place which also serves as a walkway is disclosed. A removable cover member (12) includes a frame and a central support member (18), the frame and central support member (18) being covered with expanded metal mesh (22). The cover rests upon a shallow pan (10), the pan (10) having a raised central ridge (28) which is aligned with the central support member (18) in the cover (12) when the cover (12) is placed on the pan (10). The central support member (18) and the central raised ridge (28) cooporate to limit the deflection of the expanded metal mesh (22) under the weight of a user. The lower pan (10) is provided with a hook (34), for engaging other similar pans (10) for assembling a walkway or other desired configuration of dust collecting pans. The pan may be filled with a non-evaporating liquid to permanentaly retain dust falling into the pan, and also dust being scraped from the shoes of a user by the expanded metal mesh.