Abstract: This invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising a solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material that comprises coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400% or even at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: Disclosed are thin until wet materials that are suitable for use as acquisition members for absorbent articles (e.g., diapers, catamenial products, and adult incontinence devices). Preferred materials according to the present invention are either: 1) fibrous assemblies that utilize wet strength means to stabilize the material or 2) compressed regenerated cellulosic sponges so that, when the material is saturated with an aqueous fluid, it has an expanded wet density of between about 0.04 grams/cm3 and about 0.4 grams/cm3 and an expanded capillary desorption height of less than about 25 cm and a temporary binding means that helps maintain the material at a compressed dry density between about 0.06 grams/cm3 and about 1.2 grams/cm3 until the material is exposed to an aqueous fluid. The ratio of the compressed dry density to the expanded wet density is also greater than about 1.5:1. A suitable process for making the materials and absorbent structures using the materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.

Abstract: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.

Abstract: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.

Abstract: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.