Abstract: Methods of producing particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. In the methods of the present invention, an interparticle crosslinking agent is applied onto precursor particles; the precursor particles are physically associated to form a multiplicity of aggregates; and the interparticle crosslinking agent is reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles of the aggregates, while maintaining the physical association of the precursor particles, to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles to form interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed to such an extent that the mass average particle size of the polymeric composition is at least about 25% greater than the mass average particle size of the precursor particles.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures that, upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), swell and imbibe such liquids, and are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed. These porous macrostructures comprise bonded absorbent particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts.

Abstract: Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Sufficient interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed when the mass average particle size of the resultant polymeric composition has been increased by at least about 25% over the mass average particle size of the precursor particles. The resultant polymeric composition provides improved structural integrity, an increased acquisition rate, and minimal gel blocking properties.

Abstract: Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates formed from precursor particles having a relatively small particle size. (i.e., fine precursor particles). The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise fine precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. The mass average particle size of the precursor particles is generally less than about 300 microns. Interparticle crosslinked aggregates formed from fine precursor particles have particularly high rates of fluid uptake with minimal gel blocking properties.

Abstract: Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Sufficient interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed when the mass average particle size of the resultant polymeric composition has been increased by at least about 25% over the mass average particle size of the precursor particles. The resultant polymeric composition provides improved structural integrity, an increased acquisition rate, and minimal gel blocking properties.

Abstract: Porous, absorbent macrostructures that, upon contacting liquids such as water or body exudates (e.g., urine), swell and imbibe such liquids, and are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins are disclosed. These porous macrostructures comprise bonded absorbent particles that are surface crosslinked with cationic, preferably polymeric, amino-epichlorohydrin adducts.

Abstract: Particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Sufficient interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed when the mass average particle size of the resultant polymeric composition has been increased by at least about 25% over the mass average particle size of the precursor particles. The resultant polymeric composition provides improved structural integrity, an increased acquisition rate, and minimal gel blocking properties.

Abstract: Absorbent members incorporating particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogen-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. The absorbent members of the present invention can comprise a combination of fiber material and discrete particles of the polymeric composition or laminates (layered absorbent members) containing such polymeric compositions. The performance of absorbent members is enhanced by the use of such polymeric compositions due to the high rate of fluid uptake and minimal gel blocking properties of the interparticle crosslinked aggregates.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as diapers or sanitary napkins incorporating particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates comprise precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. The polymeric compositions of the present invention may be incorporated into absorbent articles as the sole absorbent material; as an absorbent core comprising a mixture of fiber material and discrete particles of the polymeric composition; or as a laminate (a layered absorbent core) containing such polymeric compositions. The performance of absorbent articles is enhanced by the use of such polymeric compositions due to the high rate of fluid uptake and minimal gel blocking properties of the interparticle crosslinked aggregates.

Abstract: Absorbent polymeric macrostructures that are porous and comprise an interparticle crosslinked aggregate having a circumscribed dry volume greater than about 10.0 mm.sup.3. The interparticle crosslinked aggregrate comprises a multiplicity of precursor particles of substantially water-soluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Because of the particulate nature of the precursor particles, the macrostructure has pores between adjacent precursor particles. The pores are interconnected by intercommunicating channels such that the macrostructure is liquid permeable.

Abstract: Absorbent polymeric macrostructures that are porous and comprise an interparticle crosslinked aggregate having a circumscribed dry volume greater than about 10.0 mm.sup.3. The interparticle crosslinked aggregate comprises a multiplicity of precursor particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent, hydrogel-forming, polymer material; and an interparticle crosslinking agent reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles. Because of the particulate nature of the precursor particles, the macrostructure has pores between adjacent precursor particles. The pores are interconnected by intercommunicating channels such that the macrostructure is liquid permeable.