Abstract: A process for manufacturing particles of water-absorbing material is provided. The process includes providing a powder bed composed of an absorptive powder comprising a water-absorbing polysaccharide onto a surface; releasing an aqueous solution from a solution dispenser so as to contact the powder bed, thereby forming a solution-impregnated humid material; letting the solution-impregnated humid material agglomerate in substantially shear-less conditions to form an agglomerated humid material, the solution-impregnated humid material being supported by the surface; and drying the agglomerated humid material, thereby forming the particles.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material for detecting a detectable substance in a water-containing medium, such as animal urine, is provided. The detectable substance may be indicative of a disease or condition, and the water-containing medium may be an excretion, blood, plasma, an aqueous solution or a solid impregnated with an aqueous solution. The chromogenic absorbent material may include a trigger agent, a chromogenic indicator convertible into a chromogenically active substance in the presence of the trigger agent and the detectable substance, and an absorptive material which is porous, for absorbing the water-containing medium. The absorptive material may include a water-absorbing polysaccharide providing absorptive properties to the chromogenic absorbent material. The trigger agent, the chromogenic indicator and the detectable substance are preferably unreactive to the absorptive material.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material for detecting a detectable substance in a water-containing medium, such as animal urine, is provided. The detectable substance may be indicative of a disease or condition, and the water-containing medium may be an excretion, blood, plasma, an aqueous solution or a solid impregnated with an aqueous solution. The chromogenic absorbent material may include a trigger agent, a chromogenic indicator convertible into a chromogenically active substance in the presence of the trigger agent and the detectable substance, and an absorptive material which is porous, for absorbing the water-containing medium. The absorptive material may include a water-absorbing polysaccharide providing absorptive properties to the chromogenic absorbent material. The trigger agent, the chromogenic indicator and the detectable substance are preferably unreactive to the absorptive material.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing particles of water-absorbing material is provided. The process includes providing a powder bed composed of an absorptive powder comprising a water-absorbing polysaccharide onto a surface; releasing an aqueous solution from a solution dispenser so as to contact the powder bed, thereby forming a solution-impregnated humid material; letting the solution-impregnated humid material agglomerate in substantially shear-less conditions to form an agglomerated humid material, the solution-impregnated humid material being supported by the surface; and drying the agglomerated humid material, thereby forming the particles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing particles of water-absorbing material is provided. The process includes providing a powder bed composed of an absorptive powder comprising a water-absorbing polysaccharide onto a surface; releasing an aqueous solution from a solution dispenser so as to contact the powder bed, 5 thereby forming a solution-impregnated humid material; letting the solution-impregnated humid material agglomerate in substantially shear-less conditions to form an agglomerated humid material, the solution-impregnated humid material being supported by the surface; and drying the agglomerated humid material, thereby forming the particles.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material for detecting a detectable substance in a water-containing medium, such as animal urine, is provided. The detectable substance may be indicative of a disease or condition, and the water-containing medium may be an excretion, blood, plasma, an aqueous solution or a solid impregnated with an aqueous solution. The chromogenic absorbent material may include a trigger agent, a chromogenic indicator convertible into a chromogenically active substance in the presence of the trigger agent and the detectable substance, and an absorptive material which is porous, for absorbing the water-containing medium. The absorptive material may include a water-absorbing polysaccharide providing absorptive properties to the chromogenic absorbent material. The trigger agent, the chromogenic indicator and the detectable substance are preferably unreactive to the absorptive material.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing particles of water-absorbing material is provided. The process includes providing a powder bed composed of an absorptive powder comprising a water-absorbing polysaccharide onto a surface; releasing an aqueous solution from a solution dispenser so as to contact the powder bed, 5 thereby forming a solution-impregnated humid material; letting the solution-impregnated humid material agglomerate in substantially shear-less conditions to form an agglomerated humid material, the solution-impregnated humid material being supported by the surface; and drying the agglomerated humid material, thereby forming the particles.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material and related chromogenic solution, use, process and application for an animal litter. The chromogenic absorbent material includes an absorptive material for absorbing an animal excretion; an oxidizing agent responsive to peroxidatic/pseudoperoxidatic activity in the animal excretion to provide oxidizing activity; and an inclusion complex including a host compound and a guest compound, the guest compound being a chromogenic indicator associated with the host compound and being chromogenically responsive to the oxidizing activity of the oxidizing agent. The chromogenic absorbent material may be prepared from the chromogenic solution including the oxidizing agent and the inclusion complex. The chromogenic absorbent material may be used as particles combined with animal litter for detection of peroxidatic/pseudoperoxidatic activity in the animal excretion.

Abstract: A chromogenic absorbent material and related chromogenic solution, use, process and application for an animal litter. The chromogenic absorbent material includes an absorptive material for absorbing an animal excretion; an oxidizing agent responsive to peroxidatic/pseudoperoxidatic activity in the animal excretion to provide oxidizing activity; and an inclusion complex including a host compound and a guest compound, the guest compound being a chromogenic indicator associated with the host compound and being chromogenically responsive to the oxidizing activity of the oxidizing agent. The chromogenic absorbent material may be prepared from the chromogenic solution including the oxidizing agent and the inclusion complex. The chromogenic absorbent material may be used as particles combined with animal litter for detection of peroxidatic/pseudoperoxidatic activity in the animal excretion.

Abstract: A high-throughput process for the manufacture of absorbent unexpanded glass-like polysaccharides is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a twin screw extruder having turbulence and kneading sections, the kneading sections being located downstream from the turbulence sections.

Abstract: An active tensioning device for a looped cord of a window covering system. The active tensioning device comprises a body having a channel configured to receive a section of the looped cord therein. The channel has a first wall allowing the section of the looped cord to slide thereon and a second wall having at least one cord engaging member engageable with the section of the looped cord. The active tensioning device is pivotable about the looped cord between an inoperative configuration where the looped cord contacts the second wall of the channel and an operative configuration where the looped cord contacts the first wall of the channel. The active tensioning device is balanced to be urged towards the inoperative configuration by gravity.

Abstract: The present invention relates an absorbent material consisting of a molecular network of starch molecules, the starch molecules comprising an amylopectin content of at least 90% (w/w). The molecular network can either be comprised of self-entangled starches or cross-linked starches.

Abstract: Surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprising a biobased content of at least 82% are described herein. The surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprise a CRC of at least 18 g/g, a FSC of at least 26 g/g, and an AUL at 0.7 psi of at least 14 g/g. Processes for the manufacture of surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to discrete particulate composite additives for superabsorbent polymers and includes a method of making same. The discrete particulate composite additives generally comprise a polysaccharide and an inert inorganic component. Advantageously, these discrete particulate composite additives functionally improve superabsorbent performance. They are suitable for a number of applications, including the use and manufacture of hygiene products.

Abstract: Surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprising a biobased content of at least 82% are described herein. The surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprise a CRC of at least 18 g/g, a FSC of at least 26 g/g, and an AUL at 0.7 psi of at least 14 g/g. Processes for the manufacture of surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides are also described herein.

Abstract: A composite litter material for detecting a disease, such as urinary tract disease, when contacted by feline urine includes an absorptive polymer material forming a solid matrix, exfoliated clay embedded and dispersed within the solid matrix, a chromogenic indicator provided within the solid matrix, and an oxidizing agent distributed and stabilized within the solid matrix to be responsive to peroxidase activity in the urine to activate the chromogenic indicator. A method for detecting or diagnosing a feline disease includes contacting urine with the material and detecting a color change. A method of manufacturing the composite material includes preparing a mixture comprising the absorptive polymer and water and distributing the exfoliated clay, chromogenic indicator and oxidizing agent within the mixture, preferably by extrusion and addition of the components at particular points in processing the polymer mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to discrete particulate composite additives for superabsorbent polymers and includes a method of making same. The discrete particulate composite additives generally comprise a polysaccharide and an inert inorganic component. Advantageously, these discrete particulate composite additives functionally improve superabsorbent performance. They are suitable for a number of applications, including the use and manufacture of hygiene products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to discrete particulate composite additives for superabsorbent polymers and includes a method of making same. The discrete particulate composite additives generally comprise a polysaccharide and an inert inorganic component. Advantageously, these discrete particulate composite additives functionally improve superabsorbent performance. They are suitable for a number of applications, including the use and manufacture of hygiene products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to discrete particulate composite additives for superabsorbent polymers and includes a method of making same. The discrete particulate composite additives generally comprise a polysaccharide and an inert inorganic component. Advantageously, these discrete particulate composite additives functionally improve superabsorbent performance. They are suitable for a number of applications, including the use and manufacture of hygiene products.

Abstract: Surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprising a biobased content of at least 82% are described herein. The surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprise a CRC of at least 18 g/g, a FSC of at least 26 g/g, and an AUL at 0.7 psi of at least 14 g/g. Processes for the manufacture of surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides are also described herein.