Abstract: Substantially water-insoluble, water-swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers, wherein the fibers have a surface having the appearance of the surface of a cellulose fiber, and wherein the fibers include a plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks and a plurality of temporary intra-fiber crosslinks; and fiber bundles that include the fibers.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. At least one component of the article, such as the absorbent core, includes a superabsorbent fiber. In one aspect, the article includes substantially water-insoluble, water-swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers, where the fibers have a surface having the appearance of the surface of a cellulose fiber, and where the fibers comprise a plurality of non-permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks and a plurality of permanent intra-fiber crosslinks.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. At least one component of the article, such as the absorbent core, includes a superabsorbent fiber. In one aspect, the article includes substantially water-insoluble, water-swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers, where the fibers have a surface having the appearance of the surface of a cellulose fiber, and where the fibers comprise a plurality of non permanent intra-fiber metal crosslinks and a plurality of temporary intra-fiber crosslinks.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquid.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a topsheet, a backsheet which may be joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. Additionally, the absorbent core comprises at least a superabsorbent polymer material comprising from about 55 to about 99.9% by weight of polymerizable unsaturated acid group containing monomer, and from about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of internal crosslinking agent which are polymerized and prepared into superabsorbent polymer particles and which further include surface additives. The superabsorbent polymer material can also have a degree of neutralization of greater than about 25%. The result is an absorbent article which exhibits improved performance as well as greater comfort and confidence among the user.

Abstract: This invention is a surge material having permanent storage properties that results in faster intake and greater saturation capacity and reduced fluid flowback. More specifically the invention is a surge material with a superabsorbent material printed on in a pattern of discrete regions. The objective of the invention is obtained by printing, or other known application process, a liquid superabsorbent precursor solution containing a crosslinkable composition onto a surge material and then curing the printed surge material to crosslink the polymers to get a surge material having discrete regions of superabsorbent material in the surge material. This invention is also useful in making an absorbent core of an absorbent article with improved strength, increased absorbency, and decreased shedding of superabsorbent material.

Abstract: Superabsorbent material treated to resist damage when subjected to an Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, which simulates the mechanical damage that occurs during current commercial diaper manufacturing processes. The treated superabsorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity of about 15 grams or greater of 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of the superabsorbent material and a gel bed permeability (GBP) at 0 psi swell pressure on pre-screened particles of about 200 (×10?9 cm2) or greater. After subjecting the treated superabsorbent material to the Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, the treated superabsorbent may exhibit minimal reduction in GBP of pre-screened or un-screened particles at 0 psi or at 0.3 psi swell pressure, as well as possibly exhibiting minimal reduction in average particle size diameter (PSD).

Abstract: A thermoplastic foam composite has at least one active agent layer, which includes active agent materials that are coated with a thermal-sticky polymer, and which is bonded to at least one surface of a soft, flexible, absorbent thermoplastic foam layer. The thermoplastic foam composite can exhibit desirable active agent properties while maintaining sufficient integrity, absorbency, and/or flexibility for specific applications. In some aspects, an adhesive can be utilized to assist with bonding the active agent layer to the thermoplastic foam layer. The thermoplastic foam composite can be utilized as an article, such as a packaging, wiper, towel, or insulation product, or can be incorporated as a component into a variety of other articles, including personal care articles, health/medical articles, and household/industrial articles, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquids.

Abstract: A water insoluble, water swellable absorbent composition exhibiting a free swell absorbency of at least 15 g/g and an Absorbency Change of greater than or equal to 15% upon saturation. The absorbent composition includes both permanent crosslinking points and transitional crosslinking points. The absorbent composition has a high free swell capacity as well as a high absorbency under load.

Abstract: An article comprises a stretchable absorbent composite (30) that includes a quantity of superabsorbent particles (32) which are operatively contained within a matrix of elastomeric polymer fibers (34). In particular aspects, the composite article can include at least about 60 wt % of the superabsorbent particles and not more than about 40 wt % of the elastomeric polymer fibers, based on a total weight of the composite. In other aspects, the composite article can provide a high stretchability. Additional aspects can provide a low shake-out. Particular configurations can, for example, provide a stretchability value of at least about 30%. Additional aspects can include a configuration that provides a shake-out value of not more than about 2%. In other aspects, the invention can provide a shake-out value of not more than about 1.2%. In further aspects, the absorbent composite can include superabsorbent particles having a coating of treatment-material that is thermally processible.

Abstract: An absorbent structure made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least 575×10?9 cm2. In another embodiment, the absorbent structure is made at least in part from a superabsorbent material having a retention capacity (CRC) as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 25 g/g, an absorbency under load (AUL) at 0.9 psi as determined by an Absorbency Under Load Test of at least 18 and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least about 350×10?9 cm2.

Abstract: An absorbent composition includes absorbent material, such as superabsorbent material, surface-treated with at least two different compatible agents. The superabsorbent material may be coated with multiple surface treatment agents in such a manner that each of the surface treatment agents is exposed on a surface of the superabsorbent material. For example, one surface treatment agent may be in a liquid coating form and another surface treatment agent may be in a powder form, each applied separately to the superabsorbent material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent composition comprising each of an acidic and a basic material, wherein the absorbent composition exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent composition comprising either an acidic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer having a pKa between about 2 to about 12 or a basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer having a pKb between about 2 to about 12 and either a basic or an acidic second material. The absorbent composition has the ability to slowly absorb a large quantity of liquid, particularly while under an external pressure. The absorbent composition is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb bodily liquids.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer materials are provided including absorbent polymers having a fast vortex time, desirably about 10 seconds or less, and a stiffness index of at least about 0.7, as determined by test procedures described herein. The absorbent polymers can be modified to obtain a faster vortex time by a method including providing an absorbent polymer having a first vortex time, absorbing water with the absorbent polymer, freeze-drying the swollen absorbent polymer to remove at least a portion of the absorbed water, and obtaining a modified absorbent polymer having a second vortex time. The ratio of the first vortex time to the second vortex time is at least about 5, and desirably the modified absorbent polymer has a stiffness index of at least about 0.7.

Abstract: A stretchable absorbent composite having a Composite Permeability of about 10 Darcy or more, or about 15 Darcy or more, and Composite Stretchability of about 30% or more, or about 50% or more, or about 100% or more, and a method of making such a stretchable absorbent composite. The stretchable absorbent composite includes a superabsorbent material, an elastomeric material, and, optionally, pulp fibers. More particularly, the stretchable absorbent composite may include between about 30% and about 85% by weight superabsorbent material, between about 5% and about 25% by weight elastomeric material, and between about 10% and about 70% by weight pulp fibers. The stretchability and liquid handling abilities of the stretchable absorbent composite renders the stretchable absorbent composite suitable for incorporation into a variety of absorbent articles, including personal care products, health/medical absorbent articles, and household/industrial absorbent articles, for example.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising superabsorbent particles having an increased surface area to volume ratio are disclosed. The superabsorbent particles comprising the absorbent articles are in flake-like form, and have an average surface area to volume ratio of at least about 0.05 ?m?1. In one specific embodiment, the high surface area to volume superabsorbent particles have an average thickness of no more than about 30 micrometers.

Abstract: Superabsorbent material treated to resist damage when subjected to an Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, which simulates the mechanical damage that occurs during current commercial diaper manufacturing processes. The treated superabsorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity of about 15 grams or greater of 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of the superabsorbent material and a gel bed permeability (GBP) at 0 psi swell pressure on pre-screened particles of about 200 (×10?9 cm2) or greater. After subjecting the treated superabsorbent material to the Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, the treated superabsorbent may exhibit minimal reduction in GBP of pre-screened or un-screened particles at 0 psi or at 0.3 psi swell pressure, as well as possibly exhibiting minimal reduction in average particle size diameter (PSD).

Abstract: In a method of making an absorbent composite, a porous, stabilized structure is formed and impregnated with a flowable superabsorbent precursor. The flowable superabsorbent precursor is cross-linked to form a superabsorbent material within the stabilized structure. The surface area of one of the flowable superabsorbent precursor impregnated with the stabilized structure and the superabsorbent material formed within the structure is increased. In one embodiment, the surface is increased by freeze drying the impregnated structure.