Abstract: Monomers and crosslinkers derived from renewable resources that can be used to produce flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials having physical characteristics making them suitable for a variety of uses, are disclosed. Monomer compositions derived from renewable resources, and having short curing times for preparing foam materials from high internal phase emulsions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives, articles employing such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives and methods for making such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic polymers, such as polyaminoamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), that are derived from renewable resources and can be used to produce wet strength resins suitable for a variety of applications, such as in absorbent paper articles.

Abstract: Monomers and crosslinkers derived from renewable resources that can be used to produce flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials having physical characteristics making them suitable for a variety of uses, are disclosed. Monomer compositions derived from renewable resources, and having short curing times for preparing foam materials from high internal phase emulsions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An array of tampons having one or more benefit indicators. The array includes a first tampon having a first tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The first tampon further includes a first visually perceptible benefit indicator. The array also includes a second tampon having a second tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The second tampon also includes a second visually perceptible benefit indicator.

Abstract: Thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives, articles employing such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives and methods for making such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives are provided.

Abstract: An array of tampons having one or more benefit indicators. The array includes a first tampon having a first tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The first tampon further includes a first visually perceptible benefit indicator. The array also includes a second tampon having a second tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The second tampon also includes a second visually perceptible benefit indicator.

Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to methods particularly suitable for continuously curing high internal phase emulsions to form such foams.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam composites having improved properties. These polymeric foams are prepared by polymerization of certain water-in-oil emulsions having a relatively high ratio of water phase to oil phase, commonly known in the art as high internal phase emulsions, or “HIPEs.” The HIPE-derived foam materials used in the present invention comprise a generally hydrophobic, flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid nonionic polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells. These foam structures have a density of less than about 100 mg/cc, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of between about −40° and 90° C., and at least about 1% by weight compatible fibers incorporated into the foam. The foam composites have improved tensile properties compared to foams having no incorporated fibers or foams having noncompatible fibers incorporated therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric foam materials useful as insulation in clothing articles. These polymeric foams are prepared by polymerization of certain water-in-oil emulsions having a relatively high ratio of water phase to oil phase, commonly known in the art as “HIPEs.” As used herein, polymeric foam materials which result from the polymerization of such emulsions are referred to hereafter as “HIPE foams.” These HPE foams comprise a generally hydrophobic, flexible or semi-flexible, nonionic polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells.

Abstract: Absorbent members useful in the containment of body fluids such as urine, that have at least one region containing hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer in a concentration of from about 50 to 100% by weight and providing a gel-continuous fluid transportation zone when in a swollen state. This hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer has: (a) a Dynamic Gelling Rate of at least about 0.18 g/g/sec; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 25 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) when the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is in the form of particles, a mass median particle size of at least about 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Described is a method of forming and curing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) into shaped three dimensional foam implements. In general the method uses the steps of: providing a HIPE, depositing the HIPE into a mold cavity having a predetermined three dimensional shape, curing the HIPE in the mold cavity to form a HIPE foam, and stripping the HIPE foam from the mold cavity to form the three dimensional foam implement. The molded implements are widely useful as components in absorbent articles, toys, insulation, and other uses where a combination of low density and tridimensional shape are desired.

Abstract: Described are implements made from a durable HIPE foam material. The HIPE foam has a Toughness Index of at least 75 where the Toughness Index relates properties related to durability (e.g., density, tan[&dgr;] height, glass transition temperature, and abrasion resistance) into a single composite descriptor thereof. Exemplary implements include: wipes, toys, stamps, art media, targets, food preparation implements, plant care implements, and medical wraps.

Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to monomer compositions having short curing times for preparing such foam materials from high internal phase emulsions.

Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitble for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to degassing the components of the high internal phase emulsions which are subsequently cured to form such foams.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are absorbent polymer compositions useful in the absorption of body fluids such as urine, menses and the like. In particular, the invention relates to mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions having excellent absorbency performance properties in terms of absorbent capacity under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi and/or 1.4 psi. Certain mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions of the present invention have excellent absorbency properties not only for a synthetic urine with a composition and ionic strength that is typical of young infants but also for a high ionic strength synthetic urine that has a composition and ionic strength that is typical of the urine of older infants and toddlers. The invention also relates to absorbent members comprising the mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymer compositions, and absorbent articles comprising the absorbent members.

Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to high temperature processes having short curing times for preparing such foam materials from high internal phase emulsions.