Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having high liquid intake rates. The absorbent composites may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fiber having controlled fiber-bed friction angles and/or cohesion values. Controlling the fiber-bed friction angle and/or cohesion value of the fiber may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the fiber. The present invention relates to treatments for fiber to manipulate friction angle and cohesion value as well as new fiber materials having the desired friction angle and/or cohesion value characteristics. The present invention also relates to composites and products employing fibers have controlled fiber-bed friction values and/or cohesion values, alone or with other ingredients, including, for example, superabsorbent materials.

Abstract: A utility cart which includes means for attachment to a common bicycle or which can be drawn by hand. Includes a main body compartment formed from a bottom panel, two side panels and a front and a back panel. Two wheels are attached to an axle which is attached to the bottom panel of the main body compartment via a selection of axle supports. Includes front and rear exterior equipment retaining modules in the form of cylindrical units having bottom stops. Any number of equipment retaining modules are envisioned and preferred embodiment shown and described herein includes four in the front and four in the rear. Means for attachment to a typical prior art bicycle is included. The means for attachment permits rotation along three planes thereby providing the smoothest possible transport of the cart and items contained therein. Removable legs are provided which can be attached if the cart is to be stationary, or can be removed when the utility cart is to be in motion.

Abstract: The specification describes a water blocking tape for an optical fiber cable wherein the optical fibers in the cable are wrapped with a synthetic fibrous non-woven tape coated with a superabsorbent polymer powder coating. The particles in the powder are ultra-fine, i.e. have less than 7% weight fraction over 300 microns in diameter. Controlling the particle size within this range is found to reduce microbending losses in the optical fiber.

Abstract: An absorbent composite, useful in an absorbent article, having a high liquid intake rate. The absorbent composite may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having a superabsorbent material having a high stiffness and a fast absorption rate. The superabsorbent materials of the absorbent composites of this invention have a stiffness index of greater than about 0.87 and a vortex time of less than about 40 seconds. Absorbent composites of this invention can have a high liquid intake rate and a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention can have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubic centimeter liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent product including an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles having a bimodal particle size distribution. Use of superabsorbent material having a bimodal particle size distribution in the absorbent structure results in enhanced capillary driven fluid distribution and enhanced fluid intake of the absorbent composite. The absorbent product may be in the form of a disposable personal care product.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent composites, useful in an absorbent article, having high liquid intake rates. The absorbent composites may also have a rapid liquid lock-up. Absorbent composites of this invention have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cc liquid/second at an 80% absorbent composite saturation level and a liquid lock-up fraction of at least about 0.70 at 50% superabsorbent material saturation. The absorbent composites of this invention can be a freeze-dried composite, an airformed absorbent composite, or other fibrous or non-fibrous absorbent composites.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles having a bimodal particle size distribution. Use of superabsorbent material having a bimodal particle size distribution in the absorbent structure results in enhanced fluid distribution and fluid intake of the absorbent composite. The absorbent composite of the present invention is useful in disposable personal care products.

Abstract: An in-line formed web having major surfaces in the X-Y plane and a depth in the Z direction is suitable for use as a composite fluid distribution and fluid retention layer in a disposable absorbent article. The web contains multiple layers of composite material which may have both thermoplastic fibers and absorbent material. The multiple layers can have different compositions of thermoplastic fibers and absorbent material as applied in-line by various arrangements of thermoplastic melt dies and absorbent fiber dispensers. By arranging at least two of the multiple layers in an opposing relation overlaid in the Z-axis direction of the web, a gradient can be formed in the Z-direction of the web. By coordinating the timing and deposition of the material onto a forming wire, at least one of the multiple layers is arranged to have zones of intermittent material deposition in at least one of a machine direction or a cross direction of the web.

Abstract: There is provided a new structural composite comprising a web of Z-directionally oriented fibers. The web must contain a large percentage of superabsorbent fibers and the balance of the fibers may be synthetic or natural fibers. Binder fibers are present and should be present in an amount of between 10 and 45 weight percent, more particularly about 30 weight percent. Polyethylene/polypropylene side-by-side or sheath/core bicomponent fibers are particularly well suited for this purpose. Natural fibers or synthetic fibers that are hydrophilic may also be added to the web in order to control the wettability of the web. Pulp, cotton, and Rayon are suitable for this purpose and may be present in an amount between 0 and 40 weight percent, more particularly about 20 to 30 percent. These materials are suitable for use in personal care products like diapers, training pants, incontinence products, bandages, and sanitary napkins.

Abstract: This invention relates to an absorbent composite which utilizes multifunctional superabsorbent materials to enhance distribution of fluids within the absorbent composite. More specifically, this invention relates to superabsorbent materials which swell and absorb fluids and also can deswell and release fluids into the surrounding absorbent composite and towards additional superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent materials of this invention deswell and release fluid by means of a triggering mechanism. Triggering mechanisms can include thermal, chemical, mechanical, electronic, magnetic, and radiation energies. Swelling and deswelling of the superabsorbent materials can be repeated for more than one cycle thereby improving fluid distribution. Multiple swelling and deswelling cycles allow multiple insults to be distributed throughout an absorbent composite, fully utilizing the absorbent capabilities of the full absorbent composite and minimizing leakage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making an absorbent composite containing superabsorbent material. The method includes incorporating a superabsorbent material comprising superabsorbent particles into a substrate, wherein the superabsorbent particles have a bimodal particle size distribution. The absorbent composite displays enhanced fluid intake and fluid distribution properties, and is useful in disposable personal care products.

Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system for personal care products which may be transversely divided into about an equally sized center zone, two intermediate zones and two end zones where the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the center zone to the amount of liquid stored in at least one of the end zones 30 minutes each of three insults of 80 ml according to a MIST Evaluation Test after less than 5:1. Such an absorbent system may be used in personal care products like diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes an absorbent core having multiple absorbent layers, wherein the absorbent layers interact in such a manner which preferentially locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, high saturation wicking layer. The localization of the liquid within this wicking layer increases the potential of this layer to move liquid through capillary action due to the higher saturation level and increased amount of liquid available. The intake capability of the absorbent system is maintained or improved over current systems by keeping a second layer of the absorbent system at low saturation levels through as many insults of the product as possible, while providing optimum intake performance through appropriate control of the composite properties.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent article includes an absorbent core having multiple absorbent layers, wherein the absorbent layers interact in such a manner which preferentially locates absorbed liquid in an appointed, high saturation wicking layer. The localization of the liquid within this wicking layer increases the potential of this layer to move liquid through capillary action due to the higher saturation level and increased amount of liquid available. The intake capability of the absorbent system is maintained or improved over current systems by keeping a second layer of the absorbent system at low saturation levels through as many insults of the product as possible, while providing optimum intake performance through appropriate control of the composite properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbent composites having enhanced intake properties. The absorbent composites have a Composite Permeability (CP) value at full swelling of greater than about 100×10−8 cm2. Further, the absorbent composites have a Composite Permeability/3rd Insult Fluid Intake Flowback Evaluation (FIFE) intake relationship, which results in enhanced intake properties. The present invention also provides a method of making absorbent composites having enhanced intake properties. The present invention further provides absorbent composites and their applicability in disposable personal care products. The present invention utilizes superabsorbent materials having a Gel Bed Permeability (GBP) value of greater than about 70×10−9 cm2 and an Absorbency Under Load (AUL) value at 0.6 psi of less than about 25 g/g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbent composites having enhanced intake properties. The absorbent composites of the present invention have a Composite Permeability (CP) value at full swelling of greater than about 100 ×10−8 cm2. Further, the absorbent composites, of the present invention have a Composite Permeability/3rd Insult Fluid Intake Flowback Evaluation (FIFE) intake relationship, which results in enhanced intake properties. The present invention is also directed to a method of making absorbent composites having enhanced intake properties. The present invention is further directed to absorbent composites and their applicability in disposable personal care products.