Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400%, or even more preferably at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising a solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material that comprises coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400% or even at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to absorbent structures and preferred absorbent articles, comprising solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material that comprises coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerized hydrogel adhesives, in particular those wherein the hydrogel is formed from monomers which include acrylamido-2-methane propanesulfonic acid or salts thereof (AMPS monomers) and those which contain glycerol as a humectant. In such adhesives, the levels of unpolymerized residual monomers, such as unpolymerized AMPS, acrylonitrile, acrylamide and t-butyl acrylamide; and the levels of other impurities such as acrolein, are kept very low.

Abstract: An article to be fitted to a wearer including an agent which is available in an effective concentration to physically or chemically modify some or all of the fecal material or other bodily exudates deposited in the article. The modification of the feces may improve acceptance and/or retention of the exudates within the article to reduce the spreading of fecal material within the diaper and/or to reduce the tendency of the fecal material to adhere to the wearer's skin.

Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. These absorbent members comprise at least one osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) and a high surface area material, and have a high capillary suction capacity. For purposes of the present disclosure, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of the member's ability to uptake liquid at high capillary heights, which are generally encountered when the member is positioned in an absorbent article. In particular, capillary suction capacity is measured in terms of a member's capillary sorption absorbent capacity, which is measured in accordance with the Capillary Sorption method described in the Test Methods section.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

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 60 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 Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); and (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

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 60 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 porosity of at least about 0.15; (b) a Performance under Pressure (PUP) capacity value of at least about 23 g/g under a confining pressure of 0.7 psi (5 kPa); (c) a basis weight of at least about 10 gsm; and (d) optionally, but preferably, a Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC) value of at least about 30.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 sec/g. In addition, the region where this hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer is present has, even when subjected to normal use conditions, sufficient wet integrity such that the gel-continuous zone substantially maintains its ability to acquire and transport body fluids through the gel-continuous zone.

Abstract: Absorbent foams materials that are capable of acquiring and distributing aqueous fluids, especially discharged body fluids such as urine. These absorbent foams combine relatively high capillary absorption pressures and capacity-per-weight properties that allow them to acquire fluid, with or without the aid of gravity. These absorbent foams also give up this fluid efficiently to higher absorption pressure storage materials, including foam-based absorbent fluid storage components, without collapsing. These absorbent foams are made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs).

Abstract: A process for preparing high internal phase emulsions (HIPE) that can be polymerized to provide flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials capable of absorbing aqueous fluids, especially aqueous body fluids such as urine. The HIPE is prepared using certain polyglycerol aliphatic ether emulsifiers that are less chemically complex and variable in composition than many prior HIPE emulsifiers, have higher levels of the desired interfacially active components, and have lower levels of components (e.g., sludge) that are insoluble or insufficiently soluble in the oil phase used to prepare the HIPE. These polyglycerol aliphatic ether emulsifiers provide HIPE having relatively uniform sized water droplets dispersed in the continuous oil phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent structures and absorbent gelling agent compositions suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence products and catamenial products. The absorbent structures comprise hydrophilic fiber material and nonfragile particles of polymeric gelling agent. The gelling agent particles incorporated into such structures are selected to have a mass median particle size ranging from about 400 to 700 microns, with the amounts of very large and very small particles kept below certain minimum concentrations. Absorbent structures utilizing gelling agent particles of such particle size characteristics possess unexpectedly high absorbent capacities and the gelling agent therein can be utilized very efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: This invention is an improved collapsible cap that may be easily opened and closed so that when the cap is in a closed position the cap will be of relatively uniform height allowing the cap to be easily packed and stored. The apparatus of this invention accomplishes the foregoing by encapsulating the opening and closing mechanism of the cap, i.e., a hinge having a pivot pin in a plastic material and attaching one portion of the plastic material to the cap frame and another portion of the plastic material to a folded over encircling fabric tape containing a circular wire grommet.

Abstract: This invention is an improved collapsible cap that may be easily opened and closed so that when the cap is in a closed position the cap will be of relatively uniform height allowing the cap to be easily packed and stored. The apparatus of this invention accomplishes the foregoing by encapsulating the opening and closing mechanism of the cap, i.e., a hinge having a pivot pin in a plastic material and attaching one portion of the plastic material to the cap frame and another portion of the plastic material to a folded over encircling fabric tape containing a circular wire grommet.

Abstract: This invention provides novel, highly absorbent pectin-containing vegetable materials, and a process for making these materials by incorporating into pectin-containing vegetable materials substituents which contain cation exchange groups. The present invention further provides absorbent structures containing these materials, as well as disposable absorbent procuts containing the materials or absorbent structures of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel-forming polymer compositions which can be used as absorbents in absorbent structures and absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. Such hydrogel-forming polymer compositions are substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized polymers which are prepared from unsaturated polymerizable, acid group-containing monomers and cross-linking agents. These hydrogel-forming polymer materials, upon imbibing fluids, form hydrogels. Such polymer materials have relatively high gel volume and relatively high gel strength as measured by shear modulus of the hydrogel which forms therefrom. Such polymer materials also contain relatively low levels of extractable polymer material which can be extracted therefrom by contact with synthetic urine.

Abstract: Absorbent structures comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and discrete particles of a water insoluble hydrogel are disclosed. The fiber/hydrogel ratios range from about 30:70 to about 98:2. The absorbent structures have a density of from about 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1 g/cm.sup.3. The structures are flexible, and have superior absorption capacities for water and body fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved hydrogel-forming polymer compositions which can be used as absorbents in absorbent structures and absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and the like. Such hydrogel-forming polymer compositions are substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized polymers which are prepared from unsaturated polymerizable, acid group-containing monomers and cross-linking agents. These hydrogel-forming polymer materials, upon imbibing fluids, form hydrogels. Such polymer materials have relatively high gel volume and relatively high gel strength as measured by shear modulus of the hydrogen which forms therefrom. Such polymer materials also contain relatively low levels of extractable polymer material which can be extracted therefrom by contact with synthetic urine.