Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles comprise a divinyl benzene cross-linked styrene polymer, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles are non-spherical and have a mean particles size D(v,0.9) of at least about 10 ?m and wherein said liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprises from about 0% to about 30% by weight of the composition of an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion. The method has the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion, curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment, and forming a saturated polymeric foam material. The water-in-oil emulsion has an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component.

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: 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: 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: A method of making high internal phase emulsions is described. The method forms high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) using a single pass through the static mixer. In alternative embodiments, the HIPE may be further processed to farther modify the size of dispersed phase droplets, to incorporate additional materials into the HIPE, to alter emulsion temperature, and the like.

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: A method and several exemplary apparatus for capillary dewatering of foam materials. The apparatus may include felt which is applied to an exposed face of the foam material, or a double felt arrangement applied to two opposed surfaces of the foam material. The apparatus may provide a temperature differential between the two exposed surfaces of the foam material. An alternative embodiment utilizes a roll having a capillary dewatering medium. The capillary dewatering medium may be maintained at a vacuum either above or below the breakthrough vacuum of the capillaries. The disclosed apparatus and method is particularly useful for dewatering foams having relatively fine open capillaries.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and several exemplary apparatus for capillary dewatering of foam materials. The apparatus may include felt which is applied to an exposed face of the foam material, or a double felt arrangement applied to two opposed surfaces of the foam material. The apparatus may provide a temperature differential between the two exposed surfaces of the foam material. An alternative embodiment utilizes a roll having a capillary dewatering medium. The capillary dewatering medium may be maintained at a vacuum either above or below the breakthrough vacuum of the capillaries. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly useful for dewatering foams having relatively fine open capillaries.

Abstract: Described are absorbent members useful in the containment of body liquids such as urine. The storage members 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 relatively high capillary pressures, 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 of the disclosure. The absorbent members may include an osmotic absorbent (preferably a hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer) or a high surface area material, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric foam structures suitable for absorbing and storing body fluids such as urine, menses and the like. These liquid storage structures are high suction collapsible polymeric foam materials. The collapsed foams, upon contact with aqueous fluids, can absorb and expand these fluids even when opposed by significant hydrostatic pressures. These absorbent polymeric foams comprise interconnected open-cells. In one aspect, the foams can absorb at least about 25 g/g against a hydrostatic head pressure of 50 cm. In another aspect, the foams of the present invention will have a vertical hang sorption height at 90% of at least about 60 cm.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric foam structures suitable for absorbing and storing body fluids such as urine, menses and the like. These liquid storage structures are high suction collapsible polymeric foam materials. The collapsed foams, upon contact with aqueous fluids, can absorb and expand these fluids even when opposed by significant hydrostatic pressures. These absorbent polymeric foams comprise interconnected open-cells. In one aspect, the foams can absorb at least about 25 g/g against a hydrostatic head pressure of 50 cm. In another aspect, the foams of the present invention will have a vertical hang sorption height at 90% of at least about 60 cm.

Abstract: Disclosed are materials capable of distributing and releasing aqueous fluids, e.g., urine, to a storage material, and absorbent articles comprising such fluid distribution materials. These fluid distribution materials have A) a ratio of capillary desorption height (i.e., height at 50% capacity) to capillary absorption height (i.e., height at 50% capacity) of not more than about 1.8:1; B) a capillary desorption height of not more than about 50 cm; C) the ability to wick synthetic urine at 31.degree. C. to a height of 15 cm in not more than about 25 minutes; and D) a vertical wicking capacity at 15 cm of at least about 6 g/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HIPE-derived heterogeneous polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells, wherein the foam structure has at least two distinct regions. Such heterogeneous foams have various applications, such as energy and fluid absorption, insulation, and filtration.The invention further relates to a heterogeneous absorbent polymeric foam that, upon contact with aqueous fluids (in particular body fluids such as urine and blood), can acquire, distribute, and store these fluids.The foams of the invention have at least two distinct regions having different density, polymer composition, surface properties, and/or microcellular morphology.The invention further relates to a process for obtaining the heterogeneous foams by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion, or HIPE. In one aspect, the process utilizes at least two distinct HIPEs, with each emulsion having a relatively small amount of an oil phase and a relatively greater amount of a water phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HIPE-derived heterogeneous polymeric foam structure of interconnected open-cells, wherein the foam structure has at least two distinct regions. Such heterogeneous foams have various applications, such as energy and fluid absorption, insulation, and filtration.The invention further relates to a heterogeneous absorbent polymeric foam that, upon contact with aqueous fluids (in particular body fluids such as urine and blood), can acquire, distribute, and store these fluids.The foams of the invention have at least two distinct regions having different density, polymer composition, surface properties, and/or microcellular morphology.The invention further relates to a process for obtaining the heterogeneous foams by polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion, or HIPE. In one aspect, the process utilizes at least two distinct HIPEs, with each emulsion having a relatively small amount of an oil phase and a relatively greater amount of a water phase.

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).