Abstract: This invention is directed to a compressed catamenial tampon made up of a mass of absorbent fibers having intermixed therein a quantity of carboxymethylcellulose fibers containing free-acid carboxyl radicals and characterized by a high capacity for absorbing and retaining menstrual fluids. These carboxymethylcellulose fibers are modified by heat treatment to shorten the time it takes for such fibers to absorb a specified amount of fluid and thereby more effectively utilize their high capacity. The particular high capacity fibers are defined as carboxymethylcellulose fibers having a degree of substitution in the normally soluble range of about 0.4 to about 2.0 in which a part of the carboxyl groups are in free-acid form with the remainder in salt form.

Abstract: Alkali metal and ammonium salts of crosslinked phosphonoalkyl cellulose are described which have a phosphorous content of from about 1.5% to about 4.0% by weight and a degree of crosslinking sufficient to make the modified cellulose salts essentially insoluble in aqueous media. These crosslinked phosphonoalkyl cellulose salts have significantly increased fluid absorption capacities as compared to unmodified cellulose and may be incorporated alone or in combination with other absorbent materials into catamenial tampons, sanitary napkins, diapers, and like absorbent devices.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cellulose ethers is characterized in that cellulose ethers which contain one or several alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or carboxyalkyl substituents and which have a total degree of substitution (D.S.) of 0.05 to 4.0 are converted into the corresponding 2,3-dihydroxypropyl mixed ethers by reaction with glycidol and/or glycerol monohalohydrin such as 1-halo-2,3-dihydroxypropane and that the reaction products are processed in a manner known per se, as well as a cellulose mixed ether containing 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ether groups produced by the above process; along with an aqueous composition having increased viscosity comprising water containing this cellulose mixed ether plus borate ions.

Abstract: An absorbent body is provided for use in such products as catamenial napkins and tampons, diapers, wound dressings and the like, which body incorporates hydrophilic, wet resilient, swellable, cellulosic fibers produced by a single reaction treatment of cellulose. The cellulose fibers are treated with an agent which renders the fibers hydrophilic while simultaneously crosslinking them with a crosslinking radical having the structure: ##EQU1## where X is chosen from the group consisting of H or COOY: Y is chosen from the group consisting of Na, K, Li, Ce or H; and k, m and n are integers ranging from 0 to 4.