Immobilizing particulate absorbents by conversion to hydrates
First Claim
1. An absorbent hydrate in particulate form and comprising a mixture of(a) a particulate water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer;
- and(b) from 20% to 80% by weight of the total weight of said hydrate of an aqueous liquid.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to absorbent compositions, to methods for handling and immobilizing particulate absorbents, and to absorbent articles produced from the absorbent compositions. Absorbent materials such as cross-linked, water-insoluble and water-swellable particulate polymers are immobilized and safely handled by adding thereto an aqueous liquid such as water or saline in amounts sufficient to form hydrates in which the water comprises from 20% to 80% by weight of the total hydrate. The hydrates may be extruded, sprinkled, or sprayed and can be incorporated into absorbent articles such as diapers and tampons by conventional means. The hydrates unexpectedly increase the total water absorbency of the absorbent on a dry basis.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An absorbent hydrate in particulate form and comprising a mixture of
(a) a particulate water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer; - and
(b) from 20% to 80% by weight of the total weight of said hydrate of an aqueous liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12)
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9. An absorbent hydrate in particulate form and comprising a mixture of
(a) a cross-linked particulate water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer selected from the group consisting of a polysodium acrylate, a polysodium methacrylate, polypotassium acrylate, polypotassium methacrylate, a starch grafted polyacrylate, a starch grafted polymethacrylate, and carboxy methyl cellulose; - and
(b) from 20% to 80% by weight of the total weight of said hydrate of an aqueous liquid. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 13)
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- 14. A method for immobilizing a particulate water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer comprising combining an aqueous liquid with said polymer in an amount sufficient to form a hydrate in particulate form and wherein the aqueous liquid comprises from 20% to 80% by weight of the total weight of said hydrate.
- 22. A method for immobilizing a cross-linked particulate water-insoluble, water-swellable absorbent polymer selected from the group consisting of a polysodium acrylate, a polysodium methacrylate, polypotassium acrylate, polypotassium methacrylate, a starch grafted polyacrylate, a starch grafted polymethacrylate, and carboxy methyl cellulose comprising combining an aqueous liquid with said polymer to form a hydrate in particulate form wherein the aqueous liquid comprises from 20% to 80% by weight of said hydrate.
Specification