US5171237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of making absorbent particles
Assignee: Paragon Trade Brands LLC
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Filing: 1991-10-07
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Granted: 1992-12-15
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Expires: 2011-10-07
Abstract
Abstract An absorbent mixture, as made from fibers formed into a fibrous web and a polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in a liquid carrier. The material, when polymerized and cross-linked, results in a superabsorbent polymer. The material, in the liquid carrier, is dispersed within the fibrous web, as dispersed inclusions, and is polymerized and cross-linked in situ, within the fibrous web, so as to form a composite web comprising the fibrous web and the superabsorbent polymer, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous web. The composite web is ground, so as to cause some of the superabsorbent polymers to become particulate while fragments of the superabsorbent polymer remain bound to fibers from the fibrous web. Before the composite web is ground, it may be provided with a fibrous layer or fibrous layers in intimate contact therewith, and also compressed.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Poccia
- 👤 Kevin J. Ovans
- 👤 Heinz Pieniak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/60; A61L15/22; A61L15/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of making an absorbent mixture comprising first particles, each comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material having absorbent properties, and second, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers and a polymerized, cross-linked phase bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into a fibrous body and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within the fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within the fibrous body, so as to form a composite body comprising the fibrous body and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; and (d) grinding the composite body, so as to cause at least some of the first particles and at least some of the polymerized, cross-linked phase of the second particles to be broken from larger particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from which the fibers of the fibrous phase are formed, whereby the first particles and second particles are formed with the first particles being loosely distributed within the second particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of making an absorbent mixture comprising first particles, each comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material having absorbent properties, and second, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers and a polymerized, cross-linked phase bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into a fibrous body and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within the fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within the fibrous body, so as to form a composite body comprising the fibrous body and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; and (d) grinding the composite body, so as to cause at least some of the first particles and at least some of the polymerized, cross-linked phase of the second particles to be broken from larger particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from which the fibers of the fibrous phase are formed, whereby the first particles and second particles are formed with the first particles being loosely distributed within the second particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of rayons, cellulose esters, proteins, polyamides, polyesters, polyvinyls, polyolefins, polyurethanes, glass, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, when polymerized and cross-linked, results in a superabsorbent polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, when polymerized and cross-linked, results in a superabsorbent polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the absorbent mixture comprises, on a weight basis, about 10% of fibers from the fibrous body with the balance consisting essentially of the superabsorbent polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the absorbent mixture comprises, on a weight basis, about 10% fibers from the fibrous body, about 30 to 80% of the superabsorbent polymer as particles, and about 10 to 60% of the superabsorbent polymer as fragments bound to at least some fibers from the fibrous body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the absorbent mixture comprises, on a weight basis, about 10% of fibers from the fibrous body, about 50% of the superabsorbent polymer as particles, and about 40% of the superabsorbent polymer as fragments bound to at least some fibers from the fibrous body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the step, before the grinding step, of providing the composite body with at least one layer of fibers formed into a fibrous layer in intimate contact with the fibrous body having such dispersed particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the fibers of the fibrous body are selected from the group consisting of rayons, cellulose esters, proteins, polyamides, polyesters, polyvinyls, polyolefins, polyurethanes, glass, and mixtures thereof and the fibers formed into at least one fibrous layer are made from comminuted wood pulp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the step of compressing the composite body, as provided with at least one layer of fibers formed into a fibrous layer in intimate contact with the fibrous body having such dispersed particles, before the grinding step.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
257 words
A method of making an absorbent article containing an absorbent mixture comprising first particles, each comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material having absorbent properties, and second, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers and a polymerized, cross-linked phase bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into two fibrous bodies and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within each fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within each fibrous body, so as to form two composite bodies, each composite body comprising one of the fibrous bodies and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; (d) grinding one of the composite bodies, so as to cause at least some of the first particles and at least some of the polymerized, cross-linked phase of the second particles to be broken from larger particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from which the fibers of the fibrous phase are formed, whereby the first particles and second particles are formed with the first particles being loosely distributed within the second particles; and (e) distributing the first and second particles formed in step (d) so as to form an absorbent layer in intimate contact with an expansive surface of the other composite body.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
257 words
A method of making an absorbent article containing an absorbent mixture comprising first particles, each comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material having absorbent properties, and second, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers and a polymerized, cross-linked phase bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into two fibrous bodies and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within each fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within each fibrous body, so as to form two composite bodies, each composite body comprising one of the fibrous bodies and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; (d) grinding one of the composite bodies, so as to cause at least some of the first particles and at least some of the polymerized, cross-linked phase of the second particles to be broken from larger particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from which the fibers of the fibrous phase are formed, whereby the first particles and second particles are formed with the first particles being loosely distributed within the second particles; and (e) distributing the first and second particles formed in step (d) so as to form an absorbent layer in intimate contact with an expansive surface of the other composite body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 comprising steps of providing a wicking layer of fibrous material in intimate contact with the absorbent layer formed in step (e) and providing a wicking layer of fibrous material in intimate contact with an opposite expansive surface of said other composite body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of making absorbent, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase and a polymerized, cross-linked phase comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into a fibrous body and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within the fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within the fibrous body, so as to form a composite body comprising the fibrous body and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; and (d) subdividing the composite body to form absorbent, two-phase particles from the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from the fibrous body, each absorbent, two-phase particle having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers from the fibrous body and a polymerized, cross-linked phase comprised of particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers of the fibrous phase.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of making absorbent, two-phase particles, each having a fibrous phase and a polymerized, cross-linked phase comprised of a polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers of the fibrous phase, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing (i) fibers formed into a fibrous body and (ii) a polymerizable, cross-linkable material in a liquid carrier, and of a type having absorbent properties when polymerized and cross-linked; (b) dispersing the polymerizable, cross-linkable material, in the liquid carrier, within the fibrous body, as dispersed inclusions; (c) polymerizing and cross-linking the polymerizable, cross-linkable material in situ, within the fibrous body, so as to form a composite body comprising the fibrous body and the polymerized, cross-linked material, as dispersed particles, at least some of which are bound to fibers from the fibrous body; and (d) subdividing the composite body to form absorbent, two-phase particles from the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers from the fibrous body, each absorbent, two-phase particle having a fibrous phase comprised of fibers from the fibrous body and a polymerized, cross-linked phase comprised of particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material bound to fibers of the fibrous phase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the subdividing step is effected by grinding the composite body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 wherein grinding the composite body causes the absorbent, two-phase particles to be freely dispersed with other particles, which include particles of the polymerized, cross-linked material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-15 | 1996-06-15 | 1996-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-15 | 2000-06-15 | 2000-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-15 | 2004-06-15 | 2004-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |