Kimberly-clark Corporation

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

James R. Gross

James R Gross

Jian Qin

Wen Zyo Schroeder

Tong Sun

Xin Ning

Ronald S Harland

Michael P Greuel

William J Mui

Disclosed is a method for reducing the malodor associated with disposable absorbent products intended for the absorption of body fluids. The method involves applying to the absorbent product, prior to its use, an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of body fluids, which disposable absorbent product includes an absorbent structure including a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, a covering material, and an effective amount of a surface-active agent having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of less than about 12. The surface-active agent is effective to reduce the odor of urine.

Method for reducing malodor in absorbent products and products formed

Described is a method for preparing a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble material. The method involves forming a first solution containing a water-soluble phycocolloid. The first solution is then added to a second solution containing an ion capable of rendering the water-soluble phycocolloid substantially water insoluble. The phycocolloid material is then removed from the second solution and subjected to a solvent exchange to remove water present in the phycocolloid material. Hollow particles can be formed by including a gelation-retarding agent in the first solution. Also described is a water-swellable, substantially water-insoluble particle defining an interior void. The particle comprises an outer shell formed from a water-insoluble phycocolloid. The outer shell defines an interior void which contains a phycocolloid.

Absorbent phycocolloids and a method for their manufacture

Disclosed is a method for producing a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble modified polysaccharide having improved age-stable absorption properties. The method involves forming a mixture of a modified polysaccharide, water, and, optionally, a crosslinking agent, recovering the modified polysaccharide from the mixture and, optionally, heat-treating said recovered modified polysaccharide.

Modified polysaccharides having improved absorbent properties and

A porous structure of a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymeric material which porous structure possesses improved free swell capacity and is able to demonstrate said improved free swell capacity when in contact with an absorbent material such as a cellulosic fibrous web. Also disclosed is a method of making such a porous polymeric structure. The method comprising the steps of forming an oil-in-water suspension, wherein the water phase contains a water-soluble monomer and a crosslinking agent and the oil phase is a volatile organic compound having a boiling point greater than the boiling point of water. The monomer present in the water phase is polymerized to form a polymeric material having dispersed therein the oil phase. The resultant polymeric material is then dried at a temperature above the boiling point of water, such that the volatile organic compound volatilizes thereby forming pores in the polymeric material, which pores have a diameter of at least about 20 microns. The polymeric material is at least partially dried before the organic compound volatilizes so that the polymeric material possesses sufficient structural integrity to maintain the openness of the chambers.

Process for forming a porous particle of an absorbent polymer

Porous structure of an absorbent polymer

An absorbent structure of a superabsorbent material which superabsorbent material defines a chamber, said chamber containing an amount of an osmotic material. The presence of the chamber and osmotic material within the chamber has been found to increase the absorptive capacity of the superabsorbent material on a gram per gram basis.

Osmotically enhanced absorbent structures

A method for producing a water-swellable, water-insoluble carboxyalkyl starch. The steps of the method involving forming an aqueous dispersion of starch; adding to said aqueous dispersion carboxyalkylating reactants under conditions sufficient to form a water-soluble carboxyalkyl starch having an average degree of substitution between about 0.25 and 1.5; and recovering the carboxyalkyl starch by evaporative drying at a temperature within the range of from about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

James R Gross