Ultra-thin materials made from fibre and superabsorbent

Abstract

The present invention relates to materials formed from superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and fibers that are obtainable by pressing at not less than 60° C. and not less than 3 bar. More particularly, the present invention relates to materials which are obtained by in situ polymerization of SAP precursor mixtures on the fiber. The present invention also relates to processes for producing such materials and to their use.

1 . A material formed from a superabsorbent polymer and fibers that is obtainable by in situ polymerization of the superabsorbent polymer and by pressing at not less than 60° C. and not less than 3 bar.  
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1  obtainable by pressing at not less than 70° C.  
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1  obtainable by pressing at not less than 80° C.  
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1  obtainable by pressing at not less than 5 bar.  
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 1  obtainable by pressing at not less than 10 bar.  
     
     
         6 . The material of  claim 1  that expands not less than 5-fold in one dimension and by less than 20% in the other two dimensions on addition of water.  
     
     
         7 . A material formed from a superabsorbent polymer and fibers that expands not less than 5-fold in one dimension and by less than 20% in the other two dimensions on addition of water.  
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 1  that expands not less than 10-fold in one dimension and by less than 10% in the other two dimensions on addition of water.  
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 1  that has a density in the range from not less than 0.5 g/ccm to 1.2 g/ccm.  
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 1  wherein a ratio of teabag to retention in 0.9% NaCl solution is greater than 2.  
     
     
         11 . The material of  claim 1  wherein retention in 0.9% NaCl solution is greater than 3 g/ccm.  
     
     
         12 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an increase in thickness 60 days after compression is less than 100% based on the thickness directly after compression.  
     
     
         13 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an FSEV after 60 seconds is at least double that of an uncompressed material.  
     
     
         14 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an FSEV after 2 minutes is at least 60% higher than that of an uncompressed material.  
     
     
         15 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an EVUL after 60 seconds is at least double that of an uncompressed material.  
     
     
         16 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an EVUL after 2 minutes is at least 60% higher than that of an uncompressed material.  
     
     
         17 . The material of  claim 1  wherein an AAP (0.7 psi) in 0.9% NaCl solution is greater than 5 g/ccm.  
     
     
         18 . A laminate comprising a material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A process for producing a compressed material comprising a superabsorbent polymer, obtainable by in situ polymerization of the superabsorbent polymer, and fiber by pressing at about 60° C. and about 3 bar.  
     
     
         22 . A method of absorbing water vapor comprising contacting the water vapor with a material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         23 . A method of absorbing an aqueous fluid comprising contacting the aqueous fluid with a material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the aqueous fluid comprises a body fluid.