Method of making regenerated carbohydrate foam compositions
OwnerWilliam G. Reeves, Li-fu Cheninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of making a carbohydrate foam composition. The method produces a foam composition is highly wettable, resilient and has a uniform pore structure suitable for use in products such as absorbent personal products, health care products, and products suitable for fluid distribution and transfer. The foam of the present invention may also be made into sheets suitable for products such as tissue and paper towels. In one embodiment the foam is made from a carbohydrate and zinc chloride. In a further embodiment the carbohydrate is cellulose, and in a further embodiment the carbohydrate is chitin. The method of the present invention allows control over various properties of the foam carbohydrate composition.
Claims55
A method for producing a carbohydrate foam composition comprising the steps of:
- (a) pre-wetting at least one water-insoluble carbohydrate with a pre-wetting agent;
- (b) mixing said pre-wetted carbohydrate with an aqueous solution capable of at least partially dissolving the carbohydrate;
- (c) introducing a gas into said carbohydrate/aqueous solution to form a foam.
A method for producing a carbohydrate foam composition comprising the steps of:
- (a) pre-wetting a water-insoluble carbohydrate with a pre-wetting agent;
- (b) mixing said pre-wetted carbohydrate with an aqueous solution;
- (c) adding a surfactant to said carbohydrate/aqueous solution;
- (d) introducing a gas into said carbohydrate/aqueous solution to form a foam;
- and
- (e) regenerating said foam with a regenerating agent.
The method of 32, further comprising removing excess zinc chloride prior to regeneration by contacting the foam with an organic solvent.
A method for producing a carbohydrate foam sheet comprising the steps of:
- (a) pre-wetting a water-insoluble carbohydrate with a pre-wetting agent;
- (b) mixing said pre-wetted carbohydrate with an aqueous solution;
- (c) adding a surfactant to said carbohydrate/aqueous solution;
- (d) adding a cross-linking agent to said carbohydrate/aqueous solution;
- (e) introducing a gas into said carbohydrate/aqueous solution to form a foam;
- (f) spreading said foam into a thin sheet;
- and
- (e) regenerating said foam sheet with a regenerating agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.