Adsorbent compositions

#Not Applicable

#Not Applicable

#The present invention relates to improved water vapor adsorption and water retaining compositions.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container containing the improved water vapor adsorption and water retaining composition of calcium chloride and cellulose fiber of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

#The preferred embodiment of the improved water vapor adsorption and water retaining composition of the present invention comprises particulate calcium chloride C and particulate corn cellulose fiber F. However, as will appear hereafter, other types of cellulose fiber can also be used. The calcium chloride is a deliquescent which has a high affinity for water vapor and therefore works well under conditions of wide swings in temperature and relative humidity. The calcium chloride and particulate corn cellulose fiber have the capacity of absorbing and retaining approximately 2½ times its weight of water without expanding appreciably.

#Another embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 5) comprises calcium chloride C, corn cellulose fiber F and clay CL. The combination of calcium chloride, corn cellulose fiber and clay has the capacity of absorbing and retaining approximately 1½ times its weight of water.

#In the calcium chloride and corn cellulose fiber composition, the calcium chloride may be present in an amount by weight of between about 5% and 90% and more preferably between about 15% and 75% and most preferably between about 35% and 55%.