Cellulose Ethylsulfonate-Based Absorbent Material
AssigneeSpeciality Fibres and Materials Ltd.
InventorStephen Law
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Abstract
This invention relates to absorbent materials useful in the manufacture of absorbent articles, in particular dressings for the advanced wound care market. The absorbent materials of the present invention are sulfonated polysaccharides, particularly water-insoluble cellulose alkyl sulfonates in which the cellulose is substituted by one type of alkyl sulfonate group. The invention also provides a process for the manufacture of such materials. The preferred cellulose alkyl sulfonate described herein is cellulose ethyl sulfonate. Reinforcing fibers and/or antimicrobial agents are optionally applied to the cellulose alkyl sulfonate.
Claims43
An absorbent article comprising, as an absorbent material, a water-insoluble polysaccharide alkyl sulfonate, wherein the polysaccharide is substituted with one type of alkyl sulfonate.
An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the alkyl moiety of the alkyl sulfonate is a lower alkyl.
An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent material further comprises a reinforcing fiber blended or bonded with said water-insoluble polysaccharide alkyl sulfonate.
An article as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises an antimicrobial agent.
Use of a water-insoluble cellulose alkylsulfonate, wherein the cellulose is substituted with one type of alkyl sulfonate, as an absorbent material.
A process for the preparation of water-insoluble cellulose alkyl sulfonate comprising the simultaneous reaction of cellulose with an alkali and an alkenyl sulfonate or its salt, wherein the only solvent is water, and wherein the amount of water present in the reaction is less than 1070% by weight of the cellulose.
A process for the preparation of a water-insoluble cellulose alkyl sulfonate, which process comprises the separate steps of:
- a) treating the cellulose with alkali;
- b) reacting the product of step a) with an alkenyl sulfonate or its salt;
- and
- c) isolating the product of step b);
- wherein the only solvent is water.
A process for forming an absorbent article comprising:
- applying an aqueous solution of a silver salt to a hydrophilic, amphoteric, or anionic polymer;
- applying a solution comprising a monovalent anion of a second salt to said polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.