Method of dewatering in a continuous high internal phase emulsion foam forming process
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsWei-ling Siew, Jiajie Zhang, Aditya Garg
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Abstract
A method for continuous High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) foam production. A HIPE is produced then extruded onto a belt. After polymerization, a portion of the saturated aqueous phase is removed using a vacuum box. A nip insert is inserted under the vacuum box to raise the vacuum box leading to improved uniformity of the HIPE in the cross direction along the belt.
Claims12
A method for producing a High Internal Phase Emulsion foam comprising the steps of:
- forming a High Internal Phase Emulsion from an oil phase comprising monomer, cross-linking agent, emulsifier, and an aqueous phase;
- providing an extrusion device,
- providing a belt comprising a cross directional width;
- providing a vacuum box, wherein the vacuum box comprises a nip insert;
- extruding the High Internal Phase Emulsion on the belt;
- polymerizing the monomer component in the oil phase of the High Internal Phase Emulsion;
- and
- passing the High Internal Phase Emulsion over the vacuum box to remove a saturated aqueous phase.
A nip insert capable of raising a vacuum box wherein the nip insert is selected from the group consisting of one or more layers of tape, a bolt, a washer, a screw, a piece of wood, any other known item capable of propping an isolated point, and/or combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.