Alloy rayon fibers of regenerated cellulose and copolymeric acrylic acid salts
AssigneesAvtex Fibers Inc., Rohm and Haas Company
InventorsFrederick R. Smith, Walter W. Toy, David Witiak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Alloy rayon fiber of regenerated cellulose and an at least partially neutralized copolymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid and a comonomer selected from an hydroxyalkyl (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) ester of such acid or a styrenic monomer. The copolymer is present in an amount effective to increase the fluid holding capacity of the fiber. Masses of the fibers are useful as surgical dressings, tampons and other fluid-absorbing articles.
Claims22
Alloy rayon fiber comprising regenerated cellulose and an at least partially neutralized copolymer of (a) at least one acid monomer selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (b) at least one comonomer selected from hvdroxyalkyl C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) esters of said acids and a styrenic comonomer, the monomer ratio (a:b) in the copolymer ranging from 95:5 to 50:50 by weight, said copolymer being present in an amount effective to provide a measurable fluid holding capacity increase for the alloy fiber.
A method of producing an alloy fiber having high fluid holding capacity while avoiding or minimizing loss of polymer additive, which comprises:
- (1) mixing with a filament forming viscose a copolymer of (a) at least one acid monomer selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (b) at least one comoner selected from hydroxyalkyl (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6) esters of said acids and a styrenic comonomer, the monomer ratio (a:b) in the copolymer ranging from 95:5 to 50:50 by weight;
- (2) forming the mixture into a fiber;
- (3) coagulating and regenerating the fiber in an acid bath;
- and (4) at least partially neutralizing the regenerated fiber, said copolymer being present in an amount effective to provide a measurable fluid holding capacity increase for the alloy fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.