Absorbent planar structure and method of its manufacture

Abstract

The present invention provides for an absorbent planar structure or so-called "sponge cloth" as well as for the method of making such a structure. The absorbent planar structure itself is permeated with pores and comprises a latex-bonded fiber material optionally reinforced with a woven or knit material, a layer of known foamed plastic, non-woven fabric or abrasive fleece. The method for making such a structure dispenses with conventional pore formers and is characterized by forming a foam of the latex and fiber materials by use of a suitable gaseous medium. The foam thus obtained, after homogeneous mixing, is applied to a substrate and the fiber-containing latex foam is then coagulated by heat action, resulting in an open-pore structure which is stabilized by subsequent drying and vulcanization.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.