Process for adding superabsorbent to a pre-formed fibrous web via in situ polymerization
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsYoung C. Ko, Stanley R. Kellenberger, David Martin Jackson, Dave A. Soerens, Jason M. Laumer, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Abstract
A process for forming an absorbent fibrous web composite includes the initial step of forming a fibrous web from hydrophilic fibers and, optionally, thermoplastic fibers. Then, a superabsorbent polymer is completely formed in situ on or in the fibrous web by adding one or more superabsorbent polymer precursor compositions to the fibrous web using a non-contact process, and performing the polymerization reaction(s) completely on or in the web.
Claims24
A process for making an absorbent composite web, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition;
- providing a pre-formed fibrous web including a plurality of absorbent hydrophilic fibers;
- adding the first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition to the fibrous web using a non-contact printing process which is not a spraying process;
- and
- chemically reacting the first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition on or in the fibrous web to form a superabsorbent polymer consisting essentially of particles which stick to fiber surfaces, have a dry diameter of about 10-1000 microns, and are spaced apart by 50-4000 microns;
- wherein the superabsorbent polymer constitutes 20-75% by weight of the absorbent composite.
A process for making an absorbent web composite, comprising the steps of:
- providing a starting web including about 25-100% by weight cellulose fibers and about 0-75% by weight thermoplastic fibers;
- providing a first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition;
- applying the first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition to the web using a non-contact printing process which is not a spraying process;
- and
- chemically reacting the first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition on or in the web to form a superabsorbent polymer consisting essentially of particles which stick to fiber surfaces, have a dry diameter of about 10-1000 microns, and are spaced apart by 50-4000 microns;
- wherein the superabsorbent polymer constitutes 20-75% by weight of the absorbent composite.
A process for making an absorbent web composite, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition including a monomer;
- providing a second superabsorbent polymer precursor composition including a polymerization initiator;
- providing a pre-formed fibrous web including a plurality of cellulose fibers;
- adding the first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition to the fibrous web using a non-contact printing process which is not a spraying process;
- separately adding the second superabsorbent polymer precursor composition to the fibrous web using a non-contact printing process;
- and
- chemically reacting the first and second polymer precursor compositions on or in the fibrous web to form a superabsorbent polymer consisting essentially of particles which stick to fiber surfaces, have a dry diameter of about 10-1000 microns, and are spaced apart by 50-4000 microns;
- wherein the superabsorbent polymer constitutes 20-75% by weight of the absorbent composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.