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.
Claims20
A method for removing an aqueous phase from an open-celled foam, the method comprising:
- providing a belt comprising a cross directional width;
- providing an open-celled foam;
- providing a vacuum box, wherein the vacuum box comprises a nip insert, wherein the nip insert is located below the vacuum box and is in direct contact with the vacuum box;
- placing the open-celled foam on the belt;
- and
- passing the open-celled foam over the vacuum box to remove a saturated aqueous phase.
A method for removing an aqueous phase from an open-celled foam, the method comprising:
- forming an emulsion from an oil phase comprising a monomer, a cross-linking agent, an 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, wherein the nip insert is located below the vacuum box and is in direct contact with the vacuum box;
- extruding the emulsion on the belt;
- polymerizing the monomer in the oil phase of the emulsion;
- and
- passing the polymerized emulsion over the vacuum box to remove a saturated aqueous phase.
A method for producing a High Internal Phase Emulsion foam, the method comprising:
- forming a High Internal Phase Emulsion from an oil phase comprising a monomer, a cross-linking agent, an emulsifier, and an aqueous phase;
- providing an extrusion device;
- providing a belt comprising a cross directional width and a material positioned on the belt and moving therewith;
- providing a vacuum box;
- extruding the High Internal Phase Emulsion on the belt;
- polymerizing the monomer 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.