TH31312A - Sphagnum moss is an absorbent material, and how is it manufactured? (Absorbent material) - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorbent materials possess high absorption capacity and long fluid penetration times. These materials, composed of sphagnum moss with a high concentration of cross-linked cellulose fibers, are well-suited for use as absorbent components in disposable absorbent products such as sanitary pads, diapers, incontinence pads, adult briefs, bandages, nursing pads, tampons, or moisture-absorbing packaging to keep goods dry during transport or storage. The invention also extends to novel methods for manufacturing absorbent materials.

Claims (18)

1. Liquid absorbent materials have a high fluid tolerance rate for use in liquid absorption products. These absorbent materials consist of sphagnum moss and a high percentage of efficient cross-fiber weaves. 2. The absorbent material as defined in Claim 1 herein is the cross-fiber type, i.e., cellulose fibers. 3. The liquid absorbent material as described in Claim 1 herein consists of cross-linked cellulose fibers in a range from approximately 5% to approximately 75% by weight of solids in the liquid absorbent material. 4. The liquid absorbent material as described in Claim 2 herein consists of cross-linked cellulose fibers in the range of approximately 15% to approximately 40% by weight of solids in the liquid absorbent material. 5. The liquid absorbent material as described in Claim 2 herein consists of cross-linked cellulose fibers in the range of approximately 15% to approximately 30% by weight of solids in the liquid absorbent material. 6. The absorbent material as specified in Claim 2 herein is in the form of sheets or layers. 7. The absorbent material as specified in claim 6 shall continue to consist of selected fiber components from the group of rayon, polyester, nylon and acrylic, kraft wood pulp, mechanical hemp pulp, cotton and a mixture of the aforementioned components. 8. The liquid-absorbing material as specified in Claim 3 herein shall be mechanically softened to increase its softness and malleability. 9. The liquid absorbent material as specified in Claim 2 herein is mechanically softened by selective means from a group of pore-compressed and micro-pleated composites. 10. The liquid absorbent material as specified in claim 3 consists of a reinforced layer. 11. The liquid absorbent material as specified in claim 10 herein, such reinforcement layer is provided on the outer surface of such material. 12. Liquid absorbent material as specified in claim 11 herein. Such material includes a pair of interconnected reinforced sheets with spaced lines providing two opposing outer surfaces of such material. 13. Absorbent materials as specified in Claim 11 herein, including Kraft wood fiber reinforcement layers. 14. The manufacturing process of highly absorbent liquid materials with high liquid absorption capacity and wick-like permeability, which displaces liquids away from the point of impact, involves the integration of sphagnum moss material in a cross-linked fibrous structure into the sheet layer. 15. The method of manufacturing the liquid absorbent material as specified in Claim 14 herein refers to the cross-linked fibers, which are cellulose fibers. 16. The method described in Claim 15 consists of the following steps: - Preparation of a concentrated solution containing sphagnum moss and cross-linked cellulose fibers; and - Removal of the liquid medium from the concentrated solution to form the desired liquid-absorbing material. 17. Disposable laminated liquid absorbent products consist of a) a permeable liquid cover layer, b) an impermeable liquid backing layer, and c) an absorbent component between the layers. The absorbent component consists of layers made of sphagnum moss material and an effective amount of cross-fiber weave. 18. Disposable laminated liquid absorbent products as specified in Claim 17, herein the cross-fiber formulations are cellulose fibers (Claim 18, page 3, figure 4).