Patent · US Expired

Absorbent member exhibiting exceptional expansion properties when wetted

US6296929A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
50References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 12, 1999
Grant dateOct 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T442/627
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An absorbent member is disclosed which has a high absorbent capacity and which exhibits exceptional expansion properties when wetted by an aqueous fluid. The absorbent member includes a multitude of randomly oriented cellulosic fibers having an average length of from between about 1 mm to about 5 mm and containing at least about 20% lignin within each fiber. The absorbent member also has a moisture content of from between about 1% to about 20% water by weight of fiber and has a density in the range of from between about 0.1 g/cc to about 1 g/cc. The fibers are stressed and bonded by hydrogen bonds and are retained in an elastically stressed condition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.