Abstract:
An absorbent component comprising an absorbent material in combination with a plurality of treated porous particles, the treated porous particles comprising external surfaces and interior pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the external surfaces of the treated porous particles comprises hydrophobic groups, and wherein the interior pore surfaces are at least partially hydrophilic. Also disclosed is a plurality of particles comprising absorbent particles or fibers comprising at least one of superabsorbent polymers, hydrophilic nonwovens, or wood pulp; and treated porous particles comprising external surfaces and interior pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the external surfaces of the treated porous particles comprises hydrophobic groups, and wherein the interior pore surfaces are at least partially hydrophilic. Use of the treated porous particles as a desiccant is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of treating porous particles, each porous particle having an external surface and a multiplicity of pores with interior pore surfaces, by contacting the external surface with a hydrophobic agent while causing the interior pore surfaces to remain substantially free of the hydrophobic agent. In certain illustrative embodiments, treating the external surfaces of the porous particles includes exposing the porous particles to at least one of water vapor, methanol vapor, or ethanol vapor; and subsequently exposing the porous particles to a second vapor comprising a reactive organosilane compound which reacts to form the hydrophobic agent. In some particular illustrative embodiments, at least a portion of the external surface of the treated porous particle includes hydrophobic groups, the hydrophobic groups selected from at least one of alkyl or aryl groups optionally substituted with fluorine, and siloxanes having alkyl groups, aryl groups, or combinations thereof.
Abstract:
A wetness sensor includes a substrate that carries a tuned RF circuit. The circuit includes a conductive pattern applied to the substrate, a capacitor, and a jumper all disposed on a same side of the substrate. The conductive pattern includes an inductive coil, and an inner and outer terminus. The jumper electrically couples the inner terminus to the outer terminus. The jumper also includes a frangible link which, when contacted by a target fluid, produces a drastic change in the operation of the RF circuit. The drastic change can be interpreted by a remote reader as a "wet" condition. Contact of the frangible link by the target fluid may change the impedance or resistance of the RF circuit by at least a factor of 5, 10, 100, or more, and/or may cause the frangible link to disintegrate to produce an open circuit, and/or may substantially render the RF circuit inoperative.
Abstract:
A treated porous particle having an external surface and interior pore surfaces, with at least a portion of the external surface of the treated porous particle bearing a hydrophobic group, and with hydrophilic interior pore surfaces. The treated porous particles may be useful, for example, as desiccants. Absorbent articles, for example, diapers and sanitary napkins, and absorbent components of absorbent articles that include the treated porous particles are also disclosed.