Method of producing an absorbent composition

Abstract

A method of producing an absorbent composition. A polymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites is mixed with a source of multi-valent metal ions to render the polymeric material sorbent of aqueous liquids. A dispersant is then added to form a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention deals with a method of producing an absorbent composition. The composition is capable of absorbing and immobilizing aqueous bodily fluids and is designed for use in such diverse areas as diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinent pads, surgical dressings and towels and in suction canisters, emesis basins and with arthroscopies and cystoscopies. Although such products have been made available in the past, prior to the present invention, there has not been a successful disposable product which is biodegradable and which is capable of absorbing such bodily fluids in an amount up to approximately 100 times the composition's own weight without significant mechanical intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the general population becomes increasingly environmentally conscious, there has been a growing trend away from the use of disposable diapers and similar products. Present-day disposable diapers biodegrade at such a slow rate that, for all practical purposes, the products are considered non-biodegradable and, as such, can result in acute environmental damage. Large urban areas are simply running out of disposal areas and for those products which are non-recyclable, and which do not biodegrade, landfill sites can be considered toxically unsafe after the landfill capacity has been exhausted.

As a result of these concerns, many government agencies, both on the local and state levels, have gone so far as to completely outlaw the sale of disposable diapers and similar products. Although such products are convenient to use, particularly when a home laundry facility is unavailable, such as during vacation travel, unless a biodegradable product is at hand, disposable diapers and similar articles will simply disappear from grocery store shelves.

In addition to the need for biodegradable products, it is quite often desirable to provide a system for absorbing and preferably also disinfecting and/or immobilizing bodily fluids as these fluids can be infected with pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and other matter. The potential source of pathogenicity has been acute with the knowledge and identification of certain pathogens such as hepatitis B and the AIDS virus.

It is further critical that an effective composition be provided that is capable of the immobilization and preferably solidification of infectious liquids without the need for any mechanical intervention. Preferably, the immobilized or solidified liquids can be made the subject of disinfection and appropriately landfilled, autoclaved or incinerated in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations. The need for such a protocol has been highlighted by the amendment made to 29 C.F.R. .sctn.1910.1030 which provides for the federal regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 655, 657 to control blood-borne pathogens. Specifically, the Act calls for the establishment of an exposure control plan, the containment of specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials and the general tightening of precautionary measures to minimize the spread of disease. Immobilization of blood, urine and other bodily fluids would greatly facilitate compliance with the above-referenced Act.

Congress has recently reported on the Medical Waste Tracking Act confirming that medical waste, although not a particular environmental problem, at least any more so than any other disposable trash or garbage, does represent a significant workplace hazard. As such, it is further contemplated that the present invention will enhance workplace safety.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a system for absorbing and/or immobilizing an entire host of diverse bodily fluids and other infectious or noninfectious aqueous liquids.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide various disposable products containing the present absorbing and/or immobilizing agents which are biodegradable and thus environmentally preferred when compared to corresponding products currently available.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a superior means for containing and disinfecting potential infectious liquids and to allow for their disposal without the spread of pathogens and consequent disease.

It remains yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a method of producing an absorbent composition which is capable of absorbing up to 100 times by weight of a liquid without significant mechanical intervention or stirring.

These and further objects of the present invention will be more fully appreciated when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method of producing an absorbent composition as well as the composition produced by said method and various products embodying or containing said composition.

The method comprises producing a granular absorbent composition by heterogeneously surface reacting polymeric material with a source of multi-valent metal ions to render the polymeric material sorbent to aqueous liquids. The polymeric material is characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites. When dealing with water soluble polymeric material, liquid dispersant is added only after the dry admixture has been created to form a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to granular consistency. Preferably the composition is dispersed by the liquid dispersant but not dissolved therein.

It is hypothesized that the polymeric materials, when combined with multi-valent metal ions form ionic bridges between polymer chains on their grain surfaces which when mixed with aqueous based materials can create intimate mixtures without clumping or swelling.

The absorbing composition of the present invention is preferably in the form of a granular powder of a flour to rice consistency which can contain a sanitizing or disinfecting agent such as orthophenylphenol, T-amylphenol, ortho-benzylchlorophenol, citric acid, boric acid, triethanolamine, sodium borate or methylparaben. A wetting agent can be employed, for example, fluorinated polymers such as the Fluorads.TM. which are sold by Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., or as Silwet.TM. surfactants which are available from Union Carbide or similar products of Dow Corning such as Dow 190, which are a class of ethoxylated silicone backbone polymers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It was originally hypothesized that a highly absorptive system could be composed of cross-linked polyacrylate salts. Although sodium and potassium polyacrylate salts work well under some conditions, such salts do not work well in the presence of electrolytes or at a low pH. At low pH, the polymer chains coil up and do not accept water, whereas at high electrolyte concentrations, the electronegatively charged chains are blanked by cations, thereby reducing their capacity to absorb water. Further, cross-linked polyacrylates are not biodegradable and their capacity to absorb is decreased by the presence of alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol which are often found in medical settings. However, when suitable polymeric materials such as polyacrylamide and polyacrylic acids and their copolymers are "bridged" with a suitable multi-valent ion such as Al.sup.+3 creating hydrophobic coated particles, their swelling capacity and rates are enhanced as they and their sensitivity to pH and solvents such as alcohols are decreased.

Others have even used glucosidic materials in producing absorbent compositions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,341 teaches a composition comprising a carboxylic acid with a substantial hydrophobic region, a branched complex carbohydrate and cross-linking agent such that the composition can be hydrated and cross-linked simultaneously in the presence of a hydrating solution. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,550 teaches a method of making a particulate absorbent composition by reacting a carboxylated cellulosic material with cross-linking and hydrophobicity agents. The reaction product is separated and water removed therefrom until the composition is dehydrated and a particulate is formed of the absorbent material. However, these materials require significant mechanical intervention to achieve a homogeneous gel and they exhibit low sorbancies in the 10-20 part liquid to 1 part anhydrous prepared sorbent range. Furthermore, preparation of these materials in an anhydrous environment is quite inconvenient.

By contrast, the absorbent composition of the present invention employs polymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites such as carboxymethyl groups (R.sub.p COO) wherein R.sub.p comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of glucosidics, acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers, polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose gum and sulphonated cellulose which are combined with multi-valent metal ions such as an Al.sup.+3, CA.sup.+2 and Mg.sup.+2 to create hydrophobic coated particles. The combining should be carried out as a dry admixture when the polymer is water soluble. It is preferred that the ion Al.sup.+3 be employed which can be derived from, for example, aluminum acetate or aluminum sulphate. This dry admixture can then be added to a liquid dispersant to form a wet slurry which is dried to a coarse granular consistency. The solvent is preferably an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol which, combined with or without a small amount of water, acts to hydrophobically coat the individual particles forming ionic bridges but does not act to dissolve the polymeric material. The combination of the dry and wet components creates a somewhat dry crumbly slurry that resembles slightly wetted sand.

The granular absorbent composition produced by the method recited above operates in the formation of ionic bridges formed between polymer chains and creation of hydrophobic coated particles by use of a multi-valent ion which is employed in combination with a liquid dispersant. The newly created particles, due to their hydrophobicity resist clumping and premature absorption in aqueous media resulting in particles which can absorb, for example, urine at a rate greater than 15 cc per second without any mechanical intervention which is the approximate human rate of urination and will absorb up to 100 parts by weight of liquid to one part solid. These absorption characteristics are repeatedly observed for liquids bearing both acid and alkaline pH's. In certain embodiments, this composition is polysaccharide based and it is thus biodegradable. Further, due to its biodegradable nature, such products as diapers containing this composition may be flushed into the sewer system as opposed to burial in landfills.

As optional expedients, the present composition can contain a polysiloxane derivative and super wetting agents, for example, Silwet.TM. 7614 which is available from Union Carbide and FC171, available from 3M which are flurochemical nonionic surfactants. Silwet.TM. 7614 is a combination of a siloxane and an ethoxylated end group residue. Also useful is Dow 190 which is a product sold by Dow Corning. Use of these wetting agents helps to disperse the particles as a slurry.

The absorbent composition of the present invention does not rely upon the use of a carboxylic acid in its formulation and, further, there is no need to add this composition to water to form a solution followed by precipitation with a multi-valent ion as is done in the prior art. The present composition can be added to water and/or saline which will then gel 20 to 100 times its weight virtually instantly without the need for mechanical intervention or stirring as a result primarily of the above-noted surface hydrophobicity of individual particles which tend to repel each other in aqueous media. By contrast, prior absorbers generally fail because they start absorbing too rapidly thereby gel blocking or hydrating to an excess forming undispersed clumps which precludes full swelling or absorption. These physical characteristics were clearly observed when dealing with the absorbing polymers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,013, even though the composition disclosed in this reference included sodium carboxymethyl cellulose which has been modified with various multi-valent ions including Al.sup.+3. In this regard, it is noted that the prior art teaches reacting polymers and ions homogeneously while the present absorbing composition is created heterogeneously. The reactions which are carried out here are at the surface or boundary layer of the particles.

The preferred polymeric material can be, for example, polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose gum and sulphonated cellulose. The preferred carboxymethyl cellulose gum is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Multi-valent metal ions such as Al.sup.+3 derived from, for example, aluminum acetate or aluminum sulfate act to form ionic bridges between these various ionic group polymer chains within each discrete particle. As noted above, the reactions are at the surfaces of each particle. This prevents the particles from absorbing each other and provides for the surprisingly good absorption characteristics observed. This particular gelling agent or absorbent works across a wide concentration of electrolytes and is capable of gelling blood and normal saline over a wide pH range.

One of the preferred immobilizing compositions comprises a cellulose derivative of the following structure which may or may not be partially cross-linked: ##STR1## where the D.S. of the carboxyl groups are approximately 1 to 3.

The above is admixed with approximately 0.1-5% by weight of the following with the sodium salt being approximately 50-90% of the final mix but with 75-80% being preferred: ##STR2##

The "coarser" materials are preferred--materials similar to sand or coarse table salt work which wet more easily than materials with the consistency of fine sugar or flour.

Also included as possible preferred disinfectants in the system are phenols and their derivatives such as orthophenylphenol, benzylchlorophenol and amylphenol and their sodium salts at a level of 0.1-3.0% with 1.9-2.1% preferred.

As previously noted, when dealing with water soluble polymers, it is not only the ingredients but the manner in which they have been combined which greatly facilitate the utility of the present invention. Firstly, the polymer and source of multi-valent ion are dry admixed. It is then contemplated that a fairly dry slurry be formed employing an alcohol such as ethanol, methanol or isopropanol or similar fluid in order to combine the anionic polymer with the anti-foaming agent and wetting agents. The anti-foaming agent, namely, polysiloxane, prevents clumping of the polymer granules while the wetting agent helps to hydrate the polymer. The source of trivalent metal ions such as aluminum acetate is poorly soluble in water. The polysiloxane derivatives initially form a hydrophobic barrier to keep the granular polymeric material separated but over a period one-half to four minutes allow the individual grains to swell and grow thereby free-swelling through the volume of liquid to be solidified. In addition, these wetting agents act to prevent clumping and aid in the dispersion of the granular material before gel formation in the aqueous medium. In the event of salt bridging or ionic linking before dispersion, clumping would be visibly noticeable which is obviously an unacceptable quality or characteristic of such a composition. Only in practice of the present invention has polymeric material been capable of swelling, immobilizing and adsorbing without significant mechanical intervention.

EXAMPLE I

A composition was prepared of the following ingredients.

______________________________________ PercentageIngredient Amount (By Weight)______________________________________Aqualon A-250 805.5 g. 80.54Aluminum Acetate 64.4 g. 6.44Isopropyl Alcohol 124.9 g. 12.49FC-171 4.9 g. 0.49Polysiloxane 0.4 g. 0.04______________________________________

The composition was prepared by mixing the Aqualon A-250 in powdered form with aluminum acetate which is also in the form of a powder. This mixture was shaken for 15 minutes and the powdered ingredients mixed with the liquid ingredients. The liquids were premixed before addition to the powders. Isopropyl alcohol, FC-171 and the polysiloxane were combined in a separate bottle. The two bottles were prepared and agitated for five minutes and were then mixed. The combination was allowed to stand for four hours and then spread onto aluminum foil and allowed to dry overnight. The dried powder was then pulverized and sifted and put in a container the next day.

It was recognized that the A-250 does not "wet" well. However, this problem was overcome by the addition of the wetting agent FC-171. It, as well as the Silwet L-7614, a non-ionic ethylene oxide modified polysiloxane act to reduce surface tension to a range of approximately 20-30 dynes/cm.sup.2. Alternatively, a small amount (5-25%) of the mixture can be H.sub.2 O. The prior addition of a small amount of H.sub.2 O increases the free swell of the gelling material and increases the wetting rate. However, at the upper limit, clumping of the mix may occur requiring considerable sieving and pulverizing.

It was found that the product of Example I at the 1-3% solids level is capable of immediately wetting and gelling blood, saline and other bodily fluids without mechanical intervention.

Aqualon A-250, is a brand of high molecular weight sodium CMC sold by Hercules and is difficult to dissolve without considerable heat, time and stirring. Even then, as the examples below will illustrate, it does not form an immobilizing gel, but instead forms a highly viscous liquid.

EXAMPLE II

A composition was prepared by first combining the dry ingredients comprising 3200 g of Aqualon A-250 CMC gum with 512 g of aluminum acetate. These ingredients were added to a ball mill jar with 18 marbles and mixed for 15 minutes.

The wet ingredients were individually mixed by adding 800 g of isopropanol to 192 g of orthobenzylparachlorophenol (OBCP) sold under the trademark Dowicide by the Dow Chemical Company. To these liquid ingredients were further added 38.4 g of the wetting agent FC-171 and 3.2 g of Antifoam A, a polysiloxane sold by Dow Corning. These liquid ingredients were shaken for two to three minutes and added to the dry components in the mixing jar into which an additional 18 marbles were added. The pasty composition was mixed for 30 minutes until thoroughly mixed and spread on a horizontal surface as a thin sheet and dried overnight. The composition was then sieved and was suitable for use.

It was noted that when approximately one-quarter of the weight of the dry ingredients were employed as the liquid component, an appropriate wet powder was achieved, ideal for producing the desired product. Of the total ingredients, approximately 5-50% (by weight) of the alcohol component can be employed with 10-20% (by weight) being preferred. The wetting agent, such as FC 171, should be used between approximately 0.1-1.0% (by weight) while the polysiloxane derivative should be used between 0.1-0.5% (by weight).

In each of the examples, III-XXIV, the dry ingredients were weighed separately and mixed together in a plastic jar for two minutes. The wet ingredients were likewise weighed separately and mixed together in a plastic jar. After preparation of the liquid ingredients, they were added to the dry ingredients in a plastic jar and capped. Each of the mixes were shaken for two minutes and allowed to stand for four hours to swell. The mixes were then spread onto an aluminum foil sheet and dried at ambient temperatures for eight hours.

EXAMPLE III

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 80.55Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 6.44Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 12.49FC 171 3M 4.8 0.48Antifoam A Dow 0.4 0.04Total 1000.0 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE IV

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 80.51Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 6.44Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 12.48FC 171 3M 4.8 0.49Antifoam A Dow 0.8 0.09Total 1000.4 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE V

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 80.47Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 6.43Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 12.47FC 171 3M 4.8 0.48Antifoam A Dow 0.4 0.04Fragrance 6678-AP IFF 1.0 0.1Total 1001.4 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE VI

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 80.30Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 6.43Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 12.46FC 171 3M 4.8 0.48Antifoam A Dow 0.4 0.04Fragrance 6678-AP IFF 2.0 0.2Total 1002.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE VII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 63.24Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.05Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 374.7 29.42FC 171 3M 4.8 0.38Antifoam A Dow 1.2 0.09Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.40Dowicide A Dow Chemical 18.0 1.41Total 1273.6 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE VIII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 71.06Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.68Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 249.0 21.97FC 171 3M 4.8 0.42Antifoam A Dow Corning 4.8 0.42Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.44Total 1133.5 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE IX

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 75.66Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 6.05Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 11.73FC 171 3M 4.8 0.45Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.47BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 50.0 4.70Tap H.sub.2 O 10.0 0.94Total 1064.4 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE X

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 74.96Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.99Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 11.62FC 171 3M 4.8 0.45Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.46BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 50.0 4.65Tap H.sub.2 O 20.0 1.86Total 1074.4 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE XI

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 74.27Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.94Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 11.51FC 171 3M 4.8 0.44Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.46BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 50.0 4.61Tap H.sub.2 O 30.0 2.77Total 1084.6 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 73.59Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.88Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 11.41FC 171 3M 4.8 0.44Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.46BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 50.0 4.57Tap H.sub.2 O 40.0 3.65Total 1094.6 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 72.92Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.83Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 124.9 11.31FC 171 3M 4.8 0.43Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.45BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 50.0 4.53Tap H.sub.2 O 50.0 4.53Total 1104.6 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIV

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 74.03Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.92Wet IngredientsOBCP Dow 23.4 2.15Isopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 124.9 11.48FC 171 3M 4.8 0.44Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.46BIsopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 50.0 4.60H.sub.2 O 10.0 0.92Total 1088.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XV

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 773.36Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.86Wet IngredientsOBCP Dow 23.4 2.13Isopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 124.9 11.38FC 171 3M 4.8 0.44Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.46BIsopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 50.0 4.55H.sub.2 O 20.0 1.82Total 1098.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVI

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 72.70Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.81Wet IngredientsOBCP Dow 23.4 2.11Isopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 124.9 11.27FC 171 3M 4.8 0.43Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.45BIsopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 50.0 4.51H.sub.2 O 30.0 2.71Total 1108.0 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 72.05Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.76Wet IngredientsOBCP Dow 23.4 2.09Isopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 124.9 11.17FC 171 3M 4.8 0.43Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.45BIsopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 50.0 4.47H.sub.2 O 40.0 3.58Total 1118.0 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVIII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 805.5 71.41Aluminum Acetate Niacet 64.4 5.71Wet IngredientsOBCP Dow 23.4 2.07Isopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 124.9 11.07FC 171 3M 4.8 0.43Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 5.0 0.44BIsopropyl Alcohol Aldrich 50.0 4.43H.sub.2 O 40.0 4.43Total 1128.0 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIX

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 80.5 62.31Aluminum Acetate Niacet 4.8 3.71Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 12.5 9.67Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 2.0 1.55OBCP Dow 2.3 1.78Antifoam A Dow 4.8 3.71BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 10.0 7.74Tap H.sub.2 O 10.0 7.74Total 129.2 99.99______________________________________

EXAMPLE XX

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 80.5 62.31Aluminum Acetate Niacet 4.8 3.71Sipernat HR-22 Degussa 2.3 1.78Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 12.5 9.67Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 2.0 1.55One Stroke Calgon Vestal 6.4 4.95Vesphene seAntifoam A Dow 4.8 3.71BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 10.0 7.74Tap H.sub.2 O 5.9 4.67Total 129.2 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXI

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 80.5 64.71Aluminum Acetate Niacet 4.8 3.86Sipernat HR-22 Degussa 2.3 1.95Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 12.5 10.05Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 2.0 1.60One Stroke Calgon Vestal 7.7 6.19Vesphene HAntifoam A Dow 2.3 1.85BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 10.0 8,04Tap H.sub.2 O 4.6 3.70Total 124.4 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 80.5 62.31Aluminum Acetate Niacet 4.8 3.71Sipernat HR-22 Degussa 2.3 1.78Wet IngredientsIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 12.5 9.67Silwet L-7614 Union Carbide 1.0 0.77FC 171 3M 1.0 0.77One Stroke Calgon Vestal 6.4 4.95Vesphene seAntifoam A Dow 4.8 3.71BIsopropyl Alcohol Ashland 10.0 7.74Tap H.sub.2 O 5.9 4.67Total 129.2 100.08______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXIII

______________________________________ Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Dry IngredientsAqualon A-250 Aqualon 80.5 2.61Aluminum Acetate Niacet 6.4 0.21Wet IngredientsH.sub.2 O 3000.0 97.18Total 3086.9 100.00______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXIV

______________________________________Dry Ingredients Manufacturer Weight % of Mix______________________________________Aqualon A-250 Aqualon 100.00______________________________________ When, in the above-recited examples, the liquid ingredients were segregated as "A" and "B," they were added sequentially to the dry ingredients as "A" and then "B."

In each instance, the mix was tested for absorption in tap water and saline by weighing a 1.5 gram sample and adding it to 50 grams of liquid media in an uncovered plastic cup with no mixing or stirring. At the same time, the cup containing the absorbent and adsorbate was poured into a kitchen strainer and allowed to drain for two to four seconds into a weighing pan placed onto a scale that records in increments of 1/10 of a gram. The amount of unabsorbed liquid was recorded and subtracted from the starting amount which provided the absorbed amount. From these calculations, the percent of absorbance was recorded as follows:

EXAMPLE III

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 28.4 21.6 43.22 50 00.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 34.0 16.0 32.02 50 17.7 32.3 64.64 50 10.4 39.6 79.28 50 7.5 42.5 85.016 50 7.7 42.3 84.6______________________________________

EXAMPLE IV

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 0.8 49.2 98.42 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 13.5 36.5 73.02 50 11.3 38.7 77.44 50 6.5 43.5 87.08 50 2.8 47.2 94.416 50 1.9 48.1 96.2______________________________________

EXAMPLE V

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 19.2 30.8 61.22 50 1.9 48.1 96.24 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 19.9 30.1 60.22 50 15.2 34.8 69.64 50 9.1 40.9 81.88 50 4.9 45.1 90.216 50 8.2 41.8 83.6______________________________________

EXAMPLE VI

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 23.4 26.6 53.22 50 18.0 32.0 64.04 50 8.3 41.7 83.48 50 1.2 48.8 97.616 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 24.7 25.3 50.02 50 21.0 29.0 58.04 50 13.4 36.6 73.28 50 14.0 36.0 72.016 50 11.6 38.4 76.8______________________________________

EXAMPLE VII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 25.6 24.4 48.82 50 7.5 42.5 85.04 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbence1 50 30.5 19.5 39.02 50 23.2 26.8 53.64 50 11.7 38.3 76.68 50 9.5 40.5 81.016 50 11.3 38.7 77.4______________________________________

EXAMPLE VIII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 20.8 29.2 58.42 50 6.4 43.6 87.24 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 19.0 31.0 62.02 50 15.1 34.9 69.84 50 5.7 44.3 88.68 50 7.8 42.2 88.416 50 1.2 48.8 97.6______________________________________

EXAMPLE IX

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 6.4 43.6 87.22 50 1.3 48.7 97.44 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 21.4 28.6 57.22 50 13.4 36.6 73.24 50 11.1 38.9 77.88 50 5.8 44.2 88.416 50 5.7 44.3 88.632 50 1.1 48.9 97.8______________________________________

EXAMPLE X

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 9.7 40.3 80.62 50 0.8 49.2 98.44 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 17.0 33.0 66.02 50 9.8 40.2 80.44 50 4.4 45.6 91.28 50 6.5 43.5 87.016 50 1.6 48.4 96.832 50 4.3 45.7 91.4______________________________________

EXAMPLE XI

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 1.2 48.8 97.62 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 14.5 35.5 71.02 50 6.9 43.1 86.24 50 5.8 44.2 88.48 50 1.3 48.7 97.416 50 1.7 48.3 96.632 50 2.4 47.6 95.2______________________________________

EXAMPLE XII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 13.6 36.4 72.82 50 6.8 43.2 86.44 50 4.7 45.3 90.68 50 1.9 48.1 96.216 50 0.5 49.5 99.032 50 0.0 50.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 11.7 38.3 76.62 50 8.5 41.5 83.04 50 4.4 45.6 91.28 50 3.6 46.4 92.816 50 0.6 49.4 98.832 50 0.0 50.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIV

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 28.3 21.7 43.42 50 4.1 45.9 91.84 50 0.0 100.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 34.3 15.7 31.42 50 17.0 33.0 66.04 50 7.6 42.4 84.88 50 6.3 43.7 87.416 50 4.5 45.5 91.032 50 1.6 48.4 96.8______________________________________

EXAMPLE XV

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 13.6 37.4 74.82 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 23.8 26.1 52.22 50 18.3 31.7 63.44 50 5.7 44.3 88.68 50 7.9 42.1 84.216 50 4.5 45.5 91.032 50 4.8 45.2 90.4______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVI

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 4.7 45.3 90.62 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 18.8 31.2 62.42 50 9.9 40.1 80.24 50 6.9 43.1 86.28 50 3.9 48.4 92.216 50 1.6 48.4 96.832 50 2.4 47.6 95.2______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 0.2 49.8 99.62 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 15.5 34.5 69.02 50 9.2 40.8 81.64 50 4.8 45.2 90.48 50 4.8 45.2 90.416 50 2.2 47.8 95.632 50 1.0 49.0 98.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XVIII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 0.2 49.8 99.6Saline Absorbance1 50 8.8 42.1 82.42 50 9.4 40.6 81.24 50 2.9 47.1 94.28 50 2.0 48.0 96.016 50 0.5 49.5 99.032 50 2.5 47.5 95.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XIX

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 7.9 42.1 84.22 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 14.4 35.6 71.22 50 10.5 39.5 79.04 50 8.4 41.6 83.28 50 8.0 42.0 84.016 50 9.5 40.5 81.032 50 0.3 49.7 99.4______________________________________

EXAMPLE XX

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 4.3 45.7 91.42 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 14.3 35.7 71.42 50 10.9 39.1 78.24 50 3.0 47.0 94.08 50 1.7 48.3 96.616 50 0.0 50.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXI

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 4.1 44.9 89.82 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 14.2 35.8 71.62 50 10.5 39.5 79.04 50 6.7 43.3 86.68 50 2.4 47.6 95.216 50 1.2 48.8 97.632 50 0.0 50.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 10.4 39.6 79.22 50 0.0 50.0 100.0Saline Absorbance1 50 13.8 36.2 72.42 50 10.8 39.2 78.44 50 3.0 47.0 94.08 50 0.2 49.8 99.616 50 0.0 50.0 100.0______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXIII

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 19.4 30.6 61.22 50 6.1 33.9 67.84 50 9.6 40.4 80.88 50 7.4 42.6 85.216 50 2.1 47.9 95.8Saline Absorbance1 50 44.8 5.2 10.42 50 42.2 7.8 15.64 50 40.3 9.7 20.48 50 38.0 12.0 24.016 50 4.9 15.1 30.232 50 2.1 17.9 35.8______________________________________

EXAMPLE XXIV

______________________________________ StartingElapsed Quantity Grams Grams PercentTime in of Liquid Retrieved Absorbed AbsorbedMinutes in Grams Liquid Liquid Liquid______________________________________H.sub.2 O Absorbance1 50 25.3 24.7 49.42 50 21.4 28.6 57.24 50 19.1 30.9 61.88 50 11.7 38.3 76.616 50 11.4 38.6 77.232 50 1.5 48.5 97.0Saline Absorbance1 50 16.8 33.2 66.42 50 18.9 31.1 62.24 50 14.7 35.3 70.68 50 18.3 31.7 63.416 50 8.5 31.5 63.032 50 5.0 35.0 70.0______________________________________

Example 24 represents a composition outside of the scope of the present invention. Where the sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum was examined as an absorber of water and saline. Example 23, which although representing the present invention is not a preferred embodiment for polysiloxane and wetting agent were eliminated. The composition of Example 23 exhibited a very low rate of wetting and did not form a solid gel at 1.5 parts to 50 parts water or saline while creating a "slimy" liquid which reached 95.8% absorbance in water in 16 minutes and only 35.8% absorbance in saline in 32 minutes. This should be compared to the product of Example 22 where at 1.5 parts to 50 parts water or saline the product formed a very solid gel in water and in two minutes exhibited 100% absorption and a very solid gel in saline in four minutes with 94% absorption and 100% absorption in 16 minutes.

As previously noted, Example 24 illustrates the use of a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum employed as an "absorber" without further processing. Obviously, it proved most unsatisfactory as it never gelled to immobilize the liquid but instead formed a "slimy" thick liquid. It took 32 minutes to reach 97% absorbance in water and only 70% absorbance was observed at 32 minutes in saline.

It can further be noted from the experimental results recited previously that a satisfactory super absorber can be prepared with or without a disinfectant (Example 7) and with or without fragrances (Examples 5 and 6). Example 8 further demonstrates that isopropyl alcohol can be employed to improve absorbance together with the addition of a silicone oil (Antifoam A).

Examples 9-13 further demonstrate the value of a final polish with an alcohol/water mix to increase the saline and water absorbance quantity and rate. In this regard, water should be present in between 1% and 10% of the weight of the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum. When this was used, a 100% absorbance of water was observed in one to two minutes of addition and over 90% of the saline was observed to be absorbed in 4 to 8 minutes.

Examples 14-18 parallel the compositions of Examples 9-13 with the addition of the oily disinfectant orthobenzylchlorophenol. It was observed that the rate and quantity of absorbance did not suffer in including the disinfectant component.

To make a truly disposable product, it is contemplated that the above-referenced composition be embodied in a water soluble fiber to manufacture a sheet or covering for use as an absorbent. It is contemplated that polyvinylalcohol fibers are preferred as these fibers are water soluble at water temperatures of approximately 10.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. with approximately 50.degree. C . to 90.degree. C. being most preferable. Kuralon water soluble PVA fibers sold by Kuraray can be employed in the 0.5-5.0 denier range with 1-4 denier being desirable and 1.5-2.0 denier being most desirable. Sheets of such material can be formed via knitting, weaving or can be configured as "non-woven" products as in the formation of a sheet by the mechanical intertanglement of fibers or by the entanglement of fibers by jets of cool water. Such formation techniques are well known to those skilled in the textile arts.

Sheets of the above-described materials generally have a weight in the range of 10-200 g per square yard with 20-80 g per square yard being desirable and 25-50 g per square yard being most desirable.

EXAMPLE XXV

A composition was prepared by first combining the dry ingredients comprising 865.0 g A-250 and 7785.0 g 7H4CF, both of which are carboxymethyl cellulose gums sold by Aqualon with 378 g aluminum sulfate as the trivalent ion source. These ingredients were added to a ball mill jar and mixed for five minutes.

The wet ingredients were individually mixed by adding 324 g benzoic acid and 9084.0 g ethanol which were rolled for 15 minutes until the benzoic acid fully dissolved. To this liquid was added 1944.0 g FC171, 156.0 g LpH Se which is a disinfectant sold by Calgon-Vestal and 156.0 g of Vesphene II Se, also a disinfectant. These latter ingredients were also rolled for 15 minutes and added to the benzoic acid/ethanol solution and shaken well. The liquid ingredients were added to the dry components forming a pasty composition which was rolled for 10 minutes. The mixture was then spread on a horizontal surface as a thin sheet and dried overnight. The composition was then sieved and it was found that it was capable of absorbing in excess of 1200 cc of saline, lactated ringers and water within a two-minute timespan. These results are particularly surprising in light of the fact that both the carboxymethyl cellulose gums employed are ordinarily water soluble and are incapable of absorbing any significant quantities of aqueous liquid without substantial mechanical intervention. Even with such intervention, the cellulose gums create nothing more than a gelatin-like mass within a body of aqueous media and are thus considered unacceptable as absorbents absent the modification conducted pursuant to the present invention.

EXAMPLE XXVI

An absorbent composition was prepared by mixing 61.2 g of ethanol with 31.2 g of FC171. To this liquid was added 11,688.0 g of 50003C which is a polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid copolymer sold by Mazer Chemical Co. These various ingredients were rolled for 15 minutes and put to one side. In a separate mixing vessel, 61.2 g of aluminum sulfate was added to 31.2 g Sipernat 22 Hr, 31.2 g soda ash, 31.2 g TSP and 24.8 g Dowicide A. These latter ingredients were, themselves, roll mixed for 15 minutes and then added to the fraction containing the polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid copolymer. The mixture was then spread on a horizontal surface as a thin sheet and dried overnight. The composition was then sieved and it was found that it was capable of absorbing in excess of 1200 cc of saline, lactated ringers and water within a two-minute timespan. In light of the fact that the polyacrylamide/polyacrylic copolymer is not soluble in water, there was no need to separately mix the dry and wet ingredients as was the case when dealing with anionic polymers such as the carboxymethyl cellulose gums of the previous examples. Unlike the various carboxymethyl cellulose gums of the previous examples, the polyacrylamide/polyacrylic copolymer employed here is substantially insoluble in aqueous media. As such, there is no particular reason to mix the dry components separately from wet components in this instance.

Claims

1. A granular absorbent composition produced by dry mixing a particulate polymeric material being characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites with a source of multi-valent metal ions forming surface ionic bridges between various ionic group polymer chains substantially within each polymer particle while a hydrophobic coating on each particle and only after said dry mixing of said polymeric material and source of multi-valent metal ions, adding thereto a dispersant to form a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said anionic reactive sites are located at least on the surface of said polymeric material.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said anionic reactive sites comprise carboxylic groups R.sub.p COO wherein R.sub.p comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of glucosidics, acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers and polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is substantially hydrophobic in nature.

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said polymeric material comprises polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

6. The composition of claim 4 wherein said multi-valent metal ions are surface coated onto said polymeric material to form an absorbing granular material having a substantially hydrophobic surface.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose gum and sulphonated cellulose.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said multi valent metal ion is tri-valent.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said trivalent metal ion comprises Al.sup.+3.

10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said multi valent metal ion comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Ca.sup.+2 and Mg.sup.+2.

11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said dispersant comprises an alcohol.

12. The composition of claim 11 wherein the alcohol comprises a member selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.

13. The composition of claim 7 wherein said dispersant represents approximately 10-20% by weight based upon the weight of the granular absorbent composition.

14. The composition of claim 1 wherein a wetting agent is further admixed with the granular absorbent composition in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

15. The composition of claim 1 wherein polysiloxane is contained in said granular absorbent composition in an amount between approximately 0.01 to 0.05% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

16. The composition of claim 1 wherein said granular absorbent composition further comprises a sterilizing agent, said sterilizing agent comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of orthophenylphenol, T-amylphenol, benzychlorophenol, citric acid, boric acid, triethanolamine, sodium borate and methylparaben.

17. The composition of claim 1 wherein water is admixed with said dispersant and add to said dry admixture in an amount between approximately 5.0-25% by weight based upon the weight of the total granular absorbent composition.

18. The composition of claim 1 wherein said granular absorbent composition comprises a dispersing agent.

19. The composition of claim 18 wherein said dispersing agent comprises silicon dioxide.

20. A consumable product wherein the composition of claim 1 consists of a disposable material.

21. The consumable product of claim 20 wherein said disposable material consisting of a member selected from the group consisting of diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinent pads, surgical dressings and towels.

22. A granular absorbent composition comprising the dry admixture of a polymeric material being characterized as having a molecular weight between approximately 10,000 to 10,000,000 and surface anionic reactive sites, said surface anionic reactive sites comprising carboxylic groups (R.sub.p COO) wherein R.sub.p is a member selected from the group consisting of glucosidics, acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers and polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers with a multi-valent metal ion comprising a member selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.+3, Ca.sup.+2 and Mg.sup.+2 on the surface of said polymeric materials in an amount sufficient to enable said polymeric material to absorb approximately 20 to 100 times its weight in aqueous liquids and only after, forming said dry admixture, adding thereto a dispersant forming a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.

23. The composition of claim 22 wherein said anionic reactive sites are located at least on the surface of said polymeric material.

24. The composition of claim 22 wherein said anionic reactive sites comprise carboxylic group R.sub.p COO wherein R.sub.p comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of glucosidics, acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers and polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers.

25. The composition of claim 22 wherein said polymeric material is substantially surface hydrophobic in nature.

26. The composition of claim 25 wherein said polymeric material comprises polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

27. The composition of claim 25 wherein said multi-valent metal ions are surface coated onto said polymeric material to form an absorbing granular material having a substantially hydrophobic surface.

28. The composition of claim 22 wherein said multi valent metal ion is tri-valent.

29. The composition of claim 22 wherein said tri-valent metal ion comprises Al.sup.+3.

30. The composition of claim 22 wherein said multi valent metal ion comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Ca.sup.+2 and Mg.sup.+2.

31. The composition of claim 22 wherein said dispersant comprises an alcohol.

32. The composition of claim 31 wherein the alcohol comprises a member selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.

33. The composition of claim 22 wherein said dispersant represents approximately 10-20% by weight based upon the weight of the granular absorbent composition.

34. The composition of claim 22 wherein a wetting agent is further admixed with the granular absorbent composition in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

35. The composition of claim 22 wherein polysiloxane is contained in said granular absorbent composition in an amount between approximately 0.01 to 0.05% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

36. The composition of claim 22 wherein said granular absorbent composition further comprises a sterilizing agent, said sterilizing agent comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of orthophenylphenol, T-amylphenol, benzychlorophenol, citric acid, boric acid, triethanolamine, sodium borate and methylparaben.

37. The composition of claim 22 wherein water is admixed with said dispersant and add to said dry admixture in an amount between approximately 5.0-25% by weight based upon the weight of the total granular absorbent composition.

38. The composition of claim 22 wherein granular absorbent composition comprises a dispersing agent.

39. The composition of claim 38 wherein said dispersing agent comprises silicon dioxide.

40. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition is essentially free of reaction products of said polymeric material and carboxylic acids.

41. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition is essentially free of reaction products of said polymeric material and carboxylic acids.

42. The composition of claim 22 wherein said composition is essentially free of reaction products of said polymeric material and carboxylic acids.

43. A granular absorbent composition comprising a dry particulate polymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites, having ionic bridges between various ionic group polymer chains substantially within each polymer particle formed by ionic bonding between said surface anionic reactive sites and a multi-valent metal ion, and having a hydrophobic coating on said particular polymeric material, and further comprising a wetting agent, wherein said polymeric material comprises a member selected from the group consisting of glucosidics, acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers and polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers, and said surface anionic reactive sites comprise carboxylic groups.

44. The composition of claim 43 wherein said anionic reactive sites are located at least on the surface of said polymeric material.

45. The composition of claim 43, wherein said polymeric material is substantially surface hydrophobic in nature.

46. The composition of claim 45 wherein said polymeric material comprises polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymer.

47. The composition of claim 45 wherein said multi-valent metal ions are surface coated onto said polymeric material to form an absorbing granular material having a substantially hydrophobic surface.

48. The composition of claim 45 wherein said multi-valent metal ion is tri-valent.

49. The composition of claim 48 wherein said tri-valent metal ion comprises Al.sup.+3.

50. The composition of claim 43 wherein said multi-valent metal ion comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Ca.sup.+2 and Mg.sup.+2.

51. The composition of claim 43 further characterized as being formed employing a dispersant comprising an alcohol to form a slurry and drying said slurry to a granular consistency.

52. The composition of claim 43 wherein the alcohol comprises a member selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.

53. The composition of claim 51 wherein said dispersant is employed at approximately 10-20% by weight based upon the weight of the granular absorbent composition prior to drying.

54. The composition of claim 53 wherein said wetting agent comprises a fluorinated polymer.

55. The composition of claim 53 wherein said wetting agent is in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

56. The composition of claim 43 further comprising polysiloxane in an amount between approximately 0.01 to 0.05% by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition.

57. The composition of claim 43 further comprising a sterilizing agent, said sterilizing agent comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of orthophenylphenol, T-amylphenol, benzychlorophenol, citric acid, boric acid, triethanolamine, sodium borate and methylparaben.

58. The composition of claim 51 wherein said dispersant further comprises water in an amount between approximately 5.0-25% by weight based upon the weight of the total granular absorbent composition prior to drying.

59. The composition of claim 43 further comprising a dispersing agent.

60. The composition of claim 59 wherein said dispersing agent comprises silicon dioxide.

61. The composition of claim 43 wherein said polymeric material is capable of absorbing approximately 20 to 100 times its weight in aqueous liquids.

62. The composition of claim 43 wherein said polymeric material is capable of absorbing and immobilizing aqueous bodily fluids.

63. The composition of claim 43 wherein said polymeric material is capable of absorbing and immobilizing aqueous bodily fluids.