Patent ID: 6296929
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
An absorbent member exhibiting exceptional expansion properties when wetted, said absorbent member consisting of a multitude of randomly oriented chemi-thermo-mechanical cellulosic fibers having an average length from about 1 mm to 5 mm and containing at least about 20% lignin within said cellulosic fibers, said absorbent member having a moisture content of from between about 1% to about 20% water by weight of fiber, said fibers being compacted and bonded by hydrogen bonds and being retained in a stressed condition, said hydrogen bonds being breakable upon contact with an aqueous fluid thereby allowing rapid expansion of said absorbent member, and said absorbent member having a density of from between about 0.5 g/cc to about 1 g/cc.