Patent ID: 6458921
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A61L,C08J,C08L

Abstract:
A process for granulating particles to produce granulated particles, with the granulated particles being greater in size than the particles, with the particles being water-absorbent resin particles, with the process comprising the steps of:a) providing a receptacle; b) providing a supply of the particles that have an average particle diameter of 10 to 150 &mgr;m; c) providing a supply of aqueous liquid; d) controlling the aqueous liquid to a temperature of 40Â° C. to the boiling point of the aqueous liquid prior to supplying the aqueous liquid to the receptacle; and e) mixing the aqueous liquid and particles in the receptacle at a high speed, with the step of mixing comprising the steps of: i) introducing the aqueous liquid to the receptacle while the aqueous liquid has a temperature of 40Â° C. to the boiling point of the aqueous liquid; ii) introducing the particles to the receptacle; iii) bringing the aqueous liquid and particles into contact with each other while the aqueous liquid has a temperature of 40Â° C. to the boiling point of the aqueous liquid and mixing the aqueous liquid and particles in the receptacle while the aqueous liquid has a temperature of 40Â° C. to the boiling point of the aqueous liquid; iv) mixing the aqueous liquid and particles in the receptacle for at longest three minutes; and v) obtaining granulate particles not larger than 20 mm in diameter.