Appeal No. 97-4294 Page 27
Application No. 08/294,155
polyester carded web contained between hydrophilic fabric
outer layers. The pad can absorb more than 100 times its dry
weight in water and other aqueous liquids. Bair teaches
(column 2, lines 52-54) that in his pad the SAP particles
generally are well distributed, do not migrate and thereby
avoid gel-blocking.
Bair teaches that the superabsorbing polymer is
preferably in particulate or granular form, because of the
ease with such forms can be handled and dispersed in the webs
with commercially available powder applicators or spreaders.
Bair discloses that the polymer of the SAP particles can be
selected from a wide variety of such polymers, such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,297 (Zafiroglu) column 3,
lines 8-63. Preferably, the SAP polymer is a derivative of a
polyacrylic acid (e.g., "Sanwet" J-400, sold by Sanyo).
Suitable SAP particles for use in the
present invention will absorb aqueous liquid amounting to many
times its own dry weight. The SAP and absorbed aqueous
liquids form a highly viscous gel which remains in place
within the web. The SAP particles, prior to exposure to
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