Disposable absorbent pod

Abstract

Absorbent pods comprise a pouch formed of a porous material. The pouch contains an absorbent polymer in an amount sufficient to absorb at least about 20 mL of fluid. Preferably, the absorbent polymer is sodium polyacrylate and the porous material is a hydrophilic material. The absorbent pods absorb and retain fluids, including saliva.

1 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disposable absorbent pod is suitable for placement and use in a vessel and said disposable absorbent pod comprises:
 a pouch formed entirely of a hydrophilic, insoluble, porous material;   an absorbent polymer contained within the pouch and included in an amount sufficient to absorb at least about 20 mL of saliva; and   a coating comprising at least one mucolytic agent on at least one surface of the pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the porous material is selected from the group consisting of fabrics, papers, polymeric materials and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the porous material is synthetic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the porous material is organic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent polymer is sodium polyacrylate and wherein the sodium polyacrylate is in a form selected from the group consisting of powders, granules, beads and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sodium polyacrylate powder has at least one linear dimension of about 0.5 micron to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent polymer is included in the disposable pod in an amount of about 0.5 g to about 5.0 g. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent polymer is included in an amount sufficient to absorb about 60 mL to about 70 mL of saliva or about 60 mL to about 120 mL of saliva. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous material further includes at least one additive selected from the group consisting of at least one colorant, at least one deodorant and/or fragrance, at least one disinfectant, germicide and/or antiviral and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pod is biodegradable. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pod has an accordion shape and is formed of paper. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating further includes at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mucolytic agent is a proteolytic enzyme. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous material has a wet tensile strength with the polymer orientation in Machine Direction (MD) of up to about 4,000 g/in and a wet tensile strength with the polymer orientation in Cross Direction (CD) of up to about 1,100 g/in, and wherein the porous material has a dry tensile strength MD of up to about 3,700 g/in and a dry tensile strength CD of up to about 900 g/in. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous material is a polyethylene or polypropylene film with about 1% to about 2% maleic anhydride added to the polymer to create hydrophilic acid groups on the surface thereof and having uniform, round pores formed therein. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the porous material is 100% polyester interlock. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch contains the absorbent polymer before, during and after saturation thereof or the pouch contains the absorbent polymer before use releases the absorbent polymer as saliva is absorbed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch includes a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall or water soluble seal joining the top to the bottom. 
     
     
         19 . A spittoon comprising:
 a vessel having a hollow body and at least one opening therein;   a disposable absorbent pod contained within the vessel, said disposable absorbent pod comprising:
 a pouch comprising a hydrophilic, insoluble porous material; 
 an absorbent polymer contained within the pouch; and 
 a coating comprising at least one mucolytic agent on at least one surface of the pouch, 
   wherein the absorbent polymer is included in an amount sufficient to absorb at least about 20 mL of saliva.   
     
     
         20 . A method of making a disposable absorbent pod, said method comprising:
 coating a hydrophilic, insoluble porous material with at least one mucolytic agent;   feeding the hydrophilic, insoluble porous material along a feed path;   folding the hydrophilic, insoluble porous material into a tubular formation;   forming a longitudinal seam along overlapping edges of the hydrophilic, insoluble porous material;   forming a lower transverse seam across the tubular formation;   placing a portion of an absorbent polymer into the tubular formation above the transverse seam; and   forming an upper transverse seam across the tubular formation to enclose the absorbent polymer and form a disposable absorbent pod.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising drying the coating.