Absorbent materials for aqueous fluids, which absorb fluid rapidly and swell uniformly, comprise modified polyvinyl alcohol polymers obtained by reacting in an anhydrous condition a polyvinyl alcohol polymer with a cyclic acid anhydride and causing partial crosslinking of said polymer. Absorbent articles...http://www.google.ca/patents/US4251643?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4251643 - Absorbents with improved water absorbing power
