| abstract |
The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer (25) having interconnecting channels (45). The interconnecting channels (45) act as controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A hydrophilic agent (35) is blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, an absorbing material (30) is blended into the polymer so that the absorbing material is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the hydrophilic agent (35) forms passages (45) in the product through which a desired composition is communicable to the absorbing material (30) that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts (55) and liners (70) for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet (75), bead, or pellet. |