METHOD FOR REDUCING THICKNESS OF MASS OF WATER-ABSORBING MATERIAL AND THIN MASS OF WATER-ABSORBING MATERIAL OBTAINED BY THE METHOD

摘要

Provided is a method for thinning an aggregate of water-absorbent materials. An aggregate 160 of water-absorbent materials includes hydrophilic fibers 21 and superabsorbent polymer particles 22 and has a thickness direction. Steam streams at a temperature corresponding to water's boiling point or higher are ejected against the aggregate 160 while the aggregate 160 is compressed in the thickness direction.