Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Other

Kimberly-clark Corporation

Antonio J Carrillo

Vasily Aramovich Topolkaraev

Ryan J McEneany

Mark Michael Mleziva

Neil T Scholl

Andy J Meyer

David Glen Biggs

Thomas Allan Eby

Theodore T Tower

Yuriy Galabura

Hristo Angelov Hristov

Rachel Sanchez

Ryan J Mceneany

A polyolefin material that is formed by solid state drawing of a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Polyolefin material having a low density

A hollow fiber that generally extends in a longitudinal direction is provided. The hollow fiber comprises a hollow cavity that extends along at least a portion of the fiber in the longitudinal direction. The cavity is defined by an interior wall that is formed front a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

Hollow porous fibers

A polymeric material having a multimodal pore size distribution is provided. The material is formed by applying a stress to a thermoplastic composition that contains first and second inclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. Through the use of particular types of inclusion additives and careful control over the manner in which such additives are dispersed within the polymer matrix, the present inventors have discovered that a unique, multimodal porous structure can be achieved.

Polymeric material with a multimodal pore size distribution

An absorbent article containing a polyolefin film is provided. The polyolefin film is formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Absorbent article containing a porous polyolefin film

A polyolefin fiber that is formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Porous polyolefin fibers

A technique for initiating the formation of pores in a polymeric material that contains a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains microinclusion and nanoinclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. To initiate pore formation, the polymeric material is mechanically drawn (e.g., bending, stretching, twisting, etc.) to impart energy to the interface of the continuous phase and inclusion additives, which enables the inclusion additives to separate from the interface to create the porous network. The material is also drawn in a solid state in the sense that it is kept at a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.

Pore initiation technique

The workpiece-holding device is a vice with sliding jaws. The workpiece-holding device maintains an object known as a workpiece in a fixed position during shaping operations. The workpiece-holding device comprises a pedestal, a plurality of clamping elements, and a plurality of fastening structures. The plurality of fastening structures attach the plurality of clamping elements to the pedestal. The plurality of clamping elements hold the workpiece in a fixed position. The pedestal further comprises a plurality of adjustment structures. The plurality of adjustment structures allow the plurality of clamping elements to slide along the major axis of the pedestal. The plurality of adjustment structures allow the plurality of clamping elements to slide along a plate major axis of the pedestal.

Workpiece-holding device

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition that is annealed and thereafter drawn in a solid state is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a glass transition temperature of from about &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. to about 50&#xb0; C. as determined in accordance with ASTM E1640-13.

Annealed porous polyolefin material

An absorbent article containing a nonwoven web that includes a plurality of polyolefin fibers is provided. The polyolefin fibers are formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Antonio J Carrillo