Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Brigitte C Wertheim

Fu-Jya Daniel Tsai

A biodegradable hydrophilic binder fiber. These fibers may be produced by co-spinning an aliphatic polyester material in a side-by-side configuration with a polylactide polymer to obtain a fiber with improved material attributes. A multicarboxylic acid may be incorporated into either or both components of the fiber. The aliphatic polyester polymer may be selected from a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, or a blend of these polymers. The biodegradable bicomponent fiber exhibits substantial biodegradable properties, yet has improved thermal stability and has significantly reduced shrinkage. The bicomponent fiber may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Biodegradable bicomponent fibers with improved thermal-dimensional stability

A disposable article including a biodegradable nonwoven material having improved fluid management properties. The nonwoven material may be produced using thermoplastic compositions which comprise an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer; a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The biodegradable nonwoven materials may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Methods for making a thermoplastic composition and fibers including same

Disclosed is a biodisintegratable nonwoven material having improved fluid management properties. The biodisintegratable nonwoven material demonstrates a higher contact angle hysteresis, quicker intake times, and improved skin dryness as compared to prior art nonwoven materials. In addition, these biodisintegratable nonwoven materials also exhibit high wetting rates, which is unexpected based upon the higher hysteresis values. The nonwoven material may be produced using thermoplastic compositions which comprise an unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer as a continuous phase, polyolefin microfibers as a discontinuous phase encased within the aliphatic polyester polymer continuous phase, and a compatibilizer for the aliphatic polyester polymer and the polyolefin microfibers. The multicomponent fiber exhibits substantial biodisintegratable properties and good wettability yet is easily processed. The biodisintegratable nonwoven materials may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Biodisintegratable nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

Disposable absorbent product having biodisintegratable nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

A biodegradable nonwoven material having improved fluid management properties. The nonwoven material may be produced using thermoplastic compositions which comprise an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer; a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The biodegradable nonwoven materials may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Biodegradable polylactide nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

A disposable article including a biodisintegratable nonwoven material having improved fluid management properties. The nonwoven material may be produced using a thermoplastic composition that comprises a unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The biodisintegratable nonwoven materials may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Disposable articles having biodegradable nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

A thermoplastic composition that comprises a unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being extruded into fibers that may be formed into nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Biodegradable thermoplastic composition with improved wettability

A hydrophilic binder fiber. These fibers may be produced by co-spinning a polyolefin core material with a highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend sheath material. The highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend comprises an unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The hydrophilic binder fiber exhibits substantially improved biodegradable properties, yet is easily processed. The hydrophilic binder fiber may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Hydrophilic binder fibers

A biodisintegratable nonwoven material having improved fluid management properties. The nonwoven material may be produced using a thermoplastic composition that comprises a unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The biodisintegratable nonwoven materials may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Biodegradable nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

A biodegradable hydrophilic binder fiber. These fibers may be produced by co-spinning a high-melting aliphatic polyester core material with a highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend. The highly wettable aliphatic polyester blend comprises an unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers; a multicarboxylic acid; and a wetting agent. The biodegradable hydrophilic binder fiber exhibits substantial biodegradable properties, yet is easily processed. The biodegradable hydrophilic binder fiber may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Brigitte C Wertheim