Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Chevron Chemical Company LLC

Kimberly-clark Corporation

Natureworks LLC

James Hongxue Wang

David Michael Schertz

Gregory James Wideman

Bo Shi

Vasily Aramovich Topolkaraev

Dave Allen Soerens

Aimin He

Victor P Kurkov

Leslie P Theard

Ta Yen Ching

William S Pomplun

Yihua Chang

Pavneet Singh Mumick

Mark Michael Mleziva

Neil T Scholl

Jayant Chakravarty

Sarah Ann Funk

David William Koenig

Eric Donald Johnson

Fu-Jya Daniel Tsai

Candace Dyan Krautkramer

David Glen Biggs

Thomas Allan Eby

Xiaomin Zhang

Xuedong Song

Jian Qin

Andrew Mark Long

Michael John Faulks

Peiguang Zhou

Lawrence Howell Sawyer

Kaiyuan Yang

Cathleen Mae Uttecht

Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet

Stanley Roy Kellenberger

Stacy Averic Mundschau

Debra Jean McDowall

Lewis R Compton

David Rosendale

Jerry G Latiolais

Nicholas R Galante

J Paul Gathright

Mitchell P Eichelberger

Tor H Palmgren

George L Baker

J Diores Gallet

M Stephen Galland

JaeHong Lee

YoungSook Kim

Brent Merrik Thompson

Christopher Dale Fenwick

Bridget Ann Balogh

Feng Chen

Russell Paul George

Kenneth Russell Casson

Thomas Kremer

Jaehong Lee

Sara A Funk

Shannon Kathleen Melius

Daniel T Quillin

Brenda Marie Nelson

Hoa La Wilhelm

Stephen Avedis Baratian

Henry L Griesbach

Hannong Rhim

Theodore T Tower

James Martin Kaun

Lee Delson Wilhelm

Ross Thomas Kaufman

Jason Matthew Laumer

Jennifer L Marvin

Wilfred Eugene Riddell

Alphonse Carl DeMarco

Wendy Lynn Van Dyke

Austin N Pickett

Peter Shawn Lortscher

Roland Columbus Smith, Jr

Kambiz Bayat Makoui

Peter Robert Elliker

Melpo Lambidonis

Vincent B Newbill

D Keith Osteen

Erin A Evans

Scott Stephen Englebert

Julie Anne Draves

Susan Carol Sudbeck

Christian Trusock

Bridget Golden

Doris Palfery

David Allen Soerens

Rob D Everett

Debra Jean Mcdowall

James M Kaun

Youngsook Kim

Henry L Iii Griesbach

A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture in the starch. Furthermore, the copolyester is also modified with an alcohol to contain one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a relatively low molecular weight. Such low molecular weight polymers have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a variety of fiber forming applications, such as meltblowing nonwoven webs.

Fibers formed from a blend of a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester and theremoplastic starch

A wipe containing a fibrous web on which is coated an antimicrobial composition is provided. The composition includes a botanical oil derived from a plant (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.). Because the oil is volatile and tends to evaporate and lose efficacy prior to use, a protein is also employed to enhance the composition's long term stability and antimicrobial efficacy. The protein tends to form a substantially continuous film when coated onto the fibrous web. Because such proteins are typically stiff and brittle, a continuous film would restrict the ability of the fibers to move and bend, reducing web flexibility and drape. Thus, it is typically desired that the antimicrobial composition form a discontinuous coating on the web. In this regard, the present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the addition of an organopolysiloxane can help achieve a discontinuous coating without adversely impacting the ability of the protein to stabilize the oil.

Wipe coated with a botanical composition having antimicrobial properties

A sustainable thermoplastic composition made by forming a mixture of virgin polypropylene and post-industrial-recycled material (PIR). The PIR may include a thermoplastic, elastomeric-polymer and a spunbond component. The mixture is melt-blended in an extruder. Extruded materials made from the mixture demonstrate little variance in the results of the IZOD Impact Test of materials containing 30 to 70 percent PIR, and a material containing 100 percent virgin polypropylene. In addition, the extruded materials containing 30 to 70 percent PIR demonstrate a substantially constant strain at yield, that strain at yield being substantially equal to that demonstrated by a material containing 100 percent virgin polypropylene.

Sustainable injection molded articles

A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article (e.g., sanitary napkin) is provided. The film contains a first ethylene polymer having a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 or less, second ethylene polymer having a density of greater than 0.94 g/cm3, and nanoclay having an organic surface treatment. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the properties of the film can be significantly improved.

Stiff nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article

A method for forming a composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and a modified starch polymer within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Unlike the problems associated with proteins, the use of starch polymers allows for a greater degree of flexibility in the processing conditions and is still able to achieve good properties in the resulting composition. The present inventors have also discovered that a plasticizer may be employed to facilitate melt processing of the starch, as well as to enhance the ability of the botanical oil to flow into the internal structure of the starch where it can be retained in a stable manner. The composition is also typically generally free of solvents. In this manner, the starch will not generally disperse before use and prematurely release the botanical oil. Due to the water sensitivity of the modified starch, however, it may be subsequently dispersed by moisture when it is desired to release the botanical oil.

Melt processed antimicrobial composition

A film that contains a core layer positioned adjacent to an outer layer is provided. The core layer contains a relatively high percentage of thermoplastic biopolymers that are both biodegradable and renewable. Despite being biodegradable and renewable, many biopolymers tend to be relatively stiff in nature. The present inventors have discovered, however, that through selective control over the components in the core and outer layers, a film can be readily formed having good mechanical properties. Among other things, this is accomplished by blending the biopolymer in the core layer with a polyolefin. A polyolefin is also employed in the outer layer. In addition to providing functionality to the film (e.g., heat sealing, printing, etc.), the polyolefin-containing outer layer also helps counteract the stiffness of the biopolymer in the core layer, and helps improve processability, stiffness, and ductility.

Multi-layered film containing a biopolymer

A continuous process for manufacturing a blended polymer includes mixing a native starch, a polyolefin, and a compatibilizer; and forming the blended polymer from the resulting mixture using an extruder. The process can also include mixing the native starch, the polyolefin, and the compatibilizer in the extruder. The polyolefin can be a petroleum- or bio-based polyethylene, and the compatibilizer can be a maleic anhydride grafted polyolefin. The process can further include mixing a processing aid such as glycerin, and forming the blended polymer into a film.

Simultaneous plasticization and compatibilization process and compositions

A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing at least one partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Thermoplastic and water-dispersible injection moldable materials and articles

A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester for use in nonwoven webs

A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing a cellulose derivative, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, and a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Flushable tampon applicator

A method and system for melt processing a thermoplastic composition that contains a starch and plasticizer is provided. The composition is melt blended and extruded through a die to form an extrudate, which is thereafter cooled using a multi-stage system of the present invention that includes at least one water-cooling stage and at least one air-cooling stage. More particularly, the extrudate is initially contacted with water for a certain period time so that it becomes partially cooled and solidified on its surface. After the water-cooling stage(s), the extrudate is also subjected to at least one air-cooling stage in which a stream of air is placed into contact with the extrudate.

Method for forming a thermoplastic composition that contains a plasticized starch polymer

A thermoplastic composition that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water that can also be injection molded is provided. The composition contains a cellulose derivative, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, and a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive and moldable attributes of the composition may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the composition, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Water-dispersible thermoplastic injection molded composition

A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Biodegradable aliphatic polyester for use in nonwoven webs

A film that is formed from a biodegradable polymer blend of different aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters is provided. More specifically, the blend contains a first copolyester formed from a terephthalic acid monomer. The use of a terephthalic acid monomer results in a polymer chain containing 1,4-(para-)terephthalate units linked in a generally linear configuration (e.g., &#x2dc;180&#xb0;). The blend also contains a second aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed from a phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid monomer.

Film formed from a blend of biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters

An oil-in-water emulsion that is environmentally friendly and also exhibits antimicrobial activity is provided. More specifically, the oil phase of the emulsion includes a botanical oil derived from a plant (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.). Because the botanical oil tends to leach out of the emulsion during storage and before it is used in the desired application, a water-dispersible polymer is also employed in the aqueous phase of the emulsion to enhance long term stability of the oil and, in turn, antimicrobial efficacy. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the water-dispersible polymer can effectively encapsulate the botanical oil within the emulsion and inhibit its premature release. Once the emulsion is formed, water can then be removed so that it becomes a substantially anhydrous concentrate. In this manner, the water-dispersible polymer will not generally disperse before use and prematurely release the botanical oil. When it is desired, moisture may simply be re-applied to the concentrate to disperse the polymer and activate the release of the botanical oil. Of course, to provide the optimum degree of biocompatibility, the water-dispersible polymer is also a 'biopolymer' that is biodegradable and/or renewable.

Wipe coated with a botanical emulsion having antimicrobial properties

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

James Hongxue Wang