Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Peter Shawn Lortscher

Gregory James Wideman

Mark Michael Mleziva

Garry Roland Woltman

Peter D Honer

Austin N Pickett

Oliver P Renier

Michael G Shlepr

Alphonse DeMarco

James Hongxue Wang

Vasily Aramovich Topolkaraev

Kenneth John Zwick

Timothy James Blenke

Neil T Scholl

Ryan J McEneany

Bo Shi

Paul Joseph Datta

Nathan John Vogel

David Glen Biggs

Kroy Donald Johnson

Antonio J Carrillo Ojeda

Brent Merrik Thompson

Kristi Jo Bryant

Barbara Ann Gossen

Mark George Everson

Stephen Carl Baumgartner

Yuriy Galabura

Julie Ann Moser

Lori A Eslinger

David James Sealy Powling

David W Hall

Juha P Kemppinen

Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cook

Michael George Shlepr

Ryan J Mceneany

A polymeric material that includes a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer and a siloxane component is provided. The siloxane component contains an ultrahigh molecular weight siloxane polymer that is 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.

Polymeric material

A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix or polyethylene. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2&#x2014;Slosh Box Disintegration Test. The PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable material

A flushable tampon applicator product includes an outer tube for housing a tampon; an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition including partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part; and a wrapper material configured for storage under high and low moisture storage conditions, the wrapper material having a water vapor transmission rate of less than 0.05 g/100 in2/day.

Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable tampon applicator

A film that is both biodegradable and flushable, and yet can still act as a barrier to water or other fluids during use, is provided. More particularly, the film contains a water-dispersible core layer that helps the film to lose its integrity after being flushed, as well as a water-barrier skin layer that helps maintain the integrity of the film during use. The nature and relative concentration of the components in the water-barrier layer are selectively controlled to achieve a combination of different functions. That is, the majority of the polymers employed in the water-barrier layer are biodegradable polymers that can be degraded by microorganisms while in an aqueous environment (e.g., septic tank, water treatment facility, etc.). To even further enhance the overall renewability of the layer, a relatively high amount of the biodegradable polymers are starch polymers, which are also renewable. The starch polymers can also minimize the degree of stickiness in the film, which can sometimes result from certain types of synthetic polymers. Even at a high starch content, the present inventors have discovered that films may still be readily formed by using synthetic biodegradable polyesters in combination with the starch to facilitate melt processing.

Biodegradable and flushable multi-layered film

A pant-like, prefastened, disposable absorbent article having side seams which include a front ear passively bonded to a back ear, wherein the front ear is releasable from the back ear desirably without tearing or damaging the back ear. The tearable front ear has a basis weight less than a basis weight of the back ear.

Product seal of dissimilar materials

A method of simulating a dynamic force event comprises rotating a cam about an axis according to a rotational speed profile and biasing a follower against a surface of the cam as the cam rotates so that the follower moves on the surface and imparts a braking force against the surface. The method further measures the braking force on the rotating cam with a measurement device operatively connected to the cam, the braking force varying according to the friction between the cam surface and follower moving against one another. In another aspect of the invention, a method of calibrating a testing machine measures a braking force resisting movement of a first body over time to produce a simulated dynamic force response of the first body and compares it with a standard dynamic force response to calibrate the testing machine.

Method for simulating a dynamic force response and method of calibration

Apparatus for generating a dynamic force response that simulates a dynamic force typically generated by an experimental event. A cam having a profile, such as a serrated profile, rotates about an axis according to a rotational speed profile. A braking device operatively connects to the cam, such as a follower biased against the cam, for generating a braking force resisting rotation of the cam. A measurement device measures the braking force on the cam to generate the dynamic force response.

Apparatus for simulating a dynamic force response

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Peter Shawn Lortscher