Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Thomas Allan Eby

Vasily Aramovich Topolkaraev

Ryan J McEneany

Neil T Scholl

James Hongxue Wang

Jerome Steven Veith

Joseph W Brown

Joel James Banda

Garry Roland Woltman

Mary Lou McDaniel

Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii

Michael Donald Sperl

Gordon Allen Shaw

David Glen Biggs

Jeffrey Lawrence McManus

Angela Ann Johnston

Michael John Smith

Alan Francis Schleinz

Theodore T Tower

David W Heyn

Antonio J Carrillo

Gregory Todd Sudduth

Nadezhda Efremova

Allen Todd Leak

Nicholas Alan Kraft

Dale Arthur Peterson

Paula Kay Zoromski

Anne Catherine Paschke

Jean Feyen Niemeyer

Tyler J Lark

Steven Walter Moster

Ryan J Mceneany

Mary L Mcdaniel

Iii Roger Bradshaw Quincy

Nadezhda V Efremova

Fibers that are formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density are provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. Fibers are thereafter formed and then stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., 'cold drawn').

Renewable polyester fibers having a low density

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

Microparticles that have a multimodal pore size distribution are provided, Notably, the pore structure of the present invention can be formed without the need for complex techniques and solvent chemistries traditionally employed to form porous microparticles. Instead, the microparticles contain a polymeric material that is formed from a thermoplastic composition, which is simply strained to a certain degree to achieve the desired porous network structure.

Microparticles having a multimodal pore distribution

A film that is formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase tensile elongation. To even further increase the ability of the film to dissipate energy in this manner, the present inventors have discovered that an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus reduces the stiffness (tensile modulus) of the film.

Renewable polyester film having a low modulus and high tensile elongation

A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. Through selective control over this method, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.

Modified polylactic acid fibers

A delivery system containing an active agent within a polymeric material formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. Through selective control over the particular nature of the thermoplastic composition, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that a porous network can be created that contains a plurality of micropores and nanopores. The ability to create such a multimodal pore size distribution can allow the delivery rate of an active agent to be tailored for a particular use.

Delivery system for active agents

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive is provided. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in the deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase impact strength. To even further increase the ability of the composition to dissipate energy in this manner, an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus enhances the degree and uniformity of debonding.

Rigid renewable polyester compositions having a high impact strength and tensile elongation

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., 'cold drawn'). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural 'hinges' that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Renewable polyester compositions having a low density

A mechanical fastener is disclosed. The mechanical fastener generally comprises the male component of a hook and loop fastening system. The male component contains a plurality of protrusions that have been surface modified. In particular, the protrusions have been surfaced modified in a manner that prevents damage to a female component during engagement and disengagement but yet still forms a firm attachment with the female component.

Mechanical fastener

Uncreped throughdried tissue sheets are mechanically treated by calendering and embossing to provide a unique combination of desirable properties to the resulting sheet, which exhibits more surface uniformity, improved softness, high bulk and absorbency.

Embossed uncreped throughdried tissues

The present invention discloses water-responsive, and optionally flushable compositions with improved stability to aqueous fluids comprising water or water vapor. The compositions of the 10 present invention comprise a water-responsive polymer and organically modified clay particles. In one embodiment, the water-responsive polymer is a polymer of ethylene oxide, specifically poly(ethylene oxide) and specific graft copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide). Films of the present invention are water-responsive and breathable and are especially useful for personal care applications including disposable diapers, feminine pads, pantiliners and training pants. Advantageously, compositions of the present invention have reduced melt viscosity and are more easily melt processed into films, fibers and other articles.

Poly(ethylene oxide) and organically modified clay compositions having reduced melt viscosity and improved stability to aqueous fluids

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Greenville, WI, United States of America

Thomas Allan Eby