Abstract: Films formed from compositions comprising thermoplastic starch, thermoplastic polymers, and oils, waxes, or combinations thereof are disclosed, where the oil, wax, or combination is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are articles formed from films of these compositions.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: Compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and waxes are disclosed, where the wax is dispersed throughout the thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are methods of making these compositions.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and acid, and forming an ester condensation reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and acid. In some embodiments, a pre-polymer formed from the ester condensation reaction may be provided as a pre-polymer that is mixed with the starch.

Abstract: The present invention discloses environmentally degradable multicomponent fibers. The configuration of the multicomponent fibers may be side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the environmentally degradable multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: Reactive compositions are formed into melt processable reactive pellets. The reactive compositions include at least one filler such as talc, clay, pulp, etc. and a reactive mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive compositions comprise at least one filler and a prepolymer formed from the reactive mixture.

Abstract: Water stable fibers and articles made therefrom are formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, acid, and optionally triglyceride. Processes for making water stable compositions may comprise melt extruding a mixture of destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, acid, and optionally triglyceride, to form an extrudate, and heating the mixture, extrudate, or both to provide a water stable article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles produced from the vitrification of uncross-linked alkyd oligomers. The articles include fibers, nonwovens, and articles made from nonwovens such as, for example, diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene articles, drapes, gowns, sheeting, and bandages. Also disclosed herein is a method for making articles composed of uncross-linked alkyd oligomers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are paper pulp-based materials that are reinforced with reprocessable alkyd resins, which are formed in situ with the materials. Also disclosed herein are methods for coating paper pulp-based materials with alkyd resins, and methods of recycling alkyd resin coated paper pulp-based materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of reforming or recycling infusible, insoluble alkyd resins into new shapes and forms. The insoluble alkyd resins that are reformed or recycled can include pellets, powders, chips, chunks, scraps, pulverized articles, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are alkyd resins that have been reformed into shaped articles that have traditionally been made with thermoplastics. The shapes of the reformed alkyd resins can include pellets, films, sheets, fibers, nonwovens, and molded articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metastable, liquid alkyd resin precursor that has exceeded its gel point, but is not a gel. The precursor includes a gel point modifier and a prepolymer liquid. The prepolymer liquid includes oligomeric polyesters, polyols, and an excipient selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional acids, anhydrides, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the metastable, liquid alkyd resin precursor, and methods of using the metastable, liquid alkyd resin precursor to form fully cross-linked alkyd resins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: A dispersible absorbent product having a mechanically weakened multi-layered structure, which comprises at least two mechanically weakened layers joined by a water responsive binder. The mechanically weakened regions enhance the dispersibility of the product in a standard toilet. Additionally, the dispersible absorbent products may be pre-moistened with a composition. The pre-moistened products are stable in storage, easily dispersible down a toilet, and deliver cleaning, conditioning, and like benefits. Methods of making such dispersible absorbent products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new use for water-stable, oil-modified, nonreactive alkyd resins. It has now been found that such resins can be used as the predominant component of a construction adhesive employed in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles, for example. As such, the construction adhesive need not employ plasticizers, tackifiers, and conventional polymers required by hot-melt adhesives typically used as construction adhesives. Furthermore, in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles, the construction adhesive containing a water-stable, oil-modified, nonreactive, alkyd resin does not need to be processed or applied at the high temperatures required of construction adhesives containing reactive alkyds.

Abstract: A process is provided for coating a surface of a substrate using a coating precursor comprising a reactive mixture which is reacted to form a coating as a product of ester condensation. The reactive mixture includes a monomer mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive mixture comprises a prepolymer formed from the monomer mixture; a combination of the prepolymer and the monomer mixture; or a combination of the prepolymer and reactants such as polyhydric alcohol, organic polyacid, organic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided for bonding a substrate to a material using an adhesive precursor comprising a reactive mixture which is reacted to form an adhesive as a product of ester condensation. The reactive mixture includes a monomer mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive mixture comprises a prepolymer formed from the monomer mixture; a combination of the prepolymer and the monomer mixture; or a combination of the prepolymer and reactants such as polyhydric alcohol, organic polyacid, organic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Reactive compositions are formed into melt processable reactive pellets. The reactive compositions include at least one filler such as talc, clay, pulp, etc. and a reactive mixture comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol and a reactant selected from the group consisting of at least one organic polyacid; at least one organic anhydride; and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the reactive compositions comprise at least one filler and a prepolymer formed from the reactive mixture.

Abstract: Fibers are formed from ester condensates of polyhydric alcohols and organic polyacids or anhydrides. The process for making the fibers comprises forming a reactive mixture from a polyhydric alcohol and organic polyacid mixture heated to produce a low molecular weight ester condensation product which is subsequently pumped through a spinneret causing additional ester condensation reaction in situ with fiber formation.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride, and forming a transesterification reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride.

Abstract: Water stable fibers and articles made therefrom are formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, triglyceride, and optionally acid. Processes for making water stable compositions may comprise melt extruding a mixture of destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, triglyceride, and optionally acid, to form an extrudate, and heating the mixture, extrudate, or both to provide a water stable article.