Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making reduced odor individualized, crosslinked fibers which includes the steps of providing cellulosic fibers, contacting the fibers with a solution containing a C.sub.2 -C.sub.9 polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent, mechanically separating the fibers into substantially individual form, drying the fibers and reacting the crosslinking agent with the individualized fibers to form intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized cellulosic fibers are then contacted with a strong alkaline solution and strong oxidizing agent to reduce the odor and increase the brightness. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is citric acid, and preferably, between about 1.0 weight % and about 12.0 weight % of the crosslinking agent reacts to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Preferably, the alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, and preferably, about 0.09 weight % of the sodium hydroxide, on a dry fiber weight basis, is applied to the crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are individualized, crosslinked fibers, and processes for making such fibers, and absorbent structures containing the fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers have a polymeric polyacrylic acid crosslinking agent reacted with the fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid and preferably, between about 1.0 weight % and about 10.0 weight % of the crosslinking agent reacts with the individualized fibers to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized, crosslinked fibers are useful in a variety of absorbent structure applications. The absorbent structures may also contain hydrogel-forming material.

Abstract: Polymer compositions having enhanced biodegradability are disclosed. The compositions comprise a blend of:(1) a polymer containing hydrolyzable bonds; and(2) a substantially water-insoluble, pH-modifying compound capable of accelerating the hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable bonds in the polymer.The invention also relates to polymer films comprising such compositions and absorbent articles containing such polymer compositions or films. The compositions are particularly suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers.

Abstract: Substantially waterless self-emulsifiable biodegradable chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of an ester-functional quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred biodegradable ester-functional quaternary ammonium compounds include diesterdialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(touch hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight from about 150 to about 800 and polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to about 4000.

Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises an ester-functional ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred ester-functional ammonium compounds include diester dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester di(touch hardened)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose materials useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as paper towels, facial tissues, and toilet tissue are disclosed. The paper products contain a vegetable oil based quaternary ammonium chemical softening compound. Examples of preferred vegetable oil based quaternary ammonium chemical softening compounds include dioleyldimethyl ammonium chloride (i.e., di(octadec-z-9-enyl)dimethylammonium chloride) (DODMAC) and dierucyldimethyl ammonium chloride (i.e., di(docos-z-13-enyl)dimethylammonium chloride) (DEDMAC). Depending upon the paper product characteristic requirements, the saturation level of the fatty acyl groups of the vegetable oils can be tailored. Variables that need to be adjusted to maximize the benefits of using unsaturated vegetable oil based acyl groups include the Iodine Value (IV) of the fatty acyl groups; and the cis/trans isomer weight ratios in the fatty acyl groups.

Abstract: Absorbent structures are disclosed which contain specific, relatively narrow, particle size distributions of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming materials. The absorbent structures of the present invention are useful in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and the like. The absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet. At least a portion of the absorbent core comprises particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent hydrogel-forming, polymer material formed by solution polymerization methods. The particles of the hydrogel-forming, polymer material are of such size that at least about 80% of said particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S.

Abstract: An improved superabsorbent polymer foam having a morphology to provide improved absorptive properties is disclosed. The foam preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer formed from a substantially water-soluble, unsaturated monomer having neutralized carboxyl groups and a substantially water-soluble internal crosslinking agent. The monomer and crosslinking agent are expanded in the presence of a substantially water-insoluble blowing agent and a suitable solvent and reacted to form a superabsorbent polymer foam having substantially continuous, intercommunicating channels substantially throughout the foam and a relatively high surface area to mass ratio.Methods for making the foam and absorbent products, members and articles containing the foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastomeric, hot-melt adhesive foam is disclosed. The adhesive foam preferably comprises an elastomeric, hot-melt adhesive material formed from(a) about 15% to about 60%, by weight of the adhesive material, of an A-B-A block copolymer, in which the A block is derived from styrene and the B block is derived from butadiene or isoprene.(b) about 30% to about 70%, by weight of the adhesive material, of an aromatic modified hydrocarbon resin which associates with both the B block and A blocks of the A-B-A block copolymer, and(c) 0 to about 30%, by weight of the adhesive material, of a processing oil.The proportions of the components (a), (b), and (c) are selected such that the elastomeric, hot-melt adhesive material has a viscosity of less than about 200,000 centipoise at 325.degree. F. and an elastomeric retention value of at least 75%.

Abstract: Methods of producing particulate, absorbent, polymeric compositions comprising interparticle crosslinked aggregates. In the methods of the present invention, an interparticle crosslinking agent is applied onto precursor particles; the precursor particles are physically associated to form a multiplicity of aggregates; and the interparticle crosslinking agent is reacted with the polymer material of the precursor particles of the aggregates, while maintaining the physical association of the precursor particles, to form crosslink bonds between the precursor particles to form interparticle crosslinked aggregates. The interparticle crosslinked aggregates are formed to such an extent that the mass average particle size of the polymeric composition is at least about 25% greater than the mass average particle size of the precursor particles.

Abstract: Soft creped tissue paper products comprising papermaking fibers and a biodegradable crepe facilitating composition is disclosed. The crepe facilitating composition is a biodegradable bonding inhibitor, a cationic starch and a carboxymethyl cellulose. Preferably, the biodegradable bonding inhibitor is a biodegradable quaternary ammonium compound. The use of a biodegradable bonding inhibitor, a cationic starch and a carboxymethyl cellulose results in a creped tissue paper that is both strong and soft. A creped paper process comprising the addition of the crepe facilitating composition is also disclosed. The composition offers the potential to improve production capacity.

Abstract: Substantially waterless self-emulsifiable chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 800 and polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000. The substantially waterless self-emulsifiable chemical softening compositions are prepared by mixing the quaternary ammonium compound with the polyhydroxy compound at a specific temperature range wherein the polyhydroxy compound is miscible with the quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improved superabsorbent polymer foam having a morphology to provide improved absorptive properties is disclosed. The foam preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer formed from a substantially water-soluble, unsaturated monomer having neutralized carboxyl groups and a substantially water-soluble internal crosslinking agent. The monomer and crosslinking agent are expanded in the presence of a substantially water-insoluble blowing agent and a suitable solvent and reacted to form a superabsorbent polymer foam having substantially continuous, intercommunicating channels substantially throughout the foam and a relatively high surface area to mass ratio.Methods for making the foam and absorbent products, members and articles containing the foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-ply facial tissue paper products comprising biodegradable chemical softener compositions and a combination of a wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and a dry strength binder is disclosed.The multi-ply facial tissue paper products contain a biodegradable chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a biodegradable quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. The multi-ply facial tissue paper products also contain an effective amount of a wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and a dry strength binder to control linting and/or to offset the loss in tensile strength, if any, resulting from the use of the biodegradable chemical softening compositions. The use of both wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and dry strength binder also improves the retention of the chemical softening composition in the sheet.

Abstract: Flexible, porous, absorbent polymeric macrostructures having flexibility even after extended periods at elevated temperatures and/or low humidities are disclosed. The macrostructure comprises an interparticle crosslinked aggregate and an effective amount of a suitable plasticizer. The macrostructures are suitable for use, for example, in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers.

Abstract: Biodegradable chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternized ester-amine compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred biodegradable quaternized ester-amine compounds include diester dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(touch hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: Absorbent structures are disclosed which contain specific, relatively, narrow, particle size distributions of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming materials in relatively high concentrations. The absorbent structures of the present invention are useful in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and the like. The absorbent articles of the present invention comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and backsheet. At least a portion of the absorbent core comprises between about 25% and about 90% by weight particles of substantially water-insoluble, absorbent hydrogel-forming, polymer material formed by solution polymerization methods. The particles of the hydrogel-forming, polymer material are of such size that at least about 80% of the particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S.

Abstract: Liquid impervious, biodegradable films are disclosed. In particular, the films comprise a blend of an interpenetrated network of destructurized starch with ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers or ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, and an aliphatic polyester such as polycaprolactone. Diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and the like, containing backsheets prepared from the foregoing materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent structures are disclosed which contain a particulate material composition. The particulate material composition comprised specific, relatively narrow, particle size distributions of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming material particles formed by solution polymerization methods and mixed with inorganic powders. The particles of superabsorbent material are of such size that at least about 70% of said particles, by weight, will pass through a U.S. Standard 50 mesh sieve with 297 micron openings and be retained on a U.S. Standard 170 mesh sieve with 88 micron openings when said particles are tested according to the Sieving Test described herein. The inorganic powder, such as amorphous silica, is intermixed with the particles of superabsorbent material in amount of between about 0.1 to about 5 parts per 100 parts of the particles of superabsorbent material. The absorbent structures of the present invention are useful in disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, and the like.