Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomer composition comprising polyolefin elastomer material which exhibits improved hysteresis properties, said elastomer composition having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300 according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and (4) a load stress/unload stress ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminate comprising at least one polyolefin elastic film layer and at least one substrate layer; the polyolefin elastic film having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g, preferably between about 5-17 J/g, according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300, preferably 0.8 to 300, still preferably 1.0 to 300, according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; and (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and wherein the laminate has a normalized load force/normalized unload force ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomer composition comprising polyolefin elastomer material which exhibits improved hysteresis properties, said elastomer composition having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300 according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and (4) a load stress/unload stress ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomer composition comprising polyolefin elastomer material which exhibits improved hysteresis properties, said elastomer composition having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300 according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and (4) a load stress/unload stress ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminate comprising at least one polyolefin elastic film layer and at least one substrate layer; the polyolefin elastic film having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g, preferably between about 5-17 J/g, according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300, preferably 0.8 to 300, still preferably 1.0 to 300, according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; and (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and wherein the laminate has a normalized load force/normalized unload force ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomer composition comprising polyolefin elastomer material which exhibits improved hysteresis properties, said elastomer composition having the following properties: (1) an average integrated enthalpy sum of no greater than 17 J/g according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (2) an average integrated enthalpy ratio of from 0.6 to 300 according to the Thermal Analysis Method defined herein; (3) an unload stress at 75% strain of above 0.8 MPa according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein; and (4) a load stress/unload stress ratio at 75% strain of 1 to 2.6 according to the Hysteresis Test defined herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent fibers that enable the nonwoven web to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent fibers will comprise a first component comprising a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate of from about 100 to about 2000 grams per 10 minutes and a second component comprising a polymer composition having a melt flow rate lower than the melt flow rate of the first component. The first component comprises at least about 10% of a surface of the multicomponent fiber.

Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and a slow recovery stretch laminate. The slow recovery stretch laminate may be joined to one or more article elements selected from the group consisting of the topsheet, the backsheet, the core, an anal cuff, an elasticized topsheet, a fastening system, a leg cuff, a waist elastic feature, a side panel, an ear, and combinations thereof. The slow recovery stretch laminate may exhibit an unload force at 37° C. of about 0.16 N/(g/m) or greater and a percent of initial strain after 15 seconds of recovery at 22° C. of about 10% or greater. And, the slow recovery stretch laminate may comprise an elastic member that was pretreated prior to and/or during draw down of the elastic member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various properties of slow recovery polymers, films, and laminates that in combination with an hydrogenated block copolymer provide for (1) an order-disorder transition temperature of greater than about 135° C., (2) a hard phase glass transition temperature of greater than about 60° C., (3) a combination of one or more hard block associating ingredients that maintain or increase the glass transition temperature of at least one equivalent hard block polymer of the hydrogenated block copolymer, (4) a force retention factor of greater than about 2, (5) aromatic substitution of either or both the soft block and the hard block, (6) hard blocks with a solubility parameter of greater than about 9.1 (cal/cm3)1/2, and (7) compositions that remain extendable to at least 50% engineering strain after exposure to isopropyl palmitate for 30 hours at room temperature.

Abstract: An absorbent article may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and a slow recovery stretch laminate. The slow recovery stretch laminate may be joined to one or more article elements selected from the group consisting of the topsheet, the backsheet, the core, an anal cuff, an elasticized topsheet, a fastening system, a leg cuff, a waist elastic feature, a side panel, an ear, and combinations thereof. The slow recovery stretch laminate may exhibit an unload force at 37° C. of about 0.16 N/(g/m) or greater and a percent of initial strain after 15 seconds of recovery at 22° C. of about 10% or greater. And, the slow recovery stretch laminate may comprise an elastic member that was pretreated prior to and/or during draw down of the elastic member.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable molded or extruded articles comprising a blend of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer are disclosed. Such compositions provide annealing cycle times to form molded or extruded articles that are less than annealing cycle times to form a molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable melt spun fibers comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and a polylactic acid polymer or copolymer are disclosed. A preferred configuration of the present invention is directed to environmentally degradable fibers comprising a sheath/core structure where the core comprises a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and the sheath comprises a polymer or copolymer of polylactic acid. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the environmentally degradable fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the rate of a first biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate having a copolymer, or a blend thereof, of at least two randomly repeating monomer units, and has a melting point Tm1, by solution blending or melt blending the first biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate with a second crystallizable biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymer or copolymer, which has at least one randomly repeating monomer unit and a melting point Tm2, wherein Tm2 is at least about 20?C. greater than Tm1. Methods for forming shaped articles from the blending of the two polyhydroxyalkanoates.