Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described herein are starch-based materials, and formulations including such for use in directional alignment extrusion processes. The present compositions exhibit critical shear stress characteristics that allow extrusion at high shear rates and line speeds, without onset of melt flow instability. The present compositions provide sufficient melt strength to allow such compositions to be directionally oriented by stretching the heated polymer (e.g., the polymer melt) following initial extrusion, directionally aligning the molecular chains of the heated polymer blend in the machine-direction, the cross-direction, or both. In an embodiment, the starch-based material is blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having desired melt flow index value(s), which serves as a diluent, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be processed under such conditions.

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The outer cover may comprise an extrusion bonded laminate. The EBL may comprise a multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film and a nonwoven. The film may comprise a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is between the first and second outer layers. The nonwoven may comprise fibers and/or filaments. The first outer layer may be non-adhesively joined to the nonwoven via extrusion coating. Further, the outer cover may be elastic to at least about 50% engineering strain. The nonwoven may have high chemical affinity for the first outer layer. The first outer layer may have a low chemical affinity for the core layer; and the multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film may have a basis weight no greater than about 40 gsm.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g, are disclosed.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The outer cover may comprise an extrusion bonded laminate. The EBL may comprise a multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film and a nonwoven. The film may comprise a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is between the first and second outer layers. The nonwoven may comprise fibers and/or filaments. The first outer layer may be non-adhesively joined to the nonwoven via extrusion coating. Further, the outer cover may be elastic to at least about 50% engineering strain. The nonwoven may have high chemical affinity for the first outer layer. The first outer layer may have a low chemical affinity for the core layer. And, the first outer layer may comprise an amount of draw down polymer greater than about 45 wt %.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention include elastomeric films with a basis weight of about 40 gsm or less or about 25 gsm or less. Other embodiments include elastomeric laminates comprising the elastomeric film bonded to one or more substrates (such as nonwoven fabrics). Methods of making the elastomeric films and elastomeric laminates are also provided.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g, are disclosed.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: IR-emitting or reflecting polymer fibers are formed by blending a high concentration of IR-emitting or reflecting particles with a thermoplastic polymer and meltblowing fibers which have an average diameter of 20 ? or less. The meltblowing process allows for inclusion of a high concentration of the IR-emitting or reflecting particles, yet allows fibers to be formed. These can be formed into a soft, air-permeable, nonwoven web. The fibers can be monocomponent or bicomponent or multicomponent and can be textured or shaped.

Abstract: Improving processability of homogeneous extrusion blown elastomeric films by compatibilizing impact polystyrene in an effective amount with olefin elastomers and styrenic block copolymers.

Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.