Abstract: A technique for initiating the formation of pores in a polymeric material that contains a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains microinclusion and nanoinclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. To initiate pore formation, the polymeric material is mechanically drawn (e.g., bending, stretching, twisting, etc.) to impart energy to the interface of the continuous phase and inclusion additives, which enables the inclusion additives to separate from the interface to create the porous network. The material is also drawn in a solid state in the sense that it is kept at a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.

Abstract: A garment that includes a porous polymeric material is provided. The porous polymeric material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. A microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive may also be dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, wherein a porous network is defined in the material that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 800 nanometers or less.

Abstract: A polymeric material for use in thermal insulation is provided. The polymeric material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer and within which a microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the material that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 800 nanometers or less. The polymeric material exhibits a thermal conductivity of about 0.20 watts per meter-kelvin or less.

Abstract: An absorbent article containing a polyolefin film is provided. The polyolefin film is formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water that can also be injection molded is provided. The composition contains a cellulose derivative, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, and a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive and moldable attributes of the composition may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the composition, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Abstract: A fabric that includes porous fibers is provided. The porous fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. A microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive may also be dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, wherein a porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 800 nanometers or less.

Abstract: An energy absorbing member that contains a porous polymeric material is provided. The polymeric material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer and within which a microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the material that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 800 nanometers or less.

Abstract: An absorbent article containing a nonwoven web that includes a plurality of polyolefin fibers is provided. The polyolefin fibers are formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water that can also be injection molded is provided. The composition contains a cellulose derivative, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, and a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive and moldable attributes of the composition may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the composition, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Abstract: A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing at least one partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Abstract: A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing a cellulose derivative, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, and a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the stretchable substrate, whereby the adhesive composition holds the superabsorbent material on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the adhesive composition after applying the adhesive composition to the stretchable substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a containerboard packaging material comprising at least one non-wood alternative pulp material wherein said non-wood alternative pulp material is present in an amount of from about 5% to about 100% and wherein said material replaces at least a portion of conventional fiber materials.

Abstract: A containerboard packaging material includes at least one linerboard layer including tree-based pulp material and at least one fluted medium layer including tree-free pulp material, wherein the tree-free pulp material is present in the medium layer in an amount of from about 5% to about 100%. The medium layer pulp material can be tree-free pulp material. The tree-free pulp material can be wheat straw pulp and red algae pulp.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A non-woven substrate having a vibrant graphic applied thereto is made by feeding to a printing apparatus a non-woven substrate having a fibrous non-woven web formed at least in part of polyolefin fibers. An ink composition having a viscosity in the range of about 28 seconds to about 35 seconds as determined using a Zahn #2 cup and including at least one solvent having an evaporation rate relative to n-butyl acetate of less than 0.8 is supplied to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus is operated to apply the ink composition to the fibrous non-woven web while the fibrous non-woven web is in a generally dry condition to form a graphic thereon having a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns. The ink composition is then allowed to dry on the fibrous non-woven web.

Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of applying a layer of adhesive composition to a stretchable substrate and applying a layer of particulate superabsorbent material to the adhesive composition after applying the adhesive composition to the stretchable substrate.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a stretchable substrate and an absorbent composite comprising a layer of adhesive composition in contact with the stretchable substrate. A layer of particulate superabsorbent material is applied to and held by the adhesive composition. The absorbent composite is secured to the substrate by the adhesive composition. The stretchable substrate has a recovery in at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal directions of the article as determined by an Elongation and Recovery Test, and the absorbent article has a recovery in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction as determined by the Elongation and Recovery Test that is at least about 60 percent of the recovery of the substrate in the at least one of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.