Abstract: A film that is formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase tensile elongation. To even further increase the ability of the film to dissipate energy in this manner, the present inventors have discovered that an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus reduces the stiffness (tensile modulus) of the film.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive is provided. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in the deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase impact strength. To even further increase the ability of the composition to dissipate energy in this manner, an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus enhances the degree and uniformity of debonding.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

Abstract: A film that is formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase tensile elongation. To even further increase the ability of the film to dissipate energy in this manner, the present inventors have discovered that an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus reduces the stiffness (tensile modulus) of the film.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive is provided. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in the deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase impact strength. To even further increase the ability of the composition to dissipate energy in this manner, an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus enhances the degree and uniformity of debonding.

Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. Through selective control over this method, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.

Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. To minimize premature reaction, the polylactic acid and polyepoxide modifier are first blended together at a relatively low temperature(s).

Abstract: A biodegradable nonwoven laminate is provided. The laminate comprises a spunbond layer formed from substantially continuous filaments that contain a first aliphatic polyester having a melting point of from about 50° C. to about 160° C. The meltblown layer is formed from microfibers that contain a second aliphatic polyester having a melting point of from about 50° C. to about 160° C. The first aliphatic polyester, the second aliphatic polyester, or both have an apparent viscosity of from about 20 to about 215 Pascal-seconds, as determined at a temperature of 160° C. and a shear rate of 1000 sec-1. The first aliphatic polyester may be the same or different than the second aliphatic polyester.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, a the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: C2H4Ox??(A) wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: CnH2nOy??(B) wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: Laminates are described that contain a frangible layer adhered to at least one extensible layer, such as an elastic layer. In one embodiment, a frangible layer is positioned between two opposing elastic layers. The frangible layer includes lines of separation that generally extend in a first direction. The lines of separation allow the elastic layers to stretch and recover in a direction perpendicular or skew to the lines of separation. In one particular embodiment, the lines of separation comprise lines where the frangible layer has been weakened. The lines of separation can be formed after the laminate is made using groove rolls.

Abstract: Methods for forming a translucent window on the inner surface of a liquid impermeable breathable film outer cover of an absorbent product, such as a diaper, for viewing a water dispersible ink to indicate when an insult has occurred are disclosed. Additionally, absorbent products having a translucent window and a water dispersible ink are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal care product comprising a protein matrix wherein said protein matrix comprises at least one protein, at least one probiotic and a carrier fluid. The present invention also relates to the personal care product being a feminine care product particularly aimed at female urogenital health to treat or prevent vaginal infections. Oral and sinus infections, however, may also be benefited by the composition.

Abstract: An oil absorbing material is generally provided. The oil absorbing material can includes sorbent particles having an average aspect ratio of about 5 to about 500 and a mean average particle diameter of about 10 ?m to about 1 millimeter. The oil absorbing material comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, inorganic filler particles, and absorbent core material. In one embodiment, the sorbent particles can have an average specific surface area of about 0.25 to about 5.0 m2/g and can have a bulk density that is about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.8 g/cm3. Processes of making the oil absorbing material are also provided via a solid-state shear pulverization recycling process transforming absorbent article waste into the oil absorbing material. The process can include pulverizing the absorbent article waste to form sorbent particles while cooling the absorbent article waste in an amount sufficient to maintain the absorbent article waste in a solid state.

Abstract: A biodegradable, substantially continuous filament is provided. The filament contains a first component formed from at least one high melting polyester and a second component formed from at least one low melting polyester. The low melting point polyester is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed by melt blending a polymer and an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in the formation of substantially continuous filaments.

Abstract: A composition comprising a biopolymer matrix, said biopolymer matrix comprising from about 0.1% to about 40% of an essential oil, about 30% to about 95% of a biopolymer, and about 0% to about 50% of a carrier fluid wherein a limited amount of said essential oil can be released from said matrix composition when exposed to a liquid solution; and wherein an additional limited amount of said essential oil can be re-released repetitiously thereafter upon re-use with an additional exposure of a liquid solution.

Abstract: An oil absorbing material is generally provided. The oil absorbing material can includes sorbent particles having an average aspect ratio of about 5 to about 500 and a mean average particle diameter of about 10 ?m to about 1 millimeter. The oil absorbing material comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, inorganic filler particles, and absorbent core material. In one embodiment, the sorbent particles can have an average specific surface area of about 0.25 to about 5.0 m2/g and can have a bulk density that is about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.8 g/cm3. Processes of making the oil absorbing material are also provided via a solid-state shear pulverization recycling process transforming absorbent article waste into the oil absorbing material. The process can include pulverizing the absorbent article waste to form sorbent particles while cooling the absorbent article waste in an amount sufficient to maintain the absorbent article waste in a solid state.

Abstract: A method for forming an antimicrobial composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and protein within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Despite the problems normally associated with melt processing proteins, the present inventors have discovered that the processing conditions and components may be selectively controlled to allow for the formation of a stable, melt-processed composition that is able to exhibit good mechanical properties. For example, the extrusion temperature(s) and shear rate employed during melt blending are relatively low to help limit polypeptide dissociation, thereby minimizing the impact of aggregation and embrittlement.

Abstract: A method for forming an antimicrobial composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and protein within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Despite the problems normally associated with melt processing proteins, the present inventors have discovered that the processing conditions and components may be selectively controlled to allow for the formation of a stable, melt-processed composition that is able to exhibit good mechanical properties. For example, the extrusion temperature(s) and shear rate employed during melt blending are relatively low to help limit polypeptide dissociation, thereby minimizing the impact of aggregation and embrittlement.

Abstract: A biodegradable, substantially continuous filament is provided. The filament contains a first component formed from at least one high melting polyester and a second component formed from at least one low melting polyester. The low melting point polyester is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed by melt blending a polymer and an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in the formation of substantially continuous filaments.