Absorbent Article Comprising A Synthetic Polymer Derived From A Renewable Resource And Methods Of Producing Said Article

• US 20130313149A1
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Hird, Bryn, Addington, Eric Ted
• Application Number:
  US13/959,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20130313149A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/459.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15203 Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency chemical aspects A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15617 Making absorbent pads from fibres or pulverulent material with or without treatment of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/551 Packaging before or after use general packaging of absorbent pads B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/24 Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/28 Polysaccharides or their derivatives A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/40 containing ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof , e.g. plant or animal extracts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/60 Liquid-swellable gel-forming materials, e.g. super-absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/28 comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2203/00 Fermentation products obtained from optionally pretreated or hydrolyzed cellulosic or lignocellulosic material as the carbon source
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/42 Hydroxy-carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/35 Flushing valves having buoyancy

Abstract

An absorbent article is disclosed having a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a synthetic superabsorbent polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound, wherein said superabsorbent polymer exhibits a defined Saline Flow Conductivity value and Absorption Against Pressure value. Alternately, an absorbent article is disclosed having a synthetic polyolefin derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound. The synthetic polyolefin exhibits defined performance characteristics making the polyolefin particularly useful in certain components of the absorbent article. Methods for making the aforementioned absorbent articles are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for making an absorbent article comprising:

providing a first renewable resource that is a natural resource that can be replenished within a 100 year time frame;

deriving at least one first intermediate compound from the first renewable resource;

wherein the first intermediate compound comprises a monomeric compound;

polymerizing the monomeric compound to form at least one synthetic polyolefin polymer that exhibits a ¹⁴C/C ratio of about 1.0×

10<sup>−

14</sup> or greater and wherein the polymer is at least partially derived from the renewable resource;

deriving a film from the polymer;

incorporating the film into a backsheet of the absorbent article;

wherein the film is breathable and exhibits a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate at least 2000 g/m²/hr and an MD tensile strength from about 0.5 N/cm to about 6 N/cm.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the film has a thickness of about 0.5 mil to about 2.0 mils.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer exhibits a ¹⁴C/C ratio of about 1.0×

10<sup>−

13</sup> or greater.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer exhibits a ¹⁴C/C ratio of about 1.0×

10<sup>−

12</sup> or greater.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate is from about 2000 g/m²/hr to about 3000 g/m²/hr.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the film has a density of about 0.915 g/cm³ to about 0.925 g/cm³.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising incorporating calcium carbonate to render the film porous.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising incorporating a nonwoven into the backsheet that is derived from a renewable resource that is a natural resource that can be replenished within a 100 year time frame.

9. A package comprising one or more absorbent articles according to claim 1, wherein the package comprises a communication of a related environmental message to a consumer.