US5217803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable absorbent articles with biodegradable backsheets
Assignee: Tredegar Film Products LLC
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Filing: 1991-06-26
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Granted: 1993-06-08
•
Expires: 2011-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Liquid impervious, biodegradable films are disclosed. In particular, the films comprise a blend of an interpenetrated network of destucturized starch with ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers or ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, and an aliphatic polyester such as polycaprolactone. Diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and the like, containing backsheets prepared from the foregoing materials are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. McBride
- 👤 James M. Adams
- 👤 Peter I. Chang
- 👤 Carl D. Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:10
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D7/00; B29D7/01; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15203; A61F13/15252; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/225; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15585; A61F13/45; A61F13/49; A61F13/49007; A61F13/49009; A61F13/56; A61F13/58; A61F2013/1526; A61F13/51; A61F2013/51092; A61F13/514; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51433; A61F13/53; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530481; A61F13/539; A61F2013/53908; A61F2013/53925; B29K; B29K2003/00; B29K2067/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0088; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0059; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/253; Y10T428/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid previous topsheet; b) a biodegradable liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet; said backsheet comprising a blend of: (i) a biodegradable interpenetrated network of destructurized starch and a copolymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; and (ii) a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, the weight ratio of said interpenetrated network of destructurized starch and copolymer to said aliphatic polyester being greater than 1;1; and c) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An absorbent article comprising: a) a liquid previous topsheet; b) a biodegradable liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet; said backsheet comprising a blend of: (i) a biodegradable interpenetrated network of destructurized starch and a copolymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; and (ii) a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, the weight ratio of said interpenetrated network of destructurized starch and copolymer to said aliphatic polyester being greater than 1;1; and c) an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the backsheet comprises from about 55% to about 95% by weight of said interpenetrated network of destrucurized starch and copolymer, and from about 5% to about 45% by weight of the aliphatic polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein less than 40% of the starch in the backsheet is free and in the form of particles having an average number diameter below 1 micrometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein the copolymer has an acrylic acid content of from about 3% to about 30% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein the copolymer has a vinyl alcohol content of from about 50% to about 80 mole %.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the backsheet comprises from about 60% to about 85% by weight of the interpenetrated network of destructurized starch and copolymer, and from about 15% to about 40% by weight of the aliphatic polyester.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein less than 20% of the starch in the backsheet is free and in the form of particles having an average number diameter below 1 micrometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester is polycaprolactone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester is the oxidation product of an ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer and a peroxyacid oxidizing agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester is a polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate copolymer having a valerate content from about 10 to about 24 mole %.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 in the form of a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin or pantiliner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said absorbent core contains an absorbent gelling material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic polyester is aliphatic polyester-basted polyurethane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |