Absorbent article comprising a synthetic polymer derived from a renewable resource and methods of producing said article

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent article in the form of a diaper in a flat, uncontracted state.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the diaper of FIG. 1A taken along the lateral centerline.

FIGS. 2A-B are perspective views of a package comprising an absorbent article.

FIGS. 3A-F are illustrations of several suitable embodiments of icons communicating reduced petrochemical dependence and/or environmental friendliness.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a suitable permeability measurement system for conducting the Saline Flow Conductivity Test.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a piston/cylinder assembly for use in conducting the Saline Flow Conductivity Test.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a piston head suitable for use in the piston/cylinder assembly shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the piston/cylinder assembly of FIG. 5 placed on a fritted disc for the swelling phase.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having opposing longitudinal edges, the absorbent article comprising: a) a topsheet,b) a backsheet joined with the topsheet,c) an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, andd) a first polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one first intermediate compound, wherein the first polymer is synthetic, and wherein the first intermediate compound is monomeric, and wherein the first polymer is disposed in or incorporated into one or more elements of the absorbent article, the elements selected from a group consisting of the absorbent core, the topsheet, the backsheet, and a barrier leg cuff.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is a superabsorbent and is disposed in the absorbent core, the first polymer exhibiting: i) a Saline Flow Conductivity value of at least about 30×10−7 cm3 ·sec/g; andii) an Absorption Against Pressure value of at least about 15 g/g.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the first polymer comprises lightly crosslinked polyacrylic acid neutralized from about 50 to about 100 mol %.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer exhibits a 14C/C ratio of about 1.0×10−14 or greater.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate compound is selected from a group consisting of organic acids, sugars, monofunctional alcohols, polyfunctional alcohols, organic aldehydes, and organic esters.

6. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the first polymer is derived from the first renewable resource via the first intermediate compound, a second intermediate compound, and a third intermediate compound; wherein said the first intermediate compound is glycerol, the second intermediate compound is acrolein, and the third intermediate compound is acrylic acid.

7. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the first polymer is derived from the first renewable resource via the first intermediate compound, a second intermediate compound, and a third intermediate compound; wherein the first intermediate compound is glucose, the second intermediate compound is lactic acid, and the third intermediate compound is acrylic acid.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a second polymer derived from a second renewable resource via at least one second intermediate compound, wherein the second polymer is disposed in or incorporated into one or more elements of the absorbent article, the elements selected from a group consisting of the absorbent core, the topsheet, the backsheet, and the barrier leg cuff.

9. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a pair of barrier cuffs longitudinally disposed on a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, each barrier cuff comprising a cuff substrate and an elastic member joined to the cuff substrate and capable of spacing a portion of the barrier cuff away from the body-facing surface of the article during wear; wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene or polyethylene, and wherein the topsheet, backsheet, or cuff substrate comprises the polyolefin.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin, and wherein the topsheet comprises the polyolefin, wherein the topsheet exhibits a Liquid Strike-Through Time of less than about 4 seconds.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin, and wherein the backsheet comprises the polyolefin, the polyolefin being in the form of a film, wherein the film exhibits an MD tensile strength of at least about 0.5 N/cm.

12. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin, and wherein the backsheet comprises the polyolefin, the polyolefin being in the form of a breathable film, wherein said breathable film exhibits a Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate of at least about 2000 g/m2/24 hours.

13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin, and wherein the barrier leg cuff comprises a cuff substrate, and wherein the cuff substrate comprises the polyolefin, and wherein the cuff substrate exhibits a hydrohead of at least about 5 mbar.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer exhibits a 14C/C ratio of about 1.0×10−13 or greater.

15. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first polymer exhibits a 14C/C ratio of about 1.0×10−12 or greater.

16. A package comprising at least one absorbent article of claim 1 and an overwrap, wherein the overwrap at least partially covers the absorbent article.

17. The package of claim 16, further comprising a communication of a related environmental message to a consumer.

18. A method for making an absorbent article comprising the steps of: a) providing a renewable resource;b) deriving an intermediate monomeric compound from the renewable resource;c) polymerizing the monomeric compound to form a synthetic polymer,d) disposing or incorporating the polymer into one or more elements of the absorbent article, the elements selected from a group consisting of the absorbent core, the topsheet, the backsheet, and a barrier leg cuff.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method comprises the further steps of: a) forming a package which at least partially overwraps at least one absorbent article; andb) communicating a related environmental message to a consumer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of communicating a related environmental message to a consumer comprises a communication form selected from a group consisting of store displays, posters, billboards, computer programs, brochures, package literature, shelf information, videos, advertisements, internet web sites, pictograms, icons, and combinations thereof.