Claims
- 1. A method of producing thermoplastic polymer film of polyvinyl alcohol in the form of articles comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of drapes, towels, covers, overwraps, gowns, head covers, face masks, shoe coverings, CSR wraps, sponges, dressings, tapes, underpads, diapers, washcloths, sheets, pillow covers and napkins,
- said thermoplastic polymer film of polyvinyl alcohol being soluble only at temperatures above 37.degree. C., said thermoplastic polymer film being produced from pellets of polyvinyl alcohol, said pellets having an initial water content,
- said method comprising the steps of:
- reducing said initial water content of said pellets to a level no greater than approximately 0.5% (wt.) prior to melt extrusion;
- melt extruding pellets of polyvinyl alcohol to produce a film of polyvinyl alcohol;
- incorporating within said pellets an anti-blocking agent in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% (wt.); and,
- subsequent to said melt extrusion, increasing the water content of said film of polyvinyl alcohol to a level between approximately 5-10% (wt.).
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said film of polyvinyl alcohol is made from a process selected from the group consisting of blow extrusion, cast extrusion and solution casting.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said polyvinyl alcohol film includes a water repellent agent.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said water repellent agent is contained within said polymeric film in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 2.0% (wt.).
- 5. A method of producing thermoplastic polymer fabric of polyvinyl alcohol which is water soluble only at temperatures above 37.degree. C., said fabric being produced from pellets of polyvinyl alcohol, said pellets having an initial water content,
- said method comprising the steps of melt extruding said pellets of polyvinyl alcohol to produce fabric of polyvinyl alcohol only after said water content has been reduced to a level no greater than approximately 0.5% (wt.), said pellets incorporating an anti-blocking agent in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% (wt.);
- and subsequent to said melt extrusion, increasing the water content of said fabric to a level between approximately 5 to 10% (wt.).
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said polyvinyl alcohol fabric includes a water repellent agent.
- 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said water repellent agent is contained within said polymeric fabric in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 2.0% (wt.).
- 8. The method of claim 5 wherein said water repellent agent is contained within said polymeric fiber in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 2.0% (wt.).
Parent Case Info
The present application is a continuation of applicant's application Ser. No. 08/618,008 filed Mar. 18, 1996 abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/299,760, filed Sep. 1, 1994 pending, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/055,083, filed Apr. 29, 1993 abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/881,685, filed May 12, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,837 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/683,290, filed Apr. 10, 1991 abandoned.
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Continuations (3)
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618008 |
Mar 1996 |
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Parent |
299760 |
Sep 1994 |
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Continuation in Parts (2)
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881685 |
May 1992 |
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683290 |
Apr 1991 |
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