Claims
- 1. A water-dispersible, toilet-disposable, biodegradable applicator for tampons comprising a self-supporting, open-ended tube having a composition consisting essentially of 45 to 90%, by weight, starch, 5 to 40%, by weight, plasticizer and 5 to 15%; by weight water and wherein the starch contains a) 40% or less of amylose or b) more than 40% by weight amylose modified with up to 20%, by weight propylene oxide, and is dispersed by being gelatinized prior to formation of the applicator to provide water-dispersibility to the applicator and a substantially rigid plunger or inner tube movably received within said open-ended tube and adapted to expel a tampon therefrom.
- 2. The applicator of claim 1 further comprising dextrin.
- 3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator has a water content of less than 15%, by weight, and a water activity of less than 0.80, and is resistant to microbial growth at less than 30.degree. C. and less than 80% relative humidity.
- 4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the starch contains 40% or less amylose and is derivatized by reaction with up to 20%, by weight propylene oxide.
- 5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the starch is dispersed in water, gelatinized and crosslinked.
- 6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the starch is crosslinked by reaction with up to 0.5% glyoxal.
- 7. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agents, lubricants, fillers, colorants, and fragrances.
- 8. The applicator of claim 7, wherein the filler is dextrin.
- 9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is sorbitol, polyalkylene glycol, glycerol, polyethyleneamine, alkylene glycol, tetra-alkyl ammonium salts, tri-alkyl citrates or mono-, di- or triacetates of glycerol, sugar, corn-oil or a combination thereof.
- 10. The applicator of claim 9 wherein the applicator has a water content of less than 15%, by weight, and a water activity of less than 0.80, and is resistant to microbial growth at less than 30.degree. C. and less than 80% relative humidity.
- 11. The applicator of claim 2 wherein the applicator has a water content of less than 15%, by weight, and a water activity of less than 0.80, and is resistant to microbial growth at less than 30.degree. C. and less than 80% relative humidity.
- 12. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the starch contains 40% or less amylose and is derivatized with up to 20%, by weight, propylene oxide.
- 13. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the plasticizer is sorbitol, polyalkylene glycol, glycerol, polyethyleneamine, alkylene glycol, tetra-alkyl ammonium salts, tri-alkyl citrates or mono-, di-, or triacetates of glycerol, sugar, corn oil, or a combination thereof.
- 14. The applicator of claim 13 wherein the applicator has a water content of less than 15%, by weight, and a water activity of less than 0.80, and is resistant to microbial growth at less than 30.degree. C. and less than 80% relative humidity.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/457,658 filed Dec. 27, 1989.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0304401 |
Feb 1989 |
EPX |
0965349 |
Jul 1964 |
GBX |
2202750 |
Oct 1988 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
457658 |
Dec 1989 |
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