Compositions comprising a thermoplastic component and superabsorbent polymer

{
  "publication_number": "US6458877B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Compositions comprising a thermoplastic component and superabsorbent polymer",
  "abstract": "The present invention relates to a composition comprising a thermoplastic component and at least one superabsorbent polymer, methods of use for such composition, and articles comprising such composition. The composition may be formed into a film layer or applied to an article with various hot melt adhesive application techniques. The composition is useful for a variety of end-uses, particularly for use in disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, feminine napkins and medical dressings.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic component comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one diluent having polar functionality and at least one superabsorbent polymer.",
    "2. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic component is water insensitive.",
    "3. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein said diluent is a plasticizer.",
    "4. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein said diluent is a wax.",
    "5. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the diluent is present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt-% to about 30 wt-%.",
    "6. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer is in the form of particles having a particle size less than about 1000 microns.",
    "7. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer is in the form of particles having a particle size less than about 500 microns.",
    "8. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer is in the form of particles having a particle size less than about 300 microns.",
    "9. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein said superabsorbent polymer is in the form of particles having a particle size less than about 200 microns.",
    "10. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the superabsorbent polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 30 wt-% to about 60 wt-%.",
    "11. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic component comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of block copolymers, amorphous polyolefins, crystalline polyolefins, interpolymers of ethylene and mixtures thereof.",
    "12. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the composition gels at a rate substantially equal to or faster than that of the superabsorbent polymer alone.",
    "13. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the composition gels in less than 1 hour.",
    "14. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the composition gels in less than 30 minutes.",
    "15. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic component is a hot melt adhesive.",
    "16. A film layer disposed on a substrate comprising the thermoplastic composition of claim 1.",
    "17. The thermoplastic composition of claim 16 wherein superabsorbent polymer has a particle size equal to or greater than the thickness of the film.",
    "18. A method of making a film comprising the steps of providing a molten mixture of a composition of claim 1 and forming a substantially continuous film from said molten mixture.",
    "19. A method of applying superabsorbent polymer to a substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing a molten mixture comprising the thermoplastic composition of claim 1; and b) applying said mixture to a substrate.",
    "20. The method of claim 19 wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of, film, paper, nonwoven, tissue, and an absorbent core.",
    "21. A nonwoven web comprising the composition of claim 1.",
    "22. A disposable article comprising a body fluid pervious topsheet and a body fluid impervious backsheet and the composition of claim 1 disposed between said topsheet and backsheet.",
    "23. A thermoplastic composition comprising from about 25 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of a thermoplastic component and about 35 wt-% to about 75 wt-% superabsorbent polymer, said composition having a Brookfield viscosity of less than 30,000 cPs at about 180° C.",
    "24. The thermoplastic composition of claim 23 wherein the thermoplastic component consists essentially of: a) about 10 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of at least one water insoluble polymer; b) 0 wt-% to about 30 wt-% of a plasticizer having polar functionality; and c) 0 wt-% to about 40 wt-% of a tackifier, wax, non-polar plasticizer, or a mixture thereof.",
    "25. A thermoplastic composition comprising about 25 wt-% to about 75 wt-% of a continuous phase of thermoplastic component and about 25 wt-% to about 75 wt-% of a matrix of superabsorbent polymer wherein the superabsorbent gels in less than 3 hours.",
    "26. A thermoplastic composition comprising: a thermoplastic component comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one diluent having polar functionality; and at least one superabsorbent polymer, wherein said composition gels at a rate substantially equal to or faster than that of the superabsorbent polymer alone.",
    "27. A film layer disposed on a substrate, said film layer comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic component comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one diluent having polar functionality; and at least one superabsorbent polymer having a particle size equal to or greater than the thickness of the film layer.",
    "28. A film layer disposed on a substrate, said film layer comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic component comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one diluent having polar functionality; and at least one superabsorbent polymer comprising particles having a particle size equal to or greater than the thickness of the thermoplastic component.",
    "29. A thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic component comprising at least one polymer and at least one diluent having polar functionality; and at least one superabsorbent polymer, said composition comprising at least about 5 wt-% said diluent."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a composition comprising a thermoplastic component and at least one superabsorbent polymer, methods of use for such composition, and articles comprising such composition. The composition may be formed into a film layer or applied to an article with various hot melt adhesive application techniques. The composition is useful for a variety of end-uses, particularly for use in disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, feminine napkins and medical dressings.\n\nWater-insoluble, water swellable hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers, also referred to as superabsorbent polymers (SAP), are capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids such as water, body fluids (e.g., urine, blood), industrial fluids, household fluids and are further capable of retaining such absorbed liquids under moderate pressures.\n\nFor example, SAP is employed in various cable applications to shield the penetration of moisture. When the outer sheath of the cable is damaged allowing penetration of fluids, the SAP absorbs the incoming liquid and swells, forming a physical barrier to the entry of any further fluid. Particulate SAP is typically held in place by means of a hydrosoluble binder. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,077 issued to Anton et al., Jun.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61L 15/225",
    "A61L 15/24",
    "A61L 15/34",
    "A61L 15/60",
    "C08L 101/14",
    "Y10S 524/916",
    "Y10T 428/31714"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61F 13/53",
    "A61L 15/22",
    "A61L 15/60",
    "C08L 101/00",
    "C08L 101/14",
    "H01B 7/282"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Sharf U. Ahmed",
    "Andualem W. Emiru",
    "Leslie J. Clapp",
    "Mark S. Kroll"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2000-08-31",
  "publication_date": "2002-10-01",
  "grant_date": "2002-10-01",
  "priority_date": "1998-05-07",
  "application_number": "US-65247000-A",
  "family_id": "26771152",
  "cited_by_count": 211,
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}