US 10,501,920 B2 · 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.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for making a superabsorbent polymer for use in a disposable absorbent article, the method comprising:

(a) deriving a sugar from a renewable resource;
(b) fermenting the sugar to yield lactic acid using a microorganism;
(c) dehydrating the lactic acid to provide acrylic acid;
and
(d) polymerizing the acrylic acid to form a superabsorbent polymer;
wherein the superabsorbent polymer has a 14C/C ratio of about 1.0×10−14 or greater and exhibits an Absorption Against Pressure (AAP) value of at least about 15 g saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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

Life of this patent

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

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22