# US 10,765,569 B2 · Synthetic surfactant-free finish, sheet having synthetic surfactant-free finish, articles having sheet with synthetic surfactant-free finish, and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,569 B2 - Document ID: US10765569B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/707,603 - Filed: 2017-09-18 - Published: 2018-01-04 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-14 - Assignees: Attends Healthcare Products, Inc. - Applicants: Attends Healthcare Products, Inc. - Inventors: Harry J. Chmielewski; Edward L. Seames - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765569B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/513: {characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect;} having areas of different permeability - A61F 13/51113: {comprising an additive, e.g. lotion or odour control (A61F13/51108 takes precedence)} - A61L 15/24: Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof {(A61L15/225 takes precedence)} - A61L 15/32: Proteins, polypeptides; Degradation products or derivatives thereof, e.g. albumin, collagen, fibrin, gelatin {(A61L15/225 takes precedence)} - A61L 15/62: {Compostable,} hydrosoluble or hydrodegradable materials - C09D 189/00: Coating compositions based on proteins; Coating compositions based on derivatives thereof - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract Nonwoven (and film) topsheet and acquisition/distribution materials treated with a hydrophilic, synthetic surfactant-free finish, absorbent articles for infant or incontinence care that contain these materials, and methods for apply such finishes and/or making such absorbent articles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydrophilic, synthetic sheet comprising: a sheet of synthetic material having a first surface; where the sheet comprises a hydrophilic finish including molecules of a water-soluble protein dispersed on the first surface; where the finish includes substantially no synthetic surfactants; where a 0.5-10% aqueous solution of the water-soluble protein has a surface tension of less than 49 milliNewtons per meter (mN/m); and the water-soluble protein comprises soy protein isolate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein the finish does not include synthetic materials capable of reducing the surface tension of water below 50 mN/m. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises a nonwoven fabric or a film. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, where the sheet is a topsheet of an absorbent article. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein the sheet is a distribution-acquisition layer of an absorbent article. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble protein comprises a thermally-denatured protein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein a 1.2-10% aqueous solution of the water-soluble protein has a surface tension of less than 49 mN/m. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sheet of claim 1, wherein at least 0.004 grams of the molecules of the water-soluble protein are dispersed on the sheet for each gram of sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A disposable absorbent article comprising: a topsheet comprising the sheet of claim 1; a backsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A disposable absorbent article comprising: a topsheet; a distribution-acquisition layer comprising the sheet of claim 1; a backsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the distribution-acquisition layer and the backsheet. ### Claim 11 A method of imparting hydrophilic properties to a sheet of polymeric material, the method comprising: applying a 0.5-10% aqueous solution of a water-soluble protein having a surface tension of less than 49 milliNewtons per meter (mN/m) to a sheet of polymeric material in an aqueous solution; and drying the sheet such that at least a portion of the protein is retained on a surface of the sheet; where the aqueous solution is substantially free of synthetic surfactants; and where the protein comprises soy protein isolate. ### Claim 12 A finish for a synthetic nonwoven or film, the finish comprising: an 0.5-10% aqueous solution of a water-soluble, thermally-denatured protein, the solution having a surface tension less than 49 milliNewtons per meter (mN/m); where the aqueous solution is substantially free of synthetic surfactants; and where the protein comprises soy protein isolate.