Thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsFeng Chen, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva
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Abstract
A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article is provided. The film contains an ethylene polymer, a nanoclay having an organic surface treatment, and a compatibilizer that includes an olefin polymer containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the modulus and tensile strength of the film can be significantly improved without having an adverse impact on its ductility.
Claims26
An absorbent article comprising:
- a liquid permeable layer;
- a generally liquid-impermeable layer that contains a film having a thickness of about 50 micrometers or less, wherein the film contains a layer that is formed from a polymer composition, the polymer composition containing
- an ethylene polymer that constitutes from about 75 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of the polymer composition,
- nanoclay having an organic surface treatment that constitutes from about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the polyer composition, and
- a polyolefin compatibilizer that contains an olefin component and a polar component that constitutes from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the polymer composition,
- wherein the film exhibits a normalized Young's modulus, defined as the Young's modulus divided by an average film thickness in micrometers, in the machine direction and/or cross-machine direction of from about 5 to about 50 Megapascals per micrometer, an ultimate tensile strength in the machine direction and/or cross-machine direction of from about 20 to about 150 Megapascals;
- wherein the film exhibits a peak elongation in the machine direction of about 400% or more and/or a peak elongation in the cross-machine direction of about 750% or more, and
- an absorbent core positioned between the liquid permeable layer and the generally liquid-impermeable layer.
A film having a thickness of about 50 micrometers or less, wherein the film contains a layer that is formed from a polymer composition, the polymer composition containing
- from about 75 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of an α-olefin/ethylene copolymer,
- from about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a nanoclay having an organic surface, and
- from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a polyolefin compatibilizer that contains an olefin component and a polar component,
- wherein the film exhibits a peak elongation of about 450% or more in the machine direction and/or a peak elongation in the cross-machine direction of 750% or more;
- and ultimate tensile strength of from about 20 to about 150 MPa in the machine direction and/or cross-machine direction, and
- wherein the film exhibits a normalized Young's modulus, defined as the Young's modulus divided by an average film thickness in micrometers, in the machine direction and/or cross-machine direction of from about 5 to about 50 Megapascals per micrometer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.