Melt processable poly(ethylene oxide) fibers
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJAMES HONGXUE WANG, DAVID MICHAEL SCHERTZ
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Abstract
Melt processable, flushable polymer fibers and methods of making melt processable, flushable polymer fibers are disclosed. The fibers comprise poly(ethylene oxide). Preferably, the poly(ethylene oxide) is modified by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and can be used to melt process poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of thinner diameters.
Claims20
A fiber comprising poly(ethylene oxide) that is water-soluble and melt processable.
A fiber comprising a modified poly(ethylene oxide).
A method for processing poly(ethylene oxide) fibers comprising the steps of:
- a) adding a poly(ethylene oxide), a monomer, and an initiator into a reaction vessel;
- b) mixing the poly(ethylene oxide), the monomer and the initiator under conditions sufficient to graft the polar vinyl monomer onto the poly(ethylene oxide);
- and
- c) drawing fibers from the poly(ethylene oxide).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.