# US 2015/0148733 A1 · Thermoplastic and Water-Dispersible Injection Moldable Materials and Articles

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- Number: US 2015/0148733 A1
- Document ID: US20150148733A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/092,087
- Filed: 2013-11-27
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-27
- Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
- Applicants: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
- Inventors: James H. Wang; Gregory J. Wideman; Alphonse Carl DeMarco; Austin Pickett; Mark M. Mleziva
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150148733A1

## CPC

- A61F 13/266: {Insertion devices, e.g. rods or plungers, separate from the tampon}
- A61F 13/2097: {method of manufacturing tampon applicators}
- B29C 45/0001: {characterised by the choice of material}
- C08K 5/053: Polyhydroxylic alcohols
- C08L 29/04: Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids
- B29K 2029/04: {PVOH, i.e. polyvinyl alcohol (B29K2031/04 takes precedence)}
- B29K 2105/0038: {Plasticisers}
- B29K 2105/0088: {Blends of polymers}
- B29K 2105/251: {Particles, powder or granules (expandable particles B29K2105/046)}
- B29K 2995/0062: water-soluble
- B29L 2023/00: Tubular articles (B29L2024/00 takes precedence {; catheters B29L2031/7542})
- C08L 2205/025: containing two or more polymers of the same hierarchy C08L, and differing only in parameters such as density, comonomer content, molecular weight, structure
- 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)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing at least one partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flushable tampon applicator, the tampon applicator comprising an outer tube for housing a tampon and comprising an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, further wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition, the thermoplastic composition comprising:
from about 50 wt. % to about 98 wt. % of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, the partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols comprising a first polyvinyl alcohol and a second polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the viscosity of the first polyvinyl alcohol is less than the viscosity of the second polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein the weight percentage ratio of the first polyvinyl alcohol to the second polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 20; and
from about 2 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticizer; wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the first polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 1 centipoise to about 3.5 centipoise and the second polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 3.5 centipoise to about 15 centipoise.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tampon applicator of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic composition further comprises a third polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the third polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed and has a viscosity that is greater than the viscosity of the first polyvinyl alcohol and the second polyvinyl alcohol.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tampon applicator of claim 3, wherein the weight percentage ratio of the second polyvinyl alcohol to the third polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 10.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator has a peak elongation of from about 40% to about 200%.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator has a modulus of from about 100 MPa to about 2000 MPa.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is a polyhydric alcohol.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The tampon applicator of claim 7, wherein the plasticizer is a polyol.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The tampon applicator of claim 7, wherein the plasticizer is glycerol.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the body-contacting surface of the outer tube includes a water-insoluble material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The tampon applicator of claim 10, wherein the ratio of the weight percentage of the water-insoluble material to the thermoplastic composition ranges from about 0.005 to about 1.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The tampon applicator of claim 10, wherein the water-insoluble material comprises a wax, silicon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, a polyester, polyamide, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a melt flow rate of from about 40 grams per 10 minutes to about 160 grams per 10 minutes when subjected to a load of 2160 grams at a temperature of 190° C. according to ASTM Test Method D1238-E.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator is injection molded.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The tampon applicator of claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator disintegrates in tap water in less than about 18 hours, wherein the tap water has a temperature of less than about 25° C.

### Claim 16

A method for forming an injection molded part, the method comprising:
injection molding a pelletized, water-dispersible, thermoplastic composition into a mold cavity, wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises from about 50 wt. % to about 98 wt. % of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, the partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols comprising a first polyvinyl alcohol and a second polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the viscosity of the first polyvinyl alcohol is less than the viscosity of the second polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein the weight percentage ratio of the first polyvinyl alcohol to the second polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 20; and from about 2 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticizer, wherein the composition has a melt flow rate of from about 40 grams per 10 minutes to about 160 grams per 10 minutes when subjected to a load of 2160 grams at a temperature of 190° C. according to ASTM Test Method D1238-E; and
shaping the thermoplastic composition into a molded part within the mold cavity.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the first polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 1 centipoise to about 3.5 centipoise and the second polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 3.5 centipoise to about 15 centipoise.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic composition further comprises a third polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the third polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed and has a viscosity that is greater than the viscosity of the first polyvinyl alcohol and the second polyvinyl alcohol.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the weight percentage ratio of the second polyvinyl alcohol to the third polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 10.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising a co-injection molding process, wherein the injection molded part is a two layered molded part having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer comprises the injection-molded, thermoplastic composition and the outer layer is water-insoluble.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the outer layer comprises from about 1 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of the injection molded part and the inner layer comprises from about 50 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of the injection molded part.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the outer layer comprises a wax, silicon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, a polyester, polyamide, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the molded part is a tampon applicator.

### Claim 24

A water-dispersible, thermoplastic composition, the thermoplastic composition comprising:
from about 50 wt. % to about 98 wt. % of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, the partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols comprising a first polyvinyl alcohol and a second polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the weight percentage ratio of the first polyvinyl alcohol to the second polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 20, and wherein the first polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 1 centipoise to about 3.5 centipoise and the second polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity ranging from about 3.5 centipoise to about 15 centipoise; and
from about 2 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticizer, wherein the composition has a melt flow rate of from about 40 grams per 10 minutes to about 160 grams per 10 minutes when subjected to a load of 2160 grams at a temperature of 190° C. according to ASTM Test Method D1238-E.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The water-dispersible, thermoplastic of claim 24, wherein the thermoplastic composition further comprises a third polyvinyl alcohol, wherein the third polyvinyl alcohol is partially hydrolyzed and has a viscosity that is greater than the viscosity of the first polyvinyl alcohol and the second polyvinyl alcohol.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The water-dispersible, thermoplastic composition of claim 25, wherein the weight percentage ratio of the second polyvinyl alcohol to the third polyvinyl alcohol ranges from about 1 to about 10.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

An injection molded article comprising the water-dispersible, thermoplastic composition of claim 24.