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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsVasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Mark M. Mleziva
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A polymeric material having anisotropic properties, such as mechanical properties (e.g., modulus of elasticity), thermal properties, barrier properties (e.g., breathability), and so forth, is provided. The anisotropic properties can be achieved for a single, monolithic polymeric material through selective control over the manner in which the material is formed. For example, one or more zones of the polymeric material can be strained to create a unique network of pores within the strained zone(s). However, zones of the polymeric material that are not subjected to the same degree of deformational strain will not have the same pore volume, and in some cases, may even lack a porous network altogether.
A polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer, and further wherein a microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, wherein the polymeric material defines a first zone that is contiguous to a second zone, wherein a porous network is formed within the first zone such that the first zone exhibits a greater pore volume than the second zone.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.