Auto-Biodegradable Absorbent Articles
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorStephen Quirk
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Abstract
An auto-biodegradable absorbent article formed at least in part from a biodegradable polymer is provided that includes an inactivated microorganism product. The absorbent article contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the absorbent article are particularly selected based upon their salt tolerance and enzyme production at certain salt concentrations.
Claims24
A biodegradable absorbent article, comprising:
- at least a first layer comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer;
- and
- an inactivated microorganism product, the inactivated microorganism product comprising at least one type of microorganism;
- and
- wherein the inactivated microorganism product is configured to activate upon contacting a salt containing liquid having a salt concentration of about 50 millimolar or greater, wherein the at least one type of microorganism produces an enzyme that degrades the polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer and increases a rate at which the polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer breaks down upon contact with the salt containing liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.