Sustainable Biopolymer Compositions for Skin-Contact Wearable Articles

A multi-layer sustainable biopolymer article for skin-contact applications, comprising:

• a structural backing layer, comprising a first composition comprising:
• a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide-based polymers, plant-derived polymers, microbial polysaccharides, animal-derived polymers, and combinations thereof, and
• a humectant material selected from the group consisting of disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugar alcohols, oligosaccharides, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the structural backing layer is in a dehydrated state;
• and
• a skin-contact adhesive layer, comprising a second composition comprising:
• a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide-based polymers, plant-derived polymers, microbial polysaccharides, animal-derived polymers, and combinations thereof,
• a humectant material selected from the group consisting of disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugar alcohols, oligosaccharides, and combinations thereof, and
• wherein the gelling agent content of the skin-contact adhesive layer is greater than a gelling agent content of the structural backing layer, and
• wherein the skin-contact adhesive layer is configured to contact skin and provide adhesion.

A method of manufacturing a sustainable biopolymer material for skin-contact applications, comprising:

• dissolving at least one gelling agent selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide-based polymers, plant-derived polymers, microbial polysaccharides, animal-derived polymers, and combinations thereof in water to form a solution;
• adding at least one humectant material selected from the group consisting of disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugar alcohols, oligosaccharides, and combinations thereof to the solution;
• heating the solution;
• pouring the solution into a three-dimensional mold;
• and
• dehydrating the molded solution by air drying to form the sustainable biopolymer material, wherein the dehydrating produces a first surface having greater tackiness and a second surface having greater structural stability.