| abstract |
1,217,452. Diapers for infants. CELANESE CORP. 4 Feb., 1969, No. 5830/69. Heading A3V. [Also in Division A5] A toilet flushable sanitary napkin, tampon or diaper comprises a water dispersible absorbent material having a liquid permeable bonded fibre covering on at least one side comprised of biodegradable fibres held together with a water insoluble organic polymer which is non-irritating to the human body, and stable when in contact with liquid body discharges. The polymer binder has a "D-value", i.e. the time in minutes for the degradation of the binder in a standard sized covering sample bonded with a fixed percentage of binder when placed in a standardised degrading solution, of less than 5, and a one inch wide strip of a given sample of covering has a dry break strength of at least 2.0 pounds, a wet strength of at least 0.25 pounds and a dry and wet elongation both of 3 to 50%. The binder preferably comprises 10 to 60% by weight of the covering and is preferably a polymer such as co-polymers of ethylenically unsaturated mono and polycarboxylic acids with ethylenically unsaturated esters or nitriles. Examples are given of the preparation of suitable polymers. Depending upon the binder structure, suitable degrading agents are organic solvents, oxidizers, reducers or acids but alkaline media are preferred. The biodegradable fibres and the absorbent material are both preferably cellulose such as rayon, wood pulps and cotton listers. One side of the absorbent material may be covered by a moisture impermeable film which may be made from the same material used for the binder. The article may incorporate perfumes or deodorants, bacteriostatic and dye additives. |