WO1997038655A1 - A composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility - Google Patents
A composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997038655A1 WO1997038655A1 PCT/US1997/006148 US9706148W WO9738655A1 WO 1997038655 A1 WO1997038655 A1 WO 1997038655A1 US 9706148 W US9706148 W US 9706148W WO 9738655 A1 WO9738655 A1 WO 9738655A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- applicator
- polyvinyl alcohol
- coating
- weight
- percent
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
- A61F13/26—Means for inserting tampons, i.e. applicators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- 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
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/15203—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency
- A61F13/15211—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency soluble or disintegratable in liquid
- A61F2013/15235—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency soluble or disintegratable in liquid by its solubility in water
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
- C08L2205/02—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
- C08L2205/025—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group containing two or more polymers of the same hierarchy C08L, and differing only in parameters such as density, comonomer content, molecular weight, structure
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
- C08L2205/03—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing three or more polymers in a blend
- C08L2205/035—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing three or more polymers in a blend containing four or more polymers in a blend
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L29/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an alcohol, ether, aldehydo, ketonic, acetal or ketal radical; Compositions of hydrolysed polymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L29/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated alcohols
- C08L29/04—Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L71/00—Compositions of polyethers obtained by reactions forming an ether link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L71/02—Polyalkylene oxides
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to tampon applicators. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plastic-type tampon applicator that is biodegradable. The present invention further relates to a plastic-type tampon applicator that remains stable prior to and throughout use. By the unique treatment provided herein, all plastic-type applicators has prolonged flexibility and stable aging. In addition, the present invention includes an outer coating that retains moisture in the applicator and prevents undesirable stickiness.
- tampon applicators after use, are disposed in toilets, trash receptacles and the like. To prevent unwanted problems in septic systems and waste disposal facilities, tampon applicators must be biodegradable.
- tampon applicators are made from a paper- based or plastic-based material. Certain users prefer plastic-type applicators. Such plastic-type tampon applicators are made typically of a polyethylene that is injection molded or extruded. However, polyethylene is not biodegradable. Other tampon applicators have been made of polyvinyl alcohol, which is water dispersible and biodegradable, however such applicators have been found to be sticky and not stable for long periods of time.
- polyvinyl alcohol is made from higher molecular weight polymers and plasticized with glycerine. Such polyvinyl alcohol, however, has been found to have poor solubility in cold water.
- the other type of polyvinyl alcohol, known as cold water soluble, is made from internally plasticized and lower molecular weight resins.
- a polyvinyl alcohol tampon applicator that claims to be biodegradable and water dispersible is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,002,526 to L.E. Herring, which issued on March 26, 1991.
- the tampon applicator is made from a polyvinyl alcohol having less than about 5 percent by weight of plasticizer.
- This patent states that the use of plasticizers at about 20 percent by weight can be expected to result in increased moisture sensitivity, decreased tensile strength, and migration of the plasticizer from the finished product. Accordingly, this applicator produces a slimy or slippery outer surface, even before contact with water.
- Other tampon applicators are made of polyvinyl alcohol with various additives, such as plasticizers and antioxidants. For example, U.S.
- Patent No. 4,849,256 to G.F. Newman which issued on July 18, 1989, provides a method for producing a resin blend including a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin granules that are coated with a plasticizer and then mixed with a powder coating.
- PVA polyvinyl alcohol
- Other components such as antioxidants, dyes, and antiblocking agents, may also be incorporated into the finished product.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,380,529 to J. Heusser, et al . which issued on January 10, 1995, provides a pharmaceutical preparation for application to a vagina having a polyvinyl alcohol and at least two additional components.
- One component is selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, non-ionic surface active agents and dispersing agents.
- compositions that include polyvinyl alcohols with various additives are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,190,712 to T. Oishi, et al., which issued on March 2, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 4,140,668 to Sumi, et al. , which issued in 1979; U.S. Patent No. 4,309,510 to R. Kleber, which issued on January 5, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,323,492 to W. Zimmermann, et al., which issued on April 6, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,389,506 to T. Hassall, Jr., which issued on June 21, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,454,194 to R.H.
- the outer surface of a plastic-based tampon applicator should not be sticky, slippery or slimy.
- the outer surface of a tampon applicator has been coated with a water-insoluble polymer in an attempt to prevent such stickiness or slipperiness.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,372,311 to J.E. Potts which issued on February 8, 1983, provides a disposable article made from a water-soluble polymer in which the surface of the article is coated with a degradable water-insoluble polymer.
- the degradable water-insoluble polymer can be a cyclic ester polymer, a poly ( ⁇ -hydroxy butyrate) , dialkanoyl polymers, such as polyesters and polyurethanes derived from aliphatic polyols, and ethylene polymers.
- a primary object of the present invention to provide a water dissolvable or biodegradable tampon applicator comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and an antioxidant that maintains the stability of the water dissolvable applicator. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a water dissolvable tampon applicator that has been exposed to a humidity environment after its formation, to enhance the flexibility and stable aging of the applicator.
- the present invention in brief summary, is a composition for a water dissolvable tampon applicator that comprises a first polyvinyl alcohol, a second polyvinyl alcohol having a lower percent hydrolysis than the first polyvinyl alcohol, and, preferably, a third polyvinyl alcohol having a lower percent hydrolysis than the first polyvinyl alcohol and a higher viscosity than the second polyvinyl alcohol.
- the composition further comprises a plasticizer and an antioxidant to provide stability to the composition.
- the applicator preferably has a water resistant coating that includes a vinylidene chloride copolymer which reduces stickiness and holds moisture without substantially affecting the water dissolvable properties of the tampon applicator.
- This water resistant coating may also be used on existing plastic applicators.
- the applicator, prior to application of the water resistant coating is preferably subjected to humidity that results in an increase of moisture in the applicator which, thereby, results in an increase in flexibility or stable aging.
- the coating if applied, acts to maintain the moisture in the applicator and, thus, further enhance the stable aging properties of the applicator.
- the present invention provides a tampon applicator composed of a new plastic compound that dissolves in water for disposal after use.
- the plastic compound basically comprises a base resin of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA or PVOH) , a plasticizer and one or more antioxidants.
- Additives may be included to improve the quality, manufacturing and aesthetics of the plastic compound and, correspondingly, facilitate the injection molding or extruding of the plastic compound into a product, such as the tampon applicator of the present invention.
- additives include a flow promoter, a mold release, a pigment and a stabilizer.
- the base resin i.e., polyvinyl alcohol
- the base resin is a water-soluble thermoplastic prepared by partial or complete hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate.
- the polyvinyl alcohol has an empirical formula of (C 4 H 6 0 ? )x. (C 2 H 4 0) y.
- the water solubility of the polyvinyl alcohol can be regulated by controlling the hydrolysis, molecular weight and viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol. By combining two or more different polyvinyl alcohol resins having specific hydrolysis, molecular weight and viscosity properties, the water solubility of the polyvinyl alcohol is controlled.
- three different polyvinyl alcohol resins are combined to form a base compound that is structurally stable for formation into a tampon applicator and, also, is water-soluble.
- These three polyvinyl alcohols are known as intermediate and partially hydrolyzed PVOH, and super and fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol.
- the first polyvinyl alcohol is a polyvinyl alcohol 98% (percent) hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity ingredient that is about 1.0 to about 70.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the second polyvinyl alcohol is a polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity ingredient that is about 1.0 to about 70.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the third polyvinyl alcohol is a polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed low viscosity that is about 1.0 to about 20.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the polyvinyl alcohols resins differ in that the polyvinyl alcohol 98% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity has a higher percent hydrolysis than both the polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity and hydrolyzed low viscosity. Also, the percent hydrolysis of the polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity and the polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed low viscosity are similar, but the viscosity and molecular weight of polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity is lower than the viscosity and molecular weight of polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed low viscosity.
- the first or about 98% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity of about 3.2 to about 4.2 cps, with a number average molecular weight of 7 to 13 thousands and a weight average molecular weight of 13 to 23 thousands.
- the second or about 88% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity of about 3.0 to about 4.0 cps., and with a number average molecular weight of 7 to 13 thousands and a weight average molecular weight of 13 to 23 thousands.
- the third or about 88% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol has a viscosity of about 5.2 to about 6.2 cps with a number average molecular weight of 15 to 27 thousands and a weight average molecular weight of 31 to 50 thousands.
- a plasticizer is mixed with the polyvinyl alcohol ingredients.
- the plasticizer increases the flexibility, workability and/or distensibility of the plastic or elastomer.
- the plasticizer is about 5.0 to about 25.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the plasticizer is Glycerine USP 96% (having a minimum content of 96% by weight of glycerine) .
- Glycerine USP 96% is available from Dow Chemical U.S.A.
- the preferred plastic compound of the present invention also includes at least one antioxidant.
- One antioxidant is a phenolic derivative that provides stability to the plastic compound.
- the antioxidant is about 0.05 to about 1.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the particular phenolic derivative used for the preferred embodiment is octadecyl 3, 5-di-tert-butyl- 4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate having a chemical formula of C 35 H 62 ⁇ 3 .
- One such phenolic derivative, Irgonox 1076 is available from Ciba-Geigy Corporation.
- a stabilizer is also used in the preferred plastic compound.
- a preferred stabilizer is a mixture of phosphorus trichloride and other ingredients. Such a mixture of phosphorus trichloride is available from Sandoz Chemicals under the name Sandostab P-EPQ Powder. This mixture is a phosphorus trichloride that is reacted with 1, 1 ' -biphenyl and 2,4-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenol.
- one or more such stabilizers comprise about 0.50 to about 1.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the plastic compound may also include a flow promoter.
- the flow promoter is about 0.50 to about 5.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the preferred flow promoter is glycerol mono oleate (GMO) which is an unsaturated distilled glycerol ester derived from vegetable oils with at least 96% monoester content.
- GMO glycerol mono oleate
- Pationic 907 available from American Ingredients Co., is the preferred GMO.
- Titanium dioxide (Ti0 2 ) , also known as titania and rutile, is used in the preferred embodiment. Titanium dioxide is an inorganic oxide that is commercially available from many sources, including DuPont Chemicals.
- a mold release agent may be included in order to facilitate the manufacture of the tampon applicator.
- the mold release agent is about 0.50 to about 5.0 percent by weight of the total weight of the plastic compound.
- the preferred mold release is polyethylene glycol.
- the preferred polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight about 500.
- a commercially available mold release agent is TPEG 500 available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company Inc.
- Another additive that may be included is a polyvinyl alcohol ash neutralizer, such as phosphoric acid. The weight percent of the ash neutralizer is a function of the ash content of the incoming polyvinyl alcohol and, thus, will vary.
- the surface of the applicator is coated with a water resistant coating.
- the coating should possess excellent flat and creased barrier properties to water vapor, gas, grease and oil and low foam characteristics. Also, the coating should be very stable to mechanical shear, and possess good film forming properties at temperatures just above room temperature and higher.
- the coating is a vinylidene chloride copolymer latex.
- the particular coating of the preferred embodiment is a vinylidene chloride-butyl acrylate- acrylonitrile polymer dispersion in water.
- the preferred particular coating is a product known as Daran SL 143 distributed by Hampshire Chemical Corporation.
- This particular coating is believed effective for all known polyvinyl alcohol tampon applicators to reduce stickiness and slipperiness of the applicator.
- Such known applicators as stated above, have one polyvinyl alcohol base resin, and may include a plasticizer. It is believed that this particular coating is also effective to reduce stickiness and slipperiness when used on other polyvinyl applicators.
- the coating may be formulated with wax, pigment, and other additives to improve slip, block resistance and other surface characteristics, and wetability on hard-to-wet substrates.
- the molded article is exposed to a humidified environment prior to application of the coating.
- the humidity environment may be created by moisture, in the form of water vapor, applied to the applicator using conventional equipment and familiar methods.
- the humidified environment can be any environment that permits the applicator to increase moisture. Laboratory tests have found that the water vapor should, for a three (3) gram applicator, increase the applicator's weight from about 0.16 to about 0.20 grams.
- the added moisture is about 5.0 to about 6.6 percent by weight of the total weight of the molded article or tampon.
- the added moisture makes the applicator flexible for a longer period of time thereby increasing the stable "aging" of the applicator. If greater moisture than set forth above is added, the applicator has been found to be too sticky, while less moisture than set forth above has been found not to provide the desired, extended flexibility.
- the coating which is applied after exposure of the formed applicator to the humidity environment, serves as a barrier to retain moisture, including the added moisture. This feature increases the stable aging of the applicator. It should be understood, however, that the present invention has revealed that exposure to a humidified environment will increase the flexibility and, thus, stable aging of all types of polyvinyl applicators.
- the water resistant coating of the applicator is preferably applied by a pan coating process. In this pan coating process, the molded and, preferably humidified, article is placed inside a rotating "pan" or drum. Within the pan is a spray gun that delivers the coating onto the applicator or product in the form of atomized droplets.
- the environment inside the drum and the spray rate is optimized so as to insure that the most uniform film coating is achieved with the smallest amount of heat being added to the humidified applicator.
- Typical optimum conditions for film coating using a 90 liter capacity pan coater are: an airflow of 400 to 700 cubic feet per minute (cfm) , processing air temperatures of 20 to 45 degrees centigrade (C) , and a spray rate of 33 gms./min.
- the most preferred embodiment of the water dissolvable tampon applicator of the present invention has the following ingredients, percent composition by weight and primary function:
- Glycerine 16. .55 plasticizer Glycerol Mono Oleate (GMO) 2. .61 flow promoter
- Titanium Dioxide 2. .18 pigment
- Phenolic derivative (C35H 62 O 3 ) 0. .11 antioxidant & stabilizer Phosphorus Trichloride mixture 0. .22 stabilizer 85% Phosphoric Acid 0. .89 PVOH ash " neutralizer
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU26114/97A AU2611497A (en) | 1996-04-15 | 1997-04-14 | A composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility |
CA002251747A CA2251747C (en) | 1996-04-15 | 1997-04-14 | A composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/632,201 US5954683A (en) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-04-15 | Composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility |
US08/632,201 | 1996-04-15 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO1997038655A1 true WO1997038655A1 (en) | 1997-10-23 |
Family
ID=24534510
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/006148 WO1997038655A1 (en) | 1996-04-15 | 1997-04-14 | A composition and coating for a disposable tampon applicator and method of increasing applicator flexibility |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5954683A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2611497A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2251747C (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997038655A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB2449126A (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2008-11-12 | Rachael Jayne Pearson | Water soluble hygiene product |
CN109923172A (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2019-06-21 | 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 | Material that is thermoplastic injection-molded and can breaking up |
Families Citing this family (11)
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US6730057B2 (en) | 2001-03-16 | 2004-05-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flushable tampon applicators |
US7727208B2 (en) | 2002-09-12 | 2010-06-01 | Playtex Products, Inc. | Ergonomic tampon applicator |
US9192522B2 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2015-11-24 | Eveready Battery Company, Inc. | Tampon assembly having shaped pledget |
US7887525B2 (en) | 2003-06-26 | 2011-02-15 | Playtex Products, Inc. | Coating composition with color and/or optical components and a tampon applicator coated therewith |
WO2005086787A2 (en) | 2004-03-08 | 2005-09-22 | Playtex Products, Inc. | Tampon applicator and method for making same |
US9320656B2 (en) | 2013-11-27 | 2016-04-26 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Water-dispersible thermoplastic injection molded composition |
US9456931B2 (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2016-10-04 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Thermoplastic and water-dispersible injection moldable materials and articles |
US9339580B2 (en) | 2013-11-27 | 2016-05-17 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Flushable tampon applicator |
KR102062622B1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2020-01-06 | 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크. | Thermoplastic injection molding and flushable material molding |
US11123228B2 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2021-09-21 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable tampon applicator |
WO2018102157A1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2018-06-07 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable materials |
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- 1997-04-14 CA CA002251747A patent/CA2251747C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-14 WO PCT/US1997/006148 patent/WO1997038655A1/en active Application Filing
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2449126A (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2008-11-12 | Rachael Jayne Pearson | Water soluble hygiene product |
CN109923172A (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2019-06-21 | 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 | Material that is thermoplastic injection-molded and can breaking up |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2611497A (en) | 1997-11-07 |
CA2251747C (en) | 2008-01-22 |
US5954683A (en) | 1999-09-21 |
CA2251747A1 (en) | 1997-10-23 |
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