Inventors:
- Neenah WI, US
Gregory J. Wideman - Menasha WI, US
Alphonse Carl DeMarco - Greenville WI, US
Austin Pickett - LaCrosse WI, US
Mark M. Mleziva - Appleton WI, US
Assignee:
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI
International Classification:
A61F 13/26
C08L 29/04
B29C 45/16
A61F 13/20
B29C 45/00
US Classification:
604 11, 2643281, 264241, 523121
Abstract:
A tampon applicator that is water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The tampon applicator can be discreetly disposed of in a toilet without the risk of clogging sewer pipes. The tampon applicator includes a molded thermoplastic composition containing at least one partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol a plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive characteristics of the tampon applicator may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the thermoplastic composition from which the applicator is formed, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the composition is formed, and so forth.