Abstract:
A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and also facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature that is low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture found in the starch. Furthermore, the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is also modified with an alcohol so that it contains one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a molecular weight that is relatively low. Such low molecular weight polymers have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
A cleaning medium or formulation that contains a sporicidal composition is described. The composition includes about 0.1-20% weight/weight of a germinant agent, about 0.01-75% w/w of an antimicrobial agent, in terms of dry or wet total weight, and which is admixed with water to generate a solution with a pH of 3.5-9.5. The composition can help trigger the germination of spores, in particular C. difficile, and subsequently deactivate or kill the spores. A means of applying the cleaning formulation in a medium and process for cleaning are also described.
Abstract:
A biodegradable fiber that is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains polylactic acid, a plasticizer, and a compatibilizer is provided. The compatibilizer includes a polymer that is modified with a polar compound that is compatible with the plasticizer and a non-polar component provided by the polymer backbone that is compatible with polylactic acid. Such functionalized polymers may thus stabilize each of the polymer phases and reduce plasticizer migration. By reducing the plasticizer migration, the composition may remain ductile and soft. Further, addition of the functionalized polymer may also promote improved bonding and initiate crystallization faster than conventional polylactic acid fibers. The polar compound includes an organic acid, an anhydride of an organic acid, an amide of an organic acid, or a combination thereof. Such compounds are believed to be more compatible with the generally acidic nature of the polylactic acid fibers.
Abstract:
A method for forming a biodegradable polylactic acid suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, a polylactic acid is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polylactic acid having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified polylactic acid may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polylactic acid. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and also facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature that is low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture found in the starch. Furthermore, the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is also modified with an alcohol so that it contains one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a molecular weight that is relatively low. Such low molecular weight polymers have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
The invention provides the nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence for the enzyme carboxylic acid reductase isolated from bacteria. Expression cassettes, vectors, transformed cells, and variants are also provided as methods for use of recombinant biocatalytic reagents in production of synthetic, aromatic, aliphatic and alicyclic aldehydes and alcohols.
Abstract:
Methods for adjusting the solubility of a botanical oil in water, along with the resulting modified botanical oil and related products (e.g., treatment compositions, wipes, absorbent articles, etc.) are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the botanical oil to form a reactive product (e.g., having a hydroxyl group); and attaching a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid salt, a sugar, etc.) on the reactive product to form a modified botanical oil. The modified botanical oil generally, in most embodiments, has a greater solubility in water than the botanical oil (e.g., a solubility in water of about 10 grams per 100 grams of water or greater, such as completely soluble in water). The botanical oil includes, in one particular embodiment, an essential oil, such as those essential oil that include at least one terpene compound.
Abstract:
A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: C2H4Ox (A) wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: CnH2nOy (B) wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.
Abstract translation:提供了一种形成纤维的方法。 该方法包括向熔融加工装置供应至少一种芳族聚酯,并在装置内用至少一种聚醚共聚物改性芳族聚酯以形成熔体流动速率大于芳族聚酯的熔体流动速率的热塑性组合物 。 聚醚共聚物含有具有下式的重复单元(A):C 2 H 4 O x(A)其中x为1至250的整数,聚醚共聚物还含有具有下式的重复单元(B):C n H 2n O y(B) 其中n为3至20的整数; y为1〜150的整数。
Abstract:
A biodegradable fiber that is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains polylactic acid, a plasticizer, and a compatibilizer is provided. The compatibilizer includes a polymer that is modified with a polar compound that is compatible with the plasticizer and a non-polar component provided by the polymer backbone that is compatible with polylactic acid. Such functionalized polymers may thus stabilize each of the polymer phases and reduce plasticizer migration. By reducing the plasticizer migration, the composition may remain ductile and soft. Further, addition of the functionalized polymer may also promote improved bonding and initiate crystallization faster than conventional polylactic acid fibers. The polar compound includes an organic acid, an anhydride of an organic acid, an amide of an organic acid, or a combination thereof. Such compounds are believed to be more compatible with the generally acidic nature of the polylactic acid fibers.