Moisture responsive composite material

Abstract

Disclosed herein are moisture responsive composites capable of undergoing a shape change upon exposure to moisture. The composite material includes a moisture responsive layer that includes a moisture responsive polymer system. The moisture responsive layer is laminated to the backing layer. When exposed to moisture, the moisture-responsive composite material bends from a first position to a second position.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to Related Patent Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 477,999, filed December 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Elastic films and laminates are widely used in personal care products such as diapers and training pants. However, elastic materials are often difficult to integrate into automated production sequences. For example, the tension in the elastic creates challenges in cutting and other converting processes, which slows manufacturing and creates waste.

[0004] Thus, there remains a need in the art for materials that are more suitable for high speed converting processes and that are still able to provide some of the benefits of elastic materials in personal care products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Disclosed herein are moisture-responsive composite materials that can undergo shape changes when exposed to moisture. The composite material includes a moisture-responsive layer laminated to a backing layer. In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive layer is composed of a moisture-responsive polymer system, which can be formed by, for example, at least one hydrophilic polymer and at least one elastomer. The components of the moisture-responsive polymer system can be coextruded to provide a polymer film that can be stretched in one or more directions during or after extrusion to define the moisture-responsive layer. The moisture-responsive layer can be laminated to a backing layer, which, in some embodiments, can be formed by a material that does not include a moisture-responsive polymer system for the moisture-responsive layer.

[0006] When the moisture-responsive composite material is exposed to moisture, a shape change is induced in the composite material. In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive composite material is in a substantially flat configuration before exposure to moisture and bends (e.g., bends into a semi-circular shape) after exposure to moisture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, in a fastened state according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is in a stretched and relaxed state Figure 2 Top plan view of an absorbent article.

[0009] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an absorbent article, such as a pair of pants, according to another embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 It is in a stretched flat state Figure 4 Top plan view of an absorbent article.

[0011] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 Front perspective cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG, wherein the absorbent article is in a relaxed configuration.

[0012] Figure 6 illustrates the effect of moisture on the moisture-responsive composite material (100). A saline solution is dropped onto the surface of the moisture-responsive polymer system (102). Figure 6A ) and starts to bend within 15 seconds. The rest of Figure 6 depicts the 30 seconds ( Figure 6B ), 60 seconds( Figure 6C ), 80 seconds( Figure 6D ), 100 seconds( Figure 6E ) and 120 seconds ( Figure 6F ) after the composite material. Bending was accelerated from 50 seconds to 60 seconds and completed within 2 minutes ( Figure 6C-6F ).

[0013] FIG7 depicts the movement of the composite material (200) under the action of atmospheric motion: at the time of generation ( Figure 7A ), two days later ( Figure 7B ) and one week later ( Figure 7C ).

[0014] Figure 8 Depicted are x-ray diffraction of the moisture-responsive polymer system before exposure to water, after exposure to water, and after drying.

[0015] Figure 9 Depicted are load versus strain curves stretched to 300% of the original length of a 60 wt% PEO, 40% G1645 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1 :1 ratio) film.

[0016] Figure 10 Load versus extension curves showing the multi-cycle elastic behavior of an activated pseudoplastic containing 60 wt% PEO, 40% G1645 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1:1 ratio) are depicted.

[0017] Figure 11 A load versus strain curve showing elastic tension of 100% Kraton D1161 at 300% strain of approximately 500 g force is depicted.

[0018] Figure 12 A load versus extension curve showing pseudoelasticity of the 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% D1161 moisture responsive polymer system is depicted, indicating a stretching force of approximately 2200 g.

[0019] Figure 13Load versus strain curves showing the elastic tension of the membrane after activation by contact with saline are depicted.

[0020] Figure 14 The load versus extension curve for a film having 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (D1161 / Vistamaxx=1:1) stretched to a stop of 300% is depicted.

[0021] Figure 15 Depicted are load versus strain curves showing multi-cycle testing for 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (D1161 / Vistamaxx=1:1) after activation in saline.

[0022] Figure 16 Load versus strain curves are depicted for a film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (80 wt% D1161, 15 wt% CaCO3, 5 wt% PE (Dowlox 2407)) stretched to 300%.

[0023] Figure 17 Depicted are load versus strain curves showing elastic testing for a film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (80 wt% D1161, 15 wt% CaCO3, 5 wt% PE (Dowlox 2407)) after activation in saline.

[0024] Figure 18 The load versus extension curves for a film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (Kraton D1161 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1:1 ratio)) are depicted, showing the dimensional stability of the moisture responsive polymer system.

[0025] Figure 19 The load versus strain curve for a film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (Kraton D1161 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1:1 ratio)) is depicted, showing the elasticity of the activated moisture-responsive polymer system.

[0026] Figure 20 DSC analysis of 100% PEO is depicted.

[0027] Figure 21 Depicted is the DSC analysis of 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% K / V (1:1 ratio).

[0028] definition

[0029] Components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems are disclosed. These and other components are disclosed herein. It should be understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, while specific reference to each individual and collective combination and arrangement of these components may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application, including but not limited to the steps in the disclosed methods. Therefore, if there are multiple additional steps that can be performed, it should be understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

[0030] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the from particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations by use of the antecedent "about," it should be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It should also be understood that the endpoints of each range are significant relative to the other endpoint and are independent of the other endpoint.

[0031] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0032] As used herein, an article or system is "moisture responsive" if it is capable of undergoing a physical change when exposed to water. In some embodiments, the physical change is a change in shape, such as curling, bending, or curving.

[0033] As used herein, the term "molecular weight Mw" refers to the weight average molecular weight. The weight average molecular weight may also be abbreviated "MW w "express

[0034] As used herein, the term "molecular weight, Mn" refers to the number average molecular weight. The number average molecular weight may also be abbreviated "MW n "express

[0035] As used herein, "polyethylene glycol," "poly(ethylene glycol)," "polyethylene oxide," "poly(ethylene oxide)," "PEG," and "PEO" each refer interchangeably to a polyol having the formula H-[OCH2CH2] n -OH polymers, wherein the number of monomer units is given by the average molecular weight of the polymer.

[0036] As used herein, "machine direction" refers to the direction in which an extruded polymer film exits the extrusion machine. In the case of polymer films, the machine direction is along an axis parallel to the film and is oriented in the direction the film exits the extrusion machine.

[0037] As used herein, "cross direction" and "across direction" (used interchangeably) refer to directions along the axis parallel to the film and oriented perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0038] As used herein, "uniaxially stretched" refers to a polymer film that is stretched in a single direction (e.g., the machine direction). Films that are stretched by applying forces opposing each other, as well as films that are stretched by applying a force to one end of the film while holding the other end stationary, are both considered uniaxially stretched.

[0039] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and its variants, such as "include" and "comprising" mean "including but not limited to", and are not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. "Exemplary" means "example" and is not intended to convey the meaning of a preferred or ideal embodiment. "Such as" is not used in a limiting sense, but for illustrative purposes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Before disclosing and describing the methods and systems of the present invention, it should be understood that these methods and systems are not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific components or specific compositions. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

[0041] Components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems are disclosed. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it should be understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, while specific reference to each of these various individual and collective combinations and arrangements may not be explicitly disclosed, each component is specifically contemplated and described herein for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application, including, but not limited to, the steps in the disclosed methods. Therefore, if there are multiple additional steps that can be performed, it should be understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

[0042] Moisture-responsive composite materials

[0043] Disclosed herein is a composite material that can undergo shape change when exposed to moisture (e.g., water). In various embodiments, the composite material is a laminate with at least one moisture responsive layer and a backing layer. The moisture responsive layer includes a moisture responsive polymer system (e.g., one or more hydrophilic polymers and one or more elastomers). The moisture responsive layer and the backing layer are laminated together so that they remain attached to each other even when wet, thereby forming a moisture responsive composite material. The resulting moisture responsive composite material can be a laminate with width, length, and thickness.

[0044] When exposed to moisture, the moisture responsive composite material undergoes shape change. Shape change can be bending, curling or coiling in one or more directions. For example, in some embodiments, shape change can be up to 360 ° of bending of the moisture responsive composite material. In some embodiments, shape change is up to 180 ° of bending of the moisture responsive composite material. In various embodiments, the moisture responsive composite material includes at least one elastic polymer under tension, so that being exposed to moisture releases the tension force stored and causes the moisture responsive composite material to change its shape.

[0045] In various embodiments, the moisture-responsive layer and the backing layer can be distinguished by, for example, their respective moduli. Typically, the backing layer will have a higher modulus than the moisture-responsive layer. For example, in some embodiments, the modulus of the backing layer will be at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400%, or at least 500% of the modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0046] In some embodiments, the backing layer and the moisture-responsive layer can be distinguished by their elastic modulus. Typically, the backing layer will have a higher elastic modulus than the moisture-responsive layer. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the backing layer will be at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400%, or at least 500% of the elastic modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0047] In some embodiments, the backing layer and the moisture-responsive layer can be distinguished by their Young's modulus. Typically, the backing layer will have a higher Young's modulus than the moisture-responsive layer. In some embodiments, the Young's modulus of the backing layer will be at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400%, or at least 500% of the Young's modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0048] In some embodiments, the backing layer and the moisture-responsive layer can be distinguished by their flexural modulus. Typically, the backing layer will have a higher flexural modulus than the moisture-responsive layer. In some embodiments, the flexural modulus of the backing layer will be at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400%, or at least 500% of the flexural modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0049] In some embodiments, the backing layer and the moisture-responsive layer can be distinguished by their bending stiffness. Typically, the backing layer will have a higher bending stiffness than the moisture-responsive layer. In some embodiments, the bending stiffness of the backing layer will be at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400%, or at least 500% of the bending stiffness of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0050] In various embodiments, the moisture responsive layer can be laminated to the backing layer using adhesive or (for example, the fusion and / or self-adhesion of fiber, without applying external adhesive) using adhesive. For example, self-bonding can be achieved by contacting them when each layer is in a semi-molten or tacky state, or simply by blending tackifying resins and / or solvents with the materials for forming a backing layer or a moisture responsive polymer layer. Suitable self-bonding technology can include ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, ventilation bonding, calendering bonding, etc., as long as the resulting laminate can not separate in the presence of moisture. Suitable adhesive can include, for example, hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, etc. When utilized, adhesive can be applied as uniform layer, patterned layer, spray pattern or any independent line, vortex or point.

[0051] Moisture responsive layer

[0052] In various embodiments, the moisture-responsive layer comprises one or more moisture-responsive polymer systems. In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises one or more hydrophilic polymers and one or more elastomers.

[0053] Hydrophilic polymer (of moisture-responsive polymer system)

[0054] Exemplary hydrophilic polymers include poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate), poly(hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(vinyl pyridine), poly(meth)acrylamide, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide), copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer comprises a poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer (i.e., "PEO"), a poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymer (i.e., "PEO-PPO"), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) copolymer is a block copolymer, such as PPO-PEO-PPO or PEO-PPO-PEO. In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer comprises two different poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers, wherein the two polymers differ in molecular weight.

[0055] In some embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer may have an average molecular weight (MW) of 10,000 Da to 1,000,000 Da, 10,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 250,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 1000,000, 100,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da, 200,000 Da to 400,000 Da, 150,000 Da to 300,000 Da, or 250,000 Da to 500,000 Da. w ). Preferably, the hydrophilic polymer is PEO. In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer comprises two different poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers, wherein the first PEO has a MW of 10,000Da-300,000Da, 25,000Da-300,000, 50,000Da-300,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-300,000Da, 100,000Da-200,000Da, or 50,000Da-150,000Da. w , and the second PEO has a MW of 200,000Da-750,000Da, 300,000Da-750,000Da, 400,000Da-750,000Da, 500,000Da-750,000Da, 200,000Da-500,000Da, 300,000Da-500,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 300,000Da-400,000Da, or 400,000Da-500,000Da. w .

[0056] In some embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer may have an average molecular weight (MW) of 10,000 Da to 1,000,000 Da, 10,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 250,000 Da, 50,000 Da to 1000,000, 100,000 Da to 500,000 Da, 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da, 200,000 Da to 400,000 Da, 150,000 Da to 300,000 Da, or 250,000 Da to 500,000 Da. n ). Preferably, the hydrophilic polymer is PEO. In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer comprises two different poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers, wherein the first PEO has a MW of 10,000Da-300,000Da, 25,000Da-300,000, 50,000Da-300,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-300,000Da, 100,000Da-200,000Da, or 50,000Da-150,000Da. n , and the second PEO has a MW of 200,000Da-750,000Da, 300,000Da-750,000Da, 400,000Da-750,000Da, 500,000Da-750,000Da, 200,000Da-500,000Da, 300,000Da-500,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 300,000Da-400,000Da, or 400,000Da-500,000Da. n .

[0057] In some embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer is a water-soluble polymer. In some embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer is a water-dispersible polymer. In some embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer has a solubility in water at 23° C. of at least 0.1 g / mL, at least 0.5 g / mL, at least 1 g / mL, at least 2.5 g / mL, at least 5 g / mL, or at least 10 g / mL.

[0058] Elastomer (of moisture-responsive polymer systems)

[0059] In some embodiments, the elastomer is a polyolefin elastomer. The polyolefin can have a melting temperature of about 100°C to about 220°C, in some embodiments about 120°C to about 200°C and in some embodiments about 140°C to about 180°C. The melting temperature can be determined using differential scanning calorimetry ("DSC") according to ASTM D-3417. Suitable polyolefins can, for example, include ethylene polymers (e.g., low-density polyethylene ("LDPE"), high-density polyethylene ("HDPE"), linear low-density polyethylene ("LLDPE"), etc.), propylene homopolymers (e.g., syndiotactic, atactic, isotactic, etc.), propylene copolymers, etc. In a specific embodiment, the polymer is a propylene polymer, such as a propylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer. The propylene polymer can, for example, be formed by a substantially isotactic polypropylene homopolymer or a copolymer containing other monomers equal to or less than about 10% by weight (i.e., at least about 90% propylene by weight). Such a homopolymer can have a melting point of about 140°C to about 170°C.

[0060] In some embodiments, the polyolefin can be ethylene or propylene with another α-olefin (such as C3-C 20 α-olefins or C3-C 12 α-olefins). Specific examples of suitable α-olefins include 1-butene; 3-methyl-1-butene; 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene; 1-pentene; 1-pentene having one or more methyl, ethyl or propyl substituents; 1-hexene having one or more methyl, ethyl or propyl substituents; 1-heptene having one or more methyl, ethyl or propyl substituents; 1-octene having one or more methyl, ethyl or propyl substituents; 1-nonene having one or more methyl, ethyl or propyl substituents; 1-decene substituted with ethyl, methyl or dimethyl; 1-dodecene and styrene. Particularly desirable α-olefin comonomers are 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene. The ethylene or propylene content of such copolymers may be from about 60 mol % to about 99 mol %, in some embodiments from about 80 mol % to about 98.5 mol %, and in some embodiments from about 87 mol % to about 97.5 mol %. The alpha-olefin content may likewise range from about 1 mol% to about 40 mol%, in some embodiments from about 1.5 mol% to about 15 mol%, and in some embodiments from about 2.5 mol% to about 13 mol%.

[0061] In some embodiments, the elastomer includes an elastomer that may be designated EXACT TM Available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Houston, Texas, or under the name ENGAGE TM 、AFFINITY TM、DOWLEX TM (LLDPE) and ATTANE TM (ULDPE) is an ethylene-based copolymer available from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich. Other suitable ethylene polymers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,937,299 to Ewen et al.; 5,218,071 to Tsutsui et al.; 5,272,236 to Lai et al.; and 5,278,272 to Lai et al. In some embodiments, the elastomer includes a polymer that may be designated VISTAMAXX. TM Available from ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, Texas; available as FINA TM (e.g., 8573) is available from Atofina Chemicals, Feluy, Belgium; also available under the name TAFMER TM Available from Mitsui Petrochemical Industries; and also available under the name VERSIFY TM Propylene-based copolymers available from Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich. Suitable polypropylene homopolymers may include ExxonMobil 3155 polypropylene, Exxon Mobil Achieve TM Resin and Total M3661 PP resin. Other examples of suitable propylene polymers are described in US Patent Nos. 6,500,563 to Datta et al.; 5,539,056 to Yana et al.; and 5,596,052 to Resconi et al.

[0062] In some embodiments, the elastomer is a styrene block copolymer, a butadiene block copolymer, a hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer, an isoprene block copolymer, a hydrogenated isoprene block copolymer, a non-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a low crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a propylene / ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0063] In some embodiments, the elastomer comprises polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene block copolymer (SBS), polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene block copolymer (SIS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / butylene-polystyrene block copolymer (SEBS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / propylene-polystyrene block copolymer, or combinations thereof.

[0064] In certain embodiments, the elastomer comprises an ethylene / propylene random copolymer, an ethylene / 1-butene random copolymer, a propylene / 1-butene random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0065] In some embodiments, the elastomer comprises an ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, a propylene / α-olefin copolymer, a styrene-olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the elastomer comprises poly(ethylene-butylene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(ester-ether), poly(ether-amide), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-methacrylate), poly(ethylene-acrylic acid), poly(ethylene-butyl acrylate), polyurethane, poly(ethylene-propylene-diene), ethylene-propylene rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0066] In some embodiments, the elastomer comprises the elastomer available under the trade name KRATON TMKraton® (hereinafter referred to as "Kraton") is a polymer obtained from Kraton Polymers LLC of Houston, Texas. Kraton polymers include styrene-diene block copolymers such as styrene-butadiene, styrene-isoprene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, and styrene-isoprene / butadiene-styrene. Kraton polymers also include styrene-olefin block copolymers formed by selective hydrogenation of styrene-diene block copolymers. Examples of such styrene-olefin block copolymers include styrene-(ethylene-butylene), styrene-(ethylene-propylene), styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene, styrene-(ethylene-propylene)-styrene, styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene-(ethylene-butylene), styrene-(ethylene-propylene)-styrene-(ethylene-propylene), and styrene-ethylene-(ethylene-propylene)-styrene. These styrene block copolymers can have linear, radial, or star molecular configurations. Specific Kraton block copolymers include those sold under the trade names G 1652, G 1657, G1730, MD6673, and MD6973. Various suitable styrenic block copolymers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,663,220 to Wisneski et al.; 4,323,534 to DesMarais et al.; 4,834,738 to Kielpikowski et al.; 5,093,422 to Himes et al.; and 5,304,599 to Himes et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Other commercially available block copolymers include those sold under the trade name SEPTON. TM S-EP-S elastomeric copolymer available from Kuraray Company, Ltd. of Okayama, Japan. Other suitable copolymers include those available under the trade name VECTOR TM SIS and SBS elastomeric copolymers available from Dexco Polymers of Houston, Texas, or TSRC Company of Taiwan, China. Another suitable polymer is composed of an ABAB tetrablock copolymer, such as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,613 to Taylor et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. An example of such a tetrablock copolymer is a styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene) ("S-EP-S-EP") block copolymer.

[0067] Moisture-responsive polymer systems

[0068] One or more hydrophilic polymers and one or more elastomers (e.g., those described herein) can be combined in various weight ratios to form a moisture-responsive polymer system. In those embodiments having no more than one hydrophilic polymer and / or no more than one elastomer, the ratios given below refer to the total weight of all hydrophilic polymers and the total weight of all elastomers.

[0069] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 75 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 75:25, 30:70 to 75:25, 35:65 to 75:25, 40:60 to 75:25, 45:55 to 75:25, 50:50 to 75:25, 55:45 to 75:25, 60:40 to 75:25, or 65:35 to 75:25.

[0070] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 70 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 70:30, 30:70 to 70:30, 35:65 to 70:30, 40:60 to 70:30, 45:55 to 70:30, 50:50 to 70:30, 55:45 to 70:30, 60:40 to 70:30, or 65:35 to 70:30.

[0071] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 65 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 65:35, 30:70 to 65:35, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 65:35, 45:55 to 65:35, 50:50 to 65:35, 55:45 to 65:35, or 60:30 to 65:35.

[0072] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 60 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 60:40, 30:70 to 60:40, 35:65 to 60:40, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 60:40, 50:50 to 60:40, or 55:45 to 60:40.

[0073] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 55 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 55:45, 30:70 to 55:45, 35:65 to 55:45, 40:60 to 55:45, 45:55 to 55:45, or 50:50 to 55:45.

[0074] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 50 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 50:50, 30:70 to 50:50, 35:65 to 50:50, 40:60 to 50:50, or 45:55 to 50:50.

[0075] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 45 wt% hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 45:55, 30:70 to 45:55, 35:65 to 45:55, or 40:60 to 45:55.

[0076] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 40 wt% hydrophilic polymer, eg, 25:75 to 40:60, 30:70 to 40:60, or 35:65 to 40:60.

[0077] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises no more than 35 wt% hydrophilic polymer, eg, 25:75 to 35:65 or 30:70 to 35:65.

[0078] Moisture responsive polymer systems are available in a variety of basis weights. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system has a basis weight between about 1 g / m2 and 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 and 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 and 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 and 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 and 100 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 and 50 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 and 25 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 and 10 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 and 25 g / m2, about 25 g / m2 and 50 g / m2, about 25 g / m2 and 75 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 and 100 g / m2, about 75 g / m2 and 125 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 and 150 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 and 150 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 and 250 g / m2, or about 250 g / m2 and 500 g / m2.

[0079] The moisture responsive layer can be provided in a variety of thicknesses. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive layer has a thickness of 0.01 mm-1 mm, 0.01 mm-0.5 mm, 0.01 mm-0.25 mm, 0.01 mm-0.1 mm, 0.05 mm-1 mm, 0.1 mm-1 mm, 0.5 mm-1.5 mm, 0.5 mm-2.5 mm, 1-2.5 mm, or 1 mm-15 mm.

[0080] Fabrication of moisture-responsive polymer systems

[0081] The moisture responsive polymer system can be prepared by extruding a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer. In some embodiments, the mixture is a pre-compounded mixture, while in other embodiments, the mixture is not a pre-compounded mixture. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system is extruded through a single screw extruder, while in other embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system is extruded through a twin screw extruder. The extruded moisture responsive polymer system will have a machine direction, i.e., the direction in which the moisture responsive polymer system exits the extruder, and a transverse direction, i.e., a cross direction perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0082] In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system of extrusion is stretched in one or more directions to provide a moisture responsive polymer system of elongation. The moisture responsive polymer system can be stretched online when it is formed, and it can be stretched after extrusion and before, during and / or after lamination with the backing layer. The moisture responsive polymer system of extrusion can be stretched to have a certain draw ratio. The draw ratio can be determined by dividing the length after the moisture responsive polymer system is stretched in a certain direction by its length in the same direction before stretching. By definition, an unstretched moisture responsive polymer system has a draw ratio of 1. The draw ratio can also be roughly the same as the draft ratio, which can be determined by the linear speed (for example, the speed of the nip roller) of the moisture responsive polymer system when stretched divided by the linear speed (for example, the speed of the casting roller or the blow molding nip roller) when the moisture responsive polymer system is formed.

[0083] In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system for extrusion stretches in machine direction. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system for extrusion stretches in cross direction. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system for extrusion stretches with a certain angle between machine direction and transverse direction. In some embodiments, using machine direction as x-axis (angle = 0 °), and using cross direction as y-axis (angle = 90 °), film can be stretched at an angle of, for example, 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 35 °, 40 °, 45 °, 50 °, 55 °, 60 °, 65 °, 70 °, 75 °, 80 ° or 85 °. When the moisture responsive polymer system is stretched only in one direction, it can be referred to as the moisture responsive polymer system of uniaxial stretch. The moisture responsive polymer system stretched in two directions (for example, machine direction and transverse direction or the angle between machine direction and transverse direction) can be referred to as the moisture responsive polymer system of biaxial stretch.

[0084] In some embodiments, the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a stretch ratio of 1.1-20, 2-15, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 2-4, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, 4-7, 5-7, 5-8, 5-10, 5-15, or 10-20. In some embodiments, the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched to a length of 2-10 times, 2-8 times, 2-6 times, 2-4 times, 3-6 times, 3-6 times, 4-6 times, 4-7 times, 5-7 times, 5-8 times, or 5-10 times the length of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching. In certain preferred embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched to a length of about 300% of the length of the unstretched system.

[0085] In some embodiments, the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a basis weight of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30%, or no more than 20% of the basis weight (gsm) of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching. In certain preferred embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched so that it has a basis weight of about 40%-60% of the basis weight of the unstretched moisture-responsive polymer system.

[0086] In some embodiments, the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a width of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30% or no more than 20% of the width of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system may include a hydrophilic polymer in a crystalline state. In some embodiments, when the moisture-responsive polymer system is in a stretched or elongated state, the hydrophilic polymer has a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. The crystallinity can be determined using DSC. The hydrophilic polymer may also be characterized in that it rapidly converts to an amorphous form when the moisture-responsive polymer system is immersed in water. For example, when immersed in water, a crystalline hydrophilic polymer present in the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system may convert to an amorphous form within 120 seconds, 100 seconds, 80 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, or at least 10 seconds. As used herein, a polymer is considered to be converted to an amorphous form when at least 90% of the hydrophilic polymer is in amorphous form.

[0088] The moisture responsive polymer system can be stretched according to techniques known in the art. The moisture responsive polymer system can be stretched at a temperature of about 15°C to about 50°C, in some embodiments about 25°C to about 40°C, and in some embodiments about 30°C to about 40°C. In some embodiments, the moisture responsive polymer system is "cold drawn", i.e., stretched without applying external heat (e.g., heated rollers). In certain embodiments, the stretching is carried out in an atmosphere having a temperature of 20°C-30°C, 20°C-50°C, or 50°C-150°C.

[0089] The moisture-responsive polymer system can be stretched using a laboratory stretching machine, such as a machine direction orientation (MDO) unit FOVU-40 from POTOP Experimental Analysis Instrument Co., Guangzhou, China. Suitable laboratory stretching machines include, for example, preheating rollers, stretching rollers, and cooling annealing rollers. The moisture-responsive film can be heated, longitudinally stretched, annealed, and cooled with a draw ratio of up to 10 and a final draw speed of 50 feet per minute.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method for producing film can include batch and / or continuous melt processing technology.For example, mixer / kneader, Banbury mixer, Faro continuous mixer, single screw extruder, twin screw extruder, rolling mill etc. can be utilized to blend and melt process these materials.The example of suitable melt processing device can include co-rotating twin screw extruder (for example, the USALAB twin screw extruder that can be obtained from the Thermo Electron Corporation of Stone, England or the extruder that can be obtained from the Werner-Pfreiderer of Ramsey, New Jersey (Ramsey, NJ)). Such extruder can include feed port and vent and provide high intensity distributed and dispersed mixing.For example, component can be fed to the same or different feed port of twin screw extruder and melt blended to form substantially uniform molten mixture.If desired, other additives also can be injected into polymer melt and / or be fed to extruder respectively at different positions along extruder length.

[0091] In some embodiments, the film can be produced in a melt blending device. For example, the hydrophilic polymer and the elastomer can be melt blended and extruded in an extruder. The hydrophilic polymer and the elastomer can be supplied to the extruder respectively, where they are uniformly blended. In some embodiments, a single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder (e.g., a co-rotating twin screw extruder) can be used to produce the film. Commercially available single screw extruders suitable for producing films include, for example, HAAKE from Thermo Fisher Scientific in Waltham, MA. TM Rheomex OS single screw extruder. Commercially available twin screw extruders include, for example, the ZSK-30 extruder available from Werner & Pfleiderer Corporation of Ramsey, NJ, or the Thermo Prism available from Thermo Electron Corp. of Stone, England. TM USALAB 16 extruder. In some embodiments, melt blending can be carried out at a temperature of 50°C to 300°C, such as 75°C to 250°C, 100°C to 225°C, 120°C to 215°C, or 120°C to 200°C. In some embodiments, the screw speed of the extruder can be as high as 200 RPM. The polymer melt from the extruder can be processed in a film die to produce a film. In some embodiments, the film can be collected on one or more chill rolls.

[0092] In some embodiments, film can be produced by two-step process, including compounding and extruding film. In this embodiment, hydrophilic polymer and elastomer can be mixed into pellets, and pellets can be extruded to produce film. For example, hydrophilic polymer and elastomer can be melt blended to form a homogeneous polymer blend at extrusion temperature via a twin screw extruder. The molten polymer blend can then be extruded through a filament die to produce a sheet. After this, the extruded material can be cooled and cut into pellet form. In some embodiments, the extruded material can be air-cooled using a fan on a conveyor, and then cut into pellets using a pelletizing system. The compounded pellets can be melted in another twin screw extruder at extrusion temperature and extruded onto a chill roll through a film die.

[0093] In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system can be uniaxially stretched using a multi-stretch sequence via MDO. In some embodiments, the moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched under a first set of stretching conditions and then stretched under a second set of stretching conditions, wherein the first set of conditions and the second set of conditions are different. For example, the first stretch can be performed at a higher temperature than the second stretch, or the second stretch can be performed at a higher temperature than the first stretch. In some embodiments, the first stretch is performed using a greater stretching force than the second stretch. In some embodiments, the second stretch is performed using a greater stretching force than the first stretch.

[0094] Additional components of the moisture responsive layer

[0095] In addition to the polymer, the moisture responsive polymer system may also contain other components, such as additional materials in the extrusion mixture, as known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the elastomeric composition contains a filler. A filler is a microparticle or other form of material that can be added to the extrusion mixture and does not chemically interfere with the extruded polymer, but can be evenly dispersed throughout the moisture responsive polymer system. The filler can serve multiple purposes, including enhancing the opacity and / or breathability of the film (i.e., a filler that is vapor permeable and substantially liquid-impermeable). In some embodiments, the filler is calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, or a combination thereof.

[0096] Other additives may also be incorporated into the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system, such as cross-linking catalysts, pro-rad additives, melt stabilizers, processing stabilizers, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, heat aging stabilizers, brighteners, anti-caking agents, binders, viscosity modifiers, etc. For example, suitable cross-linking catalysts may include organic bases, carboxylic acids, and organometallic compounds, such as organic titanates and complexes or carboxylates of lead, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, and tin (e.g., dibutyltin dilaurate, dioctyltin maleate, dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dioctoate, stannous acetate, stannous octoate, lead naphthenate, zinc octoate, cobalt naphthenate, etc.). Suitable radiation-promoting additives can also include azo compounds, organic peroxides, and multifunctional vinyl or allyl compounds, such as triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, glutaraldehyde, polyester acrylate oligomers (e.g., available from Sartomer under the designation CN2303), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diallyl maleate, dipropynyl maleate, dipropynyl cyanurate monoallyl ester, dicumyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl perbenzoate, benzoyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl peroctoate, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane, lauroyl peroxide, tert-butyl peracetate, azobisisobutyl nitrite, and the like.

[0097] Phosphite stabilizers (e.g., IRGAFOS available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals of Terrytown, NY and DOVERPHOS available from Dover Chemical Corp. of Dover, Ohio) are exemplary melt stabilizers. Additionally, hindered amine stabilizers (e.g., CHIMASSORB available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals) are exemplary heat and light stabilizers. Additionally, hindered phenols are commonly used as antioxidants in film manufacturing. Some suitable hindered phenols include those available under the trade names (such as 1076, 1010 or E 201) are available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals. In addition, a binder may be added to the elastic composition to facilitate bonding with additional materials (e.g., nonwoven webs). When employed, these additives (e.g., tackifiers, antioxidants, stabilizers, crosslinking agents, radiation-promoting additives, etc.) may each be present in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 25% by weight, in some embodiments from about 0.005% to about 20% by weight, and in some embodiments from 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the elastic material.

[0098] Backing layer

[0099] The backing layer of the moisture-responsive composite material can include a variety of materials, such as hydrophobic materials, hydrophilic materials, or combinations thereof. For example, the backing layer can include nonwoven materials, wet-laid webs, air-laid webs, spunbond fabrics, meltblown nonwovens, spunbonds, bonded carded webs, foams, tissues, nets, linens, woven materials, or combinations thereof. The backing layer can be defined by its basis weight prior to lamination to the moisture-responsive layer. In some embodiments, the backing layer has a basis weight of about 1 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, e.g., 1 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 5 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 15 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 20 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, 25 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, 25 g / m2 to 75 g / m2, 25 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, 50 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, or 75 g / m2 to 100 g / m2. In some embodiments, the backing layer has a basis weight of about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, e.g., about 25 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, about 75 g / m2 to 125 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 150 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 150 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 250 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, or about 500 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2.

[0100] The backing layer can be provided in a variety of thicknesses. In some embodiments, the backing layer has a thickness of 0.01 mm-1 mm, 0.01 mm-0.5 mm, 0.01 mm-0.25 mm, 0.01 mm-0.1 mm, 0.05 mm-1 mm, 0.1 mm-1 mm, 0.5 mm-1.5 mm, 0.5 mm-2.5 mm, or 1 mm-2.5 mm.

[0101] Shape change of moisture-responsive composite materials

[0102] Prior to undergoing a shape change, the composite material can be said to be in a first position, and upon exposure to moisture, the composite material moves toward a second position, thereby changing its shape. In some embodiments, the first position is substantially flat, while in other embodiments, the first position is a bent and / or curved shape. In certain embodiments, the second position is characterized by increased concavity along the interface of the backing layer and the moisture responsive layer.

[0103] In some embodiments, the shape change can be defined relative to a centerline extending longitudinally through the composite material. For embodiments in which the first position is a substantially flat position, the centerline will also be substantially flat relative to the length and width of the composite material. For embodiments in which the first position has a bent or curved shape, the centerline can be bent or curved to remain coplanar with the composite material. As the composite material moves from the first position to the second position, the radius of curvature of the centerline decreases. This movement can be referred to as curling. In certain embodiments, the radius of curvature decreases so that two positions along the centerline are spatially separated at the first position and move closer together as the composite material moves to the second position. In some embodiments, when the composite material moves to the second position, the two positions along the centerline that were spatially separated at the first position come into contact with each other.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the composite material can have a first end and a second end along a centerline. When the composite material moves toward the second position, the first end and the second end contact each other. The centerline can be substantially the same as the direction in which the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system stretches.

[0105] Moisture-responsive composite materials may include, but are not limited to, personal care absorbent products and medical absorbent products. Personal care absorbent products include, but are not limited to, diapers, training pants, swimsuits, absorbent underpants, child care pants, adult incontinence products (including, but not limited to, pads, containers, incontinence products, and diaper pads), feminine hygiene products (including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, menstrual pads, panty liners, panty liners, interlabial products, tampons), and the like. Medical absorbent products include medical absorbent garments, drapes, gowns, bandages, wound dressings, pads, mattresses, face masks, and the like. In addition to personal care products and medical absorbent products, moisture-responsive composite materials may also be used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, various cleaning applications, clothing components, filters, sports and recreational products, and construction and packaging uses.

[0106] Absorbent articles having moisture-responsive composite materials

[0107] Also disclosed herein are various articles that combine the moisture responsive composite materials described herein with various articles, such as absorbent articles and / or tissue products.

[0108] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , shows a non-limiting illustration of an absorbent article 10, such as a diaper. Although the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally apply to absorbent articles manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the product (hereinafter referred to as the machine direction of the product), it should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art may apply the information herein to absorbent articles manufactured in the latitudinal direction of the product, hereinafter referred to as the cross-machine direction of the product, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, Figures 43 and Figure 4 The absorbent article 210 shown in provides an embodiment of an absorbent article 210 that can be manufactured in a cross-machine direction manufacturing process.

[0109] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The absorbent article 10 shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The absorbent articles 210 shown in the figures may each include a backsheet 11. The absorbent articles 10, 210 may include a front waist region 12, a back waist region 14, and a crotch region 16, wherein the crotch region is disposed between and interconnects the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14, respectively. The front waist region 12 may be referred to as a front end region, the back waist region 14 may be referred to as a back end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as a middle region. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a three-piece construction of an absorbent article 210 is depicted, wherein the absorbent article 210 may have a backsheet 11 including a front waist panel 13 defining a front waist region 12, a back waist panel 15 defining a back waist region 14, and an absorbent panel 17 defining a crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 210. The absorbent panel 17 may extend between the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15. In some embodiments, the absorbent panel 17 may overlap the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15. The absorbent panel 17 may be bonded to the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15 to define a three-piece construction. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent article may be manufactured in the cross-machine direction without being a three-piece construction garment.

[0110] The absorbent article 10, 210 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and a pair of opposing waist edges, which are respectively designated as a front waist edge 22 and a back waist edge 24. In certain embodiments, the front waist edge may include one or more moisture responsive composite materials. In some embodiments, the back waist edge may include one or more moisture responsive composite materials. The front waist region 12 may be adjacent to the front waist edge 22, and the back waist region 14 may be adjacent to the back waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the back waist edge 24. In certain embodiments, the longitudinal side edges may include one or more moisture responsive composite materials. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 throughout their length, such as for Figure 1 and Figure 2 For the absorbent article 10 shown. In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the longitudinal side edges 18 , 20 may include portions of the front waist panel 13 , the absorbent panel 17 , and the back waist panel 15 .

[0111] The front waist region 12 may comprise a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is at least partially positioned on the front of the wearer when worn, and the back waist region 14 may comprise a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is at least partially positioned on the back of the wearer when worn. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210 may comprise a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is positioned between the legs of the wearer when worn and may partially cover the lower torso of the wearer. The waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10, 210 are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer and together define a central waist opening 23 (e.g., a central waist opening 23) at the waist of the wearer. Figure 1 and Figure 3 ). When the absorbent article 10, 210 is worn, the portions of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 can generally define leg openings for the wearer's legs.

[0112] The absorbent article 10, 210 may include an outer cover 26 and a body side liner 28. The outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may form part of the backsheet 11. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 in an overlying relationship by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover 26 may define a length in the longitudinal direction 30 and a width in the transverse direction 32, which in the embodiment shown may correspond to the length and width of the absorbent article 10. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in , the absorbent article 10 , 210 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in a longitudinal direction 30 and a transverse axis 31 extending in a transverse direction 32 .

[0113] The backsheet 11 may include an absorbent body 34. The absorbent body 34 may be disposed between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. The absorbent body 34 may have longitudinal edges 36 and 38, which, in an embodiment, may form portions of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20, respectively, of the absorbent article 10, 210. The absorbent body 34 may have a first end edge 40 correspondingly opposite a second end edge 42, which, in an embodiment, may form portions of the waist edges 22 and 24, respectively, of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be in the front waist region 12. In some embodiments, the second end edge 42 may be in the back waist region 14. In an embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may have a length and width that are the same as or less than the length and width of the absorbent article 10, 210. The bodyside liner 28, the outer cover 26, and the absorbent body 34 may form part of an absorbent assembly 44. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 of FIG. 1 , the absorbent sheet 17 may form an absorbent assembly 44. As is known in the art, the absorbent assembly 44 may further include a fluid transfer layer 46 (e.g., Figure 5 ) and a fluid acquisition layer (not shown) positioned between the body side liner 28 and the fluid transfer layer 46. The absorbent assembly 44 may further include a spacer layer 48 (e.g., Figure 5 ).

[0114] The absorbent article 10, 210 can be configured to contain and / or absorb liquid, solid, and semi-solid body exudates discharged from the wearer. In some embodiments, the leakage-proof flaps 50, 52 can be configured to provide a barrier to the lateral flow of body exudates. In order to further enhance the leakage-proof and / or absorption effect of body exudates, the absorbent article 10, 210 can appropriately include a waist leakage-proof member 54. In some embodiments, the waist leakage-proof member 54 can be arranged in the back waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10, 210. Although not shown herein, it is conceivable that the waist leakage-proof member 54 can be arranged in the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10, 210 in addition to or as an alternative.

[0115] A waist containment member 54 may be provided on the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 to help contain and / or absorb body exudates. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the depicted absorbent article 10, the waist containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28. In some embodiments, such as in Figure 3 and Figure 4In the depicted absorbent article 210 , the waist containment member 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 58 of the rear waist panel 15 .

[0116] The absorbent article 10, 210 may further include leg elastic members 60, 62 known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the leg elastic members include one or more moisture-responsive composite materials. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and / or the body-side liner 28 along the opposing longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 and positioned in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 29, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 4 or may be curved as is known in the art. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be elastomeric and may provide elasticized leg cuffs.

[0117] In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may further comprise longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 . The first longitudinally extending fold line 25a can be on one side of the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210, while the second longitudinally extending fold line 25b can be on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b can be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 can further include a transversely extending fold line 27. In some embodiments, the transversely extending fold line 27 can be parallel to and located at the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0118] Additional details regarding each of these elements of the absorbent articles 10, 210 described herein can be seen below and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0119] Outer Cover:

[0120] The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof can be breathable and / or liquid impermeable. The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof can be elastic, stretchable, or non-stretchable. The outer cover 26 can be constructed from a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics, elastic netting, microporous webs, bonded carded webs, or foams provided by elastomeric or polymeric materials. In an embodiment, for example, the outer cover 26 can be constructed from a microporous polymer film such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0121] In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be a single layer of liquid-impermeable material, such as a polymer film. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be suitably stretchable, and more suitably elastic, at least in the transverse direction 32 of the absorbent article 10, 210. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in both the transverse direction 32 and the longitudinal direction 30. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be a multilayer laminate, at least one of which is liquid-impermeable. In some embodiments, the outer cover 26 can be a two-layer construction comprising an outer layer (not shown) and an inner layer (not shown) that can be bonded together, such as by a laminate adhesive. Suitable laminate adhesives can be applied in a continuous or intermittent manner as beads, sprays, parallel swirls, etc., but it should be understood that the inner layer can be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods including, but not limited to, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, etc.

[0122] The outer layer of the outer cover 26 can be any suitable material and can be a material that provides a generally cloth-like texture or appearance to the wearer. An example of such a material can be a 100% polypropylene bonded carded web with a diamond bond pattern available from Sandler AG of Germany, for example, 30 gsm Sawabond Or equivalent. Another example of a material suitable for use as the outer layer of the outer cover 26 can be a 20 gsm spunbond polypropylene nonwoven web. The outer layer can also be constructed of the same materials as the body side liner 28 as described herein.

[0123] The liquid-impermeable inner layer of the outer cover 26 (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26, in which case the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can be vapor-permeable (i.e., "breathable") or vapor-impermeable. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 when the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can be made of a thin plastic film. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26, in which case the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can inhibit liquid body exudates from escaping from the absorbent article 10, 210 and wetting articles such as bedsheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver.

[0124] In some embodiments, where the outer cover 26 has a single layer construction, it can be embossed and / or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 can allow vapor to escape from the absorbent article 10 while preventing liquid from passing therethrough. Suitable liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable materials can be composed of microporous polymer films or nonwoven materials that have been coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability.

[0125] The body-side liner 28 of the absorbent article 10, 110, 210 can overlie the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26 and can isolate the wearer's skin from waste fluids retained by the absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, a fluid transfer layer 46 can be positioned between the body-side liner 28 and the absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, an acquisition layer (not shown) can be positioned between the body-side liner 28 and the absorbent body 34 or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if present). In various embodiments, the body-side liner 28 can be bonded to the acquisition layer or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if no acquisition layer is present) via an adhesive and / or by point fusion bonding. The point fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, and combinations thereof.

[0126] In embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent body 34 and / or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if present) and / or the acquisition layer (if present) and / or the spacer layer 48 (if present) so as to overlie a portion of the outer cover 26 and may be bonded to the outer cover by any method deemed suitable (such as by bonding to the outer cover with an adhesive) to substantially enclose the absorbent body 34 between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 may be narrower than the outer cover 26. However, in other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may have the same width and length dimensions. In other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be wider than the outer cover 26. It is also contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may not extend beyond the absorbent body 34 and / or may not be secured to the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 can wrap around at least a portion of the absorbent body 34, including around the longitudinal edges 36, 38 and / or one or more end edges 40, 42 of the absorbent body 34. It is further contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 can be comprised of more than one section of material. The bodyside liner 28 can have various shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other shape. The bodyside liner 28 can be appropriately conformable, soft, comfortable, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and can be as hydrophilic as or less hydrophilic than the absorbent body 34 to allow body exudates to easily penetrate the absorbent body 34 and provide a relatively dry surface for the wearer.

[0127] The bodyside liner 28 can be made of various types of materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester fibers or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), combinations of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, cellular foams, perforated plastic films, etc. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other heat-bondable fibers, polyolefins, such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, finely perforated film webs, mesh materials, etc., and combinations thereof.

[0128] Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 may include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, polymer films, film-fabric laminates, and the like, and combinations thereof. Examples of nonwoven fabrics may include spunbond fabrics, meltblown fabrics, coform fabrics, carded webs, bonded carded webs, bicomponent spunbond fabrics, spunlace fabrics, and the like, and combinations thereof. The bodyside liner 28 is not necessarily a single-layer structure and, therefore, may include more than one layer of fabric, film, and / or web, and combinations thereof. For example, the bodyside liner 28 may include a support layer and a projection layer that can be hydraulically entangled. The projection layer may include hollow projections, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,474,660 to Kirby, Scott SC, et al.

[0129] For example, the bodyside liner 28 can be composed of a meltblown or spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the bodyside liner 28 can be a bonded carded web composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 28 can be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brushing, etc. The surfactant can be applied to the entire bodyside liner 28 or can be selectively applied to specific sections of the bodyside liner 28.

[0130] In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be constructed from a nonwoven bicomponent web. The nonwoven bicomponent web may be a spunbond bicomponent web or a bonded-carded bicomponent web. Examples of bicomponent staple fibers include polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fibers. In this particular bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the sheath of the fiber. Fibers having other orientations, such as multi-lobed, side-by-side, or end-to-end, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a spunbond substrate having a basis weight of 10 or 12 to 15 or 20 gsm. In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a 12 gsm spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate with a 10% meltblown content applied between the two spunbond layers.

[0131] While the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28 may comprise an elastomeric material, it is contemplated that the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28 may be constructed of a substantially non-elastomeric material. In embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be stretchable, and more suitably, elastic. In embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be stretchable, and more suitably, elastic, at least in the transverse or circumferential direction of the absorbent article 10, 210. In other aspects, the bodyside liner 28 may be stretchable, and more suitably, elastic, in both the transverse direction 32 and the longitudinal direction 30, respectively.

[0132] Leak-proof flaps:

[0133] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10, 210 may include a pair of containment flaps 50, 52. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent backsheet 11 and attached to the backsheet 11, or may be formed integrally with the backsheet 11. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be fixed to the backsheet 11 of the absorbent article 10, 210 in a generally parallel and spaced relationship from the leg openings laterally inward to provide a barrier to prevent the flow of body exudates. One containment flap 50 may be on a first side of the longitudinal axis 29, while the other containment flap 52 may be on a second side of the longitudinal axis 29. In an embodiment, the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend generally in the longitudinal direction 30 from the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10 through the crotch region 16 to the back waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210, but in other embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be curved as is known in the art. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the leakage-proof flaps 50 , 52 may be disposed on the absorbent sheet 17 in the crotch region 16 .

[0134] In embodiments where the containment flaps 50, 52 are attached to the backsheet 11, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the bodyside liner 28 using a barrier adhesive 49, such as Figure 5 Alternatively, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 or to the spacer layer 48 using a barrier adhesive 49. Of course, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to other components of the backsheet 11 and may be bonded using other suitable means besides the barrier adhesive 49. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed of a fibrous material that may be similar to the material forming the bodyside liner 28. Other conventional materials, such as polymeric films, may also be used.

[0135] The containment flaps 50, 52 can each include a base portion 64 and a tab portion 66. The base portion 64 can be bonded to the backsheet 11, for example, to the bodyside liner 28 or the outer cover 26, as described above. The base portion 64 can include a proximal end 64a and a distal end 64b. The tab portion 66 can be separated from the base portion 64 at the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64. As used in this context, the tab portion 66 is separated from the base portion 64 at the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 because the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 defines a transition between the tab portion 66 and the base portion 64. The proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 can be located near the barrier adhesive 49. In some embodiments, the distal end 64b of the base portion 64 can extend laterally to the respective longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210. In other embodiments, the distal end 64b of the base portion 64 may terminate laterally inwardly of the respective longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210. The containment flaps 50, 52 may also each include a projection 66 configured to extend away from the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 in at least the crotch region 16 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, as shown. Figure 5 The containment flaps 50, 52 may include pinned areas 71 in either or both of the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14 where the tabs 66 are attached to the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11.

[0136] It is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may have various configurations and shapes and may be constructed in various ways. For example, Figure 5 The containment flaps 50, 52 of FIG. 1 depict vertical containment flaps 50, 52 having pinned areas 71 in both the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14 where the tabs 66 of each containment flap 50, 52 are pinned into the bodyside liner 28 toward or away from the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210. However, the containment flaps 50, 52 may include pinned areas 71 where the tabs 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 are folded back upon themselves and coupled to themselves and the bodyside liner 28 in a "C-shaped" configuration, as is known in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,382 to Robert L. Popp et al. As yet another alternative, it is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed in a "T-shaped" configuration, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,362 to Robert L. Popp et al. Such a configuration may also include pinned areas 71 in either or both of the front and back waist regions 12, 14. Of course, other configurations of containment flaps 50, 52 may be used in the absorbent article 10, 210 and still be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0137] The containment flaps 50, 52 may include one or more flap elastic members 68, such as Figure 5 . Suitable elastomeric materials for the flap elastic members 68 may include sheets, strands, or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer materials. Of course, while two elastic members 68 are shown in each containment flap 50, 52, it is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed with one or three or more elastic members 68. Alternatively or in addition, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed of a material that inherently exhibits elastomeric properties.

[0138] like Figure 5 , 210. The flap elastic member 68 shown in FIG. 210 may comprise two strands of elastomeric material that extend longitudinally in a generally parallel, spaced relationship with one another within the tabs 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52. The elastic member 68, when in an elastically contractible state, may be positioned within the containment flaps 50, 52 such that contraction of the strands gathers and shortens the tabs 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52 in the longitudinal direction 30. Thus, when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration, in a generally upright orientation of the containment flaps 50, 52, the elastic member 68 may bias the tabs 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52 to extend away from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, particularly in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0139] During the manufacture of the containment flaps 50, 52, at least a portion of the elastic member 68 may be bonded to the containment flaps 50, 52 while the elastic member 68 is stretched. The percent stretch of the elastic member 68 may be, for example, 110% to 350%. In one embodiment, before the elastic member 68 is attached to the containment flaps 50, 52, the elastic member 68 may be coated with adhesive while it is stretched to a specified length. In the stretched state, the length of the elastic member 68 to which the adhesive is attached may provide an active flap elastic region 70 in the containment flaps 50, 52, as shown. Figure 2, which will gather when the absorbent article 10 is relaxed. The active flap elastic area 70 of the containment flaps 50, 52 may have a longitudinal length that is less than the length of the absorbent article 10, 210. In this example method of incorporating the elastic member 68 into the containment flaps 50, 52, the unadhesive-coated portions of the elastic member 68 will retract after the elastic member 68 and the absorbent article 10 are cut to form individual absorbent articles 10 during the manufacturing process. As described above, the relaxation of the elastic member 68 in the active flap elastic area 70 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed state may cause each containment flap 50, 52 to gather and cause the protruding portion 66 of each containment flap 50, 52 to extend away from the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, or the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28), as described above. Figure 5 Described in.

[0140] Of course, the elastic members 68 can be bonded to the containment flaps 50, 52 in a variety of other ways known to those skilled in the art, and this is within the scope of the present disclosure to provide the active flap elastic zones 70. Furthermore, the active flap elastic zones 70 can be shorter or longer than depicted herein, including extending to the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24, and this is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0141] Leg elastic:

[0142] The leg elastic members 60, 62 can be secured to the outer cover 26, such as, at a location generally laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210, by being bonded to the outer cover with a laminate adhesive. The leg elastic members 60, 62 can form elasticized leg cuffs to further help contain body exudates. In an embodiment, the leg elastic members 60, 62 can be disposed between the inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover 26 or between other layers of the absorbent article 10, for example, between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the body-side liner 28 (e.g., Figure 5 ), between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the outer cover 26, or between the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26. The leg elastic members 60, 62 can be one or more elastic components near each longitudinal side edge 18, 20. For example, the leg elastic members 60, 62 shown herein each include two elastic strands. A variety of elastomeric materials can be used for the leg elastic members 60, 62.

[0143] Suitable elastomeric materials may include sheets, strands, or strips of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastic materials. The elastomeric material may be stretched and secured to the substrate, secured to a gathered substrate, or secured to the substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example, by the application of heat, such that an elastic retractive force is imparted to the substrate. Furthermore, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the leg elastic members 60, 62 may be formed with containment flaps 50, 52 and then attached to the backsheet 11. Of course, the leg elastic members 60, 62 may be omitted from the absorbent article 10, 210 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0144] Waist leak-proof component:

[0145] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have one or more waist containment members 54. The one or more waist containment members 54 may be disposed in the rear waist region 14, such as Figures 1 to 5 In general, the waist containment member 54 can help contain and / or absorb body exudates (especially low-viscosity feces), and thus may be preferably located in the rear waist region 14. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have a waist containment member 54 disposed in the front waist region 12. The waist containment member 54 in the front waist region 12 can help contain and / or absorb body exudates, such as urine, in the front waist region 12. Although not as common as in the rear waist region 14, in some cases, feces may also spread to the front waist region 12, and therefore, the waist containment member 54 disposed in the front waist region 12 may also help contain and / or absorb body exudates. In other embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have a waist containment member 54 in both the rear waist region 14 and the front waist region 12.

[0146] The waist containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, such as in Figures 1 to 2 and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the waist containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28. However, in some embodiments, such as in Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 58 of the back waist panel 15 .

[0147] The waist leakage prevention member 54 may include a first longitudinal side edge 72 and a second longitudinal side edge 74. The first longitudinal side edge 72 may be opposite to the second longitudinal side edge 74. The distance between the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74 may define the width 51 of the waist leakage prevention member 54 in the transverse direction 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in .

[0148] like Figure 2 and Figure 5, the waist containment member 54 can be configured such that the first longitudinal side edge 72 can be disposed laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the containment flap 50. Similarly, the waist containment member 54 can be configured such that the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be disposed laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the containment flap 52. The waist containment member 54 can be configured such that the width 51 of the waist containment member 54 can be greater than the lateral distance between the longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in .

[0149] The waist containment member 54 may further include a proximal portion (not shown) and a distal portion 78. The proximal portion may be coupled to the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, or the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28), while the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 may be free to move relative to the backsheet 11 and the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, such as Figure 5 . When the waist containment member 54 is in a relaxed configuration, the distal portion 78 extends away from the backsheet 11 and the absorbent assembly 44 in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the transverse axis 31. The fold 79a separates the proximal and distal portions 78 of the waist containment member 54. As used in this context, the fold 79a separates the proximal and distal portions 78 because the fold 79a defines a transition between the proximal and distal portions 78.

[0150] In some embodiments, the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 can be coupled to the body-facing surface 56 of the bodyside liner 28. In other embodiments, the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 can be coupled to the body-facing surface 58 of the back waist panel 15. The proximal portion can be coupled to the body-facing surface 45 by adhesives, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, and combinations thereof.

[0151] Since the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 can move freely relative to the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, the distal portion 78 can help provide a leak-proof pocket 82 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration. The leak-proof pocket 82 can help provide a barrier to contain body exudates and / or can help absorb body exudates. The leak-proof pocket 82 can be particularly helpful for containing and / or absorbing low-viscosity feces (such feces may be common for young children). The first longitudinal side edge 72 can be laterally arranged outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the containment flap 50, so that the leak-proof pocket 82 can extend laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the containment flap 50. Similarly, the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be laterally arranged outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the containment flap 52, so that the leak-proof pocket 82 can extend laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the containment flap 52. Such a configuration provides the waist containment member 54 with a spacious containment pocket 82 to contain and / or absorb body exudates.

[0152] To help prevent the lateral flow of body exudates contained in the leak-proof pockets 82 of the waist containment member 54, the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 can be bonded to the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 and / or the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 near the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74, respectively. Figure 5 Pinning areas 84 are depicted where the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 may be bonded to the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 and / or the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 .

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, the waist containment member 54 may include at least one elastic member, and in further embodiments may include even more elastic members. Generally speaking, the elastic member may span substantially from the first longitudinal side edge 72 to the second longitudinal side edge 74 of the waist containment member 54. The elastic member may be disposed in the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54, and preferably located near the free edge 88 of the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54.

[0154] A variety of elastomeric materials can be used for the elastic member in the waist leakage prevention member 54. Suitable elastomeric materials may include sheets, strands, or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic foam, or thermoplastic elastomeric materials (e.g., films). The elastomeric material may be stretched and fixed to the substrate forming the waist leakage prevention member 54, fixed to a gathered substrate, or fixed to the substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example, by applying heat, so that an elastic retractive force is imparted to the substrate forming the waist leakage prevention member 54.

[0155] The waist containment member 54 can be arranged to be coupled to the chassis 11 by being positioned above or below the containment flaps 50, 52. More specifically, the waist containment member 54 can be positioned on the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 such that the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 is positioned above the respective base portions 64 of the first and second containment flaps 50, 52. Alternatively, the waist containment member 54 can be positioned on the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 such that the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 is positioned below the respective base portions 64 of the first and second containment flaps 50, 52. Both configurations can provide advantages that facilitate the effectiveness of the waist containment member 54 in containing and / or absorbing body exudates.

[0156] Where the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 is disposed above the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52, the containment flaps 50, 52 may have active flap elastic regions 70 that longitudinally overlap with the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 when the absorbent article 10 is in the stretched-flat configuration, such as Figure 2 In addition or as an alternative, the pinning area 71 may not extend from the rear waist edge 24 to the free edge 88 of the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54, such as Figure 2 As shown in .

[0157] With the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 disposed below the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52, the pinned area 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 can longitudinally overlap the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54. In some of these embodiments, the pinned area 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 can extend to the free edge 88 of the waist containment member 54 to further help contain exudate within the containment pocket 82 created by the waist containment member 54.

[0158] The waist containment member 54 can be made of a variety of materials. In a preferred embodiment, the waist containment member 54 can be made of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond ("SMS") material. However, it is conceivable that the waist containment member 54 can be made of other materials, including but not limited to spunbond-film-spunbond ("SFS") materials, bonded carded web ("BOW") materials, or any nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can be made of a laminate of more than one of these example materials or other materials. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can be made of a liquid-impermeable material. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can be made of a material coated with a hydrophobic coating. The basis weight of the material forming the waist containment member 54 may vary, but in a preferred embodiment, when the elastic member 86 is not included in the waist containment member 54, the basis weight can be between 8 gsm and 120 gsm. The basis weight of the material constituting the waist leakage prevention member 54 may more preferably be between 10 gsm and 40 gsm, and even more preferably between 15 gsm and 25 gsm.

[0159] In various embodiments, the absorbent article 10 can include a fastening system, wherein the fastening system includes a polymeric adhesive attachment according to the present disclosure. The fastening system can include one or more rear fasteners 91 and one or more front fasteners 92. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiment shown in 1 depicts an embodiment having one front fastener 92. Multiple portions of the fastening system may be included in the front waist region 12, the back waist region 14, or both.

[0160] The fastening system can be configured such as Figure 1 The fastened state shown secures the absorbent article 10 around the wearer's waist and helps keep the absorbent article 10 in place during use. In an embodiment, the rear fastener 91 may include one or more moisture-responsive composite materials according to the present disclosure. As is known in the art, the materials are bonded together to form a composite ear. For example, the composite fastener may be made of Figure 2 The stretch member 94, the nonwoven carrier or hook seat 96 and the polymeric adhesive attachment component 98 are constituted as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in , in some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can extend to the rear fastener 91. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can be directly or indirectly coupled to the stretch component 94 of the rear fastener 91. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 can extend to the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0161] Absorbing body:

[0162] The absorbent body 34 can be appropriately constructed to be substantially compressible, conformable, flexible, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent body 34 can be made into a variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, L-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and made of a variety of materials. The size and absorptive capacity of the absorbent body 34 should be matched to the body shape of the intended wearer (infant to adult) and the liquid load imposed by the intended use of the absorbent article 10, 210. The absorbent body 34 can have a length and width that can be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0163] In embodiments, the absorbent body 34 may be comprised of absorbent materials such as fibrous absorbent and / or superabsorbent materials, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. In embodiments, the absorbent body 34 may be a matrix of cellulose fluff and superabsorbent material. In another embodiment, the absorbent material of the absorbent body 34 may include only superabsorbent material. In embodiments, the absorbent body 34 may be constructed from a single layer of material, or alternatively, may be constructed from two or more layers of material.

[0164] When composed at least in part of fibrous materials, various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibers can be used in the absorbent body 34. Examples of suitable fibers include: natural fibers; cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon; inorganic fibers composed of intrinsically wettable materials, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made of intrinsically wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as certain polyester or polyamide fibers, or synthetic fibers composed of non-wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibers, that have been rendered hydrophilic by suitable means. Fibers can be rendered hydrophilic, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica, treatment with a material having a suitable hydrophilic moiety that is not readily removed from the fibers, or by coating non-wettable, hydrophobic fibers with a hydrophilic polymer during or after fiber formation.

[0165] When composed at least in part of superabsorbent material, such superabsorbent material may be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials.The superabsorbent material may be an inorganic material such as silica gel or an organic compound such as a cross-linked polymer.

[0166] If a spacer layer 48 is present, the absorbent body 34 may be disposed on the spacer layer 48 and superimposed over the outer cover 26. The spacer layer 48 may be bonded to the outer cover 26, such as by an adhesive. In some embodiments, the spacer layer 48 may not be present and the absorbent body 34 may be in direct contact with the outer cover 26 and may be directly bonded to the outer cover 26. However, it should be understood that the absorbent body 34 may be in contact with the outer cover 26 but not bonded thereto and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be comprised of a single layer and the absorbent body 34 may be in contact with the single layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer, such as but not limited to a fluid transfer layer 46 and / or a spacer layer 48, may be positioned between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26, such as Figure 5 The absorbent body 34 may be bonded to the fluid transfer layer 46 and / or the spacer layer 48.

[0167] although Figures 1 to 5 While the description focuses on diaper absorbent articles 10, 210, it will be understood that the moisture-responsive composite materials of the present disclosure may be used in any absorbent article, including but not limited to diapers, diaper pants, training pants, older children's pants, swim trunks, feminine hygiene products (including but not limited to menstrual pads or menstrual pants), incontinence products and other adult care garments, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or healthcare garments, and the like.

[0168] Example

[0169] The following examples are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0170] Unless otherwise stated, the polyethylene oxide (PEO) used in the following experiments was Polyox WSR-N80, MW w =200,000; Dow.

[0171] Preparation and Evaluation of Example Moisture-Responsive Polymer Systems

[0172] Various moisture-responsive polymer systems were prepared and experimentally tested by DSC. Polyethylene oxide ("PEO") was combined with Kraton G1645 ("K"), Vistamaxx 6102FL (Exxon Chem.) ("V") and extruded into films.

[0173]

[0174] Table 1

[0175] The melting point of crystalline polyethylene oxide ("PEO") is approximately 65° C. to 68° C. As shown in Table 1, the degree of crystalline PEO is directly proportional to the percentage of PEO in the blend. Figure 20DSC of 100% PEO is depicted. Figure 21 The DSC of 40% K / V = 1:1 / 60% PEO is depicted. However, since PEO is not very compatible chemically with elastomers, the PEO degree of crystalline PEO is not very related to the elastomer composition (also reflected in Table 1). Increasing the PEO content leads to increased plasticity, reduced elastic recovery, and makes the film more difficult to stretch.

[0176] Additionally, a mixture containing 60 wt% PEO and 40 wt% of a Kraton G1645 (styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer) / Vistamaxx 6102FL (polyolefin elastomer from Exxon Chem.) mixture (1:1 ratio) was coextruded to form a film. Figure 4 The multi-cycle elastic behavior of this film is depicted. The stress-strain curve at 150% shows a force of approximately 1000 g. When this blend is combined with PEO, the material becomes fully pseudoplastic when stretched to 300%. After one week at room temperature, 80% of the stretched length is retained. When immersed in saline for one minute, the length is reduced to 40%. The elastic properties of the activated pseudoplastic approach those of the original 100% elastomer.

[0177] The tensile properties (peak stress, modulus, strain at break, and energy at break per unit volume) of the various prepared films were tested. These measurements were performed using a tape elongation test essentially in accordance with the instructions in ASTM D5459-95. Specifically, the test used two clamps, each having two jaws, each having a face that contacts the sample. The clamps clamp the material in the same plane, usually vertically and 1 inch apart, and move the clamps at a specific extension rate. The film samples were punched into 2-inch wide x 6-inch long (machine direction) sections at a crosshead displacement rate of 20 inches / minute. The specimens were clamped in an MTS (Mechanical Testing System) electromechanical test frame with data acquisition capabilities. The tests were performed under ambient conditions. The results are reported in the figure as the average value of at least five specimens.

[0178] Figure 10 Depicted is a load stretched to 300% of the original length of a 60 wt% PEO, 40% Kraton G1645 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1 :1 ratio) film.

[0179] The elastic tension of pseudoplastics can be modified by using styrene-butadiene-styrene Kraton D polymer and polyolefin Vistamaxx blends with PEO. Figure 11 Depicted is the elastic tension of 100% Kraton D1161 at approximately 500 g force at 300% strain.

[0180] Figure 12A 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% D1161 moisture responsive polymer system is depicted, indicating a stretching force of approximately 2200 g. After the membrane is activated by contact with saline, the activated elastic tension is approximately 300 g ( Figure 13 ).

[0181] The addition of the second elastomer (Vistamaxx) significantly increased the elastic tension of the D1161+Vistamaxx / PEO blends. Figure 14 Depicted is a film with 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (D1161 / Vistamaxx=1:1), where stretching stops at 300%, while Figure 15 Depicted are multiple cycle tests for 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (D1161 / Vistamaxx=1:1) after activation in saline. The tensile force of the pseudoelastic blend is approximately 4500 g ( Figure 14 ), and the elastic tension is as high as 800g after activation with saline ( Figure 15 ).

[0182] Figure 16 Depicted is a film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (80 wt% D1161, 15 wt% CaCO3, 5 wt% PE (Dowlox 2407)) where stretching is stopped at 300%, while Figure 12 Depicted are multi-cycle tests for films containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% (80 wt% D1161, 15 wt% CaCO3, 5 wt% PE (Dowlox 2407)) after activation in saline. Addition of CaCO3 to pseudoplastic blends of D1161 / PEO resulted in a much higher (doubled) tensile recovery after activation ( Figure 16 ) and up to 4900g tensile strength ( Figure 17 ). CaCO3 particles did not improve the elasticity, but increased the modulus and green strength of the blends after activation.

[0183] As shown in Table 2, various moisture responsive polymer systems containing one or more of Vistamaxx 6102 ("V"), Kraton G1645 ("G1645"), or Kraton D1161 ("D1161") were evaluated for shrinkage in saline.

[0184]

[0185] Table 2

[0186] A 25 mm x 25 mm film containing 60 wt% PEO, 40 wt% Kraton D1161 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1:1 ratio) was stretched to 300% of its original length. The original width of the film before stretching was 25 mm, the basis weight was 90 gsm, and the width was reduced to 10 mm after stretching. Figure 18 As shown in , the stretched film was stable at room temperature and about 50% RH, and no shrinkage was observed after one week. After activation by soaking in water for 3 minutes, the pseudoelastic film shrank from 4 inches to about 1.5 inches. The activated film was elastic, and the elastic film stress-strain test was shown in Figure 19 The tensile test of the activated elastic film indicated a peak load of 1130 gf at 300%.

[0187] As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the moisture-responsive polymer system was then bonded to various substrates: SB (12 gsm), SMS (42 gsm), BCW (100 gsm), LDPE film (18 gsm), PE film (26 gsm), PE film (90 gsm), and PP film (150 gsm). Double-sided tape was used to bond these substrates to the pseudoelastic film. The pseudolaminate bending behavior was tested by dropping 1 mL of water onto the surface of the moisture-responsive polymer system using a syringe. The bending velocity of the laminate was measured by the bending angle versus time after exposure, as shown in Table 4 below.

[0188] Base material SB SMS BCW LDPE film PE film PE film PP film BWt(gsm) 12 42 100 18 26 90 150 Tensile peak load (gf) 1582 3309 2800 444 790 3024 6510 bending x x x x shrink x x x

[0189] Table 3

[0190]

[0191] Table 4

[0192] *Two moisture-responsive polymer systems placed side by side.

[0193] SMS = Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond

[0194] SB=Spunbond

[0195] (Commercially available from Kimberly-Clark)

[0196] BCW = Bonded Carded Web

[0197] Preparation and Evaluation of Example Moisture-Responsive Composites

[0198] Moisture-responsive composites can be made by laminating pseudoplastic films with higher modulus thermoplastic / elastic sheets or papers using polyolefin-based hot melt adhesives (e.g., adding 2gsm-4gsm). The laminates are not elastic and cannot be compressed at room temperature without permanent damage.

[0199] An exemplary moisture-responsive composite material (100) is depicted in Figure 6. The moisture-responsive film layer (102) is formed from a moisture-responsive polymer system comprising 60 wt% PEO and 40 wt% (D1161 / Vistamaxx 6102 (1:1 ratio). The moisture-responsive film layer (102) is then laminated to a coated paper (104) (100 gsm). Figures 6A-6F The effect of moisture on the composite material is depicted. A saline solution is dropped onto the surface of the moisture-responsive polymer system ( Figure 6A ) and starts to bend within 15 seconds. The rest of Figure 6 depicts the 30 seconds ( Figure 6B ), 60 seconds( Figure 6C ), 80 seconds( Figure 6D ), 100 seconds( Figure 6E ) and 120 seconds ( Figure 6F ). Bending was accelerated from 50 to 60 seconds and completed within 2 minutes. Minimal saline absorption into the composite (estimated absorption < 30 wt %).

[0200] The pseudo plastic laminate (200) was composed of: (i) a moisture responsive film layer (202) consisting of 60% PEO and 40% (Kraton D1161: Vistamaxx 6102 = 1:1), stretched 300%, and having a basis weight of approximately 50 gsm, and (ii) a coated paper (204) adhesively laminated to the moisture responsive film layer. The laminate was exposed to room temperature atmosphere with a relative humidity of 50%-60%. FIG7 depicts the composite material at the time of creation ( Figure 7A ), two days later ( Figure 7B ) and one week later ( Figure 7C ) movement.

[0201] Without being bound by any theory, this movement is believed to be caused by the release of elastic tension previously held by the PEO crystals. Elastic tension is generated during stretching of the polymer system, and this tension is held by the crystalline PEO. When exposed to water, the crystal lattice is disrupted, thereby releasing the tension. Figure 8 X-ray diffraction analysis in the figure shows an initial crystalline form, an amorphous form upon contact with water, and a re-adoption of a crystalline form upon drying. The shrinkage of the film is limited by the higher modulus of the other layer, resulting in a bending moment. The higher the shrinkage force of the moisture-responsive material and the higher the modulus of the moisture-responsive backing layer, the greater the degree of bending produced.

[0202] Additional Implementation Plans

[0203] Example 1. A moisture-responsive composite material comprising: a moisture-responsive layer comprising a moisture-responsive polymer system; and a backing layer laminated to the moisture-responsive layer; wherein, when exposed to moisture, the moisture-responsive composite material bends from a first position to a second position.

[0204] Example 2. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is elongated and defines a longitudinal axis; and wherein the longitudinal axis of the moisture-responsive composite material defines a radius of curvature that decreases as the moisture-responsive composite material bends from the first position to the second position.

[0205] Embodiment 3. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive composite material defines a first end and a second end at the first position, and wherein the first end and the second end are closer together at the second position than at the first position.

[0206] Embodiment 4. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein movement from the first position to the second position reduces the radius of curvature of the centerline by at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%.

[0207] Embodiment 5. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a higher elastic modulus than the moisture-responsive layer.

[0208] Example 6. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elastic modulus of the backing layer is at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400% or at least 500% of the elastic modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0209] Embodiment 7. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a higher Young's modulus than the moisture-responsive layer.

[0210] Example 8. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the Young's modulus of the backing layer is at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400% or at least 500% of the Young's modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0211] Embodiment 9. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a higher flexural modulus than the moisture-responsive layer.

[0212] Embodiment 10. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flexural modulus of the backing layer is at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400% or at least 500% of the flexural modulus of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0213] Embodiment 11. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a higher bending stiffness than the moisture-responsive layer.

[0214] Example 12. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the bending stiffness of the backing layer is at least 110%, at least 125%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 400% or at least 500% of the bending stiffness of the moisture-responsive layer.

[0215] Embodiment 13. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the moisture-responsive system has a thickness of 0.01mm-1mm, 0.01mm-0.5mm, 0.01mm-0.25mm, 0.01mm-0.1mm, 0.05mm-1mm, 0.1mm-1mm, 0.5mm-1.5mm, 0.5mm-2.5mm or 1mm-2.5mm.

[0216] Embodiment 14. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system has a molecular weight of about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 100 g / m2. g / m2, about 10 g / m2-50 g / m2, about 25 g / m2-50 g / m2, about 25 g / m2-75 g / m2, about 50 g / m2-100 g / m2, about 75 g / m2-125 g / m2, about 100 g / m2-150 g / m2, about 50 g / m2-150 g / m2, about 100 g / m2-250 g / m2, about 250 g / m2-500 g / m2, or about 500 g / m2-1,000 g / m2.

[0217] Embodiment 15. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system has a stretch ratio of 2-6, 2-4, 3-6, 3-6, 3-7, or 3-8.

[0218] Example 16. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched to a length of 2 to 6 times, 2 to 4 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 7 times, or 3 to 8 times the length of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0219] Example 17. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a basis weight of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30% or no more than 20% of the basis weight (gsm) of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0220] Example 18. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a width of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30% or no more than 20% of the width of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0221] Embodiment 19. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer.

[0222] Embodiment 20. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer: elastomer) of no more than 75 wt% hydrophilic polymer, such as 25:75 to 75:25, 30:70 to 75:25, 35:65 to 75:25, 40:60 to 75:25, 45:55 to 75:25, 50:50 to 75:25, 55:45 to 75:25, 60:40 to 75:25, 65:35 to 75:25; no more than 70 wt% hydrophilic polymer, such as 25:75 to 70:30, 30:70 to 75:25, 35:65 to 75:25, 40:60 to 75:25, 45:55 to 75:25, 50:50 to 75:25, 55:45 to 75:25, 60:40 to 75:25, 65:35 to 75:25; :70 to 70:30, 35:65 to 70:30, 40:60 to 70:30, 45:55 to 70:30, 50:50 to 70:30, 55:45 to 70:30, 60:40 to 70:30, 65:35 to 70:30; not more than 65% by weight of a hydrophilic polymer, e.g., 25:75 to 65:35, 30:70 to 65:35, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 65:35, 45:55 to 65:35, 50:50 to 65:35, 55:45 to 65:35, 60:30 to 65:35; not more than 60% by weight hydrophilic polymers, e.g., 25:75 to 60:40, 30:70 to 60:40, 35:65 to 60:40, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 60:40, 50:50 to 60:40, 55:45 to 60:40; not more than 55% by weight of hydrophilic polymers, e.g., 25:75 to 55:45, 30:70 to 55:45, 35:65 to 55:45, 40:60 to 55:45, 45:55 to 55:45, 50:50 to 55:45; not more than 50% by weight of hydrophilic polymers, e.g., 25:75 to 50:50, 30:70 to 55:45, 35:65 to 55:45, 40:60 to 55:45, 45:55 to 55:45, 50:50 to 55:45; 0 to 50:50, 35:65 to 50:50, 40:60 to 50:50, 45:55 to 50:50; no more than 45 wt% hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 45:55, 30:70 to 45:55, 35:65 to 45:55, 40:60 to 45:55; no more than 40 wt% hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 40:60, 30:70 to 40:60, 35:65 to 40:60; or no more than 35 wt% hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 35:65, 30:70 to 35:65 of hydrophilic polymer and elastomer.

[0223] Embodiment 21. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 50:50.

[0224] Embodiment 22. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 55:45.

[0225] Embodiment 23. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 60:40.

[0226] Embodiment 24. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 60:40 to 50:50.

[0227] Embodiment 25. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a polymer having a MW of 10,000Da-1,000,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-1000,000, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da or 250,000Da-500,000Da. w hydrophilic polymer.

[0228] Example 26. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, poly(hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate), poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(vinyl pyridine), poly(meth)acrylamide, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide), or a combination thereof.

[0229] Embodiment 27. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises poly(ethylene oxide).

[0230] Embodiment 28. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer, a poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0231] Embodiment 29. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hydrophilic polymer has a solubility in water at 23°C of at least 0.1 g / mL, at least 0.5 g / mL, at least 1 g / mL, at least 2.5 g / mL, at least 5 g / mL or at least 10 g / mL.

[0232] Embodiment 30. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein when the moisture-responsive composite material is in the first position, the hydrophilic polymer has a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%.

[0233] Embodiment 31. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein when the moisture-responsive composite material is in a first position, the hydrophilic polymer has a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%, and when immersed in water, converts to at least 90% amorphous form within 120 seconds, 100 seconds, 80 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds or at least 10 seconds.

[0234] Embodiment 32. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a polymer having a molecular weight of 1,000Da-1,000,000Da, 1,000Da-10,000Da, 1,000Da-5,000Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 2,500Da-7,500Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-25,000Da, 10,000Da-20,000Da, 10,000Da-50,000Da, 10,000Da-100,000Da, 10,000Da-250,000Da, 25,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-100,000Da, 100,000Da-250,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50, MW of 000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da or 250,000Da-500,000Da w of elastomer.

[0235] Embodiment 33. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the elastomer comprises a polyolefin elastomer.

[0236] Embodiment 34. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elastomer comprises a styrene block copolymer, a butadiene block copolymer, a hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer, an isoprene block copolymer, a hydrogenated isoprene block copolymer, a non-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a low-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a propylene / ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0237] Embodiment 35. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elastomer comprises polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene block copolymer (SBS), polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene block copolymer (SIS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / butylene-polystyrene block copolymer (SEBS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / propylene-polystyrene block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0238] Embodiment 36. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the elastomer comprises a polyolefin elastomer comprising an ethylene / propylene random copolymer, an ethylene / 1-butene random copolymer, a propylene / 1-butene random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0239] Embodiment 37. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the elastomer comprises a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, or a combination thereof.

[0240] Embodiment 38. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the elastomer comprises an ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, a propylene / α-olefin copolymer, a styrene-olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0241] Embodiment 39. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elastomer comprises poly(ethylene-butene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(ester-ether), poly(ether-amide), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-methacrylate), poly(ethylene-acrylic acid), poly(ethylene-butyl acrylate), polyurethane, poly(ethylene-propylene-diene), ethylene-propylene rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0242] Embodiment 40. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer comprises a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, or a combination thereof.

[0243] Embodiment 41. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the backing layer comprises a nonwoven material, a film, a wet-laid web, an air-laid web, a spunbond fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, a spunbond, a bonded carded web, a foam, a tissue, a net, a linen, a woven material, or a combination thereof.

[0244] Example 42. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the backing layer has a basis weight of between about 1 g / m2 and 1,000 g / m2, for example, 1 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 5 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 15 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 20 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, or 25 g / m2 to 50 g / m2.

[0245] Embodiment 43. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a molecular weight of about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, such as about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 1 g / m², about 10 g / m² - 100 g / m², about 50 g / m² - 100 g / m², about 75 g / m² - 125 g / m², about 100 g / m² - 150 g / m², about 50 g / m² - 150 g / m², about 100 g / m² - 250 g / m², about 250 g / m² - 500 g / m², or about 500 g / m² - 1,000 g / m².

[0246] Embodiment 44. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is adhesively laminated or self-laminated to the backing layer.

[0247] Embodiment 45. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is laminated to the backing layer using ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, through-air bonding, calendar bonding, or a combination thereof.

[0248] Embodiment 46. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is adhesively laminated to the backing layer by a hot melt adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a combination thereof.

[0249] Embodiment 47. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the backing layer and the moisture-responsive layer.

[0250] Example 48. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the adhesive layer has a basis weight of between approximately 1 g / m2-10 g / m2, 1 g / m2-5 g / m2, 1 g / m2-3 g / m2, 2 g / m2-5 g / m2, 3 g / m2-7 g / m2, 5 g / m2-10 g / m2, 5 g / m2-25 g / m2, or 10 g / m2-25 g / m2.

[0251] Embodiment 49. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system further comprises a filler.

[0252] Embodiment 50. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the filler comprises fibers, particles, or a combination thereof.

[0253] Embodiment 51. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, wherein the filler comprises calcium carbonate particles, titanium dioxide particles, or a combination thereof.

[0254] Embodiment 52. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a plasticizer.

[0255] Embodiment 53. An absorbent article comprising the moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding embodiment.

[0256] Embodiment 54. The absorbent article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the article is a diaper, training pants, swimwear, absorbent briefs, incontinence product, diaper pad, sanitary napkin, catamenial pad, panty liner, panty liner, interlabial device, tampon, drape, gown, bandage, wound dressing, pad, mask, or mattress pad.

[0257] Example 55. A method for manufacturing a moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising the steps of: extruding a mixture comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer to provide an unstretched extruded film; stretching the unstretched extruded film to provide a moisture-responsive polymer system; and laminating the moisture-responsive polymer system to a backing layer.

[0258] Embodiment 56. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is a pre-compounded mixture.

[0259] Embodiment 57. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is not a pre-compounded mixture.

[0260] Embodiment 58. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is extruded through a single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder.

[0261] Embodiment 59. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the stretching comprises stretching the unstretched extruded film in a machine direction.

[0262] Embodiment 60. The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising stretching the unstretched extruded film in a machine direction to provide a first stretched extruded film, and stretching the first stretched extruded film to provide the moisture responsive polymer system.

[0263] Embodiment 61. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched under different conditions than the first stretched extruded film.

[0264] Embodiment 62. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched in a machine direction and the first stretched extruded film is stretched in the machine direction or in a direction different from the machine direction.

[0265] Embodiment 63. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first stretched extruded film is stretched in a direction of 1°-30°, 25°-50°, 30°-60°, 40°-75°, 50°-80° or 60°-90° to the machine direction.

[0266] Example 64. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first stretched extruded film is stretched in a direction at 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85° or 90° to the machine direction.

[0267] Embodiment 65. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature different from the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0268] Embodiment 66. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0269] Embodiment 67. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0270] Embodiment 68. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force different from the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0271] Embodiment 69. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force greater than the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0272] Embodiment 70 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force that is less than the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0273] Embodiment 71. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature of 20-30°C, 20-150°C, 50-150°C, 75-125°C, or 100-150°C.

[0274] Embodiment 72. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unextruded film is stretched to a stretch ratio of 2-8, 2-6, 2-4, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, 4-7, 5-7, or 5-8.

[0275] Embodiment 73. A method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched to a length of 2 to 6 times, 2 to 4 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 6 times, 4 to 6 times, 4 to 7 times, 5 to 7 times, or 5 to 8 times the length of the unstretched extruded film before stretching.

[0276] Embodiment 74. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer comprises a nonwoven material, a film, a wet-laid web, an air-laid web, a spunbond fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, a spunbond web, a bonded carded web, a foam, a tissue, a net, a linen, a woven material, or a combination thereof.

[0277] Embodiment 75. A method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the backing layer has a basis weight of between about 1 g / m2 and 1,000 g / m2, for example, 1 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 1 g / m2 to 5 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 10 g / m2, 5 g / m2 to 15 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 20 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 25 g / m2, 10 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, or 25 g / m2 to 50 g / m2.

[0278] Embodiment 76. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backing layer has a weight of about 1 g / m2 to 5,000 g / m2, such as about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2 g / m², about 10 g / m² to 100 g / m², about 50 g / m² to 100 g / m², about 75 g / m² to 125 g / m², about 100 g / m² to 150 g / m², about 50 g / m² to 150 g / m², about 100 g / m² to 250 g / m², about 250 g / m² to 500 g / m², or about 500 g / m² to 1,000 g / m².

[0279] Embodiment 77. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture responsive polymer system is adhesively laminated to the backing layer.

[0280] Embodiment 78. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the moisture responsive polymer system is adhesively laminated to the backing layer by a hot melt adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a combination thereof.

[0281] Embodiment 79. A moisture-responsive composite material prepared by the method according to any of the preceding embodiments.

[0282] Embodiment 80. A moisture-responsive polymer system comprising a stretched polymer film comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer.

[0283] Embodiment 81. The moisture responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, having a molecular weight of about 1 g / m2 to 5,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 50 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 100 g / m2 to 1,000 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 500 g / m2, about 1 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 5 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 250 g / m2, about 10 g / m2 to 100 g / m2 g / m², about 10 g / m² to 50 g / m², about 25 g / m² to 50 g / m², about 25 g / m² to 75 g / m², about 50 g / m² to 100 g / m², about 75 g / m² to 125 g / m², about 100 g / m² to 150 g / m², about 50 g / m² to 150 g / m², about 100 g / m² to 250 g / m², about 250 g / m² to 500 g / m², or about 500 g / m² to 1,000 g / m².

[0284] Embodiment 82. The moisture responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, having a stretch ratio of 2-6, 2-4, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, 4-7, 5-7, or 5-8.

[0285] Embodiment 83. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched to a length of 2-6 times, 2-4 times, 3-6 times, 3-6 times, 4-6 times, 4-7 times, 5-7 times or 5-8 times the length of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0286] Example 84. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a basis weight of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30% or no more than 20% of the basis weight (gsm) of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0287] Embodiment 85. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a width of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40%, no more than 30% or no more than 20% of the width of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

[0288] Embodiment 86. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of no more than 75 wt% hydrophilic polymer, such as 25:75 to 75:25, 30:70 to 75:25, 35:65 to 75:25, 40:60 to 75:25, 45:55 to 75:25, 50:50 to 75:25, 55:45 to 75:25, 60:40 to 75:25, 65:35 to 75:25; and no more than 70 wt% hydrophilic polymer, such as 25:75 to 70:30, 30:70 to 70:30. , 35:65 to 70:30, 40:60 to 70:30, 45:55 to 70:30, 50:50 to 70:30, 55:45 to 70:30, 60:40 to 70:30, 65:35 to 70:30; not more than 65% by weight of hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 65:35, 30:70 to 65:35, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 65:35, 45:55 to 65:35, 50:50 to 65:35, 55:45 to 65:35, 60:30 to 65:35; not more than 60% by weight of hydrophilic polymer , for example, 25:75 to 60:40, 30:70 to 60:40, 35:65 to 60:40, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 60:40, 50:50 to 60:40, 55:45 to 60:40; not more than 55% by weight of hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 55:45, 30:70 to 55:45, 35:65 to 55:45, 40:60 to 55:45, 45:55 to 55:45, 50:50 to 55:45; not more than 50% by weight of hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 50:50, 30:70 to 5 :55; no more than 40 wt % hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 40:60, 30:70 to 40:60, 35:65 to 40:60; or no more than 35 wt % hydrophilic polymer, for example, 25:75 to 35:65, 30:70 to 35:65 of hydrophilic polymer and elastomer.

[0289] Embodiment 87. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 50:50.

[0290] Embodiment 88. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 55:45.

[0291] Embodiment 89. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 70:30 to 60:40.

[0292] Embodiment 90. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer in a weight ratio (hydrophilic polymer:elastomer) of 60:40 to 50:50.

[0293] Embodiment 91. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any preceding embodiment, comprising a hydrophilic polymer having a MW of 10,000Da-1,000,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-1000,000, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da or 250,000Da-500,000Da.

[0294] Embodiment 92. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any preceding embodiment, comprising poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, poly(hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate), poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(vinyl pyridine), poly(meth)acrylamide, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide), or a combination thereof.

[0295] Embodiment 93. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising poly(ethylene oxide).

[0296] Embodiment 94. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer, a poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0297] Embodiment 95. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any preceding embodiment, having a solubility in water at 23°C of at least 0.1 g / mL, at least 0.5 g / mL, at least 1 g / mL, at least 2.5 g / mL, at least 5 g / mL or at least 10 g / mL.

[0298] Embodiment 96. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%.

[0299] Embodiment 97. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, having a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%, and when immersed in water, converts to at least 90% amorphous form within 120 seconds, 100 seconds, 80 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds or at least 10 seconds.

[0300] Embodiment 98. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a polymer having a molecular weight of 1,000Da-1,000,000Da, 1,000Da-10,000Da, 1,000Da-5,000Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 2,500Da-7,500Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-25,000Da, 10,000Da-20,000Da, 10,000Da-50,000Da, 10,000Da-10 ...100,000Da, 10,000Da-20,000Da, 10,000Da-20,000Da, 10,000Da-50,000Da, 10,000Da-100,000Da, 10,000Da-100,000Da, 10,000Da-100,000Da Da-250,000Da, 25,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-100,000Da, 100,000Da-250,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000 MW of Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da or 250,000Da-500,000Da w of elastomer.

[0301] Embodiment 99. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a polyolefin elastomer.

[0302] Embodiment 100. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a styrene block copolymer, a butadiene block copolymer, a hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer, an isoprene block copolymer, a hydrogenated isoprene block copolymer, a non-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a low-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a propylene / ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0303] Embodiment 101. A moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene block copolymers (SBS), polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene block copolymers (SIS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / butylene-polystyrene block copolymers (SEBS), polystyrene-poly / ethylene / propylene-polystyrene block copolymers, or combinations thereof.

[0304] Embodiment 102. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a polyolefin elastomer comprising an ethylene / propylene random copolymer, an ethylene / 1-butene random copolymer, a propylene / 1-butene random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0305] Embodiment 103. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, or a combination thereof.

[0306] Embodiment 104. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising an ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, a propylene / α-olefin copolymer, a styrene-olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0307] Embodiment 105. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the elastomer comprises poly(ethylene-butene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(ester-ether), poly(ether-amide), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-methacrylate), poly(ethylene-acrylic acid), poly(ethylene-butyl acrylate), polyurethane, poly(ethylene-propylene-diene), ethylene-propylene rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0308] Embodiment 106. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a filler.

[0309] Embodiment 107. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising a filler comprising fibers, particles, or a combination thereof.

[0310] Embodiment 108. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, comprising calcium carbonate particles, titanium dioxide particles, or a combination thereof.

[0311] Embodiment 109. The moisture-responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a plasticizer.

[0312] Embodiment 110. An absorbent article comprising the moisture responsive polymer system of any preceding embodiment.

[0313] Embodiment 111. The absorbent article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the article is a diaper, training pants, swimwear, absorbent briefs, incontinence product, diaper pad, sanitary napkin, catamenial pad, panty liner, panty liner, interlabial device, tampon, drape, gown, bandage, wound dressing, pad, mask, or mattress pad.

[0314] Embodiment 112. A method for manufacturing a moisture-responsive polymer system according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising the steps of: extruding a mixture comprising a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer to provide an unstretched extruded film; and stretching the unstretched extruded film to provide a moisture-responsive polymer system.

[0315] Embodiment 113. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is a pre-compounded mixture.

[0316] Embodiment 114. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is not a pre-compounded mixture.

[0317] Embodiment 115. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mixture is extruded through a single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder.

[0318] Embodiment 116 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the stretching comprises stretching the unstretched extruded film in a machine direction.

[0319] Embodiment 117. The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising stretching the unstretched extruded film in a machine direction to provide a first stretched extruded film, and stretching the first stretched extruded film to provide the moisture responsive polymer system.

[0320] Embodiment 118 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched under different conditions than the first stretched extruded film.

[0321] Embodiment 119 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched in a machine direction and the first stretched extruded film is stretched in the machine direction or in a direction different from the machine direction.

[0322] Embodiment 120. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first stretched extruded film is stretched in a direction of 1°-30°, 25°-50°, 30°-60°, 40°-75°, 50°-80° or 60°-90° to the machine direction.

[0323] Embodiment 121. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first stretched extruded film is stretched in a direction at 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85° or 90° to the machine direction.

[0324] Embodiment 122. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature different from the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0325] Embodiment 123 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0326] Embodiment 124 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the first stretched extruded film is stretched.

[0327] Embodiment 125 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force different from the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0328] Embodiment 126 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force greater than the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0329] Embodiment 127 The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched using a stretching force that is less than the stretching force used to stretch the first stretched extruded film.

[0330] Embodiment 128. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched at a temperature of 20-30°C, 20-150°C, 50-150°C, 75-125°C, or 100-150°C.

[0331] Embodiment 129. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the unextruded film is stretched to a stretch ratio of 2-6, 2-4, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, 4-7, 5-7, or 5-8.

[0332] Embodiment 130. A method according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the unstretched extruded film is stretched to a length of 2 to 6 times, 2 to 4 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 6 times, 4 to 6 times, 4 to 7 times, 5 to 7 times, or 5 to 8 times the length of the unstretched extruded film before stretching.

[0333] Embodiment 131. A moisture-responsive polymer system prepared by the method according to any preceding embodiment.

[0334] The scope of the compositions and methods of the appended claims is not limited by the specific compositions and methods described herein, which are intended to illustrate several aspects of the claims, and any functionally equivalent compositions and methods are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. In addition to the compositions and methods shown and described herein, various modifications of the compositions and methods are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while only certain representative compositions and method steps disclosed herein are specifically described, other combinations of composition and method steps are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited. Thus, combinations of steps, elements, components, or ingredients may be explicitly or sub-referenced herein; however, even if not explicitly stated, other combinations of steps, elements, components, and ingredients are contemplated. As used herein, the term "comprising" and its variants are used synonymously with the term "including" and its variants and are open, non-limiting terms. While the terms "comprising" and "including" have been used herein to describe various embodiments, the terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be used in place of "comprising" and "including" to provide more specific embodiments of the present invention, and are also disclosed. Except in the examples or otherwise indicated, all numbers used in the specification and claims to indicate quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, etc. should be interpreted at least in terms of the number of significant digits and ordinary approximations, and no attempt is made to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A moisture-responsive composite material comprising: a moisture-responsive layer comprising a moisture-responsive polymer system; and a backing layer laminated with the moisture responsive layer; in, When exposed to moisture, the moisture-responsive composite material bends from a first position to a second position.

2. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is elongated and defines a longitudinal axis; and wherein a longitudinal axis of the moisture-responsive composite material defines a radius of curvature, the radius of curvature decreasing as the moisture-responsive composite material bends from the first position to the second position.

3. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein movement from the first position to the second position reduces the radius of curvature of the centerline by at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%.

4. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the backing layer has a higher elastic modulus than the moisture-responsive layer.

5. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the backing layer has a higher Young's modulus than the moisture-responsive layer.

6. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the backing layer has a higher bending stiffness than the moisture-responsive layer.

7. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated moisture-responsive polymer system is stretched to a length of 2 to 6 times, 2 to 4 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 6 times, 3 to 7 times or 3 to 8 times the length of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

8. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding claim, wherein the stretched moisture-responsive polymer system has a basis weight of no more than 90%, no more than 80%, no more than 70%, no more than 60%, no more than 50%, no more than 40% or no more than 30% of the basis weight (gsm) of the moisture-responsive polymer system before stretching.

9. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an elastomer.

10. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a polymer having a MW of 10,000Da-1,000,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-500,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-1000,000, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da, or 250,000Da-500,000Da. w hydrophilic polymer.

11. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate), poly(hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(vinyl pyridine), poly(meth)acrylamide, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide), or a combination thereof.

12. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises poly(ethylene oxide).

13. A moisture-responsive composite material according to any preceding claim, wherein when the moisture-responsive composite material is in a first position, the hydrophilic polymer has a crystallinity of at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%, and when immersed in water, converts to at least 90% amorphous form within 120 seconds, 100 seconds, 80 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds or at least 10 seconds.

14. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive polymer system comprises a polymer having a molecular weight of 1,000Da-1,000,000Da, 1,000Da-10,000Da, 1,000Da-5,000Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 2,500Da-7,500Da, 2,500Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-10,000Da, 5,000Da-25,000Da, 10,000Da-20,000Da, 10,000Da-50,000Da, 10,000Da-100,000Da, 1 0,000Da-250,000Da, 25,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-250,000Da, 50,000Da-100,000Da, 100,000Da-250,000Da, 10,000Da-500,000Da, 50, MW of 000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-500,000Da, 100,000Da-300,000Da, 200,000Da-400,000Da, 150,000Da-300,000Da or 250,000Da-500,000Da w of elastomer.

15. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the elastomer comprises a styrene block copolymer, a butadiene block copolymer, a hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer, an isoprene block copolymer, a hydrogenated isoprene block copolymer, a non-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a low-crystalline ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, a propylene / ethylene / α-olefin random copolymer, or a combination thereof.

16. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the elastomer comprises poly(ethylene-butylene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(ester-ether), poly(ether-amide), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-methacrylate), poly(ethylene-acrylic acid), poly(ethylene-butyl acrylate), polyurethane, poly(ethylene-propylene-diene), ethylene-propylene rubber, or a combination thereof.

17. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the backing layer comprises a hydrophobic material, a hydrophilic material, or a combination thereof.

18. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the backing layer comprises a nonwoven material, a film, a wet-laid web, an air-laid web, a spunbond fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, a spunbond web, a bonded carded web, a foam, a tissue, a net, a linen, a woven material, or a combination thereof.

19. The moisture-responsive composite material of any preceding claim, wherein the moisture-responsive layer is adhesively laminated or self-laminated to the backing layer.

20. An absorbent article comprising the moisture responsive composite material according to any preceding claim.

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