Water soluble fibers with post process modifications and articles containing same

The patent applies preliminary action by performing chemical modification after fiber formation rather than before. The fibers are first formed using standard processes with unmodified or minimally modified polymers, then subjected to post-formation chemical modification treatments (such as hydrolysis, oxidation, or enzymatic treatment) to achieve the desired solubility profile. This sequence ensures the fiber making process succeeds while still achieving the target solubility characteristics.

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from traditional petroleum-based polymers to bio-based polymers with controlled solubility characteristics. The key parameter change is the chemical composition of the fiber forming material, using polymers that can be chemically modified to achieve desired solubility profiles while maintaining manufacturing processability. This enables sustainable products that can still be manufactured using conventional nonwoven processes.

The patent applies local quality by creating fibers with non-uniform chemical modification distributions. Different regions of the fiber or different fibers within a nonwoven web have different degrees of chemical modification, resulting in varying solubility characteristics. This allows the product to maintain adequate mechanical properties in regions with lower modification while achieving good solubility and disposal characteristics in regions with higher modification, or to achieve controlled disintegration patterns.