Low-density, open-cell, soft, flexible, thermoplastic, absorbent foam and method of making foam

US7358282B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Krueger · Crandon, US
• Fred R. Radwanski · Norcross, US
• Mark G. Reichmann · Oak Park, US
• Peter Elliker · Appleton, US
• Ali Yahiaoui · Roswell, US
• Renette E. Richard · Atlanta, US
• Oomman P. Thomas · Alpharetta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 5, 2003
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08J2207/12
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A soft, flexible, low-density, open-cell, thermoplastic, absorbent foam formed from a foam polymer formula including a balanced amount of a plasticizing agent and a surfactant in combination with a base resin. Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula to improve softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the resulting foam. The surfactant may be either a single surfactant or a multi-surfactant system. The foam possesses a number of qualities, such as softness and strength, which render the foam particularly suitable for use in a variety of personal care products, medical products, and the like.