Abstract:
A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture in the starch. Furthermore, the copolyester is also modified with an alcohol to contain one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a relatively low molecular weight. Such low molecular weight polymers have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a variety of fiber forming applications, such as meltblowing nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
Farnesol analogs, along with their related products (e.g., treatment compositions, wipes, absorbent articles, etc.) and their methods of formation, are provided. The farnesol analog includes a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a hydroxyl end group or a carboxylic acid end group) attached to farnesol via a covalent linkage (e.g., an ester group or an ether group).
Abstract:
Lateral-flow assay and time-resolved fluorescence technologies provide a sensitive tool for detecting norovirus particles in a sample. A flow-through assay device employs norovirus and norovirus G2 antibodies. The lateral-flow assay includes a conjugate pad having conjugated probes. The conjugated probes are particles modified with a binding member that is configured to bind with a norovirus. The particles also have a fluorescent label. A general method of detecting the virus includes (i) preparing a sample with contaminants, (ii) processing the sample and depositing it onto the assay device, and (iii) measuring the fluorescence signal.
Abstract:
A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
A biodegradable, substantially continuous filament is provided. The filament contains a first component formed from at least one high melting polyester and a second component formed from at least one low melting polyester. The low melting point polyester is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed by melt blending a polymer and an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in the formation of substantially continuous filaments.
Abstract:
Methods for adjusting the solubility of a botanical oil in water, along with the resulting modified botanical oil and related products (e.g., treatment compositions, wipes, absorbent articles, etc.) are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes reacting the botanical oil to form a reactive product (e.g., having a hydroxyl group); and attaching a hydrophilic end group (e.g., a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid salt, a sugar, etc.) on the reactive product to form a modified botanical oil. The modified botanical oil generally, in most embodiments, has a greater solubility in water than the botanical oil (e.g., a solubility in water of about 10 grams per 100 grams of water or greater, such as completely soluble in water). The botanical oil includes, in one particular embodiment, an essential oil, such as those essential oil that include at least one terpene compound.
Abstract:
Lateral-flow assay and time-resolved fluorescence technologies provide a sensitive tool for detecting norovirus particles in a sample. A flow-through assay device employs norovirus and norovirus G2 antibodies. The lateral-flow assay includes a conjugate pad having conjugated probes. The conjugated probes are particles modified with a binding member that is configured to bind with a norovirus. The particles also have a fluorescent label. A general method of detecting the virus includes (i) preparing a sample with contaminants, (ii) processing the sample and depositing it onto the assay device, and (iii) measuring the fluorescence signal.
Abstract:
A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
Abstract:
Formulations and wipes for imparting a sporicide to a surface are disclosed herein. To achieve the sporicidal efficacy of the product, a synergistic amount of an amine oxide surfactant and a mixture of oxidants is incorporated into the formulation. The operative sporicidal formulation contains a solvent, an amine oxide surfactant, a water soluble oxidant and a water insoluble oxidant. Typically, the formulation can contain about 0.05 to about 3.7 percent (by weight of the formulation) of an amine oxide surfactant, about 0.5 to about 4 percent (by weight of the formulation) of a water soluble oxidant, and about 0.1 to about 6 percent (by weight of the formulation) of a water insoluble oxidant.
Abstract:
A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, a the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.