Composition For Thin Walled Molded Parts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017342236-A1
Application number	US-201715606221-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 26, 2017
Priority date	May 26, 2016
Publication date	Nov 30, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A polymer composition comprising an organic polymer and a mica containing effect pigment, e.g., a pearlescent pigment comprising mica, well suited for producing molded articles, in particular, for molding articles comprising thin sections and or delicate features, such as a hollow interior defined by a thin wall or structural features susceptible to tear or other damage and the like, is provided as are a method for preparing molded articles comprising the polymer composition and articles comprising the polymer composition, including, for example, an article used to deliver a medical or personal care component such as a tampon applicator, and a method for preparing molded articles comprising the polymer composition. Optionally, articles of the present disclosure have a varying translucency or opacity about a dimension of the article.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A polymer molding composition, comprising, based on the total weight of the polymer composition:
from about 95 to about 99.8% of an organic polymer, from about 0.05 to 0.5%, of a pearlescent pigment comprising mica, from about 0.002 to about 0.1% of a colorant other than a pearlescent pigment comprising mica, from about 0.05 to about 1.0% of a lubricant comprising a fatty acid amide and from 0 to about 4.8% other additives.

2 . The polymer molding composition according to claim 1 wherein the pearlescent pigment comprising mica comprises a mica particle coated with one or more layers, wherein at least one layer comprises titanium dioxide.

3 . The polymer molding composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the lubricant comprises erucamide, oleamide, stearamide, stearyl erucamide or bis-erucamide.

4 . The polymer molding composition according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 comprising from about 0.1 to about 0.5% of the pearlescent pigment comprising mica and from about 0.005 to about 0.07% of a colorant other than a pearlescent pigment comprising mica.

5 . The polymer molding composition according to claim 4 comprising from about 0.4 to about 0.15% of a pearlescent pigment comprising mica.

6 . The polymer molding composition according to any preceding claim comprising from about 0.05 to about 4.8% other additives comprising one or more additive selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, compatibilizers, flow modifiers, antioxidants, antistatic agents, fillers, reinforcements, surfactants, light/UV stabilizers, thermal stabilizers, impact modifiers, processing aids, other lubricants, flame retardants, biocides, antiozonants, blowing agents and anti-foaming agents.

7 . The polymer molding composition according to any preceding claim wherein the organic polymer comprises one or more polyolefin polymer or copolymer, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid, and/or moldable starch.

8 . The polymer molding composition according to claim 7 wherein the organic polymer comprises polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, near low density polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers comprised of ethylene, styrene, isoprene or butadiene monomers.

9 . A tampon applicator assembly, comprising, based on the total weight of the polymer composition:
from about 95 to about 99.8% of an organic polymer, from about 0.05 to 0.5%, of a pearlescent pigment comprising mica, from about 0.002 to about 0.1% of a colorant other than a pearlescent pigment comprising mica, from about 0.05 to about 1.0% of a lubricant comprising a fatty acid amide and from 0 to about 4.8% other additives.

10 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the tampon applicator assembly has a length, wherein the tampon applicator assembly has variable translucency along the length.

11 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the tampon applicator assembly comprises an insertion tip adjacent a barrel region, wherein the insertion tip has variable translucency.

12 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the tampon applicator wherein the insertion tip decreases in translucency as it approaches the barrel region.

13 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the tampon applicator assembly further comprises a plunger.

14 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the plunger comprises a first plunger segment and a second plunger segment, wherein at least one of the first plunger segment and the second plunger segment is substantially translucent or has variable translucency.

15 . The tampon applicator assembly according to claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of a tampon pledget is visible through the tampon applicator assembly.

16 . A tampon assembly, comprising:
a tampon applicator defining a straight lengthwise axis, the tampon applicator comprising a polymer having about 95 to about 99.8% of an organic polymer and about 0.2% to about 5% of a carrier material, the carrier material having a letdown ratio of between about 2% and about 6%, the tampon applicator comprising:
an insertion tip region, the insertion tip region defining a forward-most portion of the applicator barrel, the insertion tip region having a tip thickness;
a barrel region adjacent the insertion tip region, the barrel region having a barrel thickness;
a grip region adjacent the barrel region, the grip region defining the aft-most portion of the applicator barrel and having a recessed region that has an exterior grip diameter less than an exterior barrel diameter of the barrel region, the grip region having a grip thickness;
a plunger that is coaxial with said applicator, the plunger telescopically engaging the applicator such that the plunger is at least partially interior to the applicator; and a pledget disposed within the applicator barrel;
wherein the insertion end of the applicator barrel is at least partially translucent and the tip thickness is less than the barrel thickness and less than the grip thickness;
wherein the barrel region is at least partially opaque; and
wherein the grip region is opaque.

17 . The tampon assembly of claim 17 , wherein the tip thickness is measured at the forward-most end of the applicator, the barrel thickness is measured at a location proximal the grip region, and the grip region is measured proximal the barrel region.

Assignees

• Edgewell Personal Care Brands Llc

Inventors

• Bond Timothy
• Gordon Patrick

Classifications

• A61F13/2077

  having a visual effect, e.g. printed or embossed · CPC title

• A61L15/56

  Wetness-indicators or colourants · CPC title

• C08K5/20

  Carboxylic acid amides · CPC title

• A61F13/84

  Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads · CPC title

• A61L15/18

  containing inorganic materials · CPC title