MXPA00006418A

MXPA00006418A - Water degradable microlayer polymer film

Info

Publication number: MXPA00006418A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/006418A
Authority: MX
Inventors: A Soerens Dave; Vasily Topolkaraev; Kelly D Branham
Original assignee: Kimberlyclark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1997-12-31
Filing date: 2000-06-28
Publication date: 2001-06-26

Abstract

A microlayer polymer film comprising a plurality of coextruded microlayers including a non-degradable layer comprising a non-water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer and degradable layer comprising a water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer. The microlayer polymer film degrades when soaked in water and is suitable as a covering material for disposable items such as flushable diapers. The microlayer polymer film is also breathable and is a barrier to small amounts of water. A suitable non-water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer is linear low density polyethylene filled with a particulate filler. A suitable water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer is polyethylene oxide.

Description

DEGRADABLE MICRQAPER POLYMER FILM IN AQUA TECHNICAL FIELD * This invention generally relates to polymer film, and more particularly refers to water degradable polymer films for use in the manufacture of disposable absorbent products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Polymer films are useful for making a variety of disposable articles because polymer films are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and can be made strong, durable, flexible, soft, and a barrier to aqueous liquids such as water. For example, polymer films are used to make disposable personal care items such as diapers, adult incontinence products, absorbent products for the care of women's underpants, and the like. In particular, polymer films are outer covers suitable for personal care items. Polymer films are also useful for making some types of garments covered for a variety of items.

The disposition of used personal care items, garments, and other covers is a preoccupation. It is often desirable that such used articles be disposed of in a sealed container or immediately taken to a remote disposal site due to unwanted odor or ugliness common to used personal care items and the like. For example, a used infant diaper is desirably quickly discarded and either sealed in a bag or other container or removed to a remote location.

It would be desirable to dispose of used personal care articles with discharge of ag and perhaps some types of garments and other covers in a comfortable manner, but due to the fact that such articles are typically insoluble or dispersible in water these result in the clogging of the commode. Polymer films made with water degradable polymers are possible, but typically do not have the other necessary characteristics such as high durability resistance for use in personal care articles, garments and other covers. Therefore, there is a need for a water degradable polymer film which is strong durable.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION This invention satisfies the above described need by providing a microlayer polymer film comprising a plurality of coextruid microlayers that include a non-degradable layer comprising an extrudable and meltable polymer not degradable in water and a degradable layer comprising a molten and extrudable polymer. degradable in water The microlayer film of this invention is degraded in the ag for convenient disposal, but has sufficient strength and breathability to be used in applications such as disposable absorbent personal care products, garments and other cover materials . Therefore, the microlayer polymer film of this invention and the product made with such a film can easily be disposed of by water discharge. The microcap polymer film of this invention is particularly suitable for making disposable personal care items with water discharge such as diapers, women's care products for adult incontinence products, and underpants learning.

The non-degradable water layer of the film of this invention imparts strength and barrier properties to the film. The microlayer polymer film of this invention desirably has a dry tensile strength of po at least about 5 MPa in the machine direction a hydrostatic breaking strength of at least d around 1 mbar. The degradable layer in water imparts a low moisture resistance to the film and makes the film degradable in water. The wet tension energy at film break is not more than 200 J / cm3 in the machine direction after the microcap polymer film has been soaked in water for 1 minute. The microlayer of this invention is also permeable to water vapor, desirably having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 300 g / m2 / day / thousandth of an inch. Both layers are degradable in water and non-degradable in water are permeable to water vapor. The non-degradable layer in water may include a particulate filler material, and preferably a hydrophilic surfactant, to control the interaction of the film with the liquids, allowing access of water and other aqueous liquids to the laminated microlayer structure of the film. of microcap or to improve the water vapor permeability of the n degradable layer in water. The non-degradable layer in water may also include a particulate filler and a hydrophilic surfactant for the same reasons.

The non-degradable polymers in suitable water when they are in the form of a solid state film are not soluble and are not dispersible in water and have tensile properties which are not essentially affected by water.

For example, films made of suitable non-degradable water polymers have a wet tensile strength which is essentially the same as the dry tensile strength of the film. Suitable water degradable polymers when in the form of a solid state film have tensile strength properties which are essentially reduced when such films are soaked in water. Desirably, solid state films made of suitable water-degradable polymers dissolve or disperse in water. Suitable degradable polymers in ag which do not dissolve or disperse in the ag form films which have an essentially lower tensile strength than the dry tensile strength of the films.

More particularly, the microlayer polymer film of this invention includes a plurality of degradable layers comprising the water-degradable, meltable-extrudable polymer and a plurality of degradable layers comprising the meltable and water-degradable extrudable polymer. The plurality of non-degradable layers and the plurality of degradable cap are arranged in a series of repetitive and parallel laminate units, each laminate unit comprising at least one of the degradable layers and at least one of the non-degradable layers.

Generally, the individual film microlayers of this invention have a sufficiently small thickness such that the non-degradable layers in water and the water degradable layers of the microlayer film adhere to each other to form a laminate and do not delaminate despite the incompatibility of water-degradable and water-degradable polymers. Each microlayer in the polymer film of this invention has a thickness of from about 10 Angstroms to about 150 microns. Desirably, the microlayer has a thickness which does not exceed 50 microns preferably does not exceed 10 microns. More particularly each microlayer has a thickness which is not less than 10 Angstroms and preferably is not less than 500 Angstrom Widely described, the film of this invention has degradable and non-degradable cap making a total of 8 to 17,000 number, and preferably 60 to 8,000 in number. The thinner microlayer films, such as for the personal care product covers, have a total of 60 to 4.00 degradable and non-degradable microlayers. Preferably, the film has 120 to 1,000 degradable and degradable microlayers.

Suitable non-water degradable polymers to be used in this invention include water-insoluble and non-water-dispersible polymers such as polyolefins. linear low density polyethylene is a non-degradable polymer in water particularly preferred. Suitable water degradable polymers are soluble or dispersible in water. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) is a preferred water-degradable polymer.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, each lamination unit of the microlayer film can include a tie layer placed between the non-degradable layer in water and the water degradable layer to modify or increase the properties of the microlayer film. Mooring layer can be formed from a variety of polymers Suitable polymers are chosen depending on the desired properties of the microlayer film. For example, the tie layer polymer can be selected to have an affinity with the non-degradable layer in water or with the degradable cap in water or both to improve adhesion and interaction between those layers. The tie layer polymer may also be selected to increase other properties of the microlayer film such as firmness and sweeping. Thus, according to a particular embodiment, the microlayer polymer film has a non-degradable layer in water of LLDPE. , a polycaprolactone mooring layer and a water degradable cap of polyethylene oxide.

According to another aspect of this invention, it provides a method for making a micro-layer polymer film. This method includes coextruding a molten polymer and extrudable and non-degradable in water and a water degradable extrudable molten polymer to form a laminate comprising a non-degradable layer including the non-degradable molten and extrudable polymer in water and a degradable layer which includes a water degradable molten extrudable polymer. . The method further includes separating the laminate while the laminate is in a molten and extrudable state to form a pa of laminated halves each including a portion of the degradable layer and a portion of the degradable layer. After the separation, the laminate halves are thinned and enlarged and are then stacked on top of another pair to reform the laminate so that the laminate comprises a plurality of repetitive laminate units in a parallel stacked array. Each laminate unit comprises a degradable layer n that includes the polymer melt and extrudable n degradable in water and a degradable layer including the melt polymer and water degradable extrudable. The steps of separating, expanding, and stacking are repeated to form the laminate in the microlayer polymer film. The resulting microlayer film can also be stretched and axially thinned to reduce the basis weight of the microlayer film to improve the access of water and other liquids to the laminate structure of the microlayer film, to improve the disintegration of the microlayer film in the water, and improves the transport of water vapor or the ability to breathe of the film.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a film which is strong, has a capacity to breathe, and is degradable in water, but which scavenges small amounts of water and other aqueous liquids.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method for making the above film.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cover material for absorbent and disposable and disposable personal care products with discharge of water, garments and other covers.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from the present detailed description of the drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a coextrusion system for making a microlayer polymer film according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-layer matrix element and the layer process multiple used in the coextrusion system illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial plan view of a diaper made according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional SEM photomicrograph of a microlayer polymer film made in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As summarized above, this invention encompasses a microlayer polymer film which is water degraded by the arrangement, but which has sufficient strength and breathing capacity to be used in applications such as absorbent product and personal care product covers. the water absorbing films. Below is a detailed description of the embodiments of this invention including a method for coextruding the microlayer polymer film, followed by a description of the uses and properties of the film and the particular examples of the film.

The microlayer polymer film of this invention comprises a plurality of co-extruded microlayers the which form a laminated structure. The co-extruded microlayers include a plurality of non-degradable layers comprising an extruded and melt-free and non-degradable polymer and a plurality of degradable layers comprising a molten and extrudable polymer degradable in water. The plurality of non-degradable layers and the plurality of degradable layers are arranged in a series of parallel repeating laminate units. Each rolling unit comprises at least one of the degradable layers and at least one of the n degradable layers. DesirablyEach laminate unit has a degradable layer laminated to a non-degradable layer so that the co-extruded microlayers alternate between the degradable and non-degradable layers. Alternatively, each laminate unit may also include a transition or tie layer between the layer degradable and the non-degradable layer. The mooring layer is useful for modifying or increasing the properties of the microlayer film.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional SEM photomicrograph of a microlayer polymer film made in accordance with an embodiment of this invention and illustrates the configuration of the alternating layers. The water degradable layers are made of polyethylene oxide and are smooth in the photomicrograph. The non-degradable layers in water are made of linear low density polyethylene filled with a surfactant modified with calcium carbonate and having a texture rough in the photomicrograph. The film in FIG. 4 has 256 microlayers alternating between micro layers of polyethylene oxide and linear low density polyethylene. Even though the layers of the film illustrated in FIG. 4 are continuous, it should be understood that films with discontinuous microlayers are also encompassed by this invention. Having discontinuity in the degradable layer in water or in the degradable layer in water, or in both, it may be desirable, for example to increase the adhesion between the layers.

Generally, the individual microlayers of the film of this invention have a sufficiently small thickness so that the non-degradable layers in water and the water degradable layers of the microlayer film adhere to each other to form a laminate and do not de-laminate to the film. despite the incompatibility of water degradable polymers and non-degradable in water. Each microlayer in the polymer film of this invention has a thickness of from about 10 Angstroms to about 150 microns. Desirably, each microlayer has a thickness which does not exceed 50 microns, preferably does not exceed 10 microns. More particularly, each microlayer has a thickness which is at least 10 Angstroms and preferably at least 500 Angstroms. Preferably, the microlayers of the film have a thickness of from about 500 Angstroms to about 10 microns. E thickness of the layers of water-degradable polymers and n degradable in water does not laminate very well and tend to delaminate after co-extrusion. The microlayers, however, form laminated films with high integrity integrity because they do not delaminate after coextrusion of the microlayer. The microlayers allow the combination of two or more layers of normally incompatible polymers in a monolithic film with a strong coupling between the individual layers without using the compatibilizing agents. The term monolithic film has here a meaning of a film which has multiple layers which adhere to one another and function as a single unit.

The number of microlayers in the film of this invention varies widely from about 8 to 17,000 e number, and preferably from about 60,000 to 8,000 e number. A suitable cover material for personal care articles desirably has from about 6 to about 4,000 microlayers and preferably from about 120 to about 1,000 microlayers. Thick films useful for items such as electrically conductive tape and absorbing strands of fluid from the body or water, have from about 4,000 to about 17,000 microlayers. Generally, the overall thickness of the microlayer polymer film varies from about 5 microns to about 1 millimeter. Desirably, the overall thickness of the Microplate polymer film varies from about 1 micron to about 0.5 millimeter, and preferably varies from about 25 microns to about 0.3 millimeter. The cover materials for personal care items desirably have a thickness of from about 1 micron to about 125 microns and preferably have a thickness of from about 25 microns to about 75 microns.

The degradable microplates of the film of this invention desirably consist essentially of a water-degradable molten and extrudable polymer. The water degradable polymer must be melted and extrudable so that it can first be co-extruded together with the non-water degradable polymer to form the microlayer film. furtherThe polymer degradable in water is preferably permeable to the water vapor or has the ability to breathe when in the form of a film and is typically hydrophilic. Suitable water degradable polymers are characterized by being soluble or dispersible in water or water swellable, or by having tensile properties, such as tensile strength and modulus, which essentially fall off when the polymer, in the form of a film, it is moistened with water When they are dry, however, the degradable polymers and water retain their shape and their integrity like a film. Preferred water-degradable polymers inc water-dispersible and water-soluble pores which disintegrate in water. Desirably, water degradable polymers disintegrate in water in less than about 1 minute. Suitable water-degradable polymers include d-polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene oxide copolymers and polypropylene oxide, other water-dispersible ethylene oxide copolymers, water-dispersible polyethylene oxide mixtures, water degradable classes of polyvinyl alcohol mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol, polyether oxazoline, polyester and water-degradable branched copolyesters, water-dispersible polyurethane, water-degradable acrylic acid-based copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether dispersible in water, cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, the hydroxypropyl cellulose methamate, the hydroxypripyl methyl cellulose and the ethyl cellulose and the like.

The preferred water-degradable polymer for making the degradable microlayer polymer film is polyethylene oxide. Chemically modified or grafted polyethylene oxide is also suitable. Polyethylene oxide resins having molecular weights ranging from about 100,000 to 8,000,000 are useful. High molecular weight polyethylene oxide resins are desirable for improving liquid stability, mechanical strength, ductility, while low molecular weight polyethylene oxide resins provide improved melt flow film-forming properties. The examples of the Particularly suitable polyethylene oxide resins used in this invention include the following: (1) WSR N-80 of molecular weight equal to 200,000, (2) WSR N-750, molecular weight equal to 300,000, (3) WSR N-3000 , molecular weight equal to 400.00 and (4) WSR K12, molecular weight equal to 1,000,000, all supplied by Union Carbide in powder form and pelletized at Planet Polymer Technologies of San Diego, California. Other suitable commercially available water degradable polymers include the polyvinyl alcohol ECOMATY AX-200 available from Nippon Gohsei having offices in New York Neva York and the branched polyesters and copolyesters of Eastman AQ.

The degradable microplates in water may also include processing additives and solid state operation modifiers blended with the degradable polymer in water in amounts of from about 0.05 hast parts of additive to 100 parts of polymer resin. Suitable additives include a wide variety of materials such as water, polymer emulsions, surfactants, mineral acids, halogens, urea, polyureas, gelatin, metal halides, metal salts, phenols, phenolic resins, polymeric acids, benzoic acid derivatives , glycol derivatives, phosphoric acid derivatives and sorbitan derivatives. The various additives can have a plasticizing effect, improve the melt flow characteristics, improve the strength and roughness, improve the module, modify the crystalline structure control the release properties and modify the electrochemical behavior. Examples of suitable additives include the sorbitan polyoxyethylene monolaurate, and Tween 20, the ethoxylated nonylphenol, the Tergitol NP-13 and the diethylene glycol dibenzoate. Antioxidants can also be added to improve oxidative stability.

The water-non-degradable layer of the microlayer film of this invention desirably consists of the essential form of a non-degradable melt-extrudable polymer which makes firm, ductile and strong films to reinforce the microlayer film of this invention. The n degradable layer in water provides resistance, barrier and durability properties of which the polymer degrades in water. The non-degradable layer in water is a barrier to small amounts of water and other aqueous fluids such as body fluids. In addition, the non-degradable layer in water and desirably permeable to water vapor (ability to breathe) when in the form of a very thin microlayer but does not degrade in water. Thus, a film made of non-degradable polymer in water is insoluble in water, not dispersed in water and has the tensile properties which essentially decline after the film has been soaked in water. In other words, the tensile properties of a film made from a non-degradable polymer in water essentially the same when the film has been soaked in water as when the film is dry.

The term "molten and extrudable polymer" as used herein means a thermoplastic material having a melt flow rate (MFR) value of not less than about 0.2 grams / 10 minutes, based on ASTM D1238. More particularly, the melt flow rate value of the melted and extrudable polymers ranges from about 0. grams / 10 minutes to about 100 grams / 10 minutes Desirably, the melt flow rate value of the melted polymers and suitable extrudates ranges from about 0.4 grams / 10 minutes to about 50 grams / 1 minutes, and preferably, ranges from about 0. grams / 10 minutes to about 20 grams per 10 minutes to provide the desired levels of proesamiento.

Yet . more particularly, the molten and extrudable thermoplastic polymers suitable for use in this invention are stretchable in the solid state to enable a process of stretching the microlayer film. The ratio of the true stress fracture stress (tension force to failure divided by the cross-sectional area of the failed sample), and stress to yield, are useful for determining the stretch of the polymer film Desirably, such a ratio for molten polymers Suitable extrudates used in this invention vary from about 1 to about 150, more desirably from about 5 to about 100, and preferably from about 10 to about 50.

Generally, the non-degradable polymers in water and melts and extrudates for use in this invention include the thermoplastic polymers, the copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable are non-degradable polymers in water which include polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene homopolymers, ethylene and propylene copolymers, polyethers, copolyethers, polyamides, copolyamides, polyester, copolyester, polyurethane and the copolymers and mixtures thereof.

Particularly suitable melt and extrudable water-degradable polymers for use in this invention include copolymers of ethylene and C4-C8 alpha olefin monomers such as superoctane resins. Superoctane resins include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins which are produced by the polymerization of ethylene and 1-octene comonomer. The DOWLEX next generation (NG) ® resins available from Dow Chemical Corporation of Midland, Michigan are suitable linear low density polyethylene resins. Superoctene resins are made with a catalyst system other than metallocene or Insite. Particularly suitable superoxide resins useful in the present invention include, for example, DOWLEX NG 3347A linear low density polyethylene resin which contains about 7% octene (percent by nominal weight) and 93% ethylene). Other resins suitable for this invention include DOWLEX NG 3310 or other polyethylene homopolymers, copolymers and other mixtures. Still other suitable non-water degradable polymers include, for example, random copolymers such as those containing propylene and ethylene. In particular, Union Carbide 6D81 and 6D82 random copolymers containing 5.5% ethylene are suitable and are available from Unio Carbide Corporation. The polypropylene homopolymers, the copolymers and their mixtures as well as the thermoplastic polyesters, such as the polycaprolactone resin or non-water degradable polymers suitable for use in this invention. The TONE 787 polycaprolactin resin available from Union Carbide is particularly desirable as explained below in greater detail.

The non-degradable layer in water of the microlayer film of this invention may also include processing additives and solid state modifiers in amounts of from about 0.05 to about 5 parts of additive to 100 parts of resin. Such additives may include calcium stearate or other acid scavengers, organilicone compounds, glycol silicone copolymers, olefinic elastomers, low molecular weight paraffins or surfactant lubricant additives. The various additives can have an effective plasticizer, improve the strength and smoothness of the film, improve interaction with fluids and help facilitate extrusion, film setting, etching process, and interaction with fluids. Again antioxidants can be added to improve oxidative stability.

Both the water degradable and the water degradable layers can include a complementary material such as a filler, a surfactant, or other surfactant material. The filler material can be a particulate filler material to increase the water vapor permeability of the film. The particle filling material creates discontinuity in the layer to provide trajectories for water vapor to move through the film. The particulate filler material can also increase the capacity of the microlayer film to absorb or immobilize the fluid, improve the degradation of the microlayer film in the water, provide porosity initiation debonding sites to increase the formation of pores when the Microlayer film is stretched and reduce the production cost of the microlayer film In addition, the lubrication and release agents can facilitate the formation of microvoids and the development of a porous structure in the film during the stretching of the film and can reduce adhesion and friction in the resin-filler interface. Surfactant materials such as surfactants coated on the filler material can reduce the surface energy of the film, increase the hydrophilicity of the film, reduce the tackiness of the film, provide lubrication, or reduce the coefficient of friction of the film.

Suitable filler materials can be organic or inorganic and are desirably in the form of discrete and individual particles. Suitable inorganic filler materials include metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal sulfates, various kinds of clay, silica, alumina, metals and powder, glass microspheres, or particles that contain hollow rods. Particularly suitable filler materials include calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, dicarbonate, kaolin, carbon, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, and titanium dioxide. Still other inorganic fillers may include those with particles that have higher aspect ratios such as talc mica, and wollastonite. Suitable organic filler materials include, for example, latex particles, particle of thermoplastic elastomers, pulp powders, cellulose-derived wood powders, chitin, chitosan powder, highly crystalline and higher melting polymer powders, cross-linked highly crosslinked polymers, organosilicone dusts, and superabsorbent polymer powders, such as polyacrylic acid and the like, as well as combinations derived therefrom. These filler materials can improve roughness, softness, opacity, vapor transport rate (ability to breathe), water dispersibility, biodegradability, fluid immobilization and absorption, skin well-being and other beneficial attributes. of the microlayer film.

The particulate filler material is suitably present in the non-degradable layer in water in an amount from about 30 to about 80 percent by weight of the layer and has an average particle size ranging from about 0.1 to about of 50 microns. More particularly, the filler material is present in the non-degradable layer of water in a quantity of not more than about 65% by weight of the layer and the average particle size does not exceed about 6% by weight. microwaves The particulate filler material is suitably present in the microlayer film in an amount d from about 0.5 to about 70% by weight of the film. Desirably, the average particle size of the Irellenter material does not exceed about 10 microns, more desirably does not exceed 8 microns, even more desirably does not exceed about 5 microns, and preferably does not exceed about 1 micron.

Suitable commercially available filler materials include the following: 1. SUPERMITE, an ultra-fine milled CaC03, which is available from ECC International, of Atlanta Georgia. This material has a cut-off particle size of about 8 microns and an average particle size of about 1 meter and can be coated with a surfactant, such as Dow Corning 193 surfactant prior to mixing with the n-degradable polymer in water. 2. SUPERCOAT, a ground and ultra-finely coated CaC03, which is available from ECC International of Atlanta, Georgia. This material has a particle size d superior cut of about 8 microns and a mean particle size of about 1 miera. 3. OMYACARB UF, a high purity and ultra-fine ground and wet CaC03 which is available from OMYA, INC. from Procter, Vermont. This material has a superior cut particle size of about 4 images and an average particle size of about 0.7 microns and provides good prosecution. This filler may also be coated with a surfactant such as Dow Corning 193 surfactant before mixing with the non-degradable polymer in water. 4. OMYACARB UFT CaC03, an ultrafin surface-coated pigment with stearic acid available from OMYA INC. This material has a superior particle size of about 4 microns and a median particle size of about 0.7 microns and provides good processing.

The surfactants increase the hydrophilicity of the film and increase the permeability of the film water vapor. For example, the surfactant material may be mixed or otherwise incorporated into the particulate filled material before the filler material is mixed with the non-degradable polymer in water. Suitable surfactant materials have a hydrophilic lipophilic balance number (HLB) of from about 6 to about d 18. Desirably, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number of the surfactant material varies from about 8 to about 16, and more Desirably it varies from about d 12 to about 15. When the lipophilic hydrophilic balance number is very low, the wetting may be insufficient and when the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number is very high the surfactant material may have insufficient adhesion the matrix of the non-degradable layer polymer in water, and can wash out very easily during use. A number of commercially available surfactants can be found in the work of McCutcheon volume 2; Functional Materials, 1995.

Suitable surfactants for treating particulate filler include glycol silicone copolymers, ethylene glycol oligomers, acrylic acid, hydrogen-bound compounds, carboxylated alcohol, ethoxylates, various ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkyl phenols, the ethoxylated fatty esters, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. The commercially available and suitable surfactants include the following 1. The surfactants composed of alkyl phenol ethoxylated such as IGEPAL RC-620, RC-630, CA-620, 630, 720 CO-530, 610, 630, 660, 710 and 730 which are available from Rhone-Poulenc, Inc., of Cranbury, New Jersey. 2. Surfactants composed of silicone glycol copolymers, such as Dow Corning D190, D193, FF400, and D1315 available from Dow Corning of Midland, Michigan. 3. Surfactants composed of ethoxylated mono diglycerides, such as Mazel 80 MGK, masil SF 19 Mazell65 C, available from PPG Industries, Inc., of Gurneen Illinois. 4. The ethoxylated alcohole compound surfactants, such as Genapol 26-L-98N, Genapol 26-L60N, Genapol 26-L-5 which are available from Hoechst Celanes Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina.

. Surfactants composed of carboxylated alcohol ethoxylates such as Marlowet 4700 and Marlowet 5703 are available from Huís America, Inc., of Piscataway New Jersey. 6. Ethoxylated fatty esters such as Pationic 138C, Pationic 122A, Pationic SSL, which are available from R.I.T.A. Woodstock Corporation, Illinois.

The surfactant material is suitably present in the non-degradable layer in water in an amount d from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of the n degradable layer in water. Desirably, the surfactant material is present in the non-degradable layer in water in an amount d from about 1 to about 15% by weight of the layer, more desirably in an amount of from about 2 about 10% by weight of the layer. The surfactant material is suitably present in the filler material of particles in an amount of from about 3 to about 12% by weight of the filler material. Desirably, the surfactant material is present in the filler material and particles in an amount of from about 4 to about 10% by weight of the filler material and more desirably from about 6 to about 10% by weight of the filler material.

In the microlayer of this invention the n degradable layer in water desirably constitutes from 3 to 95% by weight of the microlayer film. Therefore, the water degradable layer desirably constitutes from 97 to 5% by weight of the film microlayer. More desirably, the n-degradable layers in water constitute from 5 to 90% by weight of the microlayer film and the water degradable layers constitute from 95 to 10% by weight of the film microlayer. Even more desirably, the non-degradable layers of water constitute 10 to 70% by weight of the film d microlayers and the degradable layers constitute 90 to 30% by weight of the microlayer film.

The transitional or mooring layer described in the alternating embodiment mentioned above may be formed from a variety of melt-extrudable polymers. Suitable polymers are chosen depending on the desired properties of the microlayer film. For example, the tie-cap polymer may be selected to have an affinity with the non-degradable layer in water or with the degradable layer in water or with both to provide improved adhesion and interaction within. those layers. The polymer of the tie layer may also be selected to improve other properties of the microlayer film such as the firmness and the barrier and may increase the disintegration of the microlayer film in the water. Suitable polymers for the tie layer depend on the particular polymers used for the water degradable layer for the non-water degradable layer, but generally include ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, polyester thermoplastics, polyalkylene-poly (oxid) block copolymers. ethylene), similar poly (vinyl alcohol) block copolymers. Desirably, the tie layer constitutes from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of the film d microlayers. More desirably, the layer constitutes from about 1.5 to about 15% by weight of the microlayer film d and even more desirably constitutes from about 3 to about 10% by weight of the film microlayer.

A suitable method for making the microlayer film d of this invention is a co-extrusion process d microlayers wherein two or more polymers are co-extruded to form a laminate with two or more layers, whose laminate is then manipulated to multiply the number of layers in the Figure 1 illustrates a coextrusion device 10 for forming the microlayer films. This device includes a pair of opposed screw extruders 12 and 14 connected through the respective dosing pumps 16 and 18 to a block d coextrusion 20. A plurality of multiplier elements 22a g extend in series from the co-extrusion block perpendicularly to the screw co-extruders 12 and 14. One of the multiplier elements includes a matrix element 24 placed in the melt flow conduit of coextrusion device. The last multiplication element 22g is attached to a discharge nozzle 25 through which the final product is extruded.

A schematic diagram of the coextrusion process carried out by the coextrusion device 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 also illustrates the structure of the array element 24 placed in each of the multiplier elements 22a-g. Each matrix element 2 divides the melt flow path into two conduits 26 and 28 with the adjacent blocks 31 and 32 separated by the dividing wall 33. Each of the blocks 31 and 32 includes a ramp 34 and an expansion platform 36. The ramps 34 of the respective matrix element blocks 31 and 32 are tilted from opposite sides of the melt flow conduit to the center of the melt flow conduit. The expansion platforms 36 extend from the ramps 34 on top of one another.

To make a microlayer film degradable in water using the co-extrusion device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, a non-degradable polymer in water such as linear low density polyethylene is extruded through a single screw extruder 12 into the co-extrusion block 20. Similarly, a water-degradable polymer such as the oxide of Polyethylene is extruded through the second single screw extruder 14 into the same coextrusion block 20. In the co-extrusion block 20, a laminated melt structure d of two layers 38 such as that illustrated in step A in FIG. 2 is formed with the degradable polyethylene oxide in water forming a layer on top of a non-degradable linear low density polyethylene layer in water. The molten laminate is then extruded through the series d multiplying elements 22a-g to form a microlaminate of 256 layers with the layers alternating between linear low density polyethylene polyethylene oxide. As the two-layer melt laminate is extruded through the first multiplying element 22a, the partition wall 33 of the matrix member 2 divides the melt laminate 38 into two halves 44 and 46 each having a polyethylene oxide layer 40. and a linear low density polyethylene layer 42. This is illustrated in step B in Figure 2. As the melt laminate 3 divides, each of the halves 44 and 46 are forced along the respective ramps 34 and outside the matrix element 24 along the respective expansion platforms 36. ESt reconfiguration of the melt laminate is illustrated in fas C in Figure 2. When the melt laminate 38 comes out of 24, the expansion platform 36 places the divided halves 44 and 46 on the top one of otr to form a four-layer melt laminate 50 having in a parallel stacking arrangement, a layer of low density polyethylene. linear, a polyethylene oxide layer, a linear low density polyethylene cap and a polyethylene oxide layer in the form of a laminate. This process is repeated as the melt laminate proceeds through each of the multiplier elements 22b-g. When the molten laminate is discharged through the discharge nozzle 25, the molten laminate d forms a film having 256 layers.

The above micro-layer coextrusion device and the process are described in greater detail in the article by Mueller et al., Entitled Innovative Structures by Extrusion of Microlayers-Talc-Filled with PP, PC / SAN HOPE-LLDPE. A similar process is described in US Pat. Nos. 3,576,707 and 3,051,453, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The relative thickness of the water-degradable and water-non-degradable layers of the film made by the above process can be controlled by varying the proportion of the polymers in the extruders, thereby controlling the constituent volume fraction. In addition one or more d The extruders can be added to the coextrusion device to increase the number of different polymers in the film d microlayers. For example, a third extruder can be added to increase a tie layer to the film.

The water degradable microlayer film can be subjected to a selected plurality of stretching operations, such as a uniaxial stretching operation, a biaxial stretching operation. Stretching operations can provide a microporous microlayer film with a distinctive porous microlayer morphology can increase the transport of water vapor through the film and can improve water access, and increase water degradation of the film.

The microlayer film of the invention can be pretreated to prepare the film for subsequent stretch operations. The pretreatment can be done by tempering the film at elevated temperatures, by spraying the film with a surfactant fluid (such as liquid or vapor from the surfactant material used to modify the surface of the filler material, by modifying the physical state of the film). the microlayer film with u ultraviolet radiation treatment, an ultrasonic treatment, or a high energy radiation treatment.In addition, the pretreatment of the microlayer film can be Incorporate a selected combination of two or more of the above techniques. The following examples 1-16 and 19-23 are designed to illustrate the particular embodiments of this invention and teach an expert in the art how to carry out the invention. Examples 17 and 18 and 24 are comparative examples.

Example 1 A particulate filler material CaC (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% per pes (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A) supplied by Dow Plastics through the use of the Farrel high cut mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. E modified low density linear density polyethylene resin surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven placed at 80 ° C before coextrusion of the microlayer. The resin ® POLYOX WSR N-3000 in powder form (from Union Carbid Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using an air-cooled band in Planet Polyme Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide and modified surfactant resin. filled linear low density polyethylene resin were fed to the extruder of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by placing the corresponding pump speeds 36 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 1 revolutions per minute (low density polyethylene filled line). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film die set at 170 ° C. The 256 layer bonded film had a 90/10 ratio of polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled with volume and a thickness of less than 1 mil.

Example 2 A CaC0 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% per pes (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low-density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene copolymer -1 (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.), and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. E surfactant and low density polyethylene resin filled and modified line was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before coextrusion of the microlayer. L® POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cooled band by air e Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the polyethylene oxide resin and modified low density linear polyethylene resin filled with surfactant were fed to extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The extruder temperature was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene d resin and set at 150 ° for polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by placing the pump speeds corresponding to 36 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 4 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 102 layer microlayer film was produced using 9 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 170 ° C. The melted 1024 layer film had a 90/10 d polyethylene oxide / low polyethylene ratio. linear density filled by volume and a thickness of about 1 thousandth of an inch.

Example 3 A particulate filler CaC0 (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the polyethylene resin of b > aj to linear density composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size d CaCO3 was about 1 mire and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the analysis. of ashes. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. The linear modified low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before coextrusion of the microlayer. PQLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelleted using an air-cooled web in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and low density linear densified polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C to the linear low density polyethylene resin filled and set at 150 ° for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 12 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 102 layer microlayer film was produced using 9 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die. The set 1024-layer film had a 70/30 ratio of linear low density polyethylene / polyethylene oxide filled with volume and a thickness of about 1 mil to mil. 4 A CaC0 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the resin filled was pelletized The mean particle size of CaC03 was about 1 miera, and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. L modified linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before use in the process d ® coextrusion microlayers. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets from polyethylene oxide resin and polyethylene resin of low linear density modified with surfactant was fed to the extruders of the co-extrusion line d microlayers. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 12 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 51 layer microlayer film was produced using 8 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die. The melted 512-layer film had a 70/30 ratio of linear low density polyethylene / polyethylene oxide filled to volume and a thickness of about 1 mil.

Example 5 A CaC0 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a high shear mixer Farrel (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaC03 was about 1 miera and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the janus analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. L modified linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before using the process d ® coextrusion of microlayers. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using an air-cooled band In Planet Polymer Technologies, pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and surfactant-modified linear low density polyethylene resin were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line d microlayers.The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C to l resin of linear low density polyethylene filled and put at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 12 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 170 ° C.

The 256 layer film set had a ratio of 70/30 d polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled by volume and a thickness of about 1 mil.

Example 6 A CaC0 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the resin filled was pelletized The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. L modified linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before use in the process d ® coextrusion of microlayers. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelleted using an air-cooled band at Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to coextrusion d microplate line extruders. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 12 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 16 layer microlayer film was produced using 3 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film matrix. The cured 16 layer film had a ratio of 70/30 of polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled by volume. The film had a poor adhesion between the layers could be desiaminada.

Example 7 A CaC0 particulate filler (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The main particle size CaCO3 was about 1 mire and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. L modified linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before use in the process d ® coextrusion of microlayer. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to coextrusion d microplate line extruders. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The proportion d supply was controlled by placing the speeds d pump corresponding to 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 12 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filled). A 8 layer microlayer film was produced using 2 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film matrix. The molten 8-ply film had a 70/30 ratio of polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled by volume. The film had a poor adhesion between the layers could be delaminated.

Example 8 A CaC0 particulate filler (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation). The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high cut mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter and the CaCO3 concentration was 43.4% (based on the total weight of the resin, the filler and the surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 193 had a number of hydrophilic and lipophilic balance of 12.2. The linear low density polyethylene resin filled and modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before use in the co-extrusion process d microlayer. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelleted using an air-cooled web in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and low density linear densified polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and set at 150 ° for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by placing the pump speeds corresponding to 20 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 20 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filled). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die. The 256-layer set film had a 50/50 ratio of polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled with volume and a thickness of about 3 thousandths of an inch to thousandths of an inch.

Example 9 A CaC particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 334.7A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and filled resin It was pelletized. The main particle size CaC03 was about 1 miera, and the CaC03 concentration was 43..4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the analysis of ashes The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. L modified linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before use in the process d ® coextrusion of microlayer. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets from polyethylene oxide resin and polyethylene resin Low-density linear fillers modified with surfactant were fed to extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The proportion d supply was controlled by placing the corresponding pump speeds at 20 revolutions per minute and at 2 revolutions per minute. A 512 layer microlayer film was produced using 8 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film matrix. The set 512 layer film had a 50/50 ratio of polyethylene oxide / linear filled low density polyethylene and thickness of about 3 mils to 4 mils d inch.

Example 10 A particulate filler material CaC (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high cut mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) yl filled resin was pelletized. The main particle size CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin, filler and surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The silicone glycol surfactant Dow Corning 19 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. The linear modified low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C using a coextrusió ® micro-layer process. The POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a band cooled by Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to coextrusion d microplate line extruders. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The proportion d supply was controlled by placing the corresponding pump speeds at 20 revolutions per minute and at 2 revolutions per minute. A 512 layer microlayer film was produced using 8 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film matrix. The film of 512 cured layer had a 50/50 ratio of oxide d polyethylene / linear low density polyethylene filled with volume and a thickness of about 2 mils to mils.

Example 11 A CaC particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the resin filled was pelletized The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 miera and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% (based on the total weight of the resin, the filler and the surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. The glycol surfactant silicone Dow Corning 193 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. The linear low density polyethylene resin filled and modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven at 80 ° C before using a co-extrusion process d microlayers. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelleted using an air-cooled web in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and low density linear densified polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 170 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and set at 150 ° for the polyethylene oxide resin. The proportion -d supply was controlled by placing the pump speeds corresponding to 12 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 28 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filled). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die. The 256-layer bonded film had a 30/70 ratio of linear low density polyethylene / polyethylene d oxide filled with volume and a thickness of about 3 thousandths of an inch to thousandths of an inch.

Example 12 A particulate filler material CaC0 (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was intermixed with linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex NG 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics by using a Farrel high shear mixer (Heritag Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The size of main particle CaC03 was about 1 miera and the CaC03 concentration was 50% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin and the filler) as measured by e ® ash analysis. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to coextrusion d microplate line extruders. The temperature of the extruder was set at 190 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by placing the pump speeds corresponding to 36 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 4 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 190 ° C The set 256 layer film had a 90/10 d polyethylene oxide / low polyethylene ratio linear density filled by volume and a thickness of about 1 thousandth of an inch.

Example 13 A particulate filler material CaC (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was intermixed with linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex NG 3347A supplied by Do Plastics) by using a high-cut Farre mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 miera and the concentration of CaCO3 was 50% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin and the filler) as measured by mediant ® ash analysis. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. The polyethylene oxide resin and the filled linear low density polyethylene resin resin were fed to the extruder of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 190 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene resin and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by placing the corresponding pump speeds 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 1 revolutions per minute (low density polyethylene filled line). A 256-layer microlayer film was produced using 7 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6-inch film matrix set at 190 ° C. The set 256 layer film had a 70/30 ratio of linear low density polyethylene / polyethylene d oxide filled to volume and a thickness of about 2 mils.

Example 14 A CaC0 particulate filler (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex NG 3347A supplied by Do Plastics) by, using a high-cut Farre mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The mean particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 miter, the concentration of CaCO3 was 50% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin and filler) as measured by mediant ® ash analysis. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the filled polyethylene oxide and linear low density polyethylene resin were fed to extruders of the microlayer co-extrusion line. The temperature of the extruder was set at 190 ° C for the resin of linear low density polyethylene and it was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by placing the corresponding bomb speeds at 20 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 20 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filled). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 190 ° C The set 256 layer film had a 50/50 d polyethylene oxide / low polyethylene ratio linear density filled by volume and a thickness of about 2 thousandths of an inch about 3 thousandths of an inch.

Example 15 A CaC0 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was intermixed with linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex NG 3347A supplied by Do Plastics) by using a high-cut Farre mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The mean particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 miter, the concentration of CaCO3 was 50% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin and filler) as measured by mediant ® ash analysis. POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) fu mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelleted using an air-cooled band at Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin were fed extruders from the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 190 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene d resin and set at 150 ° for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 12 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 28 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filling). A 25 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 cutter spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 190 ° C. The set 256 layer film had a 30/70 volume ratio of low density linear polyethylene / polyethylene oxide filled by volume and a thickness of about 2 mils.

Example 16 A CaC03 particulate filler material (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex NG 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a high-cut Farre mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The mean particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 miter, the concentration of CaCO3 was 50% by weight (based on the total weight of the resin and filler) as measured by mediant ® ash analysis. The POLYOX WSR N-12K resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using a twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. Pellets of filled polyethylene oxide and linear low density polyethylene resin were fed to the extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The extruder temperature was set at 190 ° C for the filled linear low density polyethylene d resin and set at 150 ° for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply rate was controlled by placing the corresponding pump speeds at 20 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 20 revolutions per minute (linear low density polyethylene filled). A 32 layer microlayer film was produced using 4 spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6 inch film matrix set at 190 ° C. The melted 32 layer film had a ratio of 50/50 d polyethylene oxide / linear low density polyethylene filled by volume and a film thickness of about 4 mils.

Example 17 POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the polyethylene oxide resin were fed to the extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The extruder temperature was set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene resin. The supply ratio was controlled by placing the pump speeds corresponding to 4 revolutions per minute. A control polyethylene oxide film was produced using 7 spreader matrix elements and cutters and a 6-inch film matrix capable of 170 ° C. The polyethylene oxide film had 100% d-polyethylene oxide and a thickness of about 2 mils. The film was dissolved in water for one minute, soaked it demonstrated a lack of barrier property.

Example 18 (Comparative) A CaC0 particulate filler (SUPERMITE from ECC International) was modified with 6% by weight (based on the weight of the filler material) of a DOW CORNING 193 silicone glycol surfactant (from Dow Corning Corporation) The resulting modified and treated filler material was intermixed with the linear low density polyethylene resin composed of an ethylene-octene-1 copolymer (Dowlex N 3347A supplied by Dow Plastics) by using a Farrel high cut mixer (Heritage Plastics, Inc.) and the filled resin was pelletized. The average particle size of CaCO3 was about 1 millimeter, and the concentration of CaCO3 was 43.4% (based on the total weight of the resin, the filler and the surfactant) as measured by the ash analysis. glycol silicone Dow Corning 193 had a hydrophilic and lipophilic balance number of 12.2. The linear low density polyethylene resin filled and modified with surfactant was dried for 14 hours using a vacuum oven set at 80 ° C before using a co-extrusion process d microlayers. Pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and filled linear low density polyethylene resin modified with surfactant were fed to extruders of the micro-layer coextrusion line. The temperature of the extruder was set at 170 ° C. The supply ratio was controlled by placing a pump speed corresponding to 4 revolutions per minute. A control-filled linear low density polyethylene film was produced using spreader and cutter matrix elements and a 6-inch film die set at 170 ° C. The cured film was composed of 100% linear low density polyethylene filled and modified by surfactant and had a thickness of about thousandths of an inch. The linear low-density polyethylene film filled with control did not respond to water and n changed the tensile properties after 1 minute of soaking in water.

Example 19 POLYOX WSR N-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of the plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. Air in Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the polyethylene oxide resin and d® polycaprolactone (PCL) resin TONE P-787 supplied by Union Carbid Corporation were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The temperature of the extruder was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by placing the corresponding bomb speeds at 36 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 4 revolutions per minute (polycaprolactone). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using 7 matrix spreaders and cutters and a 6 inch film matrix set at 150 ° C. The 256-layer fraguad film had a 90/10 ratio of oxide d polyethylene / polycaprolactone by volume and a thickness of about 1 thousandth of an inch to 2 thousandths of an inch.

Example 20 POLYOX® WSRN-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder and pelletized using a cold-cooled band. air, at Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and polycaprolactone (PCL) resin, TONE® P-787 was supplied by Unio Carbide Corporation and fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line of microlayers. The temperature of the extruder was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by setting the corresponding pump speeds at 28 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 12 revolutions per minute (polycaprolactone). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using cutter and spreader die elements and a matrix of 6-inch film set at 150 ° C. The 256 layer set film had a ratio of 70/30 polyethylene oxide polycaprolactone by volume and a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch to 2 mils.

Example 21 POLYOX® WSRN-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cooled band by air at Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the polyethylene oxide resin and the polycaprolactone resin (PCL), TONE® P-787 supplied by Unio Carbide Corporation were fed to extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The extruder temperature was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by setting the corresponding pump speeds at 20 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 20 revolutions per minute (polycaprolactone). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using cutter and spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 150 ° C. The 256 layer set film had a 50/50 ratio of polyethylene oxide polycaprolactone by volume and a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch to 2 mils.

Example 22 POLYOX® WSRN-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cooled band by air at Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of polyethylene oxide resin and polycaprolactone resin (PCL), TONE® P-787 supplied by Unio Carbide Corporation were fed to extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The extruder temperature was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 12 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and 28 revolutions per minute (polycaprolactone). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using cutter and spreader die elements and a 6-inch film matrix set at 150 ° C. The 256 layer set film had a ratio of 30/70 polyethylene oxide polycaprolactone by volume and a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch to 3 thousandths of an inch.

Example 23 POLYOX® WSRN-3000 resin (polyethylene oxide) in powder form (from Union Carbide Corporation) was mixed with 12% by weight of plasticizer, Tween 20, using twin screw extruder, and pelletized using a cooled band by air at Planet Polymer Technologies. The pellets of the polyethylene oxide resin and the polycaprolactone resin (PCL), TONE® P-787 supplied by Unio Carbide Corporation were fed to extruders of the micro-layer co-extrusion line. The temperature of the extruder was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone and set at 150 ° C for the polyethylene oxide resin. The supply ratio was controlled by setting the corresponding bomb speeds at 4 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) and at 36 revolutions per minute (polycaprolactone). A 256 layer microlayer film was produced using cutter and spreader die elements and a matrix of 6-inch film set at 150 ° C. The 256 layer set film had a ratio of 10/90 polyethylene oxide polycaprolactone by volume and a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch to 2 mils.

Example 24 (Comparative) The pellets of the polycarprolactone resin TONE® P-787 supplied by Union Carbide Corporation, were fed to extruders of the co-extrusion line d microlayers. The temperature of the extruder was set at 150 ° C for the polycaprolactone resin. The pump speed was set 40 revolutions per minute. A PCLL control film was produced using 7 cutter and spreader die elements and a 6 inch film die set at 150 ° C. The set film was composed of 100% polycaprolactone having a thickness of about 2 thousandths of an inch. The control polycaprolactone produced had a thickness of about 1 thousandth of an inch to 2 thousandths of an inch. The control polycaprolactone film produced did not respond to agu during a one-minute soak.

Example 25 The same as Example 8, only the resin POLYOX WSR N-80 (polyethylene oxide) was used to produce this film. The film thickness was about one millimeter.

Example 26 Same as Example 5, only that the POLYOX WSR N-80 resin (polyethylene oxide) was used to produce this film. The film thickness was around 1 millimeter Example 27 The same as Example 1, only that POLYOX WSR N-80 resin (polyethylene oxide) was used to produce this film. The film thickness was about one millimeter.

Example 28 The same as Example 13, only the POLYOX WSR N-80 resin (polyethylene oxide) was used to produce this film. The film thickness was around 1 millimeter Example 29 The same as Example 26, only the pellets of low density polyethylene resin filled and modified with surfactant were mixed in sec with ethylene acrylic acid copolymer pellets, Primacor 1430, in a proportion of 75 parts of resin. linear density filled polyethylene and 25 parts of Primacor 1430 copolymer. The Primacor 1430 copolymer was supplied by the Dow Chemical Company. The film thickness was about 1 millimeter.

Example 30 Same as Example 26, only that a third extruder was used to supply the Primacor 143 copolymer as a tie layer. The temperature of the third extruder was set at 170 ° C and the supply rate was controlled by setting the pump speeds corresponding to 2 revolutions per minute (polyethylene oxide) at 12 revolutions per minute (filled linear low density polyethylene), and revolutions per minute (Primacor 1430). The thickness of the film was around 1 millimeter.

Movie Properties The properties of the films made according to Examples 1 to 24 were measured and the results are shown in Table 1. The techniques for measuring these properties are described below.

Stress Properties A suitable technique for determining the mechanical properties of the microlayer films of the present invention can employ a Sintec voltage tester (SINTECH l / D) and a computer program Testworks 3.03. The voltage tester is a device available from MTS Syste Company, a business having offices located in Cary North Carolina 27513. The computer program is available from the MTS System Company, of Sintech Division, a business that has offices located in Cary, Carolina. of Nort 27513. Equipment and software that have essentially equivalent capabilities can also be used.

The mechanical properties can be evaluated with the tension tester using its strip test configuration The test was carried out with a 25 pound load cell (110 N) and 3-inch (7.6 cm) rubber-covered handles. The film test was carried out with a measuring length of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) and a crosshead speed of 5 inches / minute (12. centimeters / minute) .A single film sample loaded perpendicular to and at the center of The handles, and s held in place when the air pressure closes the handles together.The thickness of the film was entered by the user before beginning the stress test.

In this experiment, the film was stretched until the break occurred, and the equipment program or other equipment program creates a stress-strain diagram and calculates the desired mechanical properties for the sample. The mechanical properties in Table 1 include the Young modulus, tensile stress at breaking, the energy of deformation at break, and the% tension or elongation at break.

Properties of Tension in Wet To determine the wet tension properties, the individual film sample was soaked for one minute in tap water before the test. After soaking for one minute, the film sample is removed from water and tested according to the procedure described above, and the thickness of the film sample is measured before soaking for one minute in tap water.

Ability to Breathe The values of the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) for the film materials were calculated in accordance with ASTM E96-80. Circular samples measuring 3 inches in diameter were cut from each of the test materials and a control of a microporous film Celgard®2500 was available from Hoechst Celanese Corporation Individual samples of the test materials and control material were placed through the open top of the individual vapometers cups containing 100 milliliters of distilled water. The bolted flanges were tightened to form a seal along the edges of the cup. The cups were placed in a convection oven at 100 ° F. The relative humidity inside the horn was not specifically controlled. The cups were weighed and placed immediately in the oven. After 24 hours, the cups were removed from the oven and weighed again. The water vapor transmission rates of each material were calculated based on the weight loss and water vapor transmission rate of the control film, assuming the water vapor transmission rate of the Celgard 2500 microporous film. at 5000 grams / m2 / 24 hours under predetermined established conditions. A specific water vapor transmission rate per 1 thousandth of an inch was calculated by multiplying a water vapor transmission rate measured on the thickness of the film.

Hydrostatic Pressure Test The barrier properties of the microlayer film were measured using the hydrostatic pressure test which measures the resistance of the film sample to the penetration of water under low hydrostatic pressure. AND The method used in this invention is equivalent to Method 5514 of Standard Test Methods No. 191A, Test Method AATCC 127-189 and Test Method INDA 80.4-92. A film sample was mounted to form a cover on the test head reservoir. This film sample was subjected to a standardized water pressure, increased at a constant rate until runoff appeared on the outer surface of the film or water explosion occurred as a result of the film failure. The water pressure is measured as the hydrostatic head height reached at the first sign of runoff in three separate areas of the film sample or when an explosion occurs. The head height results are recorded in centimeter or millibars of water pressure on the specimen. A higher value indicates a greater resistance to water penetration. For the microlayer film samples of the current invention, the explosion typically occurred before draining in three separate areas of the test film. The FX-3000 TEXTEST Hydrostatic Head Tester, available from Mari Enterprises, Inc., was used for hydrostatic pressure measurements.

TABLE 1 Units E j. # 1 Ex. # 2 Ex. # 3 Ex. # 4 Properties of Dry Stress Resistance the Mpa Tension Direction of the Machine 54.7 27.4 Cross Direction 14.2 9.8 Locking Machine Steering 324 490 Transverse Direction 326 310 Breaking Energy J / cu.cm Machine Direction 120.5 86.8 Cross Direction 39.4 28.4 Mpa Module Machine Direction 207 95 Transmission Rate g / meter cua5000 1125 issa 1070 Water Vapor drado / 24hrs Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 2100 3200 Water Vapor / 1 drado / 24hrs / thousandth of an inch thousandth of an inch Hydrocarbon Pressure mbar 21 Properties of Tension in Humidity Resis in-C_i_a the Mpa Tension Machine Direction 10.8 10.2 Transversal Direction 3.2 1 Energy when breaking J / cu. cm Machine Direction 22.6 26.9 Transverse Direction 6.7 0.7 Module Mpa Address of the Machine 10. 6 13.5 TABLE 1 Continuation Units Ex. # 5 Ex. # 6 Ex. # 7 Ex. # 8 Properties of Dry Tension Resistance to the Mpa Voltage Direction of the Machine 23. 6 17.6 Transverse Direction 12. 9 8.8 Elongating Machine Direction 625 518 Direction Transversal 577 450 Energy when breaking J / cu. cm Machine Direction 102 62.4 Direction Transversal 61 35 Mpa Module Machine Address 114 65 Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 720 200 225 640 Water Vapor drado / 24hrs Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 2890 2550 Water Vapor / l drado / 24hrs / thousandth of an inch thousandth of an inch Hydraulic head pressure mbar 26 30 Properties of Tension in Wet Resistance to Mpa Tension Machine Address 11.7 12.2 Direction Transversal 6.4 4.2 Breaking Energy J / cu.cm Machine Direction 27.8 44.7 Transverse Direction 21.5 12.7 Mpa Module Machine Direction 34 35 TABLE 1 Continuation Units Ex. # 9 Ex. # 10 Ex. #ll Ex. # 12 Properties of Dry Tension Resistance to Mpa Voltage Direction of the Machine 20.6 39.4 21.7 41.4 Cross Direction 6.6 12.5 3 16.6 Elongation Machine direction 625 280 Transverse direction 43_0 400 Energy when breaking J / cu. cm Machine Direction 83 122.5 84 93 Direction Transversal 10 20 30 62 Mpa Module Direction of the Máguina 130 126 91 220 Transmission Rate g / meter cua70 1100 500 1150 Water Steam dredged / 24hrs Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 3300 1980 Water Steam / l drado / 24hrs / thousandth of an inch thousandth • Hydrohead pressure mbar 35 15.5 0 Properties of Tension in Wet Resistance to Mpa Tension Machine Direction 13.9 9 15 18 Transversal Direction 3.1 1.4 5 4.4 Energy at breaking Cu. cm _ Machine Address 30 20 4.3 17 Cross Direction 2 1.5 15.6 7.3 Mpa Module Machine Address 107 30 41 55 TABLE 1 Continuation Units Ex. # 13 Ex. # 14 Ex. # 15 Ex. # 16 Dry Stress Properties Mpa Resistance Stress Machine Direction 45.6 24 28.4 Transversal Direction 9.6 15.3 14.4 Lengthening Machine Direction 440 470 466 Transversal Direction 390 6/40 493 Breakdown Energy J / cu.cm Machine Direction 111 79.4 90 Cross Direction 32 73 58 Mpa Module Machine Direction 158 176 122 Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 573 540 250 Vapor Drado / 24hrs Transmission Rate of g / meter cua- 1300 Vapor / 1 thousandth of a drado / 24nrs / inch thousandth of an inch Hydrohead pressure mbar 23 47 37 Properties of Wet Tension Mpa Resistance Voltage Machine Direction 28 24.7 24.7 Transversal Direction 4.1 15 11.6 Energy at Breakage J / cu cm Direction of Máguina 47 88 83.5 Transversal Direction 5.4 71 5_1 Module Mpa Direction of the Machine 66 175 110 TABLE 1 Continuation Units Ex. # 17 Ex. # 18 Ex. # 19 Ex. # 20 Properties of Dry Tension Resistance to Mpa Voltage Direction of the Machine 15.1 53 71.6 36 Cross Direction 11.2 31 43.1 24 Elongation Machine direction 636 610 9410 950 Transverse direction 260 690 1075 820 Energy when breaking J / cu. cm Machine Direction 90 198 34T 207 Transverse Direction 34 150 _ 2JSQ 125 Module Mpa Direction of the Máguina 230 241 236 171 Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 2020 70 1210 1080 Water Vapor drado / 24 rs - Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 70 3220 Water Vapor / 1 drado / 24 rs / thousandth of an inch thousandth of Hydraulic head pressure mbar 150 180 Properties of Wet Tension Resistance to Mpa Tension Machine Direction 51 37.6 10.3 Cross Direction 32 22 11.5 Breaking energy J / cu.cm Machine direction 185 162 157 Transverse direction 147 87 62 Module Mpa Machine Address 250 8T6 64 TABLE 1 Continuation Units Ex. # 21 Ex. # 22 Ex. # 23 Ex. # 24 Properties of Dry Stress Resistance to Mpa Tension Machine Direction 57 57 Transversal Direction 32 55 Elongation Machine Address 760 860 Direccion Transversal 770 770 Energy when breaking J / cu. cm Machine Address 248 283 Transversal Address 158 254 Mpa Module Machine Address 260 380 Transmission Rate g / meter cua1540 61Q 920 Water Steam dredged / 24hrs Transmission Rate g / meter cua- 2820 3260 1800 Water Steam / liter / 24hrs / thousandth of an inch thousandth of an inch Hydrohead Pressure mbar 100 170 220 320 Properties of Tension in Humidity Resistance to Mpa Voltage Direction of the Machine Direction Transversal Energy at Breakthrough J / cu.cm Direction of the Machine Cross Direction Module Mpa Direction of the Machine Absorbency The absorbance of the sample films of Examples 25-30 was measured. Approximately one-inch samples were cut from 2 - 1/4 inch sample tapes of the 256 layer polyethylene oxide / polyethylene oxide microlayer films of Examples 25-30. The samples were sealed with heat on all four edges with a wide-tip sticking tool. Approximately 1/4 of an inch on each bank was pressed flat and the uneven edges were cut out with scissors. Samples were drilled in the central part with the 35-inch punch and weighed (about 1-2 grams each). Each sample was placed in a 2 ounce bottle filled to the top with deionized agu (around 60 mL). At regular intervals (2, 4 6 and 24 hours) the samples were removed from the bottles, they were gently rubbed with a tissue or paper towel and weighed. The weight of each sample was recorded and the apparent% of absorption at each time was calculated as the proportion of the weight measured to the initial weight. The supernatant solutions of some samples became turbid and it is feasible that the oxide d polyethylene and other materials were extracted from the compound., all solutions were reserved for further analysis after removing the sample for the final time. The extracted materials were obtained by drying co-freezing or rotating evaporation and analyzed. The supernatant solutions of the samples of Examples 25, 2 and 27 were very cloudy and the supernatant solutions of the samples of Examples 29 and 30 were also cloudy. The solution for Example 28 was relatively clear.

The microlayer films of Examples 25-3 showed an apparent% absorption values of about 50-100% by weight. Water absorption scales with the ratio of polyethylene to polyethylene oxide with the higher absorption values for sample 10/90 of Example 27. The presence of the EAA compatibilizer appears to stop the swelling behavior, possibly due to adhesion of interlayer improved Also, when the samples of Examples 26 and 28 (30/70) are compared it is seen that the glycol silicone additive can have an effect on and swelling of the microlayer films. The sample of Example 28 produced a clear solution after 24 hours, while the sample of Example 26 produced a solution which was very cloudy. Therefore, these data may be due to differences in the extraction of polyethylene oxide (or additive) from the film.

Table 2 CC = calcium carbonate filler SG = silicon glycol additive for the EAA filler = ethylene acrylic acid copolymer Primacor 1430 * Non-weigrable sample-loss of dimensional stability Properties of the Microlayer Film As demonstrated by the data in Table 1, the microlayer film that responds to water, in its various aspects, can exhibit an improved combination of film properties in a dry state, such as modulus, resistance to stress. of film, elongation to film breakage, energy to film breakage as well as desired levels of ability to breathe and d dampening. The microlayer film is also absorbent of water as illustrated in Examples 25-30 and in the data of Table 2. In other aspects, the microlayer film can provide material with a reduced rate of penetration of liquid water and properties of improved barrier. In other aspects of the invention, the microlayer film can provide material with a modified crystallinity which may be useful for some functional applications of the film, and may provide films with improved tensile properties and modified electrochemical behavior.

Therefore according to the additional aspects the microlayer film responding to the water of the invention can provide a material which degrades in water (when immersed in a large amount of water) and provides reduced tensile properties such as resistance to water. tension, modulus and energy to break in a wet state.

According to particular aspects of the invention, the microlayer film in a dry state can have a tensile strength in a first machine direction (MD) of not less than about 5 Mega-Pascals (5 MPa). Alternatively, the tensile strength is at least about 10 Mega-Pascals, and optionally at least about 15 Mega-Pascals. According to other aspects, the method and apparatus of the invention can provide a resistance to microporous film tension in the machine direction of no more than about 30 Mega Pascals. Alternatively, the tensile strength of the film in the machine direction will not exceed about 100 Mega-Pascals, and will optionally not exceed about 60 Mega-Pascals to provide improved processability performance during subsequent manufacturing operations. Typically, the direction of the film machine is the direction along which the film is moved during manufacture or processing.

According to other aspects of the invention, the dry-stress resistance of the microlayer film in a second transverse direction (TD) is at least about 5 Mega-Pascals. Alternatively, the tension resistance in the transverse direction is at least about 8 Mega-Pascals, and optionally is at least about 12 Mega-Pascals. According to still other aspects, the microporous film can have a resistance in the transverse direction of no more than about 300 Mega Pascals. Alternatively, the resistance of the film in the transverse direction may not be more than 100 Mega-Pascals, and optionally may not be more than 50 Mega-Pascals.

According to other additional aspects, the microlayer film may exhibit a percent d elongation at break in the machine direction of at least about 30%, as determined by the formula: 100 (Lf-L; where Lf is the final length of a film sample at the break, and L ± is the initial length of the film sample before the elongation, alternatively, the elongation at break is at least 100 %, optionally it is at least about 150%, D according to other aspects, the microporous film can have an elongation to the break in the machine direction d no more than about 1500% .Alternatively, the lengthening in the direction of the machine at breaking does not exceed d about 1000%, and optionally, does not exceed about 600% d.

According to other aspects of the invention, the microlayer film has an elongation at break in the transverse direction which is at least about 30%, and desirably at least about 50%. Alternatively, the elongation at break in the transverse direction is at least about 100%, optionally at least about 150%. In other aspects, the microporous film can have an elongation to break, in the transverse direction, of no more than about 1500%. Alternatively, the elongation to break in the transverse direction will not exceed about 1000% optionally does not exceed about 600%.

According to further aspects, the microlayer film of the invention can advantageously provide an increased water transfer rate value. The ability to breathe of the microlayer film of the invention is demonstrated by the water vapor transmission rate value. In particular aspects of the invention, the water vapor transmission rate of the microlayer film is at least about 300 g / m2 / 24 hours / thousandth of an inch (grams per square meter, per 24 hours, per 0.001 inches of film thickness).

Optionally, the water vapor transmission rate is at least about 800 g / m2 / 24 hours / thousandth of an inch In other respects, the water vapor transmission rate will not exceed about 50,000 g / m2 / 24 hours / thousandth of an inch. Alternatively, the value of the water vapor transmission rate will not exceed about 25,000 g / m2 / 2 hours / thousandth of an inch, and will optionally not exceed about 10,000 g / m2 / 24 hours / thousandth of an inch.

According to still further aspects of the invention, the wet tensile strength of the microlayer film of this invention, after one minute of soaking in water, can not be more than about 40 MPa, alternatively, this one It can not be more than 15 MPa, optionally, it can not be more than 10 MPa.

According to still other aspects of the invention, the microlayer film in a wet state can exhibit a stress energy at breakage per unit volume of material, as determined by the stress curve-low area stress on the product of the product. cross-sectional area of the film and a measured length of not more than 200 J / cu.cm, alternatively, this may not be more than about 5 J / cu.cm., and optionally no more than about 20 J / cu. com.

According to still another aspect, the water-degradable microlayer film of this invention in a wet state can exhibit a reduced modulus which can facilitate the discharge with water discharge of the film. The modulus d of the degradable microlayer film in water after one minute of soaking in water will not exceed about 10 Mpa, desirably does not exceed about 50 Mpa, preferably does not exceed about 25 Mpa.

In still other aspects, the water degradable microlayer film of the present invention can provide a material with a reduced penetration rate of a small amount of water and advantageously can provide a film that responds to water with an increased barrier. of the microlayer film of this invention is demonstrated by its hydrostatic pressure to rupture, also known as the explosion resistance, measured according to the hydrostatic head test method. The hydrostatic pressure to the explosion is at least about 1 mbar, alternatively it is at least about 10 mbar, and optionally at least about 20 mbar to provide a desired operation.

The dry strength of the microcap film can be controlled by relative amounts of polymer degradable in water and non-degradable in water in the film and thicknesses and the number of microlayers in the film. The strength of the microlayer film is greater with a higher amount of non-degradable polymer in water in the film. The microlayer film has a lower tensile energy at breakage after soaking in water when the concentration of the degradable polymer in water in the film and higher and when the number of global microlayers in the film is higher. Increasing the amount of surfactant particulate filler in non-degradable water layers of the film improves access of the water inside the microlayer film, reduces the wet strength of the film, facilitates the disintegration of the film in the film. Water. Subsequent processing of the microlayer film such as uniaxial or biaxial stretch further reduces the wet tensile properties of the film as a result of improved water access inside the film structure.

The barrier property of the microlayer film of this invention can be controlled by the relative amount of the non-degradable polymer in water in the film and the number of microlayers in the film. Increasing the relative amount of the non-degradable polymer in water in the film increases the barrier property of the film.

The water vapor transmission rate or l breathing capacity of the microlayer film can be controlled by the relative amount of the degradable polymer and water in the film, the amount of particulate filler of the surfactant in the non-degradable layers in water, and the number of microlayers in the film. Increasing e? content of water-degradable polymer, filler content, surfactant content, or number of layers improves the ability of the film to breathe. Stretching the film also increases the breathing capacity of the film.

A preferred microlayer film includes water degradable layer comprising polyethylene oxide layers and non-water degradable layers comprising linear low density polyethylene filled with a particulate filler material such as calcium carbonate coated with silicone glycol surfactant. Such microlayer film has the ability to breathe, is firm, tear resistant, flexible, is soft, is a barrier to small amounts of liquid and other aqueous liquids, and is strong when dry, but disintegrates when soaked in water Another preferred microlayer film includes water degradable layers comprising polyethylene oxide non-water degradable layers comprising polycaprolactone. A microlayer film comprising polyethylene oxide and polycaprolactone provides a film with controlled functional characteristics such as strength, firmness, resistance to tearing, softness and flexibility, barrier to water and other aqueous liquids, ability to breathe, microbial sweeping, biodegradability and degradability in water. L polyethylene oxide / polycaprolacton microlayer film with alternating layers of polyethylene oxide and d polycaprolactone demonstrates a high elongation to breaking one to the strength and a reduced modulus in comparison to the tensile properties of the films made only of and be oxide of polyethylene or polycaprolactone. The polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film has the ability to breathe without stretching and demonstrates a high barrier property which makes it desirable for application in personal care products. In addition, the film is degradable in water in the sense that when it is soaked in water, the tensile strength and the firmness of the film essentially falls. Therefore, the described polyethylene / polycaprolactone oxide microlayer film is especially useful for the disposable application with water discharge - such as disposable diapers, feminine care items, panty liners, training underpants, as well as with other advanced health care and personal care products. The polycaprolactone layers of the polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film are biodegradable and thus increase film waste.

The combination of polyethylene oxide polycaprolactone in the microlayer film is synergistic. For example, the polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film has a low module of a heavy average of the film modulus made only from either polycaprolactone or polyethylene. The reduced amounts result in a smoother and less noisy film which is desirable for personal care products. At the same time, the polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film has tensile properties such as tensile stress at breaking and breaking stress which are higher than those of the heavy average of such properties for films made only polyethylene or polycaprolactone. In addition, the polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film exhibits high strength and high elongation at break.

After soaking in water for one minute, the tensile properties of the polyethylene / polycaprolactone oxide microlayer film essentially fall. The resistance of the wet tension energy to the breaking, and the modulus for the polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film falls essentially after soaking the film in water. This indicates a strong sensitivity to water which is useful for disposable applications with water discharge.

The polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film has the ability to breathe as evidenced by a relatively high water vapor transmission rate. The microlayer film is polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone has a water vapor transmission rate in the range of about 3.00 g / sg.m / day / thousandth of an inch. This ability to breathe can be achieved without stretching or adding the filler. E stretching the film and adding the filler, however, can improve the ability to breathe of the film The polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film has an increased breaking resistance as shown by the hydrostatic head test. The polyethylene oxide / polycaprolactone microlayer film exhibits a high barrier with either higher polycaprolactone content or higher d-polyethylene oxide content.

As explained above, the microlayer film of this invention, when dry, has a relatively high resistance and firmness, is a barrier to small amounts of water or other aqueous liquids and has the ability to breathe without stretching, but when soaked in water it degrades or even disintegrates for easy disposal, such as discharging with water discharge. The microlayer film d this invention can be laminated to a non-woven fabric. Therefore, the microlayer film of this invention is suitable for applications such as cover materials for absorbent personal care articles including diapers, adult incontinence products, absorbent products for women's care, training briefs, bandages for wounds The microlayer film of this invention can also be used to make surgical covers and surgical gown and other disposable garments. In addition, of the above properties, the microlayer film of this invention is also ductile, soft and durable when dry only partially moistened.

Figure 3 illustrates a disposable diaper 100 according to an embodiment of this invention. The diaper 10 includes a front waistband panel section 112, a waistband panel section 114 and an intermediate section 116 which interconnects the front and back waistband sections. The diaper 100 compr an outer cover layer 120 which is a polymer film of degradable microlayers in water described above, a layer of liquid permeable liner 130 and an absorbent body 140 located between the outer cover layer and the liner layer. The fastening means, such as the adhesive tapes 136, are employed to secure the diaper 10 on the wearer. This liner 130 and the outer cover 120 are joined to each other and to the absorbent body with lines and pattern. of adhesive, such as the hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive. The elastic members 160, 162, 164 and 166 may be configured around the edges of the diaper for a narrow notch around the wearer.

The lining layer 130 has a body facing surface which is compliant to the wearer's skin. A suitable forr can be manufactured from a wide selection of fabric materials such as porous foams, cross-linked foam, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (for example, from cotton and wood fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polypropylene fibers). or polyester), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the lining. For example, the liner may be composed of a co-melt blown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. The liner 130 may be composed of a hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may be treated with a surfactant or may be processed in another manner to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In particular, the liner 130 can be a spin-linked polypropylene fabric which is surface treated with a Triton X-102 surfactant.

The absorbent body 140 may comprise a matrix of essentially hydrophilic fibers having there a distribution of high-absorbency material such as particles of superabsorbent polymer. Examples of suitable fibers include organic fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers made from wettable thermoplastic polymers such as polyester or polyamide and synthetic fibers composed of non-wettable polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been hydrophilized by a appropriate treatment.

The high-absorbency material of the absorbent body 140 may comprise absorbent gelato materials such as superabsorbents. Examples of the synthetic absorbent gelation material include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamide) and poly (vinyl ethers).

The outer cover material 120 may optionally be comprised of a breathable material which allows the vapors to escape from the absorbent structure while still preventing liquid exudates from passing through the outer cover. For example, the breathable outer cover 120 may be comprised of a breathable microlayer film of the present invention which may optionally be laminated with a non-woven fabric. Examples of suitable fibers for the non-woven fabric include organic fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers made of thermoplastic polymers such as polyester or polyamide; and synthetic fibers composed of thermoplastic polymers, such as polypropylene fibers. The non-woven fabric can optionally be coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. Optionally, the microfilayer film of the current invention can be modified or otherwise treated to increase its barrier property to the level desired for operation in use. In order to increase the barrier property of the microlayer film of the invention, an additional barrier layer can be coated or co-extruded with the microlayer film.

The outer cover material 120 may also be etched or otherwise provided with a matte finish to exhibit a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

While the absorbent article 100 shown in Figure 3 is a disposable diaper, it should be understood that the microlayer film of this invention can be used to make a variety of absorbent articles such as those identified above.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific embodiments given herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon achieving a understanding of the foregoing, which will easily be conceived alterations or variations of and equivalents of this incorporations. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be established as that of the appended claims any equivalents thereof.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A microlayer polymer film comprising a plurality of co-extruded microlayers including a non-degradable layer comprising a non-degradable molten and extruded polymer in water and a degradable layer comprising a polymer and water-degradable extrudable polymer.

2. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film disintegrates in water.

3. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film has a wet tensile energy at break of not more than 200 J / cm3 in the machine direction after the Microcap polymer film has been soaked in water for one minute.

4. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film has a dry stress resistance of at least 5 MPa in the machine direction.

5. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film is permeable to water vapor.

6. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film has a water vapor transmission rate of at least 3000 g / m2 / day / thousandth of an inch.

7. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film has a hydrostatic breaking strength of not less than 1 mbar.

8. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the microlayer polymer film has a wet tensile energy at break of not more than 200 J / cm3 in the machine direction after the film of micro-layer polymer has been soaked in water for 1 minute, a dry tension energy to breakage of at least 5 MPa in the machine direction, is permeable to water vapor so that the microlayer polymer film has a water vapor transmission rate of not less than 300 g / m2 / day / thousandth of an inch and has a resistance to hydrostatic breaking of not less than 1 mbar.

9. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-degradable polymer in water is characterized so that a first film sample of the non-degradable polymer e water has a wet tensile strength and a resistance With the dry stress, the tensile and wet strength of the first film sample is essentially the same as the dry tensile strength of the first film sample and the degradable polymer in water is characterized in that a second film of Sample of the degradable polymer in water has a wet tensile strength and a dry tensile strength, the wet tensile strength of the second sample film is substantially lower than the dry tensile strength of the second film shows.

10. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that the polymer degradable in water is polyethylene oxide.

11. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the non-degradable polymer in water is a polyolefin.

12. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the polyolefin is a linear low density polyethylene.

13. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the non-degradable polymer in water is polycaprolactone.

14. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-degradable cap further comprises a particle filler dispersed in the non-degradable polymer in water.

15. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the particulate filler has a particle size within a range of from about 0.1 to about 50 microns.

16. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 14, characterized by filler and filler has a particle size within a range d from about 0.1 to about 20 microns.

17. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the particulate filler material has a surface and a cap non-degradable and includes a surfactant on the surface of particulate filler material to increase the hydrophilicity of the particulate filler material.

18. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it has a thickness of from about 5 microns to about a millimeter.

19. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it has a thickness of from about 10 microns to about 12 microns.

20. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it has a thickness of from about 25 microns to about 7 microns.

21. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers have a thickness of from about 10 angstroms to about 150 microns.

22. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers are from 8 to 17,000 in number.

23. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers are from 60 to 4000 in number.

24. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers are from 120 to 1000 in number.

25. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers are from 4000 to 17,000 in number.

26. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the microlayers have a thickness of from about 10 angstroms around 150 microns and the microlayers are from a number of 6 to 4000.

27. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the plurality of coextruded microlayers includes a plurality of non-degradable layers comprising a molten polymer. extrudable and non-degradable in water and a plurality of degradable layers comprising a molten and degradable water polymer, the plurality of non-degradable layers and a plurality of degradable layers are arranged in a series of repeating and parallel laminated units, each laminated unit comprises at least one of the degradable layers and at least one of the non-degradable layers.

28. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the microlayers have a thickness of from about 10 angstroms to about 150 microns.

2. 9. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the degradable and non-degradable layers make a total of 8 to 17.00 in number.

30. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the degradable and non-degradable layers make a total of a d-to-4000 number.

31. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the Degradable and non-degradable layers make a total of a number d 120 to 1000.

32. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the degradable and non-degradable layers make a total of a number d 4000 to 17,000.

33. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that the microlayers have a thickness of from about 10 angstroms to about 150 microns and the degradable and non-degradable layers are from a total number of from 60 to 4000.

34. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises a tie layer between and laminated to the degradable layer n and the degradable layer, the tie layer comprises meltable and extrudable polymer.

35. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the tie layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of ethylene acrylic acid, polyester thermoplastics, polyalkene block copolymers, and poly (ethylene oxide), and poly (vinyl alcohol) block copolymers.

36. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that each laminated unit further comprises a tie layer between laminate to the non-degradable layer and the degradable layer, the tie cap comprises a molten and extrudable polymer.

37. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 36, characterized in that the tie layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of ethylene acrylic acid, polyester thermoplastics, polyalkane-poly (ethylene oxide) block copolymers , and poly (vinyl alcohol) block copolymers.

38. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-degradable cap is permeable to water vapor.

39. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-degradable polymer in water is present in an amount from about 3 to about 95% by weight of the film and the degradable polymer in water is present. present in an amount d from about 97 to about 5% by weight of the film.

40. A microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the non-degradable polymer in water is present in an amount from about 3 to about 95% by weight of the film, the degradable polymer in water is present in an amount d from about 97 to about 5% by weight of the film, and the particulate filler is present in an amount d from about 0.5 to about 70% by weight of the film.

41. A personal care article comprising a body of absorbent material and a microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1, attached to the body of the absorbent material.

42. An article for personal care as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that the article for personal care is a diaper.

43. An article for personal care as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that the article for personal care is a product for adult incontinence.

44. An article for personal care as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that the Article for personal care is an absorbent product for the care of women.

45. An article for personal care as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that the article for personal care is a briefing.

46. A wound dressing comprising a body of absorbent material and a polymer film d microlayers as claimed in clause 1, attached to the body of the absorbent material.

47. A disposable garment comprising a microlayer polymer film as claimed in clause 1. SUMMARY A microlayer polymer film comprising a plurality of co-extruded microlayers including a non-degradable layer comprising an extrudable molten polymer non-degradable in water and a degradable layer comprising a molten and extrudable polymer degradable in water. The microlayer polymer film degrades when water is soaked and is suitable as a cover material for disposable articles such as disposable diapers with water discharge. The microlayer polymer film also has the ability to breathe and is a barrier to small amounts of water. A polymer melt and extrudable n degradable in water is a low density polyethylene line filled with a particle filler. A suitable water degradable extrudable molten polymer is a polyethylene oxide.