Absorbent Article Comprising A Synthetic Polymer Derived From A Renewable Resource And Methods Of Producing Said Article

Abstract

An absorbent article is disclosed having a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a synthetic superabsorbent polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound, wherein said superabsorbent polymer exhibits a defined Saline Flow Conductivity value and Absorption Against Pressure value. Alternately, an absorbent article is disclosed having a synthetic polyolefin derived from a first renewable resource via at least one inteimediate compound. The synthetic polyolefin exhibits defined performance characteristics making the polyolefin particularly useful in certain components of the absorbent article. Methods for making the aforementioned absorbent articles are also disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An absorbent core for an absorbent article, the absorbent core comprising a synthetic polymer (a) exhibiting a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −14  or greater and (b) is at least partially derived from a renewable resource via lactic acid as a first intermediate compound. 
     
     
         22 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , wherein the synthetic polymer is derived from the renewable resource via acrylic acid as a second intermediate compound. 
     
     
         23 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , wherein the lactic acid is derived from glucose via biofermentation. 
     
     
         24 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , the absorbent core extending between a first end and a second end and comprising:
 a) a first substrate layer having a first inner surface;   b) a second substrate layer having a second inner surface and joined with the first substrate layer at both the first end and the second end;   c) a first adhesive layer comprising a first adhesive material and disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer and extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the first adhesive material contacts the first inner surface at a plurality of first junctions;   d) a first discontinuous absorbent layer comprising a first absorbent material, respective portions of the first absorbent material disposed between respective ones of the plurality of first junctions and between the first adhesive material and the first inner surface,   wherein the synthetic polymer is disposed in or incorporated into one or more of the first substrate layer, the second substrate layer, the first discontinuous absorbent layer, and the first adhesive layer.   
     
     
         25 . The absorbent core of  claim 24 , wherein the synthetic polymer is disposed in or incorporated into the first discontinuous absorbent layer. 
     
     
         26 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , wherein the synthetic polymer exhibits a Saline Flow Conductivity value of at least about 30×10 −7  cm 3 ·sec/g. 
     
     
         27 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , wherein synthetic polymer exhibits an Absorption Against Pressure value of at least about 15 g/g. 
     
     
         28 . The absorbent core of claim  1 , wherein the synthetic polymer is a superabsorbent. 
     
     
         29 . The absorbent core of claim  1 , wherein the synthetic polymer comprises lightly cross linked polyacrylic acid neutralized from about 50 to about 100 mol %. 
     
     
         30 . The absorbent core of  claim 21 , wherein the synthetic polymer exhibits a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −13  or greater. 
     
     
         31 . The absorbent core of  claim 30 , wherein the synthetic polymer exhibits a  14 C/C ratio of about 1.0×10 −12  or greater. 
     
     
         32 . An absorbent article comprising the absorbent core of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         33 . A package comprising one or more absorbent articles according to  claim 32 , wherein the package comprises a communication of a related environmental message to a consumer. 
     
     
         34 . method for making an absorbent core for an absorbent article, the method comprising:
 (a) culturing a microorganism capable of fermenting glucose to yield lactic acid under conditions resulting in the production of lactic acid,   (b) dehydrating the lactic acid to produce acrylic acid,   (c) polymerizing the acrylic acid to form a synthetic polymer, and   (d) disposing or incorporating the synthetic polymer into an absorbent core.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the microorganism is from the genus  Lactobacillus.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein step (b) comprises dehydrating lactic acid to produce acrylic acid using an acidic dehydration catalyst. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the acidic dehydration catalyst is an inert metal oxide carrier impregnated with a phosphate salt. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein step (b) comprises dehydrating lactic acid to produce acrylic acid using catalyst comprising solid aluminum phosphate. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the method further comprises (e) incorporating the absorbent core into an absorbent article.