MORTUARY ARTICLES INCLUDING HOT MELT SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER

COMPOSITION, AND METHODS OF USING AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/765,343 filed on February 2, 2006, entitled, "Mortuary Articles Including Hot Melt Superabsorbent Polymer Composition," and incorporated herein. BACKGROUND

This invention relates to absorbing exudates from a corpse.

The many cultures and religions that exist in this world utilize a variety of methods to prepare a human body for burial. It is often desired to present a body in an esthetically acceptable manner. A deceased body, however, degrades quickly and exudes bodily fluids through the body's openings. This can be unsettling to mourners. Therefore, it would be useful to have a mechanism for impeding or preventing the flow of bodily fluids out of the body's openings prior to burial.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features a method of using a mortuary article, the method including positioning the mortuary article in a cavity of a corpse, the mortuary article including a liquid permeable layer and a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition including thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer. In one embodiment, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is in the form of a shaped mass. In another embodiment, the shaped mass has a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a disc, an ellipsoid, a hemisphere, a pyramid, a cylinder, a polyhedron and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the shaped mass is malleable.

In some embodiments, the method further includes working the shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition with at least one hand to modify the shape of the mass. In other embodiments, working the shaped mass occurs prior to positioning the mortuary article in the cavity. In another embodiment, working the shaped mass occurs after positioning the mortuary article in the cavity. In one embodiment, working the

shaped mass includes exerting a force against the shaped mass through a body tissue of the corpse.

In some embodiments, the liquid permeable layer is superabsorbent particle impermeable. In other embodiments, the mortuary article further includes a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier disposed between the liquid permeable layer and the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition. In one embodiment, the first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier includes a sheet that includes fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulose, creped cellulose, comminuted wood pulp, modified crosslinked cellulose, cotton and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the mortuary article further includes a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition being disposed between the first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier and the second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier.

In some embodiments, the mortuary article is in the form of a roll of tape, the method further including winding a tape upon itself to form the roll of tape prior to positioning the mortuary article in the cavity. In other embodiments, the mortuary article is in the form of a tape, the method further including unwinding at least a portion of the tape from a roll of tape, and separating a portion of the tape from the roll prior to positioning the mortuary article in the cavity.

In another aspect, the invention features a mortuary article that includes a liquid permeable layer, and a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition in the form of a shaped mass, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition including thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer. In one embodiment, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition has a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a disc, an ellipsoid, a tear drop, a hemisphere, a pyramid, a cylinder, a polyhedron and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the shape of the shaped mass is modified by working the mass with at least one hand. In another embodiment, the shaped mass is malleable. In some embodiments, the article further includes a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier disposed between the liquid permeable layer

and the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition. In one embodiment, the first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier includes a sheet that includes fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulose, creped cellulose, comminuted wood pulp, modified crosslinked cellulose, cotton and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid permeable layer includes synthetic fibers. In other embodiments, the first liquid permeable layer includes an apertured film. In another embodiment, the article further includes a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition being disposed between the first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier and the second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier.

In one embodiment, the article further includes an adhesive composition, the mortuary article having an exterior surface and the adhesive composition being disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface. In other embodiments, the article further includes an adhesive composition disposed on the liquid permeable layer. In some embodiments, the liquid permeable layer includes a fibrous media that includes fibers selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, natural polymers and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the liquid permeable layer is selected from the group consisting of a nonwoven web, a woven web and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the article includes a shape selected from the group consisting of sphere, disc, ellipsoid, tear drop, hemisphere, pyramid, cylinder, polyhedron and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the article includes at least about 5 grams of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition.

In some embodiments, the article further includes a liquid impermeable layer, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition being disposed between the liquid permeable layer and the liquid impermeable layer. In other embodiments, the liquid permeable layer is impermeable to superabsorbent particles and envelops the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition.

In other embodiments an absorbent article described herein is used in a method for treating a corpse and the method includes wrapping the corpse with an absorbent article that includes a liquid permeable layer, a liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle

impermeable barrier layer, and a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition that includes thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of absorbing liquid in a body, the method including positioning an absorbent article in a cavity of a body, the absorbent article including a liquid permeable layer, a liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier layer, and a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition in the form of a shaped mass, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition includes thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of forming an absorbent article. In one embodiment the method includes dispensing a molten hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition in a mold cavity, allowing the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition to at least partially solidify and removing the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition from the mold cavity. In one embodiment, the method further includes enveloping the molded hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition with a liquid permeable media. In another embodiment, the method includes coating at least a portion of a molten hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition on a form, at least partially solidifying the coating and removing the coating from the form.

The invention features a mortuary article that provides good absorption and can be inserted into a variety of cavities in a body. The mortuary article works to keep the body dry through the absorption of body fluids.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. l is a plan view of a mortuary article according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mortuary article of FIG. 1, taken along view line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mortuary article of FIG. 4, taken along view line B-B;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment; and FIG. 8 is a plan view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a mortuary article according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mortuary article of FIG. 9, taken along view line C-C;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention features a method of preparing a corpse that includes positioning a mortuary article in a cavity of the corpse. The mortuary article absorbs liquids from the corpse. The mortuary article includes a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition and a liquid permeable layer. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is preferably enveloped by the liquid permeable layer and optionally a liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier layer. The mortuary article can be of a variety of sizes and shapes and can be selected based upon the intended application of the article. The mortuary article can exhibit a variety of shapes and the article in its entirety or any component thereof can have any combination of height, width and depth. The size and shape of the mortuary article is preferably suitable for the size and shape of the body opening; preferably the mortuary article fits snugly in the opening through which it is inserted or in the cavity in which it is inserted. Useful mortuary article shapes include, e.g., sheet, roll, tear-drop, ellipsoid, polyhedron (e.g., three dimensional square (e.g., cube), prism, pyramidal, tetrahedron (three dimensional rectangle)), and rhombohedra, tablet, sphere, hemisphere, cylinder, and combinations thereof. Useful sizes of the mortuary article include, e.g., sufficient to fit within a body cavity or opening and to cover all or a portion of the body. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can also exhibit a variety of shapes including, e.g., sheet, tape, roll, tear-drop, ellipsoid, prism, tablet, sphere, cylindrical, polyhedron, and combinations thereof. The size and shape of the mortuary article can be the same or different relative to the size and shape of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition.

The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be in the form of a shaped

mass or a thin layer (e.g., a coating or a film). The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition in the form of a shaped mass can be malleable resulting in a conformable mortuary article. A malleable shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be worked (e.g., pressed, pinched, kneaded, deformed, pulled and combinations thereof) with the hands (e.g., one or two hands) to modify (e.g., deform, shape and reshape) the hot melt superabsorbent polymer shaped mass and to achieve a desired shape. Mortuary articles that include a malleable hot melt superabsorbent polymer shaped mass are conformable and can be easily and snugly fit within body openings having a variety of shapes and can more easily conform to the shape of the opening to impede or prevent the flow of fluid therefrom.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an embodiment of a mortuary article 10, in the shape of a teardrop. The mortuary article 10 includes a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable sheet 13 and a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable sheet 14 disposed between a first body contacting layer 11 and a second body contacting layer 12. The mortuary article 10 also includes a shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 15, in the shape of a disc, disposed between the first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable sheet 13 and the second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable sheet 14. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 15 includes thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer particles 19. The first body contacting layer 11 is adhered to the second body contacting layer 12 along the perimeter of the first body contacting layer 11 and the second body contacting layer 12 through an adhesive 17. The border created by the adhesive 17 encircles the hot melt superabsorbent composition 15 so that the liquid absorbed by the hot melt superabsorbent polymer is contained within the border created by the adhesive 17. In use, the mortuary article is inserted through an opening of a body and into a body cavity, e.g., nose, ear, mouth, eye, throat, anus, vagina, urethra, ostomy, and wound. Upon absorption of liquid by the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition, the mortuary article expands and works to keep the body dry.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a mortuary article 30 that is in the shape of a tear drop and a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 16a in the shape of a sphere. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 16a of mortuary article 30 is enveloped

by a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 13a and a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 14a, which are in turn enveloped by a first body contacting layer 11a and a second body contacting layer 12a. The layers 13a, 14a, 11a and 12a are adhered to each other through adhesive 17a. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate embodiments of mortuary articles that include a shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a mortuary article 50 in the shape of a sphere that includes a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition in the form of a sphere 16b enveloped by a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 13b and a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 14b, which are in turn enveloped by a first body contacting layer 1 Ib and a second body contacting layer 12b. The layers 13b, 14b, l ib and 12b are adhered to each other through adhesive 17b. FIG. 6 illustrates a mortuary article 70 in the shape of a disc that includes a disc-shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 15c enveloped by a first liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 13c and a second liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable layer 14c, which are in turn enveloped by a first body contacting layer lie and a second body contacting layer 12c. The layers 13c, 14c, 1 Ic and 12c are adhered to each other through adhesive 17c.

The embodiment of the mortuary article 80 illustrated in FIG. 7 is in the shape of a sphere that includes hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 16d in the shape of a sphere and a body contacting layer 1 Id. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 16d includes superabsorbent polymer particles 19d.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a mortuary article 90 in the shape of a circular prism (e.g., a cylinder) that includes a shaped mass of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 91 in the shape of a circular prism (e.g., a cylinder) and a body contacting layer surrounding the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition 91.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a mortuary article 40 in the form of a thin sheet. The thin sheet allows the user to manipulate the mortuary article 40 to create a desired form for positioning in a body cavity including, e.g., a roll, a bunch, and a wad (e.g., ball). In one embodiment, the mortuary article is in the form of a tape having a longitudinal extent. The tape can be wound up on itself in the form of a roll and inserted

into a cavity in the body. Alternatively, a portion of a mortuary article in the form of a roll of tape can be unwound from the roll, separated (e.g., cut or torn) from the roll and either directly positioned in a body cavity, rewound to a smaller roll and positioned into a cavity of a body or otherwise modified and positioned in a body cavity. The mortuary article can optionally include an adhesive (e.g., a pressure sensitive adhesive) on an exterior surface thereof. The adhesive allows the mortuary article to be secured to the body through the adhesive. Pressure is applied to the mortuary article while the mortuary article is in position in contact with the body, e.g., in a body cavity, optionally from a point exterior to the body, until a secure bond is formed. A mortuary article in the form of a sheet or roll can be positioned with respect to the body so as to collect fluids including, e.g., beneath the body, e.g., on a table or in a coffin, over the body, around the body (e.g., as a wrapping or blanket for the body), and combinations thereof.

Alternatively or in addition, the mortuary article can include a liquid impermeable layer to prevent or impede the migration of liquid absorbed by the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition. For example, a mortuary article in the form of a sheet can include a liquid impermeable layer disposed on the distal surface of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition.

The mortuary article can be manufactured according to any suitable process. In one process, the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is deposited on a liquid permeable, superabsorbent polymer particle impermeable media, and optionally the media is sealed to form a sealed mortuary article. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be in a shaped form prior to deposition, can be deposited as a molten mass, or deposited as a coating, e.g., a film. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be formed into a predetermined shaped mass by molding the composition and then removing the molded mass from the mold. In one method, molten superabsorbent polymer composition is deposited into a mold cavity (e.g., a release coated mold cavity), at least partially solidified, and then removed from the mold cavity. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can also be deposited as a mass onto a substrate and subsequently processed as described above.

In another method, molten hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is coated

on at least a portion of a form, at least partially solidified, and then removed from the form. The form can exhibit any shape including, e.g., sphere, hemisphere, cylinder, arcuate terminated cylinder, polyhedron (e.g., cube, prism, pyramid, tetrahedron, pentahedron, and octahedron), and combinations thereof. The form can be release coated to facilitate removal of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer coating.

In one embodiment, the liquid permeable, superabsorbent polymer particle impermeable media is provided in the form of an open container (e.g., a cylinder, bag, pouch, or a box), the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is deposited into the container through the opening, and the container is then sealed. Useful sealing mechanisms include, e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives, water insensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, uv (ultraviolet radiation) curable adhesives and combinations thereof.

HOT MELT SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER COMPOSITION

The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be any suitable hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition that includes a blend of thermoplastic polymer and superabsorbent polymer particles including, e.g., a hot melt adhesive composition that includes superabsorbent polymer particles. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be tacky (e.g., hot melt superabsorbent polymer pressure sensitive adhesive composition) or nontacky. Useful thermoplastic polymers include, e.g., styrenic block copolymers, polyolefins (e.g., amorphous and crystalline polyolefins including homogeneous and substantially linear ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymers), interpolymers and copolymers of ethylene including, e.g., ethylene- vinyl acetate, ethylene- vinyl acetate ethylene-acrylic acid, ethylene-methacrylic acid, ethylene-methyl acrylate, ethylene-ethyl acrylate and ethylene n-butyl acrylate and derivatives (e.g., incorporating at least two comonomers), polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polyacrylates, polyvinyl acetates, polylactic acids, polylactides, caprolactone polymers, poly (hydroxy- butyrate/hydroxyvalerate), polyvinyl alcohols, polyesters, copolyesters (e.g., biodegradable copolyesters), poly(ethylene oxide)polyether amide, polyester ether block copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyetheroxazoline, polyvinyl ethers (e.g., polyvinyl methyl ether), polyamides, polyacrylamide, and combinations thereof.

A wide variety of block copolymers are useful including, e.g., A-B-A triblock copolymers, A-B diblock copolymers, and (A-B )n radial block copolymers, and branched and grafted versions thereof, wherein the A blocks are non elastomeric polymer blocks , typically comprising polystyrene, and the B blocks are unsaturated conjugated diene or hydrogenated version thereof. Suitable B blocks include, e.g., isoprene, butadiene, ethylene/butylene (hydrogenated butadiene), ethylene/propylene (hydrogenated isoprene), and combinations thereof. Useful block copolymers are commercially available under the KRATON D and G series of trade designations from Shell Chemical Company (Houston, Texas), EUROPRENE Sol T trade designation from EniChem (Houston, Texas), and Vector© series of trade designations from Exxon (Dexco) (Houston, Texas).

Useful commercially available polyolefins include, e.g., AFFINITY substantially linear ethylene polymers polyolefin plastomers from The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Michigan) and EXACT homogeneous linear ethylene polymers from Exxon Chemical Company (Houston, Texas). Useful amorphous polyolefins and amorphous polyalphaolefins include homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of C ₂ -C ₈ alphaolefins. Useful commercially available amorphous polyalphaolefins include, e.g., REXTAC and REXFLEX propylene based homopolymers, ethylene-propylene copolymers and butene-propylene copolymers available from Rexene (Dallas, Texas), VESTOPLAST alpha-olefin copolymers available from Hiils (Piscataway, New Jersey). Any suitable superabsorbent polymer can be included in the composition.

Superabsorbent polymers are also referred to as water-insoluble absorbent hydrogel- forming polymers, "hydrogel-forming" polymers, and "hydrocolloids." Superabsorbent polymers are able to absorb many times their own weight in water. Useful superabsorbent polymers include at least partially crosslinked, at least partially neutralized polymers that gel when contacted with water and are preferably substantially water insoluble. Suitable superabsorbent polymers include, e.g., polysaccharides (e.g., carboxymethyl starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinyl morpholinione, N,N-dirnethylaminoethyl, N ₁ N- diethylaminopropyl, acrylates, methacrylates, and the quaternary salts thereof. The superabsorbent polymer preferably includes a plurality of functional groups, e.g., sulfonic acid groups, carboxy groups and combinations thereof.

Suitable superabsorbent polymers are prepared from polymerizable, unsaturated, acid-containing monomers including, e.g., olefinically unsaturated acids and anhydrides having at least one carbon-carbon olefinic double bond including, e.g., olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids and acid anhydrides, olefiriically unsaturated sulfonic acids and combinations thereof. Useful olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and carboxylic acid anhydride monomers include, e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, chloroacrylic acid, cyanoacrylic acid, crotonic acid, phenylacrylic acid, acrytoxypropionic acid, sorbic acid, chlorosorbic acid, angelic acid, cinnamic acid, p-chlorocinnamic acid, stearyl acrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tricarboxyethylene acid anhydride, maleic acid anhydride, and combinations thereof.

Useful olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers include aliphatic and aromatic vinyl sulfonic acids (e.g., vinylsulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl toluene sulfonic acid and styrene sulfonic acid), acrylic and methacrylic sulfonic acids (e.g., sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-hydiOxy-3-methacryloxypropyl sulfonic acid and 2-acrylamide-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid), and combinations thereof.

Useful superabsorbent polymers that include carboxy groups include, e.g., hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, partially neutralized hydrolyzed starch- acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, partially neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, saponified vinyl acetate-acrylic ester copolymers, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile or acrylamide copolymers, slightly network crosslinked polymers of any of the foregoing copolymers, partially neutralized polyacrylic acid, and slightly network crosslinked polymers of partially neutralized polyacrylic acid. These polymers are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,076,663, 4,093,776, 4,666,983 and 4,734,478 and incorporated herein.

The absorbent gelling particles can have any suitable property including, e.g., size, shape, morphology and combinations thereof. The superabsorbent particles preferably are spherical or substantially spherical and preferably have an average particle size no greater than about 400 μm, no greater than about 350 μm, no greater than about 200 μm, no greater than about 150 μm, no greater than about 100 μm, no greater than about 100 μm,

no greater than about 50 μm, no greater than about 40 μm, at least about 10 μm, at least about 20 μm, or even about 20 μm to about 30 μm.

Useful commercially available superabsorbent particles include, e.g., sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent particles available under the AQUA KEEP series of trade designations including, e.g., particles having a median particle size of from about 20 μm to about 30 μm available under the trade designation AQUA KEEP 10SH-NF, particles having an average particle size of from 200 μm to 300 μm available under the trade designation AQUA KEEP 10SH-P, particles having an average particle size of from 320 μm to 370 μm available under the trade designation AQUA KEEP SA60S, particles having an average particle size of from 35Oμm to 390 μm available under the trade designations AQUA KEEP SA60SX, SA55SX II and SA 60SL II, and particles having an average particle size of from 250 μm to 350 μm available under the trade designation AQUA KEEP SA60N TYPE II from Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Col, Ltd. (Japan). Useful superabsorbent polymer forms include, e.g., particles, granules, flakes, pulveruients, interparticle aggregates, interparticle crosslinked aggregates, fibers, foams, and combinations thereof.

The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition preferably includes superabsorbent polymer particles in an amount of at least about 30 % by weight, at least about 40 % by weight, at least about 50 % by weight, at least about 80 % by weight, no greater than about 70 % by weight, or even no greater than about 60 % by weight.

The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can also include other additives including, e.g., plasticizers, tackifiers, waxes, antioxidants, biocides, chitosan, antimicrobial agents, zeolites, carbon black, pigments, fillers (e.g., titanium dioxide and hydrophilic fillers), surfactants, phosphites (e.g., IRGAFOS 168), antiblock additives, and combinations thereof.

Useful plasticizers include phthalate plasticizers (e.g., dioctyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate (e.g., Santicizer 160 from Monsanto)), liquid polyesters (e.g., Dynacol 720 from HuIs, liquid polymeric plasticizer an example of which is commercially available from C. P. Hall, benzoate plasticizers (e.g., 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol dibenzoate (e.g., BENZOFLEZ 352 commercially available from Velsicol), diethylene glycol/dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (e.g., BENZOFLEZ 50 commercially available from

Velsicol), and diethylene glycol dibenzoate (e.g., commercially available 2-45 High Hydroxyl (Velsicol)), phosphite plasticizers (e.g., t-butyl diphenyl phosphate (e.g., SANTICIZER 154 from Monsanto)), liquid rosin derivatives having Ring and Ball softening points below about 6O ⁰ C including, e.g., methyl esters of hydrogenated rosin (e.g., Hercoyn D from Hercules), vegetable oils, and animal oils (e.g., glycerol esters of fatty acids and polymerizable products thereof, citric acid esters (e.g., citric acid esters commercially available under the CITROFLEX series of trade designations), and toluene sulfonamide.

Useful water soluble or water dispersible plasticizers include polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight less than about 2000, derivatives of polyethylene glycol including Pycal 94, the phenyl ether of PEG available from ICI; ethoxylated bis phenol A (e.g., Macol 206 EM from PPG Industries) and dionyl phenol ethyloxylates (e.g., Sulfonic DNP from Huntsman Chemical Corp.).

Other useful plasticizers include hydrocarbon oils (paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils and oils having low aromatic content) , polybutene, liquid tackifying resins and liquid elastomers. Plasticizer oils are preferably low in volatility, transparent and have as little color and odor as possible.

Useful waxes include 12-hydroxystearamide, N-(2-hydroxy ethyl 12-hydroxy stearamide (Paricin 220 and 285 from CasChem), stearamide (Kemamide S from Witco), glycerin monostearate, sorbitan monostearate, and 12-hydroxy stearic acid. Other useful waxes include paraffin waxes, microcrystalline waxes, Fischer-Tropsch, polyethylene and by-products of polyethylene. Also useful in combination with the above waxes are waxes such as N,N'-ethylene-bis stearamide (Kemamide W-40 from Witco), hydrogenated castor oil (castor wax), oxidized synthetic waxes, and functionalized waxes such as oxidized polyethylene waxes (Petrolite E-1040).

Waxes are usefully employed to reduce viscosity as well as increase the blocking resistance at concentrations ranging from about 2 % by weight to about 25 % by weight, or even from about 10 % by weight to about 20 % by weight.

Useful tackifying agents include, e.g., resins derived from renewable resources such as rosin derivatives including wood rosin, tall oil and gum rosin, as well as rosin esters, natural and synthetic terpenes and derivatives thereof, aliphatic, aromatic and

mixed aliphatic-aromatic petroleum based tackifiers. Examples of useful hydrocarbon resins include alpha-methyl styrene resins, branched and unbranched C5-C10 resins and styrenic and hydrogenated modifications thereof. Useful tackifying resins range from being a liquid at 37°C to having a ring and ball softening point of about 135°C. The composition can include tackifying resin in an amount from 0 % by weight to about 50 % by weight, from about 5 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, or even from about 10 % by weight to about 20 % by weight.

Useful antioxidants include, e.g., hindered phenolics (e.g., IRGANOX 1010 and IRGANOX 1076). Hydrophilic fillers are a preferred class of additives, which are useful to alter the surface properties and/or increase the rate of absorption. Hydrophilic fillers include calcium carbonate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch and cellulose esters (e.g., acetates), attagel clay, guargum, bentonite, hectonite, diatomaceous earth, talc, and combinations thereof. Suitable surfactants include nonionic, anionic, and silicone surfactants. The composition can include surfactant in an amount from 0 % by weight to about 25 % by weight, or even from about 5 % by weight to about 15 % by weight.

Useful antimicrobial agents can be dissolved or suspended in the thermoplastic polymer of the composition. The antimicrobial agent can be mixed into a hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition, applied to the surface thereof, and combinations thereof. The antimicrobial also can be introduced into the composition by adding the antimicrobial in a powder form or adding antimicrobial agent carried on a powder support to the composition. Any suitable antimicrobial agent can be used including, e.g., sulfadiazine, silver ions, silver sulfadiazine, benzalkonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, methylbenzethonium, neomycin sulfate, hexachlorophene, eosin, penicillin G, cephalothin, cephal oridine, tetracycline, linkomycin, nystatin, kanamycin, penicillinase-resistant penicillins, fradiomycin sulfate, camphor, and combinations thereof. In other methods, the antimicrobial agent is added to an aqueous solution, which is then applied to the surface of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition. The amount of antimicrobial agent should be sufficient to provide an effective antimicrobial concentration or dose rate of the

material to the skin surface. Typical concentrations of standard antimicrobials range from about 0.01 % by weight to 5 % by weight based on the weight of the composition.

Useful hot melt superabsorbent polymer compositions are described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,534,572, and 6,458,877, and U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 10/050,375 (published as U.S. Publication No. 2003/0134552), and 11/007,470, and incorporated herein. Useful hot melt superabsorbent polymer compositions are commercially available under the HYDROLOCK series of trade designations from H.B. Fuller Company (St. Paul, Minnesota).

The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be provided in a variety of forms including, e.g., a coating (e.g., a continuous or discontinuous coating), a film (e.g., a continuous or discontinuous film), fibers, woven web, nonwoven web, a spray pattern, a mass (e.g., a shaped mass exhibiting the shape of a sheet, roll, tear-drop, ellipsoid, prism, tablet, sphere, cylinder, polyhedron, and combinations thereof) and combinations thereof, using any suitable technique including, e.g., contact coating, noncontact coating, spraying (e.g., spiral spraying and random spraying), extrusion (e.g., single screw extrusion and twin screw extrusion), slot coating, melt blown, foaming, engraved roller, gravure, screen printing, flexographic and compositions thereof.

The configuration, location and amount of the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition present in the article is selected to optimize the absorbent properties of the article including, e.g., penetration time, penetration rate, absorbent capacity, fluid retention, and combinations thereof. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be present in the article in a variety of configurations including, e.g., shaped mass, film, coating, random, pattern, stripes, dots having a variety of shapes (e.g., round, oval, square, diamond, and triangle), wavy lines, spiral spray, fanciful forms (e.g., leaves, flowers, and petals), and combinations thereof. The hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be in the form of a continuous layer or a discontinuous layer.

One useful configuration includes a number of stripes of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition, which can exist in a variety of configurations including, e.g., single or multiple stripes (e.g., one, two, three, four, and five), and continuous or discontinuous stripes. Where multiple stripes of hot melt superabsorbent polymer are present any suitable spacing between the individual regions can exist including, e.g., constant (e.g.,

equal spacing distances) or variable spacing distances. The stripes can also be positioned in any orientation including, e.g., along the length of the article, the width of the article, at any angle to the longitudinal axis of the article, at any angle to the latitudinal axis of the article, and combinations thereof. The width and length of the stripes can also be constant or variable. The spacing between the regions of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition is preferably sufficient to allow the superabsorbent polymer freedom to expand as it would when contacted with water.

The configuration can also be selected to optimize leakage control, e.g., to prevent bodily fluids from extending beyond a certain location. Any amount of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be present in the article. The amount of hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition can be selected based on the size of the cavity in which the mortuary article is going to be placed and the anticipated volume of body exudates. Useful amounts hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition include, e.g., at least about 1 gram, at least about 5 grams, at least about 10 grams, at least about 20 grams, at least about 50 grams, at least about 100 grams, at least about 200 grams, at least about 500 grams, or even at least about 1000 grams.

BODY CONTACTING LAYER

The body contacting layer is a layer that is available for contact with the body of a user (e.g., skin, mucosal membrane, other tissues, and cavity and canal surfaces). The body contacting layer is exposed or can be exposed upon the removal of a release liner, where present. A useful body contacting layer is a liquid permeable fibrous media that includes fibers, which can be made from a variety of polymers including, e.g., synthetic polymers, natural polymers and combinations thereof. Suitable synthetic polymers include, e.g., polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyacrylates, ethylene vinyl acetate, and copolymers and blends thereof, biodegradable polymers (e.g., biodegradable polyester), and combinations thereof. Suitable natural polymers include cellulose (e.g., cotton and wood pulp fibers), and treated natural fibers including, e.g., treated cellulose fibers (e.g., cellulose acetate), and combinations thereof. The body contacting layer can be in a variety of forms including, e.g., woven webs, nonwoven webs, knits, and combinations thereof. Useful methods of making nonwoven

webs include, e.g., air laid, wet laid, melt blown, spunbonded, carded, thermally bonded, air-through bonded, powder bonded, latex bonded, solvent bonded, spunlaced, and combinations thereof.

The body contacting layer can optionally be in the form of an apertured formed film. Apertured formed films are pervious to bodily fluids and, if properly apertured, have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and recontact the user's body. Thus, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body remains dry. Suitable formed films are described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 3,929,135, 4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,637,819, 4,780,352, 5,006,394, and 6,180,052, and incorporated herein. A variety of apertured formed films suitable for body contacting sheets are commercially available from Ahlstrom (Windsor Lock, Connecticut) and First Quality Nonwoven (Greatneck, New York) and under the SOFTSKIN trade designation from BBA Nonwovens (Nashville, Tennessee).

The body contacting layer can optionally be made from a non-stick media. Non- stick media include apertured films that are liquid permeable and can be made from a variety of polymers including, e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester polypropylene, polyethylene, polyether-amide, chlorinated polyethylene, styrene/butadiene block copolymers and polyvinyl chloride. The non-stick media may be in the form of moisture vapor permeable films, apertured films, woven-, non-woven and knit webs, and scrims.

The body contacting surface of the body contacting layer is preferably hydrophilic to allow liquids to transfer more readily there through, which improves the ability of the bodily fluids to flow into and be absorbed by the absorbent components. The body contacting surface of the body contacting layer optionally can be made hydrophilic by treatment with a surfactant. Suitable methods of treating a sheet with a surfactant are described in, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,950,254, and incorporated herein. Alternately, surfactant can be incorporated into the polymer of the skin contacting layer as described in, e.g., in PCT Publication No. WO93/09741, and incorporated herein.

Useful body contacting layers can have any suitable thickness including at least about 12 microns (μm), at least about 25 μm, at least about 100 μm, at least about 150 μm, or even no greater than about 200 μm. In the case where the skin contacting layer is a

nonwoven, useful nonwovens have a basis weight of from 10 g/m to 200 g/m .

LIQUID PERMEABLE, SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER PARTICLE IMPERMEABLE BARRIER Useful liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barriers include tissues, nonwoven webs, woven webs, apertured films or sheets, and combinations thereof. Preferably the liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier is a tissue, e.g., a sheet that includes fibers, suitable examples of which include cellulose fibers, creped cellulose, comminuted wood pulp, modified crosslinked cellulose fibers, cotton (e.g., woven cotton), and combinations thereof. Useful commercially available tissues include those tissues available under the 1-PL YTISSUE series of trade designations from CityForest Corp. (Ladysmith, Wisconsin).

The woven and nonwoven webs can be made from a variety of fibers including natural fibers (e.g., cellulose fibers (e.g., cotton fibers and wood pulp fibers), creped cellulose fibers, comminuted wood pulp fibers, modified crosslinked cellulose fibers, and combinations thereof), and synthetic fibers made from a variety of polymers including, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate ethylene-acrylic acid, ethylene-methacrylic acid, ethylene-methyl acrylate, ethylene-ethyl acrylate and ethylene n-butyl acrylate and derivatives thereof (e.g., incorporating at least two comonomers), polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, polyacrylates, polyvinyl acetates, polylactic acids, polylactides, caprolactone polymers, poly (hydroxy-butyrate/hydroxyvalerate), polyesters, copolyesters (e.g., biodegradable copolyesters), poly(ethylene oxide)polyether amide, polyester ether block copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyetheroxazoline, polyvinyl ethers (e.g., polyvinyl methyl ether), polyamides, polyacrylamide, and combinations thereof, and combinations thereof, and combinations thereof.

The liquid permeable superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier can be prepared using any suitable method including, air laid, wet laid, meltblown, spunbonded, carded, spunlaced, and combinations thereof. Preferred tissues include wet laid tissues.

Apertured films can also be formed from the above-described polymers and

formed into an apertured film using any suitable technique including those methods described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,980,814, 5,916,462, and 5,824,352, and incorporated herein.

The liquid permeable superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier can also include multiple layers. Any suitable method can be used to join the various layers of the liquid permeable superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier together including, e.g., thermal bonding, air-through bonding, powder bonding, latex bonding, solvent bonding, knurling, punching and embossing, and combinations thereof.

Where the liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier media is sufficiently durable, the liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier can function as both the skin contacting layer and the liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier, thereby eliminating the need for an additional skin contacting layer.

The liquid permeable, superabsorbent particle impermeable barrier preferably exhibits a caliper thickness of no greater than about 600, no greater than about 500 μm, no greater than about 400 μm, at least 50 μm, at least 75 μm, or even from about 25 μm to about 600 μm.

BODY ATTACHMENT PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE Useful pressure sensitive adhesives that are suitable for application to the body include pressure sensitive adhesive compositions in which the base polymer includes, e.g., block copolymer (e.g., styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene- ethylene-butylene-styrene, and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene), acrylic acid, acrylate, silicone, polyurethane, polyurethane elastomers, polyester, polyester elastomers (e.g., aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, copolyester-copolyether and copolyether-copolyamide), polylactic acid, polyoxyalkanoates, and combinations thereof.

Useful adhesives for body attachment include those adhesives described, e.g., in U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/934,266 filed August 1, 2002, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/211,162 filed September 3, 2004 and incorporated herein. Suitable commercially available body attachment adhesives are available, e.g., under the trade designations LUNATAC D-1053, HL 2711 and HL 2539

from H.B. Fuller Co. (St. Paul, Minnesota). A useful commercially available styrene- isoprene-styrene skin attachment adhesive is available under the trade designation HM 1902 from H.B. Fuller Company (St. Paul, Minnesota).

Other useful body attachment adhesives are described, e.g., in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,614,310, 6,171,985, and 6,198,016, and PCT Publication Nos. WO 99/13866 and WO 99/13865, and incorporated herein.

The body attachment adhesive can optionally include medicaments useful for decreasing degradation including, e.g., antimicrobial agents (e.g., iodine).

LIQUID IMPERMEABLE LAYER

The liquid impermeable layer prevents exudates and liquids absorbed by the article from escaping from the article. The liquid impermeable layer is liquid impervious (e.g., impervious to water-based exudates including, e.g., blood, serum, water, mucous, and other exudates) and flexible. The liquid impermeable layer can also exhibit elastic or extensible properties such that it can stretch in at least one direction and is preferably biodegradable. Useful methods of making a layer extensible using a mechanical operation include, e.g., pleating, corrugating, ring rolling, and those methods disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Patent 5,518,801, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein.

The liquid impermeable layer can be breathable or nonbreathable. The term "breathable" refers to the property of allowing vapors to transfer therethrough, while preventing the transfer of liquids including such liquids as blood, serum, mucous, water, and other bodily fluid. Suitable breathable films include hydrophilic films including monolithic films. The breathability of a film is determined by its moisture vapor transmission rate. The liquid impermeable layer preferably exhibits a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 100 g/m ² /day, at least about 500 g/m ² /day, at least about 1000 g/m ² /day or even at least about 2500 g/m ² /day when measured according ASTM E96-95 Upright Cup Method entitled, "Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials," March 6, 1995.

Useful liquid impermeable layers include, e.g., polymeric films (e.g., thermoplastic films of polymers including e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and ethylene vinyl acetate), composites including, e.g., film-coated woven and nonwoven webs, foams

(e.g., polyurethane foams including, e.g., breathable polyurethane foams), and combinations thereof.

Useful liquid impermeable composites (e.g., laminates) include a fibrous web (e.g., a woven or nonwoven web) and a continuous film bonded thereto. The fibrous web provides a soft touch to the exterior surface of the liquid impermeable layer and therefore the article. Examples of useful methods for preparing composites are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,583,332, 5,827,252, and 6,843,874 and incorporated herein.

In some embodiments, the liquid impermeable layer can include a one-way liquid permeable layer, i.e., a layer that allows liquid to pass from a first surface (e.g., an exterior surface) to a second surface (e.g., an interior surface), and inhibits or preferably prevents liquids from moving from the second surface to the first surface. Examples of useful oneway liquid permeable layers are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,228,462, and incorporated herein.

The liquid impermeable layer is preferably thin and conformable to the body. The liquid impermeable layer preferably has a thickness of from about 12 microns to about 200 μm, no greater than about 150 μm, no greater than about 100 μm, or even from about 12 μm to about 25 μm. Conformability is somewhat dependent on thickness, thus the thinner the film the more conformable the film.

Useful liquid impermeable materials can be made from polymers commercially available under the trade designation PEBAX from Arkema, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) and HYTREL from E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Delaware).

RELEASE LINER

The mortuary article can optionally include a release liner to protect the utility of the optional pressure sensitive adhesive prior to use and for ease of handling. Where present, the release liner is removed prior to using the mortuary article. Any suitable release liner can be used including, e.g., liners made of or coated with polyethylene, polypropylene and fluorocarbons, and silicone coated release papers and polyester films. Useful commercially available release liners include, e.g., silicone coated release papers available under the POLYSLIK trade designations including POLYSLIK S-8004 83 pound bleached silicone release paper from H. P. Smith Co. (Chicago, 111.) and 2-80-BKG-

157 80 pound bleached two-sided silicone coated paper from Daubert Chemical Co., (Dixon, 111.)-

The components of the mortuary article can be joined together using any suitable mechanism including, e.g., adhesive bonding, stitching, heat bonding, pressure bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, ultrasonic bonding, simultaneously or sequentially extruding at least two components of the mortuary article, and combinations thereof. Methods of attaching components of a mortuary article to each other are well known to the skilled artisan.

CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE

Where present, the construction adhesive can be any adhesive suitable for maintaining at least two of the components of the article in fixed relation to each other. The construction adhesive can be applied to the periphery of a layer, the major surface of the layer, the perimeter of the article and combinations thereof. When applied to the perimeter or periphery, the construction adhesive can be in the form of a continuous or discontinuous coating. When applied to a major surface of the layer, the construction adhesive is provided as a discontinuous coating. The construction adhesive can be applied as a discontinuous coating using any suitable method that produces any suitable discontinuous coating including, e.g., a spiral spray, random spray, gravure, dot and random fibridization. Useful construction adhesives include, e.g., hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives, and blends thereof. One example of a suitable commercially available construction adhesive is HL-1713 styrene-isoprene-styrene based construction adhesive from H.B. Fuller Company (St. Paul, Minnesota). The components can be joined together in any suitable manner including, e.g., joining such that each component is directly secured to another component, a component is secured to an intermediate component, a component is integral with another component, and combinations thereof.

All references disclosed herein are incorporated herein by reference. Other embodiments are within the claims. Although the hot melt superabsorbent polymer composition has been described as a blend of thermoplastic polymer and

superabsorbent polymer, in other embodiments the mortuary article alternatively or in addition can include a thermoplastic composition that includes superabsorbent particles disposed on at least one surface thereof, and optionally extending into the depth of the thermoplastic composition from the at least one surface. What is claimed is: