Flushable individual packages for absorbent articles

Abstract

Individual packages for absorbent article that are flushable and water dispersible are disclosed. The flushable individual wrapper for an absorbent personal hygiene device comprises at least one of the following materials a tissue; a collagen film; a water dispersible thermoplastic film; and a nonwoven material. The individual wrapper can be made of a laminate material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic films and tissues; collagen films and tissues; thermoplastic films and nonwoven materials; and collagen films and thermoplastic films. In several embodiments, the absorbent article and the wrapper for the absorbent article are both flushable separately or in combination, and when flushed, the wrapper or the combination of the absorbent product and the wrapper will clear the toilet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flushable individual wrapper for an absorbent personal hygiene device, comprising at least one of the following materials: 
 (a) a tissue;    (b) a collagen film;    (c) a water dispersible thermoplastic film; and    (d) a nonwoven material.    
     
     
         2 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said wrapper is made of a laminate material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic films and tissues; collagen films and tissues; thermoplastic films and nonwoven materials; and collagen films and thermoplastic films.  
     
     
         3 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said wrapper is heat sealable.  
     
     
         4 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  that is sufficiently flushable that it completely clears the bowl under the Flushability Test at least about 70% of the time in two or fewer flushes.  
     
     
         5 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  that is sufficiently flushable that it completely clears the bowl under the Flushability Test at least about 95% of the time in one flush.  
     
     
         6 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein the time required for said wrapper to disperse into at least two fragments as measured by the Water Dispersion Test is less than about two hours.  
     
     
         7 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said wrapper is at least about 90% disintegrated according to the 28 Day Sludge Test.  
     
     
         8 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said wrapper causes drain blockage of less than 80%.  
     
     
         9 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said wrapper is a low basis weight tissue comprising carboxymethyl cellulose and wood pulp fibers.  
     
     
         10 . The individual wrapper of  claim 9  wherein said low basis weight tissue has a coating selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and methyl hydroxy propyl cellulose.  
     
     
         11 . The individual wrapper of  claim 9  wherein said low basis weight tissue disperses in water in less than 15 seconds.  
     
     
         12 . The individual wrapper of  claim 10  wherein the combination of said low basis weight tissue and said coating disperses in water in less than 15 seconds.  
     
     
         13 . The individual wrapper of  claim 10  wherein said wrapper is heat sealable.  
     
     
         14 . The individual wrapper of  claim 10  wherein the time required for said wrapper to disperse into at least two fragments as measured by the Water Dispersion Test is less than about two minutes.  
     
     
         15 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said absorbent personal hygiene device is an interlabial product.  
     
     
         16 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said absorbent personal hygiene device is a tampon.  
     
     
         17 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said absorbent personal hygiene device is a sanitary napkin.  
     
     
         18 . The individual wrapper of  claim 1  wherein said absorbent personal hygiene device is an male or female incontinence device.