Patent ID: 8592641

Claim:
An absorbent article comprising a water-sensitive biodegradable film, wherein the absorbent article comprises a body portion that includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a generally liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet and the topsheet, further comprising a release liner that defines a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface being disposed adjacent to an adhesive located on the absorbent article, wherein the backsheet, the release liner, or both includes the water-sensitive biodegradable film, the film comprising: from 1 wt. % to 20 wt. % of a biodegradable polyester component, wherein the biodegradable polyester component includes at least one biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester that has a melting point of from about 50° C. to about 180° C. and a glass transition temperature of about 0° C. or less; and from 80 wt. % to 99 wt. % of a thermoplastic starch component, comprising from about 60 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of at least one water-soluble, chemically modified starch, from about 0.5 wt. % to about 4 wt. % of at least one surfactant, and from about 20 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of at least one plasticizer, wherein the water-soluble, chemically modified starch comprises a starch ester, a hydoxyalkyl starch, or a combination thereof; wherein the film has a thickness of about 50 micrometers or less and exhibits visible disintegration when sloshed in tap water for 30 seconds at a frequency of 3.5 sloshes per second, the film further exhibiting a dry ultimate tensile strength of from about 20 to about 50 Megapascals in the machine direction and a dry modulus of elasticity of from about 400 to about 1000 Megapascals in the machine direction.