Composition for odor suppression

Abstract

A composition for odor control includes (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based compound and (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of an odor suppressant. The odor suppressant includes a blend of (i) an ionomer, (ii) particles of zinc oxide, and (iii) particles of copper oxide. The composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45% as measured in accordance with ASTM D5504-12.

Claims

1. A composition comprising: (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based polymer; (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of an odor suppressant comprising a blend of (i) an ionomer; (ii) particles of zinc oxide; (iii) from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt % of particles of copper (I) oxide, based on the total weight of the odor suppressant; and the composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45% as measured in accordance with ASTM D5504-12.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the olefin-based polymer is an ethylene-based polymer.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene/C.sub.4-C.sub.8 α-olefin copolymer having a melt index (I.sub.2) from 0.5 g/10 min to 15 g/10 min and a density of 0.910 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ionomer is a metal ionomer.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ionomer is a zinc ionomer.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the ionomer is a zinc salt of a polymer selected from the group of ethylene/methyl-methacrylic acid, ethylene/vinyl acrylic acid, ethylene/methacrylate, ethylene/n-butyl acrylic acid, and ethylene acrylic acid.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the particles of zinc oxide have a D50 particle size from 100 nm to 3000 nm.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the particles of copper oxide are selected from the group of copper (I) oxide and copper (II) oxide.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the particles of copper oxide have a D50 particle size from 100 nm to 3000 nm.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight percent ratio between the ionomer (Bi) the zinc oxide (Bii) and the copper oxide (Biii) is from 150:100:1 to 2.9:2.5:1.

11. A film comprising: a composition comprising: (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based polymer; (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of an odor suppressant comprising a blend of (i) an ionomer; (ii) particles of zinc oxide; (iii) from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt % of particles of copper (I) oxide, based on the total weight of the odor suppressant; and the composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45% as measured in accordance with ASTM D5504-12.

12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ratio of (Bii) particles of zinc oxide to (Bi) the ionomer is from 3:1 to 1:7, based on the total weight of the odor suppressant (B).

13. The composition of claim 10, wherein the weight percent ratio between the ionomer (Bi) the zinc oxide (Bii) and the copper (I) oxide (Biii) is from 12.5:12.5:1 to 2.5:2.5:1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The present disclosure provides a composition. In an embodiment, a composition for suppressing odors is provided and includes (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based polymer and (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of an odor suppressant. The odor suppressant is a blend composed of (Bi) an ionomer, (Bii) particles of zinc oxide, and (Biii) particles of copper oxide. The composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45% as measured in accordance with ASTM D5504-12.

(2) A. Olefin-Based Polymer

(3) The present composition includes an olefin-based polymer. The olefin-based polymer can be a propylene-based polymer or an ethylene-based polymer. Non-limiting examples of propylene-based polymer include propylene copolymer, propylene homopolymer, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the propylene-based polymer is a propylene/α-olefin copolymer. Non-limiting examples of suitable α-olefins include C.sub.2 and C.sub.4-C.sub.20 α-olefins, or C.sub.4-C.sub.10 α-olefins, or C.sub.4-C.sub.8 α-olefins. Representative α-olefins include ethylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene.

(4) In an embodiment, the propylene/α-olefin copolymer is a propylene/ethylene copolymer containing greater than 50 wt % units derived from propylene, or from 51 wt %, or 55 wt %, or 60 wt % to 70 wt %, or 80 wt %, or 90 wt %, or 95 wt %, or 99 wt % units derived from propylene, based on the weight of the propylene/ethylene copolymer. The propylene/ethylene copolymer contains a reciprocal amount of units derived from ethylene, or from less than 50 wt %, or 49 wt %, or 45 wt %, or 40 wt % to 30 wt %, or 20 wt %, or 10 wt %, or 5 wt %, or 1 wt % units derived from ethylene, based on the weight of the propylene/ethylene copolymer.

(5) In an embodiment, the olefin-based polymer is an ethylene-based polymer. The ethylene-based polymer can be an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer.

(6) In an embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. Non-limiting examples of suitable α-olefins include C.sub.3-C.sub.20 α-olefins, or C.sub.4-C.sub.10 α-olefins, or C.sub.4-C.sub.8 α-olefins. Representative α-olefins include propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene.

(7) In an embodiment, the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer is an LLDPE that is an ethylene/C.sub.4-C.sub.8 α-olefin copolymer. The LLDPE has one, some, or all of the following properties:

(8) (i) a density from 0.910 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc, or from 0.915 g/cc to 0.926 g/cc; and/or

(9) (ii) a melt index from 0.5 g/10 min, or 1.0 g/10 min, or 2.0 g/10 min to 3.0 g/10 min, or 4.0 g/10 min, or 5.0 g/10 min.

(10) B. Odor Suppressant

(11) The present composition includes an odor suppressant. The odor suppressant is composed of a (Bi) an ionomer, (Bii) particles of zinc oxide, and (Biii) particles of copper oxide.

(12) (Bi) Ionomer

(13) The present composition includes an ionomer. An “ionomer,” as used herein, is an ion-containing polymer. An “ion” is an atom that has an electrical charge, either positive or negative. The ionomer has a majority weight percent (generally 85% to 90%) of repeating monomer units that are non-ionic (non-polar), and a minority weight percent (generally 10% to 15%) of repeating comonomer units that are ionic, or polar (i.e., positively-charged or negatively-charged). The positive charges of the ionic groups attract the negative charges of the ionic groups, creating ionic bonds. Ionomer resins exhibit what is known as “reversible crosslinking” behavior, i.e. when an ionomer is heated, the polymer chains have increased mobility, and the ionic bonds cannot stay intact because the positive charges and negative charges are pulled away from each other.

(14) Non-limiting examples of the monomers and comonomers from which an ionomer is derived include a copolymer of at least one alpha-olefin and at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride. Non-limiting examples of suitable alpha-olefins include ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, and 3-methylbutene. Non-limiting examples of suitable carboxylic acids and anhydrides include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic anhydride.

(15) In an embodiment, the ionomer is a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid.

(16) In an embodiment, the ionomer is a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid.

(17) In an embodiment, the ionomer is a metal ionomer. A “metal ionomer,” as used herein, refers to a copolymer based on a metal salt of a copolymer of an alpha-olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride. The metal ionomer may be fully or partially neutralized by a metal ion. Non-limiting examples of metals suitable for neutralizing an ionomer include the alkali metals, i.e., cations such as sodium, lithium, and potassium; alkaline earth metals, i.e., cations such as calcium, magnesium; and transition metals such as zinc. A non-limiting example of a metal ionomer is Surlyn® 8660, which is a sodium salt of an ethylene and methacrylic acid copolymer, available from Dow-DuPont.

(18) In an embodiment, the metal ionomer is a zinc ionomer. The term “zinc ionomer,” (or “ZnI/O”) as used herein, refers to a copolymer based on a zinc salt of a copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl comonomer with carboxylic acid/or anhydride. Non-limiting examples of suitable comonomer having vinyl comonomer with an acid group include methyl/methacrylic acid, vinyl acrylic acid, methacrylate, n-butyl acrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

(19) Non-limiting examples of suitable zinc ionomer include zinc salt of ethylene/acrylic acid comonomer, zinc salt of ethylene/methyl-methacrylic acid copolymer, zinc salt of ethylene/vinyl acrylic acid copolymer, zinc salt of ethylene/methacrylate copolymer, zinc salt of ethylene/n-butyl acrylic acid copolymer, and any combination thereof.

(20) In an embodiment, the zinc ionomer is a zinc salt of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer. Non-limiting examples of a suitable zinc ionomer include Surlyn® 9150, which is a zinc salt of an ethylene and methacrylic acid copolymer, available from Dow-DuPont.

(21) B(ii) Particles of Zinc Oxide

(22) The odor suppressant includes particles of zinc oxide (or “ZnO”). The ZnO particles have a D50 particle size from 100 nm to 3000 nm, a surface area from 1 m.sup.2/g to less than 10 m.sup.2/g, and a porosity less than 0.020 m.sup.3/g.

(23) In an embodiment, the ZnO particles have one, some, or all of the following properties (i)-(iii) below:

(24) (i) a particle size D50 from 100 nm, or 200 nm, or 300 nm, or 400 nm to 500 nm, or 600 nm, or 700 nm, or 800 nm, or 900 nm, or 1000 nm, or 2000 nm, or 3000 nm; and/or

(25) (ii) a surface area from 1 m.sup.2/g, or 2 m.sup.2/g, or 3 m.sup.2/g, or 4 m.sup.2/g to 5 m.sup.2/g, or 6 m.sup.2/g, or 7 m.sup.2/g, or 8 m.sup.2/g, or 9 m.sup.2/g; and/or

(26) (iii) a porosity from 0.005 m.sup.3/g, or 0.006 m.sup.3/g, or 0.008 m.sup.3/g, or 0.010 m.sup.3/g to 0.012 m.sup.3/g, or 0.013 m.sup.3/g, or 0.015 m.sup.3/g, or less than 0.020 m.sup.3/g.

(27) Non-limiting examples of suitable ZnO particles include 800HSA (Zinc Oxide, LLC), ZnO micropowder (US Research Nanomaterials), and Zoco102 (Zochem, Inc.).

(28) (Biii) Particles of Copper Oxide

(29) The odor suppressant also includes particles of copper oxide. The copper oxide can be either “Cu.sub.2O” (copper I oxide) or “CuO” (copper II oxide), or a mix of both. In an embodiment, the copper oxide particles have a D50 particle size from 100 nm to 3000 nm and a surface area from 1 m.sup.2/g to less than 10 m.sup.2/g. Bounded by no particular theory, it is believed that the copper oxide particles contribute as a sulfur scavenger for hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in particular.

(30) In an embodiment, the copper oxide particles have a particle size D50 from 100 nm, or 200 nm, or 300 nm, or 400 nm to 500 nm, or 600 nm, or 700 nm, or 800 nm, or 900 nm, or 1000 nm, or 2000 nm, or 3000 nm. Non-limiting examples of suitable copper oxide particles include Cu.sub.2O 325 mesh powder and CuO 325 mesh powder available from Reade Advanced Materials.

(31) C. Composition

(32) The present composition includes (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of the olefin-based polymer and (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of the odor suppressant, based on total weight of the composition (hereafter, Composition 1). The odor suppressant is mixed, or otherwise blended, into the olefin-based polymer matrix, and is a blend of (Bi) an ionomer, (Bii) particles of zinc oxide, and (Biii) particles of copper oxide. The composition has an odor suppression value of greater than 45%. In an embodiment, the composition has an odor suppression value from 46%, or 49%, or 50% or 60% or 70% to 75%, or 80%, or 85%, or 90%.

(33) The ZnI/O (Bi) is present in component (B) in an amount of 1 to 90 wt % based on the total weight of component (B). The ratio of ZnO to ZnI/O (hereafter “ZnO to ZnI/O ratio”) is from 3:1 to 1:7 based on the total weight of the odor suppressant (B). The ZnO to ZnI/O ratio can be from 3:1, or 2:1, or 1:1 to 1:2, or 1:3, or 1:4, or 1:5, or 1:6, or 1:7. The particles of copper oxide (Biii) are present in component (B) in an amount of from 0.01 wt % to 30 wt % based on the total weight of component (B). The particles of copper oxide can be copper (I) oxide (Cu.sub.2O), copper (II) oxide (CuO), or a mix of both. In an embodiment, the weight percent ratio between the ionomer (Bi), the zinc oxide (Bii), and the copper oxide (Biii) is from 150:100:1 to 2.9:2.5:1 based on the total weight of the odor suppressant (B) (hereafter, Composition 1).

(34) In an embodiment, the weight percent ratio between the ionomer (Bi), the zinc oxide (Bii), and the copper oxide (Biii) is from 100:75:1 to 3:2.5:1 based on the total weight of the odor suppressant (B).

(35) In an embodiment, the present composition includes from 85 wt %, or 90 wt % to 95 wt %, or 97 wt %, 99 wt %, or 99.4 wt %, or 99.5 wt % component (A) that is an ethylene-based polymer. The present composition includes a reciprocal amount of the odor suppressant, component (B), or from 15 wt %, or 10 wt % to 5 wt %, or 3 wt %, 1 wt %, or 0.6 wt %, or 0.5 wt % odor suppressant wherein Zn 1/O to ZnO to Cu.sub.2O ratio is from 12.5:12.5:1 to 2.5:2.5:1. The odor suppressant (B) can be any odor suppressant as previously disclosed herein (hereafter, Composition 2).

(36) The composition (i.e. Composition 1 and/or Composition 2) has an odor suppression value from 46%, or 50%, or 60%, or 70% to 75%, or 80%, or 85%, or 90%.

(37) While the combination of ZnO and ionomer improve OSV for methyl mercaptan, the addition of copper oxide, and in particular Cu.sub.2O, has been observed to further improve overall OSV. In fact, Applicant surprisingly discovered that the addition of from 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt % of Cu.sub.2O to a ZnO/ionomer odor suppressing composition (based on the total weight of odor suppressant composition (B), for example) can more than double the OSV performance compared to ZnO/ionomer odor suppressing compositions that lack the copper oxide particles.

(38) D. Blend

(39) Components (A) and (B) are mixed, or otherwise blended, together to form the present composition so that the particles of zinc oxide and the particles of copper oxide are (i) dispersed within the olefin-based polymer (A) and/or (i) dispersed within the ionomer (Bi).

(40) In an embodiment, the present composition is produced as an odor control masterbatch wherein component (B) is formed by dispersing the zinc oxide particles (Bii) and the copper oxide particles (Biii) into the ionomer (Bi). The dispersing may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending of components (Bi), (Bii), and (Biii) in order to uniformly disperse the particles (zinc oxide and copper oxide) throughout the ionomer. The resultant component (B) is subsequently mixed, or otherwise blended, with the olefin-based polymer, component (A). The mixing of component (B) and component (A) may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending (hereafter odor control masterbatch 1).

(41) In an embodiment, the present composition is produced as an odor control masterbatch by dispersing the zinc oxide particles (Bii) into the ionomer (Bi). The dispersing may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending of components (Bi) and (Bii) in order to uniformly disperse the zinc particles throughout the ionomer (Bi) (“Bi-Bii blend”). The Bi-Bii blend and the copper oxide particles are subsequently added to the olefin-based polymer component (A) by physical mixing and/or melt blending to form the present composition of a homogeneous blend of olefin-based polymer (A), ionomer (Bi), zinc oxide particles (Bii), and copper oxide particles (Biii). (hereafter odor control masterbatch 2)

(42) In an embodiment, the present composition is produced as an odor control masterbatch by mixing the ionomer (Bi), the zinc oxide particles (Bii), the copper oxide particles (Biii) and the olefin-based polymer (A). The mixing may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending of components (A), (Bi), (Bii), and (Biii) in order to uniformly disperse the ionomer (Bi), the zinc oxide particles (Bii), and the copper oxide particles (Biii) throughout the olefin-based polymer (A) (hereafter odor control masterbatch 3).

(43) In an embodiment, the present composition is produced as an odor control masterbatch by mixing the ionomer (Bi), the zinc oxide particles (Bii), and the olefin-based polymer (A). The mixing may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending of components (Bi), (Bii), and (A) in order to uniformly disperse (Bi) and (Bii) throughout (A) (hereafter, A-Bi-Bii blend). Copper oxide particles (Biii) are mixed with component (A). The mixing may be accomplished by physically mixing and/or melt blending in order to uniformly disperse the copper oxide particles (Biii) into (A) (hereafter, A-Biii blend). The A-Bi-Bii blend is then mixed with the A-Biii blend. The mixing may be accomplished by physical mixing and/or melt blending to form a homogeneous composition composed of olefin-based polymer (A), ionomer (Bi), zinc oxide particles (Bii), and copper oxide particles (Biii) (hereafter, odor control masterbatch 4).

(44) In an embodiment, the odor control masterbatch (i.e., any of odor control masterbatch 1, 2, 3, or 4) includes from 20 wt % to 30 wt % ionomer, from 20 wt % to 30 wt % particles of zinc oxide, from 5 wt % to 15 wt % particles of copper oxide, and from 30 wt % to 60 wt % LLDPE, with the aggregate of the components amounting to 100 wt % odor control composition.

(45) E. Applications

(46) The present composition may be used in any application wherein a polymeric material, and an olefin-based polymer in particular, is exposed to mercaptans, H.sub.2S, disulfides or amines. Non-limiting examples of suitable applications for the present composition include trash liners, hygiene articles, poultry diapers, ostomy bags, mattresses, mattress covers, poultry packaging, automotive interior parts, carpet fibers, and carpet backing.

(47) In an embodiment, the composition is formed into a film. The film can be a stand-alone monolayer film. Alternatively, the film can be a layer of a multilayer film. The composition can be any composition as disclosed herein, with component (A) and odor suppressant (B), such as Composition 1 or Composition 2, for example. The film includes the present composition that is an odor control composition, the present composition composed of (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based polymer and (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of the odor suppressant. The odor suppressant is a blend composed of (i) an ionomer (for example, a zinc ionomer), (ii) particles of zinc oxide, and (iii) particles of copper (I) oxide or copper (II) oxide. The zinc oxide particles have a D50 particle size from 100 nm to 3000 nm, a surface area from 1 m.sup.2/g to 9 m.sup.2/g, and a porosity less than 0.020 m.sup.3/g. The composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45%. In an embodiment, the film has an odor suppression value from 46%, or 50%, or 60%, or 70% to 75% or 80%, or 85%, or 90%.

(48) In an embodiment, the odor control composition formed into a film includes Cu.sub.2O particles that are 325 mesh.

(49) By way of example, and not limitation, some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail in the following Examples.

EXAMPLES

(50) Materials used in the examples are provided in Table 1 below.

(51) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Material/Description Properties Source Ethylene/octene 0.9 melt flow rate (I2) (g/10 min) The Dow (LLDPE 1) 0.923 g/cc Chemical Company ZnO 800HSA ZnO D50 particle size 3000 nm; density = 5.61 g/cc; Zinc Oxide, LLC Zinc Oxide Porosity 0.0131 g/m.sup.3, surface area 4.46 m.sup.2/g micro-powder (ZnO-1) Zinc Oxide ZnO D50 particle size 500 nm; density = 5.61 g/cc; 500 nm (US micro-powder Porosity 0.008 m.sup.3/g, surface area 3.36 m.sup.2/g Research (ZnO-2) Nanomaterials) Zoco102 ZnO D50 particle size 200 nm; density = 5.61 g/cc; Zochem, Inc. Zinc Oxide Porosity 0.012 m.sup.3/g, surface area 4.4 m.sup.2/g micro-powder (ZnO-3) Ampacet 110069 70 wt % TiO.sub.2 Ampacet White PE MB in Carrier Resin LLDPE (MI 2.3, d- 0.917 g/cc) Corporation Titanium dioxide Masterbatch Specific gravity: 2.03 (TiO.sub.2) Masterbatch Surlyn ® 9150 Ethylene/Methacrylic Acid Copolymer, zinc cation Dow-DuPont (Zinc Ionomer) Density 0.970 g/cc, melt flow 4.5 g/10 min Cu.sub.2O 325 mesh Reade Advanced Materials

(52) 1. Films

(53) Master batch processing. Two master batches were prepared to ease feeding the odor suppressing compositions into a subsequent film line. The master batches were prepared on a Coperion ZSK 26 twin screw extruder using a general purpose screw. The residence time of material was controlled by the screw design, feed rate of 20 lbs/hr, and a screw speed of 300 revolutions per minute (RPM). No oil was injected. There was no side arm feeder. No vacuum was pulled. The compounded material was sent through a water bath before being cut by a strand cut pelletizer. After collection the pelletized materials were N.sub.2 purged, then sealed in an aluminum bag.

(54) The composition of the first master batch (MB1) was 50 wt % LLDPE 1, 25 wt % ZnO, and 25 wt % Suryn 9150. The composition of the second master batch (MB2) was 90 wt % LLDPE 1 and 10 wt % Cu.sub.2O. Examples and counter example formulations were generated using the appropriate amount of pure LLDPE 1, MB1 and MB2 to achieve the target weight % of each composition listed.

(55) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Blown film line process parameters Films without Films containing Parameter Units TiO.sub.2 MB TiO.sub.2 MB Takeoff m/min 15 15 Layflat cm 23.5 23.5 Frostline cm 14 14 B.U.R ratio 2.5 2.5 Die gap mm 2.0 2.0 Melt temperature - Ext. A ° C. 218 218 Melt temperature - Ext. B ° C. 226 226 Melt temperature - Ext. C ° C. 215 215 RPM - Ext. A rpm 51 51 RPM - Ext. B rpm 50 50 RPM - Ext. C rpm 32 32 Total Output kg/hr 8.8 8.8 Film Total Thickness mm 0.023 0.056

(56) 2. Odor Suppression

(57) The compositions of comparative samples (CS) and inventive examples (IE) are shown in Table 3.

(58) The odor suppression values (OSV) for are provided in Table 3 below. Concentrations were measured using the reference sample (CS 1) as the calibration standard after two days, concentrations in the reference sample might change after two days, so the concentrations in the samples should be considered as the relative change to the reference sample.

(59) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Odor Suppression Values and Blown Film Properties OSV of Methyl Mercaptan Sample Components Methyl Mercaptan OSV (%) CS 1 99% LLDPE 1 + 1% TiO.sub.2 MB 12 CS 2 97.5% LLDPE 1 + 2.5% TiO.sub.2 MB 2 CS 3 99% LLDPE 1 + 0.5 wt % ZnO + 0.5 wt % Zinc Ionomer 28 CS 4 97.5% LLDPE 1 + 1.25 wt % ZnO + 1.25 wt % Zinc Ionomer 44 IE 1 97.4% LLDPE 1 + 1.25 wt % ZnO + 1.25 wt % Zinc Ionomer + 0.1% Cu.sub.2O 80 IE 2 98.9% LLDPE 1 + 0.5 wt % ZnO + 0.5 wt % Zinc Ionomer + 0.1% Cu.sub.2O 64 IE 3 99.4% LLDPE 1 + 0.25 wt % ZnO + 0.25 wt % Zinc Ionomer + 0.1% Cu.sub.2O 49 Zinc ionomer used in Table 3 is Surlyn ® 9150 *TiO.sub.2 MB—titanium dioxide masterbatch 70 wt % TiO.sub.2 powder in 30 wt % LLDPE carrier, added for white color

(60) In Table 3, component amounts for each sample yield 100 wt % total sample composition. It can readily be observed that the ZnO/zinc ionomer combination is effective in improving OSV as compared to a composition that lacks any odor suppressing technology by comparing the OSV for CS 3 (28%) to the OSVs for CS 1 & 2 (12% and 2% respectively). However, it is surprising to see that although Cu.sub.2O is added at very low loadings as part of the present odor suppressant (i.e., at <10% of the combination of ZnO, zinc ionomer, and Cu.sub.2O in IE2), it can further improve the OSV to 64% as compared to CS 3 OSV of 28%, (i.e., the sample with zinc ionomer and ZnO, and without Cu.sub.2O present). The addition of Cu.sub.2O unexpectedly allows for a reduction in ZnO/zinc ionomer concentrations by 50% in the composition while maintaining an OSV that is almost 50% higher than the ZnO/zinc ionomer combination that does not have Cu.sub.2O present, as can be observed by comparing the OSV for IE3 (49%) to the OSV of CS3 (28%). It is further observed that the ZnO/zinc ionomer combination still exhibits a significant influence on OSV in that higher loadings of these materials in combination with 0.1 wt % Cu.sub.2O exhibits the highest OSV of the inventive examples IE1 (80%) and IE2 (64%) shown in Table 3.

(61) It is specifically intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.