EP0214608A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apertured nonwoven web
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1986-09-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-09-03
Abstract
Abstract An apertured, autogenously bonded fibrous web substrate. A nonwoven web contains apertures with a consolidated or densified area surrounding each of the apertures to attract fluid and allow easy passage thereof through the nonwoven web. A novel sanitary nakpin containing this perforated nonwoven web cover maintains a cloth-like texture and feel while remaining cleaner and drier during use. Rotary, aperturing apparatus of the present invention performs the process necessary to achieve the desired characteristics in the nonwoven web.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Van Iten
- 👤 Howard A. Whitehead
- 👤 Julie A. Schettle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:29
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/04; D04H1/06; B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/24; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15707; A61F13/15731; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/512; A61F13/5126; A61F13/513; A61F13/51394; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; D04H1/4282; D04H1/4291; A61F2013/15821; A61F2013/51186; A61F2013/51355; A61F2013/51372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A shaped article which comprises an apertured, autogenously bonded fibrous web substrate, said substrate comprising a nonwoven web network including essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers, said substrate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and said substrate comprising consolidated autogenous bonds conjoining said thermoplastic fibers at points contiguous the peripheries of said apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A shaped article which comprises an apertured, autogenously bonded fibrous web substrate, said substrate comprising a nonwoven web network including essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers, said substrate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and said substrate comprising consolidated autogenous bonds conjoining said thermoplastic fibers at points contiguous the peripheries of said apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A shaped article according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web comprises polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A shaped article according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web comprises a spunbonded fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A shaped article according to claiml, wherein about 20% to about 55% of the entire surface area of the nonwoven web is apertured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sanitary napkin comprising a layer of absorbent material supporting a cloth-like fluid-permeable cover, said cover comprising a shaped article according to claim
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 5 wherein the width of the pattern of perforations is within the range of about one to about two inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 5, wherein the length of the pattern of perforations on the cover extends to the longitudinal ends of the sanitary napkin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 5, wherein the length of the pattern of perforations on the cover falls greater than 3/4 inch from the longitudinal ends of the sanitary napkin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 5, wherein color toning or pigmenting is present on the top surface of the cover material of the sanitary napkin to mask undesirable color or stain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sanitary napkin according to claim 5, wherein color toning or pigmenting is present on the uppermost surface of the absorbent layer nearest the cover to mask undesirable color or stain.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for perforating a nonwoven web of fibrous fabric comprising fusible thermoplastic fibers, said apparatus comprising: first and second movable members defining a nip therebetween through which the web is fed, said first member carrying a plurality of outwardly projecting pins, said second member including opening means arranged to receive the ends of said pins as said members are moved, so that said pins penetrate the fabric and separate the fibers thereof to form holes through the fabric, and heating means for heating said pins and said opening means so that heat from said pins and opening means causes the separated nonwoven fibers to consolidate and set said fibers and prevent subsequent closing of the holes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for perforating a nonwoven web of fibrous fabric comprising fusible thermoplastic fibers, said apparatus comprising: first and second movable members defining a nip therebetween through which the web is fed, said first member carrying a plurality of outwardly projecting pins, said second member including opening means arranged to receive the ends of said pins as said members are moved, so that said pins penetrate the fabric and separate the fibers thereof to form holes through the fabric, and heating means for heating said pins and said opening means so that heat from said pins and opening means causes the separated nonwoven fibers to consolidate and set said fibers and prevent subsequent closing of the holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first and second members comprise rolls rotatable about generally parallel axes, said first roll including a sleeve upon which said pins are mounted, said second roll including a sleeve upon which said opening means are mounted, said heating means arranged to heat said sleeves so that said pins and said opening means are heated by conduction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first roll is disposed above said second roll.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said opening means comprises a plurality of sockets alignable with respective ones of said pins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said pins each have a shaft diameter in the range of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.125 inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein more than one first member containing a plurality of outwardly projecting pins is present.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein three of the first members containing a plurality of outwardly projecting pins make contact with one of the second member including opening means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of perforating a nonwoven web of fibrous fabric comprising fusible polymeric filaments, comprising the steps of: passing the web through a nip defined by first and second movable members, penetrating the fabric by means of heated pins projecting from one of said members and enter the heated opening means of the second member whereby said pins separate the fibers of said fabric to form holes therethrough, and whereby the heat from said pins causes the separated fibers to set and bond together to prevent subsequent closing of said holes.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of perforating a nonwoven web of fibrous fabric comprising fusible polymeric filaments, comprising the steps of: passing the web through a nip defined by first and second movable members, penetrating the fabric by means of heated pins projecting from one of said members and enter the heated opening means of the second member whereby said pins separate the fibers of said fabric to form holes therethrough, and whereby the heat from said pins causes the separated fibers to set and bond together to prevent subsequent closing of said holes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein portions of the fibers are pushed in the direction of said openings during said penetrating step to form rises surrounding each of said holes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said pins are heated by heating a sleeve of each of said members upon which said pins and said opening means are carried.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said penetrating step includes the use of heated pins having a diameter in the range of from about 0.015 inch to about 0.125 inch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said passing step comprises passing said web through a nip defined by first and second rotatable cylindrical rolls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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