US3702610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flushable web containing flushability indicator, and absorbent pads wrapped therewith
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1971-04-29
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A means for indicating when a sanitary napkin or diaper wrapped with a web bonded with a spaced pattern of water-dispersible adhesive is in condition for flushing away after it is dropped in a toilet for disposal. The indicating means is provided by including a water-soluble coloring agent or dye in the waterdispersible adhesive composition. As the water disperses the adhesive, the dye migrates into the non-bonded area of the web or is diluted in the excess water, and the adhesive pattern substantially disappears, thus indicating that the adhesive has become softened sufficiently to permit the wrapper to be broken up readily by the flushing action of the water.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton R Sheppard
- 👤 William Leland Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15203; A61F13/15211; A61F13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
11 words
The web of claim 1 in which said adhesive is water-soluble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The web of claim 1, in which said web comprises a non-woven web of staple length fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The web of claim 3 wherein the fibers in said web are rayon fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The web of claim 1 in which said web is bonded primarily with a water-soluble adhesive and overprinted with a water-insoluble adhesive, and said coloring agent is dispersed in said water-soluble adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The web of claim 5 in which both said adhesives are in the form of spaced adhesive patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The web of claim 1 in which at least part of said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl methylether, glycol cellulose, cellulose glycolate, and methyl cellulose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a flushable absorbent pad comprising an absorbent water-disintegratable core having at least its body-contacting surface covered with a fluid-permeable fibrous web bonded at least in part by a pattern of water-dispersible adhesive, the improvement wherein at least a portion of said adhesive contains a water-activatable flushability indicator, said indicator comprising a water-soluble coloring agent dispersed in said adhesive, said coloring agent being compatible with said adhesive, whereby when said pad is immersed in water and as said adhesive is dispersed by said water said coloring agent migrates from said adhesive into said water and adjacent non-bonded portions of said web causing said pattern to substantially disappear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pad of claim 8 in which said web comprises a non-woven web of staple length fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pad of claim 8 in which said adhesive binding said web is water-soluble.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pad of claim 9 wherein the fibers in said web are rayon fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The pad of claim 8 in which said web is bonded primarily with a water-soluble adhesive and overprinted with a water-insoluble adhesive, and said coloring agent is dispersed in said water-soluble adhesive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pad of clAim 12 in which both said adhesives are in the form of spaced adhesive patterns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The pad of claim 8 in which at least a part of said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl methylether, glycol cellulose, cellulose glycolate, and methyl cellulose.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pad of claim 8 in which said pad is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The pad of claim 8 in which said pad is a diaper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |