Patent US3873255A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing nonwoven fabric
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson
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Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating a layer of fibers to form a fibrous web having various areas of fiber concentration and opacity. The fiber layer is supported on an impermeable member and moving forces are applied to the supported layer. The forces move the fibers into areas of varying opacity and fiber concentration while maintaining substantially uniform density throughout these areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Kalwaites
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:23
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H5/00; D04H5/02; D04H5/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for treating a layer of fibers to form a web of fibers having areas of varying opactiy and varying fiber concentration comprising: impermeable, patterned support means for supporting a layer of fibers over a substantial portion of its area, means for directing fluid against said layer of fibers while said layer is supported to produce fiber moving forces acting in the plane of the layer and at various angles to the layer, said support means being capable of reflecting the fluid directed againsT the supported layer so that fluid forces are applied and dissipated from the same side of the layer of fibers, and means for removing said fluid from the layer to produce a web of fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for treating a layer of fibers to form a web of fibers having areas of varying opactiy and varying fiber concentration comprising: impermeable, patterned support means for supporting a layer of fibers over a substantial portion of its area, means for directing fluid against said layer of fibers while said layer is supported to produce fiber moving forces acting in the plane of the layer and at various angles to the layer, said support means being capable of reflecting the fluid directed againsT the supported layer so that fluid forces are applied and dissipated from the same side of the layer of fibers, and means for removing said fluid from the layer to produce a web of fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the impermeable, patterned support means comprises a rotatable roll having a non-resilient patterned surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the impermeable, patterned support means comprises a rotatable roll having a resilient surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a foraminous belt for containing the layer of fibers on the impermeable patterned support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for directing fluid against the layer of fibers is spray nozzles positioned to direct fluid against the layer of fibers while said layer is on said support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for removing fluid from the layer is vacuum means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the impermeable patterned support means comprises a rotatable roll, a foraminous containing belt adjacent a substantial portion of the periphery of said roll for containing the layer of fibers against the roll while said layer is supported by the roll, means for driving the roll and belt so that there is no relative movement between the roll and belt and the means for directing fluid against the layer of fibers is spray nozzles positioned on the opposite side of the belt from said support means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |