US4021284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonwoven fabric and method and apparatus for producing the same
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson
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Filing: 1975-03-06
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Granted: 1977-05-03
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Expires: 1995-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A nonwoven fabric with a layer of fibers of staple length arranged in a predetermined pattern of fiber bundles defining areas of low fiber density and having one surface free of fiber ends and the other having a substantial number of fiber ends bonded with an adhesive to provide strength and stability. The fabric is made by supporting a layer of fibers of staple length on a foraminous support member and applying fiber moving forces to a layer to form areas of low fiber density and fiber bundles while simultaneously causing the ends of fibers to protrude through the opening of the foraminous support. The layer is removed from the support and the fiber ends bonded together to produce my novel nonwoven fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Kalwaites
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:59
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/70; D04H1/72; D04H1/736
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for producing a nonwoven fabric having opposed generally parallel planar surfaces with different properties from a layer of staple length fibers comprising: supporting the layer of staple length fibers on a foraminous support member, said support member having from about 200 to 8100 openings per square inch to provide from about 20% to 70% open area in said support member, said fibers having a length sufficient to span at least two of said openings directing fiber rearranging fluid forces against the fibrous layer while it is supported to rearrange the fibers in the layers into a predetermined pattern of the yarn-like fiber bundles and areas of low fiber density, removing said fluid forces through the foraminous support member to force opposite fiber ends through different openings in the support member so that substantially all fiber ends protrude from one surface of the fabric, removing the rearranged layer from the foraminous support member and applying a binder material only to the surface of said rearranged layer from which the fiber ends protrude to bind the fiber ends together and produce a nonwoven fabric.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for producing a nonwoven fabric having opposed generally parallel planar surfaces with different properties from a layer of staple length fibers comprising: supporting the layer of staple length fibers on a foraminous support member, said support member having from about 200 to 8100 openings per square inch to provide from about 20% to 70% open area in said support member, said fibers having a length sufficient to span at least two of said openings directing fiber rearranging fluid forces against the fibrous layer while it is supported to rearrange the fibers in the layers into a predetermined pattern of the yarn-like fiber bundles and areas of low fiber density, removing said fluid forces through the foraminous support member to force opposite fiber ends through different openings in the support member so that substantially all fiber ends protrude from one surface of the fabric, removing the rearranged layer from the foraminous support member and applying a binder material only to the surface of said rearranged layer from which the fiber ends protrude to bind the fiber ends together and produce a nonwoven fabric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the binder material is applied by printing the binder on the surface of the rearranged layer in a pattern of discontinuous binder areas and drying the printed layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the fiber rearranging forces are produced by directing water through a perforated plate into the layer of fibers, said plate being positioned above and in close proximity to the supported fiber layer, said plate, fiber layer and support member moving in the same direction and at the same speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the binder material is applied by printing the binder on the surface of the rearranged layer in a pattern of discontinuous binder areas and drying the printed layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein vacuum is applied to the layer of fibers from the underside of the foraminous support member to assist in removing the fiber rearranging forces and in forcing substantially all fiber ends through the openings in the support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the fiber rearranging forces are produced by a plurality of columnar streams of water directed against the layer of fibers while the layer is supported by the foraminous support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein vaccum is applied to the layer of fibers from the underside of the formaminous support member to assist in removing the water and in forcing substantially all fiber ends through the openings in the support member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2862251A
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US3033721A
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US2958608A
Cited
US3266969A
Cited
US3485706A
Cited
US3904799A
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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) | 1980-05-02 | 1980-11-01 | 1981-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-02 | 1984-11-01 | 1985-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-02 | 1988-11-01 | 1989-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |