Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A nonwoven fabric comprising: an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic textile-length fibers; and, outer layers of substantially hydrophobic textile-length fibers disposed on both sides of said inner layer; said inner layer and said outer layers being bonded together at a set of discrete and spaced apart rhomboidal highly compacted areas, each of said highly compacted areas being fully bounded on each of its four sides by a rhomboidal area of intermediately compacted fibers, and each of said highly compacted areas being contiguous at each of its four apices with a rhomboidal area of substantially uncompacted fibers; said thusly bonded fabric further arranged in a repeating series of wave-like undulations substantially throughout its length, said indulations running across the width of the fabric and causing major portions of said intermediately compacted areas and said substantially uncompacted areas, and minor portions of said highly compacted areas, to become more open and porous by opening the interfiber relationships therein without substantially breaking said rhomboidal compacted areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A nonwoven fabric comprising: an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic textile-length fibers; and, outer layers of substantially hydrophobic textile-length fibers disposed on both sides of said inner layer; said inner layer and said outer layers being bonded together at a set of discrete and spaced apart rhomboidal highly compacted areas, each of said highly compacted areas being fully bounded on each of its four sides by a rhomboidal area of intermediately compacted fibers, and each of said highly compacted areas being contiguous at each of its four apices with a rhomboidal area of substantially uncompacted fibers; said thusly bonded fabric further arranged in a repeating series of wave-like undulations substantially throughout its length, said indulations running across the width of the fabric and causing major portions of said intermediately compacted areas and said substantially uncompacted areas, and minor portions of said highly compacted areas, to become more open and porous by opening the interfiber relationships therein without substantially breaking said rhomboidal compacted areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said inner layer of substantially hydrophilic fibers is a blend of 55-100% rayon fibers and 45-0% polyester fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said outer layers of substantially hydrophobic fibers are of polyester fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic fibers in said outer layers have a hydrophilic finish thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A surgical sponge comprising: an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic textile-length fibers; and, outer layers of substantially hydrophobic textile-length fibers disposed on both sides of said inner layer; said inner layer and said outer layers being bonded together at a set of discrete and spaced apart rhomboidal highly compacted areas, each of said highly compacted areas being fully bounded on each of its four sides by a rhomboidal area of intermediately compacted fibers, and each of said highly compacted areas being contiguous at each of its four apices with a rhomboidal area of substantially uncompacted fibers; said thusly bonded fabric further arranged in a repeating series of wave-like undulations substantially throughout its length, said undulations running across the width of the fabric and causing major portions of said intermediately compacted areas and said substantially uncompacted areas, and minor portions of said highly compacted areas, to become more open and porous by opening the interfiber relationships therein without substantially breaking said rhomboidal compacted areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A surgical sponge comprising: an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic textile-length fibers; and, outer layers of substantially hydrophobic textile-length fibers disposed on both sides of said inner layer; said inner layer and said outer layers being bonded together at a set of discrete and spaced apart rhomboidal highly compacted areas, each of said highly compacted areas being fully bounded on each of its four sides by a rhomboidal area of intermediately compacted fibers, and each of said highly compacted areas being contiguous at each of its four apices with a rhomboidal area of substantially uncompacted fibers; said thusly bonded fabric further arranged in a repeating series of wave-like undulations substantially throughout its length, said undulations running across the width of the fabric and causing major portions of said intermediately compacted areas and said substantially uncompacted areas, and minor portions of said highly compacted areas, to become more open and porous by opening the interfiber relationships therein without substantially breaking said rhomboidal compacted areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical sponge of claim 5 wherein said inner layer of substantially hydrophilic fibers is a blend of 55-100% rayon fibers and 45-0% polyester fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical sponge of claim 5 wherein said outer layers of substantially hydrophobic fibers are of polyester fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical sponge of claim 5 wherein said hydrophobic fibers in said outer layers have a hydrophilic finish thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical sponge of claim 7 wherein said hydrophobic fibers in said outer layers have a hydrophilic finish thereon.