US4232674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid absorption devices
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1978-12-05
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Granted: 1980-11-11
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Expires: 1998-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A liquid absorbent device such as a diaper, sanitary towel or tampon includes one or more layers of a material with capillarity and carries an absorbent deposit in a predetermined pattern, for example parallel stripes, to leave uncovered areas for capillary flow of liquid from saturated to unsaturated areas of the layer. The absorbent deposit may be a highly absorbent starch based gel.
Inventors
- 👤 Nigel J. T. Melican
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F13/53708; A61F13/53717; A61F13/20; A61F13/2051; A61F13/206; A61F13/2082; A61F13/2085; B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A61F13/2002; A61F13/202; A61F13/53409; A61F13/15577; A61F2013/15821; A61F13/51; A61F2013/51059; A61F2013/51061; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/53016; A61F2013/530175; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; A61F2013/53445; A61F2013/53765; A61F2013/53786; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A liquid absorbent device comprising: an absorbent layer, said absorbent layer consisting of: (a) at least one carrier sheet of substantially non-absorbent material, wherein said material causes capillary flow of a liquid along said sheet when said sheet is contacted with said liquid; carrying (b) a deposit of absorbent materials applied to said carrier sheet in a predetermined pattern of stripes; wherein said stripes leave uncovered areas of said carrier sheet thereby providing channels for said capillary flow of said liquid from saturated to unsaturated areas of said absorbent material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A liquid absorbent device comprising: an absorbent layer, said absorbent layer consisting of: (a) at least one carrier sheet of substantially non-absorbent material, wherein said material causes capillary flow of a liquid along said sheet when said sheet is contacted with said liquid; carrying (b) a deposit of absorbent materials applied to said carrier sheet in a predetermined pattern of stripes; wherein said stripes leave uncovered areas of said carrier sheet thereby providing channels for said capillary flow of said liquid from saturated to unsaturated areas of said absorbent material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent material is a highly absorbent water swellable gel-forming polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 2 wherein said polymer is in the form of non-fibrous particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 2 wherein said polymer is a cross-linked carboxyalkylated starch derivative.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 1, wherein said layer is oblong and wherein said stripes are arranged longitudinally to said layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 1, having a plurality of said layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of layers are superimposed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of layers are formed by folding a single layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 8, wherein said layer comprises two sheets of said non-absorbent material and wherein said deposit is sandwiched therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 9, wherein said device is a sanitary towel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 10, further comprising a layer comprising a continuous deposit of said absorbent material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 11, further comprising an impervious layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of layers are formed by rolling a single layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 13, wherein said layer comprises two sheets of said non-absorbent material and wherein said deposit is sandwiched therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A liquid absorbent device according to claim 14, wherein said device is a tampon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
A sanitary towel comprising: (a) a first absorbant member comprising a plurality of layers formed by folding a single layer wherein said single layer consists of: (i) two sheets of a substantially non-absorbent material wherein said material causes capillary flow of a liquid along said sheets when said sheets are contacted with liquid; and (ii) a deposit of non-fibrous particles of a cross-linked carboxyolated starch derivative in a predetermined pattern of stripes sandwiched between said sheets, wherein said stripes provide channels for said capillary flow to said liquid from saturated to unsaturated areas of said absorbent material; (b) a second absorbent member comprising a continuous deposit layer of absorbent material wherein said second absorbent member is adjacent to said first absorbent member; and (c) a non-absorbent member comprising a layer impervious to liquid, said non-absorbent member being adjacent to said second absorbent member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A sanitary towel comprising: (a) a first absorbant member comprising a plurality of layers formed by folding a single layer wherein said single layer consists of: (i) two sheets of a substantially non-absorbent material wherein said material causes capillary flow of a liquid along said sheets when said sheets are contacted with liquid; and (ii) a deposit of non-fibrous particles of a cross-linked carboxyolated starch derivative in a predetermined pattern of stripes sandwiched between said sheets, wherein said stripes provide channels for said capillary flow to said liquid from saturated to unsaturated areas of said absorbent material; (b) a second absorbent member comprising a continuous deposit layer of absorbent material wherein said second absorbent member is adjacent to said first absorbent member; and (c) a non-absorbent member comprising a layer impervious to liquid, said non-absorbent member being adjacent to said second absorbent member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sanitary towel according to claim 16, wherein said impervious layer is polyethylene.
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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) | 1983-11-11 | 1984-05-12 | 1984-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-11 | 1988-05-12 | 1988-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-11 | 1992-05-12 | 1992-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |