US4378431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of a cellulose-synthetic polymer composite fiber
Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Filing: 1980-09-02
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Granted: 1983-03-29
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Expires: 2000-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Hydrophilic characteristics are imparted to hydrophobic synthetic substrates, such as polyester fibers, by incubating a culture medium with Acetobacter bacterium in the presence of the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Brown, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:57
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/04; D; D06; D06M; D06M16/00; D06M16/003; D21; D21H; D21H25/00; D21H25/02; D21H13/00; D21H13/02; D21H13/10; D21H13/12; D21H13/14; D21H13/20; D21H13/24; D21H13/26; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/18; D21H21/22; D21H21/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/823; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31768; Y10T428/31772; Y10T428/31779; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/2484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for imparting hydrophilic characteristics to hydrophobic substrates which comprises incubating a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils, in the presence of a hydrophobic synthetic substrate whereby cellulose microfibrils are produced on and attached to the surface of said substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for imparting hydrophilic characteristics to hydrophobic substrates which comprises incubating a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils, in the presence of a hydrophobic synthetic substrate whereby cellulose microfibrils are produced on and attached to the surface of said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic synthetic substrate is in the form of a fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a nonwoven composite of fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is woven.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
25 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said synthetic substrate is a material selected from the group consisting of a polyester, nylon, and polyolefin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process for imparting hydrophilic characteristic to a polyester fiber which comprises bringing said fiber into contact with a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils for a period of time sufficient to incubate said bacterium and thereby result in the physical attachment of said microfibrils to said fiber whereby a polyester fiber of enhanced hydrophilic characteristics is obtained.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process for imparting hydrophilic characteristic to a polyester fiber which comprises bringing said fiber into contact with a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils for a period of time sufficient to incubate said bacterium and thereby result in the physical attachment of said microfibrils to said fiber whereby a polyester fiber of enhanced hydrophilic characteristics is obtained.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process for enhancing hydrophilic characteristics of a cotton fiber which comprises bringing said fiber into contact with a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils for a period of time sufficient to incubate said bacterium and thereby result in the physical attachment of said microfibrils to said fiber whereby a cotton fiber of enhanced hydrophilic characteristics is obtained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process for enhancing hydrophilic characteristics of a cotton fiber which comprises bringing said fiber into contact with a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils for a period of time sufficient to incubate said bacterium and thereby result in the physical attachment of said microfibrils to said fiber whereby a cotton fiber of enhanced hydrophilic characteristics is obtained.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for enhancing hydrophilic characteristics of hydrophilic substrates which comprises incubating a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils, in the presence of a solid hydrophilic substrate whereby cellulose microfibrils are produced on and attached to the surface of said substrate which is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for enhancing hydrophilic characteristics of hydrophilic substrates which comprises incubating a culture medium inoculated with an Acetobacter bacterium capable of synthesizing cellulose microfibrils, in the presence of a solid hydrophilic substrate whereby cellulose microfibrils are produced on and attached to the surface of said substrate which is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said substrate is a nonwoven composite of fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said substrate is a composite of woven fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said natural substrate is a material selected from the group consisting of cotton and paper.
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) | 1986-03-28 | 1986-09-27 | 1987-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-28 | 1990-09-27 | 1991-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-28 | 1994-09-27 | 1995-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |