US4381611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for absorbing moisture
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-04
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2001-05-04
Abstract
Abstract An improved nonwoven polypropylene fabric, having the fibers on one side fused and the fibers on the opposite side unfused, which fabric when wetted exhibits a wet feeling on the fused side and a substantially dry feeling on the unfused side. Also disclosed are bandage, diaper, hat sweatband and headband or wristband structures employing the fabric as well as a method of transferring moisture from a moisture-bearing surface utilizing the fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin Wishman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51474; A61F13/51478; A42; A42C; A42C5/00; A42C5/02; A47; A47K; A47K10/00; A47K10/16; A61F13/51401; A61F13/51405; A61F13/53; A61F2013/530802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of transferring liquid from a liquid-bearing surface, comprising: positioning a nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of staple polypropylene fibers including a plurality of unfused polypropylene fibers on a first side thereof and a second plurality of fused polypropylene fibers on a second opposite side thereof with at least a portion of the unfused fibers of the first side in contact with the liquid on the liquid-bearing surface; and allowing the liquid from the liquid-bearing surface to migrate through the unfused fibers to the fused fibers on the second side of the nonwoven fabric.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of transferring liquid from a liquid-bearing surface, comprising: positioning a nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of staple polypropylene fibers including a plurality of unfused polypropylene fibers on a first side thereof and a second plurality of fused polypropylene fibers on a second opposite side thereof with at least a portion of the unfused fibers of the first side in contact with the liquid on the liquid-bearing surface; and allowing the liquid from the liquid-bearing surface to migrate through the unfused fibers to the fused fibers on the second side of the nonwoven fabric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polypropylene fibers comprise staple fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polypropylene fibers comprise continuous fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polypropylene fibers are staple fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nonwoven fabric is positioned in contact with the liquid with a moisture-pervious layer interposed between said nonwoven fabric and the liquid-bearing surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 or claim 5 wherein the liquid-bearing surface is the skin of a living being.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of transferring liquid from a liquid-bearing surface, comprising: positioning a nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of polypropylene fibers including a plurality of unfused polypropylene fibers on a first side of said nonwoven fabric and a second plurality of fused polypropylene fibers on a second opposite side of said nonwoven fabric with at least a portion of the unfused fibers of the first side in liquid flow communication with the liquid on the liquid-bearing surface; and allowing the liquid thus communicating with the unfused fibers to migrate through the unfused fibers to the fused fibers on the second side of said nonwoven fabric.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of transferring liquid from a liquid-bearing surface, comprising: positioning a nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of polypropylene fibers including a plurality of unfused polypropylene fibers on a first side of said nonwoven fabric and a second plurality of fused polypropylene fibers on a second opposite side of said nonwoven fabric with at least a portion of the unfused fibers of the first side in liquid flow communication with the liquid on the liquid-bearing surface; and allowing the liquid thus communicating with the unfused fibers to migrate through the unfused fibers to the fused fibers on the second side of said nonwoven fabric.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein a moisture-pervious sheet is interposed between said nonwoven fabric and the liquid-bearing surface prior to the positioning step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein a moisture-absorbent core is interposed between said moisture-pervious sheet and the first side of said nonwoven fabric prior to the positioning step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 or claim 7 characterized further to include removing liquid from the second side of the nonwoven fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said polypropylene fibers are staple fibers.
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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) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |