US4381782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highly absorbent materials having good wicking characteristics which comprise hydrogel particles and surfactant treated filler
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1981-04-21
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2001-04-21
Abstract
Abstract Highly absorbent low density fibrous structures such as webs or batts formed from mixtures of powdered or microcrystalline hydrogel preparations with surfactant treated filler materials having a particle size equal to or greater than the hydrogel particle size. Absorbent materials of the invention exhibit good wicking properties and result in more efficient use of hydrogels by minimizing gel blocking. Additional improvements include reduced dusting, improved stabilization and somewhat higher absorbency when compared with hydrogel materials alone. Uses for these materials include, by way of example and not limitation, disposable diapers, incontinent pads, sanitary napkins, wipes, surgical sponges and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Mazurak
- 👤 Donald M. Fries
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/53409; A61F13/53418; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/48; A61L15/60; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; A61F2013/530518; A61F2013/530525; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249924; Y10T428/24994; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A low density highly absorbent material having improved wicking characteristics comprising an intimate mixture of particulate hydrogel material with 5 to 95 percent by weight of a filler material, said filler material having an average particle diameter 1 to 10,000 times the average hydrogel particle diameter and having been treated with a surfactant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A low density highly absorbent material having improved wicking characteristics comprising an intimate mixture of particulate hydrogel material with 5 to 95 percent by weight of a filler material, said filler material having an average particle diameter 1 to 10,000 times the average hydrogel particle diameter and having been treated with a surfactant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is anionic dioctyl sulfosuccinate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material of claim 2 wherein the average filler particle diameter is 1 to 1,000 times the average hydrogel particle diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The material of claim 2 wherein the average filler particle diameter is 10 to 100 times the average hydrogel particle diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The material of claim 2 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of polyethylene sheet and polypropylene fibers, ground vegetable debries, mixtures of polypropylene fibers and pulp fibers, and shredded polystyrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The material of claim 2 wherein the amount of filler is in the range of 25 to 75% based on the weight of hydrogel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The material of claim 2 in batt form having a density in the range of from 0.05 to 0.50 g/cc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The material of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is added at a level of up to about 1.0 percent by weight remaining on the material after drying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A disposable sanitary garment comprising, in combination: (a) a liquid impermeable backing, (b) a liquid permeable liner, and (c) between said backing and said liner an absorbent layer comprising a low density, highly absorbent material having improved wicking characteristics comprising an intimate mixture of particulate hydrogel material with 5 to 95% by weight of a filler material, said filler material having an average particle diameter 1 to 10,000 times the average hydrogel particle diameter and having been treated with a surfactant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
A disposable sanitary garment comprising, in combination: (a) a liquid impermeable backing, (b) a liquid permeable liner, and (c) between said backing and said liner an absorbent layer comprising a low density, highly absorbent material having improved wicking characteristics comprising an intimate mixture of particulate hydrogel material with 5 to 95% by weight of a filler material, said filler material having an average particle diameter 1 to 10,000 times the average hydrogel particle diameter and having been treated with a surfactant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The disposable sanitary garment of claim 9 in the form of a disposable diaper wherein the absorbent layer includes said low density material placed near the front edge thereof and the sides of the absorbent layer are folded over covering said low density material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The disposable diaper of claim 10 wherein the hydrogel material contains filler having an average particle diameter 10 to 100 times the average hydrogel particle diameter and wherein said surfactant is anionic dioctyl sulfosuccinate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The disposable diaper of claim 11 further including elastic means to aid in fluid retention.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The garment of claim 9 wherein the surfactant is added at a level of up to about 1.0 percent by weight remaining on the material after drying.
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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 |