US4424247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Absorbent polymer-fiber composites and method for preparing the same
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1981-11-09
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Granted: 1984-01-03
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Expires: 2001-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A method of preparing fibrous hydrophilic fluff having increased absorbency is disclosed wherein an absorbent hydrophilic composite is mechanically disintegrated, either singly or in combination with a base fluffing material.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:42
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/225; A61L15/42; A61L15/60; B32B27/06; B32B27/065; B32B27/10; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B32B5/022; B32B5/18; D; D21; D21C; D21C9/00; D21C9/001; D21C9/002; D21C9/005; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2002; A61F13/202; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F2013/15008; A61F2013/15048; A61F13/15577; A61F2013/15821; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/530802; A61F13/53708; A61F2013/53721; B32B2555/00; B32B2555/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3707; Y10T442/3854; Y10T442/3886; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/647; Y10T442/651; Y10T442/659
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for preparing a fibrous fluff of improved absorbency, said method comprising the mechanical disintegration of a hydrophilic absorbent composite which comprises a layer of a swellable hydrophilic polymer and one or more substrates of wicking material at least partially bonded to said polymeric layers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for preparing a fibrous fluff of improved absorbency, said method comprising the mechanical disintegration of a hydrophilic absorbent composite which comprises a layer of a swellable hydrophilic polymer and one or more substrates of wicking material at least partially bonded to said polymeric layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric layer is a continuous substantially uniform film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said composite is perforated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said layer of said polymer comprises a substantially discontinuous and crushed film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of claim 4 wherein said layer is an aerated film having a density rate of from about 1.1 to about 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said layer of polymer is in particulate form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 6 wherein said layer is a granular powder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 6 wherein said layer is a flaked polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said polymer is a lightly cross-linked carboxylic polyelectrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of claim 9 wherein said layer is a cracked and aerated film having a density of from about 1.1 to 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said polymer is a copolymer of alkyl acrylates and acrylic acid with starch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wicking substrate layers are selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, paper tissues, nonwoven fiber mats and polymeric foams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said polymeric foam is a polyurethane foam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of making a fibrous fluff blend wherein the disintegrated composite of claim 1 is combined with uncoated base fluffing material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14 which comprises passing said composite through a zone wherein the composite is mechanically combined during disintegration with base fluffing material into a composite-base fluffing material blend.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 wherein 1 to 99 percent by volume of absorbent composite is combined with 99 to 1 percent by volume of base fluffing material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said fluffing material is disintegrated, formed into a moving layer, said composite is disintegrated and deposited on a moving layer of said base fluffing material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the disintegrated composite is deposited at periodic intervals on said moving layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The absorbent fluff prepared according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An absorbent device which comprises the absorbent fluff of claim 19, one or more layers of intermediate wicking sheets, a water-impermeable back sheet and a water-permeable face sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The absorbent device of claim 20 wherein said water-impermeable back sheet is polyethylene and said face sheet is a nonwoven fiber sheet or porous paper.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The absorbent device of claim 20 wherein said water-permeable face sheet is a perforated polymer film.
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) | 1987-01-02 | 1987-07-04 | 1988-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-02 | 1991-07-04 | 1992-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-02 | 1995-07-04 | 1996-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |