US4676785A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid retaining absorbent structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-10-21
•
Granted: 1987-06-30
•
Expires: 2005-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Liquid retaining absorbent structures consisting of a plurality of cells, each cell having an aperture to allow a liquid to enter the cell. The cell contains an expandable absorbent material and a valve member. As liquid enters the cell, the absorbent expands. When the amount of liquid is equivalent to the free volume of the cell the expanding absorbent causes the valve member to seal the aperture to isolate the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Orlando A. Battista
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/512; A61F13/53; A61F13/531; A61F13/532; A61F13/5323; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/234; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24281; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A liquid retaining absorbent structure comprising a plurality of cells each of the cells having an aperture in its upper wall through which a liquid may pass into the cell, a valve member within each cell and an expandable, absorbent, hydrophilic material within each cell adapted to expand and to move the valve member to close the aperture when the volume of liquid passing into the cell is equivalent to the free volume of the cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A liquid retaining absorbent structure comprising a plurality of cells each of the cells having an aperture in its upper wall through which a liquid may pass into the cell, a valve member within each cell and an expandable, absorbent, hydrophilic material within each cell adapted to expand and to move the valve member to close the aperture when the volume of liquid passing into the cell is equivalent to the free volume of the cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the valve member is secured to the upper surface of the expandable, absorbent, hydrophilic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the expandable, absorbent, hydrophilic material is compressed regenerated cellulose sponge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the cells are secured to a liquid impermeable base sheet and to a foramenous cover sheet, the cover sheet having apertures registering with the apertures of the cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the ends and the sides of the base and cover sheets are fixed relative to each other to form an envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 where in the expandable, absorbent material is regenerated cellulose sponge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the cells are secured to a liquid impermeable base sheet and to a foramenous cover sheet, the cover sheet having apertures registering with the apertures of the cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein the ends and the sides of the base and cover sheets are fixed relative to each other to form an envelope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the cells are secured to a liquid impermeable base sheet and to a foramenous cover sheet, the cover sheet having apertures registering with the apertures of the cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the ends and the sides of the base and cover sheets are fixed relative to each other to form an envelope.
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) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |