US4713069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Baffle having zoned water vapor permeability
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1986-10-31
•
Granted: 1987-12-15
•
Expires: 2006-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of its length, A. the central zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,5000 g/m 2 /24 hours, B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a dead weight pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24/ hours; with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle. In preferred embodiments, the baffle is constructed from a nonwoven web, such as a meltblown web, or a laminate of two or more layers of nonwoven webs, such as a spunbonded-meltblown laminate, and the central zone includes an additional layer which is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol).
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Y. Wang
- 👤 Richard S. Yeo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51474; A61F13/51484; A61F13/51456; A61F13/51458; A61F13/51462; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/24; A61F13/51401; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51411; A61F2013/51441; A61F2013/51443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of the length thereof, A. said zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,500 g/m 2 /24 hours, B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours; in which said baffle comprises a fibrous porous substrate and a water vapor-permeable material overlaying and joined to said fibrous porous substrate in the area of said central zone; with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A baffle having a central zone extending along at least a portion of the length thereof, A. said zone being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1 to about 3 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 50 to about 2,500 g/m 2 /24 hours, B. with the non-central zone portions of the baffle being impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1 psi for a period of at least about one hour and having a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 1,500 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours; in which said baffle comprises a fibrous porous substrate and a water vapor-permeable material overlaying and joined to said fibrous porous substrate in the area of said central zone; with the proviso that the water vapor transmission rate of the central zone is less than that of the non-central zone portions of the baffle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said zone is impermeable to menses under a static pressure of from about 1.5 to about 2.5 psi.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said zone has a water vapor transmission rate of from about 500 to about 1,500 g/m 2 /24 hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said non-central zone is impermeable to menses under at static pressure of from about 0.5 to about 0.75 psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said non-central zone has a water vapor transmission rate of from about 1,500 to about 3,500 g/m 2 /24 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said central zone extends along the entire length thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which the length of said central zone is at least about one-third that of the baffle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The baffle of claim 7, in which said central zone is located approximately equidistant from the ends of the baffle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said fibrous porous substrate is a nonwoven web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The baffle of claim 9, in which said nonwoven web is a meltblown web.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The baffle of claim 10, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The baffle of claim 11, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The baffle of claim 1, in which said water vapor-permeable material is a water-soluble polymeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The baffle of claim 13, in which said water-soluble polymeric material is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), which film: A. is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; and B. has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baffle of claim 14, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
The baffle of claim 14, in which the side of the film overlaying and joined to said fibrous porous substrate is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers of the continuous film side of said fibrous porous substrate and none of the pores of the surface of said fibrous porous substrate joined to said continuous film are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said baffle as a consequence of said comingling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
The baffle of claim 9, in which said water vapor-permeable material is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), which film: A. is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; and B. has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the side the film overlaying and joined to said nonwoven web is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers of the continuous film side of said nonwoven web and none of the pores of the surface of said nonwoven web joined to said continuous film are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said baffle as a consequence of said comingling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baffle of claim 17, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
124 words
The baffle of claim 10, in which said water vapor-permeable material is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), which film: A. is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surface of the film; and B. has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the side of the film overlaying and joined to said meltblown web is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers of the continuous film side of said meltblown web and none of the pores of the surface of said meltblown web joined to said continuous film are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said baffle as a consequence of said comingling.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baffle of claim 19, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The baffle of claim 19, in which each of at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web to which said film is joined has a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The baffle of claim 21, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web has a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
124 words
The baffle of claim 11, in which said water vapor-permeable material is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), which film; A. is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; and B. has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the side of the film overlaying and joined to said meltblown web is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers of the continuous film side of said meltblown web and none of the pores of the surface of said meltblown web joined to said continuous film are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said baffle as a consequence of said comingling.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baffle of claim 23, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The baffle of claim 23, in which each of at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web to which said film is joined has a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The baffle of claim 25, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web has a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
124 words
The baffle of claim 12, in which said water vapor-permeable material is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), which film: A. is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; and B. has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the side of the film overlaying and joined to said meltblown web is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers of the continuous film side of said meltblown web and none of the pores of the surface of said meltblown web joined to said continuous film are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said baffle as a consequence of said comingling.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The baffle of claim 27, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The baffle of claim 27, in which each of at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web to which said film is joined has a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The baffle of claim 29, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of the meltblown web has a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 1.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 2.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 3.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 4.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 5.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 6.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 7.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 8.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 14.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 16.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 17.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 19.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 23.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sanitary napkin comprising an absorbent batt, a fluid-permeable cover, and the baffle of claim 27.
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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) | 1990-12-14 | 1991-06-15 | 1991-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-14 | 1995-06-15 | 1995-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-14 | 1999-06-15 | 1999-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |