US4729371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Respirator comprised of blown bicomponent fibers
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1986-09-25
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Fibrous webs of bicomponent fibers are made by extruding a layered molten mass through a row of side-by-side orifices into a high-velocity gaseous stream. Bicomponent fibers of small size can be obtained, and the webs offer unique properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Krueger
- 👤 James F. Dyrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:33
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/11; A41D13/1107; A41D13/1138; A41D13/1146; A62; A62B; A62B23/00; A62B23/02; A62B23/025; B; B01; B01D; B01D39/00; B01D39/08; B01D39/083; B01D39/14; B01D39/16; B01D39/1607; B01D39/1623; B01D39/163; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; B01D2239/00; B01D2239/02; B01D2239/0216; B01D2239/04; B01D2239/0457; B01D2239/06; B01D2239/0604; B01D2239/0622; B01D2239/065; B01D2239/0654; B01D2239/0668; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2904; Y10T428/2909; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2927; Y10T428/2929; Y10T428/2931; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/614; Y10T442/626; Y10T442/627; Y10T442/632; Y10T442/633; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/638; Y10T442/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A respirator comprising a fibrous web molded to a cup shape adapted to cover the mouth and nose of a person wearing the respirator, the fibrous web comprising a coherent entangled mass of blown bicomponent fibers which individually comprise a first polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a first portion of the cross-sectional area of the first fiber and a second polymeric material adhered to the first polymeric material and extending longitudinally along the fiber through a second portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber, said fibers being prepared by extruding a layered molten mass of said first and second polymeric materials through a row of side-by-side orifices into a high-velocity gaseous stream, where the extruded streams are attenuated and drawn into a mass of entangled fibers having an essentially infinite aspect ratio.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A respirator comprising a fibrous web molded to a cup shape adapted to cover the mouth and nose of a person wearing the respirator, the fibrous web comprising a coherent entangled mass of blown bicomponent fibers which individually comprise a first polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a first portion of the cross-sectional area of the first fiber and a second polymeric material adhered to the first polymeric material and extending longitudinally along the fiber through a second portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber, said fibers being prepared by extruding a layered molten mass of said first and second polymeric materials through a row of side-by-side orifices into a high-velocity gaseous stream, where the extruded streams are attenuated and drawn into a mass of entangled fibers having an essentially infinite aspect ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A respirator of claim 1 in which the blown fibers average no more than about 10 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A respirator of claim 1 further comprising staple fibers interspersed with the blown fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A respirator of claim 3 in which the staple fibers are crimped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A respirator of claim 2 further comprising crimped staple fibers interspersed with the blown fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A respirator of claim 1 in which the fibrous web is bonded into a shape-retaining form by coalescence of said polymeric material at points of fiber intersection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A respirator of claim 1 in which the fibers of the fibrous web carry an electric charge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A respirator of claim 1 further comprising particulate material dispersed in the fibrous web.
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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) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |