US4748977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mineral fiber-based absorbent material
Assignee: Saint Gobain Isover SA France
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Filing: 1985-12-17
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2005-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A fibrous mineral material serving as an absorbent, especially for hygienic products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages and similar products, is comprised at least partially of these mineral fibers, which have a specific surface area greater than 0.25 m2/g. The material has an appreciably greater absorption capacity than the regularly-used cellulose fluff-based products.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Guyot
- 👤 Jean-Baptiste Rieunier
- 👤 Michel Conche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/531; A61F13/15203; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/18; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530138; A61F2013/530153; A61F2013/530328; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249922; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
In a hygenic product, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a hygenic product, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a hygenic product, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves, said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or elustered particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a hygenic product, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves, said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or elustered particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hygenic product of claim 1, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers possesses a specific surface area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hygenic product of claim 2, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers possess a specific area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 5, wherein the said fibers have a specific surface area of between 0.5 and 1.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 5, wherein the ratio of the average length of the fibers to their average diameter is greater than 100.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 5, wherein the specific volume of the said absorbent material in the non-compressed state is at least equal to 15 cm 3 per gram of fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 10, wherein the said specific volume is greater than 20 cm 3 per gram of fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin or bandage of claim 5, wherein the said absorbent material has an absorption capacity by capillary action, under a pressure of 2500 Pa, greater than 12 g of water per gram of fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 12, wherein the said absorbent capacity by capillary action, under a pressure of 2500 Pa, is greater than 15 g of water per gram of fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin or bandage of claim 13, wherein the sinking of the said absorbent material under a load of 2500 Pa is under 20%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 5, wherein the said mineral fibers are mixed with another absorbent material, in a gravimetric proportion which is less than 10%/90%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diaper, sanitary napkin, or bandage of claim 15, wherein the said mineral fibers are mixed with cellulose fibers in a gravimetric proportion which is not under 50%/50%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a diaper, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a diaper, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a diaper, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter of under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a diaper, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter of under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The diaper of claim 17 wherein the said absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers has a specific surface area which is at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diaper of claim 18, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers has a specific area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a sanitary napkin, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a sanitary napkin, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a sanitary napkin, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrous or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a sanitary napkin, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrous or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 21, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers possesses a specific surface area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sanitary napkin of claim 22, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers possess a specific area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers whose specific surface area is at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, said fibers being produced by passing molten glass through holes arranged in the periphery of a centrifuge, with the fibers produced, carried by gaseous current, being collected in the form of a felt on a collection component, with the collected felt undergoing a carding operation to increase its mass volume.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a bandage, the improvement comprising using an absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers having a specific area of at least 0.25 m 2 g -1 , said fibers having an average diameter under 5 μm, having a homogeneous size distribution and being free of non-fibrated or clustered particles, wherein the diameter of the fibers does not vary significantly along a single fiber, and the fibers form loops or waves.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bandage of claim 25, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of a layer of interlaced mineral fibers possesses a specific surface area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bandage of claim 26, wherein the said absorbent material in the form of interlaced mineral fibers possesses a specific area of at least 0.5 m 2 g -1 .
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) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |