US4758239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breathable barrier
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1986-10-31
•
Granted: 1988-07-19
•
Expires: 2006-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A breathable barrier which includes: A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; and B. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a water-soluble polymeric material, in which: the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; water molecules are capable of being transported through the thickness of the film as a result of the solubility of the water molecules in the polymeric material; and the film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the first layer side of the second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers at the surface of the first side of the first layer, none of the pores at the surface of the first side of the first layer are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of the breathable barrier as a consequence of the comingling, and the breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 5,000 g/m2/24 hours and is impermeable to 0.9 percent by weight saline solution at about 21 degrees C. for a period of at least about one hour at a hydrostatic head of at least about 11.4 cm. In place of a coating, the continuous film can be a preformed film of a water-soluble polymeric material which is laminated to the porous sheet. In preferred embodiments, the water-soluble polymeric material is a poly(vinyl alcohol) and the porous sheet is a meltblown nonwoven web. The disclosed breathable barriers are especially useful as outer covers and baffles in such disposable absorbent articles as diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinent pads.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Yeo
- 👤 Daniel K. Schiffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51456; A61F13/51458; A61F13/51462; A61F13/51401; A61F13/51405; A61F13/51474; A61F13/51478; A61F13/5148; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/24; A61L15/42; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51411; A61F2013/51441; A61F2013/51443; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/674; Y10T442/676
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A breathable barrier which comprises: A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; and B. a second layer joined to said first side of said first layer, which second layer comprises a continuous film of a water-soluble polymeric material, in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; water molecules are capable of being transported through the thickness of said film as a result of the solubility of said water molecules in said polymeric material; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the first layer side of said second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers at the surface of said first side of said first layer, none of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said breathable barrier as a consequence of said comingling, and said breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.9 percent by weight saline solution at about 21 degrees C. for a period of at least about one hour at a hydrostatic head of at least about 11.4 cm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A breathable barrier which comprises: A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; and B. a second layer joined to said first side of said first layer, which second layer comprises a continuous film of a water-soluble polymeric material, in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; water molecules are capable of being transported through the thickness of said film as a result of the solubility of said water molecules in said polymeric material; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein the first layer side of said second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers at the surface of said first side of said first layer, none of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of said breathable barrier as a consequence of said comingling, and said breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.9 percent by weight saline solution at about 21 degrees C. for a period of at least about one hour at a hydrostatic head of at least about 11.4 cm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The breathable barrier of claim 1, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 1, in which said porous sheet is a nonwoven web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 1, in which said nonwoven web is a spunbonded web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 4, in which said spunbonded web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 5, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 5, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 3, in which said nonwoven web is a meltblown web.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The breathable barrier of claim 8, in which each of at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer has a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The breathable barrier of claim 8, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer has a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 8, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 11, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 11, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The breathable barrier of claim 3, in which said nonwoven web is a coformed web consisting of primary web-forming fibers and secondary fibers or particles dispersed therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breathable barrier of claim 14, in which said primary fibers are a polyolefin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breathable barrier of claim 15, in which said polyolefin primary fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
A breathable barrier which comprises a porous sheet laminated on at least one side to a film of a water-soluble polymeric material, in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; water molecules are capable of being transported through the thickness of said film as a result of the solubility of said water molecules in said polymeric material; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein said breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.9 percent by weight saline solution at about 21 degrees C. for a period of at least about one hour at a hydrostatic head of at least about 11.4 cm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
152 words
A breathable barrier which comprises a porous sheet laminated on at least one side to a film of a water-soluble polymeric material, in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; water molecules are capable of being transported through the thickness of said film as a result of the solubility of said water molecules in said polymeric material; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; wherein said breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.9 percent by weight saline solution at about 21 degrees C. for a period of at least about one hour at a hydrostatic head of at least about 11.4 cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The breathable barrier of claim 17, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 17, in which said porous sheet is a nonwoven web.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 19, in which said nonwoven web is a spunbonded web.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 20, in which said spunbonded web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 21, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 21, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 19, in which said nonwoven web is a meltblown web.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 24, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 25, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 25, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The breathable barrier of claim 19, in which said nonwoven web is a coformed web consisting of primary web-forming fibers and secondary fibers or particles dispersed therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 28, in which said primary fibers are polyolefin.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breathable barrier of claim 29, in which said polyolefin primary fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The breathable barrier of claim 1, in which said water-soluble polymeric material is a synthetic water-soluble polymeric material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The breathable barrier of claim 31, in which said synthetic water-soluble polymeric material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 32, in which said porous sheet is a nonwoven web.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 33, in which said nonwoven web is a spunbonded web.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 34, in which said spunbonded web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 35, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 35, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 33, in which said nonwoven web is a meltblown web.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The breathable barrier of claim 38, in which each of at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer has a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The breathable barrier of claim 38, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer has a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 38, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 41, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 41, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The breathable barrier of claim 33, in which said nonwoven web is a coformed web consisting of primary web-forming fibers and secondary fibers or particles dispersed therein.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 44, in which said primary fibers are polyolefin.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breathable barrier of claim 45, in which said polyolefin primary fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The breathable barrier of claim 17, in which said water-soluble polymeric material is a synthetic water-soluble polymeric material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The breathable barrier of claim 47, in which said synthetic water-soluble polymeric material is a poly(vinyl alcohol).
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 48, in which said porous sheet is a nonwoven web.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 49, in which said nonwoven web is a spunbonded web.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 50, in which said spunbonded web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 51, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 51, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breathable barrier of claim 49, in which said nonwoven web is a meltblown web.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breathable barrier of claim 54, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 55, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 55, in which said polyolefin fibers are polyethylene.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The breathable barrier of claim 49, in which said nonwoven web is a coformed web consisting of primary web-forming fibers and secondary fibers or particles dispersed therein.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
13 words
The breathable barrier of claim 58, in which said primary fibers are polyolefin.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breathable barrier of claim 59, in which said polyolefin primary fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 1.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 61, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 61, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 61, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 8.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 65, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 65, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 65, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 9.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 10.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 11.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 17.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 72, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 72, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 72, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 24.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 76, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 76, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 76, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 32.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 80, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 80, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 80, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 38.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 84, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 84, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 84, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multilayered absorbent article in which at least one layer is the breathable barrier of claim 48.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 88, in which said absorbent article is a disposable diaper.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 88, in which said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
15 words
The absorbent article of claim 88, in which said absorbent article is an incontinent pad.
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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) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |