US4778460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multilayer nonwoven fabric
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1985-10-07
•
Granted: 1988-10-18
•
Expires: 2005-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A multilayer nonwoven fabric is disclosed which comprises at least two layers of nonwoven web. Each nonwoven web comprises a plurality of monofilaments of a thermoplastic material. In at least one of the webs the monofilaments have a bilobal cross-section. Preferably, the fabric includes two layers of nonwoven web with the monofilaments of the first web having the bilobal cross-section and the monofilaments of the second web having a trilobal or branched cross-section.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph V. Braun
- 👤 Jon R. Butt
- 👤 Robert J. Phelan
- 👤 Lin-Sun Woon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15617; A61F13/15658; A61F13/511; A61F13/5116; D; D04; D04H; D04H3/00; D04H3/08; D04H3/16; A61F2013/15821; A61F2013/51002; A61F2013/51009; A61F2013/51038; A61F2013/5104; A61F2013/51042; A61F2013/51178; A61F2013/51182; A61F13/53; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530138; A61F2013/530153; A61F2013/53016; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24826; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2973; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/609; Y10T442/61; Y10T442/659; Y10T442/671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of monofilaments or fibers of a first thermoplastic material, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a second plurality of monofilaments or fibers of a second thermoplastic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of monofilaments or fibers of a first thermoplastic material, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a second plurality of monofilaments or fibers of a second thermoplastic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said first and second thermoplastic materials are independently selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 2 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 3 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 3 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 2 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 6 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 6 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 2 wherein said polyolefin in one of said nonwoven webs is an ethylene-propylene copolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 2 wherein the monofilaments or fibers of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein the monofilaments or fibers of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein the monofilaments or fibers of said second nonwoven web have a Y-shaped cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 12 wherein said first and second thermoplastic materials are independently selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 13 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 14 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 14 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 13 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 17 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 17 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 13 wherein said polyolefin in one of said nonwoven webs is an ethylene-propylene copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 13 wherein the monofilaments of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a first thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent to and bonded to the first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a first thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent to and bonded to the first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 22 further comprising a degree of interfilament bonding in each of said nonwoven webs whereby said webs are stabilized.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 23 wherein said interfilament bonding comprises a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of the article, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent regular pattern and providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 24 wherein the compacted areas constitute from about 10 to about 30 percent of the area of the web.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 24 wherein the compacted areas constitute from about 12 to about 20 percent of the area of the web.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 24 wherein said first and second thermoplastic materials are independently selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 28 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 28 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 31 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 31 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said polyolefin in one of said nonwoven webs is an ethylene-propylene copolymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein the monofilaments of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 24 wherein the monofilaments of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 24 wherein the monofilaments of said second nonwoven web have a trilobal cross-section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 37 wherein said first and second thermoplastic materials are independently selected from the group consisting of polyolefins.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 38 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 39 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 39 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 38 wherein said polyolefin in said first nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 42 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polypropylene.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 42 wherein said polyolefin of said second nonwoven web is polyethylene.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 38 wherein said polyolefin in one of said nonwoven webs is an ethylene-propylene copolymer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 38 wherein the monofilaments of said second nonwoven web are more wettable than the monofilaments of said first nonwoven web.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
107 words
A nonwoven diaper liner which comprises a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said liner having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
107 words
A nonwoven diaper liner which comprises a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said liner having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nonwoven diaper liner of claim 47 wherein the compacted areas constitute from about 5 to about 30 percent of the area of the diaper liner.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven diaper liner of claim 47 wherein said second nonwoven web is more wettable than said first nonwoven web.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
112 words
A nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device which comprises: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited moncfilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said nonwoven wrap having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion cf the thickness of the both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
112 words
A nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device which comprises: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited moncfilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said nonwoven wrap having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion cf the thickness of the both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nonwoven diaper liner of claim 50 wherein the compacted areas constitute from about 5 to about 30 percent of the area of the diaper liner.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven diaper liner of claim 51 wherein said second nonwoven web is more wettable than said first nonwoven web.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an absorbent article which comprises a liner, and an absorbent material, the improvement comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said liner having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an absorbent article which comprises a liner, and an absorbent material, the improvement comprising: a first nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic polymer, said monofilaments having a bilobal cross-section; a second nonwoven web adjacent to and bonded to said first nonwoven web and comprising a second plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a second thermoplastic polymer; said liner having a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of both nonwoven webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 53 wherein the compacted areas constitute from about 5 to about 30 percent of the area of the 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) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-04-18 | 1992-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-18 | 1996-04-18 | 1996-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-18 | 2000-04-18 | 2000-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |