Patent US4795668A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4795668A
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Bicomponent fibers and webs made therefrom
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1987-07-31
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Biocomponent fibers, and webs made therefrom, are taught in which one component of the fibers is a crystallizable material. When a web of the fibers is heated in a mold above the temperature at which crystallization occurs, the fibers tend to be set in the position they are held in the mold. A preferred fiber comprises blown fibers comprising as one component amorphous, crystallizable polyethylene terephthalate, and as the other component polypropylene. A web of such fibers not only becomes formed into a shape-retaining form by crystallization during the molding process, but also can be further established in its shape-retaining character by heating the web above the softening point of the polypropylene, whereupon the fibers become bonded at their points of intersection.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Krueger
- 👤 Daniel E. Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:35
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D39/00; B01D39/14; B01D39/16; B01D39/1607; B01D39/1623; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; B01D2239/00; B01D2239/02; B01D2239/0216; B01D2239/0233; B01D2239/04; B01D2239/0457; B01D2239/06; B01D2239/0604; B01D2239/0622; B01D2239/065; B01D2239/0654; B01D2239/0668; B01D2239/0681; B01D2239/08; B01D2239/086; B01D2239/12; B01D2239/1233; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/269; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2927; Y10T428/2929; Y10T428/298
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A fibrous web having a non-planar shape and comprising blown bicomponent fibers that individually comprise a first polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a first portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber and a second polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a second portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber; the web being given its non-planar shape by first preparing the web with the first polymeric material in an amorphous form from which it undergoes a crystallization at a temperature less than the melting temperature of the second polymeric material; placing the web in a mold which conforms the web to the stated non-planar shape; and subjecting the web to an elevated temperature at which the first polymeric material undergoes crystallization and holds the web in the non-planar shape but which is below the melting temperature of the second polymeric material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A fibrous web having a non-planar shape and comprising blown bicomponent fibers that individually comprise a first polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a first portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber and a second polymeric material extending longitudinally along the fiber through a second portion of the cross-sectional area of the fiber; the web being given its non-planar shape by first preparing the web with the first polymeric material in an amorphous form from which it undergoes a crystallization at a temperature less than the melting temperature of the second polymeric material; placing the web in a mold which conforms the web to the stated non-planar shape; and subjecting the web to an elevated temperature at which the first polymeric material undergoes crystallization and holds the web in the non-planar shape but which is below the melting temperature of the second polymeric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which the melting temperature of the first polymeric material after crystallization is higher than the melting temperature of the second polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which the first polymeric material comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which the second polymeric material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fibrous web of claim 4 in which the first polymeric material comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which the fibers are bonded by coalescing of one of the polymeric materials at intersections of the fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fibrous web of claim 6 in which the fibers are bonded by coalescing of the second polymeric material at intersections of the fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which the bicomponent fibers average no more than 10 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which staple fibers are dispersed with the blown fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which some of the fibers in the web carry an electric charge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fibrous web of claim 1 in which crimped staple fibers are dispersed with the blown fibers; and at least some of the blown fibers carry an electrical charge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fibrous web of claim 8 in which the first polymeric material comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fibrous web of claim 8 in which the second polymeric material comprises polypropylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fibrous web of claim 8 in which the first polymeric material comprises polyethylene terepthalate and the second polymeric material comprises polypropylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fibrous web of claim 14 in which staple fibers are dispersed with the blown fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fibrous web of claim 14 in which some of the fibers in the web carry an electric charge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fibrous web of claim 14 in which crimped staple fibers are dispersed with the blown fibers and at least some of the fibers in the web carry an electric charge.
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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) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |