US4828556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breathable, multilayered, clothlike barrier
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1986-10-31
•
Granted: 1989-05-09
•
Expires: 2006-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A breathable, multilayer, clothlike barrier especially suitable for use as an outer cover or baffle in such disposable absorbent articles as diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinent pads, which barrier has at least three layers: A. a first layer which is a porous meltblown nonwoven web having a first side and a second side; B. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; and the film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; and C. a third layer joined to either the second layer or the second side of the first layer, which third layer is a porous nonwoven web; wherein the first layer side of the second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers 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 barrier as a consequence of said comingling, and the barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37 degrees about fifty percent relative humidity of from about 100 to Celsius and about 5,000 g/m 2 /24 hour 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph V. Braun
- 👤 Lance Garrett
- 👤 Robert J. Phelan
- 👤 Richard S. Yeo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:29
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/514; A61F13/51401; A61F13/51405; A61F13/51456; A61F13/51458; A61F13/51462; A61F13/51474; A61F13/51478; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/24; A61L15/42; A61L15/425; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B32B27/30; B32B27/306; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B32B5/022; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A61F2013/51409; A61F2013/51411; A61F2013/51417; A61F2013/51423; A61F2013/51441; A61F2013/51443; B32B2255/00; B32B2255/02; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/02; B32B2262/0223; B32B2262/0253; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/724; B32B2307/726; B32B2307/7265; B32B2329/00; B32B2329/04; B32B2555/00; B32B2555/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A breathable, multilayered, clothlike barrier which comprises at least three layers: A. a first layer which is a porous meltblown nonwoven web having a first side and a second side; B. a second layer joined to said first side of said first layer, which second layer comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; and C. a third layer joined to either said second layer or said second side of said first layer, which third layer comprises a porous nonwoven web; 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 barrier as a consequence of said comingling, and said 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 hour 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
248 words
A breathable, multilayered, clothlike barrier which comprises at least three layers: A. a first layer which is a porous meltblown nonwoven web having a first side and a second side; B. a second layer joined to said first side of said first layer, which second layer comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns; and C. a third layer joined to either said second layer or said second side of said first layer, which third layer comprises a porous nonwoven web; 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 barrier as a consequence of said comingling, and said 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 hour 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
23 words
The 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
40 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which at least about 50 percent of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer each have a cross-sectional area of less than about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which essentially none of the pores at the surface of said first side of said first layer have a cross-sectional area in excess of about 3.2×10 -8 m 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The barrier of claim 4, in which said first layer is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The barrier of claim 5, in which said polyolefin is polypropylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which said third layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The barrier of claim 7, in which said spunbonded web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The barrier of claim 8, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The barrier of claim 7, in which said third layer is joined to said second layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The barrier of claim 7, in which said third layer is joined to said second side of said first layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which said third layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The barrier of claim 12, in which said meltblown web is comprised of polyolefin fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The barrier of claim 13, in which said polyolefin fibers are polypropylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The barrier of claim 12, in which said third layer is joined to said second layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The barrier of claim 12, in which said third layer is joined to said second side of said first layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 17, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 7, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 19, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The barrier of claim 11, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer joined to said second layer, said fourth layer comprising a continuous film of poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 21, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 12, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 23, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The barrier of claim 16, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer joined to said second layer, said fourth layer comprising a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 25, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 1, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 27, in which said fourth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 27, in which said fourth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 7, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 29, in which said fourth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 30, in which said fourth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 11, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 33, in which said fourth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 33, in which said fourth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 12, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 36, in which said fourth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 36, in which said fourth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 16, in which said barrier includes a fourth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 39, in which said fourth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 39, in which said fourth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 17, in which said barrier includes a fifth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 42, in which said fifth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 42, in which said fifth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 24, in which said barrier includes a fifth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 45, in which said fifth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 45, in which said fifth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 17, in which said barrier includes a fifth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 48, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 23, in which said barrier includes a fifth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 50, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 42, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 52, in which said sixth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 52, in which said sixth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 45, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 55, in which said sixth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 55, in which said sixth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 48, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 58, in which said sixth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 58, in which said sixth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The barrier of claim 49, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which is a porous nonwoven web.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 61, in which said sixth layer is a meltblown web.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
14 words
The barrier of claim 61, in which said sixth layer is a spunbonded web.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 42, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 64, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 45, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 66, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 48, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 68, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
60 words
The barrier of claim 49, in which said barrier includes a sixth layer which comprises a continuous film of a poly(vinyl alcohol), in which: said film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of said film; and said film has an average thickness of from about 3 to about 250 microns.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The barrier of claim 70, in which said film is substantially insoluble in water having a temperature less than about 50 degrees C.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 1.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 7.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 17.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 25.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 42.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 45.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 48.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 49.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 50.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 53.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 57.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 61.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
A disposable diaper having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 64.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 1.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 7.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 17.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 25.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 42.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 45.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 48.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 49.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 50.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 53.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 57.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 61.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
14 words
A disposable incontinent pad having as an outer cover the barrier of claim 64.
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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) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |