US4888238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Superabsorbent coated fibers and method for their preparation
Assignee: Fitesa Simpsonville Inc
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Filing: 1987-09-16
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Granted: 1989-12-19
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Expires: 2007-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Superabsorbent synthetic fibers are prepared by a method wherein segments of synthetic fibers are coated with a solution of (a) a hydrophilic, uncomplexed polymer and (b) a complexing agent, and the coated fibers are fluff or flash dried causing the polymer to complex and to form a superabsorbent coating on the synthetic fibers in situ.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon Katz
- 👤 David H. Hollenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/60; D; D06; D06M; D06M11/00; D06M11/07; D06M11/11; D06M11/17; D06M11/28; D06M11/73; D06M11/76; D06M13/00; D06M13/10; D06M13/184; D06M13/188; D06M15/00; D06M15/19; D06M15/21; D06M15/263; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of preparing superabsorbent synthetic fibers coated with a water absorbent polymer which comprises (1) preparing an aqueous solution of an anionic polyelectrolyte and a polyvalent metal salt, said anionic polyelectrolyte being maintained water-soluble in the presence of said polyvalent metal salt by the addition of a neutralizing agent, (2) adding synthetic fibers to the polymeric solution to coat said fibers therewith, and (3) fluff drying said coated synthetic fibers to form a complex of said polyelectrolyte thereon in situ.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of preparing superabsorbent synthetic fibers coated with a water absorbent polymer which comprises (1) preparing an aqueous solution of an anionic polyelectrolyte and a polyvalent metal salt, said anionic polyelectrolyte being maintained water-soluble in the presence of said polyvalent metal salt by the addition of a neutralizing agent, (2) adding synthetic fibers to the polymeric solution to coat said fibers therewith, and (3) fluff drying said coated synthetic fibers to form a complex of said polyelectrolyte thereon in situ.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anionic polyelectrolyte is polyacrylic acid or poly (methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polyvalent metal salt is selected from aluminum acetate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, chromium acetate, zirconium acetate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride and ferric chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polyvalent metal salt is aluminum acetate or ammonium zirconium carbonate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polyvalent metal salt is present in solution in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic fibers are cellulose acetate, polyester, polyolefin, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, dacron, nylon or a bicomponent fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polyelectrolyte solution is maintained at a pH between 7 and 9 by the addition of ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide or a mixture thereof to the solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the polyelectrolyte solution is maintained at a pH between 7.5 and 8.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers are dried by suspending the fibers in a stream of hot air at a temperature between 60° and 100° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the fibers are dried in a stream of air at room temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic fibers have a denier of 0.9 to 3.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic fibers have a length of 1/8 to 3/4 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 12.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 11.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 10.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 9.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 8.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 7.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 6.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 5.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 4.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 3.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
A coated fiber produced by the method of claim 2.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A superabsorbent material consisting of a synthetic fiber coated with a substantially dry water-absorbent polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polymer crosslinked with a polyvalent metal salt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A superabsorbent material consisting of a synthetic fiber coated with a substantially dry water-absorbent polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polymer crosslinked with a polyvalent metal salt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A superabsorbent material according to claim 24 wherein the synthetic fiber is cellulose acetate, polyester, polyolefin, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, dacron, nylon, rayon, or a bicomponent fiber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
A superabsorbent material according to claim 24 wherein the hydrophilic polymer is an anionic polyelectrolyte selected from polyacrylic acid and poly (methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer) and is crosslinked in situ with a polyvalent metal salt selected from aluminum acetate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, chromium acetate, zirconium acetate, aluminum acetate, aluminum chloride and ferric chloride.
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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) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-06-19 | 1993-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-18 | 1997-06-19 | 1997-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-18 | 2001-06-19 | 2001-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |