US5204174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fine fiber webs with improved physical properties
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1990-05-04
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Granted: 1993-04-20
•
Expires: 2010-05-04
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a nonwoven web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of propylene polymer and butylene polymer, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene and from 10% to 50% polybutylene. The blend can be a blend of a homopolymer of polypropylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; a homopolymer of polypropylene and a copolymer of butylene; a copolymer of propylene and a homopolymer of polybutylene; and a copolymer of propylene and a copolymer of butylene. In addition ternary blends (homopolymers of polypropylene, copolymers of propylene and butylene, terpolymers (propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene), and blends of terpolymers with polypropylene are useful. The resulting nonwoven webs have enhanced toughness, tear resistance, drape, and conformability.
Inventors
- 👤 Diego H. Daponte
- 👤 Susan E. Shawver
- 👤 Sharon L. Watkins
- 👤 Hugo P. Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:54
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; D04H1/4282; D04H1/4291; D04H1/4374; D04H1/4382; D04H1/43825; D04H1/54; D04H1/542; D04H1/544; D04H1/559; D04H1/56; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24595; Y10T428/24603; Y10T428/24612; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene polymers selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymers selected from the group of copolymers of butylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene polymers selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymers selected from the group of copolymers of butylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A nonwoven web of claim 1, wherein the propylene polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven web of claim 2, wherein the butylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a ternary blend comprising two different propylene polymers and a butylene copolymer, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% butylene copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a ternary blend comprising two different propylene polymers and a butylene copolymer, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% butylene copolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A nonwoven web of claim 4, wherein one of the propylene polymers is a propylene copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A nonwoven web of claim 4, wherein the butylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene polymers selected from a group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymers selected from the group consisting of butylene copolymers, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene polymers selected from a group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymers selected from the group consisting of butylene copolymers, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven wiper of claim 8, wherein the propylene polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven wiper of claim 9, wherein the butylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven wiper of claim 8, wherein the propylene polymer is a copolymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven wiper of claim 11, wherein the propylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a ternary blend comprising two different propylene polymers and butylene polymers, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% polybutylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a ternary blend comprising two different propylene polymers and butylene polymers, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% polybutylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nonwoven wiper of claim 13, wherein the ternary blend comprises a homopolymer of propylene, an ethylene copolymer of propylene, and an ethylene copolymer of butylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene copolymers and butylene polymers selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of butylene wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene copolymer and from 10% to 50% butylene-ethylene copolymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A nonwoven web comprising at least one layer consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend comprising propylene copolymers and butylene polymers selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of butylene wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene copolymer and from 10% to 50% butylene-ethylene copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven web of claim 15, wherein the butylene polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven web of claim 16, wherein the propylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven web of claim 15, wherein the butylene polymer is a copolymer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nonwoven web of claim 18, wherein the butylene copolymer comprises copolymers of ethylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven web of claim 18, wherein the propylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
A nonwoven wiper comprising a web consisting of highly drawn and unoriented thermoplastic fibers formed from a blend of a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a propylene polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of butylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a propylene polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and butylene polymer selected from the group consisting of copolymers of butylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene polymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22, wherein prior to depositing the fibers, the fibers are quenched.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the propylene polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the butylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein after the fibers are deposited, the web is bonded.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing two different propylene polymers and a butylene polymer to form a ternary blend, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the ternary blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing two different propylene polymers and a butylene polymer to form a ternary blend, wherein the ternary blend by weight is from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the ternary blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the ternary blend comprises a homopolymer of propylene, an ethylene copolymer of propylene, and an ethylene copolymer of butylene.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28, wherein prior to depositing the fiber, the fibers are quenched.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 or 29, wherein after the fibers are deposited, the web is bonded.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a terpolymer, comprising propylene, 1-butene, and ethylene, and propylene polymer comprising at least 80% propylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% polypropylene; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31, wherein prior to depositing the fiber, the fibers are quenched.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein after the fibers are deposited, the web is bonded.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a propylene copolymer with a butylene polymer selected from the group consisting of butylene homopolymers and copolymers of butylene with ethylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene copolymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for forming a layer of a nonwoven web, the layer consisting of thermoplastic fibers comprising the steps of: a. mixing a propylene copolymer with a butylene polymer selected from the group consisting of butylene homopolymers and copolymers of butylene with ethylene to form a blend, wherein the blend by weight is from 90% to 50% propylene copolymer and from 10% to 50% butylene polymer; b. heating the blend to form a melt; c. extruding the melt through a die to form thermoplastic fibers; d. initially drawing the fibers to a ratio of substantially greater than 14 to 1 and then allowing the fibers to solidify in a relaxed condition; and e. depositing the fibers to form the layer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 wherein prior to depositing the fibers, the fibers are quenched.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34 or 35 wherein, after the fibers are deposited, the web is bonded.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 or 35, wherein the butylene polymer is a homopolymer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the propylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 or 35, wherein the butylene polymer is a copolymer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the propylene copolymer and the butylene copolymer are copolymers of ethylene.
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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) | 1996-04-19 | 1996-10-19 | 1997-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-19 | 2000-10-19 | 2001-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-19 | 2004-10-19 | 2005-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |