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Patent US5231122A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5231122A
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Fibrous composition for absorbent pads, a method for the manufacture of an absorbent material from such a composition, and an absorbent material produced by the method
Assignee: Faricerca SpA
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Filing: 1991-11-27
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2011-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A fibrous composition for absorbent pads which, in addition to cellulose fibers, also contains first and second synthetic polymeric materials. At least the second polymeric material is constituted by synthetic fibers which have a higher melting point than that of the first polymeric material. The fibrous mixture is formed into the desired shape, for example, an absorbent body for disposable sanitary products, by pneumatic means. The absorbent body thus formed is then heat-treated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than that of the second polymeric material for a period of time so as to melt the first polymeric material and form bonding points or bridges between at least the synthetic fibers which have not melted and which constitute the second polymeric material. The absorbent body is cooled to a temperature such that the first polymeric material sets, bonding at least the synthetic fibers together so as to form a framework containing the cellulose fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Gianfranco Palumbo
- 👤 Giovanni Carlucci
- 👤 Antonio D'Ambrosio
- 👤 Steffan Fors
- 👤 Birgitta Johansson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/48; D; D01; D01F; D01F8/00; D01F8/04; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
An absorbent fibrous composition comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the fibrous composition wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said absorbent fibrous composition is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials, which absorbent fibrous composition exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
An absorbent fibrous composition comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the fibrous composition wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said absorbent fibrous composition is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials, which absorbent fibrous composition exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein at least 90% by weight of the synthetic fibers of the second polymeric material have lengths of between 3 and 60 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 2, wherein at least 90% by weight of the synthetic fibers of the second polymeric material have lengths of between 5 and 20 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic fibers of the second polymeric material have a fineness of between 1 and 10 dtex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 4, wherein the synthetic fibers have a fineness of between 1.5 and 7 dtex.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, containing fibers of the first polymeric material and fibers of the second polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein the two-component fibers and at least the fibers of the second polymeric material respectively, are curled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant consists of at least one of the following agents: a) an alkylphenol alkoxylate together with or in combination with a mixture of a mono-, a di-, and/or a tri-glyceride, b) a polyoxyalkylene ester of a fatty acid, c) a combination of b) and any compound from a).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein the first polymeric material consists of fibers having lengths no longer than 1 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein the first synthetic polymeric material consists of a powder and fibers having lengths no longer than 1 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, produced by the wet mixing of the cellulose fibers and the polymeric materials, which composition is in dried-sheet form.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, produced by the dry mixing of the cellulose fibers and the polymeric materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
An absorbent body according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the cellulose fibers contained in the framework are bonded to the framework by means of the first polymeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the cellulose fibers are derived from a material selected from the group consisting of chemical wood pulp, chemically modified thermomechanical wood pulp, thermomechanical wood pulp, mechanical wood pulp, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose fibers are derived from a material selected from the group consisting of chemical wood pulp, chemically modified thermomechanical wood pulp, thermomechanical wood pulp, mechanical wood pulp, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 1, wherein said first and second polymeric materials comprise from 10 to 40% by weight of the fibrous composition.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
336 words
A method for the production of an absorbent body for disposable sanitary products comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the absorbent body, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, which absorbent body exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester, which method comprises the steps of: forming the mixture of cellulose fibers and the at least first and second polymeric materials into the absorbent body of a desired shape; heating the absorbent body to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but below the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials; and cooling the absorbent body to a temperature such that the first polymeric material resolidifies and at least the synthetic fibers are bonded together to form a framework comprising the synthetic fibers containing the cellulose fibers.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
336 words
A method for the production of an absorbent body for disposable sanitary products comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the absorbent body, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, which absorbent body exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester, which method comprises the steps of: forming the mixture of cellulose fibers and the at least first and second polymeric materials into the absorbent body of a desired shape; heating the absorbent body to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but below the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials; and cooling the absorbent body to a temperature such that the first polymeric material resolidifies and at least the synthetic fibers are bonded together to form a framework comprising the synthetic fibers containing the cellulose fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said first and second polymeric materials comprise from 10 to 40% by weight of the fibrous composition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
266 words
A disposable absorbent article comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the disposable absorbent article, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said disposable absorbent article is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polyeric materials, which disposable absorbent article exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
266 words
A disposable absorbent article comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the disposable absorbent article, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said disposable absorbent article is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polyeric materials, which disposable absorbent article exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The disposable absorbent article of claim 19, wherein the first and second polymeric materials comprise from 10 to 40% by weight of the disposable absorbent article.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
266 words
A disposable sanitary product comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the disposable sanitary product, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said disposable sanitary product is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials, which disposable sanitary product exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
266 words
A disposable sanitary product comprising a mixture of cellulose fibers and at least first and second polymeric materials wherein the first and second polymeric materials are present as a two component synthetic fiber, wherein the at least first and second polymeric materials are arranged side by side in said two component synthetic fiber or wherein the first polymeric material is arranged around the second polymeric material, said first and second polymeric materials comprising from 2 to 80% by weight of the disposable sanitary product, wherein at least one of said first and second polymeric materials comprises a surfactant which renders the polymeric material permanently hydrophilic, wherein the first polymeric material has a melting point at least 15° C. lower than that of the second polymeric material, wherein said disposable sanitary product is heated to a temperature at least equal to the melting point of the first polymeric material but lower than the melting point of the second polymeric material for a period of time sufficient for the first polymeric material to melt and form bonding points between the two component synthetic fibers present and yield a polymeric framework which is a load-bearing structure which contains the majority of said cellulose fibers contained within said polymeric framework but not bonded to said at least first and second polymeric materials, which disposable sanitary product exhibits good shape retention under wet conditions and under pressure, wherein said at least first and second polymeric materials are selected from combinations from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; polyethylene and polyester; polypropylene and polyester; polyethylene and polyamide; and polyamide and polyester.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The disposable sanitary product of claim 21, wherein said first and second polymeric materials comprise from 10 to 40% by weight of the disposable sanitary product.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fibrous composition according to claim 4, wherein the synthetic fibers have a fineness of between 1.7 and 4.4 dtex.
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