US5238733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stretchable nonwoven webs based on multi-layer blown microfibers
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1991-09-30
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2011-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A highly conformable and deformable nonwoven web comprising melt-blown microfibers having multiple layers of a relatively low modulus material and a high modulus material.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene G. Joseph
- 👤 Leigh E. Wood
- 👤 Dennis L. Krueger
- 👤 Paul R. Suszko
- 👤 Daniel E. Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:01
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/559; D04H1/56; D04H13/00; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/02; A61F13/0269; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F2013/00361; A61F2013/00544; A61F2013/00604; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/530138; A61F2013/530182; A61F2013/530218; A61F2013/530226; A61F2013/530343; A61F2013/53445; A61F13/539; A61F2013/53908; A61F2013/5395; A61F2013/53983; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10S428/91; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/28; Y10T428/2848; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2922; Y10T428/2929; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991; Y10T428/2993; Y10T428/2996; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/2738; Y10T442/2754; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3008; Y10T442/3016; Y10T442/3065; Y10T442/3382; Y10T442/3854; Y10T442/3911; Y10T442/3919; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/601; Y10T442/602; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/614; Y10T442/615; Y10T442/62; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/641; Y10T442/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
An extensible nonwoven web comprising melt-blown microfibers each of said microfibers having at least two substantially continuous layers throughout said microfiber length comprised of at least one first layer of a low modules material and at least one second layer of a relatively nonelastic higher modulus material capable of undergoing substantial permanent deformation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
An extensible nonwoven web comprising melt-blown microfibers each of said microfibers having at least two substantially continuous layers throughout said microfiber length comprised of at least one first layer of a low modules material and at least one second layer of a relatively nonelastic higher modulus material capable of undergoing substantial permanent deformation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A melt-blow nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein certain of the multi-layer microfibers are crimped, the at least one second layer or relatively nonelastic material of said crimped multi-layer microfibers being oriented.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A melt-blow nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the low modulus material comprises an elastomer and the web displays asymmetrical elasticity created by stretching the extensible melt-blow web in at least one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The melt-blow nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the low modulus material comprises an elastomer and the web displays asymmetrical elasticity in more than one direction created by stretching the extensible web by differing degrees in said more than one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The melt-blow nonwoven web of claim 3 wherein the web can be elastically stretched by more than 50% and recovered in its direction of elasticity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 3 wherein the web can be elastically stretched by less than 50% and recovered in its direction of elasticity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 4 wherein the web can be elastically stretched by more than 50% and recovered in its direction of elasticity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 forming a tape backing further comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on at least one face of said backing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the web has an extensibility of at least 100%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The melt-blow nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the low modulus material comprises an elastomer and the web shrinks when heated substantially above ambient conditions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 10 wherein the web shrinks by at least 10% when heated above about 60° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 10 wherein the web shrinks by at least 30% when heated above about 90° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 further comprising at least one adhesive layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 13 wherein the web has an extensibility of at least 50%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 13 wherein the web has an extensibility of at least 150%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 8 wherein the web has pressure adhesive on two faces and the web modulus is less than 50,000 PSI.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the layers are concentric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the layers are longitudinally layered.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 17 wherein the outer sheath layer comprises a heat or sonic bondable layer with at least one internal core layer of an elastomeric material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 19 wherein the outer bondable layer comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 19 wherein the outer bondable layer comprises an ethylene copolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 19 wherein the outer bondable layer comprises an ethylene polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 21 wherein the inner elastomeric layer comprises a polyurethane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 1 wherein the average fiber diameter is less than about 10 micrometers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 8 wherein the web modulus is between 5,000 and 30,000 PSI.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 18 wherein the melt-blown microfibers have 3 or more layers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 18 wherein the melt-blown microfibers have 5 or more layers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 18 wherein at least one outer layer comprises a heat or sonic bondable layer with at least one layer of an elastomeric material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 28 wherein the outer bondable layer comprises an ethylene polymer or copolymer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The melt-blown nonwoven web of claim 28 wherein the outer bondable layer comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
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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) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |