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US5284704A
Expired / Lapsed
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Non-woven textile articles comprising bicomponent fibers and method of manufacture
Assignee: American Felt and Filter Co LLC
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Filing: 1992-01-15
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2012-01-15
Abstract
Abstract Fibers comprising 10 to 100% of bicomponent fibers, composed of a core polymer covered by a sheath polymer, are heated to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for 5 seconds to 5 minutes at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together. The products are used for drive belts and seals, nib felts for marking pens, filter cloths for plate and frame filters, filtration cartridges, stamp pad ink reservoirs, and battery separators.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis F. Kochesky
- 👤 Bryan F. Paschall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:15
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D39/00; B01D39/14; B01D39/16; B01D39/1607; B01D39/1623; H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/44; B43; B43K; B43K1/00; B43K1/003; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/44; D04H1/46; D04H1/48; H01M50/411; H01M50/414; H01M50/417; H01M50/42; H01M50/423; B01D2239/00; B01D2239/02; B01D2239/0216; B01D2239/0233; B01D2239/10; H01M50/446; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/28; Y10S55/35; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/641; Y10T442/697; Y10T442/698
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of forming a non-woven fabric from bicomponent fibers having a polyester core polymer surrounded by a polyester sheath polymer comprising the steps of forming a sheet from a mass of fibers comprising from 10 to 100% of said bicomponent polyester fibers, needling said sheet, and heating said needled sheet to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for a period of time from 5 sec. to 5 min. at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of forming a non-woven fabric from bicomponent fibers having a polyester core polymer surrounded by a polyester sheath polymer comprising the steps of forming a sheet from a mass of fibers comprising from 10 to 100% of said bicomponent polyester fibers, needling said sheet, and heating said needled sheet to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for a period of time from 5 sec. to 5 min. at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the temperature is about 150° to 350° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said mass of fibers comprises 100% bicomponent fibers and said sheet is needled to 34-38 oz. per sq. yd. and then heated to 200° F. for 3 min. at 0 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the core polymer melting point exceeds the sheath polymer melting point by at least 40° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 1, wherein the mass of fibers comprises a blend of the bicomponent polyester fibers and other fibers selected from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, acrylic and wool fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The non-woven fabric according to claim 6 wherein the other fibers are wool fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A drive belt comprised of the non-woven fabric of claim 7.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The non-woven fabric according to claim 6 wherein the blend comprises 20% viscose rayon fibers and 80% polyester bicomponent fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Marking pen nibs made by die-cutting the non-woven fabric of claim 9.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Marking pen nibs made by die-cutting the non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 1 and comprising 40 to 100% of bicomponent fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Marking pen nibs made by die-cutting the non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 1, wherein the sheath polymer has a melting point of about 260°-325° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The non-woven fabric according to claim 13, wherein the fibers have a denier from 1.5 to 6.0.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the fibers are 3 denier, the needled sheet is 3/16 inch thick and the needled sheet is pressed to 1/8 inch thick before heating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
A non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 15.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
Marking pen nibs made by die-cutting the non-woven fabric of claim 16.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
A non-woven fabric prepared by the method of claim 4.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
Marking pen nibs made by die-cutting the non-woven fabric of claim 18.
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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) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |