US5314743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonwoven web containing shaped fibers
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1990-12-17
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Granted: 1994-05-24
•
Expires: 2010-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, which web is capable of both interfiber and intrafiber liquid transportation. The web includes shaped fibers, which fibers define a notch, which notch defines an angle alpha such that α<180°-2θ wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and the shaped fiber. The nonwoven web further includes high-absorbency material in fluid communication with said nonwoven web in an area wherein intrafiber liquid transport occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Randy E. Meirowitz
- 👤 Jerome W. Riese
- 👤 Robert J. Phelan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/537; A61F13/53708; D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/253; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; D04H1/4391; D04H1/43912; A61F13/15203; A61F2013/15284; A61F2013/15487; A61F2013/530131; A61F2013/53016; A61F2013/530226; A61F2013/530868; A61F2013/530897; A61F2013/530905; A61F2013/53721; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2973; Y10T428/2978; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/609; Y10T442/61; Y10T442/611; Y10T442/614; Y10T442/626; Y10T442/699
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material, in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material, in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 25 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A nonwoven web according to claim 2 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 50 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 90 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web comprises about 100 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said shaped fiber is formed from a synthetic polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said shaped fiber is formed from a cellulose derivative.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said shaped fiber defines two notches, each of said notches defining an angle alpha such that α<180°-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 8 wherein said shaped fiber defines three notches, each notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180°-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein a high-absorbency material is present in said web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said shaped fiber has a diameter of from about 0.5 micrometer to about 40 micrometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 1 wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
157 words
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining two notches, said notches defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material distributed in said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport, such that said high-absorbency material contacts said liquid in said area as intrafiber liquid transport, said high-absorbency material being present in said nonwoven web in an amount of from about 1 to about 95 weight percent based on total weight of said nonwoven web; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
157 words
A nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining two notches, said notches defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material distributed in said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport, such that said high-absorbency material contacts said liquid in said area as intrafiber liquid transport, said high-absorbency material being present in said nonwoven web in an amount of from about 1 to about 95 weight percent based on total weight of said nonwoven web; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter to about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, and, further, whereby a liquid applied to said web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
173 words
A disposable absorbent product capable of absorbing discharged body fluids, said absorbent product comprising: a fluid-impervious outer cover; a fluid-pervious bodyside liner adapted to contact the skin of a wearer, said bodyside liner being superposed on said outer cover; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, wherein a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
173 words
A disposable absorbent product capable of absorbing discharged body fluids, said absorbent product comprising: a fluid-impervious outer cover; a fluid-pervious bodyside liner adapted to contact the skin of a wearer, said bodyside liner being superposed on said outer cover; and an absorbent structure located between said outer cover and said bodyside liner, said absorbent structure comprising: a nonwoven web for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport, said nonwoven web comprising: a shaped fiber, said shaped fiber defining a notch, said notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180 degrees-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber; and a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport; wherein said nonwoven web has a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, and, further, wherein a liquid applied to said nonwoven web is subjected to interfiber liquid transport and to intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent product according to claim 14 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 25 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent product according to claim 15 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 50 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The absorbent product according to claim 16 wherein said nonwoven web comprises at least about 90 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The absorbent product according to claim 14 wherein said nonwoven web comprises about 100 weight percent of said shaped fiber based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The absorbent product according to claim 14 wherein said shaped fiber is formed from a synthetic polymeric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The absorbent product according to claim 14 wherein said shaped fiber is formed from a cellulose derivative.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The absorbent product according to claim 14 wherein said shaped fiber defines two notches, each of said notches defining an angle alpha such that α<180°-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The absorbent product according to claim 21 wherein said shaped fiber defines three notches, each notch defining an angle alpha such that α<180°-2θ, wherein θ is the contact angle between said liquid and said shaped fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
A nonwoven for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web having a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport and comprising a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
A nonwoven for absorbing and transporting a liquid, said nonwoven web having a density of from about 0.01 gram per cubic centimeter to about 0.5 gram per cubic centimeter, said nonwoven web being capable of interfiber and intrafiber liquid transport and comprising a high-absorbency material in liquid communication with said nonwoven web in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 23 wherein said high-absorbency material is in liquid communication with said nonwoven web only in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 24 wherein said high-absorbency material is dispersed in said nonwoven web.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven web according to claim 25 wherein said high-absorbency material is dispersed in said nonwoven web only in an area of intrafiber liquid transport.
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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) | 1997-05-23 | 1997-11-22 | 1998-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-23 | 2001-11-22 | 2002-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-23 | 2005-11-22 | 2006-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |