US5334446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite elastic nonwoven fabric
Assignee: Fitesa Simpsonville Inc
•
Filing: 1992-01-24
•
Granted: 1994-08-02
•
Expires: 2012-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and the process of making them. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include an elastomeric net and at least one fibrous web including binder fibers and which is intimately hydroentangled with the elastomeric net. At least a portion of the binder fibers in the hydroentangled fibrous web have been thermally activated thereby bonding the hydro-entangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric net.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Quantrille
- 👤 Jared A. Austin
- 👤 G. Stanley Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:13
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B32B5/02; B32B5/022; B32B5/028; B32B5/06; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; D; D01; D01G; D01G25/00; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; D04H1/4282; D04H1/4291; D04H1/4326; D04H1/435; D04H1/44; D04H1/46; D04H1/48; D04H1/485; D04H1/49; D04H1/492; D04H1/498; D04H1/54; D04H1/542; D04H3/00; D04H3/02; D04H3/04; D04H3/045; D04H5/00; D04H5/02; D04H5/03; B32B2274/00; B32B2305/00; B32B2305/38; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/50; B32B2307/51; B32B2307/514; B32B2307/516; B32B2535/00; B32B2555/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24074; Y10T428/24091; Y10T428/24099; Y10T428/24124; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24446; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24826; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/253; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/10; Y10T442/102; Y10T442/159; Y10T442/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A composite elastic nonwoven fabric comprising: an elastomeric net having a plurality of apertures; a fibrous web comprising at least about 10 wt. % binder fibers, said binder fibers comprising at least one low melting material having a melting temperature between about 100 and about 135° C., said fibrous web additionally comprising non-binder fibers and being intimately hydroentangled with said net such that at least a portion of said binder fibers extend through at least a portion of the apertures in said net; and at least a portion of said binder fibers having been thermally activated thereby bonding said hydroentangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing said elastomeric net.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A composite elastic nonwoven fabric comprising: an elastomeric net having a plurality of apertures; a fibrous web comprising at least about 10 wt. % binder fibers, said binder fibers comprising at least one low melting material having a melting temperature between about 100 and about 135° C., said fibrous web additionally comprising non-binder fibers and being intimately hydroentangled with said net such that at least a portion of said binder fibers extend through at least a portion of the apertures in said net; and at least a portion of said binder fibers having been thermally activated thereby bonding said hydroentangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing said elastomeric net.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said fibrous web comprises binder fibers in an amount of between about 10 and about 50 wt. %.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 2 wherein said fibrous web comprises non-binder fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyolefin, nylon, acrylic, modacrylic, rayon, cellulose acetate, wool, cotton and wood pulp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is substantially rectangular, and elastic in only one of the longitudinal or transverse directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is substantially rectangular, and is elastic in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is of a non-rectangular geometry, and is elastic in one direction and inelastic in another direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The non-woven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is of a non-rectangular geometry, and is elastic in all directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is maintained in a stretched condition during hydroentangling of said fibrous web and said net.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said hydroentangled elastic net is thermally treated in the stretched state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said hydroentangled elastic net is thermally treated in the relaxed state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 additionally comprising a web of continuous filaments, bonded or unbonded, hydroentangled with said fibrous web and said net.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nonwoven of claim 1 additionally comprising a meltblown web intimately hydroentangled with said fibrous web and said net.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomer is thermoplastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomer is crosslinked.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net comprises an A-B-A block copolymer, wherein A represents a styrene block and B represents unsaturated or fully hydrogenated rubber block.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The nonwoven fabric according to claim 10 wherein said elastomeric net additionally comprises a blended thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said binder fibers comprise polyethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said binder fibers comprise a polyester or copolyester polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 wherein said binder fibers are bicomponent fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 wherein said binder fibers are present in said fibrous web in an amount of between 10 and about 40 wt. %.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said binder fibers are thermally bonded to said elastomeric net.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein there is substantially no bonding between said binder fibers and said elastomeric net.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net comprises between about 2 and about 30 strands per inch in each direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric net is substantially free from thermal disruption.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said binder fibers are thermally activated by calendering.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 1 wherein said binder fibers are thermally activated by through-air bonding.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
128 words
A composite elastic nonwoven fabric comprising: an elastomeric net having a plurality of apertures; a first and a second fibrous web, each comprising at least about 10 wt. % binder fibers said binder fibers comprising at least one low melting material having a melting temperature between about 100° to about 135° C., each of said fibrous webs additionally comprising non-binder fibers and being intimately hydroentangled with said net from opposite sides of said net such that at least a portion of said binder fibers in each of said first and second webs extend through apertures in said net; at least a portion of said binder fibers having been thermally activated thereby bonding said hydroentangled first and second webs into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing said elastomeric net.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
128 words
A composite elastic nonwoven fabric comprising: an elastomeric net having a plurality of apertures; a first and a second fibrous web, each comprising at least about 10 wt. % binder fibers said binder fibers comprising at least one low melting material having a melting temperature between about 100° to about 135° C., each of said fibrous webs additionally comprising non-binder fibers and being intimately hydroentangled with said net from opposite sides of said net such that at least a portion of said binder fibers in each of said first and second webs extend through apertures in said net; at least a portion of said binder fibers having been thermally activated thereby bonding said hydroentangled first and second webs into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing said elastomeric net.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein each of said first and second fibrous webs comprise binder fibers in an amount of from about 10 to about 50 wt. %.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The nonwoven fabric according to claim 28 wherein each of said and first and second fibrous webs comprise non-binder fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyolefin, nylon, acrylic, modacrylic, rayon, cellulose acetate, wool, cotton, and wood pulp.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said elastomeric net is substantially rectangular, and elastic in only one of the longitudinal and transverse directions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said elastomeric net is elastic in both of the longitudinal and transverse directions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said elastomeric net is of a non-rectangular geometry, and is elastic in one direction and not elastic in another direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said elastomeric net is of a non-rectangular geometry, and is elastic in all directions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 21 wherein said elastomeric net is maintained in a stretched condition during hydroentangling of said net and said first and second fibrous webs.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said hydroentangled elastic net is thermally treated in the stretched state.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 wherein said hydroentangled elastic net is thermally treated in the relaxed state.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 additionally comprising a web of continuous filaments bonded or unbonded intimately hydroentangled with said elastomeric net and said first and second fibrous web.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 29 additionally comprising a meltblown web intimately hydroentangled with said elastomeric net and said first and second fibrous webs.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
11 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said elastomer is thermoplastic.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said elastomer is crosslinked.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said elastomeric net comprises an elastomer having repeating units of the formula A-B-A wherein A represents a styrene block and B represents an unsaturated rubber block or a fully hydrogenated rubber block.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 41 wherein said elastomeric net additionally comprises a blended thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said binder fibers comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polyesters, or and copolyesters.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said binder fibers are bicomponent binder fibers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said binder fibers are present in each of said first and second fibrous webs in an amount of between about and about 40 wt. %.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein at least a portion of the binder fibers of each of said first and second fibrous webs are thermally bonded to said elastomeric net.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein there is substantially no bonding between said binder fibers and said elastomeric net.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said elastomeric net comprises between about 5 and about 30 strands per inch in each direction.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said elastomeric net is substantially free from thermal disruption.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said binder fibers are thermally activated by calendering.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nonwoven fabric of claim 27 wherein said binder fibers are thermally activated by through-air bonding.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2982680A
Cited
US3519530A
Cited
US3769119A
Cited
US3597299A
Cited
US3765997A
Cited
US3775231A
Cited
US3600262A
Cited
US4636419A
Cited
EP0007802A1
Cited
US4302495A
Cited
US4413623A
Cited
US4525407A
Cited
US4731276A
Cited
US4551378A
Cited
US4734311A
Cited
US4606964A
Cited
US4863779A
Cited
US4984584A
Cited
US4786549A
Cited
US4775579A
Cited
US4847134A
Cited
US4970104A
Cited
US4977011A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |