US5494744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of applying a protein coating to a substrate and article thereof
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1994-10-12
•
Granted: 1996-02-27
•
Expires: 2014-10-12
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method including the steps of: 1) providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having relatively low surface energies; 2) providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a relatively high surface tension; and 3) contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the matrix of fibrous material so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces. Also disclosed is a protein-coated permeable sheet composed of: 1) a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having relatively low surface energies; and 2) amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis S. Everhart
- 👤 Kristi L. Kiick-Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:01
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D1/00; B05D1/18; B05D1/185; B82; B82Y; B82Y30/00; B82Y40/00; D; D06; D06M; D06M15/00; D06M15/01; D06M15/15; D06M23/00; D06M23/005; D06N; D06N3/00; D06N3/12; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/582; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/266; Y10T428/269; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/31935; Y10T428/31938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter, and contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter, and contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the permeable sheet is a matrix of fibrous material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of fibrous material is selected from woven fabrics, knit fabrics and nonwoven fabrics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the permeable sheet is an apertured, film-like material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the apertured, film-like material is selected from perf-embossed films, textured apertured films, reticulated apertured films, contoured apertured films, film-nonwoven apertured laminates, and expanded plexi-filamentary films.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution has an amphiphilic protein concentration of less than about 10 percent by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution has an amphiphilic protein concentration greater than about 0.01 to about 6 percent by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution is exposed to shear stress conditions characterized by a Reynold's number of at least about 200.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution is exposed to shear stress conditions characterized by a Reynold's number of at least about 400.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution is substantially a foam when contacted with the permeable sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of washing the coated permeable sheet with an aqueous liquid having a relatively high surface tension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of drying the coated permeable sheet material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12, the treated material is dried utilizing infra-red radiation, yankee dryers, steam cans, microwaves, hot-air and/or through-air drying techniques, and ultrasonic energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11, wherein amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces thereby defining a patterned protein coating on the matrix of fibrous material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of recontacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that an additional portion of amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto a substantial portion of individual exposed surfaces having relatively low surface energies.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding one or more secondary materials to the coated permeable sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A protein-coated permeable sheet comprising: a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
A protein-coated permeable sheet comprising: a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating is along at least two dimensions of the permeable sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the permeable sheet is a matrix of fibrous material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 21, wherein the matrix of fibrous material is selected from woven fabrics, knit fabrics and nonwoven fabrics.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The protein-coated material of claim 22, wherein the nonwoven fabrics are selected from nonwoven webs of meltblown fibers, nonwoven webs of continuous spunbond filaments and bonded carded webs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The protein-coated material of claim 23, wherein the nonwoven web of meltblown fibers further includes one or more secondary materials selected from the group consisting of textile fibers, wood pulp fibers, particulates and super-absorbent materials.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The protein-coated material of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the fibrous material is a bi-component material selected from bi-component fibers and bi-component filaments.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the permeable sheet is an apertured, film-like material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 26, wherein the apertured, film-like material is selected from perf-embossed films, textured apertured films, reticulated apertured films, contoured apertured films, film-nonwoven apertured laminates, and expanded plexi-filamentary films.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the permeable sheet further includes one or more secondary materials.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the permeable sheet is formed from a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 29, wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polymer selected from polyolefins, polyamides and polyesters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 30, wherein the polyolefin is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, and butene copolymers and blends of the same.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 31 wherein the coated sheet has a critical surface tension of wetting greater than about 45 dynes per centimeter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 32 wherein the coated sheet has a critical surface tension of wetting greater than about 50 dynes per centimeter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 33 wherein the coated sheet has a critical surface tension of wetting greater than about 60 dynes per centimeter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19, wherein the protein-coated sheet has a basis weight of from about 6 to about 400 grams per square meter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces thereby defining a patterned protein coating on the permeable sheet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the coating of amphiphilic proteins uniformly adsorbed onto individual exposed surfaces is present in only discrete portions of the sheet material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the amphiphilic proteins are selected from the group consisting of globular proteins and random coil proteins.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the amphiphilic proteins are selected from milk proteins.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the amphiphilic proteins are selected from milk caseins.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the amphiphilic proteins are β-casein.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein coating of amphiphilic proteins comprises multiple layers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 19 wherein the thickness of the protein coating ranges from about 1 nanometer to about 1 micron.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The protein-coated sheet of claim 43 wherein the thickness of the protein coating ranges from about 5 nanometers to about 900 nanometers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A multilayer material comprising at least two layers of the protein-coated sheet of claim 19.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A multilayer material comprising at least one layer of the protein-coated sheet of claim 19 and at least one other layer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The multilayer material of claim 46 wherein the other layer is selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, knit fabrics, bonded carded webs, continuous spunbond filament webs, meltblown fiber webs, films, apertured films, and combinations thereof.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
A protein-coated fibrous material comprising: a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the matrix of fibrous material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
63 words
A protein-coated fibrous material comprising: a matrix of fibrous material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the matrix of fibrous material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
61 words
A protein-coated film-like material comprising: an apertured film-like material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the apertured film-like material.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
61 words
A protein-coated film-like material comprising: an apertured film-like material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the apertured film-like material.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins at discrete locations, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter:, contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions at discrete locations with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces within the discrete locations; and washing the coated fibrous material with a liquid to define a pattern of protein coating on the permeable sheet.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins at discrete locations, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter:, contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions at discrete locations with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces within the discrete locations; and washing the coated fibrous material with a liquid to define a pattern of protein coating on the permeable sheet.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter; and contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet,
Claim 57
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of coating a permeable sheet with amphiphilic proteins, the method comprising the steps of: providing a permeable sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter; providing an aqueous solution containing amphiphilic proteins, the solution having a surface tension of at least about 45 dynes per centimeter; and contacting the solution containing amphiphilic proteins under shear stress conditions with the permeable sheet so that at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins are adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the permeable sheet,
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
65 words
A protein-coated fibrous material comprising: a matrix of fibrous polyolefin material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter, and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the matrix of fibrous polyolefin material.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
65 words
A protein-coated fibrous material comprising: a matrix of fibrous polyolefin material having individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter, and amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces to define a gradient distribution of amphiphilic protein coating along at least one dimension of the matrix of fibrous polyolefin material.
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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) | 1999-02-26 | 1999-08-28 | 2000-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-26 | 2003-08-28 | 2004-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-26 | 2007-08-28 | 2008-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |