US5503782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making sorbent articles
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1994-01-14
•
Granted: 1996-04-02
•
Expires: 2014-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The method includes the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die. Also provided is a microfibrous sorbent article prepared according to the method.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Dyrud
- 👤 Thomas I. Insley
- 👤 Daniel E. Meyer
- 👤 Cynthia Y. Tamaki
- 👤 Donald E. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:00
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H5/00; D04H5/06; D04H1/00; D04H1/70; D04H1/76; D04H1/40; D04H1/407; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said forming surface comprises two rotating collector surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the collector surfaces are about 0.5 to 10 cm apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the collector surfaces are about 1.5 to 2.5 cm apart on an input side and 2.5 to 8 cm apart on an output side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the forming surface is about 0.3 to 1 m from the die.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said surfaces travel at a rate of about 5 to 60 m/min.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein that portion of the collector surface which contacts the spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article as it is being formed preferably has a radius of about 1 to 30 cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the collector further includes a rotating nip roll downstream from the forming surface to enhance spiral formation of the spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein crimped bulking fibers are fed into said fiber stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said crimped bulking fibers are fed into about 20 to 90% of of the die width when loaded into the interior portion of the spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein sorbent particulate microfiber microwebs are fed into said fiber stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said sorbent particulate microfiber microwebs are fed into about 20 to 90% of of the die width when loaded into the interior portion of the spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said article is formed around a stabilizing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein sorbent particulate material is fed into the fiber stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said collector forming surface is a stationary convex collector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said convex surface is perforated screen.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface comprising two rotating collector surfaces, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface comprising two rotating collector surfaces, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface comprising two rotating collector surfaces or a stationary convex collector, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of making a microfibrous sorbent article comprising the steps of a) extruding molten thermoplastic fiber forming polymer from multiple orifices in a fiber-forming die, said orifices being aligned along the face of the die; b) attenuating the fibers in a stream of hot air to form a fiber stream of microfibers; and c) collecting said microfibers on a collector having a forming surface comprising two rotating collector surfaces or a stationary convex collector, said surface being aligned with said die and substantially parallel to and equidistant from said die such that the fibers form a spirally wound microfibrous sorbent article which is supported on its exterior surface by said forming surface and which is drawn across said forming surface substantially parallel to said die.
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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) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |