US5643653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaped nonwoven fabric
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-22
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Granted: 1997-07-01
•
Expires: 2015-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A shaped nonwoven fabric comprises continuous spunbond filaments made by directly forming the spunbond filaments into a web in a single process. The fabric has an array of discrete surface features such as apertures or projections, or both. The spunbond filaments are bonded together with an adhesive polymeric component so that the shape of the fabric is retained. The fabric can be engineered to have particular fluid handling properties, strength properties, abrasive properties and aesthetic properties. Articles such as personal care products, garments, medical products and cleaning products are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Louis Griesbach, III
- 👤 Richard Daniel Pike
- 👤 Sharon Watkins Gwaltney
- 👤 Ruth Lisa Levy
- 👤 Lawrence Howell Sawyer
- 👤 Richard Macferran Shane
- 👤 Philip Anthony Sasse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15617; A61F13/15658; D; D04; D04H; D04H3/00; D04H3/02; D04H3/03; D04H3/037; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/51104; A61F13/512; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/58; D04H1/60; D04H3/033; D04H3/07; D04H3/08; D04H3/12; D04H3/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24174; Y10T428/24182; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24612; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/614; Y10T442/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
Nonwoven fabric having a length and a surface and comprising melt-spun and drawn continuous spunbond polymeric filaments extending substantially continuously along the length of the fabric, the filaments having an average diameter from about 6 to about 40 microns and forming an array of discrete surface features in the fabric, the spunbond filaments having a primary polymeric component extending continuously along the length of the filaments, the spunbond filaments being bonded together without the use of compression, and the fabric having an array of surface projections or apertures or a combination of surface projections and apertures determined by the array of discrete surface features on the foraminous surface upon which the drawn filaments were deposited prior to being bonded together under heating conditions and with an adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components of the spunbond filaments together, whereby the fabric is substantially uncompressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Nonwoven fabric having a length and a surface and comprising melt-spun and drawn continuous spunbond polymeric filaments extending substantially continuously along the length of the fabric, the filaments having an average diameter from about 6 to about 40 microns and forming an array of discrete surface features in the fabric, the spunbond filaments having a primary polymeric component extending continuously along the length of the filaments, the spunbond filaments being bonded together without the use of compression, and the fabric having an array of surface projections or apertures or a combination of surface projections and apertures determined by the array of discrete surface features on the foraminous surface upon which the drawn filaments were deposited prior to being bonded together under heating conditions and with an adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components of the spunbond filaments together, whereby the fabric is substantially uncompressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the adhesive polymeric component includes melt-blown polymeric fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the surface features of the fabric each have a cross-sectional area extending between adjacent land areas, the cross-sectional area of at least some of the individual surface features of the fabric having a minimal dimension of at least 0.03 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the continuous spunbond filaments have a natural helical crimp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the continuous spunbond filaments have at least about 3.0 natural helical crimps per extended inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the continuous polymeric spunbond filaments comprise multicomponent filaments, the multicomponent filaments comprising the primary polymeric component and the adhesive component and having a cross-section, a length, and a peripheral surface, the primary and adhesive components being arranged in substantially distinct zones across the cross-section of the multicomponent filaments and extending continuously along the length of the multicomponent filaments, the adhesive component constituting at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the multicomponent filaments continuously along the length of the multicomponent filaments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the surface features of the fabric include projections extending from the fabric, the projections being substantially uncompressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 7 wherein the projections are substantially filled with the continuous filaments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 8 wherein the projections are separated by land areas, the projections having a basis weight and the land areas have a basis weight, the basis weight of the projections being greater than the basis weight of adjacent land areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 9 wherein the land areas of the fabric have portions of higher density than other lower density portions, the higher density portions including filaments aligned with one another and forming bundles of filaments connecting adjacent projections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 7 wherein the projections have a height and a density gradient along the height of the projections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 9 wherein the basis weight of the projections is 30% greater than the basis weight of adjacent land areas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 9 wherein the fabric has a length and a width which define a reference surface area, the projections each having a cross-sectional area which forms part of the reference surface area and extends between adjacent land areas, the cross-sectional areas of the projections totaling from about 10 to about 95% of the reference surface area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Nonwoven as in claim 13 wherein the cross-sectional areas of the projections total from about 25 to about 50% of the reference surface area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Nonwoven as in claim 9 wherein the projections have a height of at least about 0.05 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 1 wherein the surface features of the fabric include apertures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
Nonwoven fabric as in claim 16 wherein the land areas have a basis weight, the basis weight of the land areas being substantially uniform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A personal care absorbent article comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
An infant diaper comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
An adult incontinence product comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A feminine care absorbent product comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A training pant comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A wound dressing comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
A garment comprising a layer of the nonwoven fabric of claim 1.
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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) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |