Spot Bonds Connect Components Patents (Class 428/198)
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Patent number: 5972466Abstract: A laminated fibrous structure comprising at least two fibrous sheets and a method for manufacturing same are provided. At least one, and preferably two, of the fibrous sheets may be embossed. The sheets are movably joined together in a face-to-face relationship to form a laminated structure such that the sheets are able to move relative each other during the use of the laminated structure by a consumer, without tearing or separation of any one of the sheets comprising the laminated structure. The sheets comprising the laminated structure may be movably joined by using a bonding material, by mechanically engaging upstanding fibers created on the interfacing surfaces of the sheets, or by a combination of the bonding material and engaging the upstanding fibers.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventor: Paul Dennis Trokhan
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Patent number: 5968635Abstract: Fibrous webs comprising a blend of a thermoplastic resin and at least one compound or oligomer which is ##STR1## wherein R.sub.f is a perfluorinated moiety which may contain one or more catenary ether oxygen atoms, Q is a linking group selected from alkylene groups having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, sulfonamido groups or combinations thereof, R is an alkyl group, R.sup.1 is a perfluoroalkyl group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group which may be straight chain or branched and n is a number of from 2 to 40.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Seyed A. Angadjivand
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Patent number: 5968616Abstract: This invention relates to a compound container which can completely be separated into paper and plastics upon abandonment thereof, whose volume can substantially be reduced upon abandonment, which permits the reduction of the amounts of paper and plastics to be used, which exhibits excellent resistance to falling impact, which has a high oxygen gas barrier properties or water vapor barrier properties. This compound container comprises an inner container of a plastic and an outer container of paper or mainly comprising paper, wherein the inner container is produced by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding a resin composition comprising at least two resins including a barrier resin.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Kakemura, Katsuyuki Ohno, Terutaka Iwasaki, Toshikazu Katoh, Takekuni Seki, Keiko Nakamura
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Patent number: 5964742Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal bonding pattern for nonwoven fabric comprising a pattern having an element aspect ratio between about 2 and about 20 and an unbonded fiber aspect ratio of between about 3 and about 10. It has been unexpectedly found that such a fabric has a higher abrasion resistance and strength than a similar fabric bonded with different bond patterns of similar bond areas. This combination of strength and abrasion resistance has long been sought after.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ann Louise McCormack, David Lee Fuqua, Kevin Edward Smith
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Patent number: 5962150Abstract: Disclosed is a structural material having a lattice configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural material is manufactured by weaving a continuous wire filament on a loom assembly. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the structural material is formed using substrate sheets that are machined or molded into a desired configuration. The structural material of the invention can be used alone or layered to form a multi-laminate material.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Jonathan Aerospace Materials CorporationInventor: Jonathan Priluck
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Patent number: 5962112Abstract: There is provided a wiper comprising a first web of fibers of at most 50 microns in diameter wherein said web has been bonded using a point unbonded pattern having a bond area between about 25 and 50 percent. The wiper can be made from thermoplastic polymer nonwoven fibers made by the meltblowing, spunbonding, carding and bonding, or airlaying processes. The wiper may be a laminate of various thermoplastic layers joined with the point unbonded pattern and may be a coform web of thermoplastic polymer and pulp or other material.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Bryan David Haynes, Laura Elizabeth Keck, Charles Allen Smith, Ty Jackson Stokes, David Craige Strack
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Patent number: 5958554Abstract: A reconstituted leather product and process for making. The reconstituted leather product can be finished to have the look and feel of real leather and physical properties equivalent thereto. The process is essentially dry and involves reducing leather materials to fibers, preferably not longer than one inch. The process further involves blending these fibers with synthetic fibers, a resin and optionally other additives, forming the mixture into a mat, curing the mat and pressing the mat into a reconstituted leather product.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Mat, Inc.Inventor: Benjamin A. Addie
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Patent number: 5958805Abstract: A tear/puncture resistant semi-laminate material comprising a layer of woven polyethylene bonded to a layer of nonwoven polyethylene film impregnated with a volatile corrosion inhibitor. The layers are not bonded with a uniform layer of adhesive, but are semi-laminated by bonding at points or in strips at the edges of the respective layers or at discrete, discontinuous intervals across the width of the material. In an alternative embodiment, polypropylene is substituted for polyethylene.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Inventor: Victor Manuel Quinones
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Patent number: 5958555Abstract: On both the sides of sheet S1 which is a crepe paper processed by crinkling process and has a low expansion ratio due to the spread of crinkles on liquid impregnation or which is a non-crinkle-processed paper with no expansion, is bonded sheet S2 which is processed by crinkling process and has a higher expansion ratio than the expansion ratio of the sheet S1 due to the spread of crinkles on liquid impregnation. The sheet S1 and the sheet S2 are partially bonded together at each of adhesive parts a, . . . , a with an angle to the direction of the extension of the crinkles formed on the sheet S2. The row of the aligned adhesive parts a, . . . , a is arranged and aligned at a given interval and in a manner parallel to each other. When the individual sheets S1 and S2 are impregnated with liquid chemicals, expansions B are formed between the rows A, A of the adhesive parts a, . . . , a, of sheets S2 owing to the difference in expansion ratio between the sheets S1 and S2.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Naohito Takeuchi, Takayoshi Konishi
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Patent number: 5951797Abstract: A composite of a flexible, releasable backing having discrete portions of thin, sulfur vulcanizable, carbon black filled adhesive rubber composition thereon is used for adhering a tire tread splice and other applications in assembled rubber articles. The adhesive composition comprises a rubber composition containing a sulfur curative together with carbon black, processing oil, and tackifier resin. The invention is further directed to a method of preparing a tire having tread ends joined together with said discrete adhesive composition. The adhesive is applied to the tread from its releasable backing so that tacky adhesive need not be physically contacted by an operator or machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Ramendra Nath Majumdar, Larry Lee Mershon, James Michael Hart
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Patent number: 5945192Abstract: An assembly consisting of at least one seal layer and a solid polymer ion exchange layer wherein the seal layer covers essentially only the region of the ion exchange layer which is to be sealed. The seal layer is made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having one surface coated and partially impregnated with a solid polymer ion exchange material. The seal layer provides support and masking functions for the solid polymer ion exchange layer during intermediate manufacturing steps, and reinforcement and effective sealing when assembled in an electrochemical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Eiichi Torikai
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Patent number: 5942314Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for ultrasonically welding at their edges a strip of their copper foil to a second strip of supporting metal, preferably aluminum or stainless steel having a thickness greater than the copper foil. The welded strips are subsequently sheared into panels for use in making printed circuit boards.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Brian K. Fisher, Albert R. Fisher
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Patent number: 5942315Abstract: A component for use in manufacturing articles such as printed circuit boards comprising a laminate of a sheet of copper foil and a sheet of metal or the like. A band of flexible adhesive joins the sheets around their borders and creates a protected central zone at the interface of the sheets. Islands of adhesive are located inwardly of the edges of the sheets through which tooling pin holes may be formed to facilitate handling of the foil.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Johnson & Johnston Associates, Inc.Inventor: James A. Johnston
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Patent number: 5939178Abstract: A process for producing a multilayered elastic sheetlike structure; and a multilayered elastic sheetlike structure are described.The multilayered elastic sheetlike structure comprises at least one elastomeric layer of a film, a sheet or a fibrous structure and at least one layer of bonded, inelastic fibrous web connected to the elastomeric layer at permanent connection sites. The inelastic layer of fibrous web, prior to its connection with the elastomeric layer, is initially drawn, so that the fibers of the inelastic layer of fibrous web essentially are aligned in the direction or initial drawing and that the inelastic layer of fibrous web in the initially-drawn state is connected to the elastomeric layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Corovin GmbHInventor: Heinz-Horst Boich
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Patent number: 5935370Abstract: The invention discloses a method of preventing transmission of viral pathogens between a source of viral pathogens and a target of said viral pathogens comprising positioning between said source and said target a microporous membrane material comprising (1) a thermoplastic polymer or polytetrafluoroethylene and (2) a water- and oil-repellent fluorochemical compound which provides said membrane with oleophobic, hydrophobic and viral barrier properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1995Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: #M Innovative Properties Company Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.Inventors: William K. Weimer, Gretchen E. Keenan, Robert J. Kinney, James S. Mrozinski, Philip D. Radovanovic
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Patent number: 5935671Abstract: A sweat-absorbing, disposable hygienic insert having a permeable inner film in contact with the foot, an outer film, and an absorbent layer intermediate the inner and outer films. The inner film is provided with a plurality of openings produced without removal of material. The absorbent layer has a flexible hygienic pad including absorbent material, hygienic additives and treatment additives. The outer and inner films are attached to one another at their edges, and are attached by at least one bond which passes through the hygienic pad, the bond located inside a boundary defined by the attached edges of the outer and inner films.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Inventor: Olivier Lhuillier
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Patent number: 5932322Abstract: A nonwoven bulky composite sheet material has first and second vapor permeable layers on opposite sides of a third layer of a bulky, flexible material. The third layer has a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 mm before being bonded between said first and second layers. The first layer, the second layer and the third layer are bonded together to form a flexible composite sheet with a thickness of at least 0.3 3 mm and a moisture vapor transmission of at least 100 g/m.sup.2 in 24 hours.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: David Charles Jones, Stasys Kestutis Rudys, Charles Benjamin Simon
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Patent number: 5928446Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant side and edge strip materials to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxylated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet and the in-line mating of third and fourth strips of carboxylated rubber to the leading and tailing edges of a rubber sheet, respectively, all by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semicontinuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. Dust mats produced thereby are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Milliken Research CorporationInventors: James N. Rockwell, Jr., William O. Burke, III, Robert C. Kerr
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Patent number: 5925442Abstract: Olefin/carbon monoxide alternating polymers are flash-spun to form plexifilamentary products, pulp products, and foam products from alcohol or halogenated hydrocarbon solvents having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventor: Hyunkook Shin
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Patent number: 5919575Abstract: A plastic laminated structural board is provided for use in a variety of applications such as furniture fabrication. The plastic laminated structural board utilizes a composite structure which includes a polymer layer adhered to an underlying paperboard core. The polymer layer masks surface imperfections in the underlying paperboard core, and the polymer layer is substantially free from imperfections and provides a strong and smooth surface for receiving a decorative paper layer. A polymer layer may by adhered to both sides of the paperboard core. Both sides of the composite structure may be finished with a decorative paper layer. The polymer layer may be impregnated with filler material to provide bonding sites and moisture permeability sites in the polymer layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Rock-Tenn CompanyInventors: Edward Eton Bowns, IV, David Carl Thornton
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Patent number: 5916661Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively aperturing a nonwoven web.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Douglas H. Benson, John J. Curro
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Patent number: 5910354Abstract: A metallurgical interconnect composite is provided defined by a compliant, metallurgical, open cell, porous substrate which has a plurality of Z-axis conductive pathways extending from one side of the substrate to the other side. Each conductive pathway terminates in a solder covered surface area.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Carmine G. Meola, Daniel D. Johnson, Donald R. Banks, Joseph G. Ameen
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Patent number: 5908598Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fibrous electret material which includes the steps of (1) forming a fibrous web of nonconductive thermoplastic fibers from a blend of nonconductive thermoplastic resin and an additive which is (a) a thermally stable organic compound or oligomer containing at least one perfluorinated moiety or (b) a thermally stable organic triazine compound or oligomer containing at least one nitrogen atom in addition to those in the triazine group or (c) a combination thereof; (2) impinging jets of water or a stream of water droplets onto the web at a pressure sufficient to provide the web with filtration enhancing electret charge; and (3) drying the web.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1995Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Seyed A. Angadjivand
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Patent number: 5904973Abstract: A label is disclosed which includes a first, base layer coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive for attachment to a selected product. A layer of release material is coated onto a portion of the base layer. A second layer is coated on a portion of its underside with a pressure sensitive adhesive for permanent attachment to the base layer in regions thereof that are not coated with release material, and temporary attachment to the base layer in regions thereof that are coated with release material.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Avery Dennison CorportionInventors: Rod Coward, Andrew Whipp, Craig Surette
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Patent number: 5902669Abstract: Disposable paper products, such as paper toweling, are provided with an indicator means which is disposed on said disposable paper product in a discontinuous or combination discontinuous/continuous pattern. The indicator means gives a visually recognizable signal to a user that desirable properties of the disposable paper product are maintained, even after the disposable paper product has become wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid. The wet gray scale difference for the disposable paper product of the present invention is at least about 64 gray scale units when the disposable paper product is wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Mark John Steinhardt, Donn Nathan Boatman, Frederick Martin Joffe, Barbara Ann Ludwig, Barry Robert Silber, Paul Dennis Trokhan
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Patent number: 5900305Abstract: Electrostatic fibers with high efficiency for small particles and low pressure drop are formed by spot laminating an assembly of a stack of at least 2 layers of thermoplastic, electrostatic, non-woven media having lightweight scrims disposed on each end face of the stack between the nip of a roller with a pattern of raised dots and a heated roller or ultrasonic generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Inventor: Rick L. Chapman
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Patent number: 5900306Abstract: There is provided herein a multilayer laminate comprised of a layer of a film and a layer of a nonwoven fabric. The film is made from polymers and has as one surface a semi-crystalline/amorphous or "heterophasic" polymer, an optional inner, less expensive, filler type polymer, and as the other surface, a polymer with a lower coefficient of friction. The nonwoven fabric may be a spunbond or meltblown fabric, preferably spunbond and preferably also including a heterophasic polymer. The film and nonwoven components are bonded together using thermal point bonding preferably while the film is stretched at least 5 percent. Such a laminate may be made into a personal care product like a diaper, training pant, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence product, and feminine hygiene product.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Steven Ray Stopper
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Patent number: 5894046Abstract: A high strength double-ply corrugated paperboard including upper (102) and lower (106) liners and multiple-ply corrugated mediums (101, 104) disposed between the liners (102, 106), thereby capable of exhibiting a high compressive strength while having a small thickness to minimize the packaging size, and effectively absorbing outside shock applied to the package to keep the packaged goods more safe.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: Daeyoung Packaging Co., Ltd.Inventors: Do Wook Kim, Ki Jeong Kim
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Patent number: 5888609Abstract: A planar porous composite structure including a plurality of regular textile planar layers formed of continuous yarns. The layers are placed on top of each other to form a structure having two dimensions at right angles to each other and a third dimension perpendicular to them and defining a plane having a direction along the two dimensions. A plurality of openings extends through the layers. Each opening is defined by portions of the continuous yarns extending substantially in the direction of the plane and existing in the regular textile planar layers to make the planar layers regular in structure prior to placing them on top of each other. A plurality of passages extends entirely through the structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1996Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskusInventors: Mikko Karttunen, Esa Suokas
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Patent number: 5883028Abstract: A breathable elastic laminate is formed by bonding a film including an elastic water vapor-soluble polymer to a neckable nonwoven web such that when the film is relaxed, the web is in a necked state. The breathable laminate is stretchable in a direction parallel to the narrowing or necking of the web. The laminate possesses excellent water vapor permeability but acts as a barrier to the passage of odor-causing chemicals including ammonia.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Linda Jeanette Morgan, Bernard Cohen
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Patent number: 5882769Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bulk-stretched pillowed laminate of two or more layers in which at least one of the layers is stretched before other layers are attached to it. In one execution, a thermoplastic film is stretched until it permanently deforms. Then, while still in a stretched state, a nonwoven web is laminated to the film and the resultant composite is allowed to relax slightly causing the nonwoven layer to gather and pucker, which in turn gives the composite a thicker and bulkier feel and appearance. The material of the present invention, while having a wide variety of uses, is particularly well-suited for use as an outercover for personal care absorbent articles, including diapers, training pants and sanitary napkins.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ann Louise McCormack, Duane Girard Uitenbroek
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Patent number: 5876840Abstract: Spunbond multicomponent filaments and nonwoven webs made from the filaments are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the multicomponent filaments contain a crimp enhancement additive. Specifically, the crimp enhancement additive is added to one of the polymeric components in order to accelerate its solidification rate. The additive enhances crimp, allows for highly crimped filaments to be made at smaller deniers, and produces low density webs with improved stretch and cloth-like properties. Specifically, the additive incorporated into the filaments is a nonionic surfactant such as an alkyl ether alkoxylate, a siloxane alkoxylate, an ester of a polyalkylene glycol, a polysaccharide derivative, a glycerol ester, or mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Xin Ning, Samuel E. Marmon
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Patent number: 5874160Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement formed from spunbond fiber webs having a basis weight less than about 85 grams per square meter and wherein the fibers comprise macrofibers having an average fiber diameter greater than 50 microns and less than about 500 microns. A section of macrofiber web having a mass between about 10 and 30 grams is bundled into a deformable three-dimensional shape which is about 8 to 25 cm in at least one dimension. The cleaning implement is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with shower gels or soaps for washing the body.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Laura Elizabeth Keck
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Patent number: 5874159Abstract: This invention relates to making nonwoven fabrics which are durable for machine washing and durable for other wet and hard use or abusive applications. The inventive fabrics comprise two layers of fabric sheet bonded together at closely spaced locations where the bonding includes fibers from both fabrics thoroughly involved with the binder. The inventive fabrics retain the qualities of a spunlaced nonwoven fabric which include low cost, comfort, drapability, softness, absorbency, breathability and others while having the durability comparable to traditional knitted or woven fabrics.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Charles Clayton Cruise, Robert Howe Peterson, James Thomas Summers
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Patent number: 5866269Abstract: A novel agricultural mulch and improved method of arranging the mulch on a growing field with furrows is disclosed wherein the mulch is made of an extensible paper substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface with side sections near the edges of the substrate capable of being turned up and bent back over the top surface of the paper substrate as the mulch is laid down over the growing field; the bottom surface of the paper substrate will be exposed for receiving soil from the field to anchor the mulch and protect it against the weathering of rain, sun and wind.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.Inventors: Dean Dalebroux, Kenneth Glanz
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Patent number: 5863639Abstract: This invention relates to improved sheet products and specifically to improved nonwoven sheet products made from highly oriented plexifilamentary film-fibril webs. The improved sheet products have high opacity and strength with a much wider range of porosity or Gurley Hill Porosity Values. In particular, sheet products made in accordance with the present invention have considerably higher Gurley Hill Porosity Values than similar weight sheet products subject to the same finishing treatments in accordance with prior known sheet materials. Similarly, sheet products made in accordance with the present invention can be made which have much lower Gurley Hill Porosity Values than prior sheet materials. The invention includes numerous methods and data characterizing the webs and sheets that form the improved sheet materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Ralph A. Franke, Hyun S. Lim, Larry Ray Marshall, Michael P. Milone, R. Gail Raty, Akhileswar G. Vaidyanathan
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Patent number: 5858554Abstract: A multi-ply paper product wherein the plies are adhesively joined together. One or both of the plies may have embossments protruding towards and contacting the other ply. The plies are adhesively joined, preferably at such embossments. The adhesive is selected from a composition that advantageously provides a minimum wet ply bond strength and a dry ply bond strength which falls within a particularly desired range.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Charles William Neal, George Vincent Wegele, Timothy Jude Lorenz
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Patent number: 5858504Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a highly absorbent, high strength wiper, which comprises the steps of providing a bonded nonwoven web selected from the group consisting of spunbond fiber webs and staple fiber webs, stretching the nonwoven web by applying a stretching tension in at least one direction, aperturing the nonwoven web while maintaining the stretching tension, and relaxing the apertured web, thereby returning the apertured nonwoven web substantially to its pre-stretched dimensions, wherein the process is conducted at a temperature below the softening point of the nonwoven web. The invention also provides a nonwoven wiper produced in accordance with the production process.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Steven Wayne Fitting
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Patent number: 5855992Abstract: A waterproof multi-layered non-woven fabric having good vapor permeability and method for its production are provided. At least one layer of coarse melt-spun filaments of a thermoplastic polymer is thermally bonded at intermittent points to at least one layer of fine melt-blown microfibers. The bonded layers next are subjected while heated to a force in at least one direction in the absence of tearing so as to accomplish the permanent elongation of coarse melt-spun filaments and the straightening of fine melt-blown microfibers in the direction of the force in the substantial absence of drawing. Fine melt-blown microfibers when straightened in this manner form a less thick and denser array within the resulting fabric. The resulting product is capable of deterring the passage of liquid water, exhibits substantial vapor permeability, and exhibits a reduced basis weight.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Corovin GmbHInventor: Stefan Etzold
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Patent number: 5851647Abstract: A glass and metal fiber material includes a web of nonwoven metal fibers and glass. The metal fibers of the web are joined by bubbles of glass to other metal fibers of the web. The nonwoven metal fibers can be the same or different lengths and do not need to be sintered. The material is flexible and capable of withstanding very high temperatures. Spaces or voids between metal fibers allow embodiments of the material to be porous. However, the voids can be completely or partially filled to alter the porosity of the material. An exemplary method of making the glass and metal fiber material in accordance with the invention includes the steps of juxtaposing metal fibers with glass fibers and heating at least the glass fibers to cause them to melt. The melting glass envelops part or all of the metal fibers. When the glass cools, at least some of the of metal fibers are bound to other metal fibers by the glass.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose CompanyInventor: Richard P. Foster
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Patent number: 5851637Abstract: There is disclosed a method for adhering a flexible sheet (such as a fibrous or resinous sheet) to a semi-rigid thermoplastic resinous sheet (such as a polycarbonate or acrylic sheet). In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of contacting an edge surface of a flexible fibrous sheet with a thermosetting resin and allowing the resin to cure to yield a unified surface, applying an adhesive along of an edge surface of the semi-rigid sheet to yield an adhesive surface and contacting the unified surface of the flexible fibrous sheet with the adhesive surface of the semi-rigid sheet to adhere the flexible fibrous sheet to the semi-rigid sheet. The products made by this method are suitable for a variety of applications, including use as boat and dwelling enclosures.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Barrett Enclosures, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Sofie, John A. Barrett
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Patent number: 5846636Abstract: An absorbent multi-layer sheet, with at least two layers each constituted of at least one embossed ply of creped absorbent paper having a specific surface weight between 10 and 40 g/m.sup.2 per ply, with an external surface forming the outer side of the multi-layer sheet and an inner surface, the inner surface of the first layer including first and second protrusions and the inner surface of the second layer including third protrusions nested between the-protrusions of the first layer, the two layers being bonded together by at least part of the protrusion tips of one layer adhesively joined to the other layer between two protrusions, is characterized in that the bonding is implemented by the first protrusions of the first layer, the second protrusions having a lesser height than the first ones and their tips being adhesive-free.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Fort James FranceInventors: Remy Ruppel, Pierre Laurent, Joel Hungler
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Patent number: 5837352Abstract: Disclosed herein is a film/nonwoven laminate which incorporates a low gauge machine direction oriented film layer laminated to a nonwoven support layer. The individual layers are designed such that the film layer in the laminated state has an elongation at break value in the cross machine direction that is greater the elongation at peak load value for the nonwoven layer in the same direction. Consequently, if the laminate is subjected to severe stretching forces in the cross machine direction, the nonwoven layer will fail before the film layer. In addition, the laminate has a peak load value of at least 300 grams. As a result, the laminate is particularly useful as, for example, an outercover material for personal care absorbent articles.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Karen Lynn English, Ann Louise McCormack
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Patent number: 5837336Abstract: A film-wrapped article consisting of a rectangular product wrapped with a heat-shrinkable plastic film in intimate contact therewith, the upper and under edge portions of the film being overlapped and sealed together along the body of the wrap to form a seal. A part of the seal on one side of the article is formed as a weakly joined zone whose adhesion strength increases by continuous or stepwise gradations from an opening zone where the adhesion strength is the lowest toward the both ends of the article. The weakly joined zone is made up of joined and unjoined regions extending along the interface between the upper and under edge portions, in a repetitive pattern of the regions varying in adhesion strength with changes in the area ratio of the joined and unjoined regions. The wrap has a cut for unwrapping use made in the opening or neighboring zone of the upper edge portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Yuji Ichimura, Tatsuo Fujii
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Patent number: 5834099Abstract: Disposable paper products, such as paper toweling, are provided with an indicator means which is disposed on said disposable paper product in a discontinuous or combination discontinuous/continuous pattern. The indicator means gives a visually recognizable signal to a user that desirable properties of the disposable paper product are maintained, even after the disposable paper product has become wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid. The wet gray scale difference for the disposable paper product of the present invention is at least about 64 gray scale units when the disposable paper product is wetted with a substantially transparent aqueous liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1996Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Mark John Steinhardt, Donn Nathan Boatman, Frederick Martin Joffe, Barbara Ann Ludwig, Barry Robert Silber, Paul Dennis Trokhan
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Patent number: 5834086Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant edge strip material to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxilated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semi-continuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. An apparatus for carrying out the invention is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Milliken Research CorporationInventors: William O. Burke, III, Robert C. Kerr
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Patent number: 5830555Abstract: An apertured nonwoven fabric comprising one or two outer carded web(s) and a polymeric sheet thermally bonded thereto. The polymeric sheet has a lower melting temperature than the nonwoven layers and a property of shrinking when melted. Heat and pressure are applied to the combination of layers through a calender roll such that the polymeric sheet becomes bonded to the fibers of the carded web(s) and simultaneously shrinks and pulls back the fibers away from the calendering points, thereby generating apertures through the nonwoven fabric. Preferably, the fibers are polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, and the polymeric sheet is a thin plastic film of linear low density polyethylene, elastomeric, or heat shrink material. One outer carded web may be combined with the plastic film layer to form a bi-laminate product, or two outer carded webs may be combined with an intermediate plastic film to form a tri-laminate product.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: International Paper CompanyInventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, W. Andrew Coslett
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Patent number: 5822791Abstract: The present invention provides a protective material comprising a base layer comprising cut resistant yarn, an intermediate layer comprising natural fiber and an outer layer comprising a flexible, elastomeric material impervious to liquid. The intermediate layer is bonded to the elastomeric material, while the cut resistant yarn in the base layer remains substantially free of encapsulation by the elastomeric material. The intermediate layer is joined to said base layer at one or more locations, preferably by selective strike through of limited amounts of the elastomeric material to encapsulate yarn in the base layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Whizard Protective Wear CorpInventor: Robert P. Baris
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Patent number: 5817403Abstract: A nonwoven fabric characterized in that it contains:1) a fiber comprising a copolymer of propylene and ethylene; and2) a fiber comprising a polypropylene homopolymer is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Emile M. Gillyns, Victor L. E. Paquay, Joseph A. Rausch
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Patent number: 5814178Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a three dimensionally texturized liquid resistant laminate having a fibrous nonwoven layer and a liquid resistant layer. The process has the steps of placing the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer in juxtaposition to form a laminate, attaching the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer at a plurality of spaced-apart bond locations, heating the bonded laminate to a temperature that activates the latent shrinkability of the liquid resistant layer, and allowing the heated laminate to retract such that the liquid resistant layer shrinks and said fibrous layer forms gathers between said bond locations, thereby forming a three dimensional texture and heat annealing the laminate. The invention additionally provides a three dimensionally texturized laminate having a fibrous layer and a nonelastic liquid resistant layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Rob L. Jacobs