Including Other Strand Or Fiber Material In The Same Layer Not Specified As Having Micro Dimensions Patents (Class 442/344)
  • Patent number: 8921244
    Abstract: Hydroxyl polymer fiber fibrous structures and processes for making same are provided. More particularly, hydroxyl polymer fiber fibrous structures comprising a non-naturally occurring hydroxyl polymer fiber wherein the fibrous structure exhibits a total pore volume of pores in the range of greater than 20 ?m to 500 ?m of greater than 3.75 mm3/mg of dry fibrous structure mass, and/or fibrous structures comprising a hydroxyl polymer fiber and a solid additive are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David William Cabell, David Warren Loebker, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 8809213
    Abstract: A textile applicator for application of a sanitizing and/or disinfecting solution to a surface. The applicator incorporates a plurality of direct spun polyester microfiber yarns to define a textile surface which does not bind or inactivate quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine-based or peracetic and/or other peroxygen based sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents. Thus, the sanitizing and/or disinfecting agent is readily released to the surface being treated without any requirement of pre-loading surface binding sites or applying a charge-modifying surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tietex International, Ltd
    Inventors: Martin Wildeman, David R. Harry, Jr., Michelis Hardegree, Lori S. Sears
  • Publication number: 20140024279
    Abstract: A dimensionally stable bonded nonwoven fibrous web formed by extruding melt blown fibers of a polymeric material, collecting the melt blown fibers as an initial nonwoven fibrous web, and annealing the initial nonwoven fibrous web with a controlled heating and cooling operation, is described. The bonded nonwoven fibrous web shrinkage is typically less than 4 percent relative to the initial nonwoven fibrous web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, John D. Stelter, Ruth A. Ebbens, Sian F. Fennessey
  • Publication number: 20130269294
    Abstract: Sterilizable and printable, wet-laid non-woven substrate exhibiting high-strength and temperature resistance above 140° C., providing sufficient airflow to relieve pressure in a package formed from the substrate during sterilization, providing a significant barrier to penetration by bacteria and debris, and which is sealable to itself and to thermoplastic films, comprises blends of nanofibrillated lyocell fibers, microfibers, fibers having a flat, rectangular cross-section and binder fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: AHLSTROM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas McKee Benton, Rui Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8468715
    Abstract: A method for forming an engineered wood product from pulpwood, comprising providing a quantity of pulpwood; crushing and scrimming the pulpwood to form a mat; drying in a first drying step the mat in a first pass dryer; applying a resin to the mat; and, drying in a second drying step the mat in a second pass dryer. The drying process controls moisture content using the rate of change between the entering and exiting airflow temperature. The resulting product has a high modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Loblolly Industries, LLC
    Inventors: William Anderson Thomas, Jr., Roy Daniel Seale, James Michael White, Bobby Lyn White, Adam Glen Barwick
  • Publication number: 20130112625
    Abstract: A consolidated nanofiber nonwoven comprising a plurality of roped fiber bundles having a length axis. The roped fiber bundles comprise a plurality of nanofibers having a median diameter of less than one micrometer, where at least 50% by number of the nanofibers are oriented within 45 degrees of the length axis of the roped fiber bundles. The nanofibers within the same roped fiber bundle are entangled together. The roped fiber bundles are randomly oriented within the nanofiber nonwoven and are entangled with other roped fiber bundles within the nanofiber nonwoven. At least a portion of the nanofibers are entangled with and adhered to other nanofibers within the same roped fiber bundle and at least a portion of the roped fiber bundles are entangled with and adhered to other roped fiber bundles within the consolidated nanofiber nonwoven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Pradipkumar Bahukudumbi, Kirkland W. Vogt, Dale S. Kitchen, Randolph S. Kohlman
  • Patent number: 8415262
    Abstract: Porous fibrous sheets are provided that are useful in end uses requiring microbial barrier properties such as medical packaging and medical gowns and drapes. The porous fibrous sheets may contain nanofibers and wood pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ioannis V. Bletsos, Joseph Robert Guckert, Mikhail R. Levit, David Carl Roberts
  • Patent number: 8226970
    Abstract: In order to provide a non-woven fiber fabric, in particular, in the form of a flat material or as part of a flat material which can be used as a biodegradable material in medicine, in particular, as an implant or carrier material for living cells (tissue engineering) but also a non-woven fiber fabric which can be used in food technology in a variety of applications, in particular, as a preliminary product for foods, a non-woven fiber fabric is provided containing fibers consisting of a gelatin material, wherein the thickness of the fibers is on average 1 to 500 ?m and wherein the non-woven fiber fabric has a plurality of areas, at which two or more fibers merge into one another without any phase boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Gelita AG
    Inventors: Michael Ahlers, Denis Reibel, Jutta Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20120077404
    Abstract: A gradient nanofiber non-woven contains a plurality of nanofibers where at least 70% of the nanofibers are bonded to other nanofibers. The nanofibers each have a surface and a center and contain a bulk polymer and a third component. The majority by weight at the surface of the nanofiber is the third component and the majority by weight at the center of the nanofiber is the bulk polymer and there is a concentration gradient from most concentrated to least from the surface of the nanofiber to the center of the nanofiber. The process for forming a gradient nanofiber non-woven is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Walter A. Scrivens, Hao Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110250815
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Behnam Pourdeyhimi
  • Patent number: 8017534
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous nonwoven structure comprising meltblown fibrous materials and at least one secondary fibrous material and method of preparing. In one aspect, the fibrous nonwoven structure has a formation index of between 70 and 135. In another aspect, the fibrous nonwoven structure has an opacity that is greater than 72 percent at a basis weight of between about 35 and 55 grams per square meter. The fibrous nonwoven substrate may be utilized as a moist wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Benjamin Harvey, Anthony Mark Gambaro, Paul Alan Giles, David Jon Baer, Allen Frederic Vater
  • Publication number: 20110195624
    Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous structure and process for forming it, which is an interconnecting web of polyolefin filaments having filament widths greater than about 1 micrometer which are further interconnected with webs of smaller polyolefin filaments having filament widths less than about 1 micrometer, wherein the smaller polyolefin filaments comprise a majority of all filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: MARK GARY WEINBERG, Gregory T. Dee, Thomas William Harding
  • Patent number: 7989372
    Abstract: A molded respirator and method of making are disclosed, wherein the molded respirator is made from a porous nonwoven web containing meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein. The molded respirator may also contain at least one secondary filtration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, John M. Brandner, James E. Springett
  • Patent number: 7989371
    Abstract: A porous nonwoven web and method of making are disclosed, wherein the web contains meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, John M. Brandner, James E. Springett
  • Publication number: 20110177296
    Abstract: There is described a process for preparing a “double layer” non-woven fabric having a non-woven fabric surface covered with microfiber including needle-punching of a mat formed by at least one carded web of macrofibers and at least one carded web of microfibers and subsequent treatment of the mat with high pressure water jets to split the microfibers into filaments
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Marco MARANGHI
  • Publication number: 20110168625
    Abstract: A water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and length of less than 25 millimeters. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers is also provided, the process comprising: a) cutting a multicomponent fiber into cut multicomponent fibers; b) contacting a fiber-containing feedstock with water to produce a fiber mix slurry; wherein the fiber-containing feedstock comprises cut multicomponent fibers; c) heating the fiber mix slurry to produce a heated fiber mix slurry; d) optionally, mixing the fiber mix slurry in a shearing zone; e) removing at least a portion of the sulfopolyester from the multicomponent fiber to produce a slurry mixture comprising a sulfopolyester dispersion and water non-dispersible polymer microfibers; and f) separating the water non-dispersible polymer microfibers from the slurry mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Melvin Glenn Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7902096
    Abstract: A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 ?m. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Brandner, William J. Kopecky, Seyed A. Angadjivand, James E. Springett, Timothy J. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 7851392
    Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wm. T. Burnett IP, LLC
    Inventor: Greg Davis
  • Patent number: 7807591
    Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous web comprising a matrix of continuous meltspun fibers bonded to a coherent self-sustaining form, and separately prepared microfibers dispersed among the meltspun fibers. The microfibers may have median diameters less than one or two micrometers. A method for preparing such a nonwoven fibrous web comprises establishing a stream of continuous oriented meltspun fibers having a longitudinal axis, establishing a stream of meltblown microfibers that exit a meltblowing die at a point near the stream of meltspun fibers, the meltblown stream being aimed to merge with the meltspun stream and having a longitudinal axis that forms an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the meltspun stream, capturing the meltblown fibers in the stream of meltspun fibers, and collecting the merged stream as a web on a collector spaced near the intersection point of the meltspun and meltblown streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, John D. Stelter, Timothy J. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 7696111
    Abstract: The inventive cosmetic pad (2) exhibiting an improved effectiveness thereof for make-up removal contains or consists of discontinuous synthetic micro staple fibers whose length is equal to or greater than 7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Rainer Mangold, Angela Römpp, Jana Michelmann
  • Publication number: 20100021517
    Abstract: In order to provide a non-woven fiber fabric, in particular, in the form of a flat material or as part of a flat material which can be used as a biodegradable material in medicine, in particular, as an implant or carrier material for living cells (tissue engineering) but also a non-woven fiber fabric which can be used in food technology in a variety of applications, in particular, as a preliminary product for foods, a non-woven fiber fabric is provided containing fibers consisting of a gelatin material, wherein the thickness of the fibers is on average 1 to 500 ?m and wherein the non-woven fiber fabric has a plurality of areas, at which two or more fibers merge into one another without any phase boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicants: GELITA AG, CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Michael Ahlers, Denis Reibel, Jutta Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7578023
    Abstract: The present invention features a fabric useful for applying a chemical composition, such as a finishing or polishing composition, onto a substrate surface. Typically the fabric contains between about 1% and 50% stiff fibers and between about 50% and 99% adsorbent or absorbent fibers, more typically between about 2% and 10% stiff fibers and between about 90% and 98% adsorbent or absorbent fibers. The fabric can be used to make applicator pads useful, for example, as mop heads for spreading a finishing or polishing composition on a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gary L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20090117803
    Abstract: A pleatable nonwoven material is provided, including thicker form-giving fibers and thinner fibers determining the filter effect, wherein the thinner fibers are incorporated largely homogeneously in the thicker fibers running in the direction along the surface of the nonwoven material and a distribution density gradient of the thinner fibers is established perpendicular to the surface of the nonwoven material such that the highest concentration of thinner fibers is in the region of the center or on one of the two outsides, wherein the thicker and thinner fibers are bonded together by solidification from the melted condition and are made from the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: IREMA-FILTER Gmbh
    Inventors: Anke Jung, Andreas Seeberger
  • Patent number: 7476632
    Abstract: New nonwoven fibrous webs are taught which comprise a collected mass of a) directly formed fibers disposed within the web in a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and b) staple fibers having a crimp of at least 15% dispersed among the directly formed fibers in an amount of at least 5% the weight of the directly formed fibers. The web is lofty but free of macrovoids. Preferably, the web has a filling ratio of at least 50 and a light transmittance variation of about 2% or less. Typically, fibers within the web are bonded together at points of fiber intersection, preferably with autogenous bonds, to provide a compression-resistant matrix. The webs are especially useful as acoustic and thermal insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David A. Olson, Jonathan H. Alexander, Michael R. Berrigan
  • Patent number: 7451516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning sheet having a cleaning surface side to be applied to an object to be cleaned. The cleaning surface has second regions along its longer sides and a first region between the second regions. In the first region, an exterior nonwoven fabric is exposed externally; in the second regions, a liquid permeable sheet having a lower density than the exterior nonwoven fabric is exposed externally. Liquid on a floor surface is allowed to pass through the liquid permeable sheet in the second regions and be absorbed by a liquid absorbent sheet. This prevents excess liquid between the exterior nonwoven fabric and the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7410920
    Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: WM. T. Burnett Operating LLLP
    Inventor: Greg Davis
  • Patent number: 7390760
    Abstract: A composite material comprising a plurality of nanofibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form one or more layers is provided. The nanofibers can be any suitable type of nanofiber, including electrospun fibers. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers intertwined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a single layer is also provided. A composite material comprising a plurality of electrospun fibers combined with a plurality of coarse fibers to form a plurality of layers, i.e., a multi-layer material, is also provided. In some embodiments, gradients in one or more directions are produced. Embodiments of the invention also provide processes for producing the composite nanofiber material. The materials are useful for any type of disposable garment, wipe, hospital garment, face mask, sterile wrap, air filter, water filter and so forth. Materials described herein can provide strong and varying surface effects, such as wicking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Lei Huang, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20080026659
    Abstract: A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 ?m. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Brandner, William J. Kopecky, Seyed A. Angadjivand, James E. Springett, Timothy J. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20080026661
    Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous web comprising a matrix of continuous meltspun fibers bonded to a coherent self-sustaining form, and separately prepared microfibers dispersed among the meltspun fibers. The microfibers may have median diameters less than one or two micrometers. A method for preparing such a nonwoven fibrous web comprises establishing a stream of continuous oriented meltspun fibers having a longitudinal axis, establishing a stream of meltblown microfibers that exit a meltblowing die at a point near the stream of meltspun fibers, the meltblown stream being aimed to merge with the meltspun stream and having a longitudinal axis that forms an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the meltspun stream, capturing the meltblown fibers in the stream of meltspun fibers, and collecting the merged stream as a web on a collector spaced near the intersection point of the meltspun and meltblown streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, John D. Stelter, Timothy J. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20080003913
    Abstract: Fibrous structures including a fiber and/or a multifilament fiber, sanitary tissue products employing such fibrous structures and methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Vinson, Arnold William Trueman
  • Patent number: 7049025
    Abstract: A novel flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate comprising a plurality of first carbon fibres orientated in the x-, y- and optionally z-directions, said first fibres being bonded with a thermoplastic polymeric substance, and a carbon based filler material, characterised, in that the flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate has a total density of greater than 0.35 g/cm3, and a gas diffusion electrode obtained therefrom is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of the substrate and electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Susan Joy Cooper, John Malcolm Gascoyne, Thomas Robertson Ralph, Karen Leanne Hogarth
  • Patent number: 6964931
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a substantially continuous filament web which includes providing a plurality of polymer extruders for supplying polymer streams of at least two different polymer compositions, and providing a spinneret assembly for receiving the polymer streams. The spinneret assembly includes a plurality of orifices from which the polymer streams are extruded for formation of substantially continuous filaments formed from the polymer compositions. The distribution of at least one of the polymer compositions within the spinneret assembly is selected to optimize selected physical characteristics of the resultant continuous filament web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Carlyle, Marlene Storzer
  • Patent number: 6919026
    Abstract: A semipermeable membrane support includes, a non-woven fabric including main fiber and binder fiber, both of which are formed of synthetic resin fine fiber, the non-woven fabric being manufactured by heating and pressing after paper making, wherein the semipermeable membrane support has a ratio of a tensile strength in a paper feeding direction to that in a width direction of 2:1 to 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignees: Awa Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd., Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Hama, Yoshifumi Kusaka, Akihiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 6869659
    Abstract: Lightweight, non-woven loop products for hook-and-loop fastening are disclosed, as are methods for making them and end products employing them. The products are non-woven webs of entangled fibers of substantial tenacity, the fibers forming both a sheet-form web body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from the web body. The product is stretched and stabilized to produce spaced-apart loop clusters extending from a very thin web of taut fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers include low denier fibers and/or bicomponent fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, Paul R. Erickson, Michael J. Onderko
  • Patent number: 6838399
    Abstract: There is provided and fibrous layer for personal care products wherein the fibrous layer is made from micro-fine fibers deposited as an aqueous slurry onto a nonwoven web, and subsequently dried. The micro-fine fibers have a diameter from a positive amount to 0.5 microns. The nonwoven web may be produced from a number of methods, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, coforming, bonding and carding, and airlaying. The micro-fine fiber layer can be used to adjust the permeability of the nonwoven web, thus providing a method of controlling the rate of fluid movement through a personal care product, like diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesh Chandra Deka, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Charles Allen Smith
  • Patent number: 6827764
    Abstract: A filter element that comprises a porous molded web 10′ that contains thermally bonded staple fibers 12 and non-thermally bonded electrically charged microfibers 14. The molded web is retained in its molded configuration, at least in part, by bonds between the staple fibers 12 at points of fiber intersection 13. The web may be molded, for example, into the shape of filtering face mask 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James E. Springett, Seyed Abolhassan Angadjivand
  • Publication number: 20040235383
    Abstract: The present invention is a yarn or fabric useful in protective garments. The yarn or fabric is made of flame resistant fibers and microdenier flame resistant fibers. The flame resistant fibers are selected from the group consisting of inherently flame resistant fibers, treated fibers, and combinations thereof. The microdenier flame resistant fibers are selected from the group consisting of microdenier inherently flame resistant fibers, microdenier treated fibers, and combinations thereof. The weight ratio of said flame resistant fibers to said microdenier flame resistant fibers is in the range of 4-9:2-6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Celanese Advanced Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Perry, Charles A. Thomas, Diane B. Hess
  • Patent number: 6815383
    Abstract: A nonwoven web useful as a filter medium includes a plurality of bicomponent multilobal fibers including a higher melting polymer component, a lower melting polymer component, and an interface between the polymer components. The fibers are bonded together at points of contact including the lower melting polymer components, to provide a coherent filter medium. The multilobal fibers include raised lobal regions and depressed regions between the lobes which catch, trap or ensnare particulate matter that is being filtered from a gaseous or liquid medium. The multilobal fibers may be electrecized to provide electrostatic attraction between the fibers and the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy Dean Arnold
  • Publication number: 20040192141
    Abstract: A laminate flooring sub-layer material is fabricated from mineral or inorganic fibers, preferably virgin rotary fibers, and plastic-containing bonding fibers. The laminate flooring sub-layer material has a substantially uniform density throughout its volume and may be bonded to a vapor barrier layer to form a laminated sub-layer mat that is optimal for use as a laminate flooring sub-layer over a concrete subflooring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Alain Yang, Mark Trabbold
  • Patent number: 6767851
    Abstract: A non-woven mat useful for a wide variety of purposes, including forming reinforced resin products, is produced in a manner having different specific uses of, and advantages over, conventional chopped strand mats and conventional glass tissue. The mat is preferably made by the foam process (but may be made by the liquid process), and at speeds well in excess of 60 m./min., and has a substantially uniform construction even when low density (e.g. 100 g/m2 or less). At least 20% (preferably at least 85%) of the fibers are in fiber bundles with between 5-450 fibers/bundle. The fibers (typically at least 85%) have a length between 5-100 mm, preferably 7-50 mm, substantially the same as the length of the fiber bundle they are in. The fibers are preferably held in the bundles by substantially non-water soluble sizing, such as epoxy resin or PVOH. The fibers in the bundles typically have diameters of approximately 7-500 microns, preferably about 7-35 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Glassfibre Oy
    Inventors: Kay Rökman, Juhani Jansson, Harri Kostamo, Juha Bohm
  • Patent number: 6756332
    Abstract: A headliner made from a laminate comprising a core layer sandwiched between two stiffening layers to form an I-beam construction that provides the necessary strength for the headliner. The core layer is preferably a blend of nonwoven fibers including some fine denier fibers to provide improved sound absorption properties. The stiffening layers also comprise a blend of nonwoven fibers. Both the core layer and the stiffening layers include some binder fibers to bond together the various fibers within each layer and the layers to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Sandoe, Michael G. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6746760
    Abstract: The gas adsorption sheet of the present invention has a granular activated carbon-containing sheet comprising a granular activated carbon having an average particle diameter of 60 to 600 &mgr;m, a supporting fiber for fixing the granular activated carbon in contact with it, and an adhesive fiber which mainly contributes to shape retention. An air-purifying filter of the present invention is obtained by forming the gas adsorption sheet into a shape of pleats or wave. A method for producing a gas adsorption sheet of the present invention comprises a step of forming a granular activated carbon-containing sheet by using an aqueous slurry containing a granular activated carbon, a supporting fiber and a water-swelling adhesive fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., LTD
    Inventors: Shinichi Minemura, Masayuki Imagawa
  • Patent number: 6730387
    Abstract: An absorbent material having substantially improved structural stability in the dry and wet states. The absorbent materials are significantly less susceptible to handling losses of absorbent gelling particles during manufacturing operations. The absorbent material also is not subject to shifting of the absorbent gelling particles during or after swelling by fluids. The absorbent material comprises absorbent gelling particles comprising (a) a water-insoluble absorbent hydrogel-forming polymer; (b) a polycationic polymer bonded to the absorbent gelling particles at the surface thereof; (c) glue microfibers dispersed in the absorbent gelling particles; and (d) a carrier layer bonded to the absorbent gelling particles through the glue microfibers. The invention further relates to a method of making the absorbent materials, and the absorbent articles comprising the absorbent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ebrahim Rezai, Kesyin Hsueh
  • Patent number: 6720068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sound absorbent thin-layer laminate consisting of at least one open-cell support layer and a second open-cell fibre layer. The support layer consists either of a first fibre layer, especially a low-density non-woven material with a mass per unit area of less than 2,000 g/m2 and a thickness of less than 50 mm, or of an open-cell foam layer, especially an ultra-light plastic foam with a density of between 16 and 32 kg/m3 and a thickness of at least 6 mm. The second fibre layer is made of melt-blown microfibres, whose fibre diameter is approximately 1 to 10 &mgr;m, especially 2 to 5 &mgr;m. The air resistance of the thin-layer laminate is in the range of 500<Rt<4,000 Ns/m3. According to the method for producing the thin-layer laminate a microfibre layer of melt-blown microfibres with a diameter of between 1 and 10 &mgr;m, preferably between 2 and 5 &mgr;m, is fixed to the support layer by means of a spray-on adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventors: William Ray Vanbemmel, Anthony C. Vulpitta, Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 6716775
    Abstract: Range-dyed fabrics that possess excellent hand characteristics and simultaneously exhibit substantially nondirectional appearances are provided. Such a combination permits the production and utilization of an extremely comfortable apparel fabric that can be attached to any other similar type of fabric to form a target apparel article without the time-consuming need to align such component fabrics to ensure an overall aesthetic appearance is met for the target apparel article. In general, such a fabric is produced through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or sueding of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure produces a fabric of short pile height and desirable hand. Upon range-dyeing the target fabric exhibits the extra benefit of nondirectional surface characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Louis Dischler, Wesley M. Drexler, Scott W. Efird, Dale Robert Williams
  • Patent number: 6699806
    Abstract: Provided is a water-decomposable fibrous sheet including fibers containing at least 3% by mass of fibrillated rayon. The fibrillated rayon has a degree of beating of at most 700 cc and has primary fibers of a predetermined fiber length and microfibers extending from the primary fibers. In the fibrous sheet, the microfibers are entangled with at least either of other microfibers and other fibers therein, and the surface friction resistance of the fibrous sheet in dry, measured according to the abrasion resistance test method of JIS P-8136, is at least three rubbing cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Takeuchi, Kazuya Okada, Jyoji Shimizu, Toshiyuki Tanio, Takayoshi Konishi
  • Patent number: 6677073
    Abstract: A novel non-woven fiber web comprising a plurality of first fibers orientated in the x-, y-, and optionally z-directions, said first fibers being bonded with a polymeric substance, characterised in that one or more continuous strands are embedded within the sub-surface layer of the non-woven fiber web, each continuous strand comprising a plurality of second carbon fibers, is disclosed. A gas diffusion substrate, electrode and membrane electrode assembly comprising said web is also disclosed, all of which may have application in electrochemical devices, for example in a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Karen Leanne Brown, Susan Joy Cooper, John Malcolm Gascoyne, Thomas Robertson Ralph
  • Patent number: 6673418
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a body-facing cover layer, a garment facing barrier layer and an absorbent element between the cover layer and the barrier layer. The cover layer is a non-woven fabric formed from an interconnected network thermoplastic polymer fiber elements. At least a portion of the non-woven fabric is three-dimensional having a plurality of raised regions, semi-raised regions and compressed regions, the raised regions having a lower fiber density relative to the semi-raised regions, the semi-raised regions having a lower fiber density relative to the compressed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo DeOlivera, John T. Ulman
  • Patent number: 6667254
    Abstract: New fibrous nonwoven webs are taught that comprise a mass of polyethylene terephthalate fibers that exhibit a double melting peak on a DSC plot: one peak is representative of a first molecular portion within the fiber that is in non-chain-extended crystalline form, and the other peak is representative of a second molecular portion within the fiber that is in chain-extended crystalline form and has a melting point elevated over that of the non-chain-extended crystalline form. Webs comprising fibers having such a morphology have a unique combination of durability and dimensional stability. The fibers are generally autogenously bonded at points of fiber intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Delton R. Thompson, Jr., David A. Olson, David C. Brownlee, Pamela A. Percha, Myles L. Brostrom
  • Publication number: 20030200991
    Abstract: A dual texture coform nonwoven web prepared from meltblown filaments and at least one secondary material is disclosed. The dual texture coform nonwoven web is useful as cleaning pads, wipes, mops, among other articles of manufacture. One surface of the dual texture coform nonwoven web contains coarse filaments, which impart an abrasive characteristic to this surface of the nonwoven web and the other surface contains fine filaments, which impart a non-abrasive or soft surface to the nonwoven web. Also disclosed is the process of producing the dual texture coform nonwoven web, method of using the dual texture coform nonwoven web as a wipe, mop, and the like, along with cleaning kits containing the coform nonwoven web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Elizabeth Keck, Charlene Bendu Harris