Oil-sorbing article and methods for making and using same
US5834385A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/696
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An absorbent article for use in cleaning oil spills comprises a first exposed outer layer of hydrophobic, liquid-permeable, fibrous polymeric nonwoven web and an absorbent body, adjacent the outer layer, comprising oil absorbent, cellulose-based material. Desirably, the article further comprises a second exposed outer layer of hydrophobic polymeric material with the absorbent body disposed between the first and second exposed outer layers. The absorbent article is placed on a layer of oil resting on the surface of a body of water for oil spill clean up. The absorbent article selectively absorbs oil over water because the outer hydrophobic layer repels water but attracts oil and transfers the oil to the oil absorbent body encased between the exposed outer layers. This invention results in considerable savings in cost and in non-renewable resources because the bulk of the product is a cellulose-based material, which is renewable, while only a small portion is polymeric nonwoven, which is non-renewable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.