Patent · US Expired

Bundles of fibers useful for moving liquids at high fluxes and acquisition/distribution structures that use the bundles

US6103376A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
16References
49Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 1997
Grant dateAug 15, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 15, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T442/696
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.