Flexible structure comprising starch filaments
OwnerPaul Dennis Trokhan, David William Cabellinventors
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Abstract
A flexible structure comprises a plurality of starch filaments. The structure comprises at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property selected from the group consisting of density, basis weight, elevation, opacity, crepe frequency, and any combination thereof. The common intensive property of the first region differs in value from the common intensive property of the second region.
Claims34
A flexible structure comprising a plurality of starch filaments, the structure comprising at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property, wherein the at least one common intensive property of the first region differs in value from the at least one common intensive property of the second region.
A flexible structure comprising starch filaments, the structure comprising at least a substantially continuous network region and a plurality of discrete areas dispersed throughout the substantially continuous network region, wherein the substantially continuous network region has a relatively high density relative to a relatively low density of the plurality of discrete areas.
A flexible structure comprising a plurality of starch filaments, wherein the flexible structure is made by
- producing the plurality of starch filaments by melt-spinning, dry-spinning, wet-spinning, electro-spinning or any combination thereof;
- providing a fluid-permeable molding member comprising a reinforcing element joined to a patterned resinous framework having at least one aperture therethrough, the framework having a filament-receiving side structured to receive the plurality of starch filaments thereon and a backside opposite to the filament-receiving side, the reinforcing element being positioned between the filament-receiving side and at least a portion of the backside of the framework, the filament-receiving side comprising a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a discontinuous pattern, or any combination thereon;
- depositing the plurality of starch filaments to the filament-receiving side of the molding member, wherein the plurality of starch filaments at least partially conform to the pattern of the filament-receiving side of the framework;
- applying a fluid pressure differential to the plurality of starch filaments, thereby forming first regions of the plurality of filaments supported by the patterned framework, and second regions of the plurality of starch filaments deflected into the at least one aperture thereof and supported by the reinforcing element;
- and
- separating the plurality of the starch filaments from the molding member, whereby the flexible structure comprising the first region and the second region is formed.
A process for making a flexible structure comprising starch filaments, the process comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of starch filaments;
- (b) providing a molding member having a filament-receiving side and a backside opposite thereto, wherein the filament-receiving side has a three-dimensional pattern therein;
- and
- (c) depositing the plurality of starch filaments on the filament-receiving side of the molding member and causing the plurality of starch filaments to at least partially conform to the three-dimensional pattern thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.