Absorbent microstructure arrays and methods of use
AssigneeImagine TF, LLC
InventorBrian Edward Richardson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Absorbent microstructure panels are described herein. An example filter device includes a plurality of microstructure panels each having a front surface and a back surface, and a plurality of capillary ridges protruding from the front surface. The plurality of capillary ridges are each spaced apart from one another. The plurality of microstructure panels form an absorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality of microstructure panels together such that the plurality of capillary ridges of one microstructure panel contacts the back surface of an adjacent microstructure panel to create capillary tubes that draw fluid into the absorbent microstructure array.
Claims13
An absorbent microstructure array, comprising:
- a plurality of microstructure panels each having:
- a front surface, a back surface, and a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge are opposite with respect to each other and wherein a third edge and a fourth edge are opposite with respect to each other;
- and
- a corrugated capillary profile associated with the front surface, the corrugated capillary profile comprises alternating arcuate capillary ridges and arcuate capillary channels, the alternating arcuate capillary ridges and the arcuate capillary channels being straight and extending orthogonally to the first edge and the second edge, the arcuate capillary ridges forming a first set of capillary tubes with the front surface;
- and
- the plurality of microstructure panels form an absorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality of microstructure panels together such that the arcuate capillary ridges of one microstructure panel contact the back surface of an adjacent microstructure panel to create a second set of capillary tubes from the arcuate capillary channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.