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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsFranklin M. C. Chen, David L. LeMahieu, William S. Pomplun, Dave A. Soerens
Estimating the term…
An absorbent structure comprising a fibrous web of cellulosic material, a first complex forming material present within said web and a second complex forming material present within said web. When wetted, the first and second complex forming materials form a complex thereby providing the fibrous web of cellulosic material with improved integrity.
A method for improving the integrity of an absorbent fibrous web of material, the steps of the method comprising:
A method for improving the integrity of an absorbent fibrous web of material, the steps of the method comprising:
A method for improving the integrity of an absorbent fibrous web of material, the steps of the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor;…:…
Containing macromolecular materials: mixtures of macromolecular compounds
Characterized by quantifiable properties: density
Characterised by the absorbing medium: being made from pulp
Term ended 3 Jun 2014 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an absorbent fibrous web. Specifically, the present invention concerns an absorbent fibrous cellulosic web possessing improved integrity.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of one embodiment of an absorbent structure according to the present invention in a dry state.
FIG. 2 is a photomicrograph of one embodiment of an absorbent structure according to the present invention in a wet state.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a testing apparatus used to evaluate vertical fluid intake and flow back of absorbent structures according to the present invention.
The present invention relates to an absorbent structure. The absorbent structure comprises a fibrous web preferably of cellulosic material. While reference herein may be made to a cellulosic web, it is to be understood that other materials such as, for example, meltblown polyethylene or propylene, may be employed to form the web. Exemplary of the cellulosic fibrous material suitable for use in the present invention is comminuted wood pulp known as wood pulp fluff. Also suitable for use are cotton, rayon, and the like. When wood pulp fluff is employed to form the cellulosic fibrous web, the wood pulp fluff may be formed from bleached or unbleached hardwood pulp, bleached or unbleached softwood pulp, or a combination of hardwood and softwood pulps. Suitable wood pulp fluff webs have a density of from about 0.05 to about 4.0 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably from about 0.1 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter measured under a load of 0.2 pounds per square inch.
Present in the fibrous web are first and second complex forming materials. At least one and preferably both of the complex forming materials are water-soluble. As used herein, the term "water-soluble" refers to materials which dissolve completely in water to give a true solution as opposed to materials which form a latex or suspension of undissolved particles. The complex forming materials generally have weight average molecular weights (M.sub.w) within the range of from about 10,000 to about 20,000,000.
As used herein, the term "complex forming material" refers to material which, when in the presence of water, is capable of forming a complex with a second material. As used herein, the term "complex" refers to a situation wherein two molecules are linked to one another through the presence of bonds, such as hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds or the like.