US4623576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightweight nonwoven tissue and method of manufacture
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-22
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Granted: 1986-11-18
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Expires: 2005-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Tissue comprising a matrix of nonwoven fibers having a basis weight generally in the range of about 25 to 50 gsm. The matrix is a meltblown web having incorporated therein staple fibers. The combination provides highly-improved tissue properties as well as strength and absorbency required for many tissue applications. The tissues may be formed by a conventional meltblowing process involving extrusion of a thermoplastic polymer as a filament in air streams which draw and attenuate the filaments to fine fibers, having an average diameter of up to about 10 microns. The staple fibers may be added to the air stream, and the turbulence produced where the air streams meet results in a uniform integration of the staple fibers into the meltblown web. The matrix may contain from about 30 to about 80 weight percent polymer and have a subjective softness rating of at least about 10.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Lloyd
- 👤 Maung H. Win
- 👤 Dennis E. Malueg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:28
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/903; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24595; Y10T428/24603; Y10T428/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An embossed nonwoven tissue having a total basis weight of from about 20 to about 50 g/m 2 comprising from about 30 to about 80 weight percent meltblown thermoplastic microfibers and from about 20 to about 70 weight percent cellulosic fibers, said tissue having an embossed bonding pattern concentration of from about 100 to about 1500 embossed areas per square inch wherein the thickness of the embossed areas is from about one-third to about two-thirds of the original thickness of the tissue and wherein the thermoplastic microfibers within the embossed areas remain as substantially discrete fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An embossed nonwoven tissue having a total basis weight of from about 20 to about 50 g/m 2 comprising from about 30 to about 80 weight percent meltblown thermoplastic microfibers and from about 20 to about 70 weight percent cellulosic fibers, said tissue having an embossed bonding pattern concentration of from about 100 to about 1500 embossed areas per square inch wherein the thickness of the embossed areas is from about one-third to about two-thirds of the original thickness of the tissue and wherein the thermoplastic microfibers within the embossed areas remain as substantially discrete fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said microfibers comprise from about 40 to about 60 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue comprises a total basis weight of from about 25 to about 30 grams per square meter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said cellulosic fibers have a coarseness coefficient below about 20 milligrams per meter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue of claim 4 wherein said cellulosic fibers have a coarseness coefficient below about 15 milligrams per square meter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue is embossed from about 15% to about 35% of its surface area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue is embossed with a fabric line pattern having a frequency of from about 15 to about 150 lines per inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue consists of one ply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said cellulosic fibers comprise hardwood fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue has a Softness Test Rating of at least 8.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue of claim 12 wherein said tissue has a Softness Test Rating of at least 9.5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tissue of claim 1 having an Invariant Tensile Energy Absorption of at about 15.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue of claim 10 having an Invariant Tensile Energy Absorption of at least about 20.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue of claim 11 having an Invariant Tensile Energy Absorption of at least about 30.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic microfibers are selected from a group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue is embossed over about 20% to about 30% of its surface with embossed points frequency of about 250 to about 5,000 points per square inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein said tissue comprises from about 0.15% to 1% by weight surfactant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue of claim 1 wherein the embossed bonding pattern concentration is about 800 embossed areas per square inch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-19 | 1990-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-17 | 1994-05-19 | 1994-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-17 | 1998-05-19 | 1998-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |