US Patent No: 5,989,478
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
Method of manufacturing fluid transport webs exhibiting surface energy gradients
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Nov 23, 1999
Issued date -
Apr 11, 1997
filing date -
08/837,024
serial no -
In Force
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Importance
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Abstract
The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to a fluid-pervious web comprising a first or wearer-contacting surface and a second or garment-facing surface. The web is particularly well suited for use as a topsheet on a disposable absorbent article. The first and second surfaces are separated from one another by an intermediate portion. The first surface of the web provides a structure which exhibits a surface energy less than the surface energy of the intermediate portion. In a preferred embodiment, the web exhibits a plurality of regions of comparatively low surface energy which define surface energy gradients where they interface with higher surface energy web surfaces. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a fluid-pervious web having a plurality of small-scale surface energy gradients which are oriented and located so as to effectively transport fluid away from the first or wearer-contacting surface. The web essentially retains its visual, tactile, and physical properties of the substrate material while achieving the desired surface energy properties. Fluid transport webs according to the present invention preferably include discontinuous, spaced regions defining small scale surface energy gradients on the first surface to aid in small scale fluid movement toward apertures or capillary entrances for transport away from the first surface. Such webs also preferably include small scale surface energy gradients normal to the first surface within a capillary structure to aid in moving fluid away from the first surface and into the capillaries for capillary fluid transport. Web materials suitable for use in the present invention include apertured formed films, apertured and non-apertured nonwoven materials, composite structures, and the like.
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First Claim
Related Publications
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International Classification(s)
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Cited Art
| Patent Info | (Count) | # Cites | Year |
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| 4,753,840 Coated fabric | 58 | 1985 | |
| 4,767,586 Apparatus and method for forming a multicomponent integral laid fibrous web with discrete homogeneous compositional zones, and fibrous web produced thereby | 32 | 1986 | |
| 4,857,251 Method of forming a nonwoven web from a surface-segregatable thermoplastic composition | 58 | 1988 | |
| 4,920,168 Stabilized siloxane-containing melt-extrudable thermoplastic compositions | 55 | 1988 | |
| 5,370,132 Repellent-treated, barrier-coated nonwoven web | 41 | 1990 | |
| 5,145,727 Multilayer nonwoven composite structure | 208 | 1990 | |
| 5,120,888 Surface-segregatable, melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition | 33 | 1991 | |
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| 4,342,314 Resilient plastic web exhibiting fiber-like properties | 364 | 1980 | |
| 4,463,045 Macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic web exhibiting non-glossy visible surface and cloth-like tactile impression | 268 | 1982 | |
| 4,591,523 Apertured macroscopically expanded three-dimensional polymeric web exhibiting breatheability and resistance to fluid transmission | 70 | 1985 | |
| 4,609,518 Multi-phase process for debossing and perforating a polymeric web to coincide with the image of one or more three-dimensional forming structures | 200 | 1985 | |
| 4,629,643 Microapertured polymeric web exhibiting soft and silky tactile impression | 190 | 1985 | |
| 4,637,819 Macroscopically expanded three-dimensional polymeric web for transmitting both dynamically deposited and statically contacted fluids from one surface to the other | 95 | 1985 | |
| 5,431,643 Absorbent article having a nonwoven topsheet with fluid impervious areas | 40 | 1993 | |
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| 4,629,457 Absorbent facing and method for making the same | 29 | 1985 | |
| 4,690,679 Coextruded apertured film sanitary napkin cover | 106 | 1986 | |
| 4,755,413 Apertured film facing and method of making the same | 49 | 1986 | |
| 4,820,294 Apertured film facing and method of making the same | 39 | 1988 | |
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| 4,710,186 Clean and dry appearance facing | 53 | 1984 | |
| 5,135,521 Sanitary napkin with composite cover | 53 | 1990 | |
| 5,264,268 Sanitary napkin with composite cover | 23 | 1992 | |
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| 4,804,378 Absorbent article | 30 | 1987 | |
| 5,023,124 Absorbent article | 14 | 1990 | |
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| 5,244,951 Durably hydrophilic, thermoplastic fiber | 22 | 1991 | |
| 5,300,357 Durably hydrophilic, thermoplastic fiber and fabric made from said fiber | 34 | 1993 | |
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| 4,456,570 Treatment of perforated film | 48 | 1982 | |
| 4,535,020 Perforated film | 70 | 1984 | |
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| 5,273,596 Nonwoven fabric for diaper top sheet and method of making the same | 43 | 1992 | |
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| 4,551,377 Absorbent pads | 27 | 1983 | |
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| 4,585,449 Disposable diaper with improved top sheet | 28 | 1985 | |
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| 5,288,532 Transferable modifier-containing film | 27 | 1992 | |
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| 4,360,022 Sanitary napkin | 26 | 1980 | |
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| 5,126,389 Silicone rubber composition for treatment of fiber structures | 4 | 1990 | |
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| 5,225,257 Fluorine treatment of stretch/cling films | 10 | 1992 | |
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| 4,780,352 Covering structure for absorbent hygienic-sanitary products, and an absorbent product having such a covering | 45 | 1986 | |
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| 4,921,704 Wound dressing | 45 | 1989 | |
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| 5,340,363 Wound dressing | 61 | 1990 | |
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| 4,423,101 Absorbent products | 26 | 1981 | |
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| 5,147,338 Medicated, low adherency wound dressings | 103 | 1991 | |
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| 4,838,253 Silicone gel coated permeable wound dressing | 72 | 1987 | |
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| 4,351,784 Corona treatment of perforated film | 44 | 1980 | |
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| 4,704,112 Facing for absorptive articles and process for making it | 104 | 1986 | |
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| 4,676,786 Paper diaper | 64 | 1986 | |