US5695829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modified polymeric material having improved wettability
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1996-09-25
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2016-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Proteins are applied to a polymeric article by contacting the polymeric article with a protein and exposing the contacted polymeric article to a frequency with a sufficient power dissipation for a sufficient period of time. A frequency range for applying proteins to a polymeric article is between about 5 kHz to about 40 kHz with a minimum power dissipated of about 1 watt. As a result, polymeric articles so treated exhibit improved water wettability, proteins may be applied to the polymeric articles very rapidly and more uniformly than by other methods, and polymeric articles having selected zones of wettability may be produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Bradshaw Quincy, III
- 👤 Ronald Sinclair Nohr
- 👤 Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:57
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D3/00; B05D3/12; D; D06; D06M; D06M10/00; D06M10/02; D06M10/04; D06M10/08; D06M10/10; D06M15/00; D06M15/01; D06M15/15; D21; D21H; D21H17/00; D21H17/20; D21H17/21; D21H17/22; D21H25/00; D21H25/04; D21H25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A process for applying a protein to a hydrophobic polymer to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said hydrophobic polymer, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the hydrophobic polymer into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the hydrophobic polymer or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the hydrophobic polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A process for applying a protein to a hydrophobic polymer to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said hydrophobic polymer, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the hydrophobic polymer into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the hydrophobic polymer or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the hydrophobic polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the hydrophobic polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the frequency is an ultrasonic frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of casein, fibrinogen, gelatin, hemoglobin, and lysozyme.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solution is a pH buffer solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic polymer is a polyolefin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the polyolefin is a polypropylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for applying a protein to a shaped hydrophobic polymeric material to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said shaped hydrophobic polymeric material, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for applying a protein to a shaped hydrophobic polymeric material to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said shaped hydrophobic polymeric material, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the frequency is an ultrasonic frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of casein, fibrinogen, gelatin, hemoglobin, and lysozyme.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the solution is a pH buffer solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the shaped hydrophobic polymeric material is a polyolefin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the polyolefin is a polypropylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for applying a protein to a fibrous nonwoven web formed from a hydrophobic polymer to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said fibrous nonwoven web, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the fibrous nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the fibrous nonwoven web or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the fibrous nonwoven web.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for applying a protein to a fibrous nonwoven web formed from a hydrophobic polymer to obtain a hydrophilic surface on said fibrous nonwoven web, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the fibrous nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the fibrous nonwoven web or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the fibrous nonwoven web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the frequency is an ultrasonic frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of casein, fibrinogen, gelatin, hemoglobin, and lysozyme.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the solution is a pH buffer solution.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the hydrophobic polymer is a polyolefin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the polyolefin is a polypropylene.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for converting a polyolefin nonwoven web to a wettable nonwoven web capable of absorbing 1/20 milliliter of water in less than 60 seconds, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the polyolefin nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the polyolefin nonwoven web or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the polyolefin nonwoven web.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for converting a polyolefin nonwoven web to a wettable nonwoven web capable of absorbing 1/20 milliliter of water in less than 60 seconds, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the polyolefin nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein; and exposing the solution of a protein to a frequency of at least 5 kHz, wherein the frequency is produced by a frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with the solution of a protein and is either in physical contact with the polyolefin nonwoven web or is spaced a distance of up to 3 inches from the polyolefin nonwoven web.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 21 wherein the frequency is an ultrasonic frequency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 21 wherein the polyolefin nonwoven web is a meltblown nonwoven web.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 21 wherein the polyolefin nonwoven web is a polypropylene meltblown nonwoven web.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for applying a protein to a fibrous nonwoven web formed from a hydrophobic polymer in order to render said fibrous nonwoven web wettable with water and capable of absorbing 1/20 milliliter of water in less than 60 seconds, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the fibrous nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein, wherein the concentration of the protein in solution is less than 0.1 percent by weight based on the weight of the solution; and exposing the solution of a protein to an ultrasonic frequency in the range of between about 19 kHz to about 21 kHz, wherein the ultrasonic frequency is produced by an ultrasonic frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with both the solution of the protein and the fibrous nonwoven web.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for applying a protein to a fibrous nonwoven web formed from a hydrophobic polymer in order to render said fibrous nonwoven web wettable with water and capable of absorbing 1/20 milliliter of water in less than 60 seconds, the process comprising the steps of: bringing the fibrous nonwoven web into physical contact with a solution of a protein, wherein the concentration of the protein in solution is less than 0.1 percent by weight based on the weight of the solution; and exposing the solution of a protein to an ultrasonic frequency in the range of between about 19 kHz to about 21 kHz, wherein the ultrasonic frequency is produced by an ultrasonic frequency source comprising a horn having a tip, and wherein the tip of the horn is in physical contact with both the solution of the protein and the fibrous nonwoven web.
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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) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |