Fabric (woven – knitted – or nonwoven textile or cloth – etc.) – Coated or impregnated woven – knit – or nonwoven fabric which... – Coated or impregnated synthetic organic fiber fabric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2002-07-16
Morris, Terrel (Department: 1771)
Fabric (woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.)
Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which...
Coated or impregnated synthetic organic fiber fabric
C442S164000, C442S123000, C428S320200, C428S305500, C015S209100, C015S104930, C401S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06420284
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fabrics made from poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, that are at least partially saturated with a solvent, and useful as wipes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wipes are used for many purposes in a variety of applications. When saturated with solvents, wipes provide a convenient method of cleaning surfaces. However, wipes of the prior art suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, many fabrics used for wipes are not sufficiently absorbent, and do not hold or distribute the solvent very well. Many materials used for the fabrics are not very resistant to acids and bases, or degrade when stored for intermediate periods of time. Other fabrics, such as cellulose-based fabrics, are not very strong, and fall apart when contacted with solvent. Thus, there is a need for a wipe with improved absorbency, shelf life, chemical resistance, and strength.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been discovered that wipes constructed of poly(vinyl alcohol) give improved absorbency, shelf life, chemical resistance, and strength over wipes of the prior art. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides a fabric comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, and a solvent, wherein the fabric is at least partially saturated with the solvent.
In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising a container, and a plurality of adjacent sheets disposed within the container, wherein the sheets comprise the fabric.
In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising a container; and a roll of the fabric disposed within the container; wherein the fabric comprises a width and a length, the length/width ratio is greater than 10:1, a series of perforations traverse the width of the fabric at evenly spaced intervals.
In still another aspect the invention provides a method of using the fabric comprising contacting the fabric with the residue of a chemical process or mechanical process.
Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the Examples included therein.
Before the present materials and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific methods or materials as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Use of Terms
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a fiber” includes mixtures of fibers.
Ranges are often expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Similarly, when ranges extend from one endpoint to another endpoint, another embodiment includes the range between the endpoints and excluding the endpoints.
References in the specification and concluding claims to parts by weight, of a particular element or component in a composition or article, denotes the weight relationship between the element or component and any other elements or components in the composition or article for which a part by weight is expressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts by weight of component X and 5 parts by weight component Y, X and Y are present at a weight ratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratio regardless of whether additional components are contained in the compound.
A weight percent of a component, unless specifically stated to the contrary, is based on the total weight of the formulation, composition, or material in which the component is included.
A residue of a chemical process, as used in the specification and concluding claims, refers to the resulting product or by-product of a particular reaction scheme or chemical process. A residue of a mechanical process refers to the by-product or waste generated during the mechanical process, such as grease, grime, or particulate matter.
By the term “effective amount” of a compound or property as provided herein is meant such amount as is capable of performing the function of the compound or property for which an effective amount is expressed. As will be pointed out below, the exact amount required will vary from process to process, depending on recognized variables such as the compounds employed and the processing conditions observed. Thus, it is not always possible to specify an exact “effective amount.” However, an appropriate effective amount may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation.
Degree of hydrolysis also includes degree of saponification where saponification is employed in the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol).
Solvent means any liquid which is suitable for use in a wipe, and includes pure liquids, mixtures of liquids, and solutions that contain dissolved ingredients such as softeners and cleaning agents.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention provides a fabric comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, and a solvent, wherein the fabric is at least partially saturated with the solvent.
In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising a container, and a plurality of adjacent sheets disposed within the container, wherein the sheets comprise the fabric.
In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising a container; and a roll of the fabric disposed within the container; wherein the fabric comprises a width and a length, the length/width ratio is greater than 10:1, a series of perforations traverse the width of the fabric at evenly spaced intervals.
In still another aspect the invention provides a method of using the fabric comprising contacting the fabric with the residue of a chemical or mechanical process.
The invention is preferably practiced with poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers meeting the following characteristics:
1. Degree of polymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol): Preferably from about 300 to about 5000, more preferably from about 800 to about 3000, and still more preferably from about 1200 to about 2000.
2. Degree of hydrolysis of poly(vinyl alcohol): Preferably greater than 95%, more preferably greater than 97%, even more preferably greater than 98%, even further preferably greater than 99%. In a separate embodiment, when the solvent is not water, the degree of hydrolysis can be as low as 80% and below 85%, 90%, or 95%.
3. Average denier of fibers: Preferably from about 0.1 to about 10, more preferably from about 0.5 and about 5, and even more preferably from about 1 to about 3 denier.
4. Average length of fibers: Preferably from about 4 mm to about 300 mm, more preferably from about 5 to about 100 mm, even more preferably from about 15 to about 60 mm, and most preferably from about 38 mm. The foregoing lengths are preferred when using staple fibers to form nonwoven fabrics. In another embodiment the fibers are continuous filaments. Continuous filaments are especially useful to form woven or knitted fabrics. Continuous filaments are preferably less than about 3 deniers.
5. Temperature above which the fiber is soluble in water, and below which the fiber is insoluble in w
Burdette Scott Blaine
Lee Baosheng
Myers Ashley D.
Isolyser Company, Inc.
Morris Terrel
Needle & Rosenberg P.C.
Singh Arti R.
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