Superabsorbent fiber compositions demonstrating efficient retention of exhaled heat and moisture

{
  "publication_number": "US5577494A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Superabsorbent fiber compositions demonstrating efficient retention of exhaled heat and moisture",
  "abstract": "A heat and moisture exchange media and device is provided from structural matrix fibers and superabsorbent fibers.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A heat and moisture exchange device comprising; a housing means having a central portion, a first inlet means defining an inlet port, and a second outlet means defining an outlet port, said inlet port means adapted to be connected to a patient via a conduit means, and said outlet port means adapted to be connected to a breathing apparatus means, said control portion adapted to hold a heat and moisture exchange media, and a heat and moisture exchange media which will function as a heat and moisture exchange media comprising a coherent fiber admixture of structural inter-engaging matrix fibers and from 5 to 50 percent by weight included absorbent fibers, said absorbent fibers capable of absorbing at least 10 times their weight in water, said heat and moisture exchange media held in said central portion of said housing means wherein said absorbent fibers and matrix fiber admixture has a moisture exchange efficiency of at least 16.9 as determined according to ISO/DIS 9360-1988 at 500 cc volume.",
    "2. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 1 wherein said heat and moisture exchange media is in the form of a nonwoven web and said absorbent fibers are capable of absorbing at least 30 times their weight in water.",
    "3. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 wherein said structural matrix fibers comprise bonding fibers.",
    "4. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 3 wherein said bonding fibers comprise a bicomponent fiber comprised of a lower melting point bonding polymer and a higher melting point polymer.",
    "5. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 wherein said structural matrix fibers comprise shaped fibers.",
    "6. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 5 wherein said shaped fibers have channels or grooves on the exterior of said shaped fibers for wicking moisture.",
    "7. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 5 wherein said web further comprises bonding fibers.",
    "8. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 7 wherein said matrix fibers comprise shaped fibers having channels or grooves on the exterior of said shaped fibers wherein said bonding fibers comprise 20 to 80 percent of the nonabsorbent fibers.",
    "9. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 wherein said absorbent fibers have a length of at least 5 mm.",
    "10. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 further comprising a cover web at least on the face of said media facing the inlet port.",
    "11. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 wherein said heat and moisture exchange device further comprises a web of electrostatically charged fibers as a biological filter in said housing means.",
    "12. The heat and moisture exchange device of claim 2 wherein the media is corrugated and arranged to provide flow passages in the direction of gas flow through the media."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "D04H 1/54",
    "A61M 16/1045",
    "A61M 16/1055",
    "A61M 16/106",
    "D04H 1/4391"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MINNESOTA MINING & MFG"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1994-08-10",
  "publication_date": "1996-11-26",
  "grant_date": "1996-11-26",
  "priority_date": "1992-09-14",
  "application_number": "US-28887494-A",
  "family_id": "25481316",
  "citations": [
    "CA1259869A",
    "EP0265163A2",
    "EP0269462A2",
    "EP0391814A2",
    "EP0409402A1",
    "JPH01104829A",
    "JPH02216208A",
    "US3102537A",
    "US3881482A",
    "US3895675A",
    "US4090513A",
    "US4327717A",
    "US4516573A",
    "US4609584A",
    "US4771770A",
    "US4874659A",
    "US4963638A",
    "US5002814A",
    "US5022394A",
    "US5035236A",
    "US5042468A",
    "WO9012130A2",
    "WO9316749A1"
  ]
}