Appeal No. 97-4294 Page 18
Application No. 08/294,155
fibrillated microfibers and have lengths ranging from between
20 and 200 microns and diameters of 0.5 to 5 microns. Another
fine wettable fiber is the CFF fibrillated fiber fromŽ
American Cyanamid Company of Stanford, Conn.
Jackson also teaches that the fine wettable fibers prove
particularly advantageous when used in conjunction with high
swell superabsorbents. Certain superabsorbents when absorbing
liquids swell more than others. When such high swell
superabsorbents are used in absorbent composites, they will
tend to expand. As they do, the center to center spacing
between the particles increases thus increasing the void
volume of the
total composite. If the spacing becomes too large and thus
the void volume becomes too great, then the capillarity of the
structure will decrease, and, as a result, the absorbent
composite cannot be fully utilized. The fine wettable fibers,
however, will tend to bridge the gaps between the particles
and provide a path for liquid transport. Consequently, the
capillarity is maintained and the liquid can be wicked to more
remote areas of the absorbent.
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