| (19) |
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(11) |
EP 0 279 677 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
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17.01.1990 Bulletin 1990/03 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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24.08.1988 Bulletin 1988/34 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 18.02.1988 |
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| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)4: A41G 11/02 |
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| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
20.02.1987 US 17472
03.08.1987 GB 8718330
07.12.1987 GB 8728582
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| (71) |
Applicant: ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP. |
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Albany,
New York 12204 (US) |
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| (72) |
Inventors: |
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- Donovan, James G.
Norwell
Massachusetts 02061 (US)
- Groh, Zivile M.
Sharon
Massachusetts 02067 (US)
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| (74) |
Representative: Bardo, Julian Eason et al |
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Abel & Imray
Northumberland House
303-306 High Holborn
London, WC1V 7LH
London, WC1V 7LH (GB) |
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Remarks: |
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A request for correction of the originally filed description and claims has been filed
pursuant to Rule 88 EPC. A decision on the request will be taken during the proceedings
before the Examining Division (Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, A-V, 2.2). |
|
| (54) |
Improvements in and relating to synthetic down |
(57) The present invention relates to a method of forming a thermal insulating material
which method comprises
forming a fibre assemblage from 70 to 95 percent by weight of synthetic polymeric
microfibres having a diameter of from 3 to 12 microns; and
from 5 to 30 percent by weight of synthetic polymeric macrofibres having a diameter
not less than 12 microns,
shaping the assemblage so formed,
and effecting bonding between at least some of the fibres at their contact points
such that the density of the resultant structure is within the range 3 to 16 kg/m³,
the bonding being effected without significant loss to thermal insulating properties
compared with the unbonded assemblage.