Unitized fibrous constructs having functional circumferential retaining elements

Abstract

A unitized fibrous construct for providing reinforcement to castable structures, such as cementitious structures is claimed. The construct includes a bundle of reinforcing fibers or filaments that are held in place prior to addition to the cementitious mixture by a retaining element. The retaining element is of such a composition that upon release into the cementitious mixture it provides reinforcing capability to the cement structure. As such, the construct adds additional reinforcing capability and diminishes the likelihood of detrimental side-effects attributed to retaining elements that otherwise dissolve or disperse in the cementitious mixture.

1 . A unitized fibrous construct for reinforcing a cementitious mixture, the construct comprising: 
 a plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers oriented in a generally parallel relationship such that the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers form a unit having a circumferential exterior surface; and    a retaining element that surrounds at least a portion of the circumferential exterior surface and retains the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers prior to adding the construct to the cementitious mixture,    wherein the retaining element serves as a reinforcing element in the cementitious mixture.    
   
   
       2 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments and the retaining element are formed of similar materials.  
   
   
       3 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments further comprise a plurality of continuous reinforcing filaments.  
   
   
       4 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing fibers further comprises a plurality of finite staple length reinforcing fibers.  
   
   
       5 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments further comprises a plurality of fibrillated reinforcing filaments.  
   
   
       6 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers is further defined as being imparted with tension to impart greater dispersion upon addition to the cementitious mixture.  
   
   
       7 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise splittable reinforcing filaments or fibers.  
   
   
       8 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a super absorbent polymer composition.  
   
   
       9 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element further comprises a splittable filament or fiber retaining element.  
   
   
       10 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element further comprises a super absorbent polymer composition.  
   
   
       11 . The construct of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element circumscribes no more than 80% of the total surface area of the circumferential exterior surface.  
   
   
       12 . A unitized fibrous construct for reinforcing a cementitious mixture, the construct comprising: 
 a plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers oriented in a generally parallel relationship such that the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers form a unit having a circumferential exterior surface; and    a retaining element formed of one or more splittable filaments that surrounds at least a portion of the circumferential exterior surface and retains the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers prior to adding the construct to the cementitious mixture.    
   
   
       13 . The construct of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise filaments or fibers having a composition similar to the retaining element.  
   
   
       14 . The construct of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a plurality of fibrillated reinforcing filaments.  
   
   
       15 . The construct of  claim 14 , wherein the fibrillated filaments are further defined as being imparted with tension.  
   
   
       16 . The construct of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a super absorbent polymer composition.  
   
   
       17 . The construct of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a plurality of splittable reinforcing filaments.  
   
   
       18 . A unitized fibrous construct for reinforcing a cementitious mixture, the construct comprising: 
 a plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers oriented in a generally parallel relationship such that the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers form a unit having a circumferential exterior surface; and    a retaining element formed of a super absorbent polymer composition that surrounds at least a portion of the circumferential exterior surface and retains the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers prior to adding the construct to the cementitious mixture.    
   
   
       19 . The construct of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise filaments or fibers having a composition similar to the retaining element.  
   
   
       20 . The construct of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a plurality of splittable reinforcing filaments or fibers.  
   
   
       21 . The construct of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments or fibers further comprise a super absorbent polymer composition.