Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas H. O'Flaherty
  • Patent number: 5242644
    Abstract: A process and extrusion die for making capillary channel structures having one or more intrastructure capillary channels. The process includes feeding a flowable, molten polymer composition through an extrusion die having an annular base orifice from which a plurality of capillary channel wall orifices radially extend. The extrusion die has a gas inlet port located interior to the annular base orifice. Simultaneous with feeding the polymer composition through the extrusion die's annular base and capillary channel wall orifices a gaseous stream is directed through the gas inlet port in the same direction as the flow of molten polymer composition. Subsequent to exit of the polymer composition from the extrusion die, the capillary channel structure is drawn to a desired size and cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Hugh A. Thompson, Edward H. Kraut6ter
  • Patent number: 5227188
    Abstract: Roasted coffee granules are admixed with roasted coffee non-granules in critical weight ratios. The smaller coffee non-granules include flaked coffee, flaked coffee fines, ground coffee fines, and coffee agglomerates. The larger coffee granules include roast and ground coffee. The coffee granules and coffee non-granules are densified to between 0.41 to 0.56 grams/cc. The compact coffee has the flowability, flavor, aroma and strength of roast and ground coffee. At equal volumes, the compact coffee results in more brewed coffee than conventional roast and ground coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Leppla, Steven J. Kirkpatrick, William C. Papa
  • Patent number: 5223179
    Abstract: Detergent compositions containing N-(1,2 propanediol) fatty acid amide surfactants of the general type RC(0)NR.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.2 OH, especially where R.sup.1 is methyl or hydroxyethyl, are useful surfactants in laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, bar soaps, and hard surface cleaners. The amide surfactants provide good cleaning even in the absence of LAS surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Connor, Jeffrey J. Scheibel, Yi-Chang Fu, Bruce P. Murch, Randall A. Watson, Kirsten L. McKillop
  • Patent number: 5215221
    Abstract: A disposable unit dose dispenser is provided for fluidizing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered product, such as an antihistamine or a decongestant. The dispenser includes a first layer and a second layer connected together to form a gas chamber and a product reservoir adjacent one another. The product reservoir includes a delivery tube adapted to dispense the powdered product. The dispenser also includes a seal which separates the gas chamber from the product reservoir such that when pressure is applied to the gas chamber by squeezing the dispenser the seal ruptures causing a jet of gas to discharge from the gas chamber into the adjacent product reservoir fluidizing and dispensing substantially all of the powdered product from the product reservoir through the delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Dirksing
  • Patent number: 5209376
    Abstract: A finger actuated dispenser for a multi-component reactant toothpaste, or other fluent materials. The dispenser preferably comprises at least two coaxial cylindrical product reservoirs wherein the uppermost end of each product reservoir communicates with the other reservoirs through generally coaxial nozzles. The lowermost end of each reservoir is equipped with a concentric piston connected rearward of its leading face to the rearward portions of the other pistons by a plurality of radially oriented spokes having knife edges on their forwardmost surfaces. The knife edges taper outwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the reservoirs from the interior of the innermost reservoir toward the outermost reservoir, thereby outwardly expanding the innermost surface of the innermost reservoir wall as the pistons and knife edges are advanced upwardly relative to the product reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Dirksing
  • Patent number: 5186344
    Abstract: A package having means for producing an audible signal, such as a "click", which signals the consumer as soon as a predetermined level of engagement between a container and a closure has been achieved. Normally the desired level of engagement establishes some type of seal between the package components which contact one another. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a semi-rigid polymeric container having a discharge orifice, a sealing member preferably comprising a filter support member secured across the discharge orifice of the container and a closure having attachment means capable of forming a substantially gas-tight atmospheric seal between all three components upon initial closing of the package to the atmosphere is provided. The container and closure are further provided with interfering projections, at least one of which is resiliently deformable, which will contact one another only after the sealing member has been removed from the package and discarded and the closure reapplied to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Charles D. Cook
  • Patent number: 5181630
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing vessel having a pour spout which will provide substantially mess-free dispensing of viscous liquids, such as laundry detergents, during two different modes of dispensing: a concentrated stream as might be used for spot treating articles of clothing; and a bulk dispensing cycle to quickly empty the vessel's contents into a washing machine. The dual function pouring spout of the present invention may be employed either directly on a bulk liquid container or on a closure member used to transfer liquid from a bulk liquid container to a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Mark P. McNally
  • Patent number: 5182043
    Abstract: Anionic, sulfobenzoyl end-capped esters useful as soil release agents in granular detergent compositions. The terephthalate esters contain oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units, and are substantially amorphous in form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Morrall, Eugene P. Gosselink, Robert Y. Pan, Bala C. Nayar
  • Patent number: 5167897
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching "zero strain" stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The "zero strain" stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gerald M. Weber, William R. Vinnage, Jr., Douglas H. Benson, David A. Sabatelli, James W. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5165761
    Abstract: A method of making toothbrushes having bristle tufts with ends in two or more distinct planes, all of said bristle tufts having individual bristles which are substantially uniformly rounded at their free ends. The method of making is a repeated sequence of steps used to attach all of the bristle tufts of the shortest overall length followed by cutting and end rounding of the individual bristles in the first group of tufts while all of the free ends of the bristles are in a first plane. This is done prior to affixing the next group of bristle tufts of greater overall length. The cutting and end rounding sequence is thereafter repeated for each ascending bristle tuft elevation. The final toothbrush bristle contour is a function of the pattern of attachment for each bristle tuft elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Dirksing
  • Patent number: 5161734
    Abstract: A sift-resistant, reclosable carton for granular or powdered materials. The carton is a six-sided enclosure including opposed top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing end walls. Each end wall is comprised of an inner layer having a top edge abutting the top wall and an outer layer. The outer layer has a horizontal tear strip thereacross. The front wall has an inner layer having a top edge abutting the top wall and an outer layer. The outer layer has a horizontal tear strip thereacross which is integral with the tear strips of the end walls, forming one continuous tear strip. A glue flap is integrally attached to the top edge of the inner layer of the front wall along substantially its full length. The glue flap has a distal attachment portion and a proximal locking portion. The two portions are joined along a full length line of weakness. The distal attachment portion is secured to the inner surface of the outer layer of the front wall above the tear strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble
    Inventors: Dennis J. Ruehl, Charles L. Gunn, James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5158699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable dispersoidal liquid soap cleansing composition comprising:A. from about 5% to about 20% by weight of potassium fatty acid soap;B. from about 2.5% to about 18% C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 free fatty acid; wherein said fatty acid has an Iodine Value of from zero to about 15; and a titer of from about 44 to about 70;C. from about 55% to about 90% water; and po0 D. from about 0.1% to about 4% of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of: from about 0.1% to about 2.0% of an electrolyte; and from 0% to about 2.0% of a polymeric thickener; and mixtures thereof; andwherein said soap and said free fatty acid have a weight ratio of about 1:0.5 to about 1:1; and wherein said liquid has an initial viscosity of from about 4,000 cps to about 100,000 cps and a cycle viscosity of from about 10,000 cps to about 100,000 cps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Neil A. MacGilp, Kathleen G. Baier, Richard M. Girardot, Efrain Torres
  • Patent number: 5158819
    Abstract: A soft, silky, cloth-like polymeric web exhibiting either patterns of microapertured or microbubbled surface aberrations, said webs further including a contrasting visually discernible pattern which imparts an embossed appearance to at least one surface thereof. Such polymeric webs may be either fluid-pervious or fluid-impervious, as desired, depending upon the particular end use. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the visually discernible pattern comprises a regularly repeating pattern which imparts an improved aesthetic appearance to the webs. Method and apparatus for producing such polymeric webs are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: William H. Goodman, Jr., William I. Mullane, Jr., Bruce F. Perry, Gary G. Trout
  • Patent number: 5156793
    Abstract: A "zero strain" stretch laminate web exhibiting a non-uniform degree of elasticity, as measured in the direction of elasticization at various points along an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of elasticization. Improved method and apparatus for non-uniformly stretching "zero strain" stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching are also disclosed. The "zero strain" stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Buell, Gerald M. Weber, James R. Mick, James W. Richardson
  • Patent number: D330142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark M. McNerney, Janet B. Reid
  • Patent number: D330143
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark M. McNerney, Janet B. Reid
  • Patent number: D330677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Del M. Thornock, James R. Goldberg
  • Patent number: D331815
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventors: Joseph A. DiSomma, Ann M. Krog
  • Patent number: D332873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hall
  • Patent number: D334473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniel W. Volpenhein, Thomas J. Hall