Patents by Inventor Andrew M. Hopkins
Andrew M. Hopkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11969322Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Kyle Mark Barriger, Michael Donald Sperl, Russell J. Brumm, Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung, Ellen E. Pelky, Kimberly M. Downs
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Patent number: 11014313Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be supported by a deployment system that lowers the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets toward, and raises the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets away from, a working surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Joshua P. Carlsen, Taylor M. Williamson, Jeff D. Eastin, Robert D. Dennis, Thomas D. Wilson, Bianca M. Moran, Kari P. Larkin, John R. Henry, Isaac K. Jacob, James M. Kestner
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Patent number: 10821685Abstract: A tensioning system that can be used with a heater blanket and a vacuum bag for heating a workpiece can include a tensioner including at least one flexible rod. The tensioner can further include an end cap positioned on one or both ends of the flexible rod. The tensioner can be inserted through one or more sleeves attached to the vacuum bag, and each end of the flexible rod can be positioned within a pocket and thereby attached to the vacuum bag. In one implementation, the flexible rod can be rotated relative to the one or more end caps to decrease or increase a length of the tensioner, and the length of the tensioner is thereby adjustable. The tension applied to the vacuum bag can mitigate sealing of a seal of the vacuum bag with a layup mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Todd S. Trujillo, John R. Henry
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Publication number: 20200023596Abstract: A tensioning system that can be used with a heater blanket and a vacuum bag for heating a workpiece can include a tensioner including at least one flexible rod. The tensioner can further include an end cap positioned on one or both ends of the flexible rod. The tensioner can be inserted through one or more sleeves attached to the vacuum bag, and each end of the flexible rod can be positioned within a pocket and thereby attached to the vacuum bag. In one implementation, the flexible rod can be rotated relative to the one or more end caps to decrease or increase a length of the tensioner, and the length of the tensioner is thereby adjustable. The tension applied to the vacuum bag can mitigate sealing of a seal of the vacuum bag with a layup mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Todd S. Trujillo, John R. Henry
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Publication number: 20190152164Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be supported by a deployment system that lowers the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets toward, and raises the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets away from, a working surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Joshua P. Carlsen, Taylor M. Williamson, Jeff D. Eastin, Robert D. Dennis, Thomas D. Wilson, Bianca M. Moran, Kari P. Larkin, John R. Henry, Isaac K. Jacob, James M. Kestner
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Patent number: 10220579Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald J. Sutkus, James M. Kestner, Jennifer S. Noel, Robert J. Miller, Marc R. Matsen, Christopher J. Hottes, Mark E. King, Darren R. Walker
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Patent number: 10213969Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be supported by a deployment system that lowers the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets toward, and raises the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets away from, a working surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Joshua P. Carlsen, Taylor M. Williamson, Jeff D. Eastin, Robert D. Dennis, Thomas D. Wilson, Bianca M. Moran, Kari P. Larkin, John R. Henry, Isaac K. Jacob, James M. Kestner
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Patent number: 10150233Abstract: Ply wrinkling during hot drape forming of a composite laminate is reduced at outside corner radii of a forming tool. First and second tensioning materials placed between a composite laminate charge and the forming tool maintain the laminate charge in tension at the radius corners as the charge is formed down over corner radii.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William Thomas Kline, Christopher Gary Harris, Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald John Sutkus, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180147794Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald J. Sutkus, James M. Kestner, Jennifer S. Noel, Robert J. Miller, Marc R. Matsen, Christopher J. Hottes, Mark E. King, Darren R. Walker
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Patent number: 9914269Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald J. Sutkus, James M. Kestner, Jennifer S. Noel, Robert J. Miller, Marc R. Matsen, Christopher J. Hottes, Mark E. King, Darren R. Walker
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Publication number: 20170246816Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be supported by a deployment system that lowers the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets toward, and raises the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets away from, a working surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Joshua P. Carlsen, Taylor M. Williamson, Jeff D. Eastin, Robert D. Dennis, Thomas D. Wilson, Bianca M. Moran, Kari P. Larkin, John R. Henry, Isaac K. Jacob, James M. Kestner
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Publication number: 20170246817Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald J. Sutkus, James M. Kestner, Jennifer S. Noel, Robert J. Miller, Marc R. Matsen, Christopher J. Hottes, Mark E. King, Darren R. Walker
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Patent number: 9649809Abstract: A system for diffusing wrinkles in a composite laminate may include at least one wrinkle diffuser. The wrinkle diffuser may include a diffuser body may be mounted to a tool in a manner such that a composite ply at least partially overlaps the wrinkle diffuser. A plurality of diffuser elements may be formed in the diffuser body to define a corrugated surface. The corrugated surface may cause a portion of the composite ply to assume a corrugated shape when a compaction pressure is applied to force the composite ply against the corrugated surface. The wrinkle diffuser may include an indexing feature to index the wrinkle diffuser to a ply edge of the composite ply.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Tristan E. Lee, Andrew M. Hopkins, William T. Kline
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Publication number: 20150183171Abstract: Ply wrinkling during hot drape forming of a composite laminate is reduced at outside corner radii of a forming tool. First and second tensioning materials placed between a composite laminate charge and the forming tool maintain the laminate charge in tension at the radius corners as the charge is formed down over corner radii.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: William Thomas Kline, Christopher Gary Harris, Andrew M. Hopkins, Donald John Sutkus, JR.
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Publication number: 20150044430Abstract: A system for diffusing wrinkles in a composite laminate may include at least one wrinkle diffuser. The wrinkle diffuser may include a diffuser body may be mounted to a tool in a manner such that a composite ply at least partially overlaps the wrinkle diffuser. A plurality of diffuser elements may be formed in the diffuser body to define a corrugated surface. The corrugated surface may cause a portion of the composite ply to assume a corrugated shape when a compaction pressure is applied to force the composite ply against the corrugated surface. The wrinkle diffuser may include an indexing feature to index the wrinkle diffuser to a ply edge of the composite ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Tristan E. Lee, Andrew M. Hopkins, William T. Kline