Patents by Inventor David Albert Maxton
David Albert Maxton 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: 7175584Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Albert Maxton, Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen, Chris Alan Pettit, Steven John Shimon
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Patent number: 7156939Abstract: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Bradley M. Marohl, David Albert Maxton, Robert L. Popp, Michael William Protheroe
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Patent number: 7069970Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Albert Maxton
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Patent number: 6821370Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Kurt Garrett Krupka, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Michael William Protheroe, Timothy Alan Thorson, Brian Robert Vogt, Michael John Wanner, Thomas Earl Williamson
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Publication number: 20030221767Abstract: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Bradley M. Marohl, David Albert Maxton, Robert L. Popp, Michael William Protheroe
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Publication number: 20030205312Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Albert Maxton
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Patent number: 6565691Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Albert Maxton
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Publication number: 20030089453Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Kurt Garrett Krupka, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Michael William Protheroe, Timothy Alan Thorson, Brian Robert Vogt, Michael John Wanner, Thomas Earl Williamson
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Publication number: 20030066592Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: David Albert Maxton, Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen, Chris Alan Pettit, Steven John Shimon
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Patent number: 6497032Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Albert Maxton, Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen, Chris Alan Pettit, Steven John Shimon
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Patent number: 6481362Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Lloyd Carl Hietpas, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Arthur Kuen, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Charles Robert Tomsovic
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Publication number: 20020007773Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Lloyd Carl Hietpas, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Arthur Kuen, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Charles Robert Tomsovic
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Publication number: 20020005257Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Albert Maxton
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Publication number: 20020003021Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventors: David Albert Maxton, Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen, Chris Alan Pettit, Steven John Shimon