Patents by Inventor Frank G. Druecke
Frank G. Druecke 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: 7774894Abstract: A floor-cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head having a cleaning device, a control handle connected to the cleaning head for controlling the cleaning head and a micro power source in communication with the cleaning device. The micro power source is lightweight, compact, and rechargeable or replaceable for generating energy to power the cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Carl G. Rippl, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Eric F. Wagner, Fung-Jou Chen, Frank G. Druecke, David J. Tyrrell, Kim Ellefson, Mary Jo Meyer, Timothy M. McFarland, Thomas M. Ales, III
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Publication number: 20100155004Abstract: Fibrous articles are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, may include a water-soluble film forming component and water-soluble modifying components that is deposited at least at the surface of a fibrous web. In some aspects, the additive composition includes polymers that demonstrate a certain LCST and melting temperature. In another aspect, the additive composition is applied to the fibrous web during the heated drying phase, such as with a Yankee dryer. The fibrous web with additive composition is then creped. The additive composition may improve the perceived softness of the web without substantially affecting the absorbency of the web in an adverse manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Dave A. Soerens, Jian Qin, John A. Werner, Frank G. Druecke, Cathleen M. Uttecht, Christopher L. Satori, James H. Wang
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Publication number: 20090326622Abstract: A therapeutic delivery system that includes an appliance for selectively holding at least one therapeutic article in contact with at least a portion of a user's body. The therapeutic article may contain an exothermic compound that releases heat after selective activation by the user. The therapeutic article may be selectively located on the appliance by the user. The rate at which the exothermic composition reacts with a catalyst may be selectively controlled by the user. The appliance may be a garment that covers or encloses a portion of the user's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Kroy D. Johnson, Frank G. Druecke, Blake A. Hondl, Jonathan Kyle Arendt
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Publication number: 20080146487Abstract: Bathing tablets having multiple layers to create different phases in the user experience. As a layer melts away in the shower or bath tub, a new layer having at least one different property lets the user know that a change in the bathing tablet has occurred. Different properties include visual, aromatherapy, effervescent, and exothermic.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Amanda L. O'Connor, Marcy E. Sojka, Frank G. Druecke
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Publication number: 20080135640Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device for effecting a desired environment proximate to the device. The effected environment includes, in part, temporary increases in the amount of water vapor as the device emits water vapor over some time duration, typically from about 1 or 2 minutes or so to about 15 to 30 minutes or so (other durations are possible). Heat from a chemical heating engine is employed to drive off the water vapor. The device may also emit one or more ingredients adapted to be detected by olfaction. The device may be used to help address symptoms of various ailments, e.g., cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, and the like. Also, the device may be employed to help promote a desired emotive state for the user of the device. The device promotes one or more desired states through auditory, tactile, visual, and/or olfactory signals. Furthermore, the device may be used to open pores in skin; or to treat skin or tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Herb F. Velazquez, Frank G. Druecke, Blake A. Hondl, Mary Philip, Kimberly L. Ellefson, James D. McManus, Simon English, Nathan A. Ray, Deekshitha Wimalasuriya, Kon Euan Gerard Wong
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Publication number: 20080138051Abstract: Disclosed are methods for designing and employing a portable device for effecting a desired environment proximate to the device (including carrying out such methods under business arrangements encompassing two or more business entities). The effected environment includes, in part, temporary increases in the amount of water vapor as the device emits water vapor over some time duration, typically from about 1 or 2 minutes or so to about 15 to 30 minutes or so. Heat from a chemical heating engine is employed to drive off the water vapor. The device may also emit one or more ingredients adapted to be detected by olfaction. The device may be used to help address symptoms of various ailments, e.g., cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, and the like. Also, the device may be employed to help promote a desired emotive state for the user of the device. The device promotes one or more desired states through auditory, tactile, visual, and/or olfactory signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Herb F. Velazquez, Frank G. Druecke, Blake A. Hondl, Mary Philip, Kimberly L. Ellefson, James D. McManus, Simon English, Nathan A. Ray, Deekshitha Wimalasuriya, Kon Euan Gerard Wong
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Patent number: 6939440Abstract: Paper products, such as wiping products, are disclosed that have a fabric-imprinted pattern in combination with a crepe pattern. In producing paper products according to the invention, a base web containing pulp fibers is formed. Once the base web is substantially dry, the web is creped to form a first pattern. The creped web is then placed between two moving conveyors and guided around one or more compression inducing elements. As the web is guided around the compression inducing element in between the two conveyors, shear forces and compressive forces are imparted to the web that form a fabric-imprinted pattern superimposed on the crepe pattern. In one embodiment, the fabric-imprinted pattern comprises high density troughs.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
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Publication number: 20030201081Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
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Patent number: 6547926Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
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Publication number: 20020166646Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
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Patent number: 5490903Abstract: In the manufacture of soft tissue products such as facial and bath tissue, a creping adhesive composition comprising from about 0.05 to about 20 dry weight percent of an ethoxylated acetylenic diol has been found to reduce skulch, improve creping blade life, and improve crepe quality. The creping adhesive composition is particularly useful for creping throughdried tissue webs.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Franklin M. C. Chen, Frank G. Druecke
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Patent number: 5468796Abstract: In the manufacture of soft tissue products such as facial and bath tissue, a creping adhesive composition comprising from about 0.05 to about 20 dry weight percent of an ethoxylated acetylenic diol has been found to reduce skulch, improve creping blade life, and improve crepe quality. The creping adhesive composition is particularly useful for creping throughdried tissue webs.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Franklin M. C. Chen, Frank G. Druecke