Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Rajala
Gregory J. Rajala 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).
-
Patent number: 8142590Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable panty, subassemblies of the panty, and an apparatus and methods for making the panty and subassemblies. The panty is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user, the panty provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The panty includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the panty, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Steven C. Gehling, Paul D. Suke
-
Publication number: 20110288501Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Steven C. Gehling, Gregory J. Rajala, James D. Milner, Dennis S. Everhart
-
Patent number: 7993667Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Gehling, Gregory J. Rajala, James D. Milner, Dennis S. Everhart
-
Patent number: 7921497Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus that is particularly well suited to scrubbing carpet materials is disclosed. The floor scrubbing apparatus is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller. In one embodiment, the drive roller is coupled to the scrub roller using a gear arrangement that causes the scrub roller to rotate faster than the drive roller. If desired, the apparatus can include a cleaning fluid dispensing system. For instance, the apparatus can include one or more nozzles that dispense a cleaning fluid onto a carpet material as the material is being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Cook, Brian James Ludka, Gregory J. Rajala, Carl Gerard Rippl
-
Patent number: 7919453Abstract: A dosage cap assembly is provided for use with an applicator assembly, the dosage cap assembly including a tip including an outer surface, an attachment end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a tip cavity, wherein the attachment end of the tip includes an engagement mechanism. The dosage cap assembly also includes a cap having an inner surface defining a cap cavity, the inner surface generally conforming to the outer surface of the tip; and a dosage form disposed within the tip cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel J. Heuer, Steven C. Gehling, Rebecca D. Hayes, Elizabeth E. Bell, Joyce A. Damico
-
Publication number: 20110040277Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable panty, subassemblies of the panty, and an apparatus and methods for making the panty and subassemblies. The panty is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. the panty provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The panty includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the panty, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Steven C. Gehling, Paul D. Suke
-
Publication number: 20110036487Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable panty, subassemblies of the panty, and an apparatus and methods for making the panty and subassemblies. The panty is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user, the panty provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The panty includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the panty, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Steven C. Gehling, Paul D. Suke
-
Patent number: 7779844Abstract: Self-fitting device for location in ear canal, including first end portion joined with second end portion. First end portion including first resilient bladder and first chamber of fluid and second end portion including second resilient bladder and second chamber of fluid. The bladders are in communication via the chambers. First bladder is deformable between at-rest position to in-ear position to insertion position such that first bladder has first cross-sectional area in at-rest position, second cross-sectional area in in-ear position and third cross-sectional area in insertion position. First cross-sectional area is greater than second cross-sectional area which is greater than third cross-sectional area. Second bladder is deformable to cause first bladder to be deformed from at-rest position to insertion position before device is located in ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ricky W. Purcell, Gregory J. Rajala, Ki Bok Song, Scott M. Belliveau, Sena S. Corbin, Toriono A. Granger
-
Patent number: 7744556Abstract: A delivery tube assembly is provided, the delivery tube assembly including a delivery tube including a delivery tube attachment end, an open delivery tube second end opposite the delivery tube attachment end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a delivery tube cavity; and a dosage form including a therapeutic agent, wherein the dosage form is positioned within the delivery tube cavity. The assembly may also include an engagement mechanism positioned at the delivery tube attachment end. The assembly may also include a containment seal coupled to the delivery tube second end. The assembly may also include an inner containment seal positioned within the delivery tube cavity to seal the dosage form within the delivery tube cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Heuer, Gregory J. Rajala, Steven C. Gehling, Joyce A. Damico
-
Patent number: 7666160Abstract: An applicator for introducing a therapeutic substance into a body cavity of a subject in need of the therapeutic substance is provided. The applicator has the look and feel of a conventional tampon applicator but delivers a therapeutic substance. Generally, the applicator has a first outer member having a shape suitable for insertion into a body cavity of a mammal and has a dispensing end and a second end distal to the dispensing end. A second inner member is coaxially and slidably housed within the first member such that one end of the second inner member is within the first member. The applicator of the present invention also has at least one aperture located in a side wall of the outer member. The aperture is located on the side wall of the outer member between the dispensing end and the second end of the outer member.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel James Heuer, Steven Craig Gehling
-
Patent number: 7527614Abstract: A delivery device is provided including a first member having an interior surface, a receiving end, and an insertion end, wherein the insertion end is open; a tampon body positioned within the first member, wherein the tampon body has a proximal tampon body end and a distal tampon body end; and a second member slidably coupled to the interior surface of the first member at the receiving end. The device also includes a dosage form, wherein the dosage form is coupled to the distal tampon body end; and a protective tube including an open attachment end, an open protective tube second end opposite the attachment end, and a protective tube inner surface including an engagement mechanism enabling the protective tube to be coupled to the receiving end of the first member at the attachment end of the protective tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Heuer, Gregory J. Rajala, Joyce A. D'Amico, Steven R. Burnett
-
Publication number: 20080161752Abstract: An applicator for introducing a therapeutic substance into a body cavity of a subject in need of the therapeutic substance is provided. The applicator has the look and feel of a conventional tampon applicator but delivers a therapeutic substance. Generally, the applicator has a first outer member having a shape suitable for insertion into a body cavity of a mammal and has a dispensing end and a second end distal to the dispensing end. A second inner member is coaxially and slidably housed within the first member such that one end of the second inner member is within the first member. The applicator of the present invention also has at least one aperture located in a side wall of the outer member. The aperture is located on the side wall of the outer member between the dispensing end and the second end of the outer member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel James Heuer, Steven Craig Gehling
-
Publication number: 20080144871Abstract: Self-fitting device for location in ear canal, including first end portion joined with second end portion. First end portion including first resilient bladder and first chamber of fluid and second end portion including second resilient bladder and second chamber of fluid. The bladders are in communication via the chambers. First bladder is deformable between at-rest position to in-ear position to insertion position such that first bladder has first cross-sectional area in at-rest position, second cross-sectional area in in-ear position and third cross-sectional area in insertion position. First cross-sectional area is greater than second cross-sectional area which is greater than third cross-sectional area. Second bladder is deformable to cause first bladder to be deformed from at-rest position to insertion position before device is located in ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Ricky W. Purcell, Gregory J. Rajala, Ki Bok Song, Scott M. Belliveau, Sena S. Corbin, Toriono A. Granger
-
Publication number: 20080078042Abstract: A floor scrubbing apparatus that is particularly well suited to scrubbing carpet materials is disclosed. The floor scrubbing apparatus is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller. In one embodiment, the drive roller is coupled to the scrub roller using a gear arrangement that causes the scrub roller to rotate faster than the drive roller. If desired, the apparatus can include a cleaning fluid dispensing system. For instance, the apparatus can include one or more nozzles that dispense a cleaning fluid onto a carpet material as the material is being cleaned.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Stephen B. Cook, Brian James Ludka, Gregory J. Rajala, Carl Gerard Rippl
-
Patent number: 7014083Abstract: A system and method for controlling the width of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting the tension of the web material. An operator defines a target web width via an input device. The input device generates a reference signal representative of the target web width. A sensing device senses the width of the web material supplied to the machine and generate feedback signal representative of the sensed width. A control circuit compares the feedback and reference signals and generates a tensioning signal as a function of the comparison. A tensioning device is responsive to tensioning signal for adjusting web tension.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John Sorebo, Gregory J. Rajala
-
Patent number: 6866213Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A rolled web product with an alternating winding pattern may be manufactured. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be placed upon a roll by winding in one direction and then back again in a second direction repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Kimberely-Clark, Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Lake, Edward G. Wollangk, Gregory J. Rajala, Moshe Saraf, Daniel J. Oshefsky
-
Patent number: 6830172Abstract: A method of and apparatus for feeding string from a supply involves entraining the string around at least one feed roll and driving the feed roll continuously in cycles in a direction for feeding the string forward. Each of the cycles involves varying the speed of the roll for feeding a predetermined length of string forward per cycle. The string is subjected to a force in the reverse direction upstream from the feed roll and to a force in the forward direction downstream from the feed roll.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Gregory J. Rajala
-
Publication number: 20040074942Abstract: A system and method for controlling the width of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting the tension of the web material. An operator defines a target web width via an input device. The input device generates a reference signal representative of the target web width. A sensing device senses the width of the web material supplied to the machine and generates a feedback signal representative of the sensed width. A control circuit compares the feedback and reference signals and generates a tensioning signal as a function of the comparison. A tensioning device is responsive to tensioning signal for adjusting web tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2002Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John Sorebo, Gregory J. Rajala
-
Patent number: 6669130Abstract: Method of and apparatus for feeding string involving entraining the string around two godet rolls and driving one or both rolls in the direction for feeding the string forward. The string entrained around the rolls is tensioned by retarding the string upstream from the rolls with a gas flow and by accelerating the string downstream from the rolls with a gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Gregory J. Rajala
-
Patent number: 6654992Abstract: Method of and apparatus for applying withdrawal strings to tampon pledgets wherein string is pneumatically looped around a pledget, the ends of the loop are knotted, and the knotted loop is driven through a hole in the pledget.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Brandon S. May, Troy L. Tipton, Edwin L. Cutright