Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth 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).

  • Publication number: 20240100756
    Abstract: Microporous breathable films include a polyolefin and an inorganic filler dispersed in the polyolefin. Methods for forming polymeric films and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan MIDDLESWORTH, Brooke D. KITZMILLER, Bradley SONNENTAG
  • Patent number: 11872740
    Abstract: Microporous breathable films include a polyolefin and an inorganic filler dispersed in the polyolefin. Methods for forming polymeric films and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Brooke D. Kitzmiller, Bradley Sonnentag
  • Patent number: 9821542
    Abstract: Elastic laminates and methods of making same are provided, wherein the laminate includes an elastic film laminated to at least one substrate web, and wherein the elastic film has been stretched at least twice prior to bonding the film to the substrate layer. Such laminates possess improved bond strength between the film and the substrate web and have greater elongation versus laminates made with a film that has been stretched only once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TREDGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bruce, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Publication number: 20170008211
    Abstract: Microporous breathable films include a polyolefin and an inorganic filler dispersed in the polyolefin. Methods for forming polymeric films and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan MIDDLESWORTH, Brooke D. KITZMILLER, Bradley SONNENTAG
  • Publication number: 20140359948
    Abstract: A bedding arrangement includes a mattress and a bed covering. The bed covering includes a top component adapted to cover a top surface of the mattress and a drape coupled to a perimeter portion of the top component and arranged to extend downwardly along a side wall of the mattress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Eric Snell, Carrie Snell
  • Patent number: 8709579
    Abstract: A stretchable elastic laminate including at least one nonwoven fabric layer, and at least one elastomeric material extruded as a melt onto a major surface of the nonwoven fabric to form an elastic layer bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric layer has first and second bonding zones formed on the surface thereof, which have first and second bonding strengths. The elastic layer is bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric such that the elastic layer forms a stronger bond with the first bonding zone on the surface of the nonwoven than the bond formed between the elastic layer and the second bonding zone on the surface of the nonwoven. The lightly bonded areas of the elastic laminate provide increased elongation in the cross direction and improved recovery after stretch, while the more strongly bonded areas provide adhesive strength. Also disclosed is a method of forming a stretchable laminate having increased elongation and improved recovery after stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Pliant, LLC
    Inventors: Martin F. Hoenigmann, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Amiel Bassam Sabbagh
  • Publication number: 20120328845
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides a machine-direction stretch elastic laminate having in addition cross-direction stretch. The elastomeric laminate comprises an elastic film layer laminated to at least one nonwoven fabric layer and may be used in elasticized features of various articles, such as disposable absorbent articles. Methods for producing the elastic laminate are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: PLIANT, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Martin F. Hoenigmann
  • Publication number: 20120083178
    Abstract: A stretchable elastic laminate including at least one spunlace nonwoven fabric layer, and at least one elastomeric material extruded as a melt onto a major surface of the spunlace nonwoven fabric to form an elastic layer bonded to the surface of the spunlace nonwoven fabric. The elastic laminate has good elongation to break and low permanent deformation. Also disclosed is a method of forming a stretchable laminate wherein at least one melted elastic material is extruded onto a major surface of the spunlace nonwoven fabric, and the elastic material and the nonwoven fabric are conveyed through a nip to form an elastic layer bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Amiel Bassam Sabbagh, Martin F. Hoenigmann, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Patent number: 8057879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to stretchable webs having a plurality of elongated cells, and a retractive force mechanism to provide increased retractive force of the web when stretched in a given direction. The stretchable webs are useful in disposable garments such as diapers, bandages and other hygiene material so that the material fits closely without slipping off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Stephen Donald Bruce, Tze Wan Pansy Chung, James D. Tribble
  • Publication number: 20110132788
    Abstract: Films and methods for making tampering events obvious are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tamper evident film includes a coating containing a first substance, and an observable change occurs when the first substance comes into contact with a second substance. In another embodiment, a tamper evident stretch wrap includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a substance between the inner and outer portions that is adapted to escape from between the portions when the outer portion is breached. In another embodiment, a tamper evident stretch wrap includes a first layer of film having a first pattern and a second layer of film having a second pattern that overlap to form a predetermined third pattern. In yet another embodiment, a stretch wrap is exposed to ultraviolet light and checked for a change in a fluorescent signature to determine whether the stretch wrap has been breached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: PLIANT,LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Brooke Kitzmiller, William J. Barlow
  • Patent number: 7955457
    Abstract: A method for forming an elastic laminate comprising: bonding a first nonwoven to an elastic film to form a laminate; activating the laminate to form an activated laminate; and bonding a consolidated nonwoven to the elastic film of the activated laminate to form the elastic laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Bryan L. Matte
  • Patent number: 7870651
    Abstract: The disclosure provides embodiments for elasticized members used as closures for garments, such as diapers, jacket cuffs, and similar articles, the elasticized member having an elastic body having an attachment region adapted for attachment of the elastic body to a garment and a fastener positioned on a distal portion of the elastic body, wherein the elastic body is structured to reduce curl along longitudinal edges and corners of the elastic body upon application of tension to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Andrew J. Peacock, Matthew J. O'Sickey, Stephen D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7834236
    Abstract: A multi-layered web is provided that includes an elastic web bonded to an inelastic web. The inelastic web has extensible and inextensible regions arranged along the machine direction. In the extensible regions, the inelastic web is bonded to the elastic web in a creped structure that is extensible by virtue of the creping. A continuous process is provided to manufacture a multi-layer web having extensible regions that are conjoined with regions that are inextensible by varying the tension that is applied during manufacture of the multi-layer web. The apparatus comprises an elastic web that is fed into a bonding nip, into which one or more inelastic webs are also provided. The elastic web is fed into the bonding nip under a tension that is alternated between a low value that is sufficient to ensure processing stability, and a higher value that provides an elongation to the elastic web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Stephen Donald Bruce, Todd Richard Skochodopole, Matthew John O'Sickey, Andrew James Peacock
  • Publication number: 20100285286
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides one or more types of low cost elastic laminates with improved elasticity via stretching of an elastic layer, a non-woven layer, or the overall laminate that achieves reduced processing time and cost, can be utilized in a variety of end-user applications, and further provides self-warning capability to end-users of potential film and/or laminate overstretch. The described elastic laminates have at least one elastic layer and at least two non-woven layers, in which the elastic layers has at least one inelastic region formed via heating, incremental stretching, severing, or bonding. Additionally, heat shrink laminates having improved elasticity and compatibility with various laminate components are also described. Processes and systems for the manufacture of the described elastic laminates are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Publication number: 20100062221
    Abstract: A stretchable elastic laminate including at least one nonwoven fabric layer, and at least one elastomeric material extruded as a melt onto a major surface of the nonwoven fabric to form an elastic layer bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric layer has first and second bonding zones formed on the surface thereof, which have first and second bonding strengths. The elastic layer is bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric such that the elastic layer forms a stronger bond with the first bonding zone on the surface of the nonwoven than the bond formed between the elastic layer and the second bonding zone on the surface of the nonwoven. The lightly bonded areas of the elastic laminate provide increased elongation in the cross direction and improved recovery after stretch, while the more strongly bonded areas provide adhesive strength. Also disclosed is a method of forming a stretchable laminate having increased elongation and improved recovery after stretch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Martin F. Hoenigmann, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Amiel Bassam Sabbagh
  • Publication number: 20090299314
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides a machine-direction stretch elastic laminate having in addition cross-direction stretch. The elastomeric laminate comprises an elastic film layer laminated to at least one nonwoven fabric layer and may be used in elasticized features of various articles, such as disposable absorbent articles. Methods for producing the elastic laminate are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Martin F. Hoenigmann
  • Patent number: 7507680
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite webs and composite webs made thereby in which the web includes a perforated thermoplastic film and one or more nonwoven webs. The method provides a perforated thermoplastic film, a creped nonwoven web, the webs are fed in a face to face relationship to be bonded. The perforated thermoplastic film and the creped nonwoven web are bonded in a face to face relationship at a plurality of points of contact such that the creped structure of the nonwoven web is maintained and the composite web has a nonwoven face and a film face. The composite webs are extensible at least in the direction of the creping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Tze Wan Pansy Chung, Stephen D. Bruce, James D. Tribble
  • Publication number: 20080216937
    Abstract: A method for forming an elastic laminate comprising: bonding a first nonwoven to an elastic film to form a laminate; activating the laminate to form an activated laminate; and bonding a consolidated nonwoven to the elastic film of the activated laminate to form the elastic laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Bryan L. Matte
  • Patent number: 7351297
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite web includes supplying two or more webs to an activation mechanism, where the webs are in an unbonded state relative to each other. The method further entails simultaneously activating the webs while they are in a face to face relationship and in an unbonded state, and then bonding the webs to form a composite web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Tze Wan Pansy Chung, Stephen D. Bruce, Andrew James Peacock
  • Publication number: 20040241389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to stretchable webs having a plurality of elongated cells, and a retractive force mechanism to provide increased retractive force of the web when stretched in a given direction. The stretchable webs are useful in disposable garments such as diapers, bandages and other hygiene material so that the material fits closely without slipping off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Tze Wan Pansy Chung, James D. Tribble, Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Stephen D. Bruce