Patents by Inventor Joseph DiPalma
Joseph DiPalma 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: 8353886Abstract: A hygienic article for personal wear by a male includes an elongate fabric sleeve having a first end, a longitudinally opposite second end, and a central passage extending longitudinally between the first and second ends of the sleeve. The first end of the sleeve is open to the central passage to permit the wearer's penis to extend through the open first end into the central passage of the sleeve with the first end of the sleeve nearer to the base of the wearer's penis than the second end of the sleeve. The second end of the sleeve is also open to the central passage to permit the wearer to urinate through the open second end. A dispenser is adapted for holding a plurality of such hygienic articles and facilitating sequential dispensing of the hygienic articles, one at a time, from the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Bester, Jr., Joseph DiPalma, MaryAnn Zunker
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Patent number: 7429689Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
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Patent number: 7422105Abstract: An easy open package for personal care products which has sensory cues as to the location of the opening of a wrapper component. In addition, the present invention provides a wrapper component which has a gradient seal which allows the user to effectively open the wrapper without unnecessarily tearing the wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Adrienne Rae Loyd, Joseph DiPalma, Thomas William VanDenBogart, Marcus David Weiher, Lynn Marie Matheus
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Patent number: 7265258Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Publication number: 20070151885Abstract: The present invention provides an easy open package for personal care products which has sensory cues as to the location of the opening of a wrapper component. In addition, the present invention provides a wrapper component which has a gradient seal which allows the user to effectively open the wrapper without unnecessarily tearing the wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2005Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Adrienne Rae Loyd, Joseph DiPalma, Thomas William VanDenBogart, Marcus David Weiher, Lynn Marie Matheus
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Publication number: 20070142794Abstract: A hygienic article for personal wear by a male includes an elongate fabric sleeve having a first end, a longitudinally opposite second end, and a central passage extending longitudinally between the first and second ends of the sleeve. The first end of the sleeve is open to the central passage to permit the wearer's penis to extend through the open first end into the central passage of the sleeve with the first end of the sleeve nearer to the base of the wearer's penis than the second end of the sleeve. The second end of the sleeve is also open to the central passage to permit the wearer to urinate through the open second end. A dispenser is adapted for holding a plurality of such hygienic articles and facilitating sequential dispensing of the hygienic articles, one at a time, from the dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Bester,, Joseph DiPalma, MaryAnn Zunker
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Publication number: 20060069359Abstract: A fluid collection device for collecting body fluids from a user includes a fluid director having a trough formed at least in part from a flexible material. The trough has a generally open inlet defined at least in part by a peripheral rim adapted to contact the body of the user and an outlet. A fluid receptacle is connected to the fluid director adjacent the outlet. In one embodiment, the fluid receptacle includes an absorbent material. In one aspect, the fluid director includes at least one attachment device spaced from the fluid receptacle and which is adapted to releasably secure the fluid director to at least one of the body of the user and an undergarment worn by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Joseph DiPalma, Cornelis Bosselaar, Daniel Ellingson
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Publication number: 20060025739Abstract: The present invention provides a personal care product including a wrapper having at least one free edge, an absorbent personal care article and a sensory cue providing indicia as to the location of the free edge. In one embodiment, the wrapper is a wrapper component and has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set of sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Joseph DiPalma, Adrienne Loyd, Marie Mathews, Kristi Bryant, Garry Woltman, Sarah Wilkes, Sheila Heyrman, James Clark, Brian Thomas, Laura Walker, Shelley Rasmussen, Steven Nielsen, Mark Ingle, Richard Rothe, Richard Hantke
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Publication number: 20050148981Abstract: The invention includes a customizable absorbent article having an extensible body facing layer and an extensible garment facing layer, both having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are spaced along a longitudinal axis and the body facing and garment facing layers are extensible along the longitudinal axis. The article further includes either a non-extensible or a resilient absorbent core which is disposed between the body facing layer and the garment facing layer. The absorbent core may be affixed to at least one of the body facing and the garment facing layer at at least one location between the first and second ends. Different configurations of the absorbent core may be disposed between the body facing layer and the garment facing layer to increase the customizability of the absorbent article of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2003Publication date: July 7, 2005Inventors: Cindy Price, Joseph DiPalma, Palani Wallajapet, Cheryl Mocadlo, Amy Weinheimer
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Patent number: 6764477Abstract: A composite absorbent article comprises a reusable frame member for shaping and leakage control onto which a single-use absorbent device can be detachably connected and repeatedly replaced without the need to replace the reusable frame member. A low-cost, high-performance composite absorbent article can thus be provided from low-cost single-use absorbent devices by virtue of the reusable frame member. A wicking barrier lining a central void or depression helps provide leakage containment for the overall composite absorbent article.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Julie Marie Bednarz, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Joseph DiPalma, Teresa Marie Zander
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Publication number: 20040127870Abstract: An absorbent article with increased body-fit and leakage protection has a concentrated center region. This central region is concentrated in the center of the article allowing the surrounding regions to remain thin for increased wearer comfort. The concentrated central region also provides support for elastic side members that form the article to the wearer's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Joseph DiPalma, Teresa M. Zander
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Publication number: 20040106910Abstract: An absorbent article includes a body side liner and a garment side baffle having an intake/transfer carrier sheet therein. The intake/transfer layer forms a carrier sheet for one or more absorbent layers within the envelope formed by the body side liner and garment side baffle. The carrier sheet supports a first absorbent layer that contacts a second absorbent layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Susan M. Vercauteren, Cindy L. Price, Joseph DiPalma, Chris Boudrie
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Publication number: 20040102752Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
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Patent number: 6723892Abstract: There is provided an absorbent system that not only takes in fluid, but then transfers that fluid further beneath the first composite. This is achieved in this invention through paired permeability, capillarity, and void volume of the first and second composites. The invention is an absorbent system composed of at least two absorbent composites that have complementary structural/surface energy characteristics. Such an absorbent system has a first absorbent Composite A which has a first permeability, a first capillarity, and a first void volume and at least one second absorbent Composite B which has a second capillarity and a second porosity multiplied by second thickness. The first absorbent Composite A is in liquid communication or contact with at least one second absorbent Composite B, such that the first absorbent Composite A, and the second absorbent Composite B have a fluid partitioning amount in Composite A, a third triple intake time (IT3) and a rewet value.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Allen Daley, Bruce Wilfuhr Achter, Charles Wilson Colman, Joseph DiPalma, David Martin Jackson, Nancy Donaldson Kollin, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Gregory Marc Lefkowitz, Sylvia Bandy Little, David Michael Matela, David Charles Potts, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Kristin Ann Goerg-Wood
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Publication number: 20040054331Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Patent number: 6700034Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed comprising a unitary absorbent layer having a central portion and an outer portion divided in part but not completely separated by one or more slits along a boundary surrounding the outer portion, further comprising a wicking barrier along at least a portion of the boundary. The central portion and outer portion of the unitary absorbent layer remain contiguous across one or more joining zones. A central rising member can be disposed beneath the central portion of the unitary absorbent layer to urge the central portion toward the body of the user when compressed laterally inward. The article is able to achieve good center-fill performance when in use and maintain excellent body fit.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Fung-jou Chen, Joseph DiPalma
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Patent number: 6695828Abstract: In an absorbent article having a multi-layer material having a front section, a back section and an intermediate section connecting the front section and the back section, wherein the multi-layer material includes a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, a method for increasing the conformability and enhancing the fluid intake and distribution of the article in which at least one resilient fluid-filled chamber having at least one peristaltic element is inserted into the absorbent article into the absorbent layer or between at least a portion of the absorbent layer and the backsheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph DiPalma, Alexander M. Schmidt-Foerst
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Patent number: 6695827Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
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Patent number: 6689933Abstract: Absorbent pad assemblies and articles are provided which include adjacent noncontinuous vertically orientated absorbent members, horizontally displaced relative to each other along the entire vertical heights thereof and forming a vertically disposed surface interface therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Joseph DiPalma
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Patent number: 6689935Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having excellent body fit, center-fill fluid handling performance, and good leakage control in that flow from the center of the article to the longitudinal sides thereof is hindered by a wicking barrier. The article comprises a lower absorbent member, an horizontal wicking barrier over the lower absorbent member, and a central absorbent section forming a medial hump over the horizontal wicking barrier. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging a central portion to deflect vertically upward. In one embodiment, longitudinal upward projections on the horizontal wicking barrier also help control the deformation of the article for good body fit.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Julie Marie Bednarz, Joseph DiPalma