Patents by Inventor Patsy A. Krautkramer
Patsy A. Krautkramer 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: 8361046Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David F. Bishop, Russell J. Brumm, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Russell E. Thorson, John T. Hahn
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Patent number: 7858841Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
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Publication number: 20100114048Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are provided. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties can prevent too much tension in the front leg area of the garment. The outer cover is constructed such that the front leg zone has a tension of less than about 1200 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction, and each of the front waist zone, the front crotch zone, the back crotch zone, the back leg zone, and the back waist zone of the outer cover has a tension of greater than about 1500 grams-force at about 160% to about 175% stretch in the lateral direction. Methods of making such an absorbent article are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: David F. Bishop, Russell J. Brumm, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Russell E. Thorson, John T. Hahn
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Publication number: 20100108554Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles product designs tailored to the differing needs and preferences of males and females are disclosed. In particular embodiments, an array of gender-specific, disposable, absorbent articles comprises a package of first disposable absorbent articles, the package bearing indicia indicating that the articles therein are adapted to be worn by females, and a package of second disposable absorbent articles, the package bearing indicia indicating that the articles therein are adapted to be worn by males. The first disposable absorbent articles differ from the corresponding second disposable absorbent articles in any of a variety of aspects to customize the products for each gender. In certain embodiments, the array includes one product adapted for use by one gender, and a unisex product adapted for use by either gender.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Shannon Kathleen Melius, Amanda Jean Simon, Marie Elizabeth Luna, James R. Schermerhorn, Marcille Faye Ruman, Wayne David Beyer, Todd William Wilkes, Katherine C. Wheeler, Patsy A. Krautkramer
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Patent number: 7632258Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Publication number: 20070208317Abstract: A disposable pant-like absorbent undergarment is disclosed formed with a one-piece chassis having front, back and crotch regions. An absorbent assembly is secured to the chassis. A pair of seams joins the front and back regions to form a unitary undergarment having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The undergarment also includes leg elastics, waist elastics and chassis elastics. Each of the waist elastics is spaced apart from one another by a distance y and each has a tension value. The chassis elastics extend around the front and back regions without crossing the absorbent. Each of the chassis elastics is spaced apart from one another by a distance z and each has a tension value. Furthermore, the distance z is greater than the distance y.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Patsy Krautkramer, Julie Paveletzke, Annastacia Kistler, Wendy Hamilton
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Publication number: 20060173436Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having stretchable front and back regions each having a first scalloped end, a second end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an interior surface and an exterior surface. An absorbent assembly is secured to the interior surfaces of the front and back regions. A waist band is secured to the exterior surfaces of the front and back regions and each of a pair of leg bands is secured to the interior surface of one of the front and back regions. The absorbent article further includes a pair of seams joining the front and back regions together along the first and second side edges to form an absorbent article having a waist opening with a scalloped edge and a pair of leg openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Patsy Krautkramer, Annastacia Kistler, Jacqueline Gross, Cynthia Maas
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Publication number: 20060161130Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a unitary structure with a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The unitary structure includes a front region, a back region and a crotch region positioned between the front and back regions. The front and back regions have an interior surface and an exterior surface. A portion of at least one of the front and back regions has a visual appearance with a Shadow Index value of less than about 5 and/or a Gray-Level Percent Relative Standard Deviation value of less than about 70.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventors: Duane Zacharias, Patsy Krautkramer, Gary Woltman, David Biggs
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Publication number: 20060161129Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is disclosed having a unitary structure with a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The unitary structure includes a front region, a back region and a crotch region positioned between the front and back regions. The front and back regions having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A portion of at least one of the front and back regions has tactile properties similar to cloth underwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2005Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventors: Duane Zacharias, Patsy Krautkramer, Garry Woltman, Thomas Kremer
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Patent number: 6932929Abstract: A method for forming a composite absorbent member is provided that includes: a) extruding a first fibrous component through a first meltblowing die and intermingling pulp fibers with the first fibrous component to form a first admixture; b) extruding a second fibrous component through a second meltblowing die and intermingling pulp fibers with the second fibrous component to form a second admixture; and c) codepositing the first and second admixtures on a collecting surface so as to form a composite structure having at least a first layer and a second layer. The second layer has a higher weight percentage of pulp fibers than the first layer, and the average diameter of the pores within the second layer is smaller than the average diameter of the pores within the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, Maureen M. Falls, Robert John Makolin, Glory Framary Ceman, William Reeves, Garry Roland Woltman
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Patent number: 6896669Abstract: A composite absorbent member containing layers that have a controlled pore size distribution is provided. For example, in some embodiments, the composite absorbent member has an inner layer and two outer layers, in which the inner layer has a higher weight percentage of pulp fibers than the outer layers and also contains smaller pores than the outer layers. In this embodiment, the resulting composite member can have a fast intake rate, less leakage, reduced rewetting, and reduced bunching and twisting.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, Maureen M. Falls, Robert John Makolin, Glory Framary Ceman, William Reeves, Garry Roland Woltman
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Publication number: 20050059942Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) has a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), a first end portion (72), a second longitudinally opposed end portion (72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article includes a liquid-permeable topsheet or cover (26); a backsheet or baffle (28); and an absorbent body (30) sandwiched between the cover and baffle. The absorbent body (30) includes an intake layer (32) and a longitudinally-asymmetric shaping layer (36); and the intake layer (32) is positioned between the cover (26) and the shaping layer (36). The shaping layer (36) has first longitudinal half-length (84), a second longitudinal half-length (86), a narrow-section (62), a wide-section (64), and a transition-section (66) that is located between the narrow section and wide section of the shaping layer. The intake layer (32) is longitudinally offset toward an article region which is delimited by the first half-length (84) of the shaping layer (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: Patsy Krautkramer, Danielle Finger, Garry Woltman, Eleonora Daireaux, Leiliani del Rubio Flores, Claudio Buiatti
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Publication number: 20040186448Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Publication number: 20040116883Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
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Publication number: 20040067214Abstract: A method and system (22) for reducing malodor includes a providing of an operative quantity of particles of adsorbent material with a carrier structure (24), and a configuring of the carrier structure to contact at least one viscous, aqueous body-liquid during an intended use of the carrier structure. The carrier structure (24) has been configured to reduce malodor from the viscous body-liquid. In particular features, particles of adsorbent material (28) have been configured to include a total quantity of particle pores, and at least a significant portion of the particle pores have been configured to provide an operative quantity of target pores. In other features, the target pores have been configured to withdraw and hold water from said body-liquid, and have been configured to hold the water in a manner that renders the water substantially inaccessible to odor-causing organisms. In a further feature, the target pores can be configured to provide a selected target pore-size.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Emmanuelle C. Damay
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Publication number: 20030150090Abstract: A method for forming a composite absorbent member is provided that includes:Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, Maureen M. Falls, Robert John Makolin, Glory Framary Ceman, William Reeves, Garry Roland Woltman
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Publication number: 20030131457Abstract: A method for forming a composite absorbent member is provided that includes:Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, Maureen M. Falls, Robert John Makolin, Glory Framary Ceman, Willaim Reeves, Garry Ronald Woltman
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Publication number: 20030135179Abstract: A composite absorbent member containing layers that have a controlled pore size distribution is provided. For example, in some embodiments, the composite absorbent member has an inner layer and two outer layers, in which the inner layer has a higher weight percentage of pulp fibers than the outer layers and also contains smaller pores than the outer layers. In this embodiment, the resulting composite member can have a fast intake rate, less leakage, reduced rewetting, and reduced bunching and twisting.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, Maureen M. Falls, Robert John Makolin, Glory Framary Ceman, William Reeves, Garry Roland Woltman