Patents by Inventor Robert Lee Popp

Robert Lee Popp 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: 8764922
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a body adhering absorbent article oriented in the machine direction wherein the body adhering absorbent articles have reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, stretching the web of shell material in the longitudinal direction, deadening at least one region of the stretched web of shell material, attaching at least one absorbent article component to at least a portion of the longitudinal deadened zone to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Jay David Gottleib, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Gary Alan Turchan
  • Patent number: 8758547
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing body adhering absorbent articles orientated in the cross-machine direction, body adhering absorbent article having reduced or eliminated curl. The articles are manufactured with reduced curl by selectively reducing or eliminating the shell elastic tension in regions where components of the body adhering absorbent article are to be attached to form the composite absorbent article web. In certain aspects the body adhering absorbent articles are manufactured by supplying an elastic web of shell material having a longitudinal and transverse direction, that is stretchable only in the transverse direction, attaching at least one component to form a composite web material, and cutting the composite web material to form a body adhering absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Jay David Gottleib, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Gary Alan Turchan
  • Publication number: 20140135730
    Abstract: Generally, a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully severed front body panel and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a moving web for use as a body panel and first forming a first cut on the moving web at a first cutting station to define a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web connected at the first cut. The moving web then passes through an attachment assembly station to bridge the connected leading portion and trailing portion together with a fastener assembly that extends over the first cut. Finally, the moving web is then passed through a second cutting station to provide a second cut through both the moving web and fastener assembly and intersecting with the first cut to completely separate the leading portion and trailing portion of the moving web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Mlinar, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Jason Andrew Verboomen, Bradley William Schoon, Brian Keith Rhodes, Robert Lee Popp, Steven Alan Kolasinski
  • Publication number: 20140121621
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S.C. Kirby, David Glen Biggs, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Eric Donald Johnson, Robert Lee Popp, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Kendell Jean Williams, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140121623
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S.C. Kirby, David Glen Biggs, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Eric Donald Johnson, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Robert Lee Popp, Leila Joy Roberson, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Kendell Jean Williams, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140121624
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S.C. Kirby, David Glen Biggs, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Erick Donald Johnson, Robert Lee Popp, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Kendell Jean Williams, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140114272
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a pre-fastened adjustable pant-like disposable absorbent undergarment including a fully severed front body panel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a moving web and first creating a line of weakness on the moving web at a weakening station to define a leading portion of the moving web and a trailing portion of the moving web connected at the line of weakness. The moving web then passes through an attachment assembly station to bridge the connected leading portion and trailing portion together with a fastener assembly that extends over the line of weakness. Finally, the moving web is then passed through a web breaking station to completely separate the leading portion and trailing portion of the moving web at the line of weakness, such that the leading portion and trailing portion remains bridged together by the fastener assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley William Schoon, Jason Andrew Verboomen, Robert Lee Popp, Patrick August Lorsung
  • Publication number: 20140039442
    Abstract: A folded disposable absorbent garment has an absorbent chassis, a pair of front side panels extending from a front region of the absorbent chassis, and a pair of back side panels extending from a back region of the absorbent chassis. Each of the front side panels has a first fastening component and each of the back side panels has a second fastening component. Each of the second fastening components is releasably attached to a respective one of the first fastening components to define a pair of refastenable seams. The front side panels and the back side panels are folded such that each of the refastenable seams overlies an outer surface of one of the front region and the back region of the absorbent chassis in a plane generally parallel to the front and back regions of the absorbent chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140039441
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Michael D. Sperl, Nancy Meetz, Sandra M. Rogers, Lorelle M. Scheibe, Joseph P. Fell, Christine Ann Caneba
  • Patent number: 8632515
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has a chassis. A first region of the chassis includes a first panel and at least one first side panel. A second region of the chassis includes a second panel and at least one second side panel. A resilient fastening component is permanently attached to an inner surface of the at least one first side panel and releasably attached to an outer surface of the at least one second side panel. At least one of the first region and the second region is folded at least twice such that at least portions of the at least one first side panel and the at least one second side panel are positioned between the first and second panels and the resilient fastening component is tucked between the folded absorbent assembly and lies in a plane parallel to a plane in which a first part of the absorbent assembly lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Publication number: 20140018757
    Abstract: A discrete absorbent insert for use in a containment system includes an absorbent core positioned between a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet extend beyond the core and are joined together to form a seal. The absorbent core has at least 40% superabsorbent. The absorbent insert has an intake layer of at least 100 gsm between the first sheet and the absorbent core. The first sheet and the second sheet are fluid permeable, spunbond webs of synthetic polymer filaments. The absorbent insert has an absorbent capacity of at least 600 g. The discrete absorbent insert may have an intake rate for a first insult through the first sheet having a first value and an intake rate for a first insult through the second sheet having a second value, wherein a difference between the first value and the second value is less than 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Paula Kathleen De Bruin, Alissa Frances Stein, Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Connie May McMorrow, Kyle Mark Barriger, Angela Ann Johnston, Katherine Carol Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140018762
    Abstract: A permanently closed containment pant includes an elastically extensible chassis and a sling positioned within the chassis. The sling is joined to the front waist region and the back waist region. The sling includes a fluid-impervious base sheet and a containment flap joined with the base sheet to create a fluid-impervious pouch. The sling also includes a first transition and a second transition that are elastically extensible in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction. Material properties of the pouch and chassis provide the proper fit for comfort and leakage protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Frederique Vignali, Kevin Leon LaBerge, Robert Lee Popp, Lewis Preole Orchard, 4th, Jennifer Ann Diedrich, Stacy Elaine Evenson
  • Publication number: 20130310794
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable bodyside liner for facing the wearer, an outer cover for facing away from the wearer, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. A primary fastening system is provided for securing the article in a wear configuration having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings spaced from the waist opening. A secondary fastening system comprises a pair of tabs having a fastener region selectively attachable to the article and an attachment region defining a portion of the primary fastening system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Michael D. Sperl, Nancy Meetz, Sandra M. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8585671
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region. The front and back waist regions are permanently attached or releasably attachable to each other by an article fastening system to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article is configurable from the wear configuration to a disposal configuration. A disposal tab has an attachment region attached to one of the sides of the article and extends a greatest length La along at least a portion of a length Lp of one of the sides. A tab region extends transversely outward from the attachment region a greatest distance Dt and is attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article. The attachment region has a first surface attached to one of the sides of the article and a second surface that defines part of the article fastening system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Michael D. Sperl, Nancy Meetz, Sandra M. Rogers, Lorelle M. Scheibe, Joseph P. Fell, Christine Ann Caneba
  • Patent number: 8579876
    Abstract: A folded disposable absorbent garment has an absorbent chassis, a pair of front side panels extending from a front region of the absorbent chassis, and a pair of back side panels extending from a back region of the absorbent chassis. A first fastening component is disposed on each of the front side panels and a second fastening component is disposed on each of the back side panels. Each of the second fastening components is releasably attached to a respective one of the first fastening components to define a pair of refastenable seams. The front side panels and the back side panels are folded such that each of the refastenable seams overlies an outer surface of one of the front region and the back region of the absorbent chassis in a plane generally parallel to the front and back regions of the absorbent chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8556877
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment including a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto. These parallel portions of the side panel edges space the fastening and mating fastening components away from major stress points of the garment, thereby reducing the likelihood of fastener pop-opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Marcille Faye Ruman, Henry Louis Carbone, II, Matthew Lee Koele
  • Publication number: 20130261583
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261582
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, Jin Young Jung, Won Young Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261578
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams
  • Publication number: 20130261579
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of liquid and improved intake and retention of liquid loadings during use. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of moisture in contact with a wearer's skin and can provide a feeling of softness on the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: EoYeon Hwang, JinYoung Jung, WonYoung Lee, JinHee Lee, Richard Norris Dodge, II, David Arthur Fell, Eric Donald Johnson, Debra Jean McDowall, Robert Lee Popp, Allyson Marie Sagel, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Michael W. Veith, Kendell Jean Williams