Patents by Inventor Sarah Kleuskens
Sarah Kleuskens 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: 11883268Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert throughout a first attachment region, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert throughout a second attachment region, the second panel being coupled to the first panel proximate a first side edge of the article and the second side edge of the article and further comprising a weakened region. The second attachment may comprise a low-strength attachment zone and a high-strength attachment zone, the high-strength attachment zone disposed proximate the attachment region bottom edge. The low-strength attachment zone may further have a first peel strength and the high-strength attachment zone may have a second peel strength, the second peel strength greater than the first.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Marc A Morin, Jr., Thomas A Ray, Timothy A. Thorson, Victor Stevens
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Patent number: 11752045Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and having a first waist panel bottom edge, a first waist panel top edge, a first waist panel outer surface, and a first waist panel inner surface, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert. The first waist panel may be coupled to the second waist panel along side edges of the article, and the first waist panel may further comprise a weakened region comprising weakened portions extending at least partially between the first waist panel bottom edge and the first waist panel top edge. The weakened region may have a weakened region percentage of between about 45% and about 90%.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Thomas A. Ray
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Patent number: 11730636Abstract: An absorbent article can include a bodyside liner that provides a barrier region. The barrier region can be a central portion of the bodyside liner not coupled to the absorbent body. The barrier region can include a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The first longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the first containment flap. The second longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the second containment flap. When the absorbent article is in the relaxed configuration and the projection portion of the first containment flap and the projection portion of the second containment flap extend away from the absorbent body, the central portion of the bodyside liner extends away from absorbent body.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Sarah A. Kleuskens, SangWook Lee
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Patent number: 11679038Abstract: An absorbent article is described that includes leg elastics that form the outermost edges of the product. The leg elastics can include an increased number of elastomeric strands and can extend outboard of the chassis. In this manner, the leg elastics can form a proper seal with the legs of the wearer without interference and can be visually inspected by a caregiver. Placing the leg elastics outboard of the chassis also provides for an efficient manner of producing the garment by attaching multiple elastic components to the garment along a vertical bonding seam.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Sarah A. Kleuskens, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah A. Olson
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Patent number: 11672708Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and an absorbent core between the outer cover and the liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and comprising a weakened region and first waist band portion and first chassis portion, the first waist band portion and first chassis portion comprising elastic elements, and a second waist panel. The first waist panel may be bonded to the second along side edges of the article. One of the elastic elements of the first waistband portion may be spaced laterally from a second one forming a waistband non-elasticized region laterally between the first one of the elastic elements and the second one of the elastic elements, and the weakened region may extend at least partially through the waistband non-elasticized region.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Timothy A. Thorson, Victor Stevens
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Patent number: 11628097Abstract: A male incontinence article includes a liquid permeable liner, a liquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The article is configurable from a laid flat configuration to a use configuration. The article has, in the use configuration, an absorbent cup and an upstanding wall that extends upward from the cup. The cup has a closed bottom, a sidewall extending upward from the closed bottom, and an open top. The closed bottom and the sidewall cooperatively define an interior chamber adapted to receive at least a portion of the user's penis. Suitable packaging and methods of manufacturing such an article are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Marcille F. Ruman, Sarah A. Kleuskens, Phillip L. Hutchinson
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Publication number: 20220297881Abstract: Disclosed are telescoping containers, also referred to as sliding drawer containers, for storing and dispensing tissue products comprising an outer sleeve and an inner carton. The container components cooperate with one another in a sliding arrangement to provide a container that may be easily opened and closed. In a closed configuration the container contents are protected and may be placed in a pocket, glove compartment, purse or handbag, without concern for infiltration by dirt or debris. The container may be provided with a catch mechanism to prevent the carton components from being separated in normal use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Jason R. Boon, Sarah A. Kleuskens, Nathan J. Vogel, Brandon M. Hokanson
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Patent number: 11365495Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for formation of a fluid-entangled laminate web. The laminate web includes a support layer and a nonwoven projection web having a plurality of projections which are preferably hollow. The laminate web also includes a plurality of apertures interspersed with the projections. As a result of the fluid-entangling process, entangling fluid is directed through the support layer and into the projection web which is situated on a forming surface. The force of the entangling fluid causes the two layers to be joined to one another and the fluid causes a portion of the fibers in the projection web to be forced into openings present in a forming surface thereby forming the hollow projections. The force of the entangling fluid also causes the fibers of the two layers to be moved around protrusions present in the forming surface thereby forming the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah Kleuskens, Amy Q. Feng, Patrick D. Abney, Kevin G. Dolan, Robert M. Hill, Kroy D. Johnson, Niall Finn, Andy Butler, Danielle Kirby, Phil Penaia
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Publication number: 20210251820Abstract: 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. The benefits of the absorbent article are achieved, in part, by a body facing material having features that help minimize contact of body exudates with the wearer's skin while also being constructed so that the body facing material does not stick to the wearer's skin in use. The body facing material includes a plurality of hollow projections, a plurality of apertures and bonded areas. The bonded areas may be formed with adhesive or by mechanical bonds.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah Kleuskens, Patrick D. Abney
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Patent number: 11007093Abstract: 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. The benefits of the absorbent article are achieved, in part, by a body facing material having features that help minimize contact of body exudates with the wearer's skin while also being constructed so that the body facing material does not stick to the wearer's skin in use. The body facing material includes a plurality of hollow projections, a plurality of apertures and bonded areas. The bonded areas may be formed with adhesive or by mechanical bonds.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah Kleuskens, Patrick D. Abney
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Publication number: 20200378044Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for formation of a fluid-entangled laminate web. The laminate web includes a support layer and a nonwoven projection web having a plurality of projections which are preferably hollow. The laminate web also includes a plurality of apertures interspersed with the projections. As a result of the fluid-entangling process, entangling fluid is directed through the support layer and into the projection web which is situated on a forming surface. The force of the entangling fluid causes the two layers to be joined to one another and the fluid causes a portion of the fibers in the projection web to be forced into openings present in a forming surface thereby forming the hollow projections. The force of the entangling fluid also causes the fibers of the two layers to be moved around protrusions present in the forming surface thereby forming the apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah Kleuskens, Amy Q. Feng, Patrick D. Abney, Kevin G. Dolan, Robert M. Hill, Kroy D. Johnson, Niall Finn, Andy Butler, Danielle Kirby, Phil Penaia
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Publication number: 20200163812Abstract: An absorbent garment that includes a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The absorbent garment is a pant that includes a front region, a back region and a crotch region, with the crotch region being disposed between the front region and the back region. The crotch region is formed by an absorbent assembly. In addition to the absorbent assembly, the garment includes a front panel and a back panel; the front panel is attached to a front region of the absorbent assembly and the back panel is attached to a back region of the absorbent assembly. The front panel and the back panel are bonded to each other to form the lateral side seams of the garment. The garment also includes a pocket at the back waist of the pant that is formed, in part, by a folded over portion of the back panel. The pocket includes a fluid barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Roxanne M. Zuleger, Sarah Kleuskens, Jessica Andriessen, Dan Cote
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Publication number: 20200163810Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and having a first waist panel bottom edge, a first waist panel top edge, a first waist panel outer surface, and a first waist panel inner surface, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert. The first waist panel may be coupled to the second waist panel along side edges of the article, and the first waist panel may further comprise a weakened region comprising weakened portions extending at least partially between the first waist panel bottom edge and the first waist panel top edge. The weakened region may have a weakened region percentage of between about 45% and about 90%.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger
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Publication number: 20200155372Abstract: An absorbent article can include a bodyside liner that provides a barrier region. The barrier region can be a central portion of the bodyside liner not coupled to the absorbent body. The barrier region can include a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The first longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the first containment flap. The second longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the second containment flap. When the absorbent article is in the relaxed configuration and the projection portion of the first containment flap and the projection portion of the second containment flap extend away from the absorbent body, the central portion of the bodyside liner extends away from absorbent body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Sarah A. Kleuskens, SangWook Lee
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Publication number: 20200085641Abstract: Absorbent articles with improved barrier and leg cuffs are disclosed. In an embodiment, an absorbent article comprises a chassis and a combined leg and barrier cuff coupled to the chassis which comprises leg elastic members, at least one barrier cuff elastic member, and a cuff material encompassing all of the elastic members. The first combined leg cuff and barrier cuff further comprises a first un-elasticized portion extending between a seam bond and a leg elastic member, a first elasticized portion encompassing the leg elastic members, and a second un-elasticized portion extending between the seam bond and the barrier cuff elastic member. A length encompassing the first un-elasticized portion and the first elasticized portion is greater than the length of the second un-elasticized portion, and the length of the first un-elasticized portion is less than or equal to the length of the second un-elasticized portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventor: Sarah Kleuskens
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Publication number: 20200030155Abstract: A male incontinence article includes a liquid permeable liner, a liquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The article is configurable from a laid flat configuration to a use configuration. The article has, in the use configuration, an absorbent cup and an upstanding wall that extends upward from the cup. The cup has a closed bottom, a sidewall extending upward from the closed bottom, and an open top. The closed bottom and the sidewall cooperatively define an interior chamber adapted to receive at least a portion of the user's penis. Suitable packaging and methods of manufacturing such an article are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Marcille F. Ruman, Sarah A. Kleuskens, Phillip L. Hutchinson
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Publication number: 20200030161Abstract: 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. The benefits of the absorbent article are achieved, in part, by a body facing material having features that help minimize contact of body exudates with the wearer's skin while also being constructed so that the body facing material does not stick to the wearer's skin in use. The body facing material includes a plurality of hollow projections, a plurality of apertures and bonded areas. The bonded areas may be formed with adhesive or by mechanical bonds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah Kleuskens, Patrick D. Abney
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Publication number: 20200000648Abstract: An absorbent article is described that includes leg elastics that form the outermost edges of the product. The leg elastics can include an increased number of elastomeric strands and can extend outboard of the chassis. In this manner, the leg elastics can form a proper seal with the legs of the wearer without interference and can be visually inspected by a caregiver. Placing the leg elastics outboard of the chassis also provides for an efficient manner of producing the garment by attaching multiple elastic components to the garment along a vertical bonding seam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Sarah A. Kleuskens, Stacy E. Evenson, Andrew T. Hammond, Sarah A. Olson
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Publication number: 20190388282Abstract: An absorbent article is described that includes leg elastics that form the outermost edges of the product. The leg elastics can include an increased number of elastomeric strands and can extend outboard of the chassis. In this manner, the leg elastics can form a proper seal with the legs of the wearer without interference and can be visually inspected by a caregiver. Placing the leg elastics outboard of the chassis also provides for an efficient manner of producing the garment by attaching multiple elastic components to the garment along a vertical bonding seam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: David J. Enz, Jim P. King, Sarah A. Kleuskens, Pat Abney, Kevin Dolan, Amy Feng, Andrew T. Hammond
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Publication number: 20190365575Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and an absorbent core between the outer cover and the liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and comprising a weakened region and first waist band portion and first chassis portion, the first waist band portion and first chassis portion comprising elastic elements, and a second waist panel. The first waist panel may be bonded to the second along side edges of the article. One of the elastic elements of the first waistband portion may be spaced laterally from a second one forming a waistband non-elasticized region laterally between the first one of the elastic elements and the second one of the elastic elements, and the weakened region may extend at least partially through the waistband non-elasticized region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Timothy A. Thorson, Victor Stevens