Patents by Inventor Shannon Melius

Shannon Melius 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: 7175727
    Abstract: A method for making absorbent pads for various absorbent articles is provided. A strip of the absorbent web material is conveyed along a machine direction, the absorbent web material having a generally first constant cross-direction width and generally first uniform basis weight. Longitudinally defined portions of the web material are stretched in the cross direction so as to define longitudinal sections having a wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight alternately spaced between longitudinally extending sections of the web material having a lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight. The web is released eventually cut in a cross direction into individual absorbent pads such that each pad has a crotch section corresponding to the longitudinal section having the lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight and at least one of a front section and back section corresponding to the wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberley-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Shannon Melius
  • Publication number: 20060241559
    Abstract: A diaper having a front portion with at least one line of weakness adapted to be torn and at least one umbilical cover defined in part by the at least one line of weakness. The at least one umbilical cover is moveable from a starting position to an anchored position upon tearing the at least one line of weakness. The diaper has at least one umbilical cover anchor adapted to maintain the at least one umbilical cover in the anchored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Chantel Buhrow, Kusum Gosain, Shannon Melius, John Hahn, Vipula Tailor, Earl Brock
  • Publication number: 20060141891
    Abstract: An absorbent structure has a macro absorbent structure with a plurality of aggregate clusters intermixed therein. The aggregate clusters have a periphery, an interior, and thermoplastic binder fibers. The thermoplastic binder fibers have thermoplastic binder fiber ends. The thermoplastic binder fiber ends are located at the periphery of the aggregate clusters. The interior of the aggregate clusters are substantially free of thermoplastic binder fiber ends. The macro absorbent structure and the aggregate clusters may also include thermoplastic binder fibers, staple fibers, superabsorbent particles and the like. A method of making absorbent structures includes a first absorbent structure, dividing the first absorbent structure to create aggregate clusters, providing a stream of the aggregate clusters, providing polymeric fibers, merging the aggregate cluster stream and polymeric fiber stream into a single product stream, and making a second absorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Shannon Melius, Jeffrey La Fortune, Michael Faulks, David Fell, Michael Venturino
  • Publication number: 20050132476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a waist protection garment. The waist protection garment may include: a length corresponding to the waist circumference of a wearer and the length defining two longitudinal sides; a width in a direction perpendicular to the length and the width defining two lateral sides; an outer cover including a fluid impermeable material; a liner in superposed relation to the outer cover and the liner defining a bodyfacing surface and including a liquid permeable material; and a fastener for attaching one lateral side to the other lateral side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Odorzynski, MeeWha Lee, Shannon Melius
  • Publication number: 20050129846
    Abstract: Surface crosslinked superabsorbent-containing composites. More particularly, methods of treating the surface of composites containing particles of superabsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: William Reeves, Shannon Melius
  • Publication number: 20050112979
    Abstract: An in-line formed web or other material (such as foams) having major surfaces in the X-Y plane and a depth in the Z direction is suitable for use as an integral fluid distribution and fluid retention material in a disposable absorbent article. The web or material contains multiple zones of material which may have both thermoplastic fibers/materials and absorbent material components. The multiple zones can have different compositions of thermoplastic fibers/materials and absorbent material as applied in-line by various arrangements of thermoplastic melt dies and absorbent fiber/material dispensers. By arranging at least two of the multiple zones in an opposing relation overlaid in the Z-axis direction of the web/material, a gradient can be formed in the Z-direction of the web/material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Lawrence Sawyer, Gabriel Adam, Leon Chambers, Susan Cobbs, John Conrad, Michael Daley, Richard Dodge, Peter Elliker, Gregory Lefkowitz, Eric Lennon, Kambiz Makoui, Debra McDowall, Shannon Melius, Sridhar Ranganathan, Xiaomin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20050029143
    Abstract: A package (20) of articles comprises a bottom panel (24), and a top panel (26). The top panel is operatively positioned and joined with the bottom panel (24) to provide a closed package. The top panel (26) is appointed to face toward a user, and a plurality of personal care articles (22) are contained in the package (20). The package (20) includes an opening mechanism (34) which provides access to the articles (22), and each article includes a liquid-permeable topsheet layer (36), and a backsheet layer (38). A data layer (42) is operatively joined to the article (22), and is intended to be selectively repositioned prior to using the article, to enable full functionality of the article. Data indicia (44) are located on the data layer (42) and configured to communicate a message to the user. The message can be related to at least one of motivating the user, entertaining the user, educating the user, and inspiring the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Patricia Samolinski, Kim Resheski-Wedepohl, Scott Martin, Shannon Melius
  • Publication number: 20050026524
    Abstract: Absorbent composites suitable for incorporation into the absorbent core of disposable absorbent articles. The absorbent composites include at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with a coating of particles. The absorbent composites are adapted to exhibit an improved Gel Bed Permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Rebecca Smigielski-McHenry, Peter Elliker, Kambiz Makoui, Shannon Melius, William Reeves
  • Publication number: 20040044322
    Abstract: A method for making absorbent pads for various absorbent articles is provided. A strip of the absorbent web material is conveyed along a machine direction, the absorbent web material having a generally first constant cross-direction width and generally first uniform basis weight. Longitudinally defined portions of the web material are stretched in the cross direction so as to define longitudinal sections having a wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight alternately spaced between longitudinally extending sections of the web material having a lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight. The web is released eventually cut in a cross direction into individual absorbent pads such that each pad has a crotch section corresponding to the longitudinal section having the lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight and at least one of a front section and back section corresponding to the wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Shannon Melius