Patents by Inventor Timothy Ian Mullane

Timothy Ian Mullane 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).

  • Publication number: 20180235817
    Abstract: A laminate comprises a first layer comprising a plurality of lower opacity zones positioned within a higher opacity zone is provided. The plurality of lower opacity zones form a first pattern. The laminate comprises a second layer comprising a second pattern. The laminate comprises a non-joined span of the first and second layers having a dimension of at least about 20 mm. A first portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a first position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span. A second portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a second position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy Ian MULLANE, Kelyn Anne ARORA, Jill Marlene ORR, Donald Carroll ROE, Jennifer SCHUTTE, John Brian STRUBE, Ann Cecilia TAPP, Rachael Eden WALTHER, Amanda Margaret BICKING, Jennifer Lynn DUSOLD, Margaret Elizabeth PORTER
  • Publication number: 20180228660
    Abstract: A laminate comprises a first layer comprising a plurality of lower opacity zones positioned within a higher opacity zone is provided. The plurality of lower opacity zones form a first pattern. The laminate comprises a second layer comprising a second pattern. The laminate comprises a non-joined span of the first and second layers having a dimension of at least about 20 mm. A first portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a first position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span. A second portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a second position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy Ian MULLANE, Kelyn Anne ARORA, Jill Marlene ORR, Donald Carroll ROE, Jennifer SCHUTTE, John Brian STRUBE, Ann Cecilia TAPP, Rachael Eden WALTHER, Amanda Margaret BICKING, Jennifer Lynn DUSOLD, Margaret Elizabeth PORTER
  • Publication number: 20180222092
    Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons, Norman Scott Broyles, Jill Marlene Orr, Timothy Ian Mullane, Jody Lynn Hoying, Karen Denise McAffry, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20180162082
    Abstract: A web having a micro-textured film and a nonwoven is disclosed herein. The micro-textured film has a first surface and an opposing second surface and a plurality of cones extending from the first surface. A plurality of apertures extends through the web, wherein the plurality of apertures have sidewalls formed from the micro-textured film and the nonwoven. The sidewalls extend from the first surface, and wherein the caliper of the micro-textured film in the sidewall is less than the caliper of the microtextured film of the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Jill Marlene Orr, Richard George Coe, John Lee Hammons, Sarah Beth Gross, Leroy Joseph Kocher, Timothy Ian Mullane
  • Patent number: 9962867
    Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons, Norman Scott Broyles, Jill Marlene Orr, Timothy Ian Mullane, Jody Lynn Hoying, Karen Denise McAffry, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20180110660
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method of making the absorbent article are disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers wherein at least one layer is a heterogeneous mass layer, wherein the topsheet and the heterogeneous mass are integrated such that they reside in the same X-Y plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons, Callida Williams Ludher, Tana Marie Kirkbride, Clint Adam Morrow, Timothy Ian Mullane, Dean Larry DuVal, Stephanie Niezgoda Moss
  • Publication number: 20180098887
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described herein. The topsheet is a two layer composite or laminate web having a first layer and a second layer. The composite or laminate has a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures, wherein the first plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in a first direction, wherein the second plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the composite or laminate also includes a plurality of embossments which extend in a third direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert Haines Turner, Vincent Sean Breidenbach, Douglas Herrin Benson, Timothy Ian Mullane, Karen Denise McAffry, John Lee Hammons, Kelyn Anne Arora
  • Patent number: 9925731
    Abstract: Corrugated and apertured web materials are disclosed. More specifically, the webs comprise alternating ridges and grooves, wherein apertures are located in the grooves. In one embodiment, a web comprises alternating ridges and grooves as well as alternating regions of lower basis weight and higher basis weight. The higher basis weight regions are located in the ridges and grooves and the lower basis weight regions are located in the sidewalls between the ridges and grooves. The higher basis weight regions located in the grooves comprise apertures. The apertures have greater open area than previous apertures in similar webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jill Marlene Orr, Richard George Coe, John Lee Hammons, Sarah Beth Gross, Leroy Joseph Kocher, Timothy Ian Mullane
  • Publication number: 20180000654
    Abstract: A method of producing a patterned apertured web is provided. The method comprises providing a web having a central longitudinal axis. The web comprises a plurality of overbonds extending substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The method comprises conveying the web in a machine direction that is substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the central longitudinal axis of the web. The method comprises stretching the web in a cross-machine direction to cause at least some of the overbonds to at least partially rupture and at least partially form patterned apertures in the web. At least some of the patterned apertures have Absolute Feret Angles, according to the Aperture Test herein, of at least about 20 degrees. At least some of the patterned apertures have an Aspect Ratio, according to the Aperture Test herein, in the range of about 2:1 to about 6:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kelyn Anne ARORA, Timothy Ian MULLANE, Jill Marlene ORR, Donald Carroll ROE, John Brian STRUBE
  • Publication number: 20180000655
    Abstract: A laminate comprising a first nonwoven layer comprising a plurality of apertures and a second nonwoven layer is provided. One of the first and second nonwoven layers is a pre-strained layer and is joined to the other one of the first and second nonwoven layers. The other one of the first and second nonwoven layers is a non-pre-strained layer. The pre-strained layer and the non-pre-strained layer together form a three-dimensional laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy Ian Mullane, Kelyn Anne Arora, Jill Marlene Orr, Donald Carroll Roe, Jennifer Schutte, John Brian Strube, Ann Cecilia Tapp, Rachael Eden Walther, Amanda Margaret Bicking, Jennifer Lynn Dusold, Margaret Elizabeth Porter
  • Publication number: 20180000656
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet on a wearer-facing side of the absorbent article and a garment-facing laminate on a garment-facing side of the absorbent article. The garment-facing laminate comprises a first nonwoven layer and a second layer joined to the first nonwoven layer. The first nonwoven layer comprises a plurality of apertures. At least 3 of the plurality of apertures in a repeat unit have a different Effective Aperture Area, according to the Aperture Test herein, a different shape, or a different Absolute Feret Angle, according to the Aperture Test herein. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the garment-facing laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Carroll ROE, Sara Lyn GIOVANNI, Kelyn Anne ARORA, Timothy Ian MULLANE, Jill Marlene ORR, Jennifer SCHUTTE, John Brian STRUBE, Ann Cecilia TAPP, Rachael Eden WALTHER, Amanda Margaret BICKING, Jennifer Lynn DUSOLD, Margaret Elizabeth PORTER
  • Publication number: 20170360621
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described herein. The topsheet has first and second webs where the second web forms a body-contacting surface of the disposable absorbent article and the first web is disposed between the second web and the absorbent core. The second web is hydrophobic compared to the first web. And, the second web is a nonwoven with a plurality of fibers having a diameter less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hugh Joseph O'Donnell, Robert Haines Turner, Vincent Sean Breidenbach, Douglas Herrin Benson, Timothy Ian Mullane, Karen Denise McAffry, John Lee Hammons, Kelyn Anne Arora
  • Publication number: 20170360618
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method of making the absorbent article are disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers wherein at least one layer is a heterogeneous mass layer, wherein the topsheet and the heterogeneous mass are integrated such that they reside in the same X-Y plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Ian Mullane, John Lee Hammons, Kelyn Anne Arora, Clint Adam Morrow, Callida Williams Ludher, Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Tana Marie Kirkbride, Dean Larry DuVal, Stephanie Niezgoda Moss
  • Publication number: 20170319403
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method of making the absorbent article are disclosed. The absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core structure having one or more layers wherein at least one layer is a heterogeneous mass layer, wherein the topsheet and the heterogeneous mass are integrated such that they reside in the same X-Y plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Bewick-Sonntag, Kelyn Anne Arora, Timothy Ian Mullane, John Lee Hammons, Dean Larry DuVal
  • Publication number: 20170143561
    Abstract: Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven laminate includes a first nonwoven web with continuous spunbond crimped fibers and a second web joined to the first nonwoven web. A plurality of apertures extend through at least one of the first nonwoven web or the second web. The nonwoven web includes a plurality of continuous spunbond crimped fibers wherein a plurality of apertures extend through the nonwoven web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Kelyn Anne ARORA, Stephanie Niezgoda Moss, Shirdish Poondru, Timothy Ian Mullane, Nathan Ray Whitely, John Lee Hammons
  • Patent number: 9623602
    Abstract: Methods for forming discrete deformations in web materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves feeding a web into an apparatus having nips that are formed between intermeshing rolls. The apparatus may be in the form of nested or other arrangements of multiple rolls, in which the web is maintained in substantial contact with at least one of the rolls throughout the process, and at least two of the rolls define two or more nips thereon with other rolls. In some embodiments, rolls can be used to expose a different side of the web for a subsequent deformation step. In these or other embodiments, the rolls can be used to transfer the web between rolls in such a manner that it may offset the rolls and/or web so that subsequent deformations are formed at a different cross-machine direction location than prior deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Timothy Ian Mullane
  • Publication number: 20170087748
    Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons, Norman Scott Broyles, Jill Marlene Orr, Timothy Ian Mullane, Jody Lynn Hoying, Karen Denise McAffry, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9550309
    Abstract: A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Fredrick William Gibson, Kelyn Anne Arora, John Lee Hammons, Norman Scott Broyles, Jill Marlene Orr, Timothy Ian Mullane, Jody Lynn Hoying, Karen Denise McAffry, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20160318236
    Abstract: Methods for forming discrete deformations in web materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves feeding a web into an apparatus having nips that are formed between intermeshing rolls. The apparatus may be in the form of nested or other arrangements of multiple rolls, in which the web is maintained in substantial contact with at least one of the rolls throughout the process, and at least two of the rolls define two or more nips thereon with other rolls. In some embodiments, rolls can be used to expose a different side of the web for a subsequent deformation step. In these or other embodiments, the rolls can be used to transfer the web between rolls in such a manner that it may offset the rolls and/or web so that subsequent deformations are formed at a different cross-machine direction location than prior deformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Timothy Ian Mullane
  • Patent number: 9415538
    Abstract: Methods for forming discrete deformations in web materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves feeding a web into an apparatus having nips that are formed between intermeshing rolls. The apparatus may be in the form of nested or other arrangements of multiple rolls, in which the web is maintained in substantial contact with at least one of the rolls throughout the process, and at least two of the rolls define two or more nips thereon with other rolls. In some embodiments, rolls can be used to expose a different side of the web for a subsequent deformation step. In these or other embodiments, the rolls can be used to transfer the web between rolls in such a manner that it may offset the rolls and/or web so that subsequent deformations are formed at a different cross-machine direction location than prior deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Timothy Ian Mullane