Patents by Inventor WanDuk Lee

WanDuk Lee 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: 11931468
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a baffle is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, WanDuk Lee, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Palani Raj R. Wallajapet, Cynthia S. Krueger, Mark M. Mleziva, Richmond R. Cohen
  • Patent number: 11931469
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises porous superabsorbent particles, wherein the particles exhibit a relative humidity microclimate of about 67% or less after being exposed to an atmosphere having a temperature of about 23° C. and relative humidity of 80% for a time period of 20 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Mark M. Mleziva, John Gavin MacDonald, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michelle McBride, Karien J. Rodriguez, Matthew Valaskey, Dave Soerens, Neil T. Scholl, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20230147078
    Abstract: A laminate includes a core structure having a first surface and a second surface, the core structure including an elastic core layer and a plastic core layer, wherein the elastic core layer is one of a film, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, and wherein the plastic core layer is one of a film layer, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, the plastic core structure reinforcing the core layer in the machine direction, and a nonwoven first facing layer affixed to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Davis Dang H. Nhan, WanDuk Lee, Peiguang Zhou
  • Patent number: 11596924
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Yusuke Ueda, Megumi Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20210362125
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that includes superabsorbent particles containing a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20210252478
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Yusuke Ueda, Megumi Tomioka
  • Patent number: 10954367
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer film includes a continuous phase that includes a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, wherein each discrete domain is elongated with a long axis, wherein the axes are aligned in the machine direction (MD) when the film is relaxed, and wherein the axes are aligned in the cross direction (CD) when the film is stretched in the CD. Also, an article includes the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, WanDuk Lee, Davis Dang H. Nhan, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michael G. Shlepr
  • Publication number: 20200188195
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20200171462
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles having a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers are provided. The superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20200155375
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises porous superabsorbent particles, wherein the particles exhibit a relative humidity microclimate of about 67% or less after being exposed to an atmosphere having a temperature of about 23° C. and relative humidity of 80% for a time period of 20 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Mark M. Mlieziva, J. Gavin MacDonald, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michelle McBride, Karien J. Rodriguez, Matthew Valaskey, Dave Soerens, Neil T. Scholl, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20200147258
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a baffle is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, WanDuk Lee, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Palani Raj R. Wallajapet, Cynthia S. Krueger, Mark M. Mleziva, Richard R. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20190202165
    Abstract: A laminate having a cross-machine direction (CD) and a machine direction (MD) includes a core structure having a first surface and a second surface, an elastic net that is elastic in the CD, and a plastic film; and a nonwoven first facing layer affixed to the first surface. A method for producing a laminate includes providing an elastic net layer and a plastic film layer, wherein the elastic net layer is elastic in the CD; stretching the elastic net layer in the CD to less than 100 percent stretch; affixing the plastic film layer to the elastic net layer to form an elastic web having a first surface and a second surface; relaxing the elastic web; affixing a fibrous nonwoven web to the first surface of the elastic web to form a composite nonwoven elastic web; and activating the composite nonwoven elastic web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, WanDuk Lee, Davis Dang H. Nhan
  • Publication number: 20190183690
    Abstract: A leg gasket for a disposable absorbent article includes a laminate having a core structure with a first surface and a second surface, the core structure including an elastic core layer and a plastic core layer, wherein the elastic core layer is one of a film, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, wherein the plastic core layer is one of a film layer, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, and wherein at least one of the elastic and plastic core layers is a film; and a nonwoven first facing layer affixed to the first surface. Also, a disposable absorbent article includes a chassis including an absorbent structure and the leg gasket described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Davis Dang H. Nhan, Richard N. Dodge, Peiguang Zhou, WanDuk Lee, Thomas A. Eby, David G. Biggs
  • Publication number: 20190153205
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer film includes a continuous phase that includes a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, wherein each discrete domain is elongated with a long axis, wherein the axes are aligned in the machine direction (MD) when the film is relaxed, and wherein the axes are aligned in the cross direction (CD) when the film is stretched in the CD. Also, an article includes the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, WanDuk Lee, Davis Dang H. Nhan, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michael G. Shlepr
  • Publication number: 20190047268
    Abstract: A laminate includes a core structure having a first surface and a second surface, the core structure including an elastic core layer and a plastic core layer, wherein the elastic core layer is one of a film, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, and wherein the plastic core layer is one of a film layer, a plurality of strands, and a plurality of strips, the plastic core structure reinforcing the core layer in the machine direction, and a nonwoven first facing layer affixed to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Davis Dang H. Nhan, WanDuk Lee, Peiguang Zhou
  • Patent number: 9826876
    Abstract: A cleaning article includes a cleaning article sheet comprising a fabric substrate, wherein the fabric substrate includes pores therein, and wherein the fabric substrate has a background moisture percentage by weight, and liquid water disposed substantially and disconnectedly within the pores, wherein the liquid water is at moisture percentage by weight that is 5 to 150 percentage points higher than the background moisture percentage. The nonwoven substrate can include pores formed between and/or within the fibers and can have a background moisture percentage by weight. The substrate can include a treatment to increase the dielectric constant from the dielectric constant of the substrate without the treatment. The moisture of the article can be configured to exhibit a dielectric constant of at least 50% and up to 600% higher than the dielectric constant of the same article with only background moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaiyuan Yang, Andrew T Baker, Joseph R Feldkamp, David William Koenig, WanDuk Lee, Carl G Rippl, Kathleen C Engelbrecht, Waihong Leong, Dave A Soerens, Divesh Bhatt, Jin Heo, Jose Kollakompil Abraham
  • Patent number: 9809931
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a binder composition. The moist wipe demonstrates high initial wet strength while maintaining effective dispersion in an aqueous environment. The moist wipe has potential application as a flushable surface cleaning product and/or a flushable cleansing cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth John Zwick, Nathan John Vogel, WanDuk Lee, Joseph Kenneth Baker, Colin Ackroyd
  • Patent number: 9802392
    Abstract: Stronger elastic laminates having an improved microtextured appearance, as well as methods of preparing the laminates, are disclosed herein. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to multilayered elastic laminates including at least one thermoplastic elastomeric film layer and at least one plastic layer coextruded together, stretched and then relaxed. The prepared laminates have enhanced overall strength and elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: WanDuk Lee, Peiguang Zhou, Davis-Dang Hoang Nhan, Alphonse Carl DeMarco
  • Patent number: 9554948
    Abstract: A sensor that is sensitive to the presence of aqueous-based fluids is described. The sensor has a wetness indicating material immobilized or printed on a substrate. The indicating material contains at least one electron-donating leuco dye and one electron deficient receptor, and exhibits a visual signal (e.g., vivid or strong color intensity) in a dry state, which fades or disappears when in contact with a water-containing liquid. An absorbent article incorporating such a sensor to communicate to a user that the article has been exposed to water-containing fluids is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuedong Song, Andrew M. Long, WanDuk Lee, Jun Mo Gil
  • Publication number: 20160355979
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a binder composition. The moist wipe demonstrates high initial wet strength while maintaining effective dispersion in an aqueous environment. The moist wipe has potential application as a flushable surface cleaning product and/or a flushable cleansing cloth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth John Zwick, Nathan John Vogel, WanDuk Lee, Joseph Kenneth Baker, Colin Ackroyd