Patents by Inventor Wendy L. Hamilton
Wendy L. Hamilton 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: 8043274Abstract: A disposable incontinent underwear product can comprise areas having different stretch characteristics and thereby fit persons of varying body shape in a more comfortable and/or visually appealing manner. Additionally, in some embodiments, the different areas of stretch can aid in positioning absorbent components, such as an absorbent insert or core that is included in the undergarment to absorb body exudates. For example, a garment may feature at vertical stretch in an area above the crotch and below the waist while featuring horizontal stretch at the hip areas at its front and back sides. As another example, a garment may feature horizontal stretch across the front of the garment and vertical stretch across the back of the garment in areas above the crotch and below the waist. In some embodiments, the crotch also features horizontal, vertical, or biaxial stretch.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Andrew Mlinar, Wendy L. Hamilton, Julie A. Paveletzke, Mary F. Kutchenriter
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Patent number: 7858841Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
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Patent number: 7632258Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Publication number: 20090149827Abstract: A disposable incontinent underwear product can comprise areas having different stretch characteristics and thereby fit persons of varying body shape in a more comfortable and/or visually appealing manner. Additionally, in some embodiments, the different areas of stretch can aid in positioning absorbent components, such as an absorbent insert or core that is included in the undergarment to absorb body exudates. For example, a garment may feature at vertical stretch in an area above the crotch and below the waist while featuring horizontal stretch at the hip areas at its front and back sides. As another example, a garment may feature horizontal stretch across the front of the garment and vertical stretch across the back of the garment in areas above the crotch and below the waist. In some embodiments, the crotch also features horizontal, vertical, or biaxial stretch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Joseph Andrew Mlinar, Wendy L. Hamilton, Julie A. Paveletzke, Mary F. Kutchenriter
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Patent number: 7265258Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Publication number: 20040186448Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Publication number: 20040116883Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
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Publication number: 20040054331Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Patent number: 6667424Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are provided. In one embodiment, an absorbent article includes free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Also provided are methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Patent number: 6562192Abstract: Free flowing particles useful in absorbent articles are disclosed, including fibrous nits and methods of preparing fibrous nits. In one embodiment, fibrous nits are prepared from disperging cellulosic fibers in the presence of a nit conditioner which modifies nit particle size and properties for improved performance of the particles. In other embodiments, nits are prepared in multiple disperging steps or by disperging fibers under two or more conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Wendy L. Hamilton, Heather A. Sorebo, William G. Reeves, Patsy A. Hansen, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Robert J. Makolin, Joseph DiPalma, Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Patent number: 6409883Abstract: A method of making fiber bundles and fibrous structures. The efficacy of a fiber bundle in handling complex fluids may be improved by subjecting an aqueous suspension of fibers at high consistency to elevated energy input with sufficient working of the fibers. The fibrous structures prepared according to the methods herein include at least one fiber bundle and at least one debonding agent. The fiber bundle includes at least one particulate material consisting essentially of entangled fibers.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Makolin, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Wendy L. Hamilton, Patsy A. Hansen, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Fung-jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
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Patent number: 6387495Abstract: Superabsorbent-containing composites containing at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent materials are desirably stiff-gelling superabsorbent materials. The superabsorbent-containing composites of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: William G. Reeves, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Wendy L. Hamilton, Patsy A. Hansen, Jack N. Lindon, Heather A. Sorebo
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Patent number: 6376011Abstract: Superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention contain at least one particle of a superabsorbent material covered with at least a first layer of at least one particle of at least one coating material. The superabsorbent-containing composites prepared in a fluidized bed coating apparatus according to the process of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in sanitary napkins, diapers and other disposable absorbent articles that handle complex fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: William G. Reeves, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Wendy L. Hamilton, Patsy A. Hansen, Jack N. Lindon, Heather A. Sorebo