Patents by Inventor Yihua Chang

Yihua Chang 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).

  • Gel reduction in blends of thermoplastic polyurethane and hydroxyl functional polymers
    Publication number: 20050048236
    Abstract: Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes, particularly athletic shoes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Watkins, Yihua Chang
  • Ion-sensitive hard water dispersible polymers and applications therefor
    Patent number: 6855790
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Pavneet S. Mumick, Frederick J. Lang
  • Membranes with fluid barrier properties and articles containing such membranes
    Publication number: 20050031816
    Abstract: A membrane comprising at least one elastomeric material, at least one polymeric fluid barrier material, and a laminar nano-filler having an average platelet thickness of up to about 10 nanometers and an average aspect ratio of at least about 200 provides desirable appearance and low gas transmission characteristics. The membrane may be a single layer, but preferably the membrane includes at least one layer of an elastomeric material and at least one layer of a polymeric barrier material, in which the elastomeric material layer and/or the polymeric barrier material layer comprises the laminar nano-filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Richard Watkins
  • Water-dispersible, cationic polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6828014
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, Yihua Chang, Frederick J. Lang, Erin McBride, Clay Bunyard
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersable polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6815502
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Lang, Kelly D. Branham, Franklin M. Chen, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Tong Sun, Yihua Chang, Pavneet S. Mumick, William S. Pomplun, Dave A. Soerens, Kenneth Y. Wang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6713414
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Pomplun, Franklin M. Chen, Paige A. Dellerman, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Ligia A. Rivera, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Varsha K. Shah, Dave A. Soerens, Kenneth Y. Wang, Frederick J. Lang, Yihua Chang, David M. Jackson, Pavneet S. Mumick
  • Water-dispersible, cationic polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Publication number: 20040030080
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Kelly D. Branham, Frederick J. Lang, Erin McBride, Clay Bunyard
  • Coating method
    Patent number: 6689036
    Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86. In one embodiment, a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6683143
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavneet S. Mumick, Yihua Chang, Franklin M. Chen, Frederick J. Lang, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, William S. Pomplun, Dave A. Soerens, Kenneth Y. Wang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6653406
    Abstract: A method of making an ion-sensitive composition is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises dispersing in a sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid-based polymer a non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). The ion sensitive compositions made by the method of the present invention have differing solubilities in neutral salt solutions containing at least about 1 weight percent of one or more monovalent salt ions and water containing up to about 200 ppm of one or more multivalent ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave A. Soerens, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun, Franklin M. C. Chen, Frederick J. Lang, Pavneet S. Mumick
  • Screen printed coating on water-sensitive film for water protection
    Patent number: 6638603
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process of making water-sensitive products. In addition, the present invention is directed to water-sensitive products, which maintain their integrity and strength when in use, but dissolve or disperse when place in contact with water, such as in a conventional toilet. Moreover, the present invention is directed to water-dispersible products, including flushable products such as release liners, product packaging, etc., which contain a water-sensitive film strategically coated with a discontinuous hydrophobic material to provide water protection to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kerins, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun
  • Ion-sensitive hard water dispersible polymers and applications therefor
    Patent number: 6630558
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Pavneet S. Mumick, Frederick J. Lang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6602955
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave A. Soerens, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun, Kenneth Y. Wang, Pavneet S. Mumick, Frederick J. Lang, Kelly D. Branham, Franklin M. Chen, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Tong Sun
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6599848
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin M. Chen, Kelly D. Branham, Eric D. Johnson, Frederick J. Lang, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Tong Sun, Dave A. Soerens, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun, David M. Jackson, Kenneth Y. Wang, Pavneet S. Mumick
  • Water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6586529
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavneet S. Mumick, Franklin M.C. Chen, Yihua Chang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6579570
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Lang, Yihua Chang, Franklin M. Chen, Paige A. Dellerman, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Ligia A. Rivera, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Varsha K. Shah, Pavneet S. Mumick, William S. Pomplun, David M. Jackson, Dave A. Soerens, Kenneth Y. Wang
  • Ion-sensitive hard water dispersible polymers and applications therefor
    Publication number: 20030105257
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Pavneet S. Mumick, Frederick J. Lang
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Publication number: 20030096910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Dave A. Soerens, Yihua Chang, William S. Pomplun, Kenneth Y. Wang, Pavneet S. Mumick, Frederick J. Lang, Kelly D. Branham, Franklin M. Chen, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Tong Sun
  • Ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers, a method of making same and items using same
    Patent number: 6548592
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Lang, Yihua Chang, Franklin M. Chen, Pavneet S. Mumick, William S. Pomplun, Dave A. Soerens
  • Ion-sensitive hard water dispersible polymers and applications therefor
    Patent number: 6537663
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihua Chang, Dave A. Soerens, Frederick J. Lang