Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alyssa A. Dudkowski
  • Patent number: 6336922
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes at least one fit panel which is located in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article adjacent an end edge of the absorbent article. The fit panel extends laterally beyond both of the side edges of an absorbent chassis of the absorbent article. The fit panel may include a center bridge panel and a pair of laterally opposed side panels which are connected to opposed lateral edges of the bridge panel. Desirably, the bridge panel and side panels provide individual zones of elasticity across the width of the fit panel which have different elastic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Theodore VanGompel, Timothy James Blenke, Nancy Ellen Dawson, Yung Hsiang Huang, Carl Gerard Rippl, Barbara Oakley Sauer, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Patent number: 6316013
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6315764
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a rear reservoir to receive and hold fecal and other body exudates. The rear reservoir preferably includes a spacer located at a rear portion preferably between a bodyside liner layer and an outer cover layer, assisting in formation of the rear reservoir. A rear waist flap, preferably comprised of the base structure of the absorbent article can be folded inwardly from the rear edge to form, in combination with the spacer and optionally other elements of the absorbent article, the rear reservoir. The rear waist flap can alternatively be formed by a separate element attached to the rear portion of the absorbent article. The separate element can comprise an elastic member, or a nonelastic member with rear waist elastics. The rear waist flap preferably is substantially stretched with respect to the rear portion to assist in shaping the rear reservoir. The spacer preferably comprises an internal filler, and has a rod-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, Paul John Serbiak, Jody Dorothy Suprise
  • Patent number: 6296629
    Abstract: An absorbent or other article including a tensioning system for joining portions of the article together. The system includes a plurality of hook members attached on one portion of the article, and a plurality of loop members attached to a loop panel wherein the loop panel may be intermittently attached to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Bruce Michael Siebers, Gary Lee Travis, Thomas Walter Odorzynski
  • Patent number: 6296862
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6287287
    Abstract: A prefastened disposable absorbent article includes a pair of primary fasteners which are located on the opposed side edges in one the waist regions of the article. The primary fasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article to provide the prefastened absorbent article. The prefastened disposable absorbent article further includes a pair of passive side bonds which are located inward of the primary fasteners on the one waist region. The passive side bonds releasably connect the overlapped portion of the one waist region to the opposite waist region to assist in maintaining the prefastened absorbent article in a prefastened condition. The side bonds also prevent shifting of the waist regions of the article relative to each other during use. The article may also include at least one secondary fastener which is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Laura Linda Elsberg
  • Patent number: 6277106
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diaper which includes an outer cover, a bodyside liner which is superposed on the outer cover and which includes a bodyfacing surface, an absorbent core which is located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and an adhesive. The adhesive is located on the bodyfacing surface of the bodyside liner. The adhesive is configured to at least temporarily secure the front portion of the diaper to a wearer's body to assist in positioning and fastening the diaper about the wearer's body. In a particular aspect, the adhesive is configured to provide a peel strength of no more than about 300 grams per centimeter of width and an initial shear strength of no more than about 600 grams per square centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristina Michelle Boudry, Chinmay Suresh Betrabet, Ruth Ann Lachapell, Lisha Yu
  • Patent number: 6269970
    Abstract: A wet wipe container having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection, a flattened grip area and an assistive region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Stephen Bernard Studee
  • Patent number: 6269969
    Abstract: A wet wipe container having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection, a flattened grip area and an assistive region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Tammy Jo Balzar, Stephen Bernard Studee
  • Patent number: 6245050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article having a length and a width. The disposable absorbent article defines a first and second waist portion and a first and second longitudinal marginal portion. The disposable article includes the components of a backsheet layer, a topsheet layer, and an absorbent structure located between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The article includes at least one elasticized area formed from an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive, a first component and a second component, said first and second components being adhered to one another by said elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Joel Scott Sherman
  • Patent number: 6238379
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability or may include materials which provide improved air exchange after being wetted. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Keuhn, Jr., Ronald Lee Edens, Peter Robert Elliker, Michael John Faulks, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Debra Jean McDowall, Shannon Kathleen Melius, Cheryl Ann Mocadlo, Cynthia Marie Phillips, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Dmitry Yavich, David Louis Zenker, Frank Jerrel Akin, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Susan Carol Paul, Audra Stefanik Wright
  • Patent number: D456508
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi Jo Schroeder, Stephen Carl Baumgartner, Paul Joseph Datta, Linda Mary Dorschner, Michael Francis Drymalski, Barbara Ann Gossen, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, David Andrae Justmann, Thomas Harold Roessler, Gary Lee Travis