Patents Represented by Attorney Douglas G. Glantz
  • Patent number: 6527757
    Abstract: An absorbent article and method are disclosed for providing side leakage protection for an undergarment and absorbent article positioning guidance for proper placement on the undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent cuff pad is configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman with cuffs for receiving a crotch portion of an undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent pad and liquid-impermeable baffle are provided with stiffening means for a pair of garment-attachment nesting ridges for receiving an loans arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. In one embodiment, an absorbent configured to fit the pudendal region of a woman, a liquid-impermeable baffle, and stiffening means for multiple pairs of garment-attachment nesting ridges receive and protect an arcuately shaped crotch portion of an undergarment. Arcuately shaped pleats on a bottom lateral side surface of the absorbent article form the nesting ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Wanda W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6473962
    Abstract: Apparatus and method precisely preload bearings onto shafts. A swivel plate swivels up to 360° and locks a rotary shaft axially with a motor shaft. A shim and bearing adjacent the shim preload onto shaft shoulder by lock nut secured to the threaded shaft. The lock nut forces the bearing inner race to expand outwardly, preloading the bearing. A force sensor measures torque on the bearing outer race. Measured torque is monitored within a predetermined range to establish the precisely loaded bearing. The method slides a shim onto support shaft shoulder. A bearing is slid onto tapered surface, and lock nut tightened onto the threaded shaft. The lock nut expands the bearing inner race, reducing the distance between the inner and outer races and preloading the bearing. The outer race at a predetermined, constant speed has torque monitored to a predetermined range to provide a precisely preloaded bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Beduhn
  • Patent number: 6475260
    Abstract: A process for producing aluminum metal by carbothermic reduction of alumina ore. Alumina ore is heated in the presence of carbon at an elevated temperature to produce an aluminum metal body contaminated with about 10-30% by wt. aluminum carbide. Aluminum metal or aluminum alloy scrap then is added to bring the temperature to about 900-1000° C. and precipitate out aluminum carbide. The precipitated aluminum carbide is filtered, decanted, or fluxed with salt to form a molten body having reduced aluminum carbide content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred F. LaCamera
  • Patent number: 6469130
    Abstract: A nonwoven web and method of preparing a novel nonwoven web of synthetic fiber are disclosed. An aqueous solution amide crosslinked synthetic precursor polymer is extruded under defined conditions through a plurality of die orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are attenuated with a defined primary gaseous source to form fiber under conditions of controlled macro scale turbulence and under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline, as it leaves a die orifice and for a distance of no more than about 8 cm, to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, while substantially maintaining uniformity of viscosity in the radial direction, at a rate sufficient to provide fiber having,the desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage. The attenuated threadlines are dried with a defined secondary gaseous source. The resulting fibers are deposited randomly on a moving foraminous surface to form a substantially uniform web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Yong Li, Wendy Lynn Van Dyke, Anthony John Wisneski, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Hannong Rhim
  • Patent number: 6458064
    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 and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, multiple layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
  • Patent number: 6440268
    Abstract: A partially unwound roll is moved for splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and the united web is rewound. The torque transmitting means include side clamping mechanisms engaging only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In one aspect, an automated off-line apparatus and method splice tissue webs from different parent rolls in a finishing unit, and substantially continuous impacts on each web during unwinding splice the webs together. In one aspect, an apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and through drying the web to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leo Baggot, Michael Earl Daniels, David Robert Gruber, Paul Kerner Pauling, James D. Ba Dour, Jr., Larry E. Birnbaum, Rudolph S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 6437212
    Abstract: A novel article and method are disclosed for reducing malodor in disposable products for the absorption of body fluids. An effective amount of pentitol is applied to a disposable absorbent material, prior to its use. In one aspect, the invention provides a water-swellable, water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material. In one aspect, the pentitol is compositionally part of the absorbent structure or is coated on the absorbent material present in the absorbent structure. The pentitol preferably is located in the area of insult, i.e., that area of the absorbent product to be exposed to the body fluid intended to be absorbed. The pentitol in the novel article and method of the present invention is effective in preventing malodor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Mark La Fortune
  • Patent number: 6410763
    Abstract: A method for providing a purified conjugated fatty acid is disclosed. The purified conjugated fatty acid is formed by separating by liquid chromatography a conjugated fatty acid formed by a novel synthesis of reacting an ester of a fatty acid having a four carbon chain such that carbon one bears one hydrogen and one hydroxyl group, carbon two bears two hydrogen atoms, and a double bond is positioned between carbon three and carbon four, with a tosyl chloride or a mesyl chloride to form a tosylate or mesylate of said ester, and reacting the tosylate or mesylate of said ester with diazabicyclo-undecene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. Seidel
  • Patent number: 6406162
    Abstract: A stainless steel airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas, variable length container means for rotatably adjusting height and azimuth by a vertical displacement, and stainless steel mounting means on the adjustable fixture container for mounting the airport inset light on the rotatably adjustable fixture container. A container bottom has stainless steel mounting means for mounting an airport inset light when the bottom is installed initially and before an adjustable top portion is installed. Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring “mud dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6398882
    Abstract: A novel product composed of a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal, including uniformly distributed, finely sized carbide phase particles formed in situ in a molten metal and a novel method for producing such a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal are disclosed. A salt-based liquid state reaction involving a liquid metal/alloy containing a liquid Ti, B, Si, Sc, Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr, Mo, Al (when the molten metal matrix is not aluminum), or V and a halide salt containing carbon particles forms a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the metal matrix. The ceramic dispersoid in metal product of the present invention includes at least about 50 volume percent of a matrix metal of aluminum; and up to about 50 volume percent of a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the aluminum metal matrix, wherein the finely sized ceramic phase particles have an average particle diameter of less than about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Men Glenn Chu, Siba P. Ray
  • Patent number: 6383161
    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 and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, three layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
  • Patent number: 6363776
    Abstract: A novel apparatus and method are disclosed for testing piles for load bearing capacity. The novel means and method of the present invention include applying a static compressive force on a pile or group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity, receiving an equal and opposite reaction force on an I-beam, providing at least two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of the pile, and bracing the I-beam by the two reaction anchor assemblies to hold the I-beam stationary in counter-action against the opposite reaction force on the I-beam. In one aspect, each reaction anchor assembly has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, a pulling rod passing through the center, a pair of the swingable anchoring plates, and a frusto-cone for pivoting the swingable anchoring plates. In one aspect, the pipe column has four fins welded longitudinally along the pipe column. In one aspect, the reaction anchor assembly is preassembled for transportation to a pile test site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6355139
    Abstract: A high bulk tissue web is made by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto a forming fabric to form a web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of large diameter parent rolls wound on a core, and transporting the parent rolls to an unwind stand having torque transmitting clamping means for engaging opposite end surfaces of the parent rolls. A backing plate is connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive. An inflatable bladder is mounted on the backing plate. The clamping means engage a first parent roll by inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms for partially unwinding the first parent roll using a variable speed drive operably associated with the clamping means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leo Baggot, Michael Earl Daniels, David Robert Gruber, Paul Kerner Pauling, James D. Ba Dour, Jr., Larry E. Birnbaum, Rudolph S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 6346195
    Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning wastewater containing metal ions in solution, hydrogen peroxide, and high solids, e.g., greater than about 50 mg/l particulate solids. A carbon adsorption column removes hydrogen peroxide in the wastewater feed containing high solids. A ion exchange unit removes the metal ions from solution. The process and apparatus remove metal ions such as copper from a high solids byproduct polishing slurry from the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of integrated circuit microchips to form an environmentally clean wastewater discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Filter Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Filson, Philip M. Kemp, Stanley R. Kaars, Frank L. Sassaman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6343420
    Abstract: The method includes sliding a first shim onto the support shaft until it abuts a shoulder. The first shim has a predetermined thickness. A bearing is then slid onto the tapered surface and a lock nut is tightened onto the threaded portion of the shaft. As the lock nut contacts the inner race of the bearing it causes the inner race to contact the first shim and also to radially expand outwardly, thereby preloading the bearing. The outer race of the bearing is then connected to a motor and the motor is operated at a predetermined, constant speed. The torque required to rotate the outer race of the bearing is measured and compared to a predetermine torque range to determine if the bearing is precisely preloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Beduhn, Jimmy Harrell Howard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6344111
    Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Delson Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6342619
    Abstract: A synthesis process is disclosed for producing a conjugated fatty acid at specified temperature in high yield, including providing an ester of a fatty acid having somewhere in its carbon chain a chain of four carbon atoms such that carbon one bears one hydrogen and one hydroxyl group, carbon two bears two hydrogen atoms, and a double bond is positioned between carbon three and carbon four and reacting with a chloride selected from the group consisting of toluenesulfonyl chloride, methanesulfonyl chloride, benzenesulfonyl chloride, alkylsulfonyl chloride, and arylsulfonyl chloride at a temperature in the range of 10° C.-100° C., preferably 20° C.-50° C. The synthesis process provides a conjugated fatty acid formed from the ester reacted with diazabicycloundecene. In one aspect, the ester is formed in a pyridine solvent. In one aspect, a mesylate is formed with mesyl chloride in acetonitrile and triethyl amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. Seidel
  • Patent number: 6337564
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a classification of inclusions in molten metal. The apparatus and method include the steps of and means for obtaining an analog signal stream from a data collection apparatus, passing the analog signal stream through an analog to digital converter to convert the analog signal stream to a digital signal stream, and partitioning the digital signal stream into a discrete time frame of 5 milliseconds. The digital signal stream is vector normalized to provide a normalized signal stream having a largest amplitude magnitude of 1. The normalized signal stream is compared to a control of a prototype shape for determining a classification for the digital signal stream over the discrete time frame by decision logic to determine hard inclusions versus soft inclusions in the liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Manzini, David H. De Young
  • Patent number: 6329565
    Abstract: A composite absorbent structure and method are disclosed including providing a first wicking layer having preferred liquid transport properties in a preferred contact with a second absorbent retention layer. The composite absorbent structure of the present invention provides preferred liquid transport and liquid retention properties. The composite absorbent structure has a first wicking layer in a preferred contact with the second retention layer by a novel intimate contact means effective to achieve a Contact Intimacy Ratio providing the preferred liquid transport and liquid retention functions when the first wicking layer and the second absorbent retention layer are combined together in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek K. Dutkiewicz, Kristin Ann Goerg-Wood, Donald Francis Guay, Michael Franklin Kalmon, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Yong Li, Jian Oin, Krzysztof Andrzej Szymonski, Richard Warren Tanzer, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet
  • Patent number: 6324757
    Abstract: A method of repairing a coolant system associated with an engine for a vehicle, including disconnecting a gooseneck connected to said engine and removing from said engine its thermostat; disconnecting a bottom radiator hose connected to said engine and flushing said engine with water; reconnecting said bottom radiator hose and reconnecting said gooseneck; refilling said engine's radiator with an antifreeze solution; opening a drain valve on said radiator and allowing a predetermined amount of coolant to drain out of said engine corresponding to a volume of a treatment composition to be added, said treatment composition comprising an aqueous silicate mixture comprising 5-80% sodium silicate, based on a total amount of silicates in said mixture, and 50-20% potassium silicate, based on said total amount of silicates in said mixture, said total amount of silicates comprising about 40-50% of said mixture, a glycol in an amount of at least 10% by volume of the composition and the balance being water; starting
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: SCIX, LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Barks