Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Douglas H. Tulley, Jr.
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Patent number: 7004313Abstract: Disposable dispensers for stacks of tissue products are provided that include one or more odor control agents and one or more means for containing and releasing the odor control agents. When the means for containing and releasing the odor control agents is activated the odor control agents are released into the surrounding environment. The odor control agents include fragrant materials, odor-absorbing materials and materials that yield chemically active vapors.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Mitchell, Debra Nell Welchel, Richard Ignatius Wolkowicz, Ning Yang
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Patent number: 6794351Abstract: Multipurpose cleaning articles are provided comprising a porous cleaning sheet containing an aqueous cleaning composition comprising (a) water as the major component; (b) 5% to 45% by weight water-immiscible solvent; (c) less than about 1.8% by weight emulsifier; and wherein the aqueous cleaning composition has a vertical wicking rate of about 1 cm/minute or more. The porous cleaning sheet can comprise any one of numerous materials, including hydrophobic materials, such as nonwoven webs, textile fabrics, foams and so forth. The cleaning articles are capable of removing water insoluble materials from various surfaces and including cleaning the skin and hands as well as hard surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Shick, Ali Yahiaoui
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Patent number: 6784126Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains 1) from more than about 0 to less than about 30 percent, by weight, of a nonwoven layer of conjugate spun filaments, the filaments containing at least one low-softening point component and at least one high-softening point component and having at least some exterior surfaces of the filaments composed of at least one low-softening point component; 2) more than about 70 percent, by weight, of pulp fibers; and 3) regions in which the low-softening point component at the exterior surfaces of the filaments is fused to at least a portion of the fibrous component. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Cherie Hartman Everhart, Danial Owen Fischer
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Patent number: 6769565Abstract: A dispensing system that includes a housing and a cartridge which is to be inserted into the interior area of the housing. The housing includes a plurality of intersecting exterior sidewalls, a first end wall defining a dispensing throat, a second end wall, and a means for securing a cartridge within the housing. The cartridge includes a flexible bag, a plurality of products compressed within the flexible bag in the dispensing direction, a means for restraining the cartridge within the housing, and a means for releasing the products from the flexible bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Jan Byron Charles Spencer, Leonard Wesley Smith, Jr., Janet Lee Watson
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Patent number: 6759356Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer electret material comprising a porous substrate of a blend of a first thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin or polyamide, and from 0.1% to about 25% by weight, of a compatible telomer. The porous substrate is electrostatically charge and is well suited for use in filter media, sterilization wraps, face masks, dust wipes and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: David Lewis Myers
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Patent number: 6736916Abstract: A process of forming a nonwoven fabric is disclosed which comprises the steps of forming a precursor web of multicomponent substantially continuous filaments, exposing the precursor web to a hydraulic arrangement treatment to form apertures without causing substantial filament entanglement, and thereafter forming inter-filament bonds and an integrated web. The resulting apertured nonwoven fabrics have good hand and tactile aesthetics and have a great variety of uses including use in absorbent personal care products, garments, medical applications, and cleaning applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tara Tryphena Steinke, Jay Sheldon Shultz
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Patent number: 6653523Abstract: Disclosed herein is a low gauge, multilayer film which may be laminated to other materials such as, for example, fibrous nonwoven webs. The multilayer film may include one or more skin layers which in certain configurations comprise no more than about 15 percent of the overall thickness and in other configurations no more than about 10 percent of the overall thickness of the multilayer film. Such films and laminates have a wide variety of uses including, but not limited to, personal care absorbent products, articles of clothing and health care related items such as surgical drapes and gowns.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ann Louise McCormack, Kevin George Hetzler
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Patent number: 6573205Abstract: A porous polymeric sheet is provided having an electrostatic charge and comprising a zero-three composite of a polymeric matrix and a ferroelectric material dispersed therein. The polymeric component comprises a non-polar thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin, and a second thermoplastic polymer having polar functional units, such as a telomer. The composite material is formed into a porous sheet and is electrically or corona poled to create an electret material which is well suited four use in various filtration, air-masking and dust wipe applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Lewis Myers, John Joseph Lassig, Leonid Anthony Turkevich, David Grant Midkiff
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Patent number: 6562777Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky, Taiwoo Chiu
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Patent number: 6479061Abstract: The present invention pertains to an airlaid composite which is made of pulp fibers, at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber, and moisture. This airlaid composite is unique in that a uniformly even composite is made which upon calendering, becomes a thin structure which maintains significant absorbency when saturated. The bicomponent fibers of the present invention include a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and the first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer component. Mixing of the pulp fibers with the bicomponent fibers is done in such a way that the fibers are evenly dispersed in the airlaid composite. This airlaid composite is then heated such that at least a portion of the first polymer component of the bicomponent fiber is melted, which bond the bicomponent fibers to many of the pulp and bicomponent fibers when cooled.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Monica C. Fontenot, Terry Pearce Ford, James Jay Tanner, Jonathan Robert Owen, John Joseph Lassig, Barbara Jean Burns, Alan Grady Shuman, Victor Michael Gentile
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Patent number: 6454989Abstract: The present invention provides continuously crimped propylene polymer nonwoven fabrics as well as processes for forming crimped multicomponent propylene polymer fibers by melt-attenuating extruded multicomponent fibers with heated or unheated air wherein the fibers spontaneously crimp without the need for additional heating and/or stretching steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Richard Neely, Darryl Franklin Clark, Ty Jackson Stokes, Chad Michael Freese, Rebecca Willey Griffin
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Patent number: 6417154Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky, Taiwoo Chiu
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Patent number: 6368609Abstract: The present invention pertains to an airlaid composite which is made of pulp fibers, at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber, and moisture. This airlaid composite is unique in that a uniformly even composite is made which upon calendering, becomes a thin structure which maintains significant absorbency when saturated. The bicomponent fibers of the present invention include a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and the first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer component. Mixing of the pulp fibers with the bicomponent fibers is done in such a way that the fibers are evenly dispersed in the airlaid composite. This airlaid composite is then heated such that at least a portion of the first polymer component of the bicomponent fiber is melted, which bond the bicomponent fibers to many of the pulp and bicomponent fibers when cooled.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Monica C. Fontenot, Terry Pearce Ford, James Jay Tanner, Jonathan Robert Owen, John Joseph Lassig, Barbara Jean Burns, Alan Grady Shuman, Victor Michael Gentile
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Patent number: 6369292Abstract: Absorbent articles having reduced outer cover dampness are provided and include a hydrophobic barrier layer positioned between an absorbent core and a breathable liquid impervious outer cover. The hydrophobic barrier layer, such as one or more layers of nonwoven webs, has a thickness of at least 0.03 cm and a hydrohead value of at least 18 millibars. The hydrophobic barrier layer does not significantly reduce the water-vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the absorbent article when the absorbent core is dry yet significantly reduces the overall WVTR of the absorbent article once the absorbent core is wet. Thus, an absorbent article is provided having a WVTR that exceeds about 1500 grams/square meter 24 hours when dry and yet is less than 15,000 grams/square meter 24 hours when wet.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Craige Strack, Ann Louise McCormack, Timothy Ray Martin
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Patent number: 6355583Abstract: A versatile sorbent material is provided comprising a fibrous sheet having applied thereto a wetting chemistry comprising (i) a poly glycoside; (ii) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate; and (iii) one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl sulfonates and sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates and phosphonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates and sulfated fatty acid esters. A sorbent material is provided having excellent electrical resistivity and good absorption properties for a broad range of liquids including paraffin oil, water, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Gabriel Hamman Adam
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Patent number: D450542Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
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Patent number: D451349Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Jan Byron Charles Spencer
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Patent number: D463137Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Mary E. Monroe, Priscilla M. Jones, George R. Cohen, Robert D. Peterson
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Patent number: D463138Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: George R. Cohen, Priscilla M. Jones, Mary E. Monroe, Robert D. Peterson
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Patent number: D463184Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, David Aaron Lilley