Patents Represented by Attorney Randall W. Fieldhack
  • Patent number: 7919453
    Abstract: A dosage cap assembly is provided for use with an applicator assembly, the dosage cap assembly including a tip including an outer surface, an attachment end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a tip cavity, wherein the attachment end of the tip includes an engagement mechanism. The dosage cap assembly also includes a cap having an inner surface defining a cap cavity, the inner surface generally conforming to the outer surface of the tip; and a dosage form disposed within the tip cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel J. Heuer, Steven C. Gehling, Rebecca D. Hayes, Elizabeth E. Bell, Joyce A. Damico
  • Patent number: 7915476
    Abstract: In a method of a caregiver interactively toilet training a wearer of a disposable absorbent article, in response to liquid insult of the article a tactile signal is perceptible from within the article, a corresponding similar tactile signal is perceptible from an exterior of the article, and an active graphic is visually perceptible at the exterior of the article which relates to both the tactile signal and the corresponding tactile signal to thereby communicate the insult event to the caregiver and provide an interactive toilet training opportunity. An absorbent article of the present invention generally has a tactile signal tactilely perceptible from the inner surface of the article and a corresponding tactile signal tactilely perceptible from the exterior of the article. An active graphic is located adjacent the outer cover and is externally visually perceptible and relates to both tactile signals to provide an interactive toilet training opportunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson
  • Patent number: 7875066
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an article adapted to produce heat, the article including an outer surface having a skin-facing surface, the outer surface enclosing a heat generator; and a thermal grill disposed on the skin-facing surface. The present disclosure also provides an article for delivering a heating sensation, the article including a skin-facing surface; a plurality of warm portions disposed on the skin-facing surface; and a plurality of cool portions disposed on the skin-facing surface, wherein the warm portions and cool portions are disposed in an alternating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Cohen, Eric Donald Johnson, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 7833177
    Abstract: Presented is a method for quantifying breastfeeding between a mother and a baby, the method including measuring a physiological volume indicative of stomach fullness volume for the baby; setting a signal threshold value of the physiological volume to correspond to a stomach level that is less than or equal to the stomach fullness volume; obtaining an objective measurement of the physiological volume indicative of a level of fullness of the baby's stomach; and providing an indication to the mother when the objective measurement equals or exceeds the signal threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew M. Long, Brenda M. Nelson, Richard D. Mosbacher, Sridhar Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 7834235
    Abstract: A system for interactively training a child and a caregiver to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The system includes an absorbent article, a urine insult detector, a urine insult event communicator and a urine insult event alarm. The urine insult event alarm includes a local alarm proximate the child and a remote alarm proximate the caregiver. The urine insult event alarm can inform both the child and the caregiver upon occurrence of a urine insult event and thereby provide a first interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The local alarm includes a sensor which senses a condition of the child's environment in conjunction with the occurrence of the urine insult event and wherein the remote alarm can be selectively deactivated based on the condition and thereby provide a second interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew M. Long, Thomas M. Ales, III, Meghan E. Collins
  • Patent number: 7812214
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including an outercover, the outercover comprising a laminated material including two layers; an absorbent body disposed adjacent the outercover; and a graphic associated with the outercover, wherein the laminated material exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 1.0 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132. The laminated material optimally exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 0.75 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132. The laminated material more optimally exhibits a Poisson's Ratio less than 0.4 at 4 percent longitudinal strain using ASTM-E132.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Koele, Elizabeth D. Gadsby, Thomas M. Flicker, Jason S. Fairbanks, Courtney Shea, Ann L. McCormack
  • Patent number: 7708726
    Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for use with an applicator assembly, the cover assembly including a dosage form cap including a therapeutic agent and a cap inner surface defining a cap cavity, wherein the attachment end of the dosage form cap includes an engagement mechanism. The cover assembly also includes a cover having a cover inner surface defining a cover cavity, the cover inner surface generally conforming to the cap outer surface of the dosage form cap. Also included is a method for providing a delivery device, the method including providing a sealed cover assembly to a consumer, wherein the cover assembly includes a dosage form cap and a cover having a cover inner surface defining a cover cavity, wherein the dosage form cap is disposed within the cover cavity. The method also includes instructing the consumer to combine the cover assembly with a tampon assembly obtained by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca D. Hayes, Elizabeth E. Bell, Emily J. Baum, Steven C. Gehling, Daniel J. Heuer
  • Patent number: 7700821
    Abstract: A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including a counter to count the number of discrete insults, a timer to monitor the elapsed time that the article has been worn, and an alarm to indicate that the number of discrete insults has reached an insult limit or that the elapsed time has reached an elapsed time limit, whichever occurs first. The signaling device can be adapted to indicate one of first, second, and third conditions, the first condition being that the number of discrete insults has reached an insult limit, the second condition being that the elapsed time has reached an elapsed time limit, and the third condition being the first to occur of either of the first and second conditions, and wherein the condition to be indicated is selected by the wearer or by a caregiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, III, Andrew Mark Long, Meghan Elizabeth Collins
  • Patent number: 7700820
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a process for controlling the quality of manufactured absorbent articles, the process including incorporating into an absorbent article at least a portion of a wetness sensing system that is configured to detect the presence of a substance, the wetness sensing system comprising at least one metallic conductive element; and passing the absorbent article in proximity to a foreign material sensor employing x-ray technology, the foreign material sensor adapted to detect the presence of foreign material to confirm whether foreign material has been incorporated into the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Darold Dean Tippey, Perry Allen Bush, Timothy Patrick Clare
  • Patent number: 7527614
    Abstract: A delivery device is provided including a first member having an interior surface, a receiving end, and an insertion end, wherein the insertion end is open; a tampon body positioned within the first member, wherein the tampon body has a proximal tampon body end and a distal tampon body end; and a second member slidably coupled to the interior surface of the first member at the receiving end. The device also includes a dosage form, wherein the dosage form is coupled to the distal tampon body end; and a protective tube including an open attachment end, an open protective tube second end opposite the attachment end, and a protective tube inner surface including an engagement mechanism enabling the protective tube to be coupled to the receiving end of the first member at the attachment end of the protective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Heuer, Gregory J. Rajala, Joyce A. D'Amico, Steven R. Burnett
  • Patent number: 7449614
    Abstract: Electrical monitoring devices may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition shortly after the diaper has been soiled. The devices may produce a visual, an audible, or an electronic signal. These electrical monitoring devices have been powered by batteries, specifically small coin cell batteries. The power that is supplied by batteries dissipates over time requiring that the batteries be periodically replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Ales, III
  • Patent number: 7297835
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member. The temperature change member includes temperature change material disposed with the temperature change member in a nonuniform distribution by weight across the temperature change member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Olson
  • Patent number: 7288162
    Abstract: A process for making a garment that can include an absorbent assembly is disclosed. The process includes transporting a garment shell web in a machine direction. Portions of the web may be removed to provide an opening, and an absorbent assembly may be disposed on the garment shell web proximate the opening while the garment shell web is in an open configuration. A portion of the garment shell web may be directed in the cross machine direction to define a folded portion, and a portion of the absorbent assembly may be attached to the folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle S. Allen
  • Patent number: 7252730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching an elastic member and applying it to an article web include a pair of wheels that rotate the elastic member. In particular, the pair of wheels engages the elastic member at an entry location on the pair of wheels and rotates the elastic member from the entry location to an exit location on the pair of wheels. In addition, an absorbent article may include at least one elastic member provided by the method and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hoffman, Patrick J. Nahm
  • Patent number: 7192500
    Abstract: A distinctive process for making a garment including an absorbent assembly is disclosed. The process includes transporting a first web and a second web and joining the first web and the second web to provide a crotch seam. Portions of the webs may also be removed to provide an opening, and an absorbent assembly may be disposed on the first web proximate the opening. Portions of one or both of the webs may also be directed in the cross machine direction and the edges of the webs attached together to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle S. Allen
  • Patent number: 6899700
    Abstract: A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The body includes an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end; and a therapeutic agent positioned substantially within the application zone. A method produces a device for delivering a therapeutic agent. The method includes manufacturing a tampon having a body with a distal end, a proximal end, an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, and an application zone adjacent the proximal end; and locating a therapeutic agent substantially within the application zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Charles Christopher Keely, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Kimberly Marie Geiser, David William Koenig, Bernard Joseph Minerath, Barbara Jo Dvoracek, David John Tyrrell, Duane Gerard Krzysik
  • Patent number: 6888043
    Abstract: An absorbent personal care device, such as an interlabial pad, tampon, sanitary pad or liner, or incontinence product adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to the vaginal epithelium for systemic and topical treatment, the tampon including absorbent material and a formulation including a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is a botanical. The botanical may be, but is not limited to, Agnus castus, aloe vera, comfrey, calendula, dong quai, black cohosh, chamomile, evening primrose, Hypericum perforatum, licorice root, black currant seed oil, St. John's wort, tea extracts, lemon balm, capsicum, rosemary, Areca catechu, mung bean, borage seed oil, witch hazel, fenugreek, lavender, soy, heath, cranberries, blueberries, azaleas, red onion skin, short red bell peppers, long red bell peppers, beet root extract, capsanthin, whortleberry, lingenberry, chokeberry, sweet rowan, rowanberry, seabuckhrouberry, crowberry, strawberries, or gooseberries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Marie Geiser, David William Koenig, Bernard Joseph Minerath, Barbara Jo Dvoracek, David John Tyrrell, Duane Gerard Krzysik
  • Patent number: D461556
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb F Velazquez, Susan Jean Moder, Christine Marie Cowell, Shelley Rae Rasmussen
  • Patent number: D474538
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb F. Velazquez, Susan Jean Moder, Christine Marie Cowell, Shelley Rae Rasmussen
  • Patent number: D474539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb F. Velazquez, Susan Jean Moder, Christine Marie Cowell, Shelley Rae Rasmussen