Patents Represented by Attorney Raymond J. Miller
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Patent number: 4307143Abstract: Low cost wiper material for industrial and other applications having improved water and oil wiping properties. A base material of meltblown synthetic, thermoplastic microfibers is treated with a wetting agent and may be pattern bonded in a configuration to provide strength and abrasion resistance properties while promoting high absorbency for both water and oil. The wiper of the invention displays a remarkable and unexpected ability to wipe surfaces clean of both oil and water residues without streaking. It may be produced in a continuous process at a low cost consistent with the convenience of single use disposability.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1980Date of Patent: December 22, 1981Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Gary H. Meitner
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Patent number: 4256111Abstract: Chemically modified cellulose fibers such as those which have been subjected to phosphorylation or carboxymethylation or to polymer grafting-hydrolysis are refined in the presence of water, centrifuged to remove unbound water and extruded into filaments. The individual fibers are identifiable within the filaments and are generally aligned parallel to the filament axis. Certain embodiments of the filaments are highly absorbent, have fast wicking rates, and may be self-bonded to form integral nonwoven webs for use in disposable diapers, sanitary products, wipers and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1973Date of Patent: March 17, 1981Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Frederick O. Lassen
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Patent number: 4169699Abstract: A process and mechanism for the dry screen forming of fibers to attain a dispersion in air of substantially individual fibers from which a fibrous sheet is formed. Fibrous nits, pills and flocs are removed from the dispersion by rolling the nits, pills and the like into elongated shapes as they pass a fiber screening member and carrying the elongated fibrous bodies from the dispersion of fibers and away from the sheet forming area for the fibers. The mechanism includes a fiber screening member, a fiber receiving member on which the sheet is formed and a foraminous member which rolls the nits, pills and the like between it and the fiber screening member as the air dispersion of fibers passes toward the fiber receiving member.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1978Date of Patent: October 2, 1979Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Edward E. Werner
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Patent number: 4125113Abstract: An improvement in tubular applicators for inserting hygienic media into body cavities. The applicator is of the type having telescoping elements in which annular flanges are disposed at the rear of each element and in which the rear surface of one flange confronts the front surface of the other flange. The improvement comprises providing a stop means on one or both of the confronting flange faces to keep the faces from touching when the elements are fully telescoped together and thus prevent entrapment of body tissue or hair between the closed flanges.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1975Date of Patent: November 14, 1978Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Raymond A. Morman, David V. Duchane
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Patent number: 4109353Abstract: Fibrous webs are bonded by passing through a nip comprising an anvil and a hammer vibrating at high frequencies in the presence of uncombined liquid. The liquid is moved within the web causing rearrangement and entanglement of the fibers resulting in improved web properties such as strength, drape, and softness. The nature of the rearrangement and entanglement may be varied to produce random or highly entangled webs having correspondingly varying properties. Other embodiments include the use of additional fibers or other materials in the liquid or in the web and the bonding of multiple layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1977Date of Patent: August 29, 1978Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Mitchell, Kurt W. Ostermeier
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Patent number: 4079739Abstract: A die-cut, contoured, catamenial napkin of joined-together layers of sheet material assembled into a sandwich which combines a thin, soft, flexible peripheral portion for comfort with a thick central portion for increased fluid-holding capacity. The uppermost layer is a thin batt of intermingled fibers provided with unbonded low density cushion areas separated by spaced bonded areas comprised of compressed fluid-distributing channels of higher density extending generally longitudinally of the batt and intersecting the ends and edges. The central portion of the uppermost layer is upwardly deformed to provide a pad-receiving cavity in which a main fluid-holding element consisting of a relatively thick pad of absorbent material is positioned in intimate physical contact with the uppermost layer while the horizontal face portions of the side and end walls of the central pad are free of contact with neighboring components.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1976Date of Patent: March 21, 1978Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Howard A. Whitehead
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Patent number: 4070218Abstract: A soft, nonwoven web is produced by adding directly to a thermoplastic polymer at the time of extrusion a lubricating agent having an HLB number in the range of 8 to 20 and a molecular weight in the range of from 200 to 4000. The lubricating agent is uniformly distributed into the polymer as extruded into filaments. The filaments are collected to form a web and then subjected to heat treatment in the range of from 180-260.degree. F. for at least about 1-7 seconds. The lubricating agent migrates to the surface of the fibers producing a release effect and preventing secondary bonding from occurring. After pattern bonding to provide spaced areas of high intensity bonds, the result is a soft, strong nonwoven web having particular utility as a liner for disposable diapers and catamenial devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1976Date of Patent: January 24, 1978Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Robert E. Weber
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Patent number: 4067336Abstract: A protective and discharge containment device for the perineum made from flexible sheet material shaped to provide close conformity with changing perineal contours by being folded on a set of pre-established lines radiating outward from a base point interiorly disposed on a line defining the main longitudinal axis of the sheet material. When folded as prescribed, the sheet material takes on an upwardly concave configuration in both the transverse and longitudinal directions with the deepest part of the concavity originating at the base point.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1976Date of Patent: January 10, 1978Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Russell L. Johnson
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Patent number: 4056103Abstract: An improved wrapper structure for tampons containing superabsorbent material. The wrapper provides the used tampon with a fluid-lubricated surface to ease withdrawal. The wrapper is a fluid-permeable web material having a saline fluid retention capacity sufficient to partially counteract the high capillary suction pressure exerted by superabsorbent fibers in the tampon core and thereby retain enough fluid in the wrapper during use to maintain the surface fibers of the wrapper in soft, lubricous condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1977Date of Patent: November 1, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Leonard M. Kaczmarzyk, James J. Hlaban, Patricia J. McKelvey
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Patent number: 4050462Abstract: A disposable, single-use, generally elongate diaper having substantially planar sections at each end and intermediate these planar ends a substantially non-planar section comprising the crotch section. The crotch section is narrower than at least one of the ends and is longitudinally constricted by elastically extendible means secured to each of the edges of the crotch section in a manner which produces a plurality of gross transverse rugosities across the width of the crotch section of the diaper when the elastic means is in non-extended condition. The width dimension of the crotch is preferably within a predetermined percentage range of the combined width of the planar waist sections. The length dimension of the narrower crotch section is preferably a specified percentage of the full unconstricted length of the diaper. A further improvement is obtained if the geometry of the side edges between the wide waist section and the narrower crotch section is defined by a concave arc.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1976Date of Patent: September 27, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Lin-Sun Woon, Dan D. Endres
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Patent number: 4049764Abstract: In the formation of highly absorbent and rapidly wicking filaments and web structures by extrusion and solvent drying of extrudates composed of highly swollen hydrophilic chemically modified cellulose fibers, improved results are obtained in the form of a softer and better wicking product by treatment of the extrudate prior to extrusion. The extrudate is a mass containing the swollen chemically modified cellulose fibers and a water content of up to 98% at the time of extrusion. By adding to the extrudate, prior to extrusion, an amount of from about 2 to 50% of the solvent to be used in drying in the form of pure solvent or in the form of a mixture containing solvent but which may contain water or other non-solvent and the solvent to be used in drying, a much better performing extrudate is produced which results in better filament formation, improved bonding between filaments, lower water content in the extrudate, faster drying of the extruded product, and a softer, better wicking product.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1975Date of Patent: September 20, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Wayne C. Sigl, Frederick O. Lassen
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Patent number: 4047534Abstract: A nursing pad of multi-ply construction that is conformable and comfortable with a high resistance to strike-through and low sticking properties. The pad includes a lightweight layer of thermoplastic polymeric microfibers on one side of an absorbent middle layer containing thermoplastic polymeric fibers and, on the opposite side of the middle layer, a lightweight spun-bonded continuous filament thermoplastic polymer layer. The microfiber layer provides resistance to strike-through and will tend to cling to many fabrics preventing displacement of the pad during normal use. The continuous filament layer provides comfort and strength with a reduced tendency to stick. The combination is bonded by embossing wherein the embossing pattern on the microfiber side occupies a lower percentage of the surface area than the bonding pattern on the continuous filament side.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1977Date of Patent: September 13, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Susan N. Thomaschefsky, Ann Sprangers
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Patent number: 4044766Abstract: This invention is directed to a compressed catamenial tampon made up of a mass of absorbent fibers having intermixed therein a quantity of carboxymethylcellulose fibers containing free-acid carboxyl radicals and characterized by a high capacity for absorbing and retaining menstrual fluids. These carboxymethylcellulose fibers are modified by heat treatment to shorten the time it takes for such fibers to absorb a specified amount of fluid and thereby more effectively utilize their high capacity. The particular high capacity fibers are defined as carboxymethylcellulose fibers having a degree of substitution in the normally soluble range of about 0.4 to about 2.0 in which a part of the carboxyl groups are in free-acid form with the remainder in salt form.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1976Date of Patent: August 30, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Leonard M. Kaczmarzyk, James J. Hlaban, Leo J. Bernardin
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Patent number: 4030629Abstract: A cover for a tank, hatch, or like container having an opening, including two rims about the perimeter of the opening connected by a flexible sleeve. At least one rim is rotatable with respect to the other, and, when rotated, causes the sleeve to close in an iris fashion and seal the opening. Reversing the rotation untwists the sleeve and causes the cover to open. The device of the present invention does not require sliding plates, cams or gears and is adaptable to closing about a pipe or other obstruction placed in the opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1976Date of Patent: June 21, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Igor V. Melnikov
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Patent number: 4026487Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwinding wound sheet material in a drum unwind operation are described. The drum of the unwind equipment peripherally engages the material to be unwound in a pressure nip. The drum has a soft covering which deforms readily in the pressure nip while the roll being unwound is not subject to significant deformation in the nip. The roll being unwound then has the same diameter throughout the roll and sagging of the material at the nip is eliminated. The deformable roll or covering must be more easily deformed than the roll of material and for optimum operation is much more easily deformed to the extent that the deformation is visible to the eye.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1975Date of Patent: May 31, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Thomas M. Ales, Jr.
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Patent number: 4022211Abstract: A wetness indicator for an absorbent pad assembly in which the pads have light-transmitting backing sheets. The indicator comprises a water-dispersible or water-soluble coloring agent affixed to a carrier means adjacent the absorbent pad and of sufficient intensity to be readily visible through the backing sheet when the pad is dry but which after being wetted by aqueous body fluids becomes substantially invisible. The coloring agent may be used by itself or with a suitable binder. It may also be used alone or in combination with a permanent color pattern or design which latter remains visible after wetting.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1975Date of Patent: May 10, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Terry K. Timmons, Dan D. Endres
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Patent number: 4018432Abstract: Diaper folder mechanism including a folding board having a minimum number of moving parts in which the diaper folding board is also a pickup board and is mounted for rotation in a circular path. Diaper feed means direct an unfolded diaper into the path of the rotating pickup and folding board. The board carries means for retaining the diaper and means for tucking portions of the diaper inwardly of itself as the diaper is smoothed over the board by apparatus fixedly positioned in the circular path. The board is carried on a spoke or radial support and is oriented relative to the spoke as the spoke and board rotate. This provides for removal of the diaper from the board by transfer means, moving in a path eccentric to the path of travel of the board. The transfer means are operated to permit stacking of the diaper on a movable table in a continuous manner. The provision of a plurality of spokes with a folding board on each leads to high production, that is, in excess of 300 diapers folded per minute.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1975Date of Patent: April 19, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Richard H. Frick
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Patent number: 4010751Abstract: An inserter for delivering soft, deformable tampons into body cavities and the combination of the inserter with a suitable tampon. The inserter is particularly useful with tampons made of resiliently deformable material, such as polyurethane sponge. The inserter is made up of a pair of telescoping elements. The outer element is in the form of a tube. The inner element may also be in the form of a tube and has a main portion slidably disposed within the outer tube and a front portion comprising a smaller diameter frontal extension axially disposed on the forward end of the main portion and having a length substantially as long as the outer element when the inner element is slidably disposed therein.In the inserter and tampon combination, the tampon is disposed within the outer tube to provide a forward head portion and a trailing skirt-like portion with at least the skirt-like portion being deformed and held in releasable compression between the frontal extension and the outer tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1975Date of Patent: March 8, 1977Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: David F. Ring
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Patent number: 3997647Abstract: Chemically modified cellulose fibers such as those which have been subjected to phosphorylation or carboxymethylation or to polymer grafting-hydrolysis are refined in the presence of water, centrifuged to remove unbound water and extruded into filaments. The individual fibers are identifiable within the filaments and are generally aligned parallel to the filament axis. Certain embodiments of the filaments are highly absorbent, have fast wicking rates, and may be self-bonded to form integral nonwoven webs for use in disposable diapers, sanitary products, wipes and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1975Date of Patent: December 14, 1976Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Frederick O. Lassen
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Patent number: 3989040Abstract: An improved surgical drape adapted to cover a patient extremity such as an arm or a leg during a surgical procedure. The drape is tubular in construction having one end closed and means for adhesively attaching it to the patient along a slit adjacent to the open end. For disposability it is fabricated from a nonwoven fabric on the surface contacting the patient and, bonded thereto, a liquid-proof film forming the outside surface. Preferred embodiments are described wherein the drape is formed from a flat sheet and has a reinforced side seam and end. A preferred method of telescope folding the drape for improved safety and speed of applicaton is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1975Date of Patent: November 2, 1976Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Lewis C. Lofgren, Stephen E. Farrow