Patents Represented by Attorney Steven D. Flack
-
Patent number: 6627789Abstract: There is provided an intake/retention/transfer material for personal care products like feminine hygiene products, which is a heterogeneous composite containing between 5 and 25 weight percent of a superabsorbent or gelling material and having a density less than 0.17 g/cc. A more particular embodiment contains less than 20 weight percent and a still more particular embodiment contains 15 weight percent or less of a superabsorbent or gelling material. Also provided are absorbent articles which contain the class of intake/transfer materials mentioned above along with additional absorbent layers such that the absorption of a menses simulant provides fluid partitioning of less than 72% of fluid in the intake/transfer/retention composite. Additionally said composite should have retention capacity values greater than 2.7 g/g.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas William VanDenBogart, Amy Michele Achter, Bruce Wilfuhr Achter, Barbara Jean Burns, Michael Allen Daley, Peter Robert Elliker, David Martin Jackson, Nancy Donaldson Kollin, Gregory Marc Lefkowitz, Sylvia Bandy Little, Tamara Lee Mace, David Michael Matela, Cynthia Marie Phillips, David Charles Potts, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Michael William Veith, Kevin Wilson Wood, Dmitry Yavich
-
Patent number: 6613029Abstract: There is provided a personal care product having a vapor sweep comprising a material which reacts with water or urine to form vapor at a rate capable of displacing at least 5, and preferably at least 10, percent of the air volume within said product per minute. This vapor generation sweeps water vapor and humidity from the personal care product, such as a diaper, and so it's believed will contribute to skin health. Materials that, upon reaction with water or urine, produce large volumes of carbon dioxide may be incorporated into the various components of standard personal care products to achieve the objective of this invention. Such materials include leavening agents. Additionally, a seal may be added to the personal care product to encourage the generated vapor to travel a longer path prior to exiting the product in order to maximize water vapor removal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Rosann Marie Kaylor, James Arthur Davis, Andrew Edsel Huntoon, Michael Tod Morman, Mary Garvie Weber
-
Patent number: 6610903Abstract: There is provided a fluid management material for personal care products which distributes artificial menses according to the gush/distribution test taught herein such that it has a distribution ratio of at least about 0.06. Its preferred that the fluid management material be part of an absorbent materials system having a first fibrous layer, a middle layer adjacent the first layer having hydrophilic oriented surface fibers, and a second fibrous layer adjacent the middle layer. In a personal care product configuration the oriented surface fibers result in a distribution ratio of at least 0.06 where the distribution ratio is a ratio of average of the mass of two end zones of a product divided by the mass of the center zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Gregory Marc Lefkowitz, David Michael Matela, Jeffrey Michael Willis
-
Patent number: 6608236Abstract: There is provided a distribution material for personal care products which is a fabric which wicks artificial menses according to a horizontal wicking test a distance of about 1 inch in less than about 1.5 minutes. Materials meeting this performance criteria generally have a pore size distribution with a high percentage (usually more than 50 percent) of pore diameters between about 80 and 400 microns and a density below about 0.15 g/cc. There is also provided a personal care product system having a distribution/retention layer and a pad shaping layer wherein each layer has a stain length ratio of 0.5 or less and the distribution/retention layer has a saturation profile of 4 or less.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Scott Burnes, Rebecca Lyn Dilnik, Connie Lynn Hetzler, Thomas Patrick Jorgenson, Tamara Lee Mace, David Michael Matela, Jayne Bramstedt Nelson, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Alexander Manfred Schmidt-Foerst, Heather Anne Sorebo, James Allyn Spiers, Laura Jane Walker, Rodney Lawrence Abba, Charles John Chappell, Valerie Victoria Finch, Ann Marie Giencke, Michael Brent Kottek, Allan James Krueger, Andrew Michael Lake, MeeWha Lee, Sarah Elizabeth Long-Radloff, Janice Gail Nielsen, Ann Margaret Vanevenhoven
-
Patent number: 6607636Abstract: An absorbent multilayered web includes a top surface layer, with the top surface layer including first and second fibers, wherein the first fibers are hydrophilic and the second fibers are hydrophobic, and further wherein the first and said second fibers are substantially uniformly distributed on the top surface layer, and at least one additional layer. A method of making an absorbent multi-layered web includes the steps of providing hydrophilic fibers; providing hydrophobic fibers; forming a first web layer of substantially uniformly distributed hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers; creating at least a second web layer; and joining said first layer with said second layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Russell Frederick Ross, Susan Elaine Smith
-
Patent number: 6605552Abstract: There is provided layer for personal care products made from elastic polymers that are extruded and cross-linked to form superabsorbents. Such a layer is useful in personal care products, like diapers, training pants, incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Martin Jackson, Oomman Painummoottil Thomas
-
Patent number: 6547915Abstract: A method of producing a creep resistant composite elastic material wherein an elastic fibrous web is bonded to at least one gatherable layer to form a composite elastic material is provided. By passing the composite elastic material into a nip formed between an anvil calender roller and a point un-bonded calender roller, wherein the point un-bonded calender roller has recessed areas in the surface of said roller, a material which is creep resistant, dimensionally stable, and has inherent latency, is formed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jack Draper Taylor, James Russell Fitts, Jr., Cedric Arnett Dunkerly, II, Oomman Painumoottil Thomas, Jennifer Leigh Singletary
-
Patent number: 6534149Abstract: There is provided an intake/distribution layer for personal care products which is a co-apertured distribution layer and a transfer delay layer between them. The co-apertured distribution and transfer delay layer can serve to store liquid and release it to an absorbent core in a personal care product at a rate at which the core can absorb. This ability to accept irregular and large flow rates makes the layer of this invention particularly well suited for “gush” management. The distribution layer is preferably an airlaid fabric and the transfer delay layer is preferably a spunbond fabric and they are co-apertured using a pin density of preferably about 2.5 pins/cm2.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Allen Daley, Yvette Lynn Hammonds, Tamara Lee Mace, David Michael Matela
-
Patent number: 6503977Abstract: A wide array of textile fabric substrates can be treated to improve the colorfastness and washfastness of ink jet ink formulations. The aqueous treatment formulations include between about 5-95% cationic polymers or copolymers, and between about 5-20% fabric softeners. Additionally, the formulations may also include between about 0-80% of a polymeric latex binder so as to increase washfastness. These percentages are based on a conventional measurement for solids content.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Kelly Dean Branham, Alison Salyer Bagwell, Alice Susan Gordon, Leonard Eugene Zelazoski
-
Patent number: 6489534Abstract: There is provided a disposable personal article with a polymer having a glass transition temperature ranging between 25 and 45° C. The polymer is tacky over the temperature range, which is approximately that of the body, and results in better sealing of the personal care product to the wearer and so a decrease in the amount of bodily exudates that escape to soil the clothing of a wearer. The preferred polymer has a main chain, lateral perfluoroalkyl groups and lateral alkyl groups.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Bernard Cohen
-
Patent number: 6479154Abstract: A breathable, elastic multilayered film including a core layer of a first elastomer and at least one filler and at least one skin layer of a second elastomer; wherein the first elastomer is a polyolefin and the second elastomer is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyetheramides, block copolymers, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, at least one support layer may be bonded to the multilayered film.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Glynis Allicia Walton, Susan Elaine Shawver, James Russell Fitts, Jr., Jennifer Rebecca Reavis, Richard Macferran Shane, Duane Girard Uitenbroek
-
Patent number: 6475600Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material and a process for making the material. The composite material may be breathable and is formed from at least one layer of an elastic material and a necked laminate of sheet layers. The sheet layers include at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Robert John Schwartz, Howard Martin Welch, Patricia Hsiaoyin Hwang
-
Patent number: 6472045Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid transfer material formed from a necked laminate and a process for making the laminate. The necked laminate is formed from sheet layers of at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least the film non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension. At least the film layer of the laminate is apertured in an area where liquid transfer through the laminate is desired. The entire laminate may also be apertured. The non-apertured part of the laminate remains extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Robert John Schwartz, Howard Martin Welch, Patricia Hsiaoyin Hwang, Thomas Harold Roessler
-
Patent number: 6451098Abstract: A water-based ink jet ink includes water, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide co-solvent of the following structure, and at least 0.5 % by ink weight of a dye selected from the reactive, acid, basic or direct dye classes.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jason Lye, Diane Vernice Graff, Mary Elizabeth Kister
-
Patent number: 6450633Abstract: A coating composition which includes from about 95 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of particles of a polymer having a solubility parameter of from about 19 to about 28 (MPa)½ and particle sizes of from about 0.5 to about 50 micrometers. The coating composition also includes from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of a binder. The binder may be essentially any polymer which can be dispersed or dissolved in the coating vehicle or solvent. Convenient binders are polymeric lattices such as poly(vinyl acetate), acrylic lattices etc., amine-dispersed carboxylated polymers such as polyesters and ethylene-acrylic acid lattices, and the like. The coating composition also may include a surfactant. For example, the surfactant may be nonionic. Other ingredients also may be present. Examples of such other ingredients include, by way of illustration only, crosslinking agents, viscosity modifiers, and defoamers.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
-
Patent number: 6432549Abstract: A curl-resistant, antislip abrasive backing which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. Also provided is a curl-resistant, antislip abrasive paper which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the synthetic polymer layer; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. By way of examples, the amorphous, rubbery polymer may be a polyester elastomer or an amorphous, rubbery polypropylene.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
-
Patent number: 6387471Abstract: A method of producing a creep resistant composite elastic material wherein an elastic fibrous web is bonded to at least one gatherable layer to form a composite elastic material is provided. By passing the composite elastic material into a nip formed between an anvil calender roller and a point un-bonded calender roller, wherein the point un-bonded calender roller has recessed areas in the surface of said roller, a material which is creep resistant, dimensionally stable, and has inherent latency, is formed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jack Draper Taylor, James Russell Fitts, Jr., Cedric Arnett Dunkerly, II, Oomman Painumoottil Thomas, Jennifer Leigh Singletary
-
Patent number: 6368444Abstract: A method for stretching nonwoven sheet material in the cross-machine direction includes coursing a nonwoven sheet material through a deformable nip, the nip being formed between two rotating stretch surfaces having intermeshing peaks and troughs, the surfaces of the peaks and troughs being covered with a deformable material, and contemporaneously pressing the stretch surfaces together while rotating them, such that as the nonwoven material travels through the nip, the nip deforms from an initial flat formation into a convoluted formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Lee Kirby Jameson, Diane Leilani Kilpatrick, Paul Windsor Estey, James Russell Fitts, Jr., Darryl Franklin Clark, James Richard Neely, Ty Jackson Stokes, Robert John Schwartz
-
Patent number: D455615Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Paul F. Tramontina
-
Patent number: D467348Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Donald J. McMichael, Kristy Peterson