Patents Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11286623
    Abstract: Provided are tissue webs, and products produced therefrom, that are generally durable, flexible and have improved cross-machine direction (CD) properties, such as CD tensile energy absorption (CD TEA), CD stretch and CD modulus. The inventive tissue products generally comprise a single tissue ply that has been prepared by through-air drying and more preferably by through-air drying without creping. Moreover, the products may be produced using a transfer fabric positioned between the forming fabric and the through-air drying fabric where the transfer fabric imparts the nascent web with a high degree of CD strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Sachs, Richard A. Zanon, Lynda E. Collins, Kevin J. Vogt, Christopher L. Satori
  • Patent number: 11285052
    Abstract: In the manufacture of a tampon, an absorbent structure composed of an absorbent material can be formed into a tampon blank. In various embodiments, a withdrawal element can be attached to the absorbent structure either before or after the absorbent structure is formed into a tampon blank. The tampon blank can then undergo a compression step which can result in the pledget of the tampon. The pledget, and resultant tampon, can have at least one linear channel and at least one non-linear channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bliss Elizabeth Cohen, Steven Craig Gehling, David Kevin Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 11278167
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for dispensing of paper products. The dispenser includes two vertically offset rollers configured to be inserted in a rolled paper product to support it in an elliptical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Marvin E. Swails, Emily J. Langley
  • Patent number: 11280051
    Abstract: Disclosed are multi-ply embossed tissue products having improved softness, strength, embossment clarity and/or embossment height compared to prior art embossed tissue products. The multi-ply tissue products may comprise an embossed tissue ply having a basis weight less than about 25 grams per square meter (gsm) and relatively deep embossments, such as an embossment height from about 500 to about 1,000 ?m and relatively narrow bottom portions compared to top portions. The combination of these elements provides an aesthetically pleasing and well-defined embossment, while improving important tissue product properties such as sheet and roll bulk and softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Tsutama Satake Neto, Jorge Alonso Duran, Patricia Câmara Mileo
  • Patent number: 11278164
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing materials is disclosed. The dispenser includes a backplate, a cover, and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket allows for level mounting of the dispenser to a mounting surface, such as a wall. The mounting bracket can be a rectangular mounting bracket having one or more ramp members and one or more ramp extensions. The mounting bracket can also be a circular mounting bracket. The dispenser includes a bracket engagement area configured to secure the dispenser to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark, Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Green, Klemen Erzen
  • Patent number: 11278165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of absorbent sheets, such as paper towels, toilet tissue, napkins, facial tissue and the like. The stack is sewn with a first line of stitching disposed adjacent to a first edge of the bound stack, such as the top edge. The stack further comprises a second line of stitches, which may be disposed adjacent to the first line of stitches. The second line of stitches comprises an unbalanced stitch to facilitate separation and removal of individual sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Julie Ann Paveletzke, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Patent number: 11267079
    Abstract: Methods and systems for cutting or perforating webs are disclosed. A method of cutting or perforating a web can include providing a web including a film. The film can include a polyolefin polymer and a plurality of particles. The film can include a width and length defining a surface. The method can further include stretching the film to provide a stretched film. Stretching the film can provide a plurality of voids in the stretched film. The method can additionally include providing a laser assembly. The method can include directing abeam of light from the laser assembly upon the surface of the web to cut or perforate the web in at least one location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, Paul Milbrodt, Wade R. Thompson, Vikram S. Kaul, Wen Yuan
  • Patent number: 11260020
    Abstract: Compositions for reducing skin aging resulting from oxidative stress and/or photodamage are disclosed herein. The compositions can be topically applied to a skin region to reduce or prevent skin wrinkles, fine lines, thinning skin, sagging skin, skin dryness, and skin itchiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucia Piccotti, David J. Tyrrell, Penkanok Sriwiriyanont, Debbie Ngai, Josh Gregorio, Scott W. Wenzel, Rebecca Uelmen, Seungjun ‘Jason’ Lee
  • Patent number: 11261568
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a wet-pressed tissue product comprising Agave fiber and having improved sheet bulk and good cross-machine tensile, toughness and durability properties. Cross-machine properties are significant because tissue products often fail in the cross-machine direction because it is often the weaker of the two product orientations (cross and machine directions). Accordingly, in certain embodiments the present disclosure provides a three-layered single-ply wet-pressed tissue product comprising high-yield Agave fibers from the leaves of Agave tequilana, Eucalyptus Hardwood Kraft (EHWK) fibers and Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK), wherein the high-yield Agave fibers comprise at least about 5.0 percent by weight of the tissue product, the product having a CD tensile greater than about 450 g/3? and sheet bulk greater than about 7.0 cc/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kayla Elizabeth Rouse, Richard Louis Underhill, Thomas Gerard Shannon, John Matthew Reiser
  • Patent number: 11255051
    Abstract: A method for producing a foam-formed multilayered substrate that includes producing an aqueous-based foam including at least 3% by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers, wherein the non-straight synthetic binder fibers have an average length greater than 2 mm; forming together a wet sheet layer from the aqueous-based foam and a cellulosic fiber layer, wherein the cellulosic fiber layer includes at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fibers; and drying the combined layers to obtain the foam-formed multilayer substrate. A multilayered substrate includes a first layer including at least 60 percent by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers having an average length greater than 2 mm; and a second layer including at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fiber, wherein the first layer is in a facing relationship with the second layer, and wherein the multilayered substrate has a wet/dry tensile ratio of at least 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah J. Calewarts, Jian Qin, Charles W. Colman, Cathleen M. Uttecht, Donald E. Waldroup, Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Stephen M. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 11252960
    Abstract: Antibacterial compositions and methods for inhibiting bacterial growth are disclosed. The antibacterial compositions can include a carrier and an antibacterial agent including a benzoic acid ester. The benzoic acid ester can have a carbon chain having a length of two to ten. The benzoic acid ester can have a hydroxyl group on the carbon chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Wenzel, Corey T. Cunninghan, Andrew R. Kischnick, Vinod Chaudhary
  • Patent number: 11255360
    Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a sequence of capillary components including a connective section in fluid communication with a diverging section, the diverging section having a forward side and dimensions inducing a concave meniscus in the forward direction, wherein the connective section of the second capillary unit is connected to the forward side of the diverging section of the first capillary unit to form at least one transition section, and wherein a change in the dimensions in the transition section induces in the backward direction a convex liquid meniscus or a straight liquid meniscus with an infinite radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Werner Baumgartner, Gerda Buchberger, Florian Hischen, Philipp Comanns
  • Patent number: 11253408
    Abstract: A refastenable disposable garment defines a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a first waist region contiguous with a first waist edge. The first waist region defines first and second side edges transversely spaced apart and defines first and second surfaces. The first waist region is elastomeric proximal both the first and second side edges. The garment can include a second waist region and a crotch region that interconnects the first and second waist regions. The garment comprises non-extensible, relatively rigid first and second fastening components attached to the first surface of the first waist region adjacent the first and second side edges, respectively. The first waist region defines first and second flange portions transversely outward of the first and second fastening components, respectively. Each flange portion is transversely curled toward the second surface. A process for making such an article is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Rhodes, Suzanne M. Schmoker, Kimberly L. Ellefson, Julie A. Paveletzke, Kimberly M. Downs, Brent C. Otis
  • Patent number: 11255049
    Abstract: The present invention provides an embossed multi-ply tissue product that is visually pleasing and has improved physical attributes. For example, the inventive multi-ply tissue products have reduced stiffness, such as a GM Flexural Rigidity less than about 600 mg*cm, improved absorbency, such as a Residual Water (WResidual) value less than about 0.15 g, and improved wet resiliency, such as a wet elastic strain ratio greater than about 32 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Steven LeCount, Kevin Joseph Vogt, Sarah Ann Funk, Jeffrey Dean Holz, Jason Daniel Hanke, Mike Thomas Goulet
  • Patent number: 11241123
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing consumable product having a consumable product storage area configured to store the consumable product within the dispenser; a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to the consumable product and configured to facilitate a dispensing cycle to dispense a portion of consumable product, and wherein the dispensing cycle creates a vibration event in at least a portion of the dispenser; a vibration sensing device configured to sense a vibrational characteristic of the vibration event, wherein a value of the vibrational characteristic changes as a function of an amount of consumable product remaining in the dispenser; and a data processing device configured to (i) store data describing the vibrational characteristic and (ii) communicate the data to a remote receiver separate from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Cleary E. Mahaffey, Ricky W. Purcell
  • Patent number: 11236443
    Abstract: A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture in the starch. Furthermore, the copolyester is also modified with an alcohol to contain one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a relatively low molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Shi, James H. Wang, Aimin He
  • Patent number: 11234905
    Abstract: Nonwoven and elastomeric substrates having formulations disposed thereon, wherein the formulations have improved compatibility with the substrate, are disclosed herein. More particularly, the formulations can be applied on the substrates without compromising the elastomeric properties and overall integrity of the substrate. Laminated articles using one or more of the nonwoven and elastomeric substrates having the formulations disposed thereon are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Averic Mundschau, Scott W. Wenzel, Lisa Ann Flugge-Berendes, Debra Hartley Durrance, Jonathan Kyle Arendt, Kroy Donald Johnson
  • Patent number: D945167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Funk, Jason Robert Boon
  • Patent number: D945257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Boon, Paige E. Chapman, Benjamin Greengrass, Christopher R. Reynolds
  • Patent number: D946395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Boon, Paige E. Chapman, Benjamin Greengrass, Christopher R. Reynolds