Patents Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11773539
    Abstract: Soft, durable and bulky tissue products comprising non-wood fibers and more particularly high yield hesperaloe pulp fibers are disclosed. The tissue products preferably comprise at least about 5 percent, by weight of the product, high yield hesperaloe pulp fiber and have relatively modest tensile strengths, such as a geometric mean tensile (GMT) greater than about 1,000 g/3?, and improved durability and cross-machine direction (CD) properties, such as a CD Stretch greater than about 10 percent. Additionally, at the foregoing tensile strengths the products are not overly stiff. For example the tissue products may have a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayla Elizabeth Rouse, Richard Louis Underhill, David John Paulson, Felicia Marie Sauer, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Patent number: 11767615
    Abstract: A hollow fiber that generally extends in a longitudinal direction is provided. The hollow fiber comprises a hollow cavity that extends along at least a portion of the fiber in the longitudinal direction. The cavity is defined by an interior wall that is formed front a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Mark M. Mleziva, Ryan J. McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Antonio J. Carrillo
  • Patent number: 11759061
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for dynamically adjusting product use reporting schedules for dispensers to increase or decrease the frequency of such reports based on expected product use such as a date the dispenser is expected to be depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Williams, Jr., Stephen Becker
  • Patent number: 11752591
    Abstract: A controller is provided for use in controlling a blade sharpening system that includes at least one grinding wheel operable to sharpen the blade. The controller includes a memory device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device. The processor is configured to receive signals from at least one sensor, the at least one sensor operable to monitor rotation of the at least one grinding wheel. The processor is further configured to adjust a position of the at least one grinding wheel relative to the blade based on the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Rudolf P. Vasko, Maxim Mironau
  • Patent number: 11752045
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and having a first waist panel bottom edge, a first waist panel top edge, a first waist panel outer surface, and a first waist panel inner surface, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert. The first waist panel may be coupled to the second waist panel along side edges of the article, and the first waist panel may further comprise a weakened region comprising weakened portions extending at least partially between the first waist panel bottom edge and the first waist panel top edge. The weakened region may have a weakened region percentage of between about 45% and about 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Thomas A. Ray
  • Patent number: 11752042
    Abstract: Absorbent articles having curved elasticized laminates and apparatuses and methods for forming such articles are disclosed. In one embodiment a method of forming an article may comprise moving absorbent assemblies and elasticized laminates in the machine direction. The method may further comprise oscillating the elasticized laminates in the cross-machine direction to impart a curvature, bonding the elasticized laminates to the absorbent assemblies while maintaining the imparted curvature such that at least a portion of the elasticized laminates are disposed outboard of longitudinal side edges of the absorbent assemblies, and finally separating the absorbent assemblies into individual absorbent articles, where the elasticized laminates extend in a curving manner throughout the absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Jones, James R. Niedt, Robert W. Scholl, Kirk J. Dempsey
  • Patent number: 11746473
    Abstract: The present invention provides mufti-layered tissue webs, and tissue product comprising the same, comprising long, high-coarseness wood pulp fibers selectively deposited in one or more outer layers of the multi-layered web. Surprisingly disposing long, high-coarseness wood pulp fibers in one or more outer layers, even in relatively modest amounts, may improve certain product properties, such as durability, without negatively affecting softness. In certain instances, both the softness and durability may be improved by selectively incorporating long, high-coarseness wood pulp fibers in one or more of the outer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Brent Merrik Thompson, Richard Louis Underhill
  • Patent number: 11737458
    Abstract: A fibrous substrate for the removal of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) from a surface is provided. The fibrous substrate includes a capturing agent, and the affinity of capturing for the Gram negative bacteria allows the fibrous substrate to capture the Gram negative bacteria, thereby removing the Gram negative bacteria from the surface and also inhibiting the spread of the Gram negative bacteria to other surfaces that may contact the fibrous substrate. Of particular advantage, the presence of the capturing agent on the fibrous substrate may help protect against the spread or infection of pathogens without the use of chemicals, such as antiseptics or antibiotics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Koenig, Amy L. Vanden Heuvel, Vinod Chaudhary, Scott W. Wenzel, Divesh Bhatt, Kathleen Engelbrecht
  • Patent number: 11730636
    Abstract: An absorbent article can include a bodyside liner that provides a barrier region. The barrier region can be a central portion of the bodyside liner not coupled to the absorbent body. The barrier region can include a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The first longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the first containment flap. The second longitudinal side edge can be coupled to the projection portion of the second containment flap. When the absorbent article is in the relaxed configuration and the projection portion of the first containment flap and the projection portion of the second containment flap extend away from the absorbent body, the central portion of the bodyside liner extends away from absorbent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah A. Kleuskens, SangWook Lee
  • Patent number: 11723495
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for dispensing of paper products. A dispenser comprising a housing comprising a product holding area defined by a front, back and two sides, and a dispenser throat defining an opening through the housing; a motor coupled to the rolled product and configured to rotate the rolled product in first and second directions; and a feed mechanism having a first side opening and a second side opening different from the first side opening, wherein both the first side and second side openings are different from that dispenser throat, and wherein the first side opening is configured to accept the tail when the rolled product has a first orientation and is rotated in the first direction and the second side opening is configured to accept the tail when the rolled product has a second orientation and is rotated in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, I-Chung Hou, Wan-Chih Lin, Ming-Chung Chung, Chih-An Chen, Wan-Chang Liang, Chan-Hao Chen, Huang-Keng Chen, Ching-Lung Mao, Wei-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 11724002
    Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises extruding a matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive to form a thermoplastic composition in which the nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within a continuous phase of the matrix polymer. The extruded thermoplastic composition is thereafter passed through a spinneret to form a fiber having a porous network containing a plurality of nanopores, wherein the average percent volume occupied by the nanopores within a given unit volume of the fiber is from about 3% to about 15% per cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Yuewen Xu
  • Patent number: 11717118
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing materials is disclosed. The dispenser includes a backplate, a cover, and a circular mounting bracket. The backplate includes a second side having a bracket engagement area thereon. The cover encloses at least portion of the backplate when in a closed condition forming a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one dispensable product. The circular mounting bracket includes a faceplate containing one or more holes configured to receive a fastener for securing the mounting bracket to a wall. The faceplate includes at least one flange raised from a first surface of the faceplate. The bracket engagement area includes at least one latching means configured to engage the flange to secure the backplate to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Green, Klemen Erzen
  • Patent number: 11712377
    Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be constructed with a secondary liner sheet placed on top of a body facing liner of the articles configured to form a pocket. The pocket provides a barrier, thereby separating a front region of the absorbent articles from a rear region. In this manner, the absorbent articles of the present disclosure may reduce the spread of bodily exudates throughout the articles. The reduced spreading of exudates may help to keep skin healthy by reducing the amount of skin exposed to the skin irritants within the exudates and/or by preventing additional skin irritants from being created by preventing the mixing of BM and urine, at least in proximity to the skin of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Enz, Patrick R. Lord, Kroy D. Johnson, Matthew R. Jones, Daniel J. Grassl, Kyle M. Barriger
  • Patent number: 11710086
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving product usage prior to refill of product dispensers in service areas that include a plurality of such dispensers. Via a sensor configured with each of the product dispensers and a control system in communication with the sensors, a product level or amount condition of product in each dispenser is detected. Based on the information from the sensors, a visual or audio message is generated and transmitted to the patron that encourages the patron to use a first product dispenser that has a greater product fill amount as compared to a second product dispenser in the same or a different service area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak R. Ghazi, Frederick J. Williams, Jr., Stephen Becker
  • Patent number: D995124
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Acosta, Massimo Cagnone
  • Patent number: D995125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel F. Botero Ospina, Massimo Cagnone
  • Patent number: D995140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Green, David Reynolds, Joseph E. Oberdorf, Michiel de Haan
  • Patent number: D995142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Chalko, Alice S. Gordon, Alyssa G. Mellett, Julia B. Kemper, Suzuko Hisata
  • Patent number: D998350
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Danelle M. Buyarski, Jason D. Hanke, Eric B. Maclean, Megan A. Winter
  • Lid
    Patent number: D998462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Raafia S. Blakeslee, Thomas F. Borkovetz, Jeremy T. Gauger, Ronda N. Korb, Ryan A. Weaver, Bryan Eliot Rolfs