Patents Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9624063
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding products includes a conveying member adapted to convey the product, an oscillating member disposed adjacent the conveying member, and a folding roll disposed adjacent the conveying member and the oscillating member. The oscillating member is adapted to grasp and lift a first portion of the product from the conveying member while the product is being conveyed by the conveying member. The oscillating member is moveable in a first direction away from the conveying member and in a second direction toward the conveying member. The folding roll is adapted to receive the first portion of the product from the oscillating member and to place the first portion of the product into engagement with a second portion of the product such that the product is in a folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Gerald Sosalla, Gregory J. Rajala, John Soosai Alphonse, Mohammed Shafi Khurieshi, Mahendra Mittapalli
  • Patent number: 9615980
    Abstract: An absorbent article can include a fastening system configured to attach the rear waist region to the front waist region to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The fastening system can include a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system. The primary fastening system can include at least one primary first fastening component and a primary second fastening component. The secondary fastening system can include at least one secondary first fastening component and at least one secondary second fastening component. The absorbent article can further include a strip coupled to the outer cover. The strip can include the primary secondary fastening component. The at least one secondary first fastening component can be coupled to a first carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David John Enz, Robert Lee Popp, David Fleger Bishop, Wendy Lynn VanDyke, Sara Jane Wille Stabelfeldt, Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke
  • Patent number: 9617400
    Abstract: A film formed from a water-soluble polymer matrix containing a fragrance is provided. The film is water-sensitive so that upon contact with a sufficient amount of water, the matrix loses its integrity to increasingly expose the fragrance to the ambient environment for releasing its odor. The ability to incorporate a fragrance into the matrix is achieved by controlling the nature of the fragrance and polymer, the manner in which the matrix and fragrance are melt processed, etc. For example, the fragrance may be injected directly into the extruder and melt blended with the polymer to avoid the costly, time-consuming steps of pre-encapsulation or pre-compounding of the fragrance into a masterbatch. Furthermore, to balance the fragrance's ability to release the desired odor during use while minimizing the premature exhaustion of the odor during processing, the fragrance has a boiling point (at atmospheric pressure) of from about 125° C. to about 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah A. Funk, James Hongxue Wang
  • Patent number: 9609920
    Abstract: A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system includes feeding a web having a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface. The male fastening material has a plurality of male fasteners with a first, unmodified profile. The profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material are modified by engagement of the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member and by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member. A modified male fastening material includes a plurality of male fasteners modified from a first profile to a second, different profile by passing the male fastening material over the outer surface of the modifying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Beuther, David John Enz, Devin Charles McElrath
  • Patent number: 9610201
    Abstract: A tampon absorbent for insertion into a vaginal cavity is provided. The tampon absorbent includes a longitudinal direction and has an insertion end and a withdrawal end. The tampon absorbent includes a first absorbent material portion at the insertion end for capturing body fluid and demonstrating a first expansion capacity, and a second absorbent material portion at the withdrawal end for storing body fluid and demonstrating a second expansion capacity. The second absorbent material portion is partially wrapped around the first absorbent material portion in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction, at a bonding region, whereby the first absorbent material portion is bonded to the second absorbent material portion at the bonding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Schmidt-Foerst, Mary L. McDaniel, Charles R. Tomsovic, Garry R. Woltman
  • Patent number: 9597237
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly having a liquid permeable inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent body between the inner and outer layers. A pair of ears extend transversely outward from opposite sides of the absorbent assembly in a back waist region, each of the ears having a primary first fastening-component that is selectively engagable with a primary second fastening-component in a front waist region. There is a pair of spaced-apart secondary first fastening-components disposed on the outer layer in the front waist region, each of the secondary first fastening-components being selectively engageable with the secondary second fastening-components. Each secondary first fastening-component fits into a fastener region, wherein each fastener region is defined by an outline. Each outline has a waist edge and an opposite leg edge connected by an outer edge and an inner edge. The length of the outer edge is shorter than the length of the inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc
    Inventors: David John Enz, Sara Jane Wille Stabelfeldt, Robert Lee Popp, David Fleger Bishop, Wendy Lynn Vandyke
  • Patent number: 9592166
    Abstract: A fluid-distributing structure includes a flexible body having a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined therein, and a plurality of directional fluid barriers. The fluid reservoirs are fluidly connected to one another by openings defined within the body. Each fluid barrier is associated with one of the openings defined in the body, and is configured to permit fluid flow through the opening in a downstream direction and inhibit fluid flow through the opening in an upstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Joseph Brumm, Andrew Mark Long, Sandra Kay Knight
  • Publication number: 20170066579
    Abstract: The invention provides an easy to grasp handle and opening for packaging of individual packaged products that are sold in multi-packs, also referred to herein as bundles. The multi-pack is a plurality of individually packaged products that are over-wrapped together by a wrapper, such as a plastic film In certain embodiments the packaged products comprise a package and a consumer good, such as facial tissue. The bundle of individually packaged products comprising a plurality of packages, wherein each of the plurality of packages contains at least one product and a film wrapper surrounding at least a portion of the plurality of packages, wherein the film wrapper comprises an overlapped portion having a first film wrapper layer and a second film wrapper layer, the overlapped portion having an attached zone and an unattached zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew David Zillges
  • Patent number: 9586044
    Abstract: Disclosed are nanotopography-based methods and devices for interacting with a component of epithelial tissue and increasing the permeability of the tissue. Devices include structures fabricated on a surface to form a nanotopography. A random or non-random pattern of structures may be fabricated such as a complex pattern including structures of differing sizes and/or shapes. Microneedles may be beneficially utilized for delivery of an agent to a cell or tissue. Devices may be utilized to directly or indirectly alter cell behavior through the interaction of a fabricated nanotopography with the components of epithelial tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Frederick Ross
  • Patent number: 9585826
    Abstract: A triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical includes an encapsulation material for encapsulating a betaine ester or betaine ester derivative including a functional active. The encapsulation material is triggerable to release the betaine ester or betaine ester derivative at a first stage upon the occurrence with an environmental stimulus, such as a pH change, an enzymatic change, and a temperature change. The betaine ester or betaine ester derivative of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group releases the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Xuedong Song
  • Patent number: 9580871
    Abstract: The present disclosure offers an improvement in papermaking methods and products, by providing a tissue sheet and a method to obtain a tissue sheet, with improved absorbency at a given basis weight. Thus, by way of example, the present disclosure provides a single ply tissue sheet having a basis weight greater than about 50 gsm and a specific vertical absorbent capacity greater than about 6.0 g/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Gretchen Sarah Koch, Maruizio Tirimacco, Erin Ann McCormick
  • Patent number: 9580870
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue products having a high degree of stretch and low modulus at relatively high tensile strengths, such as geometric mean tensile strengths greater than about 1500 g/3? and more preferably greater than about 2000 g/3?. The combination of a tough, yet relatively supple sheet is preferably achieved by subjecting the embryonic web to a speed differential as it is passed from one fabric in the papermaking process to another, commonly referred to as rush transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Angela Ann Johnston, Gretchen Sarah Koch, Maurizio Tirimacco, Erin Ann McCormick, Mark William Sachs, Jeffrey Dean Holz
  • Patent number: 9580869
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for topically applying additive compositions to planar substrates, such as tissue webs. In one embodiment, the process is designed to apply relatively high viscous compositions to base sheets at high speeds in a manner that prevents the additive composition from penetrating into the sheet. The additive composition having the relatively high viscosity can be applied to the base sheet in one embodiment using an offset gravure printing process. The applicator roll includes a pattern of raised elements. The raised elements define a surface having at least one dimension that is less than 500 microns. The raised elements are also spaced closely together in order to prevent fiber buildup on the roll during relatively fast processing speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Keyur Desai, Deborah J. Calewarts, Jian Qin, Jeffrey F. Jurena, Stephen Michael Campbell, Donald E. Waldroup
  • Patent number: 9572729
    Abstract: A liquid absorbent structure is made by dry laying a fibrous web having incorporated therein a superabsorbent material, and applying an aqueous composite stabilizer to at least one surface of the web. The aqueous composite stabilizer imparts integrity to the resulting structure without substantially impairing the effectiveness of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid while forming the absorbent structure without removing the water from aqueous composite stabilizer or drying out the absorbent structure. The absorbent composite absorbs the water from the aqueous composite stabilizer. The absorbent composite comprises about 70% by weight of a superabsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Fell, Steven Michael Hurley, Donald LeRoy Smith, Kendell Jean Williams, Nicholas Alan Kraft, Johanna Marie Buss, David John Paulson, Thomas Gerard Vercauteren, Sara Lynn Rosack, James George Van Himbergen
  • Publication number: 20170042796
    Abstract: Compositions for reducing skin aging 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Wenzel, David J. Tyrrell, Alencia Vanay Grice, Stephanie VandeVen Teat, Jeffery Richard Seidling
  • Publication number: 20170042797
    Abstract: Compositions for reducing skin aging 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Wenzel, David J. Tyrrell, Alencia Vanay Grice, Stephanie VandeVen Teat, Jeffery Richard Seidling
  • Publication number: 20170027771
    Abstract: A discrete absorbent insert and containment system including an absorbent core is disclosed. The absorbent insert includes a first sheet, a second sheet in facing relation with the first sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the first sheet and the second sheet. The absorbent core defines a core perimeter and the first sheet and the second sheet extend beyond the core perimeter and are joined together to form a perimeter seal. A central section of an absorbent core is positioned between a first end section and a second end section. Both the first end section and the second end section comprise an arc extending at least 185 degrees. The first end section defines a maximum width of at least 120 mm, the central section defines a maximum width of less than 115 mm, and the second end section defines a maximum width of at least 120 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Anita M. McLean, Stacy E. Evenson
  • Patent number: D779157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeanne Marie Gatto, Christina Mae Chingren Seward
  • Patent number: D782905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F Borkovetz, Adam Dreyer, Janelle M Otero, Garry Roland Woltman, Wendy Katherine Windholtz
  • Patent number: D784039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M Chalko, Eric B Maclean, Paris Lowitz, Tim Mckeown, Michael Sauer, Michael Run, Teuta Elshani, Klemen Erzen