Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 3, 2023
Assignee:
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Inventors:
Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung, Ellen E. Pelky, Kimberly M. Downs, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Kyle Mark Barriger, Michael Donald Sperl, Russell J. Brumm
Abstract: The present invention provides a through-air dried tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25 percent or less of the total weight of the through-air dried tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a linear density less than about 1.5 dtex and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The through-air dried tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 3, 2023
Assignee:
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Inventors:
Kevin J. Vogt, Christopher L. Satori, Richard L Underhill, Emily Schulte
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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