Patents Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
  • Absorbent article having elastomeric panels
    Patent number: 11497659
    Abstract: A garment-like absorbent article can have a front region, a back region, and a central region extending between and connecting the front region and the back region. The front region and the back region of the absorbent article can be formed from a combination of elastic materials. The combination of the elastic materials can be asymmetrically configured about the absorbent article to provide an improved fit of the absorbent article to the body of the wearer as well as to provide the wearer with an absorbent article that resembles traditional woven underwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: KueYoung You, MinJae Lee, JiYoung Haley Jung
  • Method for manufacturing custom products
    Patent number: 11498714
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing products having custom graphic designed are disclosed. A method may comprise printing a first order identifier graphic on a substrate material, the first order identifier graphic associated with a first order for a first set of products, printing a first set of one or more graphic designs on the material, the graphic designs associated with the first order, combining the material with one or more product components to form the first set of products, each of the products of the first set of products being associated with the first customer order and at least one of the products of the first set of products comprising the first order identifier graphic, performing a print quality inspection on the print test graphic, and after determining the print test graphic failed the print quality inspection, culling each of products associated with the first order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Tim G. Dollevoet, Jeffrey R. Heller, Max S. Liedl, Steven T. Moore
  • Absorbent article with a fluid entangled body facing material including a plurality of projections
    Patent number: 11491058
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article. In one example, the article can include an outer cover, a body facing material, and an absorbent body. The body facing material can include a plurality of projections with a land area disposed between the plurality of projections, wherein the land area has an open area greater than about 10% open area in a chosen area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Scott S. C. Kirby, David Glen Biggs, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Eric Donald Johnson, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Robert Lee Popp, Leila Joy Roberson, Daniel Robert Schlinz, Kendell Jean Williams, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Absorbent article with body conforming structure
    Patent number: 11478384
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the back sheet and the top sheet. The absorbent article includes a fluid intake layer positioned between the absorbent assembly and the top sheet. The fluid intake layer has a rearward-facing arch located in a back portion of the fluid intake layer. The fluid intake layer has an opening. The absorbent article includes a first lateral stiffener and a second lateral stiffener extending along a majority of the longitudinal side edges of the fluid intake layer. The absorbent article includes a first flexure, a second flexure, and a third flexure in a rear portion of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Sohyun Sara Park, Christopher Peter Olson
  • Multi-ply tissue product produced from a single ply tissue web
    Patent number: 11466409
    Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to a process for producing multi-ply tissue products from a single ply tissue web and the resulting multi-ply products, which have good softness and strength characteristics. The process of the present invention generally involves producing a first single ply tissue web and then splitting the web into two separate single ply tissue webs that can be converted into a multi-ply web. In certain preferred embodiments the single ply web may be manufactured such that when it is split into two separate webs the two webs are substantially identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Maurizio Tirimacco
  • System and method for managing product usage from dispensers
    Patent number: 11443253
    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 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak R. Ghazi, Frederick J. Williams, Stephen Becker
  • Woven papermaking fabric having converging, diverging or merging topography
    Patent number: 11441269
    Abstract: Provided are woven papermaking fabrics having a web contacting surface having protuberances formed from woven warp and shute filaments. The protuberances, which may be oriented in the machine direction (MD) converge, merge or diverge and may be arranged to form a pattern. In certain instances the protuberance may comprise a first MD oriented protuberance having an element angle from about 0.5 to about 15 degrees, a second MD oriented protuberance having an element angle from about ?0.5 to about ?15 degrees wherein the first and second protuberances converge at a convergence area to form a third MD oriented protuberance having an element angle from about ?15 to about 15 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Lynda Ellen Collins, Mark Alan Burazin
  • Flexible polymeric material with shape retention properties
    Patent number: 11434340
    Abstract: A shaped polymeric material having a three-dimensional configuration with one or more angular displacements is provided. The polymeric material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. A microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, and a porous network is defined in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Neil T. Scholl
  • Method of manufacturing an absorbent article having fully encircling bodyside and garment-side waistband
    Patent number: 11432970
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing absorbent articles comprises delivering a continuous web assembly including a backsheet material, a liquid permeable bodyside liner material, and an absorbent structure interposed between the backsheet material and the bodyside liner material, the web assembly having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side; attaching a discrete segment of first waist elastic material to the body-facing side of the web assembly; attaching a discrete segment of second waist elastic material to the garment-facing side of the web assembly such that the web assembly is interposed between the discrete segments of first and second waist elastic materials; and cutting the web assembly to form a plurality of absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Sina, Kathleen Irene Bennett, Marcille Faye Ruman, Thomas Harold Roessler
  • Adaptive sheet caliper control system and apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 11434096
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive control system to control a plant using direct output feedback in which a function of the full plant state, as opposed to estimates thereof, is used for feedback control of the plant. The adaptive control system of this invention is therefore highly useful in the control of plants, particularly plants for controlling the physical properties of rolls of web material and more particularly a calendering apparatus. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment the adaptive control system of this invention controls loading of a calender apparatus, such as a pair of opposed rolls forming a calendering stack, based upon the physical properties of a previously processed web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Petras, Matthew W. Trautschold, Mark G. Dollevoet, Vivek M. Karandikar, Julie A. Hansen, Walter F. Montgomery, Antwain Taylor, Kevin B. Sartain, Justin P. Stergar
  • Absorbent article having a fastening system with a visual cue
    Patent number: 11426312
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a chassis having an outer cover at least in part defining the outer surface of the article, a pair of ears extending transversely outward from opposite sides of the chassis, and a fastening system comprising a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system. The secondary fastening system includes a secondary second fastening component located on each of the ears and a corresponding secondary first fastening component located on the outer surface of the article at a first waist portion. A ?E value calculated using the Color Contrast Test between the secondary first fastening components uncovered by the ears and the outer cover being greater than 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet E. Collins, David Biggs, Eric D. Johnson, Alanna Haessler
  • Non-planar nonwoven fabrics and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 11427942
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven fabric of continuous fibers that includes forming a nonwoven web on a highly porous woven or knitted forming fabric that defines a pattern of recesses that are bordered by spaced apart filaments extending between the outer surfaces of the fabric and that allows air to pass both downwardly and sidewardly through the forming fabric. Bonded nonwoven webs are formed having protrusions with very low density and high surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Laura E. Keck, John H. Conrad, Susan E. Shawver
  • Multi-ply tissue products having improved cross-machine direction properties
    Patent number: 11427967
    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 multiple tissue plies, such as two or more plies, that have been prepared by through-air drying and more preferably by through-air drying without creping. Moreover, the plies may be produced in a through-air drying process that utilizes 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: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Sachs, Richard A. Zanon, Lynda E. Collins, Kevin J. Vogt, Christopher L. Satori
  • Perforator lubrication system
    Patent number: 11426891
    Abstract: The lubrication device delivers a lubricant to the perforating device which provides intermittently spaced cuts to a moving web, also referred to as perforations. The lubrication device includes a retaining member, a plenum, and a comb having a plurality of comb channels. The plenum and the plurality of comb channels are in fluid communication with one another and deliver a lubricant to the perforating device. Lubrication of the perforating device in this manner may improve knife life, perforation quality and web handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Krautkramer, Matthew R. Wilson, James L. Baggot
  • Tissue package surface indicia
    Patent number: D962058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Lucy E. Fretwell, Paul Ponting
  • Floor mop
    Patent number: D962573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Dami Han, ChoRom Kim, SungJin Moon, YuJeong Ha
  • Lid
    Patent number: D964853
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Eliot Rolfs, Jeremy T. Gauger, Maggie VanderHeiden Berger, Amanda Ann Thelen, Heidi Ellen Gehrke
  • Package with lid
    Patent number: D964860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Raafia S. Blakeslee, Thomas F. Borkovetz, Jeremy T. Gauger, Ronda N. Korb, Ryan A. Weaver, Bryan Eliot Rolfs
  • Feminine pad
    Patent number: D965773
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dok Chon, SungSu Kim
  • Lid
    Patent number: D966888
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Eliot Rolfs, Jeremy T. Gauger, Maggie VanderHeiden Berger, Amanda Ann Thelen, Heidi Ellen Gehrke