Patents Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
  • Patent number: 9737389
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node; wherein the node is no longer than 30% of the entire length of the apparatus comprising the node, support section and the anchoring section together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Elan Ziv
  • Patent number: 9738421
    Abstract: A new package for storing bulky goods is disclosed. The package is formed from a bag having a width and depth at its base portion and meeting at a top edge, the top edge having no depth. Due to the top edge having no depth, the width of the material on the top portion of the package extends out further than the width of the material on the base portion. To create a package having streamlined aesthetic that looks nice on a shelf, the excess material in the top portion of the bag is folded into the interior of the bag to form a false side gusset. To allow for such folding the bag, in desirable embodiments, side edges of a first and second web forming the bag angle inward at between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees at a top portion transition point on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Reed Carlson Eppelheimer, Stephen Robert Kehn
  • Patent number: 9724250
    Abstract: A unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article includes a composite of at least two functional components for fluid intake. The two functional components include a fibrous, liner functional component and at least one fibrous, surge functional component. The functional components are positioned immediately adjacent one another within the composite and held together directly to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret G. Latimer, John H. Conrad, Andrea S. Clewley
  • Patent number: 9724248
    Abstract: A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. The composite is formed from a multi-layered, elastic film laminated to a nonwoven web facing. Latent elasticity is imparted to the composite through the use of at least one base layer that contains a thermoplastic elastomer and at least one skin layer that contains a propylene/?-olefin copolymer. During formation, the film is stretched in one or more directions to orient the elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline domains of the propylene/?-olefin copolymer. The stretched elastic film may subsequently be relaxed and bonded to a nonwoven web facing to form the composite. The composite may be later activated (e.g., heated at or above the softening point of the copolymer) to soften the crystalline domains and allow the chains to return to their unoriented state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Janis W. Hughes, Glynis A. Walton, Patricia H. Calhoun, Oomman P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170216106
    Abstract: A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes a removal device configured to assist a user in separating the removable portion of the absorbent insert from the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Patent number: 9718258
    Abstract: A film that contains a core layer positioned adjacent to an outer layer is provided. The core layer contains a relatively high percentage of thermoplastic biopolymers that are both biodegradable and renewable. Despite being biodegradable and renewable, many biopolymers tend to be relatively stiff in nature. The present inventors have discovered, however, that through selective control over the components in the core and outer layers, a film can be readily formed having good mechanical properties. Among other things, this is accomplished by blending the biopolymer in the core layer with a polyolefin. A polyolefin is also employed in the outer layer. In addition to providing functionality to the film (e.g., heat sealing, printing, etc.), the polyolefin-containing outer layer also helps counteract the stiffness of the biopolymer in the core layer, and helps improve processability, stiffness, and ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, Brent M. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170210900
    Abstract: Compositions for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to a biotic or abiotic surface are disclosed. The compositions include a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, Acrylates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Polyquaternium-22, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Polyquaternium-7, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate Copolymer and combinations thereof. Various delivery vehicles, such as wipes, may be used to deliver the composition to surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, Amy L. Vanden Heuvel, David W. Koenig, Divesh Bhatt, Vinod Chaudhary, Scott W. Wenzel, Stacy A. Mundschau
  • Patent number: 9714485
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to creped tissue webs that demonstrate low surface-roughness and high sheet bulk. The present disclosure relates to a creped, single ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MIU (MMD) of less than about 0.040 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 12 cc/g. The present disclosure also relates to a creped, multi-ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MUI (MMD) of less than about 0.035 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 10 cc/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Samuel August Nelson, Paulin Pawar, Jeffrey James Timm, Kyle Andrew Krautkramer, Robert Eugene Krautkramer, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Patent number: 9713329
    Abstract: Cyclodextrin compositions, including a hydrophobic carrier and a cyclodextrin complex, are formed and disposed on a variety of substrates using conditions that avoid substantial loss of the complexed compound from the cyclodextrin complex, even where the complexed compound is a gas a common ambient temperatures (e.g. 20° C.). Flexographic printing is particularly useful for disposing the cyclodextrin compositions on one or more substrates. Substrates treated with the cyclodextrin complexes are useful for subsequent release of the complexed compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Ali Yahiaoui
  • Patent number: 9708567
    Abstract: Long-lasting fragrance delivery systems and uses of the systems to provide fragrance-emitting articles with a long-lasting fragrance are disclosed herein. The long-lasting fragrance delivery systems include an emulsion of silicone-based polyurethane, fragrance, and a carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Richard Seidling, Scott W. Wenzel, Dana L. Ramshak, Timothy J. Van Himbergen
  • Patent number: 9707715
    Abstract: Elastomeric articles, such as gloves, are made by welding together two plies of a multi-layer film. The film plies are welded together through ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, or mixtures thereof. The multi-layer film includes at least three layers that, in one embodiment, are coextruded. Each layer of the multi-layer film is made from a different composition that produces layers having different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Elaine Shawver, Martin S. Shamis, Alphonse Carl DeMarco
  • Patent number: 9700079
    Abstract: A boxer-style pant and a method of making a boxer-style pant having side seams, a contracted crotch region, and hanging legs. A web is provided. The web is cut along transversely opposed edges of the web to define leg openings. The leg openings may be formed by cutting slits along the transversely opposed edges of the web. The web is contracted in a selected area between the leg openings. Front and back regions are then joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Franke, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Heather Schenck Mortell, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen
  • Patent number: 9687169
    Abstract: A system for determining a conductance of an object includes a sensor configured to emit an electromagnetic field when an excitation signal is received, wherein the electromagnetic field interacts with the object when the object is positioned within the electromagnetic field. A signal processing circuit is coupled to the sensor and configured to provide an adjustable capacitance to the sensor to adjust a phase angle of a current flowing through the sensor, to generate a voltage measurement representative of a voltage across the sensor, and to generate a current measurement representative of the current flowing through the sensor. A controller is coupled to the signal processing circuit and configured to calculate an admittance of the sensor based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement, and to determine a conductance of the object based on the calculated admittance of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Feldkamp
  • Publication number: 20170172153
    Abstract: A composition may be applied to animate and inanimate surfaces to render such surfaces antimicrobial for as long as the composition remains on the surface. The composition contains at least one pathogen-associated virus that is self-regenerating so that a user need not take steps to regenerate the material. The virus is or viruses are contained within a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix has the ability to maintain a desired moisture content to support the regeneration of the virus(es). Various methods of using the composition include the coating of animate and inantimate surfaces to prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Koenig, Douglas R. Hoffman, Cindy Korir-Morrison, Amy L. Vanden Heuvel
  • Patent number: 9675499
    Abstract: A permanently closed containment pant including a chassis and a sling that is positioned within the chassis and is joined to the front waist region and the back waist region is disclosed. The sling is attached to the chassis with an attachment mechanism to secure the sling to the chassis. The attachment mechanism may comprise a bonded attachment and an attachment elastic material at a middle portion of the sling to the chassis at the crotch region; a bond attachment adjacent the pouch in a transition material; or elastics extending from the leg openings and attaching to the sling in the crotch region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Elaine Evenson, Brooke Berg, Lewis Orchard, Patricia Ann Abney
  • Patent number: 9676164
    Abstract: As described herein, an extensible sheet material includes a first and a second zone that is separate from the first zone. The first zone exposes a first color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a first percentage. The second zone exposes a second color or pattern when the extensible sheet material is stretched beyond a second percentage greater than the first percentage. Absorbent articles that include the extensible sheet material are capable of indicating to a wearer when the extensible sheet material has been stretched too little, too much, or just the right amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Wing-Chak Ng, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira, Lawrence H. Sawyer, Charles W. Colman
  • Patent number: D789523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: JuHyung Lee, SungSu Kim, Moonyoung Cho, SeoYeon Son, HyungWoo Park
  • Patent number: D790872
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: SeonMi Ku, Taell Yun, JongSoo Lee, JooHyun Sohn, BoGyeong Jung, Bongkyu Song, Hyunwoo Choi
  • Patent number: D790873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: SeonMi Ku, Taell Yun, JongSoo Lee, JooHyun Sohn, BoGyeong Jung, Bongkyu Song, Hyunwoo Choi
  • Patent number: D792208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F Borkovetz, Adam Dreyer, Janelle M Otero, Garry Roland Woltman, Wendy Katherine Windholtz