Patents Examined by Elizabeth M. Cole
  • Patent number: 7544628
    Abstract: A loop-forming nonwoven material (28) is used as a mechanical closure element, in particular for disposable sanitary articles (2) such as various types of nappies, incontinence articles and pads. A first upper face (40) of the nonwoven material (30) has first larger non-bonded areas (42), which are located at a distance from one another in the form of islands. The first larger non-bonded areas (42) of the nonwoven material are delimited by bonded contours (44) and surrounded by second smaller non-bonded areas (48) lying outside said delimitation and separating the larger areas from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Stupperich, Fridmann Hornung, Ruediger Kesselmeier
  • Patent number: 7531233
    Abstract: A method of producing basic starting material for the manufacture of fastener tabs (31) intended for joining the side portions of the front and rear parts of an absorbent article that includes a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, so as to give the article a pants-like configuration According to the invention the method comprises the steps of stretching a first sheet (1) of elastic material in a first direction (T); applying a second and a third sheet of material (9, 10) onto respective opposite sides of the first sheet; fastening the three material sheets together in at least two mutually separated zones (14, 15) that extend parallel with each other in one direction (M) perpendicular to said first direction; dividing the first sheet (1) in each region between two zones (14, 15) along a line that lies between said zones, wherewith the first sheet in each region (16) between two zones (14, 15) contracts to a non-stretched state, and thereafter fastening the sheets together in each regio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Robert Kling
  • Patent number: 7527844
    Abstract: A wrapping is formed around at least one pack by wrapping film, and the pack has a receiving face against which a coupon is placed. The coupon is also positioned against an inner surface of the film between the pack and the film. Opening of the wrapping film is achieved by a tear strip which separates the film into two portions and which is situated, before tearing, disposed between the coupon and the film. The wrapping is characterized in that the coupon is fixed locally against the inner face of the film in such a way that, after opening of the film by the tear strip, the coupon remains attached to a single one of the first portion of the film, the second portion of film and the tear strip of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Tallier, Jean-Pierre Fiems, Marc Budin
  • Patent number: 7510764
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising polymers and/or copolymers based at least predominantly on (meth)acrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof, wherein said composition possesses an outgassing level of not more than 50 ?g/g in total, preferably less than 10 ?g/g, when said composition is measured by the tesa method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: tesa AG
    Inventors: Marc Husemann, Stephan Zöllner, Heiko Thiede, Reinhard Storbeck
  • Patent number: 7462385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved disposable cleaning sheet for removing debris, especially hair from a non-smooth or rough surface, especially fibrous type surfaces such as carpeting or upholstery. The cleaning sheets comprise a fibrous substrate and a plurality of protrusions extending from strand elements embedded within fibrous substrate. The cleaning sheets use the protrusions to dislodge the debris from the surface being cleaned, and the fibrous substrate captures the dislodged debris without a backing for the protrusions interfering with the particle capture of the fibrous substrate. Further, the protrusions are firmly embedded within the fibrous substrate such that they cannot be dislodged from the substrate in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Ronald W. Ausen, Kim C. Sachs
  • Patent number: 7462386
    Abstract: The leather-like sheet of the invention comprises a napped part of ultrafine fibers and a grainy part of nonporous elastic polymer randomly existing in the surface of a substrate prepared by infiltrating a porous polymer elastomer into a three-dimensionally intermingled nonwoven fabric of ultrafine fibers of not more than 0.5 dtex, and this is characterized in that the nonporous elastic polymer is infiltrated into the substrate to a depth thereof of from 5 to 20 ?m from the surface of the substrate. The production method of the invention is for producing a nubuck-type leather-like sheet of good surface abrasion resistance. A grainy part of resin and ultrafine fibers and a part of the ultrafine fibers are mingled on the surface of the substrate, and the sheet has an elegant and three-dimensional appearance like natural leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, Hidekazu Andoh, Yoshihiro Tamba
  • Patent number: 7442426
    Abstract: A papermaking press felt comprises a base body, a batt layer, and an anti-rewetting layer comprising a non-oriented film, all intertwiningly integrated by needle punching. The anti-rewetting layer has openings with a three-dimensional structure, with an aperture on the paper web side larger than the aperture on the roll side. This press felt exhibits an excellent anti-rewetting effect while maintaining its water removing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masufumi Shimodaira, Hiroyuki Oda, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Akira Onikubo
  • Patent number: 7425517
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven web or laminate having at least one surface with abrasion resistance and a low degree of free fibers on the surface. Also provided is a lofty nonwoven web laminate from multicomponent fibers having at least one surface with improved abrasion resistance and reduced fuzziness over other multicomponent fiber nonwoven webs. This nonwoven webs and laminate can be used where nonwoven webs and laminates are currently used, but are particularly suitable as a filter media. Also described is a method for producing a nonwoven web having at least one abrasion resistant surface. The process includes using a liner material between the forming surface and the forming nonwoven web, wherein the liner is removed after the nonwoven web is bonded. Removing the liner exposes the abrasion resistant surface of the nonwoven web or laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganesh Chandra Deka, Christopher John Lawler, Billy Dean Arnold, David Joseph Reader, Ronald C. Cox
  • Patent number: 7351472
    Abstract: The waterproofing and airtight pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape containing a substrate having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one side thereof, wherein the substrate is a rubber-made sheet; a film layer having non-self-adhesive properties and adhesive properties to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the substrate in the side opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and the waterproofing and airtight pressure-sensitive adhesive tape has an elongation at break (distance between two gage marks: 40 mm, drawing rate: 300 mm/min) of from 200 to 1,200% in both the longitudinal direction and the cross direction and a stress under 100% elongation (distance between two gage marks: 40 mm, drawing rate: 50 mm/min) of from 10 to 100 N/cm2 in both the longitudinal direction and the cross direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishikawa, Sadayuki Inagaki, Yasunori Munakata
  • Patent number: 7351672
    Abstract: A convertible roofing material which includes an outer fabric layer formed at least partially of polymeric coated, core yarns such as a polyester core coated with polyvinyl chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Glen Raven, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert E. Johnson, John B. Coates
  • Patent number: 7338915
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of making single-wall carbon nanotubes by laser vaporizing a mixture of carbon and one or more Group VIII transition metals. Single-wall carbon nanotubes preferentially form in the vapor and the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyzed growth of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes are fixed in a high temperature zone so that the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyze further growth of the single-wall carbon nanotube that is maintained in the high temperature zone. In another embodiment, two separate laser pulses are utilized with the second pulse timed to be absorbed by the vapor created by the first pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Rice University
    Inventors: Richard E. Smalley, Daniel T. Colbert, Ting Guo, Andrew G. Rinzler, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
  • Patent number: 7323243
    Abstract: The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as a foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabrics complete the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Solid Water Holdings
    Inventor: Baychar
  • Patent number: 7316984
    Abstract: A textile product having arginine impared thereto; a process for producing the product; and a method for the pretreatment of a textile product. The textile product compensates for the water-retaining function of the horny layer and enhances metabolism. It hence has the effect of keeping the skin normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ryouichi Higuchi, Nobuyoshi Kitamura, Sadakazu Hirose, Hideo Sukeda, Shiro Suzuki, Katsuya Anno
  • Patent number: 7311962
    Abstract: A mirror structure includes a plurality of features of a defined size. The features include alternating spatial units of a chalcogenide glass and a thermoplastic polymer, and are specifically arranged in an ordered form so that the structure is highly reflective. Thermally-assisted methods are introduced for forming such structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yoel Fink, Shandon Hart, Garry Maskaly, Burak Temelkuran
  • Patent number: 7290381
    Abstract: An allergen-barrier fabric includes a tightly-constructed fabric substrate, woven from 0 to 45% continuous synthetic filament yarns and 55 to 100% natural or synthetic spun yarns. The fabric substrate is finished to produce a fabric with a mean pore size of 4 to 10 microns, an air permeability of 0.5-25 cfm, a mean fabric flexibility of 0.5 to 6.5 grams (bending resistance), and a moisture vapor permeability in excess of 800 g/m2/24 hours. This fabric provides a barrier to mite-induced allergen particles. Various additional finishes can be included on the fabric. For example, an antimicrobial finish may be provided on the fabric to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against mold and mildew. As another alternative, a fluorochemical finish can be provided to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against fluid stains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Precision Fabrics Group Inc.
    Inventors: John Martin Smith, III, Charles Woody Duckett
  • Patent number: 7285324
    Abstract: A substantially liquid impermeable moisture vapor permeable laminate structure comprising: (i) a substrate layer comprising a woven or non-woven material, (ii) a moisture vapor control layer attached to said substrate, (iii) a tie layer comprising one or more copolymers comprising from about 30 to about 90 weight percent ethylene co-monomer units and from about 10 to about 70 weight percent vinyl acetate co-monomer units, and (iv) a layer comprising one or more copolyetherester(s) in an amount of at least 50 weight percent based on the total amount of polymer in the layer. The moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) in the direction away from the copolyetherester-containing layer and tie layer and towards the substrate is preferably greater than the MVTR in the direction away from the substrate layer and towards the tie layer and copolyetherester-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Yannick Albertone, Mark Andrew Young, Jacques Gilbert, George Ostapchenko
  • Patent number: 7282253
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric with melange-type visual appearance and endowed with high-durability comprising a fiber part and a matrix binder characterized by the binder matrix being a polyurethane characterized by the presence of soft segments and rigid segments, the former constituted from mixtures of polycarbonate-polyols and polyester-polyols, and the latter, from urethane groups deriving from the reaction of isocyanates with ureic polyols, and groups deriving from the reaction between the free isocyanate groups and water, and the fiber part comprises a fiber of melange appearance that is a mixture of two or more fibers with different dyeability characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventors: Silvia Marini, Omar Teofrasti
  • Patent number: 7279013
    Abstract: Semi-bleached to bleached sulfonated aromatic condensation resin alone or in combination with a semi-soluble methacrylic polymer of high molecular weight provides improved resistance to staining by acid colorants in a fibrous polyamide or wool substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Trichromatic Carpet Inc.
    Inventor: Yassin M. Elgarhy
  • Patent number: 7279441
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibres of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibres to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibres have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidising environment, for example acetylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Albert Jones, Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Patent number: 7264855
    Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an image layer and a base material wherein said base material comprises at least one oriented sheet laminated to a core sheet comprising a vacuous composite of polyolefin and polyester having a density of less than 0.7 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Bourdelais, Thomas M. Laney, Peter T. Aylward