Patents by Inventor Alexander J. Neeb
Alexander J. Neeb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 9125775Abstract: A method of forming a post bonded loop laminate material includes providing a first layer of material comprising a nonwoven web of loop material having fibers and applying a force to the nonwoven web of loop material to generally orient the fibers in the direction of the applied force. The first layer of material is laminated to a second layer of material while applying the force to the nonwoven web of loop material to form a nonwoven loop laminate material. The first layer of material is bonded to the second layer of material after forming the nonwoven loop laminate material to form a post bonded loop laminate material.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Debra H. Durrance, Robert L. Popp, Marcille F. Ruman, Alexander J. Neeb
-
Patent number: 8323435Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for products, for example, an absorbent article such as infant training pants, in which the mechanical fastening system is a hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a nonwoven material laminate which has been post bonded after the laminate has been constructed.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Debra H. Durrance, Robert L. Popp, Marcille F. Ruman, Alexander J. Neeb
-
Patent number: 7373700Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Brian Vanbenschoten, Heidi Tremblay, Christopher M. Gallant, Scott M. Filion, Keith G. Buzzell, Joseph K. Parshley
-
Patent number: 7258758Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs suitable for use in a variety of applications requiring strong fabric layers are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of crimpable, e.g., side by side or eccentric sheath/core (A/B) configuration which are unheated prior to collection. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the Z-direction and produce a web of lofted material of greater uniformity than attained with comparable material whose fibers are drawn by a heated process. The resultant nonwoven material can then be pattern bonded or laminated for additional strength without interfering with the desired loft of the low density nonwoven. The additionally strengthened nonwoven may then be further processed such as by lamination or the like to further increase its utility.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Warren L. Collier, IV, Christopher Dale Fenwick, Chad Michael Freese, Kurtis Lee Brown, Susan Elaine Shawver, Terry Kramer Timmons, James Russell Fitts, Jr., Monica Graciela Varriale, Alexander J. Neeb, Eric Scott Kepner
-
Patent number: 7172008Abstract: A method of making a touch fastener includes coextruding, side-by-side, a plurality of lanes of polymeric material to form a sheet-form base. The sheet-sheet form base includes a lane of a first polymeric material disposed between two lanes of a second polymeric material, the second polymeric material is different from the first polymeric material. The method further includes molding a plurality of discrete fastener element stems extending outwardly from and integral with the sheet-form base in each of the two lanes of the second polymeric mateial and forming engageable heads on the stems.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Brian J. Vanbenschoten, Ernesto S. Tachauer, Wallace L. Kurtz, Jr., Heidi S. Tremblay, Paul A. Dandurand, William P. Clune, Alexander J. Neeb, Joseph E. Pierce, Richard J. Schmidt, Richard W. Tanzer
-
Patent number: 7162780Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Brian Vanbenschoten, Heidi Tremblay, Christopher M. Gallant, Scott M. Filion, Keith G. Buzzell, Joseph K. Parshley
-
Patent number: 6916750Abstract: An elastic laminate is provided which has an elastic layer and one or two outer facing layers. The elastic layer is formed from an improved styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene-(ethylene-butylene) tetrablock copolymer, or a blend of the copolymer. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 70,000. The two ethylene-butylene blocks have number average molecular weights which together constitute more than 75% of the number average molecular weight of the copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Oomman Painumoottil Thomas, Glen Thomas Mildenhall, Alexander J. Neeb, Susan Carol Paul, Tamara Lee Mace, Arthur Edward Garavaglia
-
Publication number: 20040261232Abstract: A method of forming a fastener product is provided that includes providing a continuous, sheet-form base having an array of fastener elements including molded stems that extend outwardly therefrom. The sheet-form base is split between adjacent rows of the molded fastener elements to form elongated fastener filaments. The fastener filaments are twisted individually to reorient the fastener elements to extend in multiple directions from a common core.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Wallace L. Kurtz, Brian J. VanBenschoten, Ernesto S. Tachauer, Joseph E. Pierce, Alexander J. Neeb
-
Publication number: 20040261230Abstract: A hook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and a loop component. The hook component includes a hook backing and a plurality of hooks protruding from the hook backing. The hook backing includes an extensible material. The loop component includes a loop backing and a plurality of loops protruding from it. The loop backing also includes an extensible material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Joseph E. Pierce, Wallace L. Kurtz
-
Publication number: 20040224136Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs suitable for use in a variety of applications requiring strong fabric layers are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of crimpable, e.g., side by side or eccentric sheath/core (A/B) configuration which are unheated prior to collection. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the Z-direction and produce a web of lofted material of greater uniformity than attained with comparable material whose fibers are drawn by a heated process. The resultant nonwoven material can then be pattern bonded or laminated for additional strength without interfering with the desired loft of the low density nonwoven. The additionally strengthened nonwoven may then be further processed such as by lamination or the like to further increase its utility.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: L. Warren Collier, Christopher Dale Fenwick, Chad Michael Freese, Kurtis Lee Brown, Susan Elaine Shawver, Terry Kramer Timmons, James Russell Fitts, Monica Graciela Varriale, Alexander J. Neeb, Eric Scott Kepner
-
Publication number: 20040197588Abstract: An elastic laminate is provided which has an elastic layer and one or two outer facing layers. The elastic layer is formed from an improved styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene-(ethylene-butylene) tetrablock copolymer, or a blend of the copolymer. The copolymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 70,000. The two ethylene-butylene blocks have number average molecular weights which together constitute more than 75% of the number average molecular weight of the copolymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Oomman Painumoottil Thomas, Glen Thomas Mildenhall, Alexander J. Neeb, Susan Carol Paul, Tamara Lee Mace, Arthur Edward Garavaglia
-
Publication number: 20040088835Abstract: Fastener products, for example for use in hook and loop fasteners are provided. The fastener products include a sheet form backing, and, extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements that include a shape memory polymer. Method of making and using such fastener products are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Ernesto S. Tachauer, Alexander J. Neeb, Wallace L. Kurtz
-
Publication number: 20040020579Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for products, for example, an absorbent article such as infant training pants, in which the mechanical fastening system is a hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a nonwoven material laminate which has been post bonded after the laminate has been constructed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Debra H. Durrance, Robert L. Popp, Marcille F. Ruman, Alexander J. Neeb
-
Patent number: 6645600Abstract: A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt
-
Patent number: 6544245Abstract: A bi-stable hook component of a touch fastener can bend into, and remain in, a stable concave position. Another stable position enables initial engagement with a mating component (e.g., a loop component). The concave position applies engagement-enhancing tension to the engaged loops, and in some cases forces end portions of the hooks into close proximity with one another to secure the fastening and to produce a curved touch fastener that, as engaged, can better conform to an underlying curved surface, such as the contour of a wearer's body. Absorbent articles having such a bi-stable fastening system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Brian J. Vanbenschoten, William L. Huber, Wallace L. Kurtz, Jr., Ernesto S. Tachauer
-
Publication number: 20030054130Abstract: A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt
-
Patent number: 6489004Abstract: A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt
-
Publication number: 20020169435Abstract: A bi-stable hook component of a touch fastener can bend into, and remain in, a stable concave position. Another stable position enables initial engagement with a mating component (e.g., a loop component). The concave position applies engagement-enhancing tension to the engaged loops, and in some cases forces end portions of the hooks into close proximity with one another to secure the fastening and to produce a curved touch fastener that, as engaged, can better conform to an underlying curved surface, such as the contour of a wearer's body. Absorbent articles having such a bi-stable fastening system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Brian J. Vanbenschoten, William L. Huber, Wallace L. Kurtz, Ernesto S. Tachauer
-
Publication number: 20020116799Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Timothy R. Martin, Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Brian Vanbenschoten, Heidi Tremblay, Christopher M. Gallant, Scott M. Filion, Keith G. Buzzell, Joseph K. Parshley
-
Publication number: 20020076520Abstract: A fastening system wherein complementary components each have engaging elements protruding from a backing, and an attractive magnetic force applied through the complementary components. The attractive magnetic force can be supplied by external magnets attached to the backings, or by using a magnetic composite to form the backings and/or the engaging elements. The fastening system is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Alexander J. Neeb, Richard J. Schmidt, Stephen Clark Smith