Patents by Inventor Alice Y. Romans-Hess
Alice Y. Romans-Hess 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).
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Patent number: 7928282Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate treated with an linked enzyme. It has been discovered that a substrate treated with a linked enzyme can be effective in improving the ability of the substrate to absorb viscoelastic materials, such as menses, by cleaving a protein structure present in some viscoelastic materials. In addition, the linked enzyme is less likely to migrate from the treated material onto the user, as compare to an enzyme being placed directly on the substrate, thereby reducing the risk of sensitization to the user of the absorbent product. Also provided by the present invention are absorbent articles which contain at least one surface or layer containing the linked enzyme.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Karyn Clare Dibb, David Charles Potts, Jack Nelson Lindon, Alice Y. Romans-Hess
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Patent number: 7632258Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Patent number: 7317135Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Edwin T. Ta, Jian Qin
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Patent number: 7012105Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquids.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Edwin T. Ta, Jian Qin
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Publication number: 20040186448Abstract: An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include an intake layer (32) and a shaping layer (36). In other aspects, the intake layer (32) and shaping layer (36) can have differently configured absorbent capacities, differently configured densities, differently configured basis weights and/or differently configured sizes which are selectively arranged to provide desired combinations of liquid intake rate, absorbent retention capacity, shape maintenance, and aesthetics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Misek, Danielle G. Finger, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Mary A. Berceau, Jamie L. Gloede, Candace D. Krautkramer, Jason M. English, Jennifer E. Pozniak, Stuart J. Burgan, Peter S. Gebhardt, Patsy A. Krautkramer, Wendy L. Hamilton, Amanda J. Carlson
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Publication number: 20040073181Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Edwin T. Ta, Jian Qin
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Patent number: 6639120Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent structure comprising an acidic or basic water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer, a basic or acidic second material, and, optionally, a buffering agent, wherein the absorbent structure exhibits desirable absorbent properties. Specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent structure having the ability to absorb a large quantity of liquid while maintaining a substantially desired and balanced pH profile on or along the upper surface of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is useful in disposable absorbent products, such as those disposable absorbent products that are used to absorb body liquids.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Edwin T. Ta, Jian Qin
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Publication number: 20030162869Abstract: Ionic superabsorbent polymers having increased swelling capacity of salt-containing solutions are disclosed. The ionic superabsorbent polymers of the present invention contain an additive to increase the osmotic activity of the polymer in the presence of a salt-containing solution. The additive used in combination with the ionic superabsorbent polymer is capable of forming a zwitterion at a pH of from about 1 to about 9, has a dipole moment greater than that of water, and has a molecular weight less than about 10,000 grams/mole.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Joseph R. Feldkamp
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Patent number: 5614295Abstract: A fibrous web which includes a first zone composed of fibers which have been treated with a surfactant and a second zone composed of fibers which have been exposed to a corona field. At least one of the first zone and the second zone constitutes less than all of the fibrous web. In addition, the fibers constituting the second zone also constitute a portion of the fibers of the first zone. The first zone and the second zone may involve essentially the same portion of the fibrous web, provided that both zones do not encompass the entire fibrous web. Both the first zone and the second zone may constitute less than all of the fibrous web. In certain embodiments, the fibrous web will be composed of fibers which are at least partially oriented in one direction. Either the first zone or the second zone may encompass all of the fibrous web. That is, the entire fibrous web may treated with a surfactant or exposed to a corona field. Desirably, the entire fibrous web will be treated with a surfactant.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Roger B. Quincy, III, Debra J. McDowall, Elizabeth D. Gadsby, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Garry R. Woltman
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Patent number: 5248309Abstract: A thin sanitary napkin is disclosed along with its method of manufacture. The napkin has a liquid-impermeable baffle and an absorbent retained on the baffle. The absorbent has a longitudinally-extending central absorbent zone with a width of less than about 2 inches. The central zone is capable of absorbing at least 20 grams of body fluid which is discharged from the vaginal cavity and deposited onto the napkin. The central zone also has a greater stiffness than adjacent portions of the napkin so as to resist twisting and bunching during use. The sanitary napkin further has a caliper of less than about 5 millimeters.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1992Date of Patent: September 28, 1993Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Paul J. Serbiak, David R. King, Patricia A. Mitchler, Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Thomas W. Van Den Bogart, Robert J. Peerenboom, Valerie V. Finch, James J. Hlaban
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Patent number: 4655759Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided which minimizes the probability of side staining or side leakage by using embossed channels which are located adjacent to the longitudinal edges of the napkin. These embossed channels are activated during use by the thighs, allowing the sides of the napkin to fold upwards during use, thus forming an occlusive container.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1985Date of Patent: April 7, 1987Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Alice Y. Romans-Hess, Frederick M. Guenther, Lenore S. Ryan