Patents by Inventor Bernhardt E. Kressner

Bernhardt E. Kressner 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: 7858841
    Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
  • Patent number: 7112257
    Abstract: New and improved methods and products are disclosed relating to softness of fibrous webs. Increased softness, among other things, is obtained by abrading the surface of the web to create fuzziness from protruding fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ronald Gropp, Kevin Berkebile, Kurt Otto, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Publication number: 20040229067
    Abstract: New and improved methods and products are disclosed relating to softness of fibrous webs. Increased softness, among other things, is obtained by abrading the surface of the web to create fuzziness from protruding fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ronald Gropp, Kevin Berkebile, Kurt Otto, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Patent number: 6755937
    Abstract: New and improved methods and products are disclosed relating to softness of fibrous webs. Increased softness, among other things, is obtained by abrading the surface of the web to create fuzziness from protruding fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ronald Gropp, Kevin Berkebile, Kurt Otto, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Publication number: 20040118530
    Abstract: A sheet-like product is disclosed having a patterned indicia for signifying the existence of an additive or ingredient that is contained within the product. The present inventors have discovered that a particular burst-like pattern provides various advantages and benefits in comparison to other patterns. In order to differentiate patterns of the present invention from other patterns, patterns made according to present invention were image analyzed during a dilation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhardt E. Kressner, Timothy M. McFarland, Pamela M. Thompson, Wendy Jahner
  • Publication number: 20040116883
    Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Patsy A. Krautkramer, William G. Reeves, Heather A. Sorebo, Garry R. Woltman, Wendy L. Hamilton, Emmanuelle C. Damay, Bernhardt E. Kressner, William G. Stoeger
  • Patent number: 6589634
    Abstract: Webs can be embossed and laminated using irregular bonding patterns with the pin-on-pin embossing process. Different patterns are provided onto each web and the webs are joined in a bonding nip to form a laminate. The bonding pattern formed in the bonding nip is irregular. The irregularity of the bonding pattern reduces vibrations within the machinery and allows increased machine speed. The irregularity of the pattern can be determined using the Self-Similarity Count or the Energy Suppression Factor method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Schultz, William J. Raynor, Jr., James Jay Tanner, David G. Biggs, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Mark D. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20030119400
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween. The absorbent body includes a non-woven absorbent structure having a length, a thickness, a width and opposite side edges generally defining the width of the structure. The thickness of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along at least one of the length and the width of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is of unitary construction of absorbent fibers and binder fibers activated to form inter-fiber bonds within the absorbent structure. In another embodiment, the width of the absorbent structure is non-uniform along the length of the absorbent structure and the opposite side edges of the absorbent structure are substantially uncut along the length of the absorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Frank P. Abuto, Jayant Chakravarty, Michael J. Garvey, Timothy J. Rymer, Michael B. Venturino, Robert E. Vogt, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Patent number: 6544386
    Abstract: A process for producing additive composition treated multi-ply tissue products is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, at least one (1) ply of the tissue product is treated with an additive composition, such as a lotion. Once the additive composition is applied to the tissue product, the tissue is then hot embossed by being fed through, for example, a heated bonding nip. It has been discovered that the hot embossing step improves the adhesion between the multiple plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane G. Krzysik, Barbara S. Funk, David G. Biggs, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Publication number: 20020155257
    Abstract: Webs can be embossed and laminated using irregular bonding patterns with the pin-on-pin embossing process. Different patterns are provided onto each web and the webs are joined in a bonding nip to form a laminate. The bonding pattern formed in the bonding nip is irregular. The irregularity of the bonding pattern reduces vibrations within the machinery and allows increased machine speed. The irregularity of the pattern can be determined using the Self-Similarity Count or the Energy Suppression Factor method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Walter T. Schultz, William J Raynor, James Jay Tanner, David G. Biggs, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Mark D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6251207
    Abstract: Webs can be embossed and laminated using irregular bonding patterns with the pin-on-pin embossing process. Different patterns are provided onto each web and the webs are joined in a bonding nip to form a laminate. The bonding pattern formed in the bonding nip is irregular. The irregularity of the bonding pattern reduces vibrations within the machinery and allows increased machine speed. The irregularity of the pattern can be determined using the Self-Similarity Count or the Energy Suppression Factor method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Schultz, William J. Raynor, Jr., James Jay Tanner, David G. Biggs, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Mark D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5510001
    Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Fung-Jou Chen, Harry L. Spiegelberg, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Janice G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5510002
    Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Fung-Jou Chen, Harry L. Spiegelberg, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Janice G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5505818
    Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Fung-Jou Chen, Harry L. Spiegelberg, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Janice G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5492598
    Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of throughdried tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Fung-Jou Chen, Harry L. Spiegelberg, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Janice G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5411636
    Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Fung-Jou Chen, Larry L. Spiegelberg, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Janice G. Neilson
  • Patent number: 4942077
    Abstract: Creped tissues having improved perceived softness and appearance are made from tissue webs having at least a machine direction broken line pattern of individual densified areas containing higher mass concentrations of fibers. The broken line pattern of densified areas creates a pleasing appearance and influences the creping to provide a more uniform crepe and hence improved tissue softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Greg A. Wendt, Kimberly K. Underhill, James S. Rugowski, Bernhardt E. Kressner, Kai F. Chiu
  • Patent number: 4801494
    Abstract: A spunbonded liner material having a heavy loading of pigment, formed of a heavier denier than normal spunbonded fiber in a lightweight fabric. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fibers are formed of polypropylene and the pigment is formed of titanium dioxide present in an amount between about 1 and about 6 percent by weight of the fabric. The fabric material further has an open area of between about 25 and about 50 percent with an average pore size of between about 15,000 and 35,000 square microns and a fiber denier of greater than 3. Masking is greater than two times conventional nonwovens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Datta, Gary C. Anderson, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • Patent number: D518647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhardt E. Kressner, Timothy M. McFarland, Pamela M. Thompson, Wendy Jahner
  • Patent number: D529295
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhardt E. Kressner, Timothy M. McFarland, Pamela M. Thompson, Wendy Jahner