Patents by Inventor Braulio A. Polanco

Braulio A. Polanco 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: 8043984
    Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer of an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer. The meltblown layer may include an elastic polyolefin-based meltblown polymer having a degree of crystallinity between about 3% and about 40%. The laminate suitably has an inter-layer peel strength of less than about 70 grams per 3 inches cross-directional width at a strain rate of 300 mm/min. Alternatively or additionally, the continuous filament strands and/or the facing layer may include an elastic polyolefin-based meltblown polymer having a degree of crystallinity between about 3% and about 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Stadelman, Braulio A. Polanco, Joerg Hendrix, Peter M. Kobylivker, Peiguang Zhou, Bryon P. Day, Wing-Chak Ng, Steven R. Stopper
  • Patent number: 7422712
    Abstract: A technique for incorporating a liquid additive into a nonwoven web is disclosed. Specifically, the liquid additive is loaded into filler particles to form a “dry liquid concentrate”, i.e., pulverulent granular solid or powder loaded with the liquid additive. The incorporation of the liquid additive into dry liquid concentrates provides a variety of benefits. For example, prior to extrusion, the dry liquid concentrates generally retain the properties of filler particles from which they are formed as the liquid remains isolated. In this manner, a higher level of the liquid additive may be compounded with a melt-extrudable base composition without adversely affecting the extrusion process. Only upon extrusion of the composition will a significant portion of the liquid additive be released to provide the desired properties to the resulting nonwoven web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Lucille DeLucia, Braulio Polanco, Peter Kobylivker, Ali Yahiaoui, Tamara Lee Mace, Stephen Avedis Baratian, Steven R. Stopper, Charles E. Edmundson
  • Patent number: 7291239
    Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B bilateral morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. 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. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Braulio A. Polanco, Christopher Dale Fenwick, Darryl Franklin Clark, Bryan David Haynes, Kurtis Lee Brown, Chad Michael Freese
  • Publication number: 20070141941
    Abstract: A technique for incorporating a liquid additive into a nonwoven web is disclosed. Specifically, the liquid additive is loaded into filler particles to form a “dry liquid concentrate”, i.e., pulverulent granular solid or powder loaded with the liquid additive. The incorporation of the liquid additive into dry liquid concentrates provides a variety of benefits. For example, prior to extrusion, the dry liquid concentrates generally retain the properties of filler particles from which they are formed as the liquid remains isolated. In this manner, a higher level of the liquid additive may be compounded with a melt-extrudable base composition without adversely affecting the extrusion process. Only upon extrusion of the composition will a significant portion of the liquid additive be released to provide the desired properties to the resulting nonwoven web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Mary DeLucia, Braulio Polanco, Peter Kobylivker, Ali Yahiaoui, Tamara Mace, Stephen Baratian, Steven Stopper, Charles Edmundson
  • Publication number: 20070141937
    Abstract: An elastic composite material that does not require facing materials. The elastic composite material includes a first elastic meltblown layer, an array of continuous filament strands deposited on the first elastic meltblown layer, and a second elastic meltblown layer deposited on the continuous filaments strands opposite the first elastic meltblown layer. One or both meltblown layers and/or the continuous filament strands may include an elastic polyolefin-based meltblown polymer having a degree of crystallinity between about 3% and about 40%. Also included is a method of making the elastic composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Joerg Hendrix, Braulio Polanco, Bryan Stadelman, David Hall, Ryan McEneany
  • Publication number: 20060147716
    Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer film demonstrates reduced roll blocking capabilities. The film can either be breathable or nonbreathable. The breathable elastic film includes a core layer of a thermoplastic elastomer and a filled semi crystalline predominantly linear polymer and at least one skin layer of a polyethylene or filled polyethylene. The film core layer includes between about 25 and 70 weight percent filler, between about 5 and 30 by weight percent semi-crystalline linear polymer, and between about 15 and 60 by weight elastomer. The nonbreathable film desirable includes a core of 80-98 percent film volume and a skin of 20-2 percent film volume, with the core including both styrenic block copolymers and single site catalyzed polyethylenes and the skin including single site catalyzed polyethylenes and additional amounts of roll blocking prevention agents (antiblock agents).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Jaime Braverman, Bryon Day, Arthur Garavaglia, Holly Kiper, Melpo Lambidonis, Tamara Mace, Ann McCormack, Braulio Polanco, Prasad Potnis, James Riggs, Oomman Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050170729
    Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer of an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer. The meltblown layer may include an elastic polyolefin-based meltblown polymer having a degree of crystallinity between about 3% and about 40%. The laminate suitably has an inter-layer peel strength of less than about 70 grams per 3 inches cross-directional width at a strain rate of 300 mm/min. Alternatively or additionally, the continuous filament strands and/or the facing layer may include an elastic polyolefin-based meltblown polymer having a degree of crystallinity between about 3% and about 40%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Bryan Stadelman, Braulio Polanco, Joerg Hendrix, Peter Kobylivker, Peiguang Zhou, Bryon Day, Wing-Chak Ng, Steven Stopper
  • Publication number: 20050148730
    Abstract: A blended composition of unsaturated block copolymer with improved thermal stability and processing behavior includes at least one unsaturated block copolymer; and a compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of (1) high melt flow rate homopolymers or copolymers; (2) styrene-ethylenepropylene-styrene (SEPS); (3) ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); (4) styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), or styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers; (5) single site catalyzed polyolefins, such as metallocene catalyzed and constrained geometry polyolefins; (6) amorphous poly alpha olefin homopolymer and copolymers; and (7) a combination of such.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Bryon Day, Dennis DeGroot, Michael Garvey, Gregory Hall, Peter Kobylivker, Braulio Polanco, Thomas Roessler, Duane Uitenbroek, Peiguang Zhou
  • Publication number: 20050098256
    Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B bilateral morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. 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. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Braulio Polanco, Christopher Fenwick, Darryl Clark, Bryan Haynes, Kurtis Brown, Chad Freese
  • Patent number: 6830640
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from a differently shaped dual capillary spinneret design to induce differential fiber morphology to produce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Maldonado, Kurtis Lee Brown, Jeffrey D. Shelley, Braulio Polanco
  • Publication number: 20040198124
    Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs of increased uniformity are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B side by side morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. 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. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Braulio A. Polanco, Christopher Dale Fenwick, Darryl Franklin Clark, Bryan David Haynes, Kurtis Lee Brown, Chad Michael Freese, Eric Scott Kepner
  • Publication number: 20030118816
    Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B side by side morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. 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. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Braulio A. Polanco, Christopher Dale Fenwick, Darryl Franklin Clark, Bryan David Haynes, Kurtis Lee Brown, Chad Michael Freese
  • Publication number: 20030011099
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from a differently shaped dual capillary spinneret design to induce differential fiber morphology to produce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Maldonado, Kurtis Lee Brown, Jeffrey D. Shelley, Braulio Polanco
  • Patent number: 6446691
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from a differently shaped dual capillary spinneret design to induce differential fiber morphology to produce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Maldonado, Kurtis Lee Brown, Jeffrey D. Shelley, Braulio Polanco
  • Publication number: 20020098762
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from specially shaped capillaries to induce differential shear to induce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by directed quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Shelley, Jose Enrique Maldonando, Braulio A. Polanco
  • Publication number: 20020079046
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from a differently shaped dual capillary spinneret design to induce differential fiber morphology to produce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Maldonado, Kurtis Lee Brown, Jeffrey D. Shelley, Braulio Polanco