Patents by Inventor Brian T. Etzel

Brian T. Etzel 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).

  • Methods for making a thermoplastic composition including polyethlene oxide and fibers including same
    Patent number: 6479001
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that includes an unreacted mixture of a polyethylene oxide polymer, a polyolefin polymer, an aliphatic polyester polymer, and, optionally, a compatibilizer for the polymers. One embodiment of such a thermoplastic composition is a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymer, poly(lactic acid) polymer, and polyethylene polymer. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being extruded into fibers that may be formed into nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Multicomponent fiber prepared from a thermoplastic composition
    Patent number: 6211294
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer, a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The thermoplastic composition is useful in making multicomponent fibers or nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Biodegradable thermoplastic composition
    Patent number: 6207755
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer; a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The thermoplastic composition is useful in making multicomponent fibers or nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Thermoplastic composition including polyethylene oxide
    Patent number: 6110849
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that comprises a mixture of a polyethylene oxide polymer, a polyolefin polymer, a polyester polymer, and, optionally, a compatibilizer for the polymers. One embodiment of such a thermoplastic composition is a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymer, poly(lactic acid) polymer, and polyethylene polymer. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being extruded into fibers that may be formed into nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worlwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Polyethylene oxide thermoplastic composition
    Patent number: 6010971
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition that comprises a unreacted mixture of polyethylene oxide polymer and a multicarboxylic acid. One embodiment of such a thermoplastic composition is a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymer and adipic acid. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being extruded into fibers that may be formed into nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Multicomponent fiber
    Patent number: 5952088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising an unreacted mixture of an aliphatic polyester polymer as a continuous phase, polyolefin microfibers as a discontinuous phase encased within the aliphatic polyester polymer continuous phase, and a compatibilizer for the aliphatic polyester polymer and the polyolefin microfibers. The multicomponent fiber exhibits substantial biodegradable properties and good wettability yet is easily processed. The thermoplastic composition is useful in making nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel
  • Biodegradable thermoplastic composition
    Patent number: 5910545
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising an unreacted mixture of a poly(lactic acid) polymer; a polybutylene succinate polymer or a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer, or a mixture of such polymers; and a wetting agent. The thermoplastic composition exhibits substantial biodegradable properties yet is easily processed. The thermoplastic composition is useful in making multicomponent fibers or nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Jya Tsai, Brian T. Etzel