Patents by Inventor Cathleen Mae Uttecht

Cathleen Mae Uttecht 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: 11035081
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 600 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10753046
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20200240086
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 600 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10487454
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10458067
    Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
  • Patent number: 10441603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to prebiotic compositions and formulations comprising an ?-hydroxy acid and salts thereof, such as lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric or malic acid and a prebiotic agent, such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), raffinose, stachyose, isomalto-oligosaccharide, and xylo-oligosaccharide. Prebiotic compositions of the present invention provide a surprisingly synergist prebiotic effect and may be administered in several forms to a user, such as by application to a premoistened wiping substrate or dry bath tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David William Koenig, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, YoungSook Kim, SangHa Park, Jessica Caroline Rogers
  • Publication number: 20190309482
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Patent number: 10385516
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20190226147
    Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20190136457
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20180016749
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20170258823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to prebiotic compositions and formulations comprising an ?-hydroxy acid and salts thereof, such as lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric or malic acid and a prebiotic agent, such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), raffinose, stachyose, isomalto-oligosaccharide, and xylo-oligosaccharide. Prebiotic compositions of the present invention provide a surprisingly synergist prebiotic effect and may be administered in several forms to a user, such as by application to a premoistened wiping substrate or dry bath tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: David William Koenig, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, YoungSook Kim, SangHa Park, Jessica Caroline Rogers
  • Patent number: 9744248
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20170080105
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 9539344
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20160250353
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 9410292
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a multilayered tissue web comprising treated cellulosic fibers selectively disposed in one or more layers, wherein the tissue layer comprising treated fibers is adjacent to a layer comprising untreated fiber and which is substantially free from untreated fiber. Generally the treated fibers have a rate of substitution of about 0.02 to 0.07. In this manner, the disclosure provides a multi-layered tissue web having treated fiber selectively incorporated therein, where the tissue web has basis weight greater than about 10 grams per square meter (gsm), such as from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater than about 8 cc/g, such as from about 8 to about 15 cc/g and Stiffness Index less than about 15, such as from about 8 to about 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jian Qin, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20150176222
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a multilayered tissue web comprising treated cellulosic fibers selectively disposed in one or more layers, wherein the tissue layer comprising treated fibers is adjacent to a layer comprising untreated fiber and which is substantially free from untreated fiber. Generally the treated fibers have a rate of substitution of about 0.02 to 0.07. In this manner, the disclosure provides a multi-layered tissue web having treated fiber selectively incorporated therein, where the tissue web has basis weight greater than about 10 grams per square meter (gsm), such as from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater than about 8 cc/g, such as from about 8 to about 15 cc/g and Stiffness Index less than about 15, such as from about 8 to about 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jian Qin, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Patent number: 8834678
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a tissue product having a creping composition disposed onto at least one surface thereof to increase the softness of the article, while retaining or improving manufacturing efficiency. The tissue products also have a sizing agent that increases the Wet Out time, without negatively impacting softness or machine runability. Preferably the creping composition comprises a cationic component and a film forming component, both of which are preferably water soluble. The cationic component carries a cationic charge that is capable of forming ionic bonds with the negatively charged fibers of the tissue web, thus providing a retention mechanism by which the creping composition is retained on the sheet. The overall retention of the creping composition on the sheet reduces the concentration of the composition in the machine process water, improving machine operability and runability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gerald Druecke, Dave Allen Soerens, Benjamin Joseph Kruchoski, Frederick John Lang, Christopher Lee Satori, John Alexander Werner, IV, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mickey Joseph Authement, II, Peter Lee Carson, Jeremy Michael Brunette, Kenneth John Zwick, Elizabeth Oriel Bradley
  • Patent number: 8679295
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a tissue product having a creping composition disposed onto at least one surface thereof to increase the softness of the article, while retaining or improving manufacturing efficiency. Preferably the creping composition comprises a first component that is cationic and a second component that is capable of forming a film. Preferably both the first and second components are water soluble. The first component carries a cationic charge that is capable of forming ionic bonds with the negatively charged fibers of the tissue web, thus providing a retention mechanism by which the creping composition is retained. The overall retention of the creping composition reduces the concentration of the composition in the machine process water, improving machine operability and runability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gerald Druecke, Dave Allen Soerens, Benjamin Joseph Kruchoski, Frederick John Lang, Christopher Lee Satori, John Alexander Werner, IV, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mickey Joseph Authement, II