Patents by Inventor Charles J. Morell
Charles J. Morell 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: 6969441Abstract: In the invention, a method is provided for producing a composite nonwoven fabric. A polymer is extruded into heated continuous filaments, possibly elastic, from the die head to a first chilled roller, wherein the extruder is configured to provide the continuous filaments to the chilled roller in a canted direction that is at a tangent or angle to the surface of the first chilled roller. The filaments are conveyed in a downward direction by way of chilled rollers to a nip. In a next step, the nonwoven web is sprayed with an adhesive and is laminated on the continuous filaments in the nip to form a composite nonwoven fabric. The continuous filaments move vertically downward approximately in line with the lamination process, facilitating automatic re-threading of filaments when they are broken or interrupted in their travel downward onto the chilled rolls.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Charles J. Morell, Michael C. Cook, James R. Fitts, Jr., Donald V. Willitts, Marion C. Morris, Ronald H. Wideman, John A. Brewer, Mark M. Mleziva, Kenneth M. Salter, Raymond J. May, Lavada Boggs, Leslie D. Dobbins
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Patent number: 6900147Abstract: A neckable nonwoven web is provided with a central region and two edge regions, the central region being selectively easier to neck than the two edge regions. The nonwoven fibers in the central region have a polymer composition and/or physical properties which differ from the nonwoven fibers in the two edge regions. The selectively easier necking in the central region causes the central region to neck to about the same extent as the two edge regions, which otherwise would experience greater necking than the central region if the starting nonwoven web were completely uniform. Necked nonwoven webs and neck-bonded laminates made using the improved neckable nonwoven web, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Morman, Charles J. Morell
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Patent number: 6863959Abstract: New methods for and patterns of applying meltsprayed materials in single-layer web and laminate constructions so as to control various characteristics in the webs and laminates is provided. The patterns of adhesive produce scrim or cell-like patterns that allow for control of desirable characteristics. For example, the loft of a laminate may be enhanced, as well as strength properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Jay S. Shultz, Leslie D. Dobbins, James R. Fitts, Jr., Charles J. Morell, Donald V. Willitts, Michael T. Morman, Jason K. Wehner, Jessica M. Rawls, David M. Schertz
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Patent number: 6803009Abstract: A process for making a necked nonwoven web having improved cross directional uniformity includes the steps of passing a nonwoven web between a first nip having a first surface velocity and a second nip having a second surface velocity, necking the nonwoven web between the first and second nips, and selectively increasing the necking of a central region of the nonwoven web relative to two edge regions or selectively decreasing the necking in the edge regions. The selective increase in necking in the central region or selective decrease in necking in the edge regions offsets the relatively higher necking in the edge regions which is inherent in conventional necking processes. A process for making a laminate having improved cross-directional uniformity is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Morman, Sjon-Paul L. Conyer, Randall J. Palmer, Charles J. Morell
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Publication number: 20030100238Abstract: A neckable nonwoven web is provided with a central region and two edge regions, the central region being selectively easier to neck than the two edge regions. The nonwoven fibers in the central region have a polymer composition and/or physical properties which differ from the nonwoven fibers in the two edge regions. The selectively easier necking in the central region causes the central region to neck to about the same extent as the two edge regions, which otherwise would experience greater necking than the central region if the starting nonwoven web were completely uniform. Necked nonwoven webs and neck-bonded laminates made using the improved neckable nonwoven web, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Michael T. Morman, Charles J. Morell
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Publication number: 20030100237Abstract: A process for making a necked nonwoven web having improved cross directional uniformity includes the steps of passing a nonwoven web between a first nip having a first surface velocity and a second nip having a second surface velocity, necking the nonwoven web between the first and second nips, and selectively increasing the necking of a central region of the nonwoven web relative to two edge regions or selectively decreasing the necking in the edge regions. The selective increase in necking in the central region or selective decrease in necking in the edge regions offsets the relatively higher necking in the edge regions which is inherent in conventional necking processes. A process for making a laminate having improved cross-directional uniformity is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Michael T. Morman, Sjon-Paul L. Conyer, Randall J. Palmer, Charles J. Morell
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Publication number: 20020177376Abstract: New methods for and patterns of applying meltsprayed materials in single-layer web and laminate constructions so as to control various characteristics in the webs and laminates is provided. The patterns of adhesive produce scrim or cell-like patterns that allow for control of desirable characteristics. For example, the loft of a laminate may be enhanced, as well as strength properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Jay S. Shultz, Leslie D. Dobbins, James R. Fitts, Charles J. Morell, Donald V. Willitts, Michael T. Morman, Jason K. Wehner, Jessica M. Rawls, David M. Schertz
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Publication number: 20020104608Abstract: In the invention, a method is provided for producing a composite nonwoven fabric. A polymer is extruded into heated continuous filaments, possibly elastic, from the die head to a first chilled roller, wherein the extruder is configured to provide the continuous filaments to the chilled roller in a canted direction that is at a tangent or angle to the surface of the first chilled roller. The filaments are conveyed in a downward direction by way of chilled rollers to a nip. In a next step, the nonwoven web is sprayed with an adhesive and is laminated on the continuous filaments in the nip to form a composite nonwoven fabric. The continuous filaments move vertically downward approximately in line with the lamination process, facilitating automatic re-threading of filaments when they are broken or interrupted in their travel downward onto the chilled rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Charles J. Morell, Michael C. Cook, James R. Fitts, Donald V. Willitts, Marion C. Morris, Ronald H. Wideman, John A. Brewer, Mark M. Mleziva, Kenneth M. Salter, Raymond J. May, Lavada Boggs, Leslie D. Dobbins
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Patent number: 5853635Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a heteroconstituent nonwoven web including a mixture of different filament types simultaneously formed into the same web. The filament types may differ as to polymer composition, additive loadings, fiber size, fiber shape, and/or degree of crimping. The invention is also directed to a method of forming a multilayered nonwoven structure in which different filament types constituting different layers are simultaneously formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles J. Morell, Bryan D. Haynes
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Patent number: 5635134Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single step sterilization wrapping material suitable for use, as an example, in wrapping surgical instruments and supplies for sterilization, transportation and storage. The material includes separate inner and outer wraps which, unlike previous wraps, are joined to one another. Common wrapping techniques involve wrapping items to be sterilized with two separate sheets of wrap. The present invention provides separate wraps which can be specially engineered to deliver specific properties for each sheet and then joined to one another so as to permit wrapping and opening in a neat single step process which increases efficiency and saves time and money. In special situations the outer wrap can be engineered with increased strength, the inner wrap with increased barrier properties and the inner and outer wraps can be made visually distinct from one another so that improper wrapping or opening is not a problem.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Sonya N. Bourne, Nelson McRay, Lavada C. Boggs, William R. Neff, Charles J. Morell, Marsha L. Vaughn
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Patent number: 5292582Abstract: An abrasion-resistant elastic cloth which exhibits excellent dust pickup and dust retention is disclosed. A dust mop head cover may be formed from the cloth fabric. The dust mop head cover may be secured to the mop head without fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Lesley L. Gibbs, Charles J. Morell
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Patent number: 4823427Abstract: An abrasion-resistant elastic cloth which exhibits excellent dust pickup and dust retention is disclosed. A dust mop head cover may be formed from the cloth fabric. The dust mop head cover may be secured to the mop head without fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1986Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Lesley L. Gibbs, Charles J. Morell
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Patent number: 4636429Abstract: A nonwoven polypropylene web has enhanced dusting capabilities by treating it with from about 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight from about 400 to 1000.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1986Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Charles J. Morell, Mark D. Strickland