Patents by Inventor Dave Soerens

Dave Soerens 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: 12194435
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles having a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers are provided. The superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, WanDuk Lee
  • Patent number: 12076447
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, Wanduk Lee
  • Patent number: 11931469
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises porous superabsorbent particles, wherein the particles exhibit a relative humidity microclimate of about 67% or less after being exposed to an atmosphere having a temperature of about 23° C. and relative humidity of 80% for a time period of 20 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Mark M. Mleziva, John Gavin MacDonald, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michelle McBride, Karien J. Rodriguez, Matthew Valaskey, Dave Soerens, Neil T. Scholl, WanDuk Lee
  • Patent number: 11596924
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Yusuke Ueda, Megumi Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20210362125
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that includes superabsorbent particles containing a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20210252478
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles have a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and contain a porous network that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers, wherein the superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less and a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of 5 darcys or more, of 10 darcys or more, of 20 darcys or more, of 30 darcys or more, of 60 darcys or more, or of 90 darcys or more. A method for forming such superabsorbent particles includes forming a composition that contains a superabsorbent polymer and a solvent system; contacting the composition with a non-solvent system to initiate formation of the porous network through phase inversion; removing non-solvent from the composition; and surface crosslinking the superabsorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Mark M. Mleziva, Theodore T. Tower, WanDuk Lee, Neil T. Scholl, Lori A. Eslinger, Yuriy Galabura, Dave Soerens, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Yusuke Ueda, Megumi Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20200188195
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises superabsorbent particles containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20200171462
    Abstract: Superabsorbent particles having a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers and containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers are provided. The superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Austin N. Pickett, Karen Goeders, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Dave Soerens, Theodore T. Tower, Mark M. Mleziva, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20200155375
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member positioned between a topsheet and a backsheet is provided. The absorbent member contains at least one layer that comprises porous superabsorbent particles, wherein the particles exhibit a relative humidity microclimate of about 67% or less after being exposed to an atmosphere having a temperature of about 23° C. and relative humidity of 80% for a time period of 20 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Yuriy Galabura, Mark M. Mlieziva, J. Gavin MacDonald, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Michelle McBride, Karien J. Rodriguez, Matthew Valaskey, Dave Soerens, Neil T. Scholl, WanDuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20180161476
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen containing a superabsorbent material oxygen entrapped within the superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material has at least 15 percent by mass monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic, sulphonic or phosphoric acid or salts thereof, an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, and a copolymerizable hydrophilic glycol containing ester monomer. To produce the closed cell foam matrix for delivering oxygen, an alkali hydroxide catalyst is added to the superabsorbent material to form a hydrogel layer. Then, an oxygen precursor is added to the hydrogel layer. The hydrogel layer is heated to produce oxygen by reacting the alkali hydroxide catalyst and the oxygen precursor thereby entrapping the oxygen in the formed closed cell foam matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: John Gavin MacDonald, Brian J. Cuevas, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20070265405
    Abstract: A flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition including a monoethylenically unsaturated polymer, such as carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, or salts thereof, and an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, or a monomer capable of co-polymerization with a compound containing a trialkoxysilane functional group and subsequent reaction with water to form a silanol group wherein the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition has a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer of less than about 1000 ppm. The flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing absorbent articles. A method of making the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition includes preparing a monomer solution, adding the monomer solution to an initiator system, and activating a polymerization initiator within the initiator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Angela Lang, Dave Soerens, Iqbal Ahmed, Scott Smith
  • Publication number: 20070142803
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a backsheet and an absorbent layer, where the absorbent layer comprises a support substrate and a superabsorbent polymer composition positioned adjacent to the substrate. The absorbent layer may also include an additional substrate, and the article may additionally include a topsheet. The superabsorbent polymer composition comprises a water-soluble ionic polymer capable of sufficient non-radiative crosslinking within about 10 minutes at a temperature of about 120° C. or less to reach an absorbent capacity of at least 1 g/g as measured by the Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test. In addition, the absorbent layer is restretched. The result is an absorbent article which exhibits improved performance as well as greater comfort and confidence among the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Dave Soerens, Timothy Van Himbergen, Michael Meisner
  • Publication number: 20070129697
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a backsheet and an absorbent layer, where the absorbent layer comprises a flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition positioned adjacent to the backsheet. The absorbent layer may additionally include a substrate, and the article may additionally include a topsheet. The flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition may be made from the reaction product of a monomer solution including at least 15% by weight monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, a copolymerizable hydrophilic glycol containing an ester monomer, an initiator system, and a neutralizing agent. The result is an absorbent article which exhibits improved performance as well as greater comfort and confidence among the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Dave Soerens, Angela Lang, Iqbal Ahmed, Scott Smith
  • Publication number: 20070129515
    Abstract: A flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition including a monoethylenically unsaturated polymer, such as carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, or salts thereof, and an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, or a monomer capable of co-polymerization with a compound containing a trialkoxysilane functional group and subsequent reaction with water to form a silanol group wherein the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition has a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer of less than about 1000 ppm. The flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition is particularly suitable for use in manufacturing absorbent articles. A method of making the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition includes preparing a monomer solution, adding the monomer solution to an initiator system, and activating a polymerization initiator within the initiator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Angela Lang, Dave Soerens, Iqbal Ahmed, Scott Smith
  • Publication number: 20070129517
    Abstract: A process of making the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition includes preparing a preneutralized monomer solution having at least about 40 mol % degree of neutralization, preparing a monomer solution including monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, one of which includes an alkyloxysilane functionality, preparing initiator system solutions and adding the solutions to the monomer solution, mixing the foregoing solutions into a polymerization solution, cooling the polymerization solution, and post neutralizing the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Angela Lang, Dave Soerens, Iqbal Ahmed, Scott Smith, Michael Lostocco, W. Bunyard
  • Publication number: 20070129696
    Abstract: The present invention provides a translucent absorbent composite having a substrate with a light transmittance of at least about 60% and a flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition applied to the substrate. The polymer composition may be prepared from the reaction product of a monomer solution including at least 15% by mass monoethylenically unsaturated monomer selected from carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid salts, sulphonic acid, sulphonic acid salts, phosphoric acid, or phosphoric acid salts; an acrylate or methacrylate ester that contains an alkoxysilane functionality; a copolymerizable hydrophilic glycol containing an ester monomer; an initiator system; and a neutralizing agent. The unsaturated monomer is neutralized to at least 25 mol % and the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition has a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer content of less than about 1000 ppm. The absorbent composite has a light transmittance of at least 45%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Dave Soerens, Angela Lang, Iqbal Ahmed, Scott Smith
  • Publication number: 20070083175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a translucent absorbent composite having a substrate with a light transmittance of at least about 60% and an absorbent material applied to the substrate. The absorbent layer contains an absorbent prepared from a water soluble ionic polymer having about 15 to about 99.9% by mass monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units having at least one functional group and about 0.1 to about 20% by mass ester units selected from the group consisting of acrylate and methacrylate ester units having an alkoxysilane functionality, wherein the absorbent composite has a light transmittance of at least 45%. Also provided are absorbent articles containing the absorbent composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Van Himbergen, Renee Kole, Dave Soerens, David Fell, Ligia Rivera, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20070049888
    Abstract: An absorbent core comprises a multi-microlayer film having a plurality of coextruded microlayers that can perform the multiple functions of acquisition, retention and distribution of fluids. The multi-microlayer films may be formed in a coextrusion process. Each microlayer is manufactured from either a high-recovery polymer or a low-recovery polymer and may be in a substantially alternating configuration within the film. A disruptive force, such as a stretching force, can be applied to at least one portion of the multi-microlayer film to partially delaminate the low-recovery microlayer from the high-recovery microlayer to form corrugations in that portion. The multi-microlayer film can be apertured and additives may be included in either polymer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Dave Soerens, Vasily Topolkaraev, Duane Uitenbroek, Patrick Downey
  • Patent number: 7147751
    Abstract: Base sheets are disclosed having a reduced coefficient of friction in the wet state. In accordance with the present invention, the base sheets can be treated with a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, a derivatized polyethylene oxide or an acrylate copolymer containing polyethylene moieties. The base sheet can be single ply or multi-ply. The base sheet can be a tissue product, such as a facial tissue, a bath tissue, or a paper towel. Alternatively, the base sheet can be a pre-moistened wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom G. Shannon, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20060142445
    Abstract: An adhesive composition comprises at least a binder polymer and a water-soluble plasticizer. The binder polymer may be present in a range of about 10% to about 60% by weight of the adhesive composition, and the plasticizer may be present in the range of about 5% to about 85% by weight of the adhesive composition, such as in the range of about 40% to about 80% by weight. In some aspects, the adhesive also comprises less than 10% by weight highly-volatile component, such as about 0% to about 5% by weight. The adhesive composition can be utilized in a variety of articles, including personal care articles, health/medical articles, and household/industrial articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Dave Soerens, Stephen Campbell, Jisheng Shen, David Koenig