Patents by Inventor David Michael Schertz
David Michael Schertz 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: 7012116Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to blend compositions of an unmodified poly vinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer and thermoplastic film and fiber structures comprising these blend compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Schertz, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, William S. Pomplun
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Patent number: 6958371Abstract: The present invention discloses water-soluble compositions comprising a blend of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinyl alcohol) that have improved ductility over water-soluble compositions comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone. In one desirable embodiment of the present invention, the poly(ethylene oxide) component of the blend is grafted. Grafted poly(ethylene oxide) resins have improved processability and improved blend compatibility with poly(vinyl alcohol). Films comprising a melt blend of poly(vinyl alcohol) and grafted poly(ethylene oxide) have improved melt processability as well as other improved properties. Films comprising compositions of the present invention have improved ductility over films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone while retaining much of the high strength and water solubility exhibited by such poly(vinyl alcohol) films.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6767961Abstract: The present invention discloses water-soluble compositions comprising a blend of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(vinyl alcohol) that have improved ductility over water-soluble compositions comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone. In one desirable embodiment of the present invention, the poly(ethylene oxide) component of the blend is grafted. Grafted poly(ethylene oxide) resins have improved processability and improved blend compatibility with poly(vinyl alcohol). Films comprising a melt blend of poly(vinyl alcohol) and grafted poly(ethylene oxide) have improved melt processability as well as other improved properties. Films comprising compositions of the present invention have improved ductility over films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) alone while retaining much of the high strength and water solubility exhibited by such poly(vinyl alcohol) films.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6750163Abstract: Melt processable, flushable polymer fibers and methods of making melt processable, flushable polymer fibers are disclosed. The fibers comprise poly(ethylene oxide). Preferably, the poly(ethylene oxide) is modified by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and can be used to melt process poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of thinner diameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6664333Abstract: Selectively cold-water responsive compositions constructed of combinations of polymers including at least one hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one cold-water soluble polymer are provided. Additionally, methods of making and using selectively cold-water sensitive compositions are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises combining a polylactide and a cold-water soluble polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of the polymer having the higher melting point, and below the decomposition point of the polymer having the lower decomposition point, to form a homogeneous polymer blend is also provided. The cold-water responsive properties of the compositions of the present invention may be varied include water dispersible, water disintegratable, and water weakenable.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1999Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Publication number: 20030040574Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to blend compositions of an unmodified poly vinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer and thermoplastic film and fiber structures comprising these blend compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: David Michael Schertz, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, William S. Pomplun
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Publication number: 20020065363Abstract: Selectively cold-water responsive compositions constructed of combinations of polymers including at least one hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one cold-water soluble polymer are provided. Additionally, methods of making and using selectively cold-water sensitive compositions are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises combining a polylactide and a cold-water soluble polyvinyl alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of the polymer having the higher melting point, and below the decomposition point of the polymer having the lower decomposition point, to form a homogeneous polymer blend is also provided. The cold-water responsive properties of the compositions of the present invention may be varied include water dispersible, water disintegratable, and water weakenable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 1999Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: JAMES HONGXUE WANG, DAVID MICHAEL SCHERTZ
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Patent number: 6372850Abstract: Melt processable, flushable polymer fibers and methods of making melt processable, flushable polymer fibers are disclosed. The fibers comprise poly(ethylene oxide). Preferably, the poly(ethylene oxide) is modified by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and can be used to melt process poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of thinner diameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6362277Abstract: A flushable personal care article contains a backing or barrier layer comprising a water degradable polyolefin-containing film having greater than about 55 weight percent of a modified polyolefin and less than about 45 weight percent of unmodified poly(ethylene oxide). The polyolefin is modified by grafting thereto a monomer selected from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyethylene glycol ethyl ether methacrylate in an amount ranging between about 0.1 weight percent and about 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. The polyolefin-containing film, when immersed in water for about 30 seconds, loses at least 10% in two or more of the tensile properties: percent strain-to-break, peak stress, energy-to-break and modulus when compared to the dry or pre-immersion values.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6359063Abstract: A flushable personal care article contains a backing or barrier layer comprising a water degradable modified polyolefin-modified poly(ethylene oxide-containing film having greater than about 55 weight percent of a modified polyolefin and less than about 45 weight percent of a modified poly(ethylene oxide). The polyolefin and poly(ethylene oxide) polymers are modified by having grafted thereto from about ⇄0.1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of a monomer selected from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or polyethylene glycol ethyl ether methacrylate. The modified polyolefin-modified poly-(etheylene oxide)-containing film of the invention, when immersed in water for about 30 seconds, loses at least 10% in two or more of the tensile properties: percent strain-to-break, peak stress, energy-to-break and modulus when compared to the dry or pre-immersion values.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6355347Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to methods of making blend compositions of an unmodified polyvinyl alcohol and a metallocene polyolefin or grafted metallocene polyolefin and thermoplastic film and fiber structures comprising these blend compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to methods of making substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol and a metallocene polyolefin or grafted metallocene polyolefin.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Schertz, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, William S. Pomplun
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Patent number: 6350518Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to methods of making blend compositions of an unmodified poly vinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer and thermoplastic film and fiber structures comprising these blend compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to methods of making substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol and a thermoplastic elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Schertz, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, William S. Pomplun
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Publication number: 20010033852Abstract: Melt processable, flushable polymer fibers and methods of making melt processable, flushable polymer fibers are disclosed. The fibers comprise poly(ethylene oxide). Preferably, the poly(ethylene oxide) is modified by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and can be used to melt process poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of thinner diameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 1997Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: JAMES HONGXUE WANG, DAVID MICHAEL SCHERTZ
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Publication number: 20010031357Abstract: Melt processable, flushable polymer fibers and methods of making melt processable, flushable polymer fibers are disclosed. The fibers comprise poly(ethylene oxide). Preferably, the poly(ethylene oxide) is modified by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and can be used to melt process poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of thinner diameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6297326Abstract: A polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, is modified by grafting onto the polyolefin backbone from 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Suitable polyethylene compositions for grafting include ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ultra low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and polypropylene.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1996Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Patent number: 6255386Abstract: A compositional blend having from about 1 weight percent to about 85 weight percent of a modified polyolefin and from about 99 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of a modified poly(ethylene oxide). The modified polyolefin and modified poly(ethylene oxide) have a total of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of a monomer grafted thereto. Included is a method for making the blend comprising using a single pass extruder to perform the steps of melt blending a polyolefin, a poly(ethylene oxide), a polar, vinyl monomer and a sufficient amount free radical initiator to graft from about 1 percent to 100 percent of the monomer onto the polyolefin and poly(ethylene oxide).Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz
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Publication number: 20010003613Abstract: Flushable film compositions and methods of making flushable film compositions are disclosed. The film compositions comprise poly(ethylene oxide). The modification of the poly(ethylene oxide) can be accomplished by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto poly(ethylene oxide). The modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and is used to melt process thin poly(ethylene oxide) films of less than 5 mils in thickness. Films can be produced that have balanced mechanical properties and that are water-dispersible and flushable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: June 14, 2001Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz, Dave Allen Soerens
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Patent number: 6203903Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to thermoplastic film and fiber structures and methods of making the same. More specifically, this invention relates to substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz, William S. Pomplun
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Patent number: 6197238Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to thermoplastic film and fiber structures and methods of making the same. More specifically, this invention relates to substantially water-free films and fibers comprising unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz, William S. Pomplun
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Patent number: 6172177Abstract: Modifyied poly(ethylene oxide) compositions are disclosed. The poly(ethylene oxide) compositions have improved melt processability and properties and can be used to thermally process articles which have improved properties over articles similarly processed from unmodified poly(ethylene oxide) compositions.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz, Dave Allen Soerens