Patents by Inventor Dennis A. Thomas

Dennis A. Thomas 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: 6637079
    Abstract: The present invention provides a female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device. The female component of the present invention is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. Each zone has certain of the desired individual characteristics for entangling and holding the hooks of the mating hook component. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the “entanglement” zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the “spacing” zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone for providing a foundation for the entanglement and spacing zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David J. K. Goulait, Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5664302
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system including rows of female loops joined to a substrate. The loops taper from the base to the distal end and are typically nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The shanks of each loop may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each loop includes an opening for receiving a portion of the prong of a male hook component. The loops are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the apertures of a depositing member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the loop, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form a distal end which fuses with an adjacent amount of stretched material to forma loop. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article, and more specifically, a diaper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5622578
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system including rows of female loops joined to a substrate. The loops taper from the base to the distal end and are typically nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The shanks of each loop may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each loop includes an opening for receiving a portion of the prong of a male hook component. The loops are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the apertures of a depositing member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the loop, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form a distal end which fuses with an adjacent amount of stretched material to forma loop. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article, and more specifically, a diaper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5618583
    Abstract: A process for forming a sheet material having a fibrous surface and the sheet material produced thereby; the fibers are produced by deposition of a heated, thermally sensitive material on to a substrate, which is transported at a velocity approximately equal to the velocity of the material being deposited, by manipulating the fiber density and denier, the sheet material can be made to be either softer or rougher to the touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Terrill A. Young, George C. Dobrin, Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5586371
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system including rows of female loops joined to a substrate. The loops taper from the base to the distal end and are typically nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The shanks of each loop may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each loop includes an opening for receiving a portion of the prong of a male hook component. The loops are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the apertures of a depositing member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the loop, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form a distal end which fuses with an adjacent amount of stretched material to forma loop. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article, and more specifically, a diaper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5586979
    Abstract: A technique to preserve absorbent core integrity in a disposable article is described.Columns which protrude from the backing sheet of an absorbent disposable article or personal wear garment and which project into the fibrous mass of an absorbent core overlaid onto a liquid impervious backing sheet are disclosed. A top sheet which is pervious to liquids overlies the core of fibrous material encapsulating the absorbent core in cooperation with the backing sheet. The top sheet also may carry similar columns. These columns act to restrict the movement of the fibers in the absorbent core and, more particularly, to enhance and maintain the integrity of the absorbent core whenever wet and/or placed under stress. These columns serve to resist and to diminish any disintegration of the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5565255
    Abstract: A process for forming a sheet material having a fibrous surface and the sheet material produced thereby; the fibers are produced by deposition of a heated, thermally sensitive material on to a substrate, which is transported at a velocity approximately equal to the velocity of the material being deposited. By manipulating the fiber density and denier, the sheet material can be made to be either softer or rougher to the touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter And Gamble Company
    Inventors: Terrill A. Young, George C. Dobrin, Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5540673
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong, and imparting an azimuthal angle to the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Thomas, David J. K. Goulait, Robert G. Cox, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5397317
    Abstract: A technique to preserve absorbent core integrity in a disposable article is described.Columns which protrude from the backing sheet of an absorbent disposable article or personal wear garment and which project into the fibrous mass of an absorbent core overlaid onto a liquid impervious backing sheet are disclosed. A top sheet which is pervious to liquids overlies the core of fibrous material encapsulating the absorbent core in cooperation with the backing sheet. The top sheet also may carry similar columns. These columns act to restrict the movement of the fibers in the absorbent core and, more particularly, to enhance and maintain the integrity of the absorbent core whenever wet and/or placed under stress. These columns serve to resist and to diminish any disintegration of the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5392498
    Abstract: The invention is a hook fastening material for use with a complementary loop fastening material, which hook fastening material has from about 1600 to about 2500 prongs per square inch and is substantially non-abrasive and non-irritating to human skin. In one embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs with an engaging means at an angle of about 90.degree. to about 160.degree. relative to the extension of the perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. In another embodiment the hook fastening material is formed on a compressible substrate. In still another embodiment the hook fastening material has prongs made of an ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer or a polyethylene based polymer. Methods for making such hook fastening materials and articles of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David J. K. Goulait, Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5385706
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of flee-formed prongs joined to an embossed or raised substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto the embossed or raised portion of a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the embossed or raised substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5325569
    Abstract: A process for making a refastenable mechanical fastening system comprising the steps of providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a diameter of between about 0.008 inches to about 0.040 inches; providing a molten thermally sensitive material having a storage modulus less than about 5000 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at the application temperature and a storage modulus of at least about 1.times.10.sup.6 dynes/centimeter.sup.2 at a temperature no more than 40.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David J. K. Goulait, Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5326415
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the meshes of a deposting member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the prong, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Thomas, David J. K. Goulait
  • Patent number: 5318741
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has in engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5300058
    Abstract: The invention is an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, comprising a main body portion which is divided into a first half and a second half by a principle transverse centerline, and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the first half and second half of the main body portion. The oriented hook fastening material is oriented in a direction having a vector component perpendicular to the principle transverse centerline of the main body portion. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the disposable absorbent article will have side flaps joined to the main body portion and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the side flaps. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the disposable absorbent article will have a combination of a pressure sensitive adhesive and an oriented hook fastening material joined to the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David J. K. Goulait, Dennis A. Thomas, Maureen E. Stanley
  • Patent number: 5230851
    Abstract: A process for making a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5197302
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained, rapid cooling device that retains heat produced from the cooling process and can be stored for indefinite periods without losing its cooling potential. A liquid in a first chamber undergoes a change of phase into vapor which cools the first chamber. A second chamber forms a vacuum insulation about a third chamber which contains a sorbent. The sorbent in the third chamber is in fluid communication with the vapor and removes the vapor from the first chamber. The device is self-contained because a material in contact with the sorbent removes the heat from the sorbent to prevent the reduction in the cooling effect produced by the first chamber. In addition, a vacuum insulation about the third chamber keeps the heated sorbent from diminishing that cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: International Thermal Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Cullen M. Sabin, Dennis A. Thomas, Gary V. Steidl
  • Patent number: 5180534
    Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong, and imparting an azimuthal angle to the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbant garment, specifically a diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Thomas, David J. K. Goulait, Robert G. Cox, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5116563
    Abstract: An improved process for forming a mechanical fastening prong and the prongs produced thereby. The prongs are produced by deposition of a heated, thermally sensitive material onto a substrate, which is transported at a differential velocity relative to the heated material being deposited to form the prongs. Also, the transported substrate may be drawn away from the point of deposition at an angle. By varying the velocity differential between the substrate and the heated, thermally sensitive material as it is deposited and by varying the angle between the substrate and the point of deposition of the heated thermally sensitive material, the fastening characteristics, particularly the shear strength, of the fastening system formed of these prongs may be advantageously modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Thomas, David J. K. Goulait
  • Patent number: H1640
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mechanical fastening system for use with disposable absorbent products. More particularly, a reinforced landing surface is disclosed for securing a hook-type mechanical fastener thereto. The reinforced landing surface includes a fibrous non-woven layer and a scrim-like web that is attached in a composite arrangement to the fibrous non-woven layer. The mechanical fasteners include a plurality of hooks, such as those used in a hook and loop type fastener which extend through the scrim-like web and penetrate the non-woven fibrous layer and become intertwined therewith. Depending upon the fastening requirements, the pattern of the scrim-like web may be repetitive, variable, continuous or discrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John J. Litchholt, Dennis A. Thomas, Keith W. Hammond