Patents by Inventor Diane Michele Underhill

Diane Michele Underhill 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: 6515029
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a bodyside liner includes a hydrophilic lotion formulation on the outer bodyfacing surface thereof. The hydrophilic lotion formulation comprises from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 90 weight percent of a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent of a fatty alcohol. The hydrophilic lotion formulation has a reduced adverse effect on the absorbent and liquid uptake properties of the liner and the absorbent body when compared to conventional lipophilic or hydrophobic lotion formulations. The hydrophilic lotion formulation acts as a lubricant to reduce the abrasion of the skin caused by the liner and also transfers to the skin to provide improved skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Gerard Krzysik, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith
  • Patent number: 6503525
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6482422
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6316013
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6296862
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6217890
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet; and an absorbent body located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent body may include multiple zones of high air permeability. The absorbent article may also include a ventilation layer between the absorbent body and the backsheet and a surge management layer between the absorbent body and the topsheet. The article exhibits improved air exchange within the article during use. As a result, the article maintains the temperature and exhibits substantially reduced levels of hydration of the wearer's skin when in use which renders the skin less susceptible to the viability of microorganisms. The absorbent article may further include lotion formulations and/or treatment compositions thereon for maintaining or improving skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Susan Carol Paul, Frank Jerrel Akin, Robert Cosmo Di Luccio, Dennis Stein Everhart, Elizabeth Deibler Gadsby, Pamela Jean Mayberry, Audra Stefanik Wright, Ali Yahiaoui, Michael John Faulks, Duane Gerard Krzysik, Karen Marie Menard, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, David John Tyrrell, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith, Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce, Wade Bolton May
  • Patent number: 6149934
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a bodyside liner includes a lotion formulation on the outer bodyfacing surface thereof. The lotion formulation comprises from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of an emollient, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of a wax, and, optionally, from about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent of a viscosity enhancer. The lotion formulation has a reduced level of migration which leads to improved transfer to the skin. The lotion formulation acts as a lubricant to reduce the abrasion of the skin caused by the liner and also transfers to the skin to provide improved skin health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Gerard Krzysik, David Charles Musil, Frank Andrew Rosch, III, Gordon Allen Shaw, Diane Michele Underhill, Jeffrey Michael Hockersmith
  • Patent number: 6075178
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10) has a front waistband portion (14), a back waistband portion (12) and an intermediate portion (16). The article comprises a flexible backsheet member (30), and a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28). An absorbent body structure (32), with a retention portion (48), is sandwiched between the backsheet member (30) and the topsheet layer (28), and a wetness indicator (40) visually shows a presence of liquid in selected areas of the article. The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a polymer sheet layer (96). Desirably, The wetness indicator is provided by at least one indicator section of the backsheet member (30) which includes a backsheet laminate material having a fibrous nonwoven web (94) attached to a polymer sheet layer (96).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoa La Wilhelm, Jennifer Marie Bauerle, David Willis Heyn, Allen Todd Leak, Dale Arthur Peterson, Carl Gerard Rippl, Diane Michele Underhill, Jerome James Workman, Jr.