Patents by Inventor Donald Eugene Waldroup

Donald Eugene Waldroup 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: 11035081
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 600 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10753046
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20200240086
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 600 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10533096
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine, a hydrophilic filler particles, wherein the filler particles are metal oxide nanoparticles, and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion. Also, a superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, a titanium dioxide nanoparticle filler particle, and water. In addition, a superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, wherein the hydrophobic polymer includes a polyolefin, titanium dioxide nanoparticles as filler, wherein the titanium dioxide nanoparticles are rutile titanium dioxide, anatase titanium dioxide, or a mixture of rutile and anatase titanium dioxide, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Constantine Michael Megaridis, Joseph Edward Mates
  • Patent number: 10487454
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10458067
    Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20190309482
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Patent number: 10385516
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Publication number: 20190226147
    Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20190136457
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10238553
    Abstract: A surge material for use in disposable absorbent personal care products includes a wearer-facing surface, a plurality of elongate grooves in the wearer-facing surface, and a plurality of apertures disposed in the grooves and extending through the surge material. The surge material can also have an average material plane and including a plurality of ridges extending in a z-direction from the average material plane, a plurality of grooves alternating with the plurality of ridges, wherein the grooves extend in the opposite z-direction from the average material plane, and a plurality of apertures through the surge material, wherein the apertures are disposed only in the grooves. The surge material can also include a hydrophobic treatment agent disposed on the ridges and a hydrophilic treatment agent disposed within the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Virginia Lee Day, Frank Paul Abuto, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Patent number: 10233296
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming a collapsed foam film-like structure, the method including positioning a composition applicator adjacent to a hot non-permeable dryer surface, producing a first frothed dispersion or frothed solution from a first dispersion or solution, applying the first frothed dispersion or frothed solution to the dryer surface, allowing the first frothed dispersion or frothed solution to convert to a collapsed foam film-like structure, and scraping the collapsed foam film-like structure from the dryer surface. The method can further include producing a second dispersion or solution, blending the first dispersion or solution and the second dispersion or solution, frothing the blended dispersion or solution, applying the blended frothed dispersion or frothed solution to the dryer surface, and allowing the frothed dispersion or frothed solution to convert to a collapsed foam film-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Keyur Desai, Jian Qin, Jeffrey Frank Jurena, Frank Paul Abuto, Susan Elaine Shawver, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts
  • Patent number: 10005917
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic component free of fluorine; a filler particle; and water, wherein the composition is at a pH greater than 7, and wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion. The superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition alternatively includes a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine; an exfoliated graphite filler particle including acid functional groups; water; and a stabilizing compound, wherein the composition is at a pH greater than 7, and wherein the hydrophobic polymer is in an aqueous dispersion. The superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition alternatively includes a hydrophobic component free of fluorine; a filler particle including an acid functional group; and water, wherein the composition is at a pH greater than 7, and wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantine M. Megaridis, Thomas M. Schutzius, Ilker S. Bayer, Jian Qin, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20180055968
    Abstract: A method for making a permanently wettable material is disclosed. The method includes selecting a plurality of non-polar polymer fibers (12) wherein each fiber has a surface (16), depositing a hydrophilic polymer mixture (14) on the non-polar polymer fiber surface to form a shell. The hydrophilic polymer mixture (14) includes a cross-linkable and graftable epoxy-containing polymer, such as, poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol methacrylate) copolymer (PGMA-co-POEGMA), a high weight average molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a surfactant. A permanently wettable material is also disclosed that includes a non-polar polymer-based web (10) having fibers (12) with a surface (16). A hydrophilic polymer mixture (14) forms a shell on the non-polar polymer fiber surface (16). The hydrophilic polymer mixture (14) includes a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol methacrylate) copolymer (PGMA-co-POEGMA), a high weight average molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Keyur Desai, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Andrew Thomas Baker, Yuriy Galabura, Fehime Vatansever, Igor Luzinov, Ruslan Burtovyy, Michael James Seeber, James Matthew Giammarco
  • Publication number: 20180044541
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine, a hydrophilic filler particles, wherein the filler particles are metal oxide nanoparticles, and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion. Also, a superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, a titanium dioxide nanoparticle filler particle, and water. In addition, a superhydrophobic non-fluorinated composition includes a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, wherein the hydrophobic polymer includes a polyolefin, titanium dioxide nanoparticles as filler, wherein the titanium dioxide nanoparticles are rutile titanium dioxide, anatase titanium dioxide, or a mixture of rutile and anatase titanium dioxide, and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Constantine Michael Megaridis, Joseph Edward Mates
  • Publication number: 20180030282
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a non-fluorinated, water-based composition including a hydrophobic component free of fluorine, a hydrophilic filler particle, wherein the filler particle is a metal oxide nanoparticle, and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion. Also, a superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a non-fluorinated composition including a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, titanium dioxide nanoparticles as filler, and water. In addition, a superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a non-fluorinated composition including a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine, wherein the hydrophobic polymer includes a polyolefin; titanium dioxide nanoparticles as filler, wherein the titanium dioxide nanoparticles are rutile titanium dioxide, anatase titanium dioxide, or a mixture of rutile and anatase titanium dioxide; and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Constantine M. Megaridis, Joseph Edward Mates
  • Publication number: 20180016749
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
  • Patent number: 9803100
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a non-fluorinated composition, the composition including a hydrophobic component free of fluorine; a filler particle; and water, wherein the composition is at a pH greater than 7, and wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion. The superhydrophobic surface alternatively includes a substrate treated with a non-fluorinated composition, the composition including a hydrophobic polymer free of fluorine; an exfoliated graphite filler particle including acid functional groups; water; and a stabilizing compound, wherein the composition is at a pH greater than 7, and wherein the hydrophobic polymer is in an aqueous dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Constantine M. Megaridis, Thomas M. Schutzius, Ilker S. Bayer
  • Patent number: 9744248
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20170080105
    Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup