Patents by Inventor Donald Merlin Fries

Donald Merlin Fries 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).

  • Process and apparatus for assembly of garments
    Patent number: 6585840
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment. The process is carried out by loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture. A waist elastic member can be bonded to a waist area of the insert. A garment shell can be applied over the insert and the waist elastic member. A waist area of the garment shell can be attached to the waist elastic member and to the waist area of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Rabe, Joseph R. Alberts, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Edward A. Drezdzon, II, Thomas David Ehlert, Donald Merlin Fries, Richard M. Konetzke, James Frederick Roth, Robert Eugene Vogt
  • Process and apparatus for assembly of garments
    Publication number: 20020084017
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment. The process is carried out by loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture. A waist elastic member can be bonded to a waist area of the insert. A garment shell can be applied over the insert and the waist elastic member. A waist area of the garment shell can be attached to the waist elastic member and to the waist area of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald L. Rabe, Joseph R. Alberts, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Edward A. Drezdzon, Thomas David Ehlert, Donald Merlin Fries, Sharon Fries, Richard M. Konetzke, James Frederick Roth, Robert Eugene Vogt
  • Process for manufacturing shorts or trousers
    Patent number: 6192521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Alberts, Edward Anthony Drezdzon, II, Donald Merlin Fries, Richard Mark Konetzke, Thomas Theodore Kvitek, Michael Joseph Muhlebach, Michael Joseph Nelson, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Brendon Frank Ribble, James Frederick Roth, Jon Mark Wittmann
  • Active wear garments
    Patent number: 6115847
    Abstract: The process friendly garments include a waste containment structure that has an absorbent core which is positioned between a wearer and a backsheet, and a cover joined to the pant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paulette Mary Rosch, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased
  • Active wear garments
    Patent number: 6009558
    Abstract: The process friendly garments include a waste containment structure that has an absorbent core which is positioned between a wearer and a backsheet, and a cover joined to the pant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paulette Mary Rosch, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased
  • Process for manufacturing shorts or trousers
    Patent number: 5915536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Alberts, Edward Anthony Drezdzon, II, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased, Richard Mark Konetzke, Thomas Theodore Kvitek, Michael Joseph Muhlebach, Michael Joseph Nelson, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Brendon Frank Ribble, James Frederick Roth, Jon Mark Wittmann
  • Process for manufacturing sleeveless tops, shirts, or blouses
    Patent number: 5907872
    Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment wherein the fabric is cut, defining openings that serve as arm holes in the finished garment. A portion of the fabric is folded back above the openings, defining shoulder straps. The camisole garment has a body seam that may be refastenable or non-refastenable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Alberts, Edward Anthony Drezdzon II, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased, Richard Mark Konetzke, Thomas Theodore Kvitek, Michael Joseph Muhlebach, Michael Joseph Nelson, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Brendon Frank Ribble, James Frederick Roth, Jon Mark Wittmann