Patents by Inventor Francis Joseph Kronzer

Francis Joseph Kronzer 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: 8372232
    Abstract: A heat transfer material kit is disclosed that includes a first image transfer material that includes a printable non-porous surface, and a second image transfer material that includes an outer layer having a film forming binder and thermoplastic particles. A method of using the kit is disclosed that includes the steps of a) imaging the substantially non-porous printable surface to form an imaged surface having printed and un-printed areas; b) positioning the outer layer adjacent the imaged surface; c) transferring a portion of the outer layer to the printed area while transferring a lesser portion of the outer layer to the non-printed area to form a coated imaged surface having a non-printed area with less coating than the printed area; and d) thereafter transferring the coated image to a substrate. Alternate methods of using the kit and applying images to substrates that provide good image appearance and durability are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Neenah Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 7361247
    Abstract: A heat transfer material kit is disclosed that includes a first heat transfer material that includes a printable, peelable transfer film, and a second, different heat transfer material that includes an overlay transfer film. A method of using the kit is disclosed that includes the steps of a) imaging the printable, peelable transfer film of the first heat transfer material, b) separating the imaged printable, peelable transfer film from the first heat transfer material, c) positioning the second heat transfer material and the imaged printable, peelable transfer film adjacent a substrate, and d) transferring the imaged printable, peelable transfer film and the overlay transfer film to the substrate. Alternate methods of using the kit are also disclosed. Images transferred using the overlay transfer film provide good image appearance and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Neenah Paper Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 6703086
    Abstract: A printable material which includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces and a second layer. The first layer may be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays and is bonded to the first surface of the first layer and includes a nonwoven web. The first layer has a basis weight of from about 20 to about 140 grams per square meter. The thermoplastic polymer has a melting point of from about 90° C. to about 250° C. and the second layer has a basis weight of at least about 10 grams per square meter. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The second layer may be thermally bonded to the first layer or bonded by an adhesive. A release layer may be present between the first layer and the heat-activated adhesive. The second layer may contain from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight, based on the weight of the second layer, of a material which increases the viscosity of an ink jet ink when printed on the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Joseph Kronzer, Leonard Eugene Zelazoski, Ty Jackson Stokes, Jeffrey Lawrence McManus
  • Patent number: 6450633
    Abstract: A coating composition which includes from about 95 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of particles of a polymer having a solubility parameter of from about 19 to about 28 (MPa)½ and particle sizes of from about 0.5 to about 50 micrometers. The coating composition also includes from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of a binder. The binder may be essentially any polymer which can be dispersed or dissolved in the coating vehicle or solvent. Convenient binders are polymeric lattices such as poly(vinyl acetate), acrylic lattices etc., amine-dispersed carboxylated polymers such as polyesters and ethylene-acrylic acid lattices, and the like. The coating composition also may include a surfactant. For example, the surfactant may be nonionic. Other ingredients also may be present. Examples of such other ingredients include, by way of illustration only, crosslinking agents, viscosity modifiers, and defoamers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 6432549
    Abstract: A curl-resistant, antislip abrasive backing which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. Also provided is a curl-resistant, antislip abrasive paper which includes a polymer-reinforced paper having a first surface and a second surface; a synthetic polymeric layer bonded to the first surface; a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the synthetic polymer layer; and an amorphous, rubbery polymer film layer bonded to the second surface. By way of examples, the amorphous, rubbery polymer may be a polyester elastomer or an amorphous, rubbery polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Publication number: 20010031341
    Abstract: A printable material which includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces and a second layer. The first layer may be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays and is bonded to the first surface of the first layer and includes a nonwoven web. The first layer has a basis weight of from about 20 to about 140 grams per square meter. The thermoplastic polymer has a melting point of from about 90° C. to about 250° C. and the second layer has a basis weight of at least about 10 grams per square meter. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The second layer may be thermally bonded to the first layer or bonded by an adhesive. A release layer may be present between the first layer and the heat-activated adhesive. The second layer may contain from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight, based on the weight of the second layer, of a material which increases the viscosity of an ink jet ink when printed on the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Francis Joseph Kronzer, Leonard Eugene Zelazoski, Ty Jackson Stokes, Jeffrey Lawrence McManus
  • Patent number: 6281166
    Abstract: A coating suitable for receiving an image by dye diffusion printing which includes a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 30° C. and a powdered plasticizer having a melting point of at least about 80° C. The thermoplastic polymer may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C. For example, the thermoplastic polymer may be a vinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer. The plasticizer may be an aromatic carboxylic acid ester, such as cyclohexane dimethanol dibenzoate. The average particle size of the powdered plasticizer may be no greater than about 20 micrometers. The weight ratio of the thermoplastic polymer to the plasticizer typically is in a range of from about 80:20 to about 40:60. Finally, the coating includes a release agent. The release agent may be present in a range of from about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of dry coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 6265053
    Abstract: A printable material which includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces and a second layer. The first layer may be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays and is bonded to the first surface of the first layer and includes a nonwoven web. The first layer has a basis weight of from about 20 to about 140 grams per square meter. The thermoplastic polymer has a melting point of from about 90° C. to about 250° C. and the second layer has a basis weight of at least about 10 grams per square meter. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The second layer may be thermally bonded to the first layer or bonded by an adhesive. A release layer may be present between the first layer and the heat-activated adhesive. The second layer may contain from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight, based on the weight of the second layer, of a material which increases the viscosity of an ink jet ink when printed on the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Francis Joseph Kronzer, Leonard Eugene Zelazoski, Ty Jackson Stokes, Jeffrey Lawrence McManus
  • Patent number: 6200668
    Abstract: A printable heat transfer material having cold release properties, which material includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces. The first layer typically will be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. A second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer, such as a hard acrylic polymer or a poly(vinyl acetate). A third layer overlays the second layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65° C. to about 180° C. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The thermoplastic polymer of which the second layer is composed may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 25° C. The second layer also may include an effective amount of a release-enhancing additive, such as a divalent metal ion salt of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 6113725
    Abstract: A printable heat transfer material having cold release properties, which material includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces. The first layer typically will be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. A second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer, such as a hard acrylic polymer or a poly(vinyl acetate). A third layer overlays the second layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The thermoplastic polymer of which the second layer is composed may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 25.degree. C. The second layer also may include an effective amount of a release-enhancing additive, such as a divalent metal ion salt of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 6103364
    Abstract: A saturated hydroentangled fibrous web which includes a fibrous web having a plurality of entanglement loci as a consequence of subjecting the fibrous web to high pressure liquid jets and a saturant which is present in the hydroentangled fibrous web at a level of from about 10 to about 100 percent, based on the dry weight of the fibers. The saturant is adapted to render the saturated paper durable and ink jet printable. The fibrous web is composed of fibers, in which from about 20 to 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the fibers, are cellulosic fibers; from 0 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the fibers, are mercerized cellulosic fibers; and from about 80 to 0 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are synthetic polymer fibers. The saturant includes from about 98 to about 70 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a latex reinforcing polymer having a glass transition temperature of from about -40.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Garner Harris, Francis Joseph Kronzer, Russell Lynn Dolsey
  • Patent number: 6033739
    Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5962149
    Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5945375
    Abstract: A coating suitable for receiving an image by dye diffusion printing which includes a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 30.degree. C. and a powdered plasticizer having a melting point of at least about 80.degree. C. The thermoplastic polymer may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 40.degree. C. For example, the thermoplastic polymer may be a vinyl chloride-acrylate copolymer. The plasticizer may be an aromatic carboxylic acid ester, such as cyclohexane dimethanol dibenzoate. The average particle size of the powdered plasticizer may be no greater than about 20 micrometers. The weight ratio of the thermoplastic polymer to the plasticizer typically is in a range of from about 80:20 to about 40:60. Finally, the coating includes a release agent. The release agent may be present in a range of from about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight, based on the weight of dry coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5925712
    Abstract: A coating composition which encompasses an aqueous dispersion of from about 2 to about 40 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a cationic polymer; and from about 60 to about 98 percent by dry weight, based on the dry weight of the coating composition, of a nonionic or cationic binder. The coating composition is thermally fusible and adapted to be receptive to ink jet inks and to retain the ink jet inks after being thermally fused. Alternatively, the coating composition may encompass an aqueous dispersion of a powdered thermoplastic polymer and from about 10 to about 150 dry parts by weight of a binder, based on 100 dry parts by weight of the powdered thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5895557
    Abstract: A saturated paper suitable for use in a clean room environment, which paper includes a fibrous web in which at least about 50 percent of the fibers comprising the web, on a dry weight basis, are cellulosic fibers. The paper also includes a saturant which is present in the saturated paper at a level of from about 10 to about 100 percent, based on the dry weight of the fibrous web. The saturant, in turn, includes from about 98 to about 70 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a latex reinforcing polymer having a glass transition temperature of from about -40.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.; and from about 2 to about 30 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a cationic polymer. The saturant is adapted to render the saturated paper durable, low linting, and ink jet printable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5798179
    Abstract: A printable heat transfer material having cold release properties, which material includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces. The first layer typically will be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. A second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer, such as a hard acrylic polymer or a poly(vinyl acetate). A third layer overlays the second layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The thermoplastic polymer of which the second layer is composed may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 25.degree. C. The second layer also may include an effective amount of a release-enhancing additive, such as a divalent metal ion salt of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5716900
    Abstract: A printable material which includes a first, second, and third layer. The first layer has first and second surfaces. For example, the first layer may be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer. The second layer is composed of a first thermoplastic polymer having a melt flow rate of at least about 15 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 190.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg. The third layer overlays the second layer. The third layer includes a second thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature equal to or greater than about 30.degree. C. The third layer also may include from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the second thermoplastic polymer, of a release agent. Desirably, the first and second layers will have smoothness values, as measured by a Sheffield Smoothness Tester, no greater than about 150 cc/minute and no greater than about 100 cc/minute, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Joseph Kronzer, Jerry Wayne Estes
  • Patent number: 5660928
    Abstract: A coated substrate which includes a first, second, and third layer. The first layer has first and second surfaces. For example, the first layer may be a film or a nonwoven web. Desirably, the first layer will be a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer. The second layer is composed of from about 25 to about 70 percent by weight of a latex binder, from about 25 to about 65 percent by weight of a hydrophilic silica, from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of a latent base, and from about 1 to about 4 percent by weight of a water-soluble viscosity modifier, in which all percents by weight are based on the total dry weight of the second layer. The third layer overlays the second layer and is composed of a water-soluble cationic polymer. Additional layers may be present, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce George Stokes, Francis Joseph Kronzer