Patents by Inventor Francis P. Abuto
Francis P. Abuto 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).
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Publication number: 20240130905Abstract: Absorbent substrates including a high percentage of superabsorbent material and method of manufacturing such absorbent substrates are disclosed. An absorbent substrate can include an intake layer including a first plurality of fibers and an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer can include superabsorbent material providing greater than 80% of the absorbent layer by total weight of the absorbent layer. The intake layer and the absorbent layer can provide an integrated material including an interface between the intake and absorbent layers. The interface can include at least some of the first plurality of fibers of the intake layer mixed with at least some of the absorbent layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Stephen M. Lindsay, Greg J. DeGrave, Jian Qin, Stephen A. Marrano, Francis P. Abuto
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Publication number: 20240130904Abstract: Absorbent materials described herein can include an intake layer and an absorbent layer. The absorbent material can include a saturation capacity greater than 125 grams, and a second intake time of less than 50 seconds and a wet thickness of less than 17 mm according to the Modified Fluid Intake Under Pressure Test as described herein. In some aspects, the intake layer and the absorbent layer can provide an integrated material including an interface between the intake layer and the absorbent layer. The interface can include at least some fibers of the intake layer mixed with at least some fibers of the absorbent layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Jian Qin, Francis P. Abuto, Sara L. Rosack, Stephen A. Marrano, Stephen M. Lindsay
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Publication number: 20240125048Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Jian Qin, Sridhar Ranganathan, Francis P. Abuto
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Patent number: 11866884Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventors: Jian Qin, Sridhar Ranganathan, Francis P. Abuto, Vikram Kaul
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Publication number: 20230149226Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Jian Qin, Sridhar Ranganathan, Francis P. Abuto, Vikram Kaul
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Publication number: 20230131582Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A substrate can include a first layer including a first zone, a second zone, and an interface between zones. The first zone can include a plurality of fibers. The second zone can include a plurality of fibers and can be offset from the first zone in a cross-direction. The interface can include at least some of the plurality of fibers of the first zone and at least some of the plurality of fibers of the second zone to provide a purity gradient with a transition width less than 3.8 cm as defined by the Purity Gradient Test Method as described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Jian Qin, Sridhar Ranganathan, Francis P. Abuto, Vikram Kaul
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Publication number: 20220380985Abstract: A one-ply absorbent article comprising a nonwoven first layer; a non-woven third layer; a nonwoven second layer between the first layer and the third layer; and wherein the one-ply absorbent article has a first absorbency measure at a first delamination state and a second absorbency measure at a second delamination state, wherein the first absorbency measure is less than the second absorbency measure and the first delamination state is less than the second delamination state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Francis P. Abuto, Andrew T. Baker, Marvin E. Swails
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Publication number: 20220127792Abstract: A method for producing a foam-formed multilayered substrate that includes producing an aqueous-based foam including at least 3% by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers, wherein the non-straight synthetic binder fibers have an average length greater than 2 mm; forming together a wet sheet layer from the aqueous-based foam and a cellulosic fiber layer, wherein the cellulosic fiber layer includes at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fibers; and drying the combined layers to obtain the foam-formed multilayer substrate. A multilayered substrate includes a first layer including at least 60 percent by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers having an average length greater than 2 mm; and a second layer including at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fiber, wherein the first layer is in a facing relationship with the second layer, and wherein the multilayered substrate has a wet/dry tensile ratio of at least 60%.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Deborah J. Calewarts, Jian Qin, Charles W. Colman, Cathleen M. Uttecht, Donald E. Waldroup, Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Stephen M. Lindsay
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Patent number: 11255051Abstract: A method for producing a foam-formed multilayered substrate that includes producing an aqueous-based foam including at least 3% by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers, wherein the non-straight synthetic binder fibers have an average length greater than 2 mm; forming together a wet sheet layer from the aqueous-based foam and a cellulosic fiber layer, wherein the cellulosic fiber layer includes at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fibers; and drying the combined layers to obtain the foam-formed multilayer substrate. A multilayered substrate includes a first layer including at least 60 percent by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers having an average length greater than 2 mm; and a second layer including at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fiber, wherein the first layer is in a facing relationship with the second layer, and wherein the multilayered substrate has a wet/dry tensile ratio of at least 60%.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Deborah J. Calewarts, Jian Qin, Charles W. Colman, Cathleen M. Uttecht, Donald E. Waldroup, Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Stephen M. Lindsay
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Publication number: 20210007911Abstract: An absorbent article having a fluid-handling system includes a fluid permeable bodyside liner; a fluid impermeable outer cover; an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent core includes superabsorbent material and optionally fluff pulp; and a core wrap at least partially encircling the absorbent core, wherein the core wrap includes a three-dimensionally patterned, wetlaid, cellulosic tissue nonwoven material. Fibers of the nonwoven material are entirely cellulose fibers, and the core wrap includes opposing core wrap surfaces each having a textured surface. Each surface includes an average material plane, a plurality of ridges extending in a z-direction from the average material plane, and a plurality of grooves alternating with the plurality of ridges, wherein the grooves depth extend in the opposite z-direction from the average material plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Francis P. Abuto, Sridhar Ranganathan, Jenny L. Day, Charles W. Colman, Vikram Kaul, Richmond R. Cohen, Jun G. Zhang
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Publication number: 20200375819Abstract: An absorbent article having a fluid-handling system includes a fluid permeable bodyside liner; a fluid impermeable outer cover; an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent core includes superabsorbent material and optionally fluff pulp; a tissue core wrap encircling the absorbent core; and a distribution sub-layer disposed between the absorbent core and the outer cover and within the core wrap, wherein the distribution sub-layer includes a three-dimensionally patterned, wetlaid, cellulosic tissue nonwoven material. The distribution sub-layer includes opposing distribution sub-layer surfaces each having a textured surface, wherein each surface includes an average material plane, a plurality of ridges extending in a z-direction from the average material plane, and a plurality of grooves alternating with the plurality of ridges, wherein the grooves depth extend in the opposite z-direction from the average material plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Sridhar Ranganathan, Charles W. Colman, Vikram Kaul
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Publication number: 20200370246Abstract: A method for producing a foam-formed multilayered substrate that includes producing an aqueous-based foam including at least 3% by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers, wherein the non-straight synthetic binder fibers have an average length greater than 2 mm; forming together a wet sheet layer from the aqueous-based foam and a cellulosic fiber layer, wherein the cellulosic fiber layer includes at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fibers; and drying the combined layers to obtain the foam-formed multilayer substrate. A multilayered substrate includes a first layer including at least 60 percent by weight non-straight synthetic binder fibers having an average length greater than 2 mm; and a second layer including at least 60 percent by weight cellulosic fiber, wherein the first layer is in a facing relationship with the second layer, and wherein the multilayered substrate has a wet/dry tensile ratio of at least 60%.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Deborah J. Calewarts, Jian Qin, Charles W. Colman, Cathleen M. Uttecht, Donald E. Waldroup, Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Stephen M. Lindsay
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Publication number: 20200197239Abstract: An absorbent article having a fluid-handling system includes a fluid permeable body side liner; a fluid impermeable outer cover; an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent core includes superabsorbent material and optionally fluff pulp; a synthetic nonwoven surge layer disposed adjacent the liner between the absorbent core and the liner; and a dispersion layer disposed between the surge layer and the absorbent core, wherein the dispersion layer includes a three-dimensionally patterned, wetlaid, cellulosic tissue nonwoven material. The dispersion layer also includes opposing dispersion layer surfaces each having a textured surface, wherein each surface includes an average material plane, a plurality of ridges extending in a z-direction from the average material plane, and a plurality of grooves alternating with the plurality of ridges, wherein the grooves depth extend in the opposite z-direction from the average material plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Francis P. Abuto, Sridhar Ranganathan, Charles W. Colman, Jenny L. Day, Vikram Kaul
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Publication number: 20200121524Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and a surge layer disposed between the bodyside liner and the absorbent body, the surge layer having an X-Y plane, a Z-direction, and a longitudinal direction, and a barrier extending substantially through the surge material in the Z-direction, wherein the barrier is configured to block at least one linear longitudinal fluid flow path. The surge layer can alternatively have a plurality of barriers extending substantially through the surge material in the Z-direction, wherein the plurality of barriers is configured to block a plurality of linear longitudinal fluid flow paths or all linear longitudinal fluid flow paths while allowing non-linear fluid flow paths in the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Charles W. Colman, Francis P. Abuto, Jenny L. Day, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Publication number: 20140171895Abstract: Laminates are described that contain a frangible layer adhered to at least one extensible layer, such as an elastic layer. In one embodiment, a frangible layer is positioned between two opposing elastic layers. The frangible layer includes lines of separation that generally extend in a first direction. The lines of separation allow the elastic layers to stretch and recover in a direction perpendicular or skew to the lines of separation. In one particular embodiment, the lines of separation comprise lines where the frangible layer has been weakened. The lines of separation can be formed after the laminate is made using groove rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Oomman P. Thomas, Peter J. Allen, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Jenny Day, Francis P. Abuto, Jerome J. Schwalen
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Patent number: 5516569Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent composite including a web formed from a mixture of fibrous material and particulate absorbent material. The web contains from about 15 to about 30 weight percent water. The described absorbent web is capable of containing relatively large quantities of particulate absorbent materials while maintaining an acceptable degree of flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Michael W. Veith, Francis P. Abuto, Edward E. Werner, Anthony J. Wisneski