Patents by Inventor Fred B. Howard
Fred B. Howard 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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Patent number: 7465373Abstract: An unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further severs as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and CommercializationInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 7166190Abstract: Methods for forming an absorbent fibrous composite containing absorbent material dispersed in bands through the composite and along the composite's length are disclosed. The methods generally include depositing a fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a web and depositing or injecting absorbent material into the web across its width to provide a web having absorbent material in bands along the composite's length. Drying the web provides a fluted absorbent composite. In one embodiment, the method is a wetlaid method and in another embodiment, the method is a foam-forming method. Preferably, the methods are twin-wire forming methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisistion and CommercializationInventors: Peter A. Graef, Clifford R. Bolstad, Fred B. Howard, Charles E. Miller, Daniel T. Bunker
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Patent number: 7125470Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisitions and CommercializationInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 6969781Abstract: An absorbent composite (10) having a fibrous matrix that includes absorbent material is disclosed. The fibrous matrix defines voids (14) and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material (18) is located within some of the voids (14). Absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. In a preferred embodiment, the composite's fibrous matrix includes resilient and matrix fibers (16). The composite optionally includes a wet strength agent.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Weyeerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Fred B. Howard
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Patent number: 6962645Abstract: An absorbent composite (10) having a fibrous matrix that includes absorbent material is disclosed. The fibrous matrix defines voids (14) and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material (18) is located within some of the voids (14). Absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. In a preferred embodiment, the composite's fibrous matrix includes resilient and matrix fibers (16). The composite optionally includes a wet strength agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology AcquisitionInventors: Peter A. Graef, Fred B. Howard
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Patent number: 6734335Abstract: A unitary absorbent composite having a plurality of strata is disclosed. In the composite, adjacent strata are separated by a transition zone integrally connecting the strata. Each stratum includes fibers and a binder, and the transition zone includes fibers from adjacent strata. Method for forming the unitary composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Daniel T. Bunker, Charles E. Miller, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Fred B. Howard, Terry M. Grant, Shahrokh A. Naieni, David G. Marsh, Melissa L. Dopps, Kay Rokman, Juhani Jansson, Eino Laine
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Publication number: 20040065420Abstract: Methods for forming an absorbent fibrous composite containing absorbent material dispersed in bands through the composite and along the composite's length are disclosed. The methods generally include depositing a fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a web and depositing or injecting absorbent material into the web across its width to provide a web having absorbent material in bands along the composite's length. Drying the web provides a fluted absorbent composite. In one embodiment, the method is a wetlaid method and in another embodiment, the method is a foam-forming method. Preferably, the methods are twin-wire forming methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Clifford R. Bolstad, Fred B. Howard, Charles E. Miller, Daniel T. Bunker
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Patent number: 6673983Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 6670522Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 6630054Abstract: Methods for forming an absorbent fibrous composite containing absorbent material dispersed in bands through the composite and along the composite's length are disclosed. The methods generally include depositing a fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a web and depositing or injecting absorbent material into the web across its width to provide a web having absorbent material in bands along the composite's length. Drying the web provides a fluted absorbent composite. In one embodiment, the method is a wetlaid method and in another embodiment, the method is a foam-forming method. Preferably, the methods are twin-wire forming methods.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Clifford R. Bolstad, Fred B. Howard, Charles E. Miller, Daniel T. Bunker
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Publication number: 20030171727Abstract: An unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Publication number: 20030167045Abstract: An unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Publication number: 20030139718Abstract: An absorbent composite having a reticulated core and a fibrous stratum is disclosed. The core and stratum are integrally formed, and the stratum is coextensive with a surface of the core. In one embodiment, the composite includes strata on opposing surfaces of the core. The core includes a fibrous matrix and absorbent material. The fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material is located within some of the voids. On wetting, absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. Methods for forming the composite and absorbent articles that include the composite are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Fred B. Howard, Charles E. Miller, Clifford R. Bolstad, Colin Elston, David G. Marsh, Richard A. Edmark, Terry M. Grant, Daniel T. Bunker, Yong Li, Kay Rokman, Juhani Jansson, Eino Laine
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Publication number: 20030130633Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Publication number: 20030120236Abstract: An absorbent composite (10) having a fibrous matrix that includes absorbent material is disclosed. The fibrous matrix defines voids (14) and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material (18) is located within some of the voids (14). Absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. In a preferred embodiment, the composite's fibrous matrix includes resilient and matrix fibers (16). The composite optionally includes a wet strength agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Fred B. Howard
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Patent number: 6525240Abstract: An unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 6521812Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Patent number: 6518479Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Matthews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
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Publication number: 20030018311Abstract: A unitary absorbent layer composed of a crosslinked cellulosic fibers and a binder is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the binder is a bicomponent binding fiber. In combination with one or more other layers in an absorbent article, the unitary absorbent layer can rapidly acquire, distribute, temporarily store, and then release the acquired liquid to other liquid retention layers. Methods for forming the unitary absorbent layer are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni
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Publication number: 20030009141Abstract: An absorbent composite (10) having a fibrous matrix that includes absorbent material is disclosed. The fibrous matrix defines voids (14) and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material (18) is located within some of the voids (14). Absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. In a preferred embodiment, the composite's fibrous matrix includes resilient and matrix fibers (16). The composite optionally includes a wet strength agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 1998Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: PETER A. GRAEF, FRED B. HOWARD