Patents by Inventor Howard A. Whitehead

Howard A. Whitehead 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: 6709599
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing waste streams wherein a slipstream is formed on the upstream side of an ultrafiltration membrane (120) to carry collected and concentrated filter reject to a microfilter (170) via a slipstream through a conduit (155) at a very low flux through the microfilter. The low flux gives the particles in this stream a chance to interact and thus form an irregular matrix that itself helps to trap particles. The effluent from this matrix and microfilter is returned upstream of the ultrafiltration membrane via a conduit (165) to be repeatedly collected and concentrated. The suspended solids removed from the reject stream and microfilter may then be disposed of directly without further processing. For metal ions, the removal efficiency of ultrafiltration membrane can be improved by injecting sulfide compounds or other compounds upstream of ultrafiltration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Rwe Nukem Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Rosenberger, James H Wilson, Howard Whitehead, Randall B. Underwood, John M Raymount, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020122525
    Abstract: A system and method for removing and collecting particulate from a water-filled tank using a filter and a pump wherein the pump operates at low flow rate to maintain only a small pressure drop across the filter low. By maintaining a small pressure drop, particulate agglomeates and can load the filter to a greater extent than when the flow rate is higher. The filter may then be crushed and placed into a disposal container for disposal. In an alternate embodiment, the particles can be accumulated in several mesh filters operating at a higher flow rate and then, as each filter is loaded, the filtrate can be back flushed to a second filter operating at low flow rate. The first filters can be repeatedly reused and the second filters can be crushed and placed in a disposal container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Rosenberger, Kent Forrester, Howard Whitehead, James H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5533991
    Abstract: A bodyside cover for an absorbent article is disclosed which includes two different materials to provide enhanced functionality. The bicomponent cover includes an apertured first material, which is positioned along the longitudinal central axis of the absorbent article, and a nonperforated second material secured to at least a portion of the first material. The first material has a rewet value which is less than, or equal to, the rewet value of the second material while the second material is softer than the first material. The first material is positioned below the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the primary fluid-receiving region of the cover. The second material is situated away from the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the secondary fluid-receiving region of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Kirby, Howard A. Whitehead, Mary C. Wanek, David K. Osteen, Kenneth Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 5415640
    Abstract: A bodyside cover an for absorbent article is disclosed which includes two different materials to provide enhanced functionality. The bicomponent cover includes an apertured first material, which is positioned along the longitudinal central axis of the absorbent article, and a nonperforated second material secured to at least a portion of the first material. The first material has a rewet value which is less than, or equal to, the rewet value of the second material while the second material is softer than the first material. The first material is positioned below the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the primary fluid-receiving region of the cover. The second material is situated away from the principal point of fluid discharge and represents the secondary fluid-receiving region of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Kirby, Howard A. Whitehead, Mary C. Wanek, David K. Osteen, Kenneth Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 5188625
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin is disclosed which has an absorbent and a fluid-permeable cover positioned over at least one surface of the absorbent. The cover is formed from a nonwoven web having a network of essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers. The web has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which are located in a predetermined area which represents less than about 80% of the surface area of the cover. Each of the apertures is surrounded by a consolidated ring formed of thermally set thermoplastic fibers which in turn is surrounded by a raised area which contacts the body of the user. The apertures formed in the web occupy about 20% to 55% of the predetermined area and permit body fluid to quickly pass through to the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Van Iten, Howard A. Whitehead, Julie A. Schindel
  • Patent number: 4886632
    Abstract: A method of perforating a nonwoven web of fibrous fabric by directing the web through a nip defined by first and second moveable members. As the web moves through the nip it is penetrated by a plurality of heated pins projecting from the first member which enter heated apertures formed in the second member. The penetration of the pins causes the fibers of the fabric to separate and enter into the apertures and form openings through the web. The openings are surrounded by dense consolidated rings exhibiting greater hydrophilic properties than the nonperforated surface of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Van Iten, Howard A. Whitehead, Julie A. Schindel
  • Patent number: 4578069
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a gas permeable nonwoven baffle is provided in which a composite baffle is formed by joining webs of a meltblown polyolefin and a spunbonded polyolefin with the spunbonded polyolefin web providing a surface for garment attachment adhesive reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Whitehead, Ralph V. Braun
  • Patent number: 4526825
    Abstract: A sanitary appliance is provided which has fused barrier lines in the cover only.The web is useful as a wrap for absorbent appliances or for toweling in which the fused barrier in each instance minimizes surface runoff and excessive wicking.The invention also includes a process for making a sanitary appliance with the web of the subject invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 4508531
    Abstract: A flexible convolutely wound paper tampon tube is provided in which a thermoplastic coating on either the interior or the exterior portion of the tube is present in an amount to maintain the tube configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 4376440
    Abstract: A sanitary napkin having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied on the underside of a moisture impervious baffle for attachment to undergarments is provided. The adhesive is geometrically shielded without the presence of a release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Whitehead, Robert J. Roeder, Herbert E. Grube
  • Patent number: 4315507
    Abstract: A sanitary device, e.g. a sanitary napkin is provided which has an absorbent matrix and a fluid impervious baffle. Part of the fluid impervious baffle is a heat fusible sheet which is adhered to the absorbent component by fusing. The absorbent component may have heat fusible material interspersed therein and may have a fluid pervious upper layer which is essentially coterminous with or wraps about the absorbent component or the absorbent component and baffle combination. When a fluid pervious wrap is used, it is preferred that the wrap be fusible and also be fused to the baffle. The fusing is preferably accomplished in random sites across the surface of the sanitary appliance, e.g. by embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Howard A. Whitehead, Attila Matray
  • Patent number: 4079739
    Abstract: A die-cut, contoured, catamenial napkin of joined-together layers of sheet material assembled into a sandwich which combines a thin, soft, flexible peripheral portion for comfort with a thick central portion for increased fluid-holding capacity. The uppermost layer is a thin batt of intermingled fibers provided with unbonded low density cushion areas separated by spaced bonded areas comprised of compressed fluid-distributing channels of higher density extending generally longitudinally of the batt and intersecting the ends and edges. The central portion of the uppermost layer is upwardly deformed to provide a pad-receiving cavity in which a main fluid-holding element consisting of a relatively thick pad of absorbent material is positioned in intimate physical contact with the uppermost layer while the horizontal face portions of the side and end walls of the central pad are free of contact with neighboring components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D253674
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D274361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D274362
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D276072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D276073
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D276183
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D276184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: D276368
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Whitehead