Patents by Inventor Howard M. Welch
Howard M. Welch 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: 11850133Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an embossed patterned elastic laminate. The elastic laminate has an embossed pattern of at least three surface areas. The current disclosure also includes a process for making an embossed patterned elastic laminate. The embossed patterned elastic laminate provides a permanent change to visual aesthetic without adversely impacting the elastic film.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Shawn E. Jenkins, David W. Primm, Chris M. Allen, Howard M. Welch, David J. Reader, Steven W. Fitting, Vikram S. Kaul
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Publication number: 20230040847Abstract: An elastomeric composition, including at least one skin layer and a core layer, with non-blocking properties such that the elastomeric composition can be wound is provided. The core layer includes an elastomer, and the skin layer includes an elastomer, which may be the same or different from the core layer, and a non-elastic polyolefin. Further, the skin layer can be present as a small portion of the total elastomeric composition, and may maintain the elastic efficiency of the composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2020Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Glynis Walton, Shawn Jenkins, J. David Tucker, Howard M. Welch, Bryan D. Haynes, Steve R. Stopper
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Publication number: 20220071812Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an apparatus for using a patterned stranded elastic laminate. The stranded elastic laminate is patterned by an anvil roll. The current disclosure also includes a process for making a patterned elastic laminate The patterned elastic laminate provides an aesthetic effect and is visible at least in both the stretched and unstretched states.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Shawn E. Jenkins, Howard M. Welch, Susan E. Shawver, James R. Fitts, Jr., David J. Reader, Steven W. Fitting, Vikram S. Kaul
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Publication number: 20220062069Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an embossed patterned elastic laminate. The elastic laminate has an embossed pattern of at least three surface areas. The current disclosure also includes a process for making an embossed patterned elastic laminate. The embossed patterned elastic laminate provides a permanent change to visual aesthetic without adversely impacting the elastic film.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Shawn E. Jenkins, David W. Primm, Chris M. Allen, Howard M. Welch, David J. Reader, Steven W. Fitting, Vikram S. Kaul
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Patent number: 9011625Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jose Siqueira, Ann L. McCormack, Norman Brown, Wing-Chak Ng, Howard M. Welch, Margaret G. Latimer
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Patent number: 8679992Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a laminate that contains an elastic film and a lightweight nonwoven facing having a low strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Due to the low strength of the facing, it is desirable that the elastic film have a sufficient thickness and weight to enhance the strength of the resulting composite. Unfortunately, the ability to join an elastic film to such a lightweight nonwoven facing becomes increasingly difficult as the thickness of the film increases. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that a second laminate may be employed in the elastic composite that is formed from a thermoplastic film and nonwoven facing to impart increased strength to the composite. The film and facing of the second laminate may be formed from the same or different materials than the film and facing of the first laminate. Regardless, the laminates are positioned so that the elastic and thermoplastic films are in a face-to-face relationship.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James Austin, Oomman P. Thomas, Stephen C. Meyer, Howard M. Welch, Jose A. Siqueira
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Patent number: 8603281Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a lightweight nonwoven facing that has a low degree of strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Through selective control over certain parameters of the materials employed in the composite and the formation process, the present inventors have discovered that such low strength and lightweight facings may be readily laminated to an elastic film without significantly damaging their integrity. For example, in one embodiment, the elastic film may possess a multi-layered construction that includes an elastomeric elastic layer positioned adjacent to a strength-enhancing thermoplastic layer. The polymer content and thickness of the thermoplastic layer are generally selected to impart additional strength and integrity to the film. Likewise, the polymer content of the elastic layer may also be selected so that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Howard M. Welch, James Austin, Lisa Sanabria, Jose A. Siqueira, Wing-Chak Ng, Bryan D. Haynes, Oomman P. Thomas, Iris V. Schumacher, Christopher Laslie, Stephen C. Meyer
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Patent number: 8399368Abstract: A nonwoven web material that contains an elastic component is provided. The elastic component contains a crosslinked network formed from a linear block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e.g., butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, such linear block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic component that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Oomman P. Thomas, James Austin, Howard M. Welch, Jose Siqueira
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Patent number: 8361913Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jose Siqueira, Ann L. McCormack, Norman Brown, Wing-Chak Ng, Howard M. Welch, Margaret G. Latimer
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Publication number: 20120148796Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing an extrusion-coated film/nonwoven laminate through a nip to create apertures through both the film and the nonwoven. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Apertures are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, element pattern, degree of film tension, temperature and pressure conditions, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Glenda J. Rhodes, Lei Huang, Matthew B. Lake, Wing-Chak Ng, Akwokwo H. Redhead, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira, Oomman P. Thomas
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Publication number: 20110160687Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing an extrusion-coated film/nonwoven laminate through a nip to create apertures through both the film and the nonwoven. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Apertures are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, element pattern, degree of film tension, temperature and pressure conditions, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Glenda J. Rhodes, Lei Huang, Matthew B. Lake, Wing-Chak Ng, Akwokwo H. Redhead, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira, Oomman P. Thomas
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Patent number: 7820001Abstract: A latent elastic laminate material, and methods of making latent elastic laminate materials. The laminate includes a latent polymer, which itself may or may not possess latent elasticity, that is applied to at least one elastic member while the elastic member is in a stretched configuration. The elastic member, at least partially covered with the latent polymer, is attached to at least one substrate. The amount of latent polymer applied to the elastic member may provide enough force to overcome a retractive force of the elastic member when the latent polymer is at a temperature below a softening point of the latent polymer, yet the amount of latent polymer may be small enough to allow the laminate to retract into an elastic, gathered structure when the laminate is heated to a softening point of the latent polymer. The laminate may be incorporated into a variety of articles including personal care garments and cleaning cloths.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Oomman P. Thomas, James R. Fitts, Jr., Howard M. Welch, Gregory K. Hall
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Patent number: 7803244Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jose Siqueira, Ann L. McCormack, Norman Brown, Wing-Chak Ng, Howard M. Welch, Margaret G. Latimer
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Publication number: 20090325448Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a lightweight nonwoven facing that has a low degree of strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Through selective control over certain parameters of the materials employed in the composite and the formation process, the present inventors have discovered that such low strength and lightweight facings may be readily laminated to an elastic film without significantly damaging their integrity. For example, in one embodiment, the elastic film may possess a multi-layered construction that includes an elastomeric elastic layer positioned adjacent to a strength-enhancing thermoplastic layer. The polymer content and thickness of the thermoplastic layer are generally selected to impart additional strength and integrity to the film. Likewise, the polymer content of the elastic layer may also be selected so that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Howard M. Welch, James Austin, Lisa Sanabria, Jose A. Siqueira, Wing-Chak Ng, Bryan D. Haynes, Oomman P. Thomas, Iris V. Schumacher, Christopher Laslie, Stephen C. Meyer
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Publication number: 20090325447Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a laminate that contains an elastic film and a lightweight nonwoven facing having a low strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Due to the low strength of the facing, it is desirable that the elastic film have a sufficient thickness and weight to enhance the strength of the resulting composite. Unfortunately, the ability to join an elastic film to such a lightweight nonwoven facing becomes increasingly difficult as the thickness of the film increases. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that a second laminate may be employed in the elastic composite that is formed from a thermoplastic film and nonwoven facing to impart increased strength to the composite. The film and facing of the second laminate may be formed from the same or different materials than the film and facing of the first laminate. Regardless, the laminates are positioned so that the elastic and thermoplastic films are in a face-to-face relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: James Austin, Oomman P. Thomas, Stephen C. Meyer, Howard M. Welch, Jose S. Siqueira
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Publication number: 20090099542Abstract: A nonwoven web material that contains an elastic component is provided. The elastic component contains a crosslinked network formed from a linear block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e.g., butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, such linear block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic component that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Oomman P. Thomas, James Austin, Howard M. Welch, Jose Siqueira
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Patent number: 7384491Abstract: An apparatus for making an elastic laminate including a crosslinked elastic layer formed of an elastic copolymer includes a die for extruding a layer of crosslinkable elastic copolymer, at least one roll for conveying the elastic layer, a supply source for providing at least one nonwoven web, a lamination nip for laminating at least one nonwoven web to the elastic layer, a processing unit for crosslinking the elastic layer and a winder for collecting the elastic laminate. The crosslinkable elastic copolymer may be a crosslinkable elastic styrenic block copolymer, a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin plastomer, or a crosslinkable propylene-ethylene copolymer. The crosslinkable elastic layer may be extruded in the form of a plurality of parallel filaments such as by a filament die. The processing unit may be positioned between the at least one roll and the lamination nip or may be positioned between the lamination nip and the winder.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: James R. Fitts, Jr., Christopher A. Laslie, Oomman P. Thomas, Howard M. Welch
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Publication number: 20080132866Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Jose Siqueira, Ann L. McCormack, Norman Brown, Wing-Chak Ng, Howard M. Welch, Margaret G. Latimer
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Publication number: 20080095978Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Jose Siqueira, Ann L. McCormack, Norman Brown, Wing-Chak Ng, Howard M. Welch, Margaret G. Latimer
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Patent number: 6969441Abstract: In the invention, a method is provided for producing a composite nonwoven fabric. A polymer is extruded into heated continuous filaments, possibly elastic, from the die head to a first chilled roller, wherein the extruder is configured to provide the continuous filaments to the chilled roller in a canted direction that is at a tangent or angle to the surface of the first chilled roller. The filaments are conveyed in a downward direction by way of chilled rollers to a nip. In a next step, the nonwoven web is sprayed with an adhesive and is laminated on the continuous filaments in the nip to form a composite nonwoven fabric. The continuous filaments move vertically downward approximately in line with the lamination process, facilitating automatic re-threading of filaments when they are broken or interrupted in their travel downward onto the chilled rolls.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Charles J. Morell, Michael C. Cook, James R. Fitts, Jr., Donald V. Willitts, Marion C. Morris, Ronald H. Wideman, John A. Brewer, Mark M. Mleziva, Kenneth M. Salter, Raymond J. May, Lavada Boggs, Leslie D. Dobbins