Patents by Inventor James W. Cree

James W. Cree 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: 10821622
    Abstract: A method for making an extrusion coated perforated nonwoven web. The method comprises the steps of extruding a molten polyethylene coating onto a nonwoven web, and aperturing the molten polyethylene coating through heat and pneumatic pressure differential to create microperforations therein at a density of between about 35 and about 120 perforations per linear inch. The resulting microperforated nonwoven web is then thermomechanically perforated by feeding it through perforating rolls, at least one of which has raised protuberances to create macroperforations that extend through at least the polyethylene coating. The macroperforations have a density of between about 6 and about 35 perforations per linear inch. The perforated nonwoven web is useful as a topsheet for absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ADVANTAGE CREATION ENTERPRISE LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Patent number: 10729597
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are shown for creating a soft textile expanded apertured film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ADVANTAGE CREATION ENTERPRISE LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20180104842
    Abstract: A method for making an extrusion coated perforated nonwoven web. The method comprises the steps of extruding a molten polyethylene coating onto a nonwoven web, and aperturing the molten polyethylene coating through heat and pneumatic pressure differential to create microperforations therein at a density of between about 35 and about 120 perforations per linear inch. The resulting microperforated nonwoven web is then thermomechanically perforated by feeding it through perforating rolls, at least one of which has raised protuberances to create macroperforations that extend through at least the polyethylene coating. The macroperforations have a density of between about 6 and about 35 perforations per linear inch. The perforated nonwoven web is useful as a topsheet for absorbent articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: ADVANTAGE CREATION ENTERPRISE LLC
    Inventor: James W. CREE
  • Patent number: 9849602
    Abstract: A method for making an extrusion coated perforated nonwoven web. The method comprises the steps of extruding a molten polyethylene coating onto a nonwoven web, and aperturing the molten polyethylene coating through heat and pneumatic pressure differential to create microperforations therein at a density of between about 35 and about 120 perforations per linear inch. The resulting microperforated nonwoven web is then thermomechanically perforated by feeding it through perforating rolls, at least one of which has raised protuberances to create macroperforations that extend though at least the polyethylene coating. The macroperforations have a density of between about 6 and about 35 perforations per linear inch. The perforated nonwoven web is useful as a topsheet for absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Advantage Creation Enterprise LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20160045380
    Abstract: A wrapper for an absorbent article, including a wrapper material including at least one microapertured film layer. The wrapper material has opposite longitudinal sides between first and second ends, and is folded at a first fold axis such that the longitudinal sides are aligned with one another. The wrapper material is bonded along the aligned longitudinal sides to define a pouch having bonded sides and a size for carrying an individual absorbent article therein. The first end of the wrapper material is folded at a second fold axis back over onto a front surface of the pouch to define a flap, the flap having opposite sides bonded with the pouch sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20150297420
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are shown for creating a soft textile expanded apertured film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Patent number: 9067334
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are shown for creating a soft textile expanded apertured film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Advantage Creation Enterprise LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20150122269
    Abstract: A topsheet made of a fibrous web or a perforated film and having a clear top layer containing about 5% to about 50% of jade particles. The jade particles having a mean diameter of from about 50 to about 600 microns and an aspect ratio from about 1 to about 5. Also disclosed is method for manufacturing the topsheet, as well as absorbent articles and facial protection masks containing the topsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: James W. CREE
  • Patent number: 8664128
    Abstract: An elastic laminate for use as a tear resistant diaper side panel. The elastic laminate comprises an elastic substrate bonded to at least one layer of a tensioned spunbond nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic filaments comprising at least about 10% by weight polyethylene. The laminate is then incrementally stretched in the transverse direction to provide a service stretch greater than 100% and a strength ratio greater than 0.35. In one embodiment, the elastic substrate is bonded between the tensioned nonwoven webs by point bonding or hot melt adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Advantage Creation Enterprise LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Patent number: 8182728
    Abstract: A method of thermo-mechanically forming macrotextures in a microtextured film wherein a heat shield is utilized to thermally insulate the microtexture during the forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Lino Iulianetti
  • Publication number: 20120003423
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are shown for creating a soft textile expanded apertured film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20110151185
    Abstract: A method for making an extrusion coated perforated nonwoven web. The method comprises the steps of extruding a molten polyethylene coating onto a nonwoven web, and aperturing the molten polyethylene coating through heat and pneumatic pressure differential to create microperforations therein at a density of between about 35 and about 120 perforations per linear inch. The resulting microperforated nonwoven web is then thermomechanically perforated by feeding it through perforating rolls, at least one of which has raised protuberances to create macroperforations that extend though at least the polyethylene coating. The macroperforations have a density of between about 6 and about 35 perforations per linear inch. The perforated nonwoven web is useful as a topsheet for absorbent articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: James W. CREE
  • Patent number: 7695799
    Abstract: A perforated laminate comprising at least first and second layers and apertures extending through at least the first layer. The first layer is a nonwoven or formed film material, and the second layer comprises an absorbent structure. The at least first and second layers are primarily joined at the periphery of the perforated apertures. The laminate is particularly useful as a topsheet for an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper or sanitary napkin. Also described are various materials and methods used to create such laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Advantage Creation Enterprise LLC
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Patent number: 7625829
    Abstract: An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Stephen D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7601415
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet, an intermediate layer, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of an apertured nonwoven. The intermediate layer may include stiffening means such as apertured film or an additional nonwoven layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Lino Iulianetti, Antonietta Splendiani
  • Publication number: 20090191779
    Abstract: An elastic laminate for use as a tear resistant diaper side panel. The elastic laminate comprises an elastic substrate bonded to at least one layer of a tensioned spunbond nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic filaments comprising at least about 10% by weight polyethylene. The laminate is then incrementally stretched in the transverse direction to provide a service stretch greater than 100% and a strength ratio greater than 0.35. In one embodiment, the elastic substrate is bonded between the tensioned nonwoven webs by point bonding or hot melt adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: James W. Cree
  • Publication number: 20070249253
    Abstract: An elastic laminate comprising an elastic substrate bonded by point bonding to at least one extensible nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic fibers or filaments bonded by point bonding. The bonding points of the extensible nonwoven web are disposed in concentrated areas that are combined with areas having a substantially lower density of bonding points. Also disclosed is a method of making an elastic laminate comprising the steps of forming the nonwoven web, providing an elastic substrate adjacent the nonwoven web, and point bonding the elastic substrate and the nonwoven web to provide the elastic laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Piero Angeli, James W. Cree
  • Patent number: 7204907
    Abstract: A method of making a composite intermediate layer by forming a resilient three dimensional apertured formed film; forming a nonwoven web of fibers; joining the nonwoven web with the apertured formed film; and aperturing the joined nonwoven web and formed film to create large scale apertures in the joined nonwoven web and formed film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Lino Iulianetti, Antonietta Splendiani
  • Patent number: 6942748
    Abstract: An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Stephen D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6849319
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a body facing side which is positioned against the users body. The absorbent article is made of, at least, a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a composite topsheet. The backsheet is opposite the body facing side. The absorbent core is between the backsheet and the body facing side. The composite topsheet is between the absorbent core and the body facing side. The composite topsheet includes a resilient three dimensional apertured formed film, a nonwoven web small scale apertures, and large scale apertures. The formed film is between the absorbent core and the body facing side. The formed film has a male side and a female side opposite the male side, and small scale apertures with a mesh count. The nonwoven web of fibers is between the formed film and the body facing side of the absorbent article. The large scale apertures extend through the nonwoven web and the formed film. The large scale apertures have a mesh count which is less than the mesh count of the small scale apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Tredegar Film Products Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Cree, Lino Iulianetti, Antonietta Splendiani