Patents by Inventor John Philip Vukos

John Philip Vukos 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: 7628778
    Abstract: A self-forming seal absorbent article is provided and includes a biaxially extensible outer cover, a biaxially extensible bodyside liner forming a wearer adjacent surface, a biaxially extensible absorbent core assembly interposed between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of laterally-spaced apart and longitudinally-extending containment flap members disposed along the wearer adjacent surface of the bodyside liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos
  • Patent number: 7608069
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a leg elastic member captured between a biaxially extensible outer cover and a biaxially extensible bodyside liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos
  • Patent number: 6969378
    Abstract: A biaxial stretch, form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment has a stretchable outer cover, a stretchable body side liner, and a stretchable absorbent assembly. The outer cover and the body side liner are desirably biaxially stretchable. The absorbent assembly can either be biaxially stretchable or segmented with longitudinal stretch. The absorbent garment is easy to apply, has a self-adjusting feature, and delivers enhanced fit and comfort during use without restricting a wearer's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Richard Warren Tanzer, Nancy E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6881205
    Abstract: An absorbent article which minimizes or avoid component bonding within the interior area thereof is provided to improve or increase the independence of the components which constitute the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, John Philip Vukos, Duane Girard Uitenbroek
  • Patent number: 6827806
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of placing elasticized areas in a nonwoven web construction such as may be suitable for the waistbands or leg openings of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of extendible nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are printed with an elastic adhesive in its fluid or semi-fluid and untensioned state to provide a tensioning force against distension of the web during wearing of the garment for conformable, well fitting, elasticized cuff areas and may further be used to reinforce biaxially extendible web components such as the backsheet web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos, Michael Tod Morman, Thomas Harold Roessler, Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 6702800
    Abstract: A form-fitting, pant-like, absorbent garment that delivers an optimal amount and direction of stretch to provide optimal fit and comfort. The absorbent garment has an outer cover with a back panel, a crotch panel and a front panel. The back panel and the front panel can each stretch in a transverse direction, and the crotch panel can stretch in a longitudinal direction. Seams joining the front and back panels to the crotch panel provide non-stretch zones that may be positioned to control fit forces. The garment provides enhanced fit and comfort during use, and ease of application with a self-adjusting feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Richard Warren Tanzer
  • Patent number: 6682512
    Abstract: A dynamic-fitting absorbent article that includes a liquid impermeable outer cover (42), a liquid permeable bodyside liner (44) in superimposed relation to the outer cover (42) and a continuous elastic absorbent core (28) disposed between the outer cover (42) and the bodyside liner (44). The continuous elastic absorbent core (28) can extend from about 80 to about 400 percent upon application of a force of from about 60 to about 325 grams. The continuous elastic absorbent core (28) can have a tension reducing geometry in the crotch section of the article. Additionally, the continuous elastic absorbent core can have a dry tensile strength and a wet tensile strength that is at least 95% of the dry tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Georgia Lynn Zehner, John Philip Vukos, Wendy Lynn Van Dyke, Paul Windsor Estey
  • Publication number: 20030208171
    Abstract: A self-forming seal absorbent article is provided and includes a biaxially extensible outer cover, a biaxially extensible bodyside liner forming a wearer adjacent surface, a biaxially extensible absorbent core assembly interposed between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of laterally-spaced apart and longitudinally-extending containment flap members disposed along the wearer adjacent surface of the bodyside liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos
  • Publication number: 20030120243
    Abstract: A dynamic-fitting absorbent article that includes a liquid impermeable outer cover (42), a liquid permeable bodyside liner (44) in superimposed relation to the outer cover (42) and a continuous elastic absorbent core (28) disposed between the outer cover (42) and the bodyside liner (44). The continuous elastic absorbent core (28) can extend from about 80 to about 400 percent upon application of a force of from about 60 to about 325 grams. The continuous elastic absorbent core (28) can have a tension reducing geometry in the crotch section of the article. Additionally, the continuous elastic absorbent core can have a dry tensile strength and a wet tensile strength that is at least 95% of the dry tensile strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Georgia Lynn Zehner, John Philip Vukos, Wendy Lynn Van Dyke, Paul Windsor Estey
  • Publication number: 20030111166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of placing elasticized areas in a nonwoven web construction such as may be suitable for the waistbands or leg openings of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of extendible nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are printed with an elastic adhesive in its fluid or semi-fluid and untensioned state to provide a tensioning force against distension of the web during wearing of the garment for conformable, well fitting, elasticized cuff areas and may further be used to reinforce biaxially extendible web components such as the backsheet web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos, Michael Tod Morman, Thomas Harold Roessler, Thomas Walter Odorzynski, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 6503236
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided which includes a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover, a liquid permeable bodyside liner, an absorbent body located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of fasteners located on the laterally opposed side edges in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article. The outer cover can be configured to provide a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 100 gmf per inch (per 2.54 cm) of width according to the Material Elongation and Deformation Tensile Test set forth herein. The outer cover can further define a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 g/m2/24 hr. The permanent deformation of the outer cover in use can result in a longitudinal breathability gradient ratio between the outer cover in the waist section and the crotch or intermediate section of the article of at least about 1.25 according to the Product Deformation Test set forth herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Yung Hsiang Huang, Thomas Harold Roessler, Paul Theodore VanGompel, John Philip Vukos, Michael Tod Morman
  • Patent number: 6414217
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided which includes a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover, a liquid permeable bodyside liner, an absorbent body located between the outer cover and the bodyside liner, and a pair of fasteners located on the laterally opposed side edges in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article. The outer cover can be configured to provide a substantially permanent deformation of at least about 10 percent when subjected to a tensile force of 100 gmf per inch (per 2.54 cm) of width according to the Material Elongation and Deformation Tensile Test set forth herein. The outer cover can further define a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 g/m2/24 hr. The permanent deformation of the outer cover in use can result in a lateral breathability gradient ratio between the outer cover in the waist section and the crotch or intermediate section of the article of at least about 1.25 according to the Product Deformation Test set forth herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Yung Hsiang Huang, Thomas Harold Roessler, Paul Theodore VanGompel, John Philip Vukos, Michael Tod Morman
  • Patent number: 6406466
    Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Thomas Harold Roessler, John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Publication number: 20020052590
    Abstract: An absorbent article which minimizes or avoid component bonding within the interior area thereof is provided to improve or increase the independence of the components which constitute the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, John Philip Vukos, Duane Girard Uitenbroek
  • Publication number: 20020052591
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a leg elastic member captured between a biaxially extensible outer cover and a biaxially extensible bodyside liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, John Philip Vukos
  • Patent number: 6099516
    Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside linear and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Thomas Harold Roessler, John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Patent number: 6045543
    Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles including a substrate formed by a bodyside liner and an outer cover. Fastening tabs, including securing elements, are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. First alignment indicia are located on the front portion of the substrate. Second alignment indicia are optionally located on the respective fastening tabs. In use, a user aligns the fastening tabs with the first indicia on front portion, preferably aligning second indicia with the first indicia, and secures the tabs thereto. In this manner, the personal care article is properly fitted to the wearer, with the fastening tabs a predetermined distance from the front edge of the personal care article. The first indicia can comprise e.g. lines extending across the width of the personal care article, or outlines of the distal edges of the fastening tabs. Second indicia can comprise lines extending across at least a portion of the lengths of the fastening tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Patent number: D422078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner, Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Timothy James Blenke