Patents by Inventor Joseph Allen Eckstein

Joseph Allen Eckstein 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).

  • Publication number: 20230390122
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles and methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and elastomeric laminates and methods for making corrugated elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe SCHNEIDER, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN, Todd Leon MANSFIELD
  • Publication number: 20230381029
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or very fine (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVON, Uwe SCHNEIDER, Bret Darren SEITZ, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20230329924
    Abstract: A stretch laminate is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include a layer of nonwoven material that includes an accumulation of filaments and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone having an attenuated region adjacent to a build-up region wherein the attenuated region has a first basis weight and the build-up region has a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The stretch laminate may include a plurality of elastic strands space apart from each other in a crotch-stretch direction. In some examples the elastic strands may have an Average Strand Spacing no greater than 3 mm and/or an Average Decitex no greater than 300, and/or an Average Pre-Strain no greater than 250 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Gary Dean LaVon, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein, Vanessa Marie Melendez, Elizabeth Jo Bruns
  • Publication number: 20230301840
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The elastomeric laminates may include a first substrate, a second substrate, and an elastic material located between the first and second substrates. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, a beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam, wherein the strands may include a spin finish. First bonds are applied to bond discrete lengths of the stretched elastic strands with and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the discrete first bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. In addition, second bonds are applied between consecutive first bonds to bond the first and second substrates directly to each other, wherein the second bonds extend in the machine direction and may be separated from each other in a cross direction by at least one elastic strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe SCHNEIDER, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN
  • Patent number: 11737927
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or very fine (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Uwe Schneider, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11737928
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or very fine (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVon, Uwe Schneider, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20230240901
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe SCHNEIDER, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN, Kazuaki TAMEISHI
  • Publication number: 20230190538
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11660235
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. In particular, discrete mechanical bonds are applied to a first substrate and a second substrate to secure elastic strands therebetween, wherein the discrete bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. During the bonding process, heat and pressure are applied to the first substrate and the second substrate such that malleable materials of the first and second substrates deform to completely surround an outer perimeter of a discrete length of the stretched elastic strand. After removing the heat and pressure from the first and second substrates, the malleable materials harden to define a bond conforming with a cross sectional shape defined by the outer perimeter of the stretched elastic strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11654059
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein, Kazuaki Tameishi
  • Patent number: 11654060
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The elastomeric laminates may include a first substrate, a second substrate, and an elastic material located between the first and second substrates. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, a beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam, wherein the strands may include a spin finish. First bonds are applied to bond discrete lengths of the stretched elastic strands with and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the discrete first bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. In addition, second bonds are applied between consecutive first bonds to bond the first and second substrates directly to each other, wherein the second bonds extend in the machine direction and may be separated from each other in a cross direction by at least one elastic strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11642249
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The methods and apparatuses may be configured with a plurality of elastic strands wound onto a beam, wherein one or more elastic strands comprises a spin finish. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, the beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam. A portion of the spin finish may be removed from the advancing elastic strand with a spin finish removal apparatus. The spin finish removal apparatus may be configured to apply detergent to an advancing elastic strand and may also wipe and/or dry the advancing elastic strand. The treated stretched elastic strand may then be connected between a first substrate and a second substrate. In some configurations, adhesive may be applied to the treated the elastic strand, the first substrate, and/or the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11607348
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20230036659
    Abstract: A stretch laminate is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include a layer of nonwoven material that includes an accumulation of filaments and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone having an attenuated region adjacent to a build-up region wherein the attenuated region has a first basis weight and the build-up region has a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The stretch laminate may include a plurality of elastic strands space apart from each other in a crotch-stretch direction. In some examples the elastic strands may have an Average Strand Spacing no greater than 3 mm and/or an Average Decitex no greater than 300, and/or an Average Pre-Strain no greater than 250 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Gary Dean LaVon, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein, Vanessa Marie Melendez, Elizabeth Jo Bruns
  • Patent number: 11547613
    Abstract: A stretch laminate is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include a layer of nonwoven material that includes an accumulation of filaments and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone having an attenuated region adjacent to a build-up region wherein the attenuated region has a first basis weight and the build-up region has a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The stretch laminate may include a plurality of elastic strands space apart from each other in a crotch-stretch direction. In some examples the elastic strands may have an Average Strand Spacing no greater than 3 mm and/or an Average Decitex no greater than 300, and/or an Average Pre-Strain no greater than 250 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Gary Dean LaVon, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein, Vanessa Marie Melendez, Elizabeth Jo Bruns
  • Publication number: 20220257427
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. First spools are rotated to unwind first elastic strands from a first unwinder in a machine direction. The first elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form an elastomeric laminate. Before the first elastic strands are completely unwound from the rotating first spools, second spools are rotated to unwind second elastic strands from a second unwinder. Subsequently, the advancement of the first elastic strands from the first unwinder is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first spools to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second spools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11344453
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. First spools are rotated to unwind first elastic strands from a first unwinder in a machine direction. The first elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form an elastomeric laminate. Before the first elastic strands are completely unwound from the rotating first spools, second spools are rotated to unwind second elastic strands from a second unwinder. Subsequently, the advancement of the first elastic strands from the first unwinder is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first spools to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 11318052
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. A first beam is rotated to unwind a first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam in the machine direction. The first plurality of elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form the elastomeric laminate. Before the first plurality of elastic strands are completely unwound from the first beam, a second beam is rotated to unwind the second plurality of elastic strands from the second beam. Subsequently, the advancement of the first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first beam to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20220000676
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. In particular, discrete mechanical bonds are applied to a first substrate and a second substrate to secure elastic strands therebetween, wherein the discrete bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. During the bonding process, heat and pressure are applied to the first substrate and the second substrate such that malleable materials of the first and second substrates deform to completely surround an outer perimeter of a discrete length of the stretched elastic strand. After removing the heat and pressure from the first and second substrates, the malleable materials harden to define a bond conforming with a cross sectional shape defined by the outer perimeter of the stretched elastic strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Uwe SCHNEIDER, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20210401634
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. The elastomeric laminates may include a first substrate, a second substrate, and an elastic material located between the first and second substrates. During assembly of an elastomeric laminate, a beam is rotated to unwind the elastic strands from the beam, wherein the strands may include a spin finish. First bonds are applied to bond discrete lengths of the stretched elastic strands with and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the discrete first bonds are arranged intermittently along the machine direction. In addition, second bonds are applied between consecutive first bonds to bond the first and second substrates directly to each other, wherein the second bonds extend in the machine direction and may be separated from each other in a cross direction by at least one elastic strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Uwe SCHNEIDER, Joseph Allen ECKSTEIN