Patents by Inventor Joseph F. Merker
Joseph F. Merker 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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Publication number: 20040258843Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual performance cleaning article, wherein said article is comprised of a first abrasive meltblown surface that facilitates the process of loosening particulates, such as dust and dirt, and an opposing second soft, air permeable surface, which is capable of absorbing and/or picking up particulates and liquids. The meltblown layer comprises coarse discontinuous filamentary elements, formed from adjusting the variable commonly utilized in the traditional meltblown method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Imad Qashou, Joseph F. Merker, Nick Carter
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Patent number: 6802924Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Publication number: 20040105965Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning laminate comprising two functionally diverse surfaces, wherein said first surface is formed from an abrasive nonwoven fabric layer, which facilitates the process of loosening particulates, such as dust and dirt, and said second surface is formed from an air permeable, absorbent nonwoven fabric layer, which exhibits a lower coefficient of friction as compared to the abrasive side. The abrasive nonwoven fabric layer is selected from such materials that provide a coarse quality, as perceived as a resistance to deflection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Imad Qashou, Joseph F. Merker
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Publication number: 20030178135Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Patent number: 6541099Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Patent number: 6534151Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Joseph F. Merker
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Method of using water-borne epoxies and urethanes in print bonding fluid and products made therefrom
Patent number: 6500289Abstract: Water-borne epoxies and/or water-borne urethanes are employed as a replacement for at least a portion of the bonding materials utilized in various print bonding processes. The additives may operate in conjunction with standard print bonding adhesives such as ethylene vinyl acetates to bond fibers together in a pulp-containing web. The paper-based sheet material made according to this process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Charles J. Garneski -
Publication number: 20020084048Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
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METHOD OF USING WATER-BORNE EPOXIES AND URETHANES IN PRINT BONDING FLUID AND PRODUCTS MADE THEREFROM
Publication number: 20020062911Abstract: Water-borne epoxies and/or water-borne urethanes are employed as a replacement for at least a portion of the bonding materials utilized in various print bonding processes. The additives may operate in conjunction with standard print bonding adhesives such as ethylene vinyl acetates to bond fibers together in a pulp-containing web. The paper-based sheet material made according to this process is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 1999Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: JOSEPH F. MERKER, CHARLES J. GARNESKI -
Publication number: 20010018782Abstract: In the production of a nonwoven fabric of thermally bonded fibers, a heavy web of fibers is continuously fed to a toothed cylinder at a slow speed to form a layer of fibers, and a portion of this layer is removed and formed into a lightweight uniform web at a faster speed. The second web is conveyed without draw to a calender having a bonding nip, and the fibers of the web are rearranged by compression and heating and are supported on a hot surface of one of the calender rolls prior to entering the nip to additionally improve uniformity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventors: Benjamin Michael Nolan, Joseph F. Merker
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Publication number: 20010015251Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2001Publication date: August 23, 2001Inventor: Joseph F. Merker
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Patent number: 6277241Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 6214146Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Joseph F. Merker
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Patent number: 6210511Abstract: In the production of a nonwoven fabric of thermally bonded fibers, a heavy web of fibers is continuously fed to a toothed cylinder at a slow speed to form a layer of fibers, and a portion of this layer is removed and formed into a lightweight uniform web at a faster speed. The second web is conveyed without draw to a calender having a bonding nip, and the fibers of the web are rearranged by compression and heating and are supported on a hot surface of one of the calender rolls prior to entering the nip to additionally improve uniformity.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1996Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Fibertech GroupInventors: Benjamin Michael Nolan, Joseph F. Merker
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Patent number: 6103061Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven composite material. The method includes the steps of: providing a hydraulically entangled web containing a fibrous component and a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; applying a bonding material to at least one side of said web; and creping said at least one side of the hydraulically entangled web. The bonder material may be an aqueous mixture including a curable latex polymer, a pigment, and a cure promoter. Also disclosed is a nonwoven composite material made of a hydraulically entangled web including a fibrous component; a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; and regions containing bonder material covering at least a portion of at least one side of the composite material, wherein at least one side of the web has been creped.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Joseph F. Merker, Fred Robert Radwanski, Henry Skoog
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Patent number: 5935880Abstract: A soft, absorbent nonwoven fibrous web, such as a wet wipe, capable of dispersing in an aqueous environment into unrecognizable pieces, made by a method comprising the steps of forming a wet-laid nonwoven web from an aqueous slurry of fibers; hydraulically needling the wet-laid nonwoven web; partially drying the hydraulically needled web; applying a binder composition to one side of the web; creping the web such that interfiber adhesion is disrupted and z-direction fiber orientation is introduced; optionally applying a binder composition to the second side of the web; recreping the web; drying and curing the web; and, converting the dried and cured web into a wet wipe, dry wipe, or other absorbent article. In the case of a wet wipe, a solution containing about 100 ppm of calcium ion is applied to the web, such as in a preserving solution. In the case of a dry wipe, the calcium ion is added after the binder is added to the web, and the final product is stored in a dry state.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Inventors: Kenneth Y. Wang, Leroy M. Demeny, William S. Pomplun, Pavneet S. Mumick, Ralph L. Anderson, Joseph F. Merker