Patents by Inventor Julie M. Bednarz

Julie M. Bednarz 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: 7429689
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Patent number: 7111354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a liquid coating onto an object. The apparatus includes a device that has a handle and a transfer medium which is attached to the handle. The apparatus further includes a cover that is attached to the device. The cover includes a closure element that is operable to open and close an end of the cover. When the end of the cover is open, the cover is movable between a first position where the cover protects the transfer medium and a second position where the cover protects the handle. In another example embodiment, the cover is formed of a removable first layer that is positioned adjacent to the transfer medium when the cover is in the first position and a removable second layer that is positioned adjacent to the handle when the cover is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine A. Nennig, James A Cotter, II, Bruce Siebers, Julie M. Bednarz, Fung-jou Chen
  • Publication number: 20040102752
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Patent number: 6695827
    Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Patent number: 6673982
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a central absorbent member and a lateral wicking barrier for inhibition of wicking from the central regions of the article to an outlying outer absorbent member. The wicking barrier has a vertical component for prevention of radial wicking in the plane of the article and thus promotes center filling of the article with fluid and reduces the likelihood of leaks from the sides of the article. The wicking barrier can also have a horizontal component to prevent leakage, redirect fluid flow, and improve fit and performance of the article. In one embodiment, the central absorbent member is a concentric absorbent structure having alternating rings of barrier material and absorbent material, including a spiral wound composite formed from a layer of barrier material wound with a layer of absorbent material and then sliced to provide a thin absorbent layer having high permeability in the thickness direction but low permeability in the plane due to the barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Publication number: 20030083631
    Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Fung-Jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma
  • Patent number: 6503233
    Abstract: An absorbent article with improved body fit wherein a combination of downward-deflecting crease lines and an upward-deflecting shaping line are used in outer and central absorbent members, respectively, to achieve a form-fitting geometry in the crotch region while also enhancing control over fluid flow in the article. Embodiments with wicking barriers between the outer and central absorbent members are especially useful in achieving leakage reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Julie M. Bednarz, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Joseph DiPalma