Patents by Inventor Karla E. Williams
Karla E. Williams 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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Patent number: 7799966Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous absorbent material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and one or more all-natural, liquid malodor counteractant materials disposed within the fibrous material to absorb, neutralize, suppress, and/or eliminate odors associated with the body fluids. The one or more malodor counteractant materials is one or more of the following: glycerin, glycerin compound, aldehyde, natural oil, solution of soluble natural compound, natural plant and herb extract, naturally occurring deodorizing active, acid, base, oxidant, chelating agent, ester, masking agent, sensory receptor alterant, oxidizing agent, biological agent, surfactant, surface active polymer, and any mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth
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Publication number: 20100160886Abstract: A pre-expanded tampon pledget is formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jefffrey Brown
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Patent number: 7678095Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
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Patent number: 7250129Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a unique polymeric compound that provides a soft, flexible product. There is also provided a unique polymeric tampon applicator that is soft and flexible. When used as a tampon applicator barrel, the barrel is more comfortable and has improved ease of insertion. The polymeric compound primarily comprises a thermoplastic resin and a block copolymer that exhibit unique load, energy and modulus of elasticity properties. The polymeric compound should also include a plasticizer and a compatibilizer/flow modifier, and may include a slip/mold release agent, an antioxidant, and even a pigment. There is also provided a method for making the polymeric compound that will be formed into a product, such as an applicator or applicator barrel in which all of the above ingredients, except for the thermoplastic resin, are combined and formed into soft pellets. The soft resin pellets are then dry blended with pellets of the thermoplastic resin.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E Williams, Paul D Zwick
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Patent number: 6814722Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
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Publication number: 20040193125Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and a molecular sieve disposed within the fibrous material to reduce odors from the body fluids. The molecular sieve is a natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite or chabasite species having an exchangeable cation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Patent number: 6756434Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a unique polymeric compound that provides a soft, flexible product. There is also provided a unique polymeric tampon applicator that is soft and flexible. When used as a tampon applicator barrel, the barrel is more comfortable and has improved ease of insertion. The polymeric compound primarily comprises a thermoplastic resin and a block copolymer that exhibit unique load, energy and modulus of elasticity properties. The polymeric compound should also include a plasticizer and a compatibilizer/flow modifier, and may include a slip/mold release agent, an antioxidant, and even a pigment. There is also provided a method for making the polymeric compound that will be formed into a product, such as an applicator or applicator barrel in which all of the above ingredients, except for the thermoplastic resin, are combined and formed into soft pellets. The soft resin pellets are then dry blended with pellets of the thermoplastic resin.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Paul D. Zwick
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Patent number: 6702797Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and a molecular sieve disposed within the fibrous material to reduce odors from the body fluids. The molecular sieve is a natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite or chabasite species having an exchangeable cation.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Patent number: 6635205Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an odor adsorbent tampon or related catamenial device. The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a plurality of fibers, preferably by extrusion, and impregnating or urging into or inserting into the interstices of the fibers with one or more odor adsorbent materials while the process of forming the fibers is being performed. Thereafter, the plurality of fibers so formed are suitably and conventionally brought together to produce the finished device. Preferably, the one or more odor adsorbent materials is in liquid form and/or is naturally sourced.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth, Keith Edgett
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Patent number: 6596919Abstract: There is provided a tampon that comprises an absorbent pledget and a removal string having a menstrual fluid indicator associated therewith. The absorbent pledget has a proximal end that is placed near the cervical bone and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The indicator is formed on or in the removal string. Preferably, the indicator is formed over the entire length and circumference of the removal string. The indicator provides a sensory signal to the user when the capacity of the absorbent pledget of the tampon is exhausted, or when by-pass leakage is about to commence.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E Williams
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Publication number: 20030120227Abstract: There is provided a tampon that comprises an absorbent pledget and a removal string having a menstrual fluid indicator associated therewith. The absorbent pledget has a proximal end that is placed near the cervical bone and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The indicator is formed on or in the removal string. Preferably, the indicator is formed over the entire length and circumference of the removal string. The indicator provides a sensory signal to the user when the capacity of the absorbent pledget of the tampon is exhausted, or when by-pass leakage is about to commence.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Patent number: 6545283Abstract: A process treats the surface of a polymeric tampon applicator so as to improve its whitening. The process applies electron beam energy to the applicator in sufficient magnitude and time duration to achieve the desired whitening.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E Williams, Suzanne E Assenheimer Downs
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Patent number: 6506958Abstract: There is provided a tampon that comprises an absorbent pledget and a menstrual fluid indicator associated therewith. The absorbent pledget has a proximal end that is placed near the cervical bone and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The indicator is preferably an additional layer formed and in contact with the entire circumference of the absorbent pledget, and is located near the distal end. The indicator is designed to provide a sensory signal to the user that the capacity of the absorbent pledget of the tampon is exhausted, or just before by-pass leakage commences.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E Williams
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Publication number: 20020128620Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
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Publication number: 20020107494Abstract: There is provided a tampon that comprises an absorbent pledget and a menstrual fluid indicator associated therewith. The absorbent pledget has a proximal end that is placed near the cervical bone and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The indicator is preferably an additional layer formed and in contact with the entire circumference of the absorbent pledget, and is located near the distal end. The indicator is designed to provide a sensory signal to the user that the capacity of the absorbent pledget of the tampon is exhausted, or just before by-pass leakage commences.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Publication number: 20020038109Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and a molecular sieve disposed within the fibrous material to reduce odors from the body fluids. The molecular sieve is a natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite or chabasite species having an exchangeable cation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Patent number: 6353146Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and a molecular sieve disposed within the fibrous material to reduce odors from the body fluids. The molecular sieve is a natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite or chabasite species having an exchangeable cation.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventor: Karla E. Williams
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Publication number: 20020010447Abstract: There is provided a fibrous absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. The article includes a fibrous material suitable for absorbing the body fluids, and one or more all-natural, liquid malodor counteractant materials disposed within the fibrous material to absorb, neutralize, suppress, and/or eliminate odors associated with the body fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth
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Publication number: 20010028126Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an odor adsorbent tampon or related catamenial device. The method of the present invention includes the steps of forming a plurality of fibers, preferably by extrusion, and impregnating or urging into or inserting into the interstices of the fibers with one or more odor adsorbent materials while the process of forming the fibers is being performed. Thereafter, the plurality of fibers so formed are suitably and conventionally brought together to produce the finished device. Preferably, the one or more odor adsorbent materials is in liquid form and/or is naturally sourced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Applicant: PLAYTEX PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth, Keith Edgett
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Patent number: 6254565Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a unique polymeric compound that provides a soft, flexible product. There is also provided a unique polymeric tampon applicator that is soft and flexible. When used as a tampon applicator barrel, the barrel is more comfortable and has improved ease of insertion. The polymeric compound primarily comprises a thermoplastic resin and a block copolymer that exhibit unique load, energy and modulus of elasticity properties. The polymeric compound should also include a plasticizer and a compatibilizer/flow modifier, and may include a slip/mold release agent, an antioxidant, and even a pigment. There is also provided a method for making the polymeric compound that will be formed into a product, such as an applicator or applicator barrel in which all of the above ingredients, except for the thermoplastic resin, are combined and formed into soft pellets. The soft resin pellets are then dry blended with pellets of the thermoplastic resin.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Paul D. Zwick