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).

  • Patent number: 7799966
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth
  • Publication number: 20100160886
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jefffrey Brown
  • Patent number: 7678095
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
  • Patent number: 7250129
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E Williams, Paul D Zwick
  • Patent number: 6814722
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
  • Publication number: 20040193125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6756434
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Paul D. Zwick
  • Patent number: 6702797
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6635205
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth, Keith Edgett
  • Patent number: 6596919
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E Williams
  • Publication number: 20030120227
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6545283
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E Williams, Suzanne E Assenheimer Downs
  • Patent number: 6506958
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E Williams
  • Publication number: 20020128620
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
  • Publication number: 20020107494
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020038109
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6353146
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Karla E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020010447
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth
  • Publication number: 20010028126
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: PLAYTEX PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Rosemary F. Knuth, Keith Edgett
  • Patent number: 6254565
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla E. Williams, Paul D. Zwick