Patents by Inventor Kathleen Irene Ratliff

Kathleen Irene Ratliff 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: 9700079
    Abstract: A boxer-style pant and a method of making a boxer-style pant having side seams, a contracted crotch region, and hanging legs. A web is provided. The web is cut along transversely opposed edges of the web to define leg openings. The leg openings may be formed by cutting slits along the transversely opposed edges of the web. The web is contracted in a selected area between the leg openings. Front and back regions are then joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Franke, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Heather Schenck Mortell, Robert Lee Popp, Joseph Daniel Coenen
  • Patent number: 8747379
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Publication number: 20140155858
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 8632515
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has a chassis. A first region of the chassis includes a first panel and at least one first side panel. A second region of the chassis includes a second panel and at least one second side panel. A resilient fastening component is permanently attached to an inner surface of the at least one first side panel and releasably attached to an outer surface of the at least one second side panel. At least one of the first region and the second region is folded at least twice such that at least portions of the at least one first side panel and the at least one second side panel are positioned between the first and second panels and the resilient fastening component is tucked between the folded absorbent assembly and lies in a plane parallel to a plane in which a first part of the absorbent assembly lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8579876
    Abstract: A folded disposable absorbent garment has an absorbent chassis, a pair of front side panels extending from a front region of the absorbent chassis, and a pair of back side panels extending from a back region of the absorbent chassis. A first fastening component is disposed on each of the front side panels and a second fastening component is disposed on each of the back side panels. Each of the second fastening components is releasably attached to a respective one of the first fastening components to define a pair of refastenable seams. The front side panels and the back side panels are folded such that each of the refastenable seams overlies an outer surface of one of the front region and the back region of the absorbent chassis in a plane generally parallel to the front and back regions of the absorbent chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8556877
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment including a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto. These parallel portions of the side panel edges space the fastening and mating fastening components away from major stress points of the garment, thereby reducing the likelihood of fastener pop-opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Marcille Faye Ruman, Henry Louis Carbone, II, Matthew Lee Koele
  • Patent number: 8372052
    Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8343127
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The refastenable seams formed by the fastening system components provide a garment-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Amy Lynn Fletcher, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Publication number: 20120298287
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment including a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark World, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee POPP, Kathleen Irene RATLIFF, Marcille Faye RUMAN, Henry Louis CARBONE, II, Matthew Lee KOELE
  • Patent number: 8235962
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment having a leg opening shape and fastener placement that, together, minimize the likelihood of fastener pop-opens during use. The garment includes a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist end edge and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Marcille Faye Ruman, Henry Louis Carbone, II, Matthew Lee Koele
  • Publication number: 20100298803
    Abstract: A folded disposable absorbent garment has an absorbent chassis, a pair of front side panels extending from a front region of the absorbent chassis, and a pair of back side panels extending from a back region of the absorbent chassis. A first fastening component is disposed on each of the front side panels and a second fastening component is disposed on each of the back side panels. Each of the second fastening components is releasably attached to a respective one of the first fastening components to define a pair of refastenable seams. The front side panels and the back side panels are folded such that each of the refastenable seams overlies an outer surface of one of the front region and the back region of the absorbent chassis in a plane generally parallel to the front and back regions of the absorbent chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Publication number: 20100121293
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 7695464
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Publication number: 20080195074
    Abstract: Packaged garments having pre-fastened, refastenable seams tucked in a certain position can preserve fastener performance. Such refastenable seams are particularly suitable for side seams on pant-like absorbent garments. Prior to packaging the garment, the refastenable seams are pre-fastened and tucked into the garment such that any resilient fastening components lie flat in a plane parallel to a plane in which front and back waist portions of the garment lie. When the garment is compressed and packaged, the resilient fastening components remain flat and do not become creased or crushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6976978
    Abstract: A disposable pant garment is made from a web by joining front and back side panels attached to the garment chassis. The side panels have diagonal edges in order to result in side seams on the garment which run diagonally on the garment side. This diagonal side seam provides superior fit and releasability, especially in the case of refastenable side seams such as may be used for training pants. One or more of the side panels may be constructed from a plurality of pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcille Faye Ruman, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Patent number: 6849067
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 6761711
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Patent number: 6716205
    Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having a combined leg elastic and leak guard flap feature. A chassis of the absorbent garment includes an outer cover and a body side liner with at least one elastomeric member folded within the body side liner around each of two leg openings defined by the chassis to form a finished edge around each leg opening. The folded edge of the body side liner is then folded again to create a fully functional flap with the appearance of a leg elastic in the crotch area. The resulting absorbent garment has a three-dimensional leg elastic assembly that creates a bucket for containing body fluids, and furthermore, creates a tailored, soft, comfortable leg and side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff
  • Publication number: 20040064126
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis and a fastening system that together define a refastenable pant. The refastenable pant includes a pair of elastomeric front side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, a pair of elastomeric back side panels extending from the waist opening to each leg opening, and a pair of refastenable seams extending from the waist opening to each leg opening and positioned between the elastomeric front and back side panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Amy Lynn Fletcher, Lisa Ann Dimitrijevs, Christopher Peter Olson, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Shirlee Ann Weber, Susan Lee West
  • Publication number: 20040002691
    Abstract: An absorbent pant garment having a leg opening shape and fastener placement that, together, minimize the likelihood of fastener pop-opens during use. The garment includes a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist end edge and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Kathleen Irene Ratliff, Marcille Faye Ruman, Henry Louis Carbone, Matthew Lee Koele