Patents by Inventor Kent A. Franklin

Kent A. Franklin 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).

  • Publication number: 20040034326
    Abstract: A swimwear garment having a material which is permeable to liquid but substantially impermeable to bowel movement material. In one embodiment, the garment can comprise a stand-alone disposable pant liner in the form of a swimpant with waist elastics and leg elastics. In other embodiments, a mesh liner can be a layer within a disposable swimpant. The mesh liner can be attached to the disposable swimpant around the perimeter of the composite structure, or in swimpants containing containment flaps, to the containment flaps. The mesh liner can, optionally, further include elastic strands attached under the mesh liner to provide further lift and hold the mesh liner close to the body of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Cynthia H. Nordness, Kent A. Franklin, Katherine C. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20040004106
    Abstract: A method and system for directly measuring and controlling the amplitude of an ultrasonic horn comprising an ultrasonic horn, a non-contact measurement device for directly measuring an amplitude of the ultrasonic horn, and a controller for modulating the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn in communication with the non-contact measurement device. In accordance with the noncontact optical detection embodiments, the non-contact measurement device is an optical system in which one of a coherent or noncoherent light beam is transmitted from a light source onto a surface of the ultrasonic horn, generating reflected light at a photodetector. The photodetector produces an output signal proportional to at least one of the intensity or the location of the light spot. Detector output is then correlated to the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn and input to a controller for controlling the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Thomas D. Ehlert
  • Patent number: 6628408
    Abstract: A method and system for directly measuring and controlling the amplitude of an ultrasonic horn comprising an ultrasonic horn, a non-contact measurement device for directly measuring an amplitude of the ultrasonic horn, and a controller for modulating the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn in communication with the non-contact measurement device. In accordance with the noncontact optical detection embodiments, the non-contact measurement device is an optical system in which one of a coherent or noncoherent light beam is transmitted from a light source onto a surface of the ultrasonic horn, generating reflected light at a photodetector. The photodetector produces an output signal proportional to at least one of the intensity or the location of the light spot. Detector output is then correlated to the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn and input to a controller for controlling the amplitude of the ultrasonic horn in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Thomas D. Ehlert
  • Publication number: 20030169433
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the detection of marked components of a composite article. The present invention relates to detecting the presence, position, concentration and/or distribution of one or more components in a composite article, and to registration inspection of a composite article using infrared radiation. In one embodiment of the invention, infrared blockers, such as absorbing infrared blockers, are incorporated into the component of interest in the composite to increase the visibility of the marked component during inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Koele, Clinton D. Clark, Jerome J. Workman, Kent A. Franklin, Thomas M. Flicker, Bradley M. Marohl, Joseph J. Gimenez
  • Publication number: 20030139720
    Abstract: A swimwear garment having a material which is permeable to liquid but substantially impermeable to bowel movement material. In one embodiment, the garment can comprise a stand-alone disposable pant liner in the form of a swimpant with waist elastics and leg elastics. In other embodiments, a mesh liner can be a layer within a disposable swimpant. The mesh liner can be attached to the disposable swimpant around the perimeter of the composite structure, or in swimpants containing containment flaps, to the containment flaps. The mesh liner can, optionally, further include elastic strands attached under the mesh liner to provide further lift and hold the mesh liner close to the body of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Cynthia H. Nordness, Kent A. Franklin, Katherine C. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20030120245
    Abstract: An elastic composite is formed by securing an elastic member to a substrate along a securement path extending longitudinally of the substrate. The position of the elastic member on the substrate varies laterally along the longitudinally extending securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern having at least one period within the securement path. The periodic wave pattern is such that the elastic composite is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path. In another embodiment, the securement path varies laterally as it extends longitudinally along the securement path. The position of the elastic member varies transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Valerie V. Finch, Robin K. Nason, Jon M. Verbruggen
  • Publication number: 20030116257
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for applying an elongate member to a substrate, an elongate member is fed to a guide capable of guiding the elongate member onto a substrate moving in a flow direction thereof. The guide is supported by a guide assembly for conjoint lateral movement therewith relative to the flow direction of the substrate. The guide assembly is moved lateral to the flow direction of the substrate to guide the elongate member onto the substrate along a securement path, at least a portion of which is generally oblique to the flow direction of the substrate. The guide is moved relative to the guide assembly, generally laterally relative to the flow direction of the substrate, to vary the transverse position of the elongate member within the securement path as it is guided onto the substrate. The elongate member is then secured to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Valerie V. Finch, Robin K. Nason, Jon M. Verbruggen
  • Publication number: 20030120246
    Abstract: An elongate elastic member is secured to a substrate to form an elastic composite. The elastic member extends along an elastic axis between a first location on the substrate and a second location on the substrate spaced longitudinally from the first location. At least a portion of the elastic axis is generally non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The elastic member crosses its elastic axis at least twice as it extends along the elastic axis, with the elastic member crossing itself at least once as it extends along the elastic axis. In another embodiment, the elastic member generally forms a wave pattern which defines a width of the securement path and has at least two different periods along the securement path. In yet another embodiment, the elastic member defines a continuous series of loops wherein each loop defines a closed portion having a generally tear-drop shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Franklin, Valerie V. Finch, Robin K. Nason