Patents by Inventor Kou-Chang Liu

Kou-Chang Liu 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: 8778386
    Abstract: An oxidizing anti-microbial treatment and products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involves, in part, preparing a substrate to accept an attachment of charged moieties, and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties come in close proximity to the treated substrate surface, peroxide molecules from the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, David W. Koenig, Ali Yahiaoui, Alison Salyer Bagwell
  • Patent number: 7897015
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Publication number: 20100143584
    Abstract: Softening compositions for tissues, particularly facial tissues, include a combination of polysiloxanes and one or both of a polyalkylene oxide and a fatty alkyl derivative. The softening compositions can contain from about 30 to about 75 weight percent polysiloxane, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent polyalkylene oxide and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent fatty alkyl derivative, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide and the fatty alkyl derivative is about 25 weight percent or greater. The resulting tissues have good softness and wettability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 7625462
    Abstract: Polymeric bonding agents having a “triggerable” bonding functionality and which are in the form of particles or fibers, are blended with papermaking fibers prior to formation of a tissue web. After the web is dewatered, and advantageously during or after drying, the triggerable bonding functionality is activated to strengthen the resulting sheet structure. Tissue sheets prepared in this manner can exhibit an improved combination of softness, bulk and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 7588662
    Abstract: Soft tissue products with a good rate of absorbency, such as facial and bath tissue, are provided by forming a tissue sheet with a non-fibrous polymeric surface structure and thereafter topically applying a softening composition comprising a polysiloxane, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. The non-fibrous polymeric surface structure is created by applying an additive composition to the surface of a tissue sheet prior to or after drying. The additive composition can be an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick John Lang, Perry Howard Clough, Thomas Joseph Dyer, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kou-Chang Liu, Michael Ralph Lostocco, Deborah Joy Nickel, Michael John Rekoske, Troy Michael Runge, Michelle Lynn Seabaugh, Jeffrey James Timm, Kenneth J. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7470345
    Abstract: Spirally wound single-ply web products having a chemical additive applied to at least one surface exhibit desirable roll bulk characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single-ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound. The shear-calendered web then has a chemical additive applied to at least one surface by a non-compressive application method helping to maintain the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Charles Troxell, Tammy Lynn Baum, Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20080257512
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080230196
    Abstract: A softening composition, particularly useful for topical treatment of tissues, comprises a polysiloxane, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. The softening composition provides good softness to the tissue and enables the tissue to retain a high degree of absorbency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20080230195
    Abstract: Soft tissue products with a good rate of absorbency, such as facial and bath tissue, are provided by forming a tissue sheet with a non-fibrous polymeric surface structure and thereafter topically applying a softening composition comprising a polysiloxane, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. The non-fibrous polymeric surface structure is created by applying an additive composition to the surface of a tissue sheet prior to or after drying. The additive composition can be an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick John Lang, Perry Howard Clough, Thomas Joseph Dyer, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kou-Chang Liu, Michael Ralph Lostocco, Deborah Nickel, Michael John Rekoske, Troy Michael Runge, Michelle Lynn Seabaugh, Jeffrey James Timm, Kenneth J. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7396593
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080138373
    Abstract: An oxidizing anti-microbial treatment and products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involves, in part, preparing a substrate to accept an attachment of charged moieties, and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties come in close proximity to the treated substrate surface, peroxide molecules from the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, David W. Koenig, Ali Yahiaoui, Alison Salyer Bagwell
  • Publication number: 20080099168
    Abstract: Softening compositions for tissues, particularly facial tissues, include a combination of polysiloxanes and one or both of a polyalkylene oxide and a fatty alkyl derivative. The softening compositions can contain from about 30 to about 75 weight percent polysiloxane, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent polyalkylene oxide and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent fatty alkyl derivative, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide and the fatty alkyl derivative is about 25 weight percent or greater. The resulting tissues have good softness and wettability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20070246180
    Abstract: Polymeric bonding agents having a “triggerable” bonding functionality and which are in the form of particles or fibers, are blended with papermaking fibers prior to formation of a tissue web. After the web is dewatered, and advantageously during or after drying, the triggerable bonding functionality is activated to strengthen the resulting sheet structure. Tissue sheets prepared in this manner can exhibit an improved combination of softness, bulk and strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20070083018
    Abstract: The present invention is a polysiloxane treated hydrophilic tissue sheet having a polydialkylsiloxane content of about 0.4% or greater by weight of dry pulp fibers. The polysiloxane treated hydrophilic tissue sheet may also have a wet out time after aging 20 days at about 130° F. of about 10 seconds or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Amber Fortune, Thomas Shannon
  • Patent number: 7186318
    Abstract: The present invention is a polysiloxane treated hydrophilic tissue sheet having a polydialkylsiloxane content of about 0.4% or greater by weight of dry pulp fibers. The polysiloxane treated hydrophilic tissue sheet may also have a wet out time after aging 20 days at about 130° F. of about 10 seconds or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Amber Marie Fortune, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Patent number: 7101460
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for topical application of compositions containing a chemical additive onto a paper web. The present invention is also directed to paper products formed from the method. In general, the method includes the steps of extruding a composition containing a chemical additive through a melt blown die and then applying the composition to a moving paper web. In particular, the method provides for the application of tacky compositions to a web through a melt blown die while avoiding die tip clogging. In one embodiment, the chemical composition is extruded into fibers and applied to the paper web. The chemical composition may contain, for instance, various additives, such as a polysiloxane softener and one or more beneficial agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Roger E. Wendler, Jr., Peter J. Allen, Paul D. Beuther
  • Publication number: 20060130989
    Abstract: A softening composition for treating tissue products is disclosed. The softening composition comprises a combination of particular amino-functional polysiloxanes and alkoxylated alcohols in particular proportionate amounts. When applied to tissue products at add-on levels of less than about 5% by weight, the softening composition has been found not only to improve the softness of the product but also not to substantially interfere with the wettability characteristics of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Laura Boudrie, Michael Smith, Steven Jones, John Urlaub
  • Publication number: 20060016570
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for topical application of compositions containing a chemical additive onto a paper web. The present invention is also directed to paper products formed from the method. In general, the method includes the steps of extruding a composition containing a chemical additive through a melt blown die and then applying the composition to a moving paper web. In particular, the method provides for the application of tacky compositions to a web through a melt blown die while avoiding die tip clogging. In one embodiment, the chemical composition is extruded into fibers and applied to the paper web. The chemical composition may contain, for instance, various additives, such as a polysiloxane softener and one or more beneficial agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Roger Wendler, Peter Allen, Paul Beuther
  • Patent number: 6977026
    Abstract: A method for applying a softening composition to a paper web of a tissue product is provided. The softening composition is applied primarily to the elevated regions of the tissue product. The application of the softening composition in this manner allows for the use of hydrophobic softeners, such as amino-functionalized polysiloxanes, in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the tissue product while maintaining a Wet Out Time of less than about 10 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Daniel Vander Heiden, Strong C. Chuang
  • Patent number: 6949168
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for topical application of compositions containing a chemical additive onto a paper web. The present invention is also directed to paper products formed from the method. In general, the method includes the steps of extruding a composition containing a chemical additive through a melt blown die and then applying the composition to a moving paper web. In particular, the method provides for the application of tacky compositions to a web through a melt blown die while avoiding die tip clogging. In one embodiment, the chemical composition is extruded into fibers and applied to the paper web. The chemical composition may contain, for instance, various additives, such as a polysiloxane softener and one or more beneficial agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Roger E. Wendler, Jr., Peter J. Allen, Paul D. Beuther