Patents by Inventor Kristi Bryant

Kristi Bryant 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: 9333124
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article that contains multiple printed patterns of graphical objects visible from a body facing surface is provided. The layout and design of the patterns are carefully selected in the present invention to achieve a synergistic masking effect that helps visually disguise the presence of bodily fluids or stains around the periphery of the article. Such “passive” stain masking is achieved, in part, through the use of printed patterns that are distributed in an asymmetric manner about both the longitudinal and transverse centerlines of the article. The printed patterns are also located at or near the periphery of the article and at least partially extend into portions of the body facing surface that overlie the absorbent core. The pattern design is also such that a majority of an interior zone of the absorbent article is generally free of printed graphical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi Bryant, Sue Oates, Garry Woltman, HyungByum Kim, Julie Prescher, Ward Elwood, Shelley Rasmussen, Sr., Dave Krysiak, HyungWoo Park, Clarice Theisen
  • Publication number: 20130310784
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article that contains multiple printed patterns of graphical objects visible from a body facing surface is provided. The layout and design of the patterns are carefully selected in the present invention to achieve a synergistic masking effect that helps visually disguise the presence of bodily fluids or stains around the periphery of the article. Such “passive” stain masking is achieved, in part, through the use of printed patterns that are distributed in an asymmetric manner about both the longitudinal and transverse centerlines of the article. The printed patterns are also located at or near the periphery of the article and at least partially extend into portions of the body facing surface that overlie the absorbent core. The pattern design is also such that a majority of an interior zone of the absorbent article is generally free of printed graphical objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Kristi Bryant, Sue Oates, Garry Woltman, HyungByum Kim, Julie Prescher, Ward Elwood, Shelley Rasmussen, SR., Dave Krysiak, HyungWoo Park, Clarice Theisen
  • Patent number: 7258684
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system and method for disguising a personal care product. The personal care product includes a pattern that matches a design on an undergarment so that the personal care product blends into the background of the undergarment. The method for disguising the personal care product includes creating a pattern to match the design on the undergarment and placing the pattern on the personal care product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristi Bryant, Glory Alcantara, Mary L. McDaniel, Michelle Sroda, Susan Weyenberg, Katherine C. Wheeler, Teresa Zander
  • Publication number: 20070090014
    Abstract: The present invention provides a discreet sanitary kit which allows a person in need of sanitary personal care products to carry the sanitary personal care articles in a manner which will not alert others that the kit contains sanitary articles. Also provided by the present invention is a discreet sanitary kit with a self-indulgence item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Katherine Wheeler, Kristi Bryant, Herb Velazquez, Teresa Zander
  • Publication number: 20070045144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a discreet package for absorbent personal care articles. A discreet package containing absorbent personal care articles of the present invention is a flexible package. The flexible package has a packaging component having one or more side panels, a bottom panel and a storage compartment. The side panel has a top edge, which forms an opening which is closable. This side panel may be connected, directly or indirectly to the bottom panel or the bottom panel may be formed from the same web in which the side panel is made. Each of the side panel and the bottom panel have an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the interior surface of the side panel and the interior surface of the bottom panel define the storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment has sufficient volume to hold at least two absorbent personal care articles. Positioned within the storage compartment is a plurality of absorbent personal care articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Katherine Wheeler, Teresa Zander, Kristi Bryant, Rebecca Walter
  • Publication number: 20060251609
    Abstract: A patch is presented for use in conjunction with a surface, the patch including a backsheet having an adherent surface, wherein the backsheet is translucent; an outermost surface opposite the adherent surface; an adhesive applied to the adherent surface; a peel layer removably attached to the adhesive; and a malodor-reducing agent. A method for manufacturing a patch is presented, the method including producing a backsheet from a water-dispersible polymer; applying a malodor-reducing agent to the polymer; adding an adhesive to the backsheet; and adhering a peel strip to the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Marci Sojka, Frederick Lang, Ann Przepasniak, Tammy Balzar, Sarah Christoffel, Kristi Bryant
  • Publication number: 20060247594
    Abstract: A variety of graphics on the absorbent article ears may provide several benefits. One benefit may be an increased interaction between the caregiver and the user. The graphic may become visible to the caregiver and user only after they have been fastened to the article. This provides a “surprise” aspect to which specific graphic may be on the ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Lisa Nickel, Kristi Bryant, Joseph Fell, Kellie Goodrich, Susan Oates
  • Publication number: 20060142720
    Abstract: The present invention provides a package for holding and dispensing absorbent personal care articles. The package has a plurality absorbent personal care articles and a plurality packaging components. Each of the packaging components has a compartment, a fixed end and a free end. Each fixed end is connected directly or indirectly to at least one other fixed end of another packaging component and each free end of a given packaging component is opposed to the fixed end. The compartment of each packaging component has at least one absorbent personal care article placed within the compartment. The package of the present invention may optionally have a cover to further protect the packaging components and absorbent articles contained therein. Other features provided in the package of the present invention include a fastening means which allow the package to remain in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Teresa Zander, Kristi Bryant, Katherine Wheeler, Herb Velazquez
  • Publication number: 20060025739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a personal care product including a wrapper having at least one free edge, an absorbent personal care article and a sensory cue providing indicia as to the location of the free edge. In one embodiment, the wrapper is a wrapper component and has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set of sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph DiPalma, Adrienne Loyd, Marie Mathews, Kristi Bryant, Garry Woltman, Sarah Wilkes, Sheila Heyrman, James Clark, Brian Thomas, Laura Walker, Shelley Rasmussen, Steven Nielsen, Mark Ingle, Richard Rothe, Richard Hantke
  • Publication number: 20050154365
    Abstract: A visually coordinated absorbent product includes a article component having a body side liner, a garment side outer cover and an absorbent core disposed between the body side liner and the garment side outer cover. The article component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is different than the second visual characteristic. The article component is disposed in a packaging component having at least the first and second visual characteristics. In one embodiment, the packaging component is an individual pouch sized and configured to hold a single, individual article component. In various embodiments, the visual characteristics can include color, embossment, printing, and/or side sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Teresa Zander, Kristi Bryant, Debra Haase, Sheila Heyrman, Kim Hoertsch, Adrienne Loyd, William Reeves, Garry Woltman, Theodore Tower, Jennifer Pozniak, Angela Heck, Richard Hantke
  • Publication number: 20050148979
    Abstract: A personal care product includes a personal care product component disposed in a packaging component. The packaging component includes a panel and a flap having a free edge positioned adjacent the panel. One of the flap and panel includes a sensory cue directed at the free edge of the flap. The sensory cue provides indicia as to the location of the free edge and terminates at the free edge. In one embodiment, the packaging component includes a front panel, a back panel and a flap overlying a portion of the front panel. In one embodiment, the sensory cue is configured as a visual cue. In another aspect, a method of using a personal care product includes locating the free edge of the packaging component using the visual cue and grasping the flap and opening the packaging component to access the personal care product component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Palma, Adrienne Loyd, Marie Mathews, Kristi Bryant
  • Publication number: 20050145523
    Abstract: A visually coordinated absorbent product includes a product component having a body side liner, a garment side outer cover and an absorbent core disposed between the body side liner and the garment side outer cover. The product component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is different than the second visual characteristic. The product component is disposed in a packaging component having at least the first and second visual characteristics. In one embodiment, the packaging component is an individual pouch sized and configured to hold a single, individual product component. In various embodiments, the visual characteristics can include color, embossment, printing, and/or side sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Teresa Zander, Kristi Bryant, Debra Haase, Sheila Heyrman, Kim Hoertsch, Adrienne Loyd, William Reeves, Garry Woltman, Theodore Tower
  • Publication number: 20050137565
    Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a feminine care product, includes a liquid permeable top cover, a generally liquid impermeable baffle, and an absorbent structure disposed between the top cover and outer cover. The garment facing side of the baffle includes hook material as a primary attachment mechanism between the baffle and the undergarment. The top cover is a hook compatible material that is releasably attachable to the hook material such that the article can be rolled into a tube-like configuration wherein the hook material is releasably engaged with the hook compatible material for maintaining the article in a rolled configuration. A protective backing sheet is disposed between the top cover and the garment facing side of the baffle in the rolled configuration of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Kristi Bryant, Michelle Sroda
  • Publication number: 20050131377
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has an absorbent assembly disposed within a garment shell configured for encircling a wearer's waist. The absorbent assembly has an inner surface adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, a front waist region in opposed relationship with a front waist region of the garment shell, a back waist region in opposed relationship with a back waist region of the garment shell, and a crotch region extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly is releasably attached generally at a front waist end thereof to the garment shell generally at the front waist end of the garment shell, and is also releasably attached generally at a back waist end thereof to the garment shell generally at the back waist end of the garment shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Franke, Kristi Bryant, Cynthia Hendren, Richard Kamps, David Kuen, Lisa Nickel, Katherine Wheeler, Yee Yang
  • Publication number: 20050131381
    Abstract: An absorbent garment for wear about a wearer's waist includes a waist belt, a garment shell and an absorbent assembly constructed to take in and retain body exudates released by the wearer. The absorbent assembly is releasably attached generally at front and back waist regions thereof to the waist belt. The garment shell is attached generally at front and back waist regions thereof to the waist belt, with the absorbent assembly generally disposed within the garment shell, whereby the front waist region of the garment shell is in opposed relationship with the front waist region of the absorbent assembly and the back waist region of the garment shell is in opposed relationship with the back waist region of the absorbent assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: David Kuen, Kristi Bryant, Mark Franke, Cynthia Hendren, Richard Kamps, Lisa Nickel, Katherine Wheeler, Yee Yang
  • Publication number: 20050125879
    Abstract: An absorbent garment has an absorbent assembly disposed within a garment shell configured for encircling the wearer's waist. The garment shell comprises a front panel assembly having laterally opposite side margins, and a back panel assembly having laterally opposite side margins. The absorbent assembly is attached at a front waist region thereof to the garment shell generally at the side margins of the front panel assembly to together define front side margins of the absorbent garment. The absorbent assembly is further attached at a back waist region thereof to the garment shell generally at the side margins of the back panel assembly to together define back side margins of the absorbent garment. The front side margins and the back side margins of the absorbent garment are releasably attached to each other to removably secure the absorbent garment on the wearer's waist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Yee Yang, Lisa Nickel, Kristi Bryant, Mark Franke, Cynthia Hendren, Richard Kamps, David Kuen, Katherine Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20050101931
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system and method for disguising a personal care product. The personal care product includes a pattern that matches a design on an undergarment so that the personal care product blends into the background of the undergarment. The method for disguising the personal care product includes creating a pattern to match the design on the undergarment and placing the pattern on the personal care product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Kristi Bryant, Glory Alcantara, Mary McDaniel, Michelle Sroda, Susan Weyenberg, Katherine Wheeler, Teresa Zander