Patents by Inventor Linda A. Connor
Linda A. Connor 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: 8577650Abstract: Predicting thermal strain and providing a visual representation of the predicted thermal strain on a subject. A computerized model combines subject data, fabric data, and environmental conditions to simulate the thermal comfort of the subject wearing a plurality of fabric layers over time. The visual representation indicates the simulated thermal comfort on an image of the subject with the plurality of fabric layers. A user interface enables a user to modify or define the input data to compare the predicted thermal comfort of the subject wearing different garments under the same working conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Linda Connor Sledge, Ralph Solarski, Kenneth John Zwick, Audra Wright
-
Patent number: 8551895Abstract: A laminate is generally provided having alcohol repellency properties. In one particular embodiment, the laminate includes a meltblown web bonded to a spunbond web (e.g., a SM laminate, a SMS laminate, a SMMS laminate, etc.). A fluorinated polymeric coating is attached to the surface of the spunbond web (e.g., grafted). The fluorinated polymeric coating comprises a perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer polymerized on the surface of the spunbond web via exposure to a low frequency energy source. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer has a perfluoroalkyl side groups comprising —(CF2)z—F, where z is an integer from 1 to 6. The laminate has an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Anthony S. Spencer, Linda Connor Sledge, John Joseph Lassig, Eric Edward Lennon
-
Publication number: 20120164906Abstract: A laminate is generally provided having alcohol repellency properties. In one particular embodiment, the laminate includes a meltblown web bonded to a spunbond web (e.g., a SM laminate, a SMS laminate, a SMMS laminate, etc.). A fluorinated polymeric coating is attached to the surface of the spunbond web (e.g., grafted). The fluorinated polymeric coating comprises a perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer polymerized on the surface of the spunbond web via exposure to a low frequency energy source. The perfluoroalkyl(alkyl) (meth)acrylate monomer has a perfluoroalkyl side groups comprising —(CF2)z—F, where z is an integer from 1 to 6. The laminate has an alcohol repellency of greater than 80%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Anthony S. Spencer, Linda Connor Sledge, John Joseph Lassig, Eric Edward Lennon
-
Patent number: 8005655Abstract: Modeling a plurality of fabric layers on a subject to predict thermal strain. The computerized model combines subject data, fabric data, and environmental conditions to simulate the thermal comfort of the subject over time. In an embodiment, a user interface enables a user to modify or define the input data to compare the predicted thermal comfort of different garments under the same working conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Linda Connor Sledge, Kenneth John Zwick, Ralph Solarski, Audra Wright
-
Publication number: 20090216509Abstract: Predicting thermal strain and providing a visual representation of the predicted thermal strain on a subject. A computerized model combines subject data, fabric data, and environmental conditions to simulate the thermal comfort of the subject wearing a plurality of fabric layers over time. The visual representation indicates the simulated thermal comfort on an image of the subject with the plurality of fabric layers. A user interface enables a user to modify or define the input data to compare the predicted thermal comfort of the subject wearing different garments under the same working conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Linda Connor Sledge, Kenneth John Zwick, Ralph Solarski, Audra Wright
-
Publication number: 20090216482Abstract: Modeling a plurality of fabric layers on a subject to predict thermal strain. The computerized model combines subject data, fabric data, and environmental conditions to simulate the thermal comfort of the subject over time. In an embodiment, a user interface enables a user to modify or define the input data to compare the predicted thermal comfort of different garments under the same working conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Baker, Linda Connor Sledge, Kenneth John Zwick, Ralph Solarski, Audra Wright
-
Patent number: 6368689Abstract: A rolled web of centerflow material, such as paper or non-woven material includes perforation lines separating the material into individual wipes or sheets. Each perforation line comprises a varying perforation profile defined by opposite edge portions and a middle portion having generally the same bond strengths, and intermediate portions between the edge and middle portions having a different bond strength. This perforation profile is effective in reducing dispensing defects, and particularly streaming/roping defects. Alternatively, the perforation line may have stronger edge portions adjacent at lest one weaker middle portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Linda A. Connor Sledge, Tammy L. Baum, John R. Hanson, Donald E. Waldroup
-
Patent number: 5478586Abstract: A container includes a cap having a press slidably mounted therein. At the distal end of the press is a filter and at the other end is a handle. A user places the press in the container and adds coffee grounds or tea leaves and hot water on top of the filter. The container, coffee grounds or tea leaves, and hot water are allowed to steep for a period of time. The user then pulls upward on the handle, moving the filter from a first brewing position to a second spent position in which the coffee grounds or tea leaves are trapped between the filter and cap. In the preferred embodiment, the press is then removed from the container and the user drinks the resulting coffee, tea or other beverage directly from the container.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Inventor: Linda Connor
-
Patent number: 5455110Abstract: Fabrics having good bulk, barrier properties and air permeability are made by laminating a first flat spunbond web formed from thermoplastic fibers, a three-dimensional nonwoven meltblown web formed from thermoplastic fibers and a second flat spunbond web formed from thermoplastic fibers, wherein the three-dimensional nonwoven web is located between the first and second spunbond webs.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventor: Linda A. Connor
-
Patent number: 5425987Abstract: A nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands includes a blend of a polyolefin and elastomeric thermoplastic material in one side or the sheath of the multicomponent polymeric strands. The fabric has improved abrasion resistance and comparable strength and softness properties. The thermoplastic elastomeric copolymer is preferably A-B-A' block copolymer wherein A and A' are each a thermoplastic endblock which includes a styrenic moiety and wherein B is an elastomeric poly(ethylene-butylene) mid block. Composite materials including such multicomponent material bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Susan E. Shawver, Linda A. Connor, Paul W. Estey, Jay S. Shultz, David C. Strack
-
Patent number: 5405682Abstract: A nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands includes a blend of a polyolefin and elastomeric thermoplastic material in one side or the sheath of the multicomponent polymeric strands. The fabric has improved abrasion resistance and comparable strength and softness properties. The thermoplastic elastomeric copolymer is preferably A-B-A' block copolymer wherein A and A' are each a thermoplastic endblock which includes a styrenic moiety and wherein B is an elastomeric poly(ethylene-butylene) mid block. Composite materials including such multicomponent material bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1992Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Kimberly Clark CorporationInventors: Susan E. Shawyer, Linda A. Connor, Paul W. Estey, Jay S. Shultz, David C. Strack
-
Patent number: 5366786Abstract: There is disclosed a thermally bonded spunbond web of thermoplastic filaments and a nonwoven fabric laminate comprising an internal layer of meltblown thermoplastic microfibers sandwiched between two layers of spunbond thermoplastic filaments. The spunbond web and the spunbond layers of the fabric laminate consist of thermoplastic filaments which are formed from a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and an effective amount of a nucleating agent. The layers are bonded by thermal spot bonding. In the preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is polypropylene with a melt-flow rate of at 230 .degree. C. of or greater than 12 grams per ten minutes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the nucleating agent constitutes from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight of the mixture of polypropylene and nucleating agent.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1992Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Linda A. Connor, Peter Maddern
-
Patent number: 5336552Abstract: A nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands includes a blend of a polyolefin and ethylene alkyl acrylate in one side or the sheath of the multicomponent polymeric strands. The fabric has improved abrasion resistance, strength, toughness and softness properties. Composite materials including such multicomponent material bonded to both sides of an inner meltblown layer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: David C. Strack, Linda A. Connor, Sharon W. Gwaltney, Ann L. McCormack, Susan E. Shawver, Jay S. Shultz
-
Nonwoven fibrous hydraulically entangled non-elastic coform material and method of formation thereof
Patent number: 4931355Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous non-elastic webs, reinforced nonwoven fibrous non-elastic webs and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The nonwoven fibrous non-elastic webs are a hydraulically entangled coform or admixture of non-elastic meltblown fibers and fibrous material, with or without particulate material. The fibrous material (e.g., non-elastic fibrous material) can be at least one of pulp fibers, staple fibers, meltblown fibers and continuous filaments. The use of meltblown fibers facilitates the hydraulic entangling, resulting in a high degree of entanglement and enabling the more effective use of shorter fibrous material. The hydraulic entangling technique provides a nonwoven fibrous material having increased web strength and allows for better control of other product attributes, such as absorbency, wet strength, printability and abrasion resistance. The coform can be hydraulically entangled with a reinforcing material, e.g., a melt-spun nonwoven, a scrim, screen, net, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1988Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, Lloyd E. Trimble, Leon E. Chambers, Jr., Linda A. Connor -
Patent number: 4879170Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous elastomeric web material, including absorbent webs and fabric web material, and methods of forming the same, are disclosed. The elastomeric web material is a hydraulically entangled coform or admixture of (1) meltblown fibers, such as elastic meltblown fibers and (2) pulp fibers and/or staple fibers and/or meltblown fibers and/or continuous filaments, with or without particulate material; such coform can be hydraulically entangled by itself or with other materials, including, e.g., super absorbent particulate material. The use of meltblown fibers facilitates the hydraulic entangling, resulting in a high degree of entanglement and enabling the use of shorter staple or pulp fibers. The hydraulic entangling technique provides a nonwoven fibrous elastic material having increased web strength and integrity, and allows for better control of other product attributes, such as absorbency, wet strength and abrasion resistance.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1988Date of Patent: November 7, 1989Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Fred R. Radwanski, Lloyd E. Trimble, Roland C. Smith, Linda A. Connor