Patents by Inventor Mark James Kline

Mark James Kline 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: 9333125
    Abstract: Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Michael Irwin Lawson, Anna Elizabeth Macura, Jeromy Thomas Raycheck, Oscar Antonio Ruiz
  • Patent number: 9326898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an array of front-fastenable disposable wearable absorbent articles with differing ear shapes. Each different ear shape corresponds to a body shape and activity level for a particular wearer. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first article, sized for a wearer of a first size, has a first side ear with a first side ear upper edge with concave portions, and a second article, sized for a wearer of a second size that is greater than the first size, has a second side ear with a second side ear upper edge with convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Ronald Joseph Zink, Selin Mano Mariadhas
  • Publication number: 20160100998
    Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Mark James KLINE, Anna Elizabeth MACURA, Michael Irwin LAWSON, Ronald Joseph ZINK
  • Publication number: 20160100994
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis, an absorbent core, a pair of elastically elongatable ears and a pair of fastening tabs. The elastically elongatable ears and the fastening tabs have a transverse axis. The ears are connected to the chassis such that the transverse axis of the fastening tabs is located in specific portions of the article. The absorbent core is free of cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Mark James Kline
  • Publication number: 20160101003
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet including an outer cover non-woven material, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; at least one elastically elongatable panel joined to the chassis; and a fastening system, the fastening system having a male fastener and a female fastening material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Marc Jennewein, Joerg Mueller, Mark James Kline, Gabriele Elisabeth Krallmann, Nayda Liz Ramos-Medina, Han XU, Fang Liu
  • Publication number: 20160095760
    Abstract: A first fastening member joined to an absorbent article. A second fastening member joined to the absorbent article. The first fastening member and the second fastening member each include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member includes a first engaging component and a second engaging component, respectively. The second surface of each of the first fastening member and the second fastening member includes a first receiving component and a second receiving component, respectively. The first engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the second fastening member or a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, and the second engaging component is configured to engage a garment-facing surface of the first fastening member or a portion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Mark James KLINE, Anna Elizabeth MACURA, Michael Gary NEASE
  • Publication number: 20160067940
    Abstract: The invention refers to a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant or a sanitary napkin. The disposable absorbent article further comprises a structure which is able to elongate and simultaneously convert from an initial flat configuration into an erected configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Tina LIEBE, Mathias Konrad HIPPE, Mark James KLINE
  • Publication number: 20160067939
    Abstract: The invention refers to a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant or a sanitary napkin. The disposable absorbent article further comprises a structure which is able to elongate and simultaneously convert from an initial flat configuration into an erected configuration and which comprises multiple levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Tina LIEBE, Mathias Konrad HIPPE, Mark James KLINE
  • Publication number: 20160030259
    Abstract: A force focused fastening system maintaining a fastener element in plane during fastening. The force focused fastening system includes a force focused fastening member including an extensible region and an end region. The end region includes a fastener element and the extensible region includes a high modulus region aligned relative to a center portion of the fastener element. During fastening, the force focused fastening member directs forces toward the center portion of the fastener element, away from end portions, minimizing distortion of the fastener element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Anna Elizabeth Macura, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 9241848
    Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Anna Elizabeth Macura, Michael Irwin Lawson, Ronald Joseph Zink
  • Patent number: 9241847
    Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Anna Elizabeth Macura, Michael Irwin Lawson, Ronald Joseph Zink
  • Patent number: 9241842
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis, an absorbent core, a pair of elastically elongatable ears and a pair of fastening tabs. The elastically elongatable ears and the fastening tabs have a transverse axis. The ears are connected to the chassis such that the transverse axis of the fastening tabs is located in specific portions of the article. The absorbent core is free of cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 9220644
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis, an absorbent core, a pair of elastically elongatable ears and a pair of fastening tabs. The elastically elongatable ears and the fastening tabs have a transverse axis. The ears are connected to the chassis such that the transverse axis of the fastening tabs is located in specific portions of the article. The absorbent core is free of cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Carroll Roe, Mark James Kline
  • Publication number: 20150360458
    Abstract: A method for folding a fastener during a high speed manufacturing process and maintaining the fastener in a folded configuration throughout the high speed manufacturing process. The method includes obtaining an article that has a foldable fastener and moving the article in the machine direction during the high speed manufacturing process. The foldable fastener has first and second opposing surfaces, a web and at least one engaging member joined to the web. The method includes applying a frangible bonding agent to a first portion of the first surface of the fastening system; folding the fastening system such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastening system; and allowing the frangible bonding agent to cool at a temperature of less than 60° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Lange, Mark James Kline, Jay Tao, Ebrahim Rezai, James David Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 9211221
    Abstract: A force focused fastening system maintaining a fastener element in plane during fastening. The force focused fastening system includes a force focused fastening member including an extensible region and an end region. The end region includes a fastener element and the extensible region includes a high modulus region aligned relative to a center portion of the fastener element. During fastening, the force focused fastening member directs forces toward the center portion of the fastener element, away from end portions, minimizing distortion of the fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anna Elizabeth Macura, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 9173780
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a disposable garment having a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between the front region and the back region. The disposable garment comprises a chassis in the front region, the back region, and the crotch region. The chassis comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable garment comprises a pair of ear panels extending laterally outward from the chassis in the front region or the back region, a seam panel extending laterally outward from at least one of the ear panels, and a tab formed with the seam panel and extending laterally outward from the seam panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Barclay Buell, Gregory Ashton, Craig Andrew Hawkins, William Robert Vinnage, Jr., Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 9144963
    Abstract: A method for folding a fastener during a high speed manufacturing process and maintaining the fastener in a folded configuration throughout the high speed manufacturing process. The method includes obtaining an article that has a foldable fastener and moving the article in the machine direction during the high speed manufacturing process. The foldable fastener has first and second opposing surfaces, a web and at least one engaging member joined to the web. The method includes applying a frangible bonding agent to a first portion of the first surface of the fastening system; folding the fastening system such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastening system; and allowing the frangible bonding agent to cool at a temperature of less than 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Lange, Mark James Kline, Jay Tao, Ebrahim Rezai, James David Landgrebe
  • Publication number: 20150238373
    Abstract: A hook for use on a male fastening material in a fastening system, wherein the hook is configured for use with a fibrous material as a female fastening material in the fastening system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Nayda Liz Ramos-Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Publication number: 20150209201
    Abstract: A fastening system comprising a nonwoven web material operable to fastenably engage a fastening component is disclosed. The nonwoven web material may comprising multicomponent fibers having a polyolefin component and a polyamide component, and a machine direction bias. The nonwoven web material may bear an impressed pattern of thermal bonds having an average frequency along any line that can be identified in the machine direction, of at least 0.5 bonds per cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Shrish Yashwant Rane, Mark James Kline, Fang Liu
  • Patent number: 9091005
    Abstract: A nonwoven web is provided. The nonwoven web contains a side-by-side composite fiber having crimps. The composite fiber contains first and second propylene polymers. The nonwoven web contains a bonded portion that contains a bonding pattern containing zigzag unit patterns. The zigzag unit patterns are continuous and substantially parallel with a first direction and are disposed in a second direction at predetermined intervals. A triangle formed by adjacent three contact points of a first diagonal line and a second diagonal line of the unit pattern contains a part of the unit pattern that is adjacent to the triangle in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto, Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline