Patents by Inventor Marsha R. Forthofer
Marsha R. Forthofer 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).
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Publication number: 20220202630Abstract: A material for distributing fluid can include a first side edge, a second side edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The material can include a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. The material can be liquid impermeable and at least one of the first surface and the second surface include at least one channel. The channel can include a channel width, a channel length, and a channel depth. The channel width can be from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm. The channel depth can be configured such that the channel does not extend completely through the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Karen Goeders, Wing-Chak Ng, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Patent number: 11255360Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a sequence of capillary components including a connective section in fluid communication with a diverging section, the diverging section having a forward side and dimensions inducing a concave meniscus in the forward direction, wherein the connective section of the second capillary unit is connected to the forward side of the diverging section of the first capillary unit to form at least one transition section, and wherein a change in the dimensions in the transition section induces in the backward direction a convex liquid meniscus or a straight liquid meniscus with an infinite radius of curvature.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Werner Baumgartner, Gerda Buchberger, Florian Hischen, Philipp Comanns
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Patent number: 10927853Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Karen M. Goeders, Marsha R. Forthofer, Wing-Chak Ng
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Publication number: 20200096009Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Karen M. Goeders, Marsha R., Forthofer, Wing-Chak Ng
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Publication number: 20190101142Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a sequence of capillary components including a connective section in fluid communication with a diverging section, the diverging section having a forward side and dimensions inducing a concave meniscus in the forward direction, wherein the connective section of the second capillary unit is connected to the forward side of the diverging section of the first capillary unit to form at least one transition section, and wherein a change in the dimensions in the transition section induces in the backward direction a convex liquid meniscus or a straight liquid meniscus with an infinite radius of curvature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Werner Baumgartner, Gerda Buchberger, Florian Hischen, Philipp Comanns
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Patent number: 9237973Abstract: A personal care article comprising a nonwoven fluid permeable topsheet having a body-facing surface and an opposing backside surface, a fluid impermeable backsheet and at least one intermediate layer disposed therebetween, wherein said fluid permeable topsheet comprises apertured holes wherein at least 10% of the aperture holes are treated with a hydrophilic treatment agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Frank P. Abuto, Marsha R. Forthofer, Nicole E. Cieslak, Donald E. Waldroup
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Publication number: 20150315749Abstract: A liquid-impermeable barrier material includes a hydrophilic nonwoven web having two surfaces, the nonwoven web including fibers; and a hydrophobic composition disposed on a surface, wherein the barrier material is breathable. The barrier material exhibits a positive hydrohead value. The hydrophobic composition can include a hydrophobic component selected from the group consisting of fluorinated polymers, perfluorinated polymers, and mixtures thereof. The barrier material can include a hydrophilic surface opposite the surface having the hydrophobic composition. The nonwoven web can include tissue, cellulose, or other suitable material. A barrier material has a hydrophobic surface and includes a hydrophilic nonwoven substrate treated with a composition including a hydrophobic component and water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Karen Meloy Goeders, Marsha R Forthofer
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Publication number: 20130197462Abstract: A personal care article comprising a nonwoven fluid permeable topsheet having a body-facing surface and an opposing backside surface, a fluid impermeable backsheet and at least one intermediate layer disposed therebetween, wherein said fluid permeable topsheet comprises apertured holes wherein at least 10% of the aperture holes are treated with a hydrophilic treatment agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: Frank P. Abuto, Marsha R. Forthofer, Nicole E. Cieslak, Donald E. Waldroup
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Patent number: 8486427Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe that contains a polymer coating having a synergistic combination of ingredients for providing controlled release of an antimicrobial agent and also good antimicrobial efficacy is provided. One such ingredient is a high molecular weight polyamideamine release agent. Due to the polycationic nature of the release agent, it is able to adhere to the wipe, which is generally formed from fibers having a negative surface charge (e.g., cellulosic fibers). In this manner, the release agent can occupy binding sites on the wipe to inhibit the antimicrobial agent from adhering thereto, thus allowing it to be expressed in the germicidal solution to kill microbes on the desired surface. The adherence of the release agent to the wipe is even further enhanced by crosslinking the polyamideamine to increase its molecular weight, thereby enabling it to form a structural network that physically adheres to the wipe and that blocks the antimicrobial agent from binding thereto.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Charles W. Colman, Marsha R. Forthofer, Mark B. Majors, Dennis L. Hasha
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Publication number: 20120207805Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe that contains a polymer coating having a synergistic combination of ingredients for providing controlled release of an antimicrobial agent and also good antimicrobial efficacy is provided. One such ingredient is a high molecular weight polyamideamine release agent. Due to the polycationic nature of the release agent, it is able to adhere to the wipe, which is generally formed from fibers having a negative surface charge (e.g., cellulosic fibers). In this manner, the release agent can occupy binding sites on the wipe to inhibit the antimicrobial agent from adhering thereto, thus allowing it to be expressed in the germicidal solution to kill microbes on the desired surface. The adherence of the release agent to the wipe is even further enhanced by crosslinking the polyamideamine to increase its molecular weight, thereby enabling it to form a structural network that physically adheres to the wipe and that blocks the antimicrobial agent from binding thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Colman, Marsha R. Forthofer, Mark B. Majors, Dennis L. Hasha