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).

  • Publication number: 20220202630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Karen Goeders, Wing-Chak Ng, Sridhar Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 11255360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Werner Baumgartner, Gerda Buchberger, Florian Hischen, Philipp Comanns
  • Patent number: 10927853
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Karen M. Goeders, Marsha R. Forthofer, Wing-Chak Ng
  • Publication number: 20200096009
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Karen M. Goeders, Marsha R., Forthofer, Wing-Chak Ng
  • Publication number: 20190101142
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Marsha R. Forthofer, Werner Baumgartner, Gerda Buchberger, Florian Hischen, Philipp Comanns
  • Patent number: 9237973
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank P. Abuto, Marsha R. Forthofer, Nicole E. Cieslak, Donald E. Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20150315749
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Meloy Goeders, Marsha R Forthofer
  • Publication number: 20130197462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Frank P. Abuto, Marsha R. Forthofer, Nicole E. Cieslak, Donald E. Waldroup
  • Patent number: 8486427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Colman, Marsha R. Forthofer, Mark B. Majors, Dennis L. Hasha
  • Publication number: 20120207805
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Colman, Marsha R. Forthofer, Mark B. Majors, Dennis L. Hasha