Patents by Inventor Matthew B. Lake

Matthew B. Lake 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: 20240328035
    Abstract: A method of making nonwoven webs comprising providing a spinneret wherein the spinneret includes a pattern of conduits, the pattern of conduits forming an extrusion region; directing only a first stream of molten propylene polymer having a first temperature into a region adjacent of the first side of the spinneret, directing only a second stream of molten propylene polymer having a second temperature into a region distal to the first side of the spinneret, extruding only the first stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings in a first zone; extruding only the second stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings of a second zone; the second zone is distal to the first side with the first zone being between the second zone and the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: John H. Conrad, III, Isabelle R. Bouchard, Matthew B. Lake, Eric E. Lennon
  • Patent number: 12037713
    Abstract: A method of making nonwoven webs comprising providing a spinneret wherein the spinneret includes a pattern of conduits, the pattern of conduits forming an extrusion region; directing only a first stream of molten propylene polymer having a first temperature into a region adjacent of the first side of the spinneret, directing only a second stream of molten propylene polymer having a second temperature into a region distal to the first side of the spinneret, extruding only the first stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings in a first zone; extruding only the second stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings of a second zone; the second zone is distal to the first side with the first zone being between the second zone and the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Conrad, Isabelle R. Bouchard, Matthew B. Lake, Eric E. Lennon
  • Publication number: 20220307175
    Abstract: A method of making nonwoven webs comprising providing a spinneret wherein the spinneret includes a pattern of conduits, the pattern of conduits forming an extrusion region; directing only a first stream of molten propylene polymer having a first temperature into a region adjacent of the first side of the spinneret, directing only a second stream of molten propylene polymer having a second temperature into a region distal to the first side of the spinneret, extruding only the first stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings in a first zone; extruding only the second stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings of a second zone; the second zone is distal to the first side with the first zone being between the second zone and the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: John H. Conrad, Isabelle R. Bouchard, Matthew B. Lake, Eric E. Lennon
  • Patent number: 8795816
    Abstract: Coextruded films provide cross directional zoned multiple components side-by-side to one another. Systems and methods relate to coextruding such films. During coextrusion, a first polymer conjoins with a second polymer while a temperature differential is maintained between the first and second polymers. This temperature differential is selected to reduce a difference between the viscosities of the first and second polymers making the viscosity of the first polymer close enough to the viscosity of the second polymer to avoid separation upon coextrusion. Further, the films may form a layer in subsequent lamination to other material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Lake, Bryon Paul Day
  • Patent number: 8460588
    Abstract: Coextruded films provide cross directional zoned multiple components side-by-side to one another. Systems and methods relate to coextruding such films. During coextrusion, a first polymer conjoins with a second polymer while a temperature differential is maintained between the first and second polymers. This temperature differential is selected to reduce a difference between the viscosities of the first and second polymers making the viscosity of the first polymer close enough to the viscosity of the second polymer to avoid separation upon coextrusion. Further, the films may form a layer in subsequent lamination to other material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Lake, Bryon Paul Day
  • Patent number: 8287677
    Abstract: A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Lake, James R. Fitts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120148796
    Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing an extrusion-coated film/nonwoven laminate through a nip to create apertures through both the film and the nonwoven. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Apertures are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, element pattern, degree of film tension, temperature and pressure conditions, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Glenda J. Rhodes, Lei Huang, Matthew B. Lake, Wing-Chak Ng, Akwokwo H. Redhead, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira, Oomman P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110160687
    Abstract: An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing an extrusion-coated film/nonwoven laminate through a nip to create apertures through both the film and the nonwoven. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Apertures are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, element pattern, degree of film tension, temperature and pressure conditions, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Glenda J. Rhodes, Lei Huang, Matthew B. Lake, Wing-Chak Ng, Akwokwo H. Redhead, Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira, Oomman P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090197041
    Abstract: A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Lake, James R. Fitts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090035593
    Abstract: Coextruded films provide cross directional zoned multiple components side-by-side to one another. Systems and methods relate to coextruding such films. During coextrusion, a first polymer conjoins with a second polymer while a temperature differential is maintained between the first and second polymers. This temperature differential is selected to reduce a difference between the viscosities of the first and second polymers making the viscosity of the first polymer close enough to the viscosity of the second polymer to avoid separation upon coextrusion. Further, the films may form a layer in subsequent lamination to other material layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew B. Lake, Bryon Paul Day