Patents by Inventor Melissa C. Putzer

Melissa C. Putzer 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: 9901492
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Baer, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150173976
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9006509
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130211361
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8273066
    Abstract: A mass produced absorbent article having an image of a quality that is commercially acceptable. The image is produced by ink jet printheads applying ink to a web moving at high speed under the jets in the course of manufacturing the article. The image is printed at low resolution but is characterized in part by a higher coverage area ratio and brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Anderson, Michael J. Garvey, Melissa C. Putzer, Timothy J. Probst, Eric D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6482194
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a material formed as a single piece having two enlarged end portions and a narrowed portion intermediate the enlarged end portions and arranged for wearing by an individual. The material includes a fluid permeable topsheet, a fluid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent layer disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the fluid impermeable backsheet. Integral pleats extending along opposed side of a longitudinal centerline of the material between the enlarged end portions are provided for expanding at least the absorbent layer and the fluid impermeable backsheet away from the skin of the individual for collection of fecal matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Melissa C. Putzer
  • Patent number: 6468255
    Abstract: A personal care absorbent article, such as an infant diaper, a training pant, an incontinence garment and the like, having a structure for forming a separation barrier between a wetting point and a fecal discharge point when the wearer of the personal care absorbent article is in a sitting position. The structure having an expandable region connected to a compressible region whereby the expandable region forms the separation barrier upon compression of the compressible region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara O. Sauer, Melissa C. Putzer
  • Patent number: 6102892
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that is comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing liquid and solid body exudates without leakage. The absorbent article may be a diaper that includes a backsheet layer, a substantially liquid-permeable liner layer, and an absorbent core located between the backsheet and the liner. The backsheet generally defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, and an intermediate section, with the intermediate section interconnecting the front and rear waistband sections and disposed between laterally opposed side margins. The backsheet layer has at least one pleat adjacent each side margin that defines an expanded volume when the pleat expands, the expanded volume being greater than the volume when the pleat is unexpanded. The pleat is accessible to body exudates that pass through or around the absorbent core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa C. Putzer, Daniel R. Schlinz, Frank P. Abuto
  • Patent number: 5601542
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an absorbent composite suitable for use in a disposable absorbent garment. The absorbent composite includes means for containing a superabsorbent material and a superabsorbent material contained by said containment means. The superabsorbent material has a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a 16-hour extractable level of less than about 13 weight percent; a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least 100 and a Vortex Time of less than about 45 seconds; or a Pressure Absorbency Index of at least about 110. The superabsorbent material is present in said containment means in an amount of from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on total weight of the containment means and the superabsorbent material. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a disposable absorbent garment including an outer cover, a body-side liner, and an absorbent composite such as that described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Mark K. Melius, Sandra M. Yarbrough, Melissa C. Putzer, Stanley R. Kellenberger, Shannon K. Byerly