Patents by Inventor Melissa Jean Dennis

Melissa Jean Dennis 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: 20210386596
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a liquid-impermeable layer, a body-facing surface, and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer and the absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface of the shell. The absorbent article is configurable between a before use packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least two transverse fold lines and a portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard A. Foelsche, Luke Delehanty Hagan, Margaux Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 11123233
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration. A portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard A. Foelsche, Luke Delehanty Hagan, Margaux Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 10022468
    Abstract: Improved skin-adhesive compositions for bonding a substrate, such as an absorbent article, to skin are disclosed. More particularly, the skin-adhesive composition has an improved, yet gentle, adhesion to the skin of a user, while maintaining strong, effective bonding to various inanimate, non-skin substrates. In one embodiment, the skin-adhesive composition can provide one or more skin benefit agents to the user. The skin-adhesive composition may be applied to an absorbent article, such as a panty-liner, sanitary napkin, or an incontinence article, for directly adhering the article to the skin of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Jack Nelson Lindon, Russell F. Ross, Melissa Jean Dennis, Garry Roland Woltman
  • Publication number: 20180021185
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration. A portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard A. Foelsche, Luke Delehanty Hagan, Margaux Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 9820892
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration. A portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Lutzow, Gerhard Foelsche, Luke Hagan, Margaux Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 9814632
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Melissa Jean Dennis
  • Patent number: 9072636
    Abstract: A disposable personal care article includes a shell having a unitary structure for disposition adjacent a wearer's vulva region; wherein the shell has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first area and a second area, the first area including body adhesive properties; wherein at least a portion of the first area comprises a body attachment means for adhering the shell directly to the skin and/or hair of the wearer; and wherein the shell has an anterior portion and a posterior portion where the posterior portion exhibits a higher % Extension relative to the anterior portion when a stretching force of 454 grams is applied, as measured by the % Strain Differential Test; and an absorbent structure present in the second area of the shell, wherein the first area is longitudinally separated from the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Russell Frederick Ross, Luke Hagan, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard Andrew Foelsche, Aidan J Petrie, Alan Schinazi
  • Publication number: 20140221953
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent structure is attached directly to the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. The absorbent structure is folded longitudinally about at least one transverse fold line and transversely about at least one longitudinal fold line in the packaged configuration. A portion of the shell overlies a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Lutzow, Gerhard Foelsche, Luke Hagan, Margaux Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Patent number: 8734413
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. At least a portion of the shell extends outward beyond the periphery of the absorbent structure. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. At least part of the outward extending portion of the shell is arranged in direct overlapping relationship with a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration. The outward extending portion of the shell is free from overlapping relationship with the absorbent structure in the use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard Andrew Foelsche, Luke Delehanty Hagan, Margaux Frances Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Publication number: 20140142530
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Melissa Jean Dennis
  • Patent number: 8672911
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Melissa Jean Dennis
  • Patent number: 8292862
    Abstract: A disposable personal care article comprises a shell having a unitary structure for disposition adjacent a wearer's vulva region, where the shell has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first area and a second area. The first area of the shell contacts to the wearer's skin and/or hair surrounding the vulva region. At least a portion of the first area comprises a body attachment means for adhering the shell directly to the skin and/or hair of the wearer. In addition, the shell has an anterior half and a posterior half where the posterior half exhibits a higher extension relative to the anterior half when a stretching force of 454 grams is applied. In some aspects, the article further includes an absorbent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Russell Frederick Ross, Luke Hagan, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard Andrew Foelsche, Aidan J. Petrie, Alan Schinazi
  • Publication number: 20120203192
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure relates to an adhesive transfer layer that may be incorporated in a body adhering absorbent article. Various adhesive transfer layers and methods of constructing the same are described. For example, in one embodiment the adhesive transfer layer (ATL) may comprise a construction adhesive, a body attachment adhesive, a carrier and a peel strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Perry Allen Bush, Donald James Schmidt, Todd William Wilkes, David John Enz, John Timothy Hahn
  • Publication number: 20100198177
    Abstract: Improved skin-adhesive compositions for bonding a substrate, such as an absorbent article, to skin are disclosed. More particularly, the skin-adhesive composition has an improved, yet gentle, adhesion to the skin of a user, while maintaining strong, effective bonding to various inanimate, non-skin substrates. In one embodiment, the skin-adhesive composition can provide one or more skin benefit agents to the user. The skin-adhesive composition may be applied to an absorbent article, such as a panty-liner, sanitary napkin, or an incontinence article, for directly adhering the article to the skin of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Yahiaoui, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Margaret Gwyn Latimer, Jack Nelson Lindon, Melissa Jean Dennis, Garry Roland Woltman
  • Publication number: 20090204090
    Abstract: A packaged feminine care absorbent article has an absorbent article with an absorbent structure and a shell. The absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. At least a portion of the shell extends outward beyond the periphery of the absorbent structure. The absorbent article is configurable between a packaged configuration and a use configuration. At least part of the outward extending portion of the shell is arranged in direct overlapping relationship with a portion of the absorbent structure in the packaged configuration. The outward extending portion of the shell is free from overlapping relationship with the absorbent structure in the use configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Gerhard Andrew Foelsche, Luke Delehanty Hagan, Margaux Frances Boyaval, Adrienne Rae Loyd
  • Publication number: 20090198203
    Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Carmen Lira, Candace Dyan Krautkramer, Melissa Jean Dennis
  • Publication number: 20090182296
    Abstract: A personal care article comprises an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a wearer's vulva region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer, and a shell for supporting the absorbent structure at the vulva region. The shell has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first area and a second area. The first area surrounds and bounds at least a portion of the second area. In addition, at least a portion of the first area comprises a body adhesive. Furthermore, the absorbent structure is present in the second area of the shell. In addition, the first area of the shell contacts to the wearer's skin and/or hair surrounding the vulva region and the second area does not contact the vulva when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Melissa Jean Dennis, Adrienne Rae Loyd, Thomas Harold Roessler, Thomas Andrew Lutzow, Aidan J. Petrie, Daniel Joseph Nelson
  • Patent number: 6773424
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a narrow crotch portion and elasticized shield shields is disclosed. The absorbent article has a fit factor defined as the minimum crotch width divided by the effective height of the side shields. In one embodiment, the absorbent article includes and an absorbent structure having a central portion defined by a width about 65 millimeters or less, and a length about 50 millimeters or greater, and the absorbent article having a fit factor less than about 7.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila Marie Heyrman, David Charles Musil, Melissa Jean Dennis, Debra Ann Haase
  • Publication number: 20030171732
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a narrow crotch portion and elasticized shield shields is disclosed. The absorbent article has a fit factor defined as the minimum crotch width divided by the effective height of the side shields. In one embodiment, the absorbent article includes and an absorbent structure having a central portion defined by a width about 65 millimeters or less, and a length about 50 millimeters or greater, and the absorbent article having a fit factor less than about 7.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Sheila Marie Heyrman, David Charles Musil, Melissa Jean Dennis, Debra Ann Haase