Patents by Inventor Michael Andrew Zawadzki
Michael Andrew Zawadzki 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: 20210054532Abstract: Disclosed are processes for manufacturing cross-linked cellulosic fibers and tissue products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers, manufactured by reacting an oxidized polyol, in particular, an oxidized sugar having at least two aldehyde groups with a plurality of cellulosic fibers to yield treated fibers and heating the treated fibers at a temperature greater than about 140° C. to cure the treated fibers. In particular, said sugar is sucrose and the oxidising agent comprises hydrogen peroxide. The instant cross-linked fibers are manufactured without well-known cross-linking agents such as formaldehyde or polycarboxylic acids, and have good brightness and color and resist yellowing. Furthermore, the cross-linked cellulosic fibers are generally free from off odors and the instant cross-linked cellulosic fibers have enhanced properties, such as improved wet bulk, compared to uncross-linked fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay
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Patent number: 10753046Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
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Publication number: 20200240086Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 600 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 12.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Patent number: 10487454Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Patent number: 10458067Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
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Patent number: 10441603Abstract: The present invention relates to prebiotic compositions and formulations comprising an ?-hydroxy acid and salts thereof, such as lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric or malic acid and a prebiotic agent, such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), raffinose, stachyose, isomalto-oligosaccharide, and xylo-oligosaccharide. Prebiotic compositions of the present invention provide a surprisingly synergist prebiotic effect and may be administered in several forms to a user, such as by application to a premoistened wiping substrate or dry bath tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: David William Koenig, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, YoungSook Kim, SangHa Park, Jessica Caroline Rogers
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Publication number: 20190309482Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
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Patent number: 10385516Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
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Publication number: 20190226147Abstract: The present application relates to a cross-linked fiber and more specifically to fibers that have been subjected to cold caustic extraction (at less than 60° C.) to reduce the hemicellulose content of the fibers by at least 50% and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent that is curable at a modest temperature, such as less than 160° C. The treated cross-linked fibers preferably have a hemicellulose content that is less than 5% by weight of the fiber. Preferable cross-linking agents are polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, polyamide-polyamine-epichlorohydrin (PPE) resins, and polydiallylamine-epichlorohydrin resins. The cross-linked fibers are readily dispersible in water even without fiberization and generally form webs and products having relatively few knits or knots. As such, the cross-linked fibers of the present invention are well suited for use in the manufacture of tissue webs and products, particularly wet-laid tissue webs and products.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Mike Thomas Goulet, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Stephen Michael Lindsay
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Publication number: 20190136457Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products that are manufactured by non-compressive dewatering and/or drying methods, such as through-air drying, where the webs and products comprise cross-linked fiber. The non-compressively dewatered tissue webs and products have improved sheet bulk and z-direction properties. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides through-air dried tissue products having good sheet bulk and resiliency, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 12 cc/g and Compression Energy (E) greater than about 1.30 N/m. Surprisingly the foregoing products have sufficient strength to withstand use, such as a GMT greater than about 1,200 g/3?, but are not overly stiff, generally having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Mike Thomas Goulet, Kenneth John Zwick, Christopher Lee Satori, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Publication number: 20180056624Abstract: A substrate has an elastomeric film having surfaces and a nonwoven web having fibers, wherein a plurality of fibers is partially embedded in one surface of the film. In addition, a substrate has an elastomeric film and a nonwoven web having fibers, wherein a plurality of fibers is partially embedded in one surface of the film, and wherein the substrate is essentially free of adhesives and film-based microfibers. A method for making a film/nonwoven composite includes providing an elastomeric film traveling in a machine direction; providing a nonwoven web traveling in the machine direction in face-to-face contact with the film, wherein the nonwoven web includes fibers; and impinging the elastomeric film with hydro jets such that at least some of the fibers become embedded in the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Kaiyuan Yang, Carl Gerard Rippl, Peiguang Zhou, Yiming Weng, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, James Benjamin Harvey, Joel Brostin
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Publication number: 20180016749Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs and products comprising cross-linked cellulosic fibers. In certain embodiments cross-linked cellulosic fibers are selectively disposed in one or more layers of a multi-layered tissue, wherein the tissue layer comprising cross-linked fibers is adjacent to a layer which is substantially free from cross-linked fiber. The cross-linked fibers may include hardwood kraft fibers reacted with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of DMDHU, DMDHEU, DMU, DHEU, DMEU, and DMeDHEU. Tissue products and webs produced in this manner generally have improved sheet bulk, without losses in strength, compared to similar tissue products produced without cross-linked cellulosic fibers. As such the tissue products of the present invention generally have a basis weight from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater from about 8.0 to about 12.0 cc/g and geometric mean tensile from about 730 to about 1,500 g/3?.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Stephen Michael Lindsay, Christopher Lee Satori, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Kenneth John Zwick
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Publication number: 20170258823Abstract: The present invention relates to prebiotic compositions and formulations comprising an ?-hydroxy acid and salts thereof, such as lactic, glycolic, citric, tartaric or malic acid and a prebiotic agent, such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), lactulose, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), raffinose, stachyose, isomalto-oligosaccharide, and xylo-oligosaccharide. Prebiotic compositions of the present invention provide a surprisingly synergist prebiotic effect and may be administered in several forms to a user, such as by application to a premoistened wiping substrate or dry bath tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: David William Koenig, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, YoungSook Kim, SangHa Park, Jessica Caroline Rogers
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Patent number: 9744248Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Publication number: 20170080105Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Patent number: 9539344Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Publication number: 20160250353Abstract: The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, David William Koenig, Amy Lynn Vanden Heuvel, David Andrew Moline, Rebecca Ann Vongsa, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup
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Patent number: 9416494Abstract: The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jian Qin
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Patent number: 9410292Abstract: The disclosure provides a multilayered tissue web comprising treated cellulosic fibers selectively disposed in one or more layers, wherein the tissue layer comprising treated fibers is adjacent to a layer comprising untreated fiber and which is substantially free from untreated fiber. Generally the treated fibers have a rate of substitution of about 0.02 to 0.07. In this manner, the disclosure provides a multi-layered tissue web having treated fiber selectively incorporated therein, where the tissue web has basis weight greater than about 10 grams per square meter (gsm), such as from about 10 to about 50 gsm, a sheet bulk greater than about 8 cc/g, such as from about 8 to about 15 cc/g and Stiffness Index less than about 15, such as from about 8 to about 12.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jian Qin, Mike Thomas Goulet, Cathleen Mae Uttecht, Donald Eugene Waldroup, Deborah Joy Calewarts, Kenneth John Zwick
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Publication number: 20160024717Abstract: The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Stephen Michael Lindsay, Michael Andrew Zawadzki, Jian Qin