Patents by Inventor Michael J. Faulks

Michael J. Faulks 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: 20230190542
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can include a chassis (11) including an absorbent body (34). The chassis (11) can include a body facing surface (19). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can also include a waist containment member (54, 154, 254). The waist containment member (54, 154, 254) can include a proximal portion (76) coupled to the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11) and a distal portion (78) that includes a free edge (88). The distal portion (78) can be free to move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in a relaxed configuration. The free edge (88) can be about 50.0 millimeters or less from the rear waist edge (24) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in the stretched, laid-flat configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Patent number: 11612522
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can include a chassis (11) including an absorbent body (34). The chassis (11) can include a body facing surface (19). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can also include a waist containment member (54, 154, 254). The waist containment member (54, 154, 254) can include a proximal portion (76) coupled to the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11) and a distal portion (78) that includes a free edge (88). The distal portion (78) can be free to move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in a relaxed configuration. The free edge (88) can be about 50.0 millimeters or less from the rear waist edge (24) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in the stretched, laid-flat configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Patent number: 11554055
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) can include a waist containment member (54) and an absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434). The waist containment member (54) can include a proximal portion (76) and a distal portion (78) configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) can be configured to provide improved access for exudates into the containment pocket (82) of the waist containment member (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Publication number: 20210346212
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a waist containment member (54) with a first longitudinal side edge (72), a second longitudinal side edge (74), a proximal portion (76), and a distal portion (78). A fold (79a) can separate the proximal portion (76) from the distal portion (78). The proximal portion (76) can be coupled to the chassis (11) and the distal portion (78) can be configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a pair of containment flaps (50, 52). The containment flaps (50, 52) can each include a base portion (64) and a projection portion (66).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks, Thomas Roessler
  • Patent number: 11096836
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a waist containment member (54) with a first longitudinal side edge (72), a second longitudinal side edge (74), a proximal portion (76), and a distal portion (78). A fold (79a) can separate the proximal portion (76) from the distal portion (78). The proximal portion (76) can be coupled to the chassis (11) and the distal portion (78) can be configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a pair of containment flaps (50, 52). The containment flaps (50, 52) can each include a base portion (64) and a projection portion (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks, Thomas Roessler
  • Patent number: 11058791
    Abstract: A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article is provided. The film contains an ethylene polymer, a nanoclay having an organic surface treatment, and a compatibilizer that includes an olefin polymer containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the modulus and tensile strength of the film can be significantly improved without having an adverse impact on its ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, James Hongxue Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva
  • Patent number: 10869790
    Abstract: A package that contains a wrapper material that defines an interior cavity within which an absorbent article is removably positioned is provided. The wrapper material is formed from a film that includes a polymer composition containing at least one ethylene polymer and at least one nanofiller. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of these components, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the resulting package may generate a relatively low degree of noise when physically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva, Gregory J. Wideman
  • Patent number: 10849800
    Abstract: A film for use in an absorbent article is provided. The film is formed from a polymer composition that contains an ethylene polymer and a nanofiller. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of these components, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the resulting film may generate a relatively low degree of noise when physically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Michael J. Faulks, Gregory J. Wideman
  • Patent number: 10709618
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a chassis (11) and a waist containment member (54). The waist containment member (54) can be disposed on the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11). The waist containment member (54) can include a proximal portion (76) and a distal portion (78). The proximal portion (76) can be coupled to the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11). The distal portion (78) can include a body facing surface (78a), a garment facing surface (78b), and a free edge (88). In some embodiments, the waist containment member (54) can further include a compressible member (87) coupled to the distal portion (78) of the waist containment member (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Publication number: 20200107973
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) can include a waist containment member (54) and an absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434). The waist containment member (54) can include a proximal portion (76) and a distal portion (78) configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) can be configured to provide improved access for exudates into the containment pocket (82) of the waist containment member (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Patent number: 10131753
    Abstract: A multi-layered nanocomposite film for use in packaging is provided. More particularly, the film contains at least one core layer positioned adjacent to at least one outer layer. For example, in one embodiment, the film contains a core layer that is positioned between two outer layers. The core layer(s) and/or outer layer(s) may be formed from a polymer composition that contains an ethylene polymer, nanoclay having an organic surface treatment, and a compatibilizer that includes an olefin component and a polar component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, Feng Chen, Gregory J. Wideman, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva
  • Patent number: 10070999
    Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Faulks, David F. Bishop, Heather Ann Diffey, Andrew T. Hammond, Scott S. C. Kirby, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20180104116
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a chassis (11) and a waist containment member (54). The waist containment member (54) can be disposed on the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11). The waist containment member (54) can include a proximal portion (76) and a distal portion (78). The proximal portion (76) can be coupled to the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11). The distal portion (78) can include a body facing surface (78a), a garment facing surface (78b), and a free edge (88). In some embodiments, the waist containment member (54) can further include a compressible member (87) coupled to the distal portion (78) of the waist containment member (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Publication number: 20180071155
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a waist containment member (54) with a first longitudinal side edge (72), a second longitudinal side edge (74), a proximal portion (76), and a distal portion (78). A fold (79a) can separate the proximal portion (76) from the distal portion (78). The proximal portion (76) can be coupled to the chassis (11) and the distal portion (78) can be configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include a pair of containment flaps (50, 52). The containment flaps (50, 52) can each include a base portion (64) and a projection portion (66).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks, Thomas Roessler
  • Publication number: 20180055698
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can include a chassis (11) including an absorbent body (34). The chassis (11) can include a body facing surface (19). The absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) can also include a waist containment member (54, 154, 254). The waist containment member (54, 154, 254) can include a proximal portion (76) coupled to the body facing surface (19) of the chassis (11) and a distal portion (78) that includes a free edge (88). The distal portion (78) can be free to move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in a relaxed configuration. The free edge (88) can be about 50.0 millimeters or less from the rear waist edge (24) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310) is in the stretched, laid-flat configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Patent number: 9878065
    Abstract: A thin nanocomposite film for use in an absorbent article (e.g., sanitary napkin) is provided. The film contains a first ethylene polymer having a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 or less, second ethylene polymer having a density of greater than 0.94 g/cm3, and nanoclay having an organic surface treatment. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of the components used to form the film, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the properties of the film can be significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, Feng Chen, Gregory J. Wideman, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva
  • Publication number: 20170319405
    Abstract: A package that contains a wrapper material that defines an interior cavity within which an absorbent article is removably positioned is provided. The wrapper material is formed from a film that includes a polymer composition containing at least one ethylene polymer and at least one nanofiller. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of these components, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the resulting package may generate a relatively low degree of noise when physically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva, Gregory J. Wideman
  • Publication number: 20170319400
    Abstract: A film for use in an absorbent article is provided. The film is formed from a polymer composition that contains an ethylene polymer and a nanofiller. The present inventors have discovered that through selective control over the particular type and concentration of these components, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the resulting film may generate a relatively low degree of noise when physically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Michael J. Faulks, Gregory J. Wideman
  • Publication number: 20170246054
    Abstract: An absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) can include a waist containment member (54) and an absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434). The waist containment member (54) can include a proximal portion (76) and a distal portion (78) configured to freely move with respect to the chassis (11) when the absorbent article (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is in a relaxed configuration to provide a containment pocket (82). The absorbent body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) can be configured to provide improved access for exudates into the containment pocket (82) of the waist containment member (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: David F. Bishop, Patsy A. Benedict, Joseph D. Coenen, Kaitlyn E. Mast, Michael J. Faulks
  • Publication number: 20160347919
    Abstract: A multi-layered nanocomposite film for use in packaging is provided. More particularly, the film contains at least one core layer positioned adjacent to at least one outer layer. For example, in one embodiment, the film contains a core layer that is positioned between two outer layers. The core layer(s) and/or outer layer(s) may be formed from a polymer composition that contains an ethylene polymer, nanoclay having an organic surface treatment, and a compatibilizer that includes an olefin component and a polar component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: James Hongxue Wang, Feng Chen, Gregory J. Wideman, Michael J. Faulks, Mark M. Mleziva