Patents by Inventor Michael John Faulks

Michael John 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).

  • Patent number: 9629757
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The absorbent article can include a first and a second folding line for packaging each being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second containment flaps can be positioned in the absorbent article such that the distal end of the outer flap projections can be positioned laterally inside of each folding line, the distal ends of the inner flap projections can be positioned laterally outside of each folding line, or such that the first fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the first containment flap and the second fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the second containment flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Julie Ann Paveletzke, Michael John Faulks
  • Patent number: 9345627
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Sperl, Seth Michael Newlin, Michael John Faulks, Gregory John Jansen
  • Patent number: 9259362
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first containment flap and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The stems of the first and the second containment flaps can be positioned laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent article. The stem can extend away from the body facing liner when the absorbent article is in a relaxed condition. The inner flap projection can extend laterally from the stem towards a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article and the outer flap projection can extend laterally from the stem away from the longitudinal axis and the inner flap projection when the article is in a relaxed condition. The outer flap projection can be bonded to the stem in at least a portion of one of the front waist region and the rear waist region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Scott Simon Craig Kirby, Rodney Allan Butler, Kylie Brooke Bridger, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Fleger Bishop, Michael John Faulks
  • Patent number: 9168181
    Abstract: A method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article that includes a front end region, rear end region, a first elasticized leg cuff and a second elasticized leg cuff. The method includes providing a first containment flap and a second containment flap that can each include a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The method can further include securing the outer flap projection of the first containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region and securing the outer flap projection of the second containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Scott Simon Craig Kirby, Rodney Allan Butler, Kylie Brooke Bridger, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Fleger Bishop, Michael John Faulks
  • Publication number: 20150283000
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, David Fleger Bishop, Heather Ann Diffey, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Scott S.C. Kirby, Niall Finn, Andy R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140350504
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first containment flap and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The stems of the first and the second containment flaps can be positioned laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent article. The stem can extend away from the body facing liner when the absorbent article is in a relaxed condition. The inner flap projection can extend laterally from the stem towards a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article and the outer flap projection can extend laterally from the stem away from the longitudinal axis and the inner flap projection when the article is in a relaxed condition. The outer flap projection can be bonded to the stem in at least a portion of one of the front waist region and the rear waist region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Scott Simon Craig Kirby, Rodney Allan Butler, Kylie Brooke Bridger, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Fleger Bishop, Michael John Faulks
  • Publication number: 20140350508
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a first and a second containment flap each having a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The absorbent article can include a first and a second folding line for packaging each being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first and second containment flaps can be positioned in the absorbent article such that the distal end of the outer flap projections can be positioned laterally inside of each folding line, the distal ends of the inner flap projections can be positioned laterally outside of each folding line, or such that the first fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the first containment flap and the second fold line extends through at least a portion of the inner or the outer flap projection of the second containment flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Julie Ann Paveletzke, Michael John Faulks
  • Publication number: 20140345788
    Abstract: A method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article that includes a front end region, rear end region, a first elasticized leg cuff and a second elasticized leg cuff. The method includes providing a first containment flap and a second containment flap that can each include a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The method can further include securing the outer flap projection of the first containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region and securing the outer flap projection of the second containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Scott Simon Craig Kirby, Rodney Allan Butler, Kylie Brooke Bridger, Jeffrey Alan DeBroux, David Fleger Bishop, Michael John Faulks
  • Publication number: 20140163510
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article comprises a first crotch elastic member adjacent a first crotch edge and a second crotch elastic member adjacent a second crotch edge, each crotch elastic member extending generally in a longitudinal direction, each crotch elastic member having a front terminal point and a rear terminal point. In one embodiment, at least one of the terminal points of the first crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the first crotch elastic member, and at least one of the terminal points of the second crotch elastic member is positioned transversely inward from a remaining portion of the second crotch elastic member. In another embodiment, front end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members or rear end portions of the first and second crotch elastic members converge transversely inward toward each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Sperl, Seth Michael Newlin, Michael John Faulks, Gregory John Jansen
  • Patent number: 8377023
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles have a percentage of stretch in the lateral direction at the widest portion in the front region of the article and/or in the back region in the range of from about 25% to about 150%. Additionally, at least about 70% of the above stretch resides in a first edge zone and in a second edge zone of the chassis. The first edge zone and the second edge zone are separated by a middle zone. The middle zone, which has the same length as each edge zone, is stretchable, but to a lesser extent than the edge zones. Through this construction, the absorbent article exhibits improved fit and appearance. Of particular advantage, the carefully controlled stretch properties prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Robert Lee Popp, Christopher Peter Olson, James Marcus Carr, Mark Michael Mleziva, Michael John Faulks
  • Patent number: 8216200
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Darlene Meetz, Michael Donald Sperl, Michael John Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Sandra Marie Rogers, Troy Leonard Tipton
  • Patent number: 8066685
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with carefully controlled stretch properties are disclosed. In particular, the articles exhibit stretch not only in the lateral direction but also in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the articles have a biaxial stretch ratio, which refers to a ratio of stretch along the hip circumference of the article to the amount of stretch in the longitudinal direction, that is from about 1.0 to about 2.5, and particularly from about 1.1 to about 1.5. Absorbent articles made in accordance with the present invention are capable of accommodating a relatively large size range of wearers. The articles also exhibit improved fit and prevent sagging or drooping of the crotch region, even after the crotch region has been wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Olson, James Marcus Carr, Lawrence Howell Sawyer, Michael John Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Mark Michael Mleziva
  • Publication number: 20110082436
    Abstract: An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Nancy Darlene Meetz, Michael Donald Sperl, Michael John Faulks, Robert Lee Popp, Sandra Marie Rogers, Troy Leonard Tipton
  • Patent number: 7294378
    Abstract: There is provided a roll of wet wipes that may be used in a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a housing, a tray and a cartridge. The cartridge has the ability to be inserted into the dispenser in a pre-selected manner based on the desired orientation of the wipes contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ligia A. Rivera, Joe Cwiakala, John Eugene Peluso, Karen Lee Demeny, legal representative, William Robert Newman, Yung Hsiang Huang, Michael John Faulks, Steven John Romme, Gerald P. DeGreen, Lee Demeny, deceased
  • Patent number: 7188799
    Abstract: There is provided a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a housing, a tray and a cartridge, and a wiper blade. The cartridge may have the ability to be inserted into the dispenser in a pre-selected manner based on the desired orientation of the wipes contained therein. The wiper blade may have the ability to control the dispensing characteristics of the wet wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Lindsay, Herb F. Velazquez, William Robert Newman, Michael John Faulks, Paige Annette Dellerman, Ligia A. Rivera, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Cherry A. Bochmann, Gerald P. DeGreen, Nick E. Stanca, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Yung Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7070143
    Abstract: There is provided a system for dispensing a plurality of perforated wipes having a perforation detach strength characteristic. The system includes a dispenser having a dispensing force characteristic and including a sealable chamber. The chamber is configured to retain the plurality of perforated wipes therein. A dispensing opening is in communication with the chamber. The opening is adapted to dispense wipes from the plurality of perforated wipes through the opening and out of the dispenser. A wiper blade is positioned in the dispenser to engage at least a portion of the wipes as the wipes dispense through the opening. When dispensing, a ratio of the perforation detach strength characteristic to the dispensing force characteristic is greater than 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, Yung Hsiang Huang, William Robert Newman, Herb F. Velazquez, Ligia A. Rivera, Paige Annette Dellerman, Steven John Romme, Cherry Ann Bochmann, Gerald P. DeGreen, Jeffrey M. Kalman
  • Patent number: 7063245
    Abstract: There is provided a wet wipes dispensing system. The system includes a plurality of separably joined wet wipes and the plurality of separably joined wet wipes include a lubricant. The system also includes a dispenser including a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber housing the plurality of separably joined wet wipes therein. The dispenser also includes a flexible elastic sealing orifice through which wet wipes from the plurality of separably joined wet wipes can be dispensed from the sealed chamber. At least a portion of the lubricant is automatically transferable to the flexible elastic sealing orifice when wet wipes from the plurality of separably joined wet wipes are dispensed from the sealed chamber through the flexible elastic sealing orifice whereby a drag relationship between the wet wipes and the flexible elastic sealing orifice is reduced by at least about 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, Yung Hsiang Huang, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Steven John Romme, A. Todd Leak, Paige Annette Dellerman, Ligia A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 7011272
    Abstract: There is provided a system and apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a wiper assembly, which may include a chassis, a wiper blade, and a tensioner. The wiper assembly minimizes the amount of wipes which cannot be dispensed. The wiper assembly may be mounted to a dispenser for wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, William Robert Newman, Steven John Romme, Paige Annette Dellerman, Ligia A. Rivera, Herb F. Velazquez, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Cherry A. Bochmann, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Gerald P. DeGreen, Yung Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 6827309
    Abstract: There is provided a mounting system for an apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a dispenser, a mounting assembly, a backing plate, and arms. The dispenser has the ability to be mounted to a surface by applied pressure or by conventional fastening. The mounting assembly may securely yet removably hold the dispensing apparatus to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Newman, John Eugene Peluso, Herb F. Velazquez, Yung Hsiang Huang, Michael John Faulks, Paige Annette Dellerman, Steven John Romme, Ligia A. Rivera, Frederick J. Lang, Walter Theodore Schultz, Jeff Lindsay, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Cherry A. Bochmann, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Nick E. Stanca, Gerald P. DeGreen
  • Patent number: D636488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Faulks, Janet Elaine Collins, Lisa LaRae Bushman, Connie May McMorrow, Christina Marie Rhein, Sara Jane Wille Stabelfeldt, Eric-John Raoul Gilgenbach, Matthew Edward Gerstle