Patents by Inventor Michael L. Lohoff

Michael L. Lohoff 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: 11857398
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and applying a discrete part to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer puck assemblies, a drive assembly, and a translation mechanism. The plurality of transfer puck assemblies is adapted to convey the discrete part to the substrate, and each transfer puck assembly includes at least one puck segment. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each transfer puck assembly about a drive axis. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the at least one puck segment in an axial direction as the plurality of transfer puck assemblies are being rotated about the drive axis to move the discrete part to a profiled configuration prior to application of the profiled discrete part to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Michael L. Lohoff, Matthew J. Maigatter
  • Publication number: 20230240903
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and applying a discrete part to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer puck assemblies, a drive assembly, and a translation mechanism. The plurality of transfer puck assemblies is adapted to convey the discrete part to the substrate, and each transfer puck assembly includes at least one puck segment. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each transfer puck assembly about a drive axis. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the at least one puck segment in an axial direction as the plurality of transfer puck assemblies are being rotated about the drive axis to move the discrete part to a profiled configuration prior to application of the profiled discrete part to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Michael L. Lohoff, Matthew J. Maigatter
  • Patent number: 11667086
    Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Lohoff, Craig R. Roble, Greg Rajala, Katherine M. Nackers, Kelly D. Farmer, Jason K. Sieck, Joseph D. Coenen, Jerry L. Hameister
  • Publication number: 20220266535
    Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Michael L. Lohoff, Craig R. Roble, Greg Rajala, Katherine M. Nackers, Kelly D. Farmer, Jason K. Sieck, Joseph D. Coenen, Jerry L. Hameister
  • Patent number: 11351737
    Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Lohoff, Craig R. Roble, Greg Rajala, Katherine M. Nackers, Kelly D. Farmer, Jason K. Sieck, Joseph D. Coenen, Jerry L. Hameister
  • Publication number: 20210162676
    Abstract: An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Michael L. Lohoff, Craig R. Roble, Greg Rajala, Katherine M. Nackers, Kelly D. Farmer, Jason K. Sieck, Joseph D. Coenen, Jerry L. Hameister
  • Publication number: 20210146680
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for drying web substrates are described. In one embodiment, a method of drying a web substrate may comprise supplying air to a first dryer head located proximate a web conveyer, the air within the first dryer head having a temperature of less than 176 degrees C., directing air from the first dryer head toward the web conveyer at a velocity greater than 1000 m/min and forming a first drying region, and advancing the web substrate in a first direction on the web conveyer and through the first drying region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Tim G. Dollevoet, Jeffrey R. Heller, Michael L. Lohoff, Andrew E. Neubauer, Troy A. Nitke, Stephen A. Marrano
  • Publication number: 20210085534
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents a printed absorbent article which includes a hydrophobic substrate, an ink receptive coating and an aqueous ink. The ink receptive coating has a base weight from about 2 gsm to about 20 gsm. The aqueous ink contains pigments. The receptive coating absorbs liquid from the ink at a contact angle at or about zero degrees at which the ink is printed onto the substrate through the receptive coating at a printing speed of at least about 500 feet per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Devin C. McElrath, Michael L. Lohoff, Andrew E. Neubauer, Linda M. Ahles, Tim G. Dollevoet
  • Publication number: 20200170847
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a printed absorbent article and a process for making a printed absorbent article. Specifically, the printing onto the outer cover of an absorbent article may be accomplished by using a hydrophobic substrate and applying aqueous ink containing pigments to an ink receptive coating that has a thickness of about 0.1 millimeters or less and a base weight of at least 2 gsm wherein the coating absorbs liquid from the ink at a contact angle at or about zero degrees at which time the ink is printed onto the hydrophobic substrate at a printing speed of at least 500 feet per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Devin C. McElrath, Michael L. Lohoff, Andrew E. Neubauer, Linda M. Ahles, Tim G. Dollevoet
  • Publication number: 20100154970
    Abstract: A method of forming an elasticised leg cuff for a wearable article is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method includes providing a first web of material for forming at least part of an outer cover for a wearable article, the first web defining a first surface and an opposed second surface; cutting a web of leg band material to form a discrete leg band having a first, shaped outer portion and a second, inner portion; connecting the shaped outer portion of the discrete leg band to the first surface of the first web so that the inner portion of the discrete leg band extends laterally from a side edge of the first web; connecting an elastic component to the first web, adjacent the discrete leg band; and folding the inner portion of the leg band over the elastic component and connecting it to the second surface of the first web so as to cover at least a portion of the elastic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Michael L. Lohoff